Can You Tell Me How To Prevent Computer Crashes?

The adage that goes “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” is never more appropriate than when we talk about computer failures. It’s best to know how to prevent computer crashes befor...

Some people may think that prevention of computer crashes is not possible but on the contrary there are actually steps on how to prevent computer crashes. In a few cases where it is not, such as cases of failed hard drives, there are certain ways which can be done to minimize the damage they can do. Nevertheless, as a computer owner, it is your responsibility to take good care of your computer's health. By being mindful of a few preventive methods, you can make sure that your rcomputer unit will fun faster, better and longer.

The very first thing to keep in mind is proper maintenance. A properly-maintained car does not break down on you. In the same way, a properly maintained computer becomes more reliable than units which are not. Regularly maintained computers also make it easier for owners to spot possible defects early on. Taking care of your PCs does not only mean dusting out and cleaning them every month. More than that, you also need to scan your disks and run defrag programs on a regular basis. Running a registry cleaner also helps. These are among the basic tips which can help your computer run smoothly all the time.

Another important thing you can do is to be on the lookout for any signs of trouble in your computer system. Computers can run diagnostic tests and when you are able to catch possible sources of failure, you may prevent the problem from worsening. You should be alert for symptoms of a bad RAM or a hard drive which may be on the verge of crashing. A RAM stick can act up if you lack computer memory, and constant clicking sounds can indicate a hard drive going bad. As soon as you hear or recognize these telling signs, make sure you do a computer backup right away.

One of the biggest aspects of learning how to prevent computer crashes is knowing how to protect your computer. There are numerous steps you can take here. First, keep your computer well-ventilated as overheating can damage it. Keep your computer where it won't be bumped or kicked since even small movements can damage a hard drive. Always use a surge protector for your computer because even a small power surge can fry a motherboard. While it may seem like common sense, be sure to have adequate anti-virus protection. That means using a program that suits your needs. If you browse the web a lot, you want the best security. And always make sure your anti-virus software is up to date.

By learning to recognize the signs of a possible failure, you can potentially prevent one from occurring. But even if you cannot prevent it, you will at least be able to back up your data so that an inevitable crash does not cause you undue frustration. Obviously, the biggest step is prevention. Proper maintenance and protection for your computer are essential to maintaining a long and healthy life. When looking for how to prevent computer crashes, always keep these simple, yet effective, steps in mind.

Even if you know how to prevent computer crashes, it's impossible to avoid them all! Protect your vital data and files by using an online backup solution! Visit us to know more about the best online storage solutions today.

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All The Reasons To Buy A Netbook

The netbook has become a portable alternative to the heavier, bulkier laptop. It is not always convenient for students, writers and businessmen to lug their laptop around everywhere. The netbook is ...

The netbook is actually being noticed by diehard laptop devotees. Most devoted laptop lovers might have thought - `This is it. This is the one for me`. Slowly but surely, they are being lured into the smaller and lighter realm of the netbook.

For students, this can mean the difference between lugging their laptop around all day, when maybe they only have one or two classes. Or when they grab lunch, maybe they want to drop the heavy laptop off at the dorm room for when they come back to download the day`s notes. Sitting at a desk gets old after sitting behind one for several hours a day; even if there is a nice home/dorm office desk setup aside from being in classrooms. Maybe the student wants to prop up in bed and type some quick ideas or update the week`s schedule - enter the netbook.

Following are the small details that make the netbook so appealing for quick tasks, updates or even as a general notebook for random thoughts or shopping lists.

The netbook tends to have a 7-10 inch screen. However some manufacturers have produced a couple of models with 11-12 inch screens, which might be categorized by most as a laptop. Usually they are built to weigh a mere 2-3 pounds. This attribute alone is a big selling point for the times someone needs a computer, yet there will be no access to a desktop where one is going, therefore the point of carrying a USB stick would be moot. Now the USB can be brought along to the next destination, with the netbook not weighing much more.

Linux and Windows XP are the standard operating systems for netbooks. Some have Vista installed, but the netbook`s smaller memory capacity usually does not support Vista well. Most memory on the devices is 512 MB to 1 GB (giga byte). They do have a capacity for as much as 2 GB. Most netbooks come with many standard specs that a laptop does - webcam, microphone, USB 2.0, a port for headphones and another microphone and etc.

The netbook is designed to be very easy on battery life, unlike most laptops. Hence another example of the appeal of the netbook`s portability; however, this also translates to smaller processing systems, making it ideal for small daily tasks for students, business people, writers, or the busy mom typing out the grocery list. The laptop at home will be utilized later for the more heavily processing tasks.

