| Rules of thumb so we don't look dumb. :-) Although these ideas/concepts may seem second nature to most of us, I see more and more newbies making mistakes that are costing them time and aggravation. So, I figured a guideline of simple practices might help. Some of you might think some of my suggestions are unnecessary, but, they are just suggestions. Also, if anyone can think of something to add please feel free.
1) Always close as many running applications as possible before you install any software. One way is to right click icons that are listed on the task bar (lower right is default) and choose exit/close or disable.
2) Never install software while your virus program is running. Disable your virus program using the method above. Don't worry, when you restart it will be enabled.
3) Whether it asks you to or not, always restart your computer after you install something. In other words, if you install three things, restart after each one.
4) If you do not consider yourself an intermediate or advanced user, avoid installing Beta software
5) Backup your registry and anything else you may need/want or desire before installing any software. If the software you are going to install is not the original CD or floppy, be weary.
6) Always run virus protection for general use and keep it updated
7) Keep your startup programs limited to the ones you use. Go to Msconfig and disable anything you don't need loading at startup
8) Make backups! Although you may have no problems with anything on your computer, a hard drive crash can happen without warning. A hard drive is a mechanical device and mechanical devices break.
9) Never unplug or plug a keyboard or mouse (ps2) when the system is turned on. In fact, I prefer to power down for any plugging and unplugging (except the occasional USB)
10) Use a good surge protector or battery backup. I can't believe how many people I see that spend $2,000 dollars on a computer and plug it into a $3 dollar surge protector. You also need to protect your Cable or DSL connection. I have seen lightening travel through a cable modem and fry a cat5 cable and the computer connected to it. The evidence was the charred end of the Cat5 cable 
11) Even if you have a surge or battery backup, shutdown during thunder and lightening storms. Why take the chance?
12) Try not you use old software on new operating systems. If you have an XP computer, I don't recommend installing Office 95. After all, If you were going to have heart surgery, would you ask them to do it the way they did ten years ago, or would your prefer todays methods?
13) Be careful when running windows update. I've seen windows update tell me I need a driver update that I know was an older version than the driver I had installed. If you're not sure, don't do it. In other words, "if it ain't broke ..."
14) Check for errors and defragment your hard drive. If you are not running specific software that does this, go to my computer right click your hard drive and click tools. Disable virus software before you do it!
15) Keep the vent/fan opening clean. The more airflow, the cooler the system. Cool is good
16) Clear the cache files in your browser. I like to set my max amount to 50MB and check for new version EVERY visit to the page.
17) Clear your temp files. Do a search for *.tmp and delete everything that is more than one day old.
18) Keep important disks in a common place and in good/clean condition. Nothing is worse than not finding the disk you need when you need it, or finding it and it is badly scratched.
19) Keep floppy disks away from cordless telephones and anything magnetic.
20) Save works in progress as you go along. Either set your programs to autosave work after a few minutes or do a manual save. There is nothing worse than spending a few hours working on a spreadsheet or a document or any kind of file and then have a system crash right before you finish.
21) Be careful who you take advice from. Everyone has a friend who is a computer genius. Most of those computer geniuses are the people who keep the real computer geniuses in business.
Finally, if all else fails, RTM (I left out the "F") |
|
 aeromanPremium
join:2001-03-16
Dearborn, MI | Hi eineyANDasia,
Well said, well laid out and to the point. I cannot think of anything to add.
Just a sincere question to any and all, you recommend 'restarting' the computer. Does that mean reboot with CTRL-ALT-DEL or powerdown? I never know at what point - if ever - powerdown is required?
Thanks for your efforts, aeroman. |
|
| always do a shutdown and restart if possible (start, shutdown, restart). |
|
| reply to eineyANDasia
dfwdraco said
always do a shutdown and restart if possible (start, shutdown, restart).
-----------------------------------------------------
I agree
Use the method of start> shutdown or start> restart
This is the true meaning of a restart. CTRL ALT DEL is a last resort to end tasks. Or a first resort to log on  (nevermind) |
|
| reply to eineyANDasia
I myself prefer to do a clean boot when running either scan disk or defrag or installing a new program.
