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Get a Virus Scanner -
do not get on the internet without a
virus scanner
-
(AVG has a great free edition .
This is a GREAT program. love it.
FREE Virus Scanner
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DO a DEFRAG.....do a defrag regularly. go to START, then PROGRAMS, then ACCESSORIES, then SYSTEM TOOLS, then DEFRAGmentation. This function keeps all your files in order. It is like cleaning up a messy desk that has files all over it.
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DO a DISK CLEAN UP...
this will delete unnecessary files,
temporary files that just use up
your hard drive space.
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DO a DISK SCAN...This
will check your actual physical hard
drive for errors and thus speed up
your computer. do this once a month.
-
Check the INSIDE of your computer
once in awhile, especially if you
have moved it somewhere. Even if you
nothing about them.
UNplug
it first!! just check to be sure all
cables are tight and 'cards' are
secure...nothing loose.
-
Do Full
Virus Scan Every Week - or day is better.
Be sure to set your
VIRUS UPDATES
to automatic if you have high-speed.
If you are still on dial up do your
updates manually (there is a link)
or it will slow you down on the
internet...to a crawl.
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TURN ON YOUR FIREWALL use the
firewall that comes with your system
and do not install multiple
firewalls
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Get a SURGE protector, (plug
in bar with switch) power surges can
really screw up your computer. If
you have a laptop try to always use
direct power and don't let your
computer stay on till it powers out
if you are using batteries...it does
not shut off properly then.
-
Accept updates but choose custom mode so you
can see what you are updating.
Some times auto updates download
stuff you don't want or need, and
are huge files (too large for
dial-up)
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Back up (to cd,
dvd disk,
external drive or USB flash drive) your files on a regular basis. Do not back-up ON your computer, burn a cd,
- click START, then PROGRAMS, then ACCESSORIES, then SYSTEM TOOLS, then FILES AND SYSTEM TRANSFER WIZARD......choose to transfer to CD.
This will compact all your files to
one compressed file and, although
you will have a backup you will not
be able to rescue just one single
file without opening the whole
thing. The best backup is to get
yourself an external drive and copy
your documents, pictures etc to a
folder on your external drive , in
addition to your compressed file. If
your computer crashes most repair
techs will not take the time to
rescue your precious pictures and
important files.
-
CREATE a Restore disk
-
CREATE A RESTORE POINT
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PRINT AND/OR BURN YOUR PICTURES FROM
YOUR CAMERA ON A DISK. yikes. People
now use their digital cameras so
much. They put all their pics on
their computer of their loved ones
or special events and never print
them off. One glitch and you could
loose memories and photos forever!
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Do NOT open email from people you do not know!
Everyone has told you
that..but
still they get opened. Do not be
tempted even if they use your name.
Many scammers, spammers and viruses
will use your name to trick you to
open their virus laden email. If you
must, and I mean MUST, peek then right
click on the email and go to
properties. look at the sender or
look at the source for clues. Also
check to see if the scanner had
numerous 'time out'
failures...delete the email if you
are suspect. A funny joke from a
friend is just not worth the cost of
loosing your computer. Don't forget,
a friend could send a joke or pic
with no idea it has a virus. If you
see a FW: FW: etc...delete it
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BE CAREFUL when visiting gaming sites, porn sites, casino sites, gambling sites, file sharing sites, warez sites, free music sites, make money fast sites, MLM
sites, well, you get the idea - they
are FULL of cookies and
tracking/miner files that will haunt
you, slow your computer down and
gives you a lot of headaches. If you
go to gaming sites where you have to
download something you may end up
with an unwanted TOOLBAR on your
internet explorer. (uninstall in
CONTROL PANEL, ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS)
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Learn how to set up security on your email program, download only Headers, not messages.
Most can be configured in TOOLS,
OPTIONS but many programs are
different...email if you have a
problem contact@moosecreekcenter.com
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Never 'Delete' a program go to "Add/Remove" software in control Panel and uninstall, or use the program uninstall provided.
Do not ignore this step...uninstall..never
delete!
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Do not use your main email address to sign up for things on the internet unless their PRIVACY POLICY states they do not give or sell them.
Instead, create a dummy account for junkmail
with hotmail or Yahoo. It is free
and will not junk up your real
email.
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Do NOT send credit card, birthdate, social insurance etc., info in an email.
Use only secure sites for purchases.
NEVER give out your social insurance
number for anything what so ever.
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Do not download FREE programs suited for APPLE computers if you do not have an APPLE computer.
People do this often, believe it or not.
