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Computer HelpK.I.S.S.-Keep It Simple Stupid theory Rule #2 is this: SHARE. True computer programmers and techies share. It's what I was taught and what we believe in. When you are given a computer (or buy one), no one ever tells you about the basics of how to keep your machine 'tuned up'. Here I will list just some of the basics I have learned. Nothing complex, just the basic. If you are looking for more complex info, I will put links here for software (and programming), and hardware.There is so much stuff out there, and a new crop constantly coming up all the time. Gotta stay on top of all the new stuff just to stay current. ______________________________ VIRUS SCAN PROGRAM Most important is your virus scan program. It is the single most common problem with the average computer user. Check to see if you have one. If you do, thats great. If not, I will put some links on the 'more links' page so you can get one. When I went to college, they taught that over 200 virus's are created a month (not including trogans [long story there; different from a virus, but still distructive none the less]). Now, they are reporting an estimated 200 PER WEEK. Holly crap hugh? Thats what I said. In any case, you MUST make sure that you have your virus scan program running (some turn it off) and you MUST make sure you update it once a week....even once in a while is better then nothing. If you cant tell if you have one, ask a computer savvy friend over to help you look. If you dont have one of those handy, search yourself. Go to: (your start button on the bottom left) start>find>files then type in the word 'virus'. This should find a virus protection program if you have one. The more common programs are usually 'Nortons' and 'Mcafee'. So 1. Make sure you have a virus program. 2. Make sure its running. 3. Make sure its updated. 4. Make sure you RUN the scan. To run the scan, just double click the icon of your virus scan program and find a button that says, "Scan now" or "Scan for virus'" or something of the sort. *NOTE: if your virus scan program is scheduled (meaning it automatically does it in your scheduled tasks), then please make sure your computer is ON during the time it is scheduled to run. You'd be surprised how many people have it scheduled and the computer isnt even on at that time of the day. ______________________________ SCAN DISK DEFRAG Every single program you have, has hundreds, if not thousands of files. When it is installed, each file is assigned a number. Defrag is a tool used to put all of these files back in order, thus allowing the computer to run more quickly. Thats all it is. The hard drive fragments (files scatter) from normal usage. Yes, its normal. When you use your computer, lets say, an accounting program, every time you click it to open and load, the computer finds what files it needs and uses them and your program runs (comes up). When you close the program (when your done with it), it simply drops said files in any open or available space on the hard drive. No big deal. It still works fine, just take a little longer for your computer to find the files need next time you want to use said program. To Defrag 1. Turn off your screen saver, if you have one. Depending upon your computer, a screensaver can stop, restart or interupt the defrag process. 2. go to: start>programs>accessories>system tools>disk defrag 3. Restart your machine when done. VERY important to always restart after. If you dont know how to do this, have someone show you once and you'll have it down pat. Its simple and worth the time. How often it should be done depends upon your computer usage. If you are on your computer constantly, do it once a week. If you use it a small amount of time (daily or not) defrag monthly. How long it takes depends upon the size of your hard drive and speed of your machine. It may take 10 minutes or it may take all night. Just let it do what it needs to do. *please note: scan disk and defrag are more effective and properly done if done in safe mode. If you dont know what safe mode is, just do it in your regular computer screen. __________________________ YOUR OS SYSTEM I can't tell you how many times I have seen people with 'older' computers try and put a modern Operating System on it. There is a reason they have Windows 95 (verson a,b, or c) on it. For instance, I was asked to look at a computer that was completely frozen. The man couldnt understand why. Years ago, he paid almost $3,000 for said computer and he was not happy. I looked and found that it only had 4megs of ram and he had recently installed Windows 98se on it. Windows 98se requires at least 64megs of ram to open.... Point is, he had Windows 95 for a reason. It doesnt require as much system resources. Older machines simply do not have the capabilities of running the newer OS's. If you want to install anything on your computer, check first, especially with OS's. Well, in the end, he got mad at me (I think himself actually), and started yelling and cursing at me. Guess he'll have to go to the store and buy a Windows 95 OS....oh yeah....they dont sell them anymore ;)  CLICK HERE for MORE LINKS. |
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This section last edited 01.09.06 COMPUTER HELP (for all) yeah yeah yeah... more coming... I have so much to put here; just need the the time to do so 
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