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Current Tips & Archive 10-31-07
Internet Protection
With so many people on the Internet today and with such speeds that
allow information to travel almost instantly, there are increasing
risks for Internet users to contract a computer virus. And with
broadband connections and the savviness of hackers today, an Internet
user no longer has to open an email attachment or download a file to
contract a virus. One can contract a virus just by getting online
without any type of protection, whether an anti-virus program or a
firewall.
In addition to having to deal with viruses, another big nuisance now
is the presence of spyware. Spyware programs keep track of you, your
information and where you've been on the Internet. This can be a way
for advertisers and websites to solicit you based upon your interests.
Some spyware is harmless, but others can be quite a nuisance. Many
times you will have spyware tracer programs on your system and not
even know it. Over time, these spyware programs and components can add
up and take space on your hard drive. Eventually, this can really bog
down your system and cause it to crash.
There are other nuisances out there, such as pop-up ads and spam that
comes through on your email. However, it seems as though viruses,
hacks and adware (spyware) are three of the top problems that Internet
users face.
To protect your system from attacks and possible crashes, it's
recommended that Internet users, especially those with high speed
connections, to use the following types of programs.
1). Firewall
2). An Antivirus program
3). Spyware Remover
Keep in mind, that nothing will protect your system 100%. However,
these programs will greatly reduce the risk of you contracting
viruses, being hacked and having a system bogged down with spyware to
the point your computer crashes.
There are numerous programs available. Customers should do their
research, read reviews from tech sites and other users to see which
programs will best suit their needs.
#1 - Run Scan Disk and Disk Defragmenter
Run Scan Disk and Disk Defragmenter to avoid problems with your hard drive. A lot of hard drive problems can be solved by running Scan Disk and Defrag. These are two simple Windows utilities available on all Windows 98-ME-based computers. Run them weekly to keep your hard drive file system in good working order.
#2 - Backup your data regularly
Backup your important data to USB Jump Drives, CD-R or DVD-R. Anyway you can, make a backup in case anything
happens. This is especially important for those of you who are going
to be taking a system to a computer store for upgrades or
repairs.
Keep in mind that you may not have to back up your programs since they
are already on a CD (provided you still have it). The
important items to backup are those that you have created yourself:
documents, letters, presentations, downloaded images, photos. have USB
Drives are Cheap and a Gig or more of Important Data. So don't lose your
STUFF Back it up!
#3 - Use an UPDATED virus detection/removal
program
Use a recent virus detection program. Be Careful to not allow your Virus Protection to Expire. Keep it UP TO DATE! New viruses are introduced daily. Some Virus can even Defeat your Virus Protection and Destroy your Data anyway. Watch for anything unusual in the task bar at the bottom of the screen.
#4 - Remove unwanted/unused programs or files
regularly
HD's are Huge and Cheap these days. But don't load them up with a bunch of games and non-essential software. Be careful what you are down loading off the Web. Much of this stuff gets placed in your startup and slows down your computer. Keep tabs on what's running and using up your valuable memory.
Use a good quality surge protector. Many problems seem to "mysteriously" disappear when you bring your computer in for service. (Remind you of taking your car into the mechanic and it works just fine for him?) The reason for this is because of poor power conditioning in a person's home. Cheap "so-called" surge protectors are nothing more than glorified extension cords.
Also Cheap surge protectors can fail partially and cause problems. Replace them if anything unusual is happening online or while you are running programs.
#6 - Only let our technicians work on warranted
systems
If you have a system built by Tech Computer, you
definitely want our technicians to perform any service on
your computer, especially if it involves repair work as
opposed to upgrades. Doing it yourself may save you that
small amount of time by not having to bring it into the
store. However, you may be taking a chance of voiding
warranties, doing damage to your system, and thus
spending more money.
Also, it can be dangerous to let others work on your system, even in
they seem computer proficient. We have encountered numerous
situations where family members or friends who worked on Tech's systems
have done more damage than good. Even if their intentions are good and
even if they are being schooled in computers or work on them as a hobby,
this does not qualify them as a professional. It is very difficult to
keep up with changes in software, hardware and drivers unless one works
and builds computer systems day in and day out. So to be safe, have all
warranty work done by a Tech Computer technician.
And even if your system was not built by Tech Computer, you can bring it in for upgrades or repair work. Our bench fees are reasonable and our work is guaranteed. Bring your computer in and talk to one of our professionals for the best results. Or you can call. Just go to the "Contact Us" page for more information.
#7 - Keep your computer in a cool, dry place
Keep your system clean, neat and in a cool, dry area. Take some time once a month to clean the dust out of your system. Purchase a can of air to remove any dust or dirt that can accumulate on CD's or Printers. Also, DO NOT smoke around your system. This is one of the worst things you can do. Not only will your system become discolored, but the tar in cigarettes can greatly reduce the life and performance of the internal fans and other components. that are needed to keep your system cool. You can buy cleaning kits at your local computer stores. This is an easy procedure and it can save you from down time and repair costs.
