maintaining your computer

Maintaining Your Maintaining Your PCPCThe slides for this presentation are available on the web. For

directions to get to them see the entry “Maintaining Your PC ” under “Previous Posts” on my blog at

http://WhiteHouseComputing.Blogspot.ComNote: Dark blue background has been removed for this version on Slideshare to fix some tech difficulties. If you download this presentation you can easily restore it using the standard dark blue template choice under “slide design”. All content and hyperlinks remain unchanged from the class.

Socastee SC Library Computer Education

Physical MaintenancePhysical MaintenanceKeep it Clean - Keep the Cool Air Keep it Clean - Keep the Cool Air

FlowingFlowing Dust every few monthsDust every few months

Cooling fans draw dust in. Dust Cooling fans draw dust in. Dust insulates, keeps heat in. Electronics fry.insulates, keeps heat in. Electronics fry.

Unplug, remove desktop computer Unplug, remove desktop computer cover, short bursts with can uprightcover, short bursts with can upright

Keep your computer coolKeep your computer cool Fans draw air through vents – give them Fans draw air through vents – give them

room to breathroom to breath NEVER operate a laptop with it resting NEVER operate a laptop with it resting

on something like a fluffy quilton something like a fluffy quilt Air vents will be blocked, electronics will fryAir vents will be blocked, electronics will fry

Canned compressed

Air


Physical MaintenancePhysical MaintenanceKeep it Clean - Keep the Cool Air Keep it Clean - Keep the Cool Air

FlowingFlowing

Clicking on the above e-book title will take you to an “e-book” presentation by that name on Slideshare. This is an external link to an independent document not written or maintained by the library.

“A Guide on cleaning your Computer Case, Keyboard, Mouse and Monitor”By Mike Hanson


Clean your notebook; laptop – click here for a cNet demo from Youtube

Clean dust from the inside of your desktop PC

click here for a demo on Youtube

Physical MaintenancePhysical Maintenance

Unplugging PeripheralsUnplugging Peripherals Devices that plug into CPU Devices that plug into CPU

are know as peripheralsare know as peripherals USB plugs built to “hot plug”USB plugs built to “hot plug”

BUT check “safely remove BUT check “safely remove hardware” icon firsthardware” icon first

All other plug types, All other plug types, including PS/2, shut down including PS/2, shut down CPU firstCPU first

USB

plug

PS/2

plug


Physical MaintenancePhysical MaintenanceMemory – Does Your Computer Have Memory – Does Your Computer Have

Enough?Enough?

Have things slowed down?


Physical MaintenancePhysical MaintenanceWhy Has Your Computer Slowed Why Has Your Computer Slowed

Down?Down? Need to know a little about how it Need to know a little about how it

worksworks MemoryMemory

Do you work a little slower as you get Do you work a little slower as you get older? Is some of that because you can’t older? Is some of that because you can’t remember where you put stuff? remember where you put stuff?

Computers have the same problem.Computers have the same problem.



Down?Down? Need to know a little Need to know a little

about how it worksabout how it works MemoryMemory

Two kinds of computer Two kinds of computer memorymemory RAM (Random Access RAM (Random Access

Memory)Memory) No moving partsNo moving parts All electronicAll electronic Operates at the Operates at the

speed of lightspeed of light DiskDisk

Hard disk driveHard disk drive Electro/Electro/

mechanical devicemechanical device Thousands of Thousands of

times slowertimes slower



Down?Down?

When there is not enough of this

This gets used instead

Memory



Down?Down?

Memory - RAM “But I didn’t take any RAM memory OUT! It didn’t used to be slow! Why is it slow now?”

Stuff YOU put in memory when you:

• Added a printer

• Added virus checking

• Added a firewall

• Added anything that needs to be running at all times



Down?Down?


Stuff you didn’t know was added:

• Spyware

• “a broad category of malicious software designed to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the informed consent of that machine's owner or legitimate user.”

Wikipedia



Down?Down?



• Spyware

• when you downloaded that cute shopping helper



Down?Down?



