7. Today’s Session
• Computing Trends
• Maintaining & Optimizing Your Computer
• Upgrading Your Computer
• Troubleshooting Problems
• Backup & Security
• Windows XP – Tips and Tricks
• Office 2007 – Tips and Tricks
• Tools to be More Productive
• Additional Learning Resources
• Open Session – Questions and Sharing
15. The Power User Toolkit
• Large USB flash drive
• Portable external hard drive
• Small flashlight
• Screwdriver set
• Extra cables (USB, ethernet)
• Hard drive adapter
• Canned air
• Software and Driver discs
• Spare Keyboard and Mouse
16. Maintaining Your Computer
Top Monthly Computer Maintenance Tips
1. Run Microsoft Update monthly
2. Clear out temporary system files
3. Defragment your hard drive
4. Run a spyware scanner
5. Run a full virus scanner
17. Maintaining Your Computer
• 1. Microsoft Update
– Windows + Office Suite = Microsoft Update
• Run manual update – Automatic doesn’t
always cut it
• Updates released – 2nd Tuesday
• Large Updates rolled into a Service Pack
– Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1, Office 2003 SP3,
Office 2007 SP1
18. Maintaining Your Computer
• Clearing out temporary files!
– Temp internet and system files
– Free up space
– Speed up access times
– Prevent problems from occurring (i.e. browser
issues and spyware)
19. Maintaining Your Computer
• 2. Clearing out temporary files!
– Step 1: Run Disk Cleanup
– Step 2: Clear out browser cache
20. Maintaining Your Computer
• Clearing out temporary files
– CCleaner – the one stop shop!
– Download.com – search for “CCleaner”
21. Maintaining Your Computer
• The Windows Registry
– Database on the computer that stores all the
settings and information about the computer and
software on the computer
– Careful when working with the registry!
– Use CCleaner to clean registry
22. Maintaining Your Computer
• 3. Defragmenting the Hard Drive
– Gaps on the hard drive
– Rearranges files and programs
– Run monthly, don’t use while running
– The more you run it the quicker it will be
23.
24. Maintaining Your Computer
• Defragmenting the Hard Drive
– Faster Defrag – Auslogics Disk Defrag
– Download.com – search for “Auslogics Defrag”
25. Maintaining Your Computer
• 4: Run a spyware scanner
– Spybot
– MalwareBytes
Available for download at
www.Download.com
26. Maintaining Your Computer
• 5: Run a full virus scan
– Keep subscription active
– Update definitions (i.e. Norton LiveUpdate)
– Use alternate scanner:
• TrendMicro HouseCall – http://housecall.trendmicro.com
• Panda Antivirus – http://pandasecurity.com/activescan
27. Maintaining Your Computer
• Keeping it Clean
– Shoot it with canned air
– Keep off the floor
– Don’t use a vacuum
– Clean out mice
– Wipe down surfaces
28. Optimizing Your Computer
• Uninstall unused programs
– A lean computer is a fast computer
• Don’t install what you don’t need
– Webshots/screensavers, Weather programs,
Toolbars
• Stop programs from running at startup
29. Optimizing Your Computer
• Turn off System Indexing
– My Computer Right Click C: drive
Properties Uncheck “Allow indexing…”
30. Optimizing Your Computer
• Change Background to Solid Color
– Right click on Desktop Choose Desktop tab
Choose Background: None
32. Be Organized
For Yourself: For Your Organization:
• Keep files organized in • Computer Inventory
named folders – TechAtlas.org
• Don’t store lots of files on • Network Documentation
the desktop – Account information, passwords,
IP addresses, contact info, network
diagram, etc.
34. Be Organized
• Network Documentation Template
www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=12489
35. Computer Buying Tips
• Stick with “Business Class” systems
• Maximize processor
• Plan for one upgrade
• Laptops: Go with the LARGER battery
• Laptops: Get the accidental protection
warranty
36. Monitor Size
2008 University of Utah Study:
Participants using 24 inch monitor completed tasks 52% faster than those using
an 18 inch monitor.