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Do not download trial programs unless you intend to use them or buy them...uninstall them
if you do. You may be dragged down
by the cookies they put on your
machine even if you use the trial
and uninstall...If you intend on
buying, great, but don't bother with
the trials.
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Do not leave your computer on all the time or connected to the internet all the time. Your hard drive runs at a faster RPM than your car and can get very hot. You are using power. Power supplies and fans can go on you. Turn it off!
You are leaving yourself open being
on the internet ALL the time. You
are wasting power and overusing your
hard drive, fans and power supply.
And do not leave the computer on the
internet all night. When you are connected to the internet ALL the time your computer is receiving information. Check the icon on the bottom (place your curser over it) bytes received and sent. You will notice that your computer is active while you are away from it.
and receiving lots of information.
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Keep static electricity away from your computer...big trouble. It can fry your computer. Carpeted floors are terrible for computers. Put a plastic roll sheet over the carpet
if you have it.. **TIP - if you have a problem with static -spray the floor with anti static laundry spray
or even water.
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Use an AD-AWARE program to delete the tracker/miner files placed on your computer by websites.
They are not viruses but will track
your habits on the internet. Sometimes people will have 20
to hundreds of these nasty files which will slow your computer right down. There are a number of these type programs out there. A good one is
Ad-aware FREE Edition
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Find out what is in your computer! Do a BELARC scan. It is FREE and will tell you
everything you have on your
computer, including hardware and
software and their serial numbers
and models number, that is on your computer. DO THIS BEFORE AND AFTER YOU TAKE YOUR COMPUTER FOR SERVICE WORK!! There are a few techies out there that will swap parts on you for better ones. Print out your results.
BELARC FREE scanner
You will love this as it will tell
you everything that is on your
computer, serial numbers, parts etc.
It will be very helpful when you go
to get parts, printers etc. The
service person will ask you what you
have and the belarc scan will tell
all.
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If you get a message pop up on your computer that says you have
'performed an illegal act'...DON'T WORRY, lol (laugh out loud)...that does not mean you did something illegal...just reboot your computer. Your programs had a conflict. lol -this gets newbies all the time.
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If your
keyboard keys do seem to be working right. Letter not showing up, double letter etc., your keyboard is probably full of dust, crumbs or just dirt.
put it upside down and shake. Do not
clean with water. You can buy a can
of pressurized air anywhere to blow
it out. Hold your keyboard upside down and shake this way and that. Watch the junk come out. better even if you go to your computer store and buy a can of air. The canned air has a nozzle and it is great for cleaning out your computer too.
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If your computer freezes up on you
first try to fix by holding down the
CONTROL key (ctrl) and the Alt key
then the DELETE key at the same
time. A window will appear, the TASK
MANAGER, choose the program you were
last on and then choose SHUT DOWN or
END but......... if you are still
stuck and cannot do anything, hold
your start button down for a few
seconds and your computer will turn
off
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If you have Guest, grandchildren or
friends
use your computer be sure to set up
a GUEST account that is limited so
they cannot change your settings,
open email laden email or download
stuff to cause you grief. Even when
guests change your desktop it is
irritating.
-
USE another password protected
LIMITED account for your own email.
This way the registry will not allow
any changes and you will be less
likely to have a
trojan
or virus through your email.
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Create a DOWNLOAD folder
where your downloaded files,
programs or pictures can be
saved...we all forget where we
pu
our downloads. don't we?
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ONLY CLICK A LINK ONCE,
(twice if it is a double
click)..then
wait...clicking too many times is
like shoving too much into a
funnel...your computer will just
freeze. click and leave it.
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If Internet Explorer
(your browser to view the internet)
is giving you woes try
FIREFOX...works
the same as Internet explorer but
different company and a little more
stable. It is a free download.
-
If you cannot afford Microsoft
Office
then try OPEN OFFICE.. it is free
and has a look alike Word, Excel
etc. Great stable software and FREE!
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Keep Magnets AWAY from your
computer, external drives and flash
drives. You may erase all your
files.
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Do not eat or drink...NO
liquids around your keyboard or
computer.
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Checkout MICROSOFT
maintenance guide
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/maintain/default.mspx
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Empty your Recycle Bin (your
trash that has your deleted items in
it..they are not gone till you empty
the trash!)
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Change your passwords often
and write them down. Try to have at
least one capital and a few numbers
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If you have weird popups and
small screens that come up when
you first boot up check your
startups...in msconfig
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Keep your desktop shortcuts
to a minimum unless you use them
often.
