Care & Feeding of Care & Feeding of

Healthy ComputersHealthy Computers

John LorensJohn Lorens

Program / Project ManagerProgram / Project Manager

johnlorens@gmail.comjohnlorens@gmail.com

847847--687687--13291329

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About About

John LorensJohn Lorens

Played with computers since early 80Played with computers since early 80’’ss

Build, repair, update PCs, and setup small Build, repair, update PCs, and setup small

networksnetworks

Strong PC (IBM clone) background Strong PC (IBM clone) background –– very very

little with Apples, though these best little with Apples, though these best

practices apply to all computerspractices apply to all computers

Professional Project & Program Manager Professional Project & Program Manager

of Building Automation system.of Building Automation system.

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So your computer is not So your computer is not

feeling wellfeeling well

Runs slow and slowerRuns slow and slower

PopPop--ups come up constantly while youups come up constantly while you’’re re

surfing the websurfing the web

Programs lock upPrograms lock up

Computer runs warmComputer runs warm

Lots of error messagesLots of error messages

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Do you really need a new computer? Do you really need a new computer?

How to make yours work for youHow to make yours work for you

�� Minimum requirementsMinimum requirements

Memory (4GB)Memory (4GB)

Hard drive (160 GB)Hard drive (160 GB)

CPU (i3 processor)CPU (i3 processor)

Operating System (see next slides)Operating System (see next slides)

Software (see next slides)Software (see next slides)

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Difference between Difference between

operating systemsoperating systems

O/S O/S –– which is best ?which is best ?

�� XP (Home / Pro)XP (Home / Pro)

�� VistaVista

�� Win 7(Starter, Home, Pro, Enterprise, Ultimate)Win 7(Starter, Home, Pro, Enterprise, Ultimate)

�� Win 8 (basic 8, Pro, RT) or 8.1 (hotfix for 8)Win 8 (basic 8, Pro, RT) or 8.1 (hotfix for 8)

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Various Internet BrowsersVarious Internet Browsers

surf the Websurf the Web

�� Internet Explorer Internet Explorer ““I.E.I.E.”” by Microsoftby Microsoft

�� Firefox by MozillaFirefox by Mozilla

�� Chrome by GoogleChrome by Google

�� Safari by AppleSafari by Apple

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AntiAnti--virus & Antivirus & Anti--Spam programsSpam programs

�� Purchased versionsPurchased versions

McAfeeMcAfee

NortonNorton

KasperskyKaspersky

�� Free ones Free ones ––

AVGAVG

Malwarebytes Malwarebytes

AvastAvast

�� Which work bestWhich work best

Level of security you need, what they block, how Level of security you need, what they block, how

effective are theyeffective are they

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AntiAnti--virus & Antivirus & Anti--Spam programsSpam programs

Where to find free onesWhere to find free onesAVG free Edition AVG free Edition (thru www.cnet.com)(thru www.cnet.com)

�� http://download.cnet.com/AVGhttp://download.cnet.com/AVG--AntiVirusAntiVirus--FreeFree--2014/30002014/3000--2239_42239_4--10320142.html10320142.html

Malwarebytes Malwarebytes (thru www.cnet.com)(thru www.cnet.com)�� http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebyteshttp://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes--AntiAnti--

Malware/3000Malware/3000--8022_48022_4--10804572.html10804572.html

�� When to update When to update ––weekly if not automaticweekly if not automatic

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SoftwareSoftware

�� Office Suite 2003, 2007, 2010 (compatibility patches)Office Suite 2003, 2007, 2010 (compatibility patches)

�� Adobe Reader (free)Adobe Reader (free)

�� Adobe Flash (free)Adobe Flash (free)

�� Java (free)Java (free)

�� Cute PDF (free)Cute PDF (free)

�� VLC VLC –– video media player (free)video media player (free)

�� Music Music ––

iTunes (free)iTunes (free)

Windows Media Player (free)Windows Media Player (free)

WinAmp (free)WinAmp (free)

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PrintersPrinters

�� Ink jet vs. laser vs. AllInk jet vs. laser vs. All--inin--One One which is best, maintenance costwhich is best, maintenance cost

�� Brands Brands –– HP, Brother, Canon, EpsonHP, Brother, Canon, EpsonBrother laser B/WBrother laser B/W

�� http://www.amazon.com/Brotherhttp://www.amazon.com/Brother--HLHL--2270DW2270DW--CompactCompact--WirelessWireless--Networking/dp/B00450DVDY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qiNetworking/dp/B00450DVDY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392011599&sr=8d=1392011599&sr=8--1&keywords=brother+hl1&keywords=brother+hl--2270dw2270dw