Productivity dropped off when using 26 inch monitors.
37. Computer Buying Tips
• Dell Vostro 220
– Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
– Windows XP Professional
(Home vs Pro?, Home vs. Business?)
– 3 GB of RAM
– DVD +/- RW drive
– 160 GB Hard drive
– 22” LCD Monitor
– Integrate Video & Audio
– 1 year warranty
$788 on 5/18/09
38. Computer Buying Tips
• Dell Latitude E5500
– Intel Core 2 Duo P9600
– Windows XP Professional
– 4 GB of RAM
– DVD +/- RW drive
– 160 GB Hard drive
– 9 Cell Battery
– Bluetooth
– Integrated Video & Audio
– 3 year onsite warranty + accidental damage
$1450 on 5/18/09
39. Computer Buying Tips
Best Source for Professional Reviews:
Best Source for User Reviews and Purchasing:
57. Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting requires a systematic thought
process that starts at the most basic level and
moves towards the complex as possibilities
are eliminated.
58.
59. Troubleshooting
• General Troubleshooting Tips:
– #1 Power User Trick: Reboot!
then…
– Ask the question: Is it just me, or everyone?
– Look around: Check physical connections, flashing
lights, etc.
– What has changed since it was last working?
– Test with “known good” equipment
– Write down error messages and numbers exactly
71. Troubleshooting
• Scenario 3: “I turn on the computer and the
screen is black! All I hear are BEEPS!!”
– The beeps MEAN something – MB, RAM, Video…
– Count the beeps (#, long, short)
– Each motherboard is different – Google it, Tech
support
72. Troubleshooting
• Scenario 4: “I can’t print!”
– Check cables (power, USB, ethernet)
– Check power
– Check paper level, paper jams
– REBOOT!
– Reinstall printer
81. Troubleshooting
• Scenario 5: I can’t connect to the Internet!
– Is it just you?
• Switch out your cable for “known good”
• Follow you cable all the way to the router/switch
• Swap out switches
• Bad network card?
– (beware static shocks!)
82. Troubleshooting
• Scenario 5: I can’t connect to the Internet!
– Is it everyone?
• Check cables
• Check network equipment (router, modem, switches)
• Power cycle router and modem
• Call ISP
83. Troubleshooting
• Scenario 6: I can’t send or receive email
– Is it everyone?
• Internet down
• Email provider down
– Using Outlook?
88. Troubleshooting
Most Common BSOD’s:
• IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL - 0×0000000A
– Two devices trying to use the same memory space
– Reboot usually fixes it
• PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA - 0×00000050
– Incompatible software installed
– Memory has gone bad
– Motherboard has gone bad
90. Backup
• Scary Statistics:
– A computer hard drive fails every 15 seconds
– Over 2000 laptops are stolen or lost everyday
– 1 in 5 computers suffer hard drive failure during
their normal useful life
– Eventually, 100% of all hard drives will fail
Source: Realty Times
91. Backup
What to Backup? What to Not Backup?
