What
information and files should I keep about my computer?
I am a firm believer in keeping several
files of information on and about your computer. They will
prove to be invaluable when problems arise, or just to find out what
version of a program you have currently. If you ever
call in for computer support many of the questions the technician will
ask you will also be in these files. They can all be simple
Text (*.txt) files or you can use your word processing software to
create them, but in either case keep them all in one directory
together. I keep shortcuts to my files in a folder on my
desktop for quick and easy access to them.
I suggest you create and maintain the following files:
1)
List of the current version of both all your software programs and
applications and hardware firmware versions
2) A detailed list of all hardware on your system
3) A "system status" file were you record changes, problems and
new things you learn about computers
4) If you plan to ever change any or your BIOS* settings then you
should record them as they currently are
Here are examples of what some of the
files might look like:
* BIOS
settings are the ones you can access at the beginning of the computer
boot by hitting the Delete key. These settings control the
basic operation and behaviour of your computer and how it interacts
with the hardware. Most computers come with a booklet that
describes your BIOS settings and what they can be changed to (often
with the motherboard manual).
PC101-Personal
Computer 101
