PC101-Personal
Computer 101
TIPS for PC Computers
GENERAL
SECURITY
,
or Customize
your current level (e.g. Accept
some First Party
Cookies instead of Flag or Reject) than to change your overall Security
Level if things are otherwise working OK. more cookie info
TIP: Like to see what you look like to others on the internet? Then you can run my Tellme program and get a display of it: program info
MAINTENANCE
keoni@isp.com
GENERAL
TIP: Keep a binder for each computer you
have. In it store, HW & SW lists, HW & SW manuals,
general computer information, tips you discovery or learn, warranty
information, and I suggest you keep text files on your system in a
specific directory (e.g. C:\UpgradesPatchesInstalls)
as well as printouts in the binder.
TIP: If you can't seem to shut your system down, then you can try holding down the Ctrl and Alt keys and hitting the Delete key twice -- this will cause an immediate shutdown of the system -- hopefully. Try this normal shutdown first:
>Hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and hit the Delete key once
>Hold down the Alt key and hit the letter U
>Hit the down arrow (↓) twice
>Hit the Enter key and the system should do a normal shutdown
TIP: Remember, if you can't find your answer in this website there is an extensive Links and References page you can use.
TIP: If you can't seem to shut your system down, then you can try holding down the Ctrl and Alt keys and hitting the Delete key twice -- this will cause an immediate shutdown of the system -- hopefully. Try this normal shutdown first:
>Hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and hit the Delete key once
>Hold down the Alt key and hit the letter U
>Hit the down arrow (↓) twice
>Hit the Enter key and the system should do a normal shutdown
TIP: Remember, if you can't find your answer in this website there is an extensive Links and References page you can use.
OPERATING SYSTEM
TIP: The Windows OS can
and should be upgraded regularly to get the latest drivers, patches and
security updates. Some versions you can automate Windows
Update to run automatically and just install any new
SW. Manually you click Start /
Windows Update and it will take you to the MS update webpage,
and there you can search for any new SW for your system, plus drivers,
patches and upgrades for both MS and other vendors.
TIP: Quick way to the Task Manager, where you can view applications running, processes running, network activity and animated performance charts is: hold down Ctrl and Shift and hit Esc.
TIP: Quick way to the Task Manager, where you can view applications running, processes running, network activity and animated performance charts is: hold down Ctrl and Shift and hit Esc.
SECURITYTIP: Spyware
and Adware, as well as some viruses, get on your system
from you downloading files and programs,
opening attachments to email from unknowns and is added to some
packaged commerical software media. You can reduce the change of
getting any of this unwanted stuff by not opening attachments or links
from unknown email sources, restricting the downloading of programs
from the internet to those you really need, and regularly
running AntiVirus and Anti-spyware SW. more
virus/spyware info
INTERNET/NETWORK
TIP:
With either browser (Netscape,
IE) it is
better either to just add
(Allow) a website to the
list of websites allowed to add cookies to your
system,
or Customize
your current level (e.g. Accept
some First Party
Cookies instead of Flag or Reject) than to change your overall Security
Level if things are otherwise working OK. more cookie infoTIP: Like to see what you look like to others on the internet? Then you can run my Tellme program and get a display of it: program info
SOFTWARE
TIP: I suggest you have
a directory on your disk for personal information about your HW and
SW. There you can keep patches and upgrade programs to your
SW, so that if you ever have to reinstall any SW products you will not
have to search for the upgrades and patches for it. Keep text
files there also for unique procedures and information on your HW and
SW. more info on this
TIP: Do NOT use the Compatibility Mode technique (i.e. running pre-XP programs on XP) on system utilities, e.g. defrag, antivirus, or you may damage your system. info on Compatibility Mode
TIP: If you install the MS® Fax software utility, you may find that it severely delays the display of the desk top on the boot. To prevent this, if you know how to do it, is to go into the Start / Settings / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Services and change the Fax service from Automatic to Manual. This will prevent it from starting everytime you boot but will still start when you use the utility to fax. More info on adding/removing Windows Components (utils)
TIP: A little know XP utility called Dr Watson, records application crashes and displays the causes. Use it to determine (e.g. mail dump to SW vendor) the cause of your software problems. More on Dr Watson
TIP: Do NOT use the Compatibility Mode technique (i.e. running pre-XP programs on XP) on system utilities, e.g. defrag, antivirus, or you may damage your system. info on Compatibility Mode
TIP: If you install the MS® Fax software utility, you may find that it severely delays the display of the desk top on the boot. To prevent this, if you know how to do it, is to go into the Start / Settings / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Services and change the Fax service from Automatic to Manual. This will prevent it from starting everytime you boot but will still start when you use the utility to fax. More info on adding/removing Windows Components (utils)
TIP: A little know XP utility called Dr Watson, records application crashes and displays the causes. Use it to determine (e.g. mail dump to SW vendor) the cause of your software problems. More on Dr Watson
HARDWARE
TIP:
If air flow is a
problem in your computer case, try putting some books under
the case feet to raise it up; move the case away from walls; consider
adding another internal fan (the motherboard
usually has an extra plug for a muffin fan).
TIP: CRT monitors (da big
ones, like a TV) create extreme heat when on and in use, so try
not to block the air vents on the back of it. Most monitors
can be adjusted so the display matches the size of the screen.
TIP: If you want to know quick ways to perform functions using the keyboard instead of finding and clicking on them with your mouse, or your mouse suddenly goes dead, use these handy keyboard equivalent functions: keyboard commands
TIP: If you want to know quick ways to perform functions using the keyboard instead of finding and clicking on them with your mouse, or your mouse suddenly goes dead, use these handy keyboard equivalent functions: keyboard commands
TIP:
Since System
Restore does NOT backup
your personal data files, you
will have to do that separately, via a
backup device, occasionally Save to CD's or DVD's, zip drive, memory
chip, another computer or some other method. info
on System Restore and other backup options
TIP: Keeping track of SW/HW versions has added benefits: you won't waste your time attempting to install versions older than you already have on your system, and when you request HW or SW vendor support, they are almost always going to ask you what version you have of their product and request you first install their latest version update (see example).
TIP: By default, if you are not sure if you need a file or a program, then do not remove or delete it. Investigate it first. Remember: for most files, even if you delete them, they remain on the system until you empty the Recycle Bin.
TIP: Keeping track of SW/HW versions has added benefits: you won't waste your time attempting to install versions older than you already have on your system, and when you request HW or SW vendor support, they are almost always going to ask you what version you have of their product and request you first install their latest version update (see example).
TIP: By default, if you are not sure if you need a file or a program, then do not remove or delete it. Investigate it first. Remember: for most files, even if you delete them, they remain on the system until you empty the Recycle Bin.
TIP: If you have lots of text files, or links
to them on your desktop (e.g.
SystemStatus.txt), create
a subdirectory in your My
Documents
directory (e.g. "storage"), put all your text files in that directory,
and then just put a shortcut link to that directory on your desktop (see example).
TIP: You can run maintenance programs in the background or at boot time, but that either slows the system down or lengthens how long it takes to boot -- why not run all those housecleaning programs when you want to shutdown and have the Shutdown program shut the system down automatically when done? Tell me more!
TIP: As a rule (except with severe problems), it is not a problem unless it has occurred repeatedly three times.
TIP: You can run maintenance programs in the background or at boot time, but that either slows the system down or lengthens how long it takes to boot -- why not run all those housecleaning programs when you want to shutdown and have the Shutdown program shut the system down automatically when done? Tell me more!
TIP: As a rule (except with severe problems), it is not a problem unless it has occurred repeatedly three times.
Got
questions you would like answered? Yes
keoni@isp.com