#8 - Be prepared when calling in for tech support
Have the necessary information ready when you call in
for technical support. Be sure to have a detailed
explanation of your problem ready so that the technician
can try to pinpoint the cause of the problem. With the
right amount of information, technicians can fix a large
number of problems over the phone. It is extremely
helpful when customers can provide specifics. The
following is a small list of things that can help
expedite tech support :
- The exact message or error that appears on the screen
- Any new software that was recently loaded or re-loaded
- Any new hardware that has been added
- Any settings that have been changed
- How often scandisk/disk defragmenter/virus checks have been performed
- How often the problem occurs
- Whether or not the problem occurs in only one particular software program or if it occurs in any program
- Any unusual noises or series of beeps that are heard
- How old the system is and if it is under warranty with Tech Computer or any other company
#9 - Monitor what your children are browsing
If you have children, you may want to closely monitor what they are browsing. Although there is a lot of useful and interesting information provided by the internet, there is also a lot of junk as well. Protect your family by being sure they are not downloading or browsing explicit or potentially harmful information. There are a number of programs that allow you to browse only the information that fits within the security level you have chosen. Even Microsoft's free Internet Explorer has a basic version of this feature.
A parent could even monitor any information that has ever been browsed by their child by simply looking into their "History" or "Temporary Internet Files" folders. As long as the information in the folders has not been deleted, a parent could see everything their child has looked at, even if the information was not downloaded. Be a responsible web surfer and remember that it is ultimately the parents' responsibility to monitor what their children have access to.
#10 - Become as computer-literate as possible
before buying your system
It is the same concept when you go to purchase a vehicle. Before you even buy any vehicle, you should know how to drive it. In addition, you should be familiar with how to use the various features on your vehicle, whether it is operating the air conditioning, cruise control or stereo. Granted, no one (unless you're a mechanic) knows EVERYTHING about the vehicle you purchase, however, it is assumed that you at least know the basics.
Likewise, with a computer, the user should know at least the basics of how to operate a computer system. This would include turning the system on and off, installing software, navigating through your operating system, being familiar with the basic features of the computer and its software, and learning how to properly shut down programs as well as the computer itself.
In addition to knowing the basics, it is even more beneficial to you as a consumer if you are familiar with computer terminology and components. This will give you a definite advantage when going to purchase a system. Knowing this information will allow you to compare the pricing and performance of various components. Knowledge will also help in preventing you from buying something that is either too much or not enough to handle your needs.
If you are ready to buy a system or even if you already have one and feel you need to become more familiar with it, you can always purchase books or take computer classes. If you are interested in taking computer classes that focus on the Windows 98/ME operating systems, please click here.
#11 - Protect Your Computer from Lightning
Storms
Spring/summer lightning storms can cause tremendous damage to a computer system. The two components that are most often affected are the power supply and modem. Therefore, now is the perfect time to purchase a good quality surge protector. Keep in mind, though, that not even the best surge protector can protect your computer from a direct lightning strike. The safest bet: Unplug your system altogether, power and modem line.
#12 -
Be Careful of Certain Utility Programs
We do not recommend any particular Utility program for your computer. There are many to choose from but keep in mind they require a lot of memory to run in the background and tend to slow down your computer. Consider the benefits vs the negatives before loading any of these programs on your computer.
#13 - Top 10 Common Technical Problems
Most Common Cause(s):
Make sure the speakers are turned on. I know this sounds ridiculous but
you would be surprised at how many times that was the
culprit.
Secondly, be
sure that the speakers are plugged into the correct port. I cannot
stress this enough. I have had numerous incidents where
individuals have plugged their speakers into their modem instead of their
sound card.
Most of
the time, the speaker port will be marked as 'line out' or 'spk' or 'spk
out'. Sometimes the ports are color-coded and the speaker port is always
green. Most modems have a speaker and microphone port on them as well.
However, you ONLY use the speaker/microphone ports on the modem if you
want to use your computer as a voice conferencing machine. Otherwise, make
sure your speakers are plugged into your sound card.
Other
Possible Causes:
Incorrect
installation of sound card drivers
Windows/BIOS configuration
problem
Bad speakers or a bad sound card.
Problem # 2: "I sometimes get 'illegal operation errors' while on my computer or when loading a certain piece of software"
Most Common Cause(s): Illegal operation errors typically indicate that a program is trying to improperly use the RAM. Thus, it is a software problem. You may want to contact the manufacturer of the software to be sure there are no known problems or if there are any patches or fixes available. If your computer is not running up to par in the first place, you are going to have problems installing more software and even risk Crashing the system entirely. Make sure your system is running normal, not bogged down, slow, taking forever to surf the web, etc (these things indicate problems, don't ignore them!)
Problem # 3: "My mouse
Pointer isn't moving"
Most Common Cause(s): Try
another Mouse! If that doesn't work, try a USB Type Mouse, assuming you
were using the other type to begin with. If Still refuse to work, go to
Safe Mode and check the Device Manager. Remove the Mouse driver and reboot
the comptuer.
