Week Six Objectives:
• Home computer maintenance including cleaning and software updates.
• HANDOUT – How to properly care for your computer (Windows XP, Vista, 7 & 8).
Home Computer Maintenance
Setup Prevention
- No liquids within spill range.
- Do not set up computer next to furnace register or window to minimize dust into the computer.
- Avoid leaving/operating computer in direct sunlight for lengthy periods of time.
User Prevention
- Avoid malware (refer to module on Virus & Spyware).
- Keep all software updated including your operating system and your ant-virus software.
- Don’t click without reading the message.If you’re not sure what action to take, write down the exact wording of the message so you can ask for specific help from someone.
Keeping Hardware and Peripherals Clean
- Keyboard – Unplug. Shake upside down. Spray with compressed air or sweep with hose attachment of a vacuum.
- LCD Monitor – Wipe with dry soft cloth (NOT a paper towel). Use rubbing alcohol if necessary.
Glass Monitor – Use glass cleaner and a soft cloth. - Mouse – Wipe with dry or moist cloth (or baby wipe).
- Computer Tower – Sweep with hose attachment, particularly the fan in the back of the computer.
Backup Your Data
- Your personals file (i.e.: your resume).
- Use a free online service such as Google Docs or Dropbox.
- Save the file(s) on a portable device such as a flash drive.
- A large number of files (including your operating system and software):
- Use a for fee online backup service such as Dropbox.
- Purchase and back up to an external hard drive.
- Burn files to CDs.
Cookies
Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored on your computer after visiting a website. They help a website remember you and make your surfing more personal and convenient.
Cookies can not…
- Store personal information unless you fill out a form with that information
- Access other files on your computer
- Look at other cookies.
Controlling cookies…
Set your privacy and security settings to at least medium.
- In Internet Explorer
- Click on Tools
- Click on Internet Options
- Select “Privacy Tab” – set restrictions on cookies
- Select “General Tab” – clear History or delete Cookies
Multiple Users
- If there will be multiple users of your home computer, set up each as separate user accounts.
- Nobody should use the admin account as his/her own profile.
- Windows will remember each user’s preferences including cookies, browser history, bookmarks, etc.
Basic Maintenance Tips
By performing simple maintenance and, more importantly, being observant, you can keep your computer running quickly and reliably.
Keep Software Updated
Since Windows 98, Microsoft has provided access to Windows Update. Windows Update scans your system and updates it with the latest security patches and service packs. These are broken down into Critical and Recommended updates. You can also schedule these updates to run automatically, so there is really no excuse for not having a patched system.
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us
Keep Applications and Utilities Updated
Believe it or not, all of the applications and utilities on your system are prone to security risks and need to be updated regularly. Programs that you use everyday like Adobe Acrobat Reader, QuickTime, Microsoft Office, Skype, WinZip and more require both maintenance and security updates from time to time. Even applications that run in the background like Flash and Java are at risk.
Most software today has the ability to check for updates, but may require some configuration to do so automatically. Another option would be to use a utility program to check for updates (like Secunia PSI (www.secunia.com)) that would make the task much easier.
Keep Antivirus and Spyware Software Updated
If your Antivirus and Spyware programs are not updated or, worse, not running at all, then it won’t do you any good. You should configure these programs to perform definition updates everyday and complete system scans at least once a week.
Remove Unused Software and Other Junk
Most new computers come bundled (pre-loaded) with trial software. If you’re not using it – delete it. It’s wasting hard drive space and bloating the Windows Registry. Over time, this can lead to performance problems, causing Windows to become sluggish and unreliable.
With use, PC’s collect a lot of non-essential data (e.g., garbage) – images and media files, internet history, cookies, and become more scattered throughout your system. Use a utility (like CCleaner (www.piriform.com/ccleaner)) to remove unused files from a hard drive, clean up online history, and clean the operating systems registry.
Pay Attention to Want You’re Doing
Many applications will try and install unnecessary (and unwanted) software on your system. In almost all cases you’ll be asked whether or not you want this extra software installed.
Avoid rushing through installations and clicking the “Next” button without knowing what is being installed.
Create System Restore Points
Windows will take a “snapshot” of your computer’s operating system that you can revert to at anytime in the future. Having a restore point can significantly reduce your computers downtime and it’s a safe way to undo system changes without affecting your personal files, such as e mail, documents or photos.
Use Hard Drive Utilities
Windows ships with two hard drive utilities that will help you maintain data integrity – Defragment and Check Disk. These utilities should run at least once a month.
Class Conclusion
You don’t need to be a computer expert to use a computer. Most of the tasks to use a computer are simple and will become routine once you become familiar with them.
The same is true for computer maintenance. Taking action and fixing problems has they appear will insure that your computer will operate for a long time.
Be sure to read the messages that popup on screen during an installation, paying attention to what your downloading and not rushing through software updates, you’re computer will operate safer, be more reliable, and make your computer using experience more enjoyable.