Low-Tech Remedies for High-Tech Headaches

Agenda

Welcome! 7 Things 1 More Thing Q & A

Common Problems

My Computer is Slow I Can’t Print I Can’t Get Online Where are My Programs? Where’s My Homepage? What’s That Toolbar? Why all the Pop-Ups? My Screen Looks Different I Can’t ________ Anymore

7 Things

1. Firewall2. Backup3. Anti-Virus4. Windows Updates5. Spyware/Adware6. Remove Trash (aka Gunk, Junk, Stuff)7. Defragment Your Hard Drive

7 Things

1. Firewall What

Software (sometimes hardware) that prevents unauthorized access to your computer.

Built into Windows. How

Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall > “On” Frequency

Once (but check in on it)

7 Things

2. Backup What

Hard Drives have 100% failure rate. Photos, photos, photos.

How Online Backup – secure, safe, reliable, cheap carbonite.com, xdrive.com, allmydata.com, mozy.com

Otherwise Copy to CD/DVD’s Avoid “Backup/Restore” programs – iffy at best.

Frequency Install Once Check in on it weekly

7 Things

3. Anti-Virus What

Internet Connectivity + People = Slow Computer Internet Connectivity + Children = Very Slow Computer

How Install Anti-Virus Program windowsonecare.com, symantec.com, avast.com

Keep Anti-Virus Program Updated Only as good as latest “signature”

Frequency Install Once Check for updates Weekly

7 Things 4. Windows Updates

What Windows requires updates to stay healthy Not always “Automatic”

How Start > All Programs > Windows Update Or try www.update.microsoft.com Choose “Express”, wait for results Select everything, restart when prompted Repeat

Frequency Weekly

7 Things 5. Spyware/Adware

What Unwanted, invisible rogue software that

changes the behavior of your computer Symptoms: Unfamiliar homepages, slow performance, pop-ups, strange

browser toolbars How

If not addressed by WindowsOneCare, Norton, etc. Install Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com) Download latest “definitions” Scan your system Remove what the scan finds

Frequency Weekly

7 Things

6. Remove Trash What

Bits & Pieces of unused programs, websites, etc. that remain on your computer and slow it down

How Download CCLEANER www.ccleaner.com Install (de-select Yahoo toolbar) Cleaner, Issues, Tools Check what runs at System Startup

Frequency Weekly (Remember to check for updates)

7 Things

7. Defragment Your Hard Drive What

Hard Drives – like all of us - are busy and become fragmented (used & un-used space become entangled over time)

A Fragmented Drive is a slow drive How

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

Choose “Defragment”

Frequency Monthly (or more)

1 More Thing

1. Update Your Computer Hardware’s Software What

Your computer is a collection of parts that interact with each other via “drivers”, “firmware”, “BIOS” etc.

Display Drivers, Sound Cards, Printers, Monitor, etc. How

Dell.com, sony.com, hp.com, gateway.com, etc. Search for Downloads specific to your system

Have the site determine your system # if unsure Compare dates of available downloads with your system –

download individually and check performance Frequency

Monthly