Brother color laserBrother color laser�� http://www.amazon.com/Brotherhttp://www.amazon.com/Brother--PrinterPrinter--HL3140CWHL3140CW--

WirelessWireless--Networking/dp/B00BR3VZCG/ref=sr_1_1?s=Networking/dp/B00BR3VZCG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&iepc&ie=U=UTF8&qid=1392011773&sr=1TF8&qid=1392011773&sr=1--

1&keywords=1&keywords=brother+color+laser+printerbrother+color+laser+printer

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OnOn--Line interviewsLine interviews

�� Webcams Webcams –– LogitechLogitech

http://www.logitech.com/enhttp://www.logitech.com/en--us/product/hdus/product/hd--

webcamwebcam--c310c310

�� Headsets Headsets –– when do you need one?when do you need one?

http://www.logitech.com/enhttp://www.logitech.com/en--us/product/stereous/product/stereo--

headsetheadset--h390?crid=36h390?crid=36

�� Conference programsConference programs

Skype Skype –– free version onlyfree version only

Go to Meeting Go to Meeting –– 30 day trial basis30 day trial basis

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How do I setup my PCHow do I setup my PC

Organize your docs in My DocsOrganize your docs in My Docs(Not on your Desktop screen)(Not on your Desktop screen)

�� DocumentsDocuments

�� PicturesPictures

�� MusicMusic

�� VideosVideos

�� FavoritesFavorites

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Home Network setups Home Network setups

�� Wireless networksWireless networks

Keep it secure with WEP, WPS, etcKeep it secure with WEP, WPS, etc

DonDon’’t share with everyonet share with everyone

Wireless coverage Wireless coverage –– where to put the broadcasterwhere to put the broadcaster

�� Wired RoutersWired Routers

�� Power surge protectorsPower surge protectors

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Networks on the goNetworks on the go

�� Hot Spots at cafHot Spots at café’é’s, librariess, libraries

�� Personal Hot Spots & AirCardsPersonal Hot Spots & AirCards

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How do I keep it running well?How do I keep it running well?

Backing up your computerBacking up your computer�� Personal files onlyPersonal files only

not operating system or programsnot operating system or programs

�� Where to Where to ––external hard drivesexternal hard drives

DVDsDVDs

flash flash ““thumbthumb”” drivesdrives

onon--line services like Carboniteline services like Carbonite

�� How often How often ––depends on the content & your usagedepends on the content & your usage

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Updates to accept or declineUpdates to accept or decline

AntiAnti--virus programs (accept database virus programs (accept database

updates but donupdates but don’’t pay for free ones)t pay for free ones)

Microsoft (accept) Microsoft (accept) –– whatwhat’’s in those updatess in those updates

Adobe Reader (accept but be careful of Adobe Reader (accept but be careful of

McAfee bundled in update)McAfee bundled in update)

Java (accept)Java (accept)

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Keep things running wellKeep things running well

Defrag your hard drive Defrag your hard drive ––�� what does this meanwhat does this mean

�� how often how often –– schedule weeklyschedule weekly

Minimize running too many programs at Minimize running too many programs at same time (at startup)same time (at startup)

Cleaning out cookies you left during web Cleaning out cookies you left during web surfingsurfing�� Internet Options, General, delete HistoryInternet Options, General, delete History

�� Programs like Advance System Care (free)Programs like Advance System Care (free)

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Keep it running wellKeep it running well

Who uses your PC Who uses your PC –– itit’’s your networking s your networking

tool, not a toy for the familytool, not a toy for the family

Download safe programs like Adobe flash Download safe programs like Adobe flash

player, iTunes, Java thru player, iTunes, Java thru CNET.comCNET.com

Games Games –– risks with free onesrisks with free ones

Emails Emails –– which ones do you open which ones do you open

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Sharing your files with othersSharing your files with others

Clouds Clouds –– what are they ?what are they ?

Google Docs (Drive)Google Docs (Drive)

DropboxDropbox

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New PCs New PCs ––

if you still feel you need a new PCif you still feel you need a new PC

ASUSASUS

DellDell

Lenovo (Thinkpads)Lenovo (Thinkpads)

Windows 7 vs. 8 vs. 9 (Threshold)Windows 7 vs. 8 vs. 9 (Threshold)

Laptop vs. Tablet vs. DesktopLaptop vs. Tablet vs. Desktop

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Questions ?Questions ?

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Thank YouThank You

John LorensJohn Lorens

Program / Project ManagerProgram / Project Manager

johnlorens@gmail.com

847847--687687--13291329