• Spyware

• when you downloaded that music “sharing” program



Down?Down?

Memory - RAM

“But I didn’t take any RAM memory OUT! It didn’t used to be slow! Why is it slow now?”


• Spyware – Where can I find out more?

WWW.Wikipedia.Com

How can I get rid of it and protect against it?

September 2006 edition of Consumer Reports

Free AntiSpyware Trade named Ad-Aware From Lavasoft atWWW.Lavasoft.Com



Down?Down?

RAM – How Much is Enough?

• For Windows XP Microsoft recommends at least 128MB

• I recommend at least 512 MB

• For Windows Vista I recommend:

• Minimum of 1GB for Vista Basic

• Minimum of 2GB for Vista Premium


• For Windows 7 I recommend:

• Minimum of 2 GB for Windows 7 starter

• Minimum of 4 GB for any other Windows 7


Down?Down?

RAM – How Much and What Kind Can YOUR Computer Use?

XP - Software restrictions on usable RAM size

VersionVersion Limit in 32-bit Limit in 32-bit WindowsWindows

Limit in 64-bit Limit in 64-bit WindowsWindows

Windows XPWindows XP 4 GB4 GB 128 GB128 GB

Windows XP Windows XP Starter EditionStarter Edition 512 MB512 MB Not applicableNot applicable

Information SOURCE click hereSocastee SC Library Computer Education


Down?Down?


Vista - Software restrictions on usable RAM size



Windows Vista UltimateWindows Vista Ultimate 4 GB4 GB 128 GB128 GB

Windows Vista Windows Vista EnterpriseEnterprise 4 GB4 GB 128 GB128 GB

Windows Vista BusinessWindows Vista Business 4 GB4 GB 128 GB128 GB

Windows Vista Home Windows Vista Home PremiumPremium 4 GB4 GB 16 GB16 GB

Windows Vista Home Windows Vista Home BasicBasic 4 GB4 GB 8 GB8 GB

Windows Vista StarterWindows Vista Starter 1 GB1 GB Not applicableNot applicableInformation SOURCE click here



Down?Down?


Windows 7 - Software restrictions on usable RAM size



Windows 7 UltimateWindows 7 Ultimate 4 GB4 GB 192 GB192 GB

Windows 7 EnterpriseWindows 7 Enterprise 4 GB4 GB 192 GB192 GB

Windows 7 ProfessionalWindows 7 Professional 4 GB4 GB 192 GB192 GB

Windows 7 Home Windows 7 Home PremiumPremium 4 GB4 GB 16 GB16 GB

Windows 7 Home BasicWindows 7 Home Basic 4 GB4 GB 8 GB8 GB

Windows 7 StarterWindows 7 Starter 2 GB2 GB 2 GB2 GBInformation SOURCE click here



Down?Down?


• Even if your operating system can handle more, your specific make and model computer may not be able to “see” all of it. Any more, even if installed, will go unused.

• Different types and speeds of RAM have been manufactured over the years. Not all can be used in your computer

• Micron Technologies is a memory manufacturer. Crucial is one of their brands. On their web site they provide a service for determining what (generic) kind of memory and how much of it YOUR computer can use.



Down?Down?


Click image to go to Crucial & use this service

This option will install software on your computer. Use only if you are comfortable managing that process

This option is information only, no software will be installed on your system



Down?Down?

Adding RAM yourselfAdding RAM yourself Bring it to a pro if you’re nervous about Bring it to a pro if you’re nervous about

DIYDIY Computer and office supply stores can helpComputer and office supply stores can help

Laptop RAM installs sometimes just cost of partsLaptop RAM installs sometimes just cost of parts Desktops may be small add chargeDesktops may be small add charge Call and askCall and ask

Here is a link to a DIY video on Youtube:Here is a link to a DIY video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=vLPuhVR1X5Ev=vLPuhVR1X5E



Down?Down?