Many netbooks can be attained for US $300-500. Some do go as high as $700-800. For those who can justify the cost of the netbook as a compatible backup and new family addition to their laptop, it is a viable option. There are also many people who would benefit from saving or just weighing the pros to make a notebook the latest addition to their technology brood - students, writers, high schoolers who need extra, more convenient study time, doctors and nurses who need extra time to type up and organize notes, etc.

Welcome to another technological breakthrough, just when it seemed there could never be any more additions: enter the world of the netbook, a fabulous adjunct to the notebook, and their grandfather, the good old desktop.

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Computer Maintenance - Do it YOURSELF !

How can you prevent problems from occurring with your PC and maintain it's reliability to years to come, without worrying about costly repairs ?

Did you know that like human beings, computers need preventative care to stay "healthy"? That's correct, computers need to be maintained regularly, to ensure that they continue working in peak condition for years to come. No, I don't mean wiping your computer clean with a cloth!

(Actually that IS a small part of it though). There are many "tips" on keeping your computer fast and efficient, many methods should be performed by a skilled user only, but there are many that the average home user can handles with no problems.

Follow these tips below, and your wallet will be glad you did:

1.) Ensure that you are using anti-virus and anti spyware applications, and you computer is scanned at LEAST once weekly. Make sure that the definition files are set to "automatic update". A good free anti-virus choice is "AVG free", and can be found at www.free.avg.com. "Spybot", a good anti-spyware app, can be found at: www.safer-networking.com.

2.) Make sure that you are using a firewall at all times when on the internet, and you are using WEP or WPA encryption, to thwart online intruders from invading your computer. Hardware firewalls are the best option in my opinion, but "Zone Alarm" is an excellent free software choice, I use it myself; go to www.zonelabs.com to download the free version.

3.) Defragment your hard drive regularly. Defragmenting is the process in which Windows optimizes your hard drive(s) by rearranging the files on your hard drive so they are back in order. As clusters of files on your hard drive become fragmented, they grow further apart and it takes longer for your computer to find and assemble the pieces necessary to run your programs. Your version of Windows has a help file, that will show you how to defragment your drive. Do this at LEAST once a month.

( To defragment in Windows XP: Open My Computer, and right click on your "C" drive. Select Properties, then click on the Tools tab and select Defragment Now. )

4.) Ensure that all critical Windows updates are performed.
(In Windows XP: Go to My Computer, and double click on Control Panel. Next, click on Windows update, on the left panel.)

5.) Be weary of installing software that will not be used regularly. Many people install software daily, only to find that Windows "runs" slower, as more software is installed. Most software creates entries in the "Registry", and when most software is un-installed, the registry entry stays – thus slowing down computer performance. Have you ever wondered why your computer seems so fast when it is brand new, or after Windows is freshly installed? More software installed usually equals slower speed.

6.) Do not allow too many programs to load up when Windows start. You know the little task bar at the bottom of your screen? The right side of that taskbar usually has a few icons. Many people ask "why is my computer loading so slow?" Many times, it's because too many programs are set to load at startup, and you will have to wait while each icon shows up in your task bar, and the respective program loads.

When you install software, if given the option, only choose "startup with Windows" if it is mandatory (such as antivirus, firewalls, etc). The more programs that you load at startup, the more resources you are using, thus slowing down your computer significantly.

7.) Do not allow your hard drive to "fill up". Always have as a rule of thumb, make sure that you have 700MB of free space (700 megabytes) on your hard drive. Why…. you ask? There should be at least 300-500 megabytes of free space to allow for "disk file chores". Simply put, if you don't have enough free space on your drive, Windows will get slower, due to certain tasks that run in the background, and utilize a 300-500MB of your hard drive's space.

8.) BACKUP! Always backup your files. What is backup? It is the process of saving your important files to an external medium such as CD, DVD, external drive, tape, etc. Digital data doesn't really "exist", it consists of "1s" and "0s", and when your storage medium dies due to power outage, hours of usage, damage; your data is gone.

Data recovery is expensive, and it isn't guaranteed. Always be on the safe side and save your important files, and store your backup in a place where fire, water etc, won't damage it.

I hope you enjoyed these tips, and I am sure they will come in handy by those that took the time to read this article!

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Supporting your IT network

Your computers and network probably play a huge role in your business as they do for millions of other companies around the world. The emergence of internet businesses has meant that there are more and more IT support firms being set up to cope with the demands of the modern day company


Your computers and network probably play a huge role in your business as they do for millions of other companies around the world. The emergence of internet businesses has meant that there are more and more IT support firms being set up to cope with the demands of the modern day company.

In the past, data and information was stored on pieces of paper that were filed away in hundreds of folders that were hard to find when you most needed it. Nowadays, companies have seen the importance of having these documents on hand when needed and combined with the importance of being environmentally friendly, computer have well and truly taken over.