Problem # 4: "The CD ROM Not Reading or Burning or Playing DVD's
Most Common Cause(s): Dirt is the most common cause of failure here. Do you smoke around the Computer? That will Ruin a CD or DVD quicker than anything I know of! Otherwise, check the Device Manager and make sure the Device is being seen properly. Sometimes Cables on the inside come loose with use. Replug them. Try several CD or DVD's before concluding the Device is going bad.
Other Possible Causes:
CD ROM Disk itself bad or dirty, take a look at it!
Replace the CD
Problem # 5: "Something in my computer is making a loud sound"
Most Common Cause(s): The most common causes of loud noises coming from the computer are because of internal fans. The power supply fan and the processor fan are usually the culprits. Over time, they can become dusty and may not spin as efficiently as they should. Again, smoking around the Computer will ruin these fans quickly. Once the Fan and Heat Sink gets gummed up they will no longer cool properly and fail. Replace them!
Other Possible Causes:
Bad or
noisy hard drive
Bad or noisy CD ROM
Problem # 6: "Can't connect to the Internet!"
Most Common Cause(s): What type of Connection do you have? Cable, DSL, Modem Dial up? CHECK the Device you are using to go online. Cable Modems have all kinds of problems and usually have some sort of Diagnostic function to can run observing the flashing lights. Reset the Modem, cycle the power. If you have a Router or Hub cycle the power on them also. Re-seat any Cables going into these devices, including into the back of the Computer. Reboot the Computer and Try again.
Also Virus and Spyware problems can cause lose of Internet connection. Messed up Programs too can make the Internet Explore feature fail. In these cases, the only alterative is to Reload Windows and start over. (that's why it's so important to keep your data safe!) The first and most Common place you will notice problems with your computer is Online. While nothing out there is fool proof against all the threats over the internet, you can protect yourself to some degree being careful and watchful at all times.
Other Possible Causes:
Internet
Service Provider is down
Bad modem
Poor line conditions
Problem # 7: "When my computer is booting up, I can see the screen fine. But when it goes into Windows, I can only see squiggly lines"
Most Common Cause(s): This problem is usually the result of someone setting the video (display) settings too high for the monitor to handle. The video settings could specifically be the resolution, color settings and/or refresh rate. If you have a new monitor available, plug it in. If it works, you know the older monitor can't handle the updated settings or has simply went bad. Otherwise you may have some bad hardware. Video cards do go bad over time as do monitors.
Other Possible Causes:
Bad monitor
Bad video card
Problem # 8: "My CD ROM tray is stuck and won't open"
Most Common Cause(s): If the CD ROM is not opening, many times the cause is because the CD inside has become stuck or is not seated properly inside the tray. If after several attempts, the CD ROM still doesn't open, you can try to open it manually. On most CD ROM's there is a small hole on the front. You can use a paperclip to try and open the CD ROM manually. Gently insert the paperclip until the CD ROM tray begins to open. It usually only opens slightly and from there you have to gently pull it the rest of the way out. Once you've done this, you can check to see if a CD has become stuck inside. If so, remove it. If there is nothing inside, the gears may be off line or the inside may be dirty. You can try a CD cleaner to see if that helps.
Other Possible Causes:
Bad CD ROM
Broken gears
Problem # 9: "My system will sometimes lock up"
Most Common Cause(s): This is one of the most difficult problems to diagnose and fix. Because of this, there is no way to accurately assess the problem expect by Process of Elimination. A technician has the time and resources to do this step by step and find the problem.
However, we can list the most common causes of system lock-ups:
-Harware conflicts
-having too many programs opened at the same time (or running in the background)
-having too many diagnostic programs on your computer
-low system resources
-software conflicts (drivers and Windows)
-bad program software (especially games)
-trying to perform a function in a program that it cannot handle
-having the network and its profiles set up improperly
-having screensavers on any network system
-having illegal copies of software installed on your computer
-bad hardware (especially memory or hard drive)
If you are having consistent lock-ups, back up your important data. If you have access to or know someone who has an extra drive, you can even have them configure a known working and trouble-free hard drive in your computer. If there are no lock-ups with the new drive, you know it's either the drive itself or the software on it.
Problem # 10: "The Blue Screen or Black Screen of Death! Strange numbers or letters displayed on Screen. Some kind of strange error message comes up."
Most Common Cause(s): Hard Drive is going bad or went bad. If you cannot recover or even change the symptoms suspect severe hardware failure and bring your computer in for service. Also Virus can wipe out your system in this manner. If you suspect that try booting it to the Windows CD and reloading Windows. (remember however a Windows reload is going to delete the present configuration and even your data if you choose the format option.)
Other Possible Causes:
Severe data corruption
Severe hardware failure
CPU Comparison Chart:
(see the top article)
Disclaimer: The tips & tidbits section is for
informational purposes only. If you are not familiar with the system and
its components, it is recommended that you take your computer to a
professional to have the problem diagnosed and properly resolved. Tech
Computer cannot be held responsible for any problems that occur to a
system. Tech Computer also cannot be held responsible for any attempts at
fixing a computer, its hardware and/or software and the affects the
attempts have whether it be successful or not.