Tips for new computer buyers!
Here are some tips for you if you decide to buy a new computer.
Backup your data
A computer or its hard disk drive can fail at any time and without warning. When it does all your personal documents, letters, pictures, music, video, etc. is lost and in many situations cannot be recovered or costs a lot of money to be recovered. Make sure you have backups of all your important data so it is not lost when the computer fails.
Protect the computer
Make sure to protect your computer from electrical surges, brownouts, and black outs. At the very least, every computer user should have a decent surge protector on their computer and phone line if they use a modem. Surge protectors can help protect your computer during an electrical storm and could save you hundreds of dollars in repair, if it were to get damaged. It is also a good idea to have the computer running on a UPS, which can help prevent damage to a computer during a brownout or blackout.
Keep computer and its programs updated
There is no such thing as a perfect software program or hardware drivers. After the developer has released their program they may discover errors and release updates to fix these problems. In the case of major software programs and operating systems, there can be several hundred updates and service packs released during its life time. Making sure your computer and its programs are up-to-date can help prevent problems.
In addition to updating a program, programs that use other programs or plugins may also need updates, for example, it is very important to make sure all the plugins for your Internet browser are also up-to-date.
Keep the computer safe and be familiar with viruses, spyware, phishing and spam
Every computer connected to the Internet or other network need to be protected. If you’re using Microsoft Windows, we recommend having some form of anti-virus program installed and running on the computer. It’s also a good idea to have a malware detection program running on the computer to pickup any spyware or malware that an anti-virus may not have detected. Finally, every computer user should also be fully aware of other security risks such as chain mails, phishing, and spam while on the Internet.
Keep the computer clean
Keeping the computer physically clean can help keep the computer running smoothly, help prevent issues such as over heating, and help protect you from getting sick. While cleaning the computer, it’s also a good idea to clean the data on the computer. Microsoft Windows users can run ScanDisk to check the hard drive for errors and Defrag to keep the data on the hard drive organized. It’s also a good idea to go through the installed programs and uninstall anything you no longer use.
Look for free alternatives
Be familiar with and know about free alternatives to popular commercial programs. For example, almost every computer user needs a word processor program installed on their computer. Instead of purchasing Microsoft Office, which is several hundred dollars use a free alternative such as Open Office that is just as capable.
Microsoft issues the biggest security patch update ever – Microsoft support
Microsoft will offer security updates once in a while to lock down any Windows vulnerabilities to prevent viruses. Today, Microsoft issued a record 14 security updates to patch up a record-tying 34 vulnerabilities in Windows, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Office. Without such updates, a computer user could be open to a potential PC virus infection.
This most popular or possibly most devastating vulnerability lies in Outlook 2007. If you enjoy using the preview pane in e-mails like I do, then you’re at risk without the new security update. Here’s what happens: if you preview an e-mail that has an infection, BAM… you’re infected also, all without even opening up the e-mail or an attachment. This drive-by virus is pretty nasty since you don’t even have a chance to protect yourself without a Windows security patch.
Other exploits this security patch takes care of are Windows media-related security updates. If you’re a big Windows media users, you’ll also need this update or else your next media update could be a virus. Internet Explorer is always a fun target so this update has further secured IE. You should install this Windows security patch update before it’s too late.
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Do you want to send large e-mails?
Sometimes we need to send large e-mails. (e-mails with large attachments). There are many ways to do it, actually. You can put the attachment to your website using FTP and give the link to receipt to download it.
However, it seems like a lot of work for sending a file. What if you do not have a website where you could put the file?
There is a good way to send large e-mails. Just go to You Send It. This service allows you to e-mail up to a 100MB file for free!
How it works?
1. You send your large file by uploading it through a web browser, from your desktop or right from within your favorite application such as Microsoft Outlook.
2. They (You Send It) store your file securely and email your recipient a link to click on and download the file.
3. Your recipient receives the email notification, clicks on the link in the email and downloads the file. Easy!
Actually, you can send up to 2GB if needed for a fee. It’s a great service and an especially great way to share pictures, videos, and more.
To do this you do not have to call Computer Tech Support!
When do you have to reinstall Windows on your computer?
When you reinstall Windows on your computer it gives you an instant reset button.
It brings back your computer back to the way it was when you first bought it. It means, you get a new computer again.
So, when should you reinstall Windows?:
- When virus or spyware infected your registry beyond repair.
- Windows startup files are corrupted.
- Computer is running slowly.
Before you reinstall Windows, make sure that you back up your important files first, because reinstalling Windows will wipe out your whole hard drive meaning your files and programs will also be deleted. That removal process is what makes it such a good thing to do. It gives you a clean slate by removing any virus, spyware, or corruption in Windows. In turn, you get a practically brand new computer minus the current shelf life of your PC. Even if your computer is running sluggish, it is a good rule of thumb to reinstall Windows every 2-3 years to give it the pep it needs.
If you have difficulty to reinstall Windows, please call VA Denver Computer Services.