Memory – Hard Drive

• This kind of memory is usually called “storage”

• Your primary (usually your only) hard drive is your “C:” drive

• Too little available space on your C: drive will slow your computer

• Keep at least 10% of the hard drive space empty (free space)

• See next slide for how to tell



Down?Down?


How Do I Tell How Much Available Space I Have on The C: Drive?

1. Left Click “Start”

2. Left Click “My Computer”

3. Right click “Local disk (C:)”

4. Left click “Properties”



Down?Down?


How Do I Free Up Space on My Hard Drive?

1. Left click “Start”

2. All Programs

3. Accessories

4. System Tools

5. Left click on Disk Cleanup – will be a pause as drive is scanned

6. Check and Delete any or all as you think appropriate



Down?Down?


Fragmented Files on Your Hard Drive

1. What are they?• Files stored in pieces

2. How do I “fix” them”• DeFragment the disk



Down?Down?


Fragmented Files on Your Hard Drive


Physical MaintenancePhysical Maintenance Fixing Fragmented Files on Your Fixing Fragmented Files on Your

Hard DriveHard Drive

Memory – Hard Drive Fixing Fragmented Files on Your Hard Drive

1. Click on “Start”

2. Programs

3. Accessories

4. System Tools

5. Disk DeFragmenter

Helpful Links:http://helpdesk.its.uiowa.edu/windows/instructions/defrag.htm

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314848


Software MaintenanceSoftware MaintenanceUninstalling Unused ProgramsUninstalling Unused Programs

StartStart Control PanelControl Panel Vista – Uninstall a ProgramVista – Uninstall a Program XP – Add or Remove ProgramsXP – Add or Remove Programs Click to highlight what you want to uninstall, then click Click to highlight what you want to uninstall, then click

uninstalluninstall

You may want to uninstall some unused programs to save space on your hard drive. For example, many new computers come with trial versions of software that you will decide never to use. Here is how you can get rid of it. DO NOT uninstall something if you do not know what it is and what it does.

Searches on Google and Wikipedia

can help you identify unfamiliar software.


Software MaintenanceSoftware MaintenanceUninstalling Unused ProgramsUninstalling Unused Programs

““Startup” program removalStartup” program removal Some programs start automatically on boot upSome programs start automatically on boot up Boot up process slow as a resultBoot up process slow as a result Beginners process for taking programs out of autostart on Beginners process for taking programs out of autostart on

bootboot RIGHT click StartRIGHT click Start Click openClick open Double click ProgramsDouble click Programs Double click StartupDouble click Startup Delete shortcuts (if any) for programs you don’t want to start Delete shortcuts (if any) for programs you don’t want to start

automatically on boot upautomatically on boot up Experts startup removal informationExperts startup removal information

Good info, use at your own risk: Good info, use at your own risk: http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.htmlhttp://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.html


Software MaintenanceSoftware MaintenanceWindows UpdateWindows Update

CRITICALLY IMPORTANT

Run Windows Update daily from the start menu or go daily to

Set Windows Update to run automatically once a day

• Set it to run in the middle of the night

• If you don’t have your computer on overnight it will run when you next boot up

• Windows update applies fixes to the Windows operating system. Some of the problems, if not fixed, allow Trojans, virus, and other malware to infiltrate your computer

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

OrBest Practice is as follows:


System MaintenanceSystem MaintenanceBackupBackup

YOUR C:\ DRIVE WILL DIE• All mechanical devices eventually fail

• Back up your data periodically

• My Documents is the most critical•Right click Documents (My Documents)

• Click properties. If size is less than about 650MB you can copy it all to a CD. If less than about 4GB you can copy it to a DVD.

• Both XP and Vista support drag-and-drop copy to a CD

• Vista supports drag-and-drop copy to DVD, XP requires additional software

See http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2322030,00.asp for excellent article


The EndThe End

Jim’s BlogJim’s Blog

http://WhiteHouseComputing.Blogspothttp://WhiteHouseComputing.Blogspot.Com.Com


maintaining your computer

Self Improvement

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physical maintenance

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computer cool fans

memory rambut

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gb windowsvista starter

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