THE COMPUTER TOP TEN

First and foremost, always remember:

Everything on a computer – everything-- is TEMPORARY.

(1) BACK UP YOUR DATA. –always, always, ALWAYS keep two copies of anything that is important to you. Never, ever, ever, trust computers completely.

· Keep data in at least two completely different places, not just two copies on your computer

· Burn it to CD. Back up on another computer (use the server, for example). Back up on a pendrive. Email it to yourself. Do SOMETHING to have another copy.

· Your computer will crash. You will lose files that you have not backed up. It happens to everyone… once.

· Why is this important?

(2) NO FOOD OR DRINK WITHIN 3 FEET OF A COMPUTER-- ESPECIALLY A LAPTOP.

· Spills can cause $1000 worth of damage, or can actually just total the laptop.

· Spilling liquid into it when it is on/ turning it on afterwards sends electricity through the circuit boards, basically frying it/ shorting it out

· If you ignore the above advice and then spill liquid into it, SHUT IT OFF IMMEDITATELY. NEVER TURN IT ON IF IT IS WET. BRING IT DOWN TO THE TECH OFFICE.

We have seen what water can do to a laptop. We have also seen what Coke, Gatorade, chicken soup, nail polish remover, Ranch Dressing….etc., etc., etc.. can do. Often, it is a total loss, so just make sure it doesn’t happen in the first place. This means you.

(3) HAVE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE AND KEEP IT UPDATED.

· Use one of the major brands with good updates and good support; for example, Norton/Symantec Antivirus.

· Avoid inviting viruses in: do NOT download or open suspicious stuff from untrusted sources, or emails that you are not expecting, or didn't ask for.

· Don’t download stuff from TRUSTED sources if you are not expecting it. Viruses and worms can steal email addresses from friendly sources and disguise themselves. They try to get you to open the viruses by masquerading as an email from someone you know and trust!!

· I can’t say this enough, as people still get bitten, even when they know better.

*** DO NOT JUST CASUALLY OPEN ATTATCHMENTS!!!!!***

(4) HAVE ANTI-SPYWARE SOFTWARE AND KEEP IT UPDATED.

· We use SpyBot and Adaware- we have found them to be two useful, reputable ones; they don’t add popups and ads when doing their jobs

· StopSign and others are just ads- they add popups to your system to tell you ALL about them. Don’t click on any ads that use popups. Why reward them?

· When dismissing unwanted ads, don’t click Yes or even No- use the Close Box [X] in the upper corner. Otherwise you just risk telling the advertisers that there is a live ‘customer’ on the end of the line.

(5) RUN WINDOWS UPDATE TO KEEP YOUR COMPUTER UPDATED.

· Go to www.windowsupdate.com to get the latest security and performance updates. There are three lists:

· Critical Updates- always do these. You can set your computer to do them automatically, through Automatic Updates.

· System Software Updates: Look through these to see if any apply to you for what you use your computer for

· Driver updates- I would only do these if you are having a problem, as sometimes the newer drivers might cause conflicts.

· Also click on Office Updates to patch up your Office programs. You will need your Office CDs handy to run the updates.

(6) KEEP THE CDS THAT CAME WITH THE COMPUTER. YOU WILL NEED THEM!!

· Keep all of your system software handy, so you can repair or reinstall software. I guarantee you will need the CDs with your software someday.

· Computers fail, data gets corrupted, hard drives crash and burn out and you WILL have to reinstall Windows someday. That is just the basic truth about computers—like all machines, they will all eventually fail. Every single one.

· Also keep your Product ID Codes!!!! These codes are vital for reinstalling software and if you do not have them, you will have to buy the software again.

· The same rule applies for Application CDs and codes. Keep them where you can find them. ALL SOFTWARE ON COMPUTERS IS TEMPORARY!

What if I can’t find my CDs? What if I was supposed to make my own recovery CDs when I first got the computer and I never got around to it?

Basically, you have a problem......

(7) COMPUTERS ARE PRECISION INSTRUMENTS AND ARE DELICATE.

· Computers need to be handled with care. They are fragile!

· Don’t just jam a laptop into your backpack, especially if it is running. Treat it gently; shut it down first. If the hard drive is spinning, and the computer is jarred, it can destroy the hard drive and cause a major crash. When that happens, you can lose everything on the computer.

· Don’t leave a laptop on the floor where it can be stepped on. Seems like common sense, but yes, it has happened here at least four times.

(8) KEEP IT LEAN.

· The more crap you put on your system (Weatherbug, Instant Messenger, Windows Messenger, ICQ, MSN Messenger, Trillian, Kazaa, Napster, Desktop Weather…), the slower it will run and the worse your performance will be. If you want a computer that you can do your work on, think before you install.

· Uninstall programs that you do not need- ones that came “free” from the internet.

· Set applications so that they do not start up automatically. This option is often in an application’s Preferences.; if you need to, you can always start it by hand only when it is needed by using the Programs menu.

- You can remove these items by right-clicking the icon in the bottom right of the taskbar and choosing Preferences, Options, or Settings, depending on the program.

- There is often a checkbox that says, "[ ] Start this program when Windows starts."   Uncheck it so it will not start up every time and drain your computer’s resources.

(9) BE SECURE.

· Lock your computer, or your room. Use your safe.

· Don’t leave it unattended when unlocked. EVER.  EVER. EVER. Contrary to popular belief, laptops actually do have legs and they are likely to walk away.

· Don’t give out your passwords or let somebody “borrow” your passwords.

· If using a public computer, log off when you leave.

(10) DO COMPUTER MAINTENANCE.

· Computers are like cars. They need tune-ups from time to time.

· Clear out Cookies, Delete temporary files, Clear your History

· Disk Defragmenting- as your computer gets used, your stuff gets spread out over the disk, and from time to time, you want to collect it up and move it so it is all close together. That cuts down on waiting for your computer to search all over your hard drive for the files you need.

· You can run repairs from your Windows CD if it looks like your Operating System (Windows) might be corrupted. Instructions to attempt a repair can be found here.

· Wipe it clean with a slightly damp paper towel- not wet, squeeze it out well. Or use a cleaning cloth designed for electronics- don’t use harsh detergents or chemicals on it.

· Screen cleaning- do not use Windex; do not spray it directly onto the screen as it will probably run down the screen and into the electronics. ZZZZZTT!! Scratch one computer.

· Use a screen cleaning anti-static wipe (usually available at Office Depot or Staples- and look for the kind that specifically says “Safe For Computer screens” as there are two types. One is NOT safe.

Unfortunately, computers are sold like they are toasters or CD players- just turn them on, and they will work without a problem forever. Not so- they are more like high-end electronics or stereo systems- more like a Ham radio that needs regular attention and care. The early computers crashed early and often, and performance was iffy at best. Now that they are a consumer item, the idea is that they always work smoothly. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

Again—Never, ever, ever, trust computers completely. Always take precautions to protect your computer and your data or you risk losing everything.....