Your computers will contain important information about your company, employees and clients. This information is personal and it is extremely important that nobody else is allowed to access these files. At the same time you need to ensure that the work that is carried out by you and your workforce is suitably backed up in case the server fails.

For companies reliant on their computers, a server crash could be very costly as we all know time is money. IT support companies endeavour to get to your company to sort the problem out as soon as possible and where possible stay until the problem is fully fixed and all servers restored. This is vital to all companies as no computers can mean limited or no contact with clients or customers.

In a matter of a few hours, depending on location, the IT support company can be at your office and fixing the problem as they want to get your server up and running in the quickest time possible. You will be able to be in constant contact with them should you have a fault in the server or any computers in the office.

This also applies for home internet services as some support companies are able to offer technical support for the home. Losing connection at home may not be as costly as losing it in the office but it can still be very inconvenient especially as many of us have taken to online shopping in recent years. For people who have to work at home though, the importance is as high as it is in the office. Preparing for that all important meeting may require extra work to be done at home.

Whether in the office or at home, ensure that you have a high quality service to help you should anything go wrong

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Wireless Networks: How To Setup Your Own

Wireless home networks are becoming more and more popular these day. The ease of installation and the practicality of being able to surf the net anywhere in the house makes wireless home networks very attractive to internet users. Some basic things about the wireless networks are to be known before attempting to start the arrange wireless home networks. To help you get the improved understanding of wireless networking you can read up more about the wireless networking protocols.

Wireless home networks are becoming more and more popular these day. The ease of installation and the practicality of being able to surf the net anywhere in the house makes wireless home networks very attractive to internet users. Some basic things about the wireless networks are to be known before attempting to start the arrange wireless home networks. To help you get the improved understanding of wireless networking you can read up more about the wireless networking protocols.

To arrange a wireless home network you need to have broadband internet connection with a cable or DSL modem. Plugging the desk top computer into modem is the most simple set up at home. In this tutorial we will assume that you have a laptop that you want to connect wirelessly to the PC that is connected to the internet. This can be made achievable with some hardware.First you need to have a wireless router. For your laptop computer a PC card-based network adapter and for your desk top PC USB wireless network adapter must be added. For all the additional hardware you buy it is suggested to choose the same brand for obvious reasons. For the installation purpose check to the documentation that comes with hardware.

You can start the set up when you already have all the necessary hardware installed. First you must unplug or turn off the DSL modem then connect the wireless router to the modem. You can refer the documentation that came with your hardware for assistance. When you've set it up your computer will wirelessly connect to your router. Configuring wireless router is the next step. With Internet Explorer you can go to your router's configuration page.

There are some things you mustconfigure as the most of the default settings there are rather safe left alone. The name for your network must be selected, choose a unique name or SSID. Be sure that no one around that is near you is using the same name. Provide a unique passphrase to your router such that it will use to generate some keys. Then the last step to do before you are done with configuring the router is setting your administrative password. Password must be chosen in such a way that it is not too short and not easy to guess. Be sure to save every setting you've configured. The actual steps involved in configuring these settings vary according to the kind of router you have.

Setting up your laptops network adapter is the next step. It is simple to follow Window's XP's on-screen instructions for this one. Right-click the icon for wireless network in your task bar and click "View Available Wireless Networks" in the pop up menu that appears. The Wireless Network Connection window will show and there you will see the name you chose for your wireless network listed. Select Refresh network list in the upper-left corner if you don't see your network. You will need to enter the key chosen by you in both the Network key and Confirm network key boxes. Click Connect. You will then see connection advacement as it connects to your network. When you're already connected you can close the Wireless Network Connection window. Wireless connection has been configured by you.

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Tasks of a good systems engineer

The efficiency of computers and software programs is essential for every company today. Nobody can do anything without computers to organize and carry out their work in the office.

The efficiency of computers and software programs is essential for every company today. Nobody can do anything without computers to organize and carry out their work in the office.

Computers have speeded up immensely and implemented to perform the various tasks of an office and a company. But perhaps not everyone knows that behind your terminal lies a complex network that connects all locations to central servers, which carry loads of data much beyond the capacity of a normal computer. These computer facilities are entrusted to the hands of skilled technicians, who focuses on building networks, their maintenance and innovation: systems engineers.

But not only those are his tasks: the constant boost of the presence of information and communication technology within enterprises has increased dramatically the importance of skilled professionals such as IT systems engineers. IT systems engineers carry out, through an intense exchange with the customer, a deep analysis based on principles of standardized business processes. They analyze and formalize the management of problems and outline possible alternatives. They also specify the requirements for IT systems to be created or updated, in various fields of abstraction and from different points of view. Moreover, thanks to their consulting, a company can decide how and where direct their IT future. These figures are therefore vital, particularly in offices equipped with modern computers and communication technologies, with video stations, even directly at the customer. Assistance is not a plus, but the basic process for using full and in the best way new technologies.