(personal backup only)
• My Documents • Music
• Shared files
• Database files • Personal or Non-
• Email organizational data
• Accounting data
• Organizational pictures
• Favorites/Bookmarks
• Fonts
• Desktop
99. Computer and Network Security
• Use Strong Passwords:
– 6 to 8 characters long using lower/upper case letters, numbers, and
symbols
• 4 characters – 14 million possible passwords – 2 seconds
• 8 characters – 200 trillion possible passwords – 1 year
• 9 characters – 13 quadrillion possible passwords – 70 years
• 10 characters – 840 quadrillion possible passwords – 4000 years
– Avoid words in the dictionary (easier to guess)
– Use a sentence that means something to you
• Every Sunday I go to church at 9
• E$igtc@9
– Change passwords
112. Windows XP Tips & Tricks
• Keyboard Shortcuts:
– + D = Show the Desktop
– + E = Open “My Computer”
– + Break = Open “System Properties”
– SHIFT + DELETE = Delete, skipping the Recycle Bin
– ALT + TAB = Switch between programs
– Right Click + Drag = Copy or Move option
– CTRL + SHIFT + Drag = Create a shortcut
113. Windows XP Tips & Tricks
• More Keyboard Shortcuts:
– CTRL + C = Copy
– CTRL + X = Cut
– CTRL + V = Paste
– CTRL + Z = Undo
– CTRL + Y = Redo
– CTRL + B = Bold
– CTRL + U = Underline
– CTRL + I = Italic
114. Windows XP Tips & Tricks
• Backup or transfer IE Favorites
– My Computer C: Documents and Settings
USER Favorites
115. Windows XP Tips & Tricks
• Save Energy + Time
– Windows “Standby” Mode
– Windows “Hibernate” Mode
116. Windows XP Tips & Tricks
• When a program freezes…
– CTRL+ALT+DEL = Windows Task Manager
117. Windows XP Tips & Tricks
• Using MSConfig
– Start Run msconfig
118. Windows XP Tips & Tricks
• Using MSConfig
– When in doubt, don’t stop it
– Safe to stop:
• Adobe stuff
• Google updater/notifier
• Quick Time (qttask)
119. Windows XP Tips & Tricks
• Edit Visual Effects to boost performance
– Right Click My Computer Properties
– Advanced Tab Performance Settings
Uncheck
all but the
last item.
132. Tools & Tips for Productivity
• LogMeIn.com
– Free access to your computer at the office
– Work on files, email, etc.
133. Tools & Tips for Productivity
• MeetingWizard.com
– Send a single meeting request to many people with proposed dates and times
– Choose the time that works best for most
– Automated email reminders
134. Tools & Tips for Productivity
• Workspace.Officelive.com
– Share and work on Office files from anywhere
136. Tools & Tips for Productivity
• CostToDrive.com
137. Tools & Tips for Productivity
• FreeConferenceCall.com
– Host a conference call for free
– Usually not a local number
138. Tools & Tips for Productivity
• DimDim.com
– Online voice, video
– Share slides, show your computer Desktop
– Free for 20 or less attendees
139. Tools & Tips for Productivity
• RememberTheMilk.com & ToodleDo.com
– Online To Do list
– Access from any computer and sync with your phone
– Prioritize, due dates, etc.
– Email and RSS alerts on due dates
146. Additional Resources
• A+ Certification
– Computer training focusing on installation, configuration, diagnosing,
preventive maintenance and basic networking
– Classes available at a New Horizons (www.nhgreatlakes.com)
A lot of people are asking me about XP and Vista and a lot of people confuse Vista and the new version of Office
Who’s ever gotten a new computer and wished they had their Favorites?
Msconfig is a program that shows you everything that starts up when you turn on your computer. You can speed up your boot time by turning off unnessary items.
This is an especially good tip for older computers
If you don’t yet have Office 2007 and you are getting documents that you cant open.
If you don’t yet have Office 2007 and you are getting documents that you cant open.
If you don’t yet have Office 2007 and you are getting documents that you cant open.
I thought I’d talk about computer maintenance and optimization because have a well maintained computer keeps you efficient, keeps you up and working while others may experience slow downs and problems.
Personally, I think browser-wise, firefox is the way to go…
If you can do these at least MONTHLY…Keep your computer running longer and better before you get frustrated
Updates should come to your computer automatically, but it doesn’t always work and getting updates manually is essential
This may seem boring but…
Being able to troubleshoot computer problems makes you a power user. Being able to solve your own problems and being able to help others. And a lot of it is taking things into your own hands, making an attempt and learning from it.
Troubleshooting is just a logical process that you use to solve problems
When windows hangs and will not boot up
If you are in charge of your own backup either at home of in the office…