Also..before installing programs or drivers (if your OS supports it) do a system restore and label it "Before xxxx", or do at least a system backup with Norton, Ontrack or another program that will do that for you.
Be careful about opening E-Mail from a name you don't recognize and, if at all possible, scan downloads before or during downloading.
--
On a plaque my husband bought me My Friend If friends were like flowers, I'd pick you. |
|
| reply to eineyANDasia
Its funny you mention the sys restore named before ---. I call them Pre --- Now that you mention it, I think people should also be aware that self propagating viruses autosend to the names in an address book. So, if you are in someones address book e.g. friend, relative, whatever, you will be sent a copy. In other words you will often get viruses from people you know also! |
|
|
|
 jdongEat A Beaver, Save A Tree.Premium
join:2002-07-09
Rochester, MI
kudos:1 | reply to eineyANDasia
Another pointer: New monitors that degauss automatically when turned on do a nice job of umm, well, DEMAGNITIZING floppies... They don't really deserve the honor of holding floppies on top of them... |
|
| reply to eineyANDasia
my tips:
1. do not delete the folder the program is in to uninstall it. use add/remove program in the control panel
2. if you are not sure what the file is DO NOT DELETE IT!!!!
--
My Favorite Bookmarks
AIM IM |
|
bruzzesPremium
join:2001-04-26
Euclid, OH Reviews:
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to eineyANDasia
Excellent Topic
Excellent Advice
I recommend that people who feel as I do
Click the topic vote up button at the top of this post.
a thumbs up for eineyANDasia wouldn't hurt either
--
need a laughhttp://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,4009333~root=journals~mode=flat.com |
|
| reply to eineyANDasia
Another thought, if you use wireless (802.11B) and a 2.4GHZ cordless phone you may have problems with intermittent loss of connection.
Mseng & Bruzzes - Thank you for the thumbs up, I really appreciate it.
Jdong- I never thought of the degauss, ouch, that would stink.
Thanks again everyone |
|
 Zero67Catastrophic FailurePremium
join:2002-08-22
Miami | How about getting a good registry program like regclean, and regularly emptying the trash from your registry, after you back it up, of course. It's amazing how much junk gets left behind in there. |
|
Reviews:
 ·Comcast
| reply to eineyANDasia
Make sure you make rescue disks for your Antivirus programs, as well as programs like Partition Magic, Norton Ghost, etc. Make sure you have a WinME boot floppy on hand.
Disable the Guest account in XP.
--
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups. |
|
 freezeI'm not even GreekPremium
join:2001-05-13
Ohio | reply to eineyANDasia
And the one rule which solves most...
If you don't know what it is or what it does, don't touch it. If you are weary of it, ask the gurus who speak before you.
I game me thumbs |
|
| reply to eineyANDasia
Don't just "shut down" during a lightning storm; unplug everything connected to a power, telephone or cable line. |
|
| reply to freeze
Hey Freeze,
I like the avatar. |
|
| reply to eineyANDasia
Excellent list! This one is a bookmark.
On (16), HTTP downloads wind up in the browser cache temporarily until the download is done, then are written to the file. Only 50 MB could nail you on big downloads like W2K SP3 (I had it happen). 200-500 MB might be better. Allows space for the download above whatever is cached for the browser. |
|
 MSengPremium,Ex-Mod 2001-08
join:2000-07-13
Ork
kudos:6
·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to eineyANDasia
PC maintenance also includes cleaning your monitors, keyboards, system boxes, etc., on a regular basis.
--
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself. |
|
freezeI'm not even GreekPremium
join:2001-05-13
Ohio Reviews:
·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to eineyANDasia
said by eineyANDasia:
Hey Freeze,
I like the avatar.
Thanks
 |
|
| reply to eineyANDasia
Good advice,
Not that I do most of the things you suggest. I like to live dangerously. |
|
 jimmie
join:2001-12-01
Sault Ste Marie, ON | reply to eineyANDasia
Excellent list!
I'm surprised nobody mentioned running a firewall whenever connected to the net, something I find more important that AV but we won't go there.
--
a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing |
|
