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Things to Know

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Things To Know About Your Computer
(And I don't mean its favorite movie!)

Imagine this: your computer is doing weird things, you call tech support for your Dell, Gateway etc., and are put on hold for what seems like years.  They give you instructions to fix it and the next day...it starts again.  So you say to yourself, "I'm going to ask the PuterGeek for help!".  You go to PuterGeek's help me page and he asks you questions about your computer that you have no idea what the answers are.  You send your request anyway and you receive a reply asking....for more details.  AHHHHHH - you scream because you don't know!!  Well, my dear computer user...you should.

There are some things that all users should know about their computer.  I recommend that you buy a spiral notebook in which to write your computer's information down in.  Keep this notebook in a place where you won't lose it or accidentally throw it away when you clean your computer area (not that I've ever done that!). 

Here is a list of things I recommend you should list:

1. The computer manufacturer, i.e. Dell, Compaq, Gateway, Falcon Northwest, custom-build (include shop name), etc.

2. Speed of the computer chip (CPU), i.e. Pentium III-600, Pentium II-400, Pentium 233 MMX, AMD, or Cyrix.

3. Amount of memory (RAM)

4. Video Card and amount of video memory.

5. Sound Card

6. Keyboard/Mouse

7. Hard drive manufacturer, model, and size.

8. CD ROM manufacturer, model, and speed.

9. DVD (If you have a DVD, do you have a decoder card or is it done in software?)

10. CD-R or CD-RW (CD Burner or CD Burner/Rewriter) manufacturer, model, and speed.

11. TV Tuner Card

12. FM Tuner Card

13. Zip Drive

14. Other removable drive media

15. Scanner

16. Printer

There are more possible hardware items that could be included in your computer.  But you should see what I'm trying to get at here.  List all the hardware components in your computer.  Include the name of the manufacturer, model name/number, serial number, account number, tech support phone numbers, web site addresses, and phone numbers.  Write all of this information down in the notebook.  As you upgrade or replace parts, update your notebook as well.

You also would need to know whether or not you have SCSI or IDE devices.  For example, if you have a SCSI hard drive, you would have a SCSI controller card.  You would need that information as well.  If you have a Zip drive - is it internal or external?  Be specific.  It's better to have too much information than not enough.

Also, what operating system are you using?  It's not enough to know Win 98.  Do you have Win95/Win95a/Win95b/Win95c or Win98/Win98SE.  Win95 could also be known as Win95/OSR 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.1, or 2.5.  (I had to ask Peter about all those versions.)  You can tell what version you have by right clicking on My Computer and choose Properties.  The operating system version is listed under system.  Note: a user or a program could change a key in the registry to make this information be reported incorrectly.  Just do what you can.

Now I imagine you're still wondering..."I still don't know why I need to know this stuff!"  Here's another reason: there will come a day when you will be wiping and re-installing Windows all by yourself.  One of the things you need to do right before wiping is to check your hardware manufacturer's web site for updated drivers.  How can you download the latest driver if you don't know what pieces of hardware you have?

Your computer is your little baby and you need to take care of it.  One of the first steps is to know everything you can about it.  So go out a get that notebook and start writing down your baby's info!  Until next time....later gaters.

P.S.  I will do my best to keep writing articles here but I've broken my left wrist and it's hard to type but I will put them out as quick as I can.  Thanks for your patience.

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Last Revised: 10/20/2000

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Thanks for the help Thomas!