But what does a systems engineer do in practice? The tasks are really a lot, such as perform system analysis and establish appropriate IT systems or upgrading existing IT systems, or analyzing customer requirements, describing the business processes, defining the required models for IT systems, creating solutions to IT systems, explaining various alternative solutions and evaluating them from the economic and technological point of view and many other things. Unfortunately, not always, indeed rarely, the university prepares young people to really tackle these problems, it’s the fault of outdated programs and inability to keep up with so quickly and frequently innovations. To this end, then comes the training agency, which is dedicated to providing long or short courses on issues and current practices.

Employment opportunities for young persons facing the world of work are certainly many. IT technologies are an unexplored land for non-experts, making these figures necessary, from administrators of enterprise networks to helpdesk personnel, from trouble-shooters to teachers. Unique stumbling block remains, as for many other jobs, the lack of previous experience. You can work around this by carrying out internship and trainee jobs in IT services companies that offer their knowledge in exchange for a good price.

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Protect Your Work - Lock Your Computer

What happens when you leave personal or sensitive information in easy access on your PC? This article gives a story-like introduction to the consequences of an unprotected computer and how you can use an account password to easily solve that problem.

Anyone who has put in many hours, or at times even weeks of effort into work, may know what its like to lose a part of that work, but the worst thing you can do is to be the cause of your own loss. When you leave your computer, lets say for a bathroom break, an emergency meeting, or even to discuss something away from your machine, it may be natural to just walk away and do what you have to do, but I know from experience that this is a habit you should engrave into your computer work ethic just the same as being polite to the CEO of your organization. Allow me to go deeper, it will make more sense by example:

A few years ago, I took a course called 'Drafting/Design Tech I'. This was a basic CAD (Computer-Aided-Design) class where we learned how to use the software and along the way, the concepts of good CAD-work, understanding of views, and being able to draw anything we saw in any variation. It was a good experience. One of the few things my instructor told the class immediately after explaining how to log in with our user accounts was to lock our computers.

"Hold down the 'windows' button, and push 'L'. This will lock your computer and protect your work."

Now why would you want protection? Look at condoms and you'll see why...Okay, so you won't get AID's if you don't lock your computer, but those of us who didn't heed the advice of my instructor learned the hard way to lock it up. By good nature, lots of us used to love to walk over to each other's workstations and talk, hang out, and mess around. By the time we came back, one of several things generally happened to our computers:

1. Our directories were cleared out of any and all work we had in them (hours, or rather weeks of hours, of racking your head over something has just gone down the drain), or

2. Our current drawing file was modified (i.e. a few lines being offset, stretched and skewed, thereby throwing off all dimensions, which is especially bad when being graded on dimensions. Even worse is when somebody scales your entire project, so when you actually build a model of your project, instead of a 1/8 scale between the model and full-size, you have a 19/128ths scale. Firsthand experience sucks.)

3. All of our file names were mixed and mismatched, so when we sat down to work, we faced the unique issue of figuring out each time which of the twenty files is which. Lots of fun when you have an upcoming deadline.

4. Any other creative mischief (i.e. turning the screen by 90 degrees, making windows look retro, or even hiding parts of our drawings so they appear deleted and we appear to be redoing it when we come back)

Besides an annoyance ranging from mild all the way up to a promise of an a$s-kicking after class, locking your computer is important for security. From my experience with multiple private networks, leaving your console unattended while in full access can cause many problems for you and the network. One of your peers with lesser access rights may decide to play a joke on another and it doesn't turn out funny to the one it was being played on. He reports it to his boss. If the 'joke' was in any way decided as unacceptable by the boss, guess which two guys lose their jobs? Or even better if there is a visitor from somewhere and suddenly he has access to all of the top-secret files which are sworn by all employees to only stay on facility? Let me express it in one word: espionage. A car just doesn't sell as well when every other major car-maker sells exact knock-offs of it because some idiot in your business left the designs and assembly plans in easy access.



Windows Button + L

OR

Alt+Ctrl+Delete , then 'k'

For this to work, you must have a password set on your account. If your account is not password-protected, here is how to make it so:

(All instructions assume that the user has full administrative access rights)


For Windows XP:
1) Click on the 'Start' menu
2) Click on 'Control Panel'
3) Double-Click on 'User Accounts'
4) Click on your user account name
5) Click on 'Create a Password'
6) Follow the on-screen instructions


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