| |
| |
|
Hardware Information |
|
|
|
You Can Prevent Computer Slowdowns & Issues
Most people understand preventive maintenance like changing the oil in your car will help your car run better and last longer. The same principle holds true for your PC. Based on the computer repair services we do on computers in Cincinnati, we believe 80% of computer slowdowns and problems can be prevented! The purpose of this article is to help you understand how you can prevent computer slowdowns and other issues. The top 10 ways you can prevent computer slowdown are? 1. Ensure antivirus software is installed, automatically checking for updates, and automatically scanning all incoming files. If there is a virus associated with a new file it will automatically be repaired or quarantined. New viruses come out daily. Because of this, the anti-virus software needs to be configured to automatically updates it's self. McAfee and Norton's are the most popular anti-virus software and what we recommend. 2. Run antispyware/antiadware software. Spyware and adware are hands down the most common cause of PC slowdowns. This software is critical if you are surfing the Internet. Spybot Search & Destroy or Ad-aware are the two most common free anti-spyware/adware packages. We recommend a more proactive packages like Spy Sweeper which proactively scans your system and cost less than $30. A combination of Spy Sweeper and Ad-aware provides very good coverage today. 3. Install a hardware firewall to keep hackers out. Hackers have automated tools that are looking for any PC connected to the Internet without a firewall. To give you an idea, at the time of this writing, my home PC was scanned 158 times in the last 24 hours. This means it was scanned an average of every 9 minutes. If you're connected to the Internet but don't have a firewall, hackers (criminals) will be in your PC. Beyond stealing your information they can install programs that can damage or slow your PC down. A hardware firewall to protect all the PCs on the local area network provides the best protection. Recommended hardware firewalls are Linksys, Netgear, and D-link. Hardware firewalls are easier to set up and maintain than software firewalls. Software firewalls work but we don't recommend them because they are complicated to maintain and often cause other confusion and issues. 4. Microsoft Windows is constantly releasing updates for their operating system. Most of these updates are repairing security holes in their software. You want to configure your machine to automatically check for and download critical updates as they become available. 5. Delete your Internet temp files monthly. This will keep your system cleaner and allow it to run faster. 6. Defrag your hard drive quarterly. This is not the issue it was but there are still benefits to defraging your hard drive on a regular basis. 7. Read the terms and conditions before signing up for or downloading anything for free on the Internet. Free downloads like Kazaa (music), games, toolbars, and coupons often come with adware or spyware. The terms and conditions of downloads explain adware will be installed on the persons machine in exchange for the free software, music, pizza or whatever. Of course, few people read these terms and conditions. 8. Don't open e-mails from strangers. Don't open attachments from people you know if your not expecting it. Call the person and ensure they sent it. If they did not, don't open it. E-mail from strangers and unexpected attachments may contain adware or spyware waiting to install on your computer. It probably won't install if you don't open the e-mail or attachment. (Note: If you're using e-mail software with a mail "Preview Pane" like Microsoft Outlook, previewing the mail is the same as opening it. You should turn this feature off. Unselect "Preview Pane" under the "View" drop down list in Outlook.) 9. Use the Firefox web browser from www.mozilla.org. It is more secure and less vulnerable to popup ads, viruses, computer slowdowns, etc. It also has some additional tab and other options not available with other browsers. 10. We've talked about preventive maintenance but issues still happen. Hard drives fail. Computers are stolen, etc. Because of these risk, it's important to backup your data on a regular basis. The best backups are stored off site. This can be done with an Internet service or store the data to a CD and take it to another location on a regular basis. In summary, we guarantee regular preventive maintenance will keep your computer running better. We suggest doing these things yourself or schedule a computer professional to proactively perform and ensure these preventive maintenance steps are in place and working on a monthly basis. This will prevent computer slowdowns and issues! John Daniell and the Swordfish Computer Solutions team help people prevent computer slowdowns and resolve computer issues. They do this by providing IT outsourcing computer services including computer networking, repair, training, website development, and graphic design in Cincinnati, Ohio. John can be reached at http://www.SwordfishCS.com.
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Moving to a New PC Getting a new PC is exciting and a pain. It's exciting because you get a faster processor, more storage and all the latest stuff even though it's outdated as soon as it hits your desk. Computer Components for Idiots There are many fancy add-ons for computers, but the basic components of the computer are simple and universal. If 1 of these main components is missing, it's not a computer. Laptop Notebook - Inexpensive Business Laptops Laptop Notebook - Your Portable OfficeIn much of today's business world, portability and mobility are the keys to success. Having a laptop notebook computer provides business men and women with portable computing capability, and these notebooks help them take their mobile business functionality to a new level. Ink Cartridges & Printing - Poor Print Quality Solutions Why are there faint areas or gaps in my print out?* Unlikely, but your paper may need changing due to its deterioration due to its age.* Check that the type of paper you are using in your printer matches ('Media Type') the setting in the printer software 'Main Menu' or 'Print' dialog box. Used Laptop Computer: Your Quick Purchase Inspection Guide - Part 2 Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you sift through the mass of available used laptop computers to narrow your search down to the right laptop for you? This is the second part of a series of articles designed to give you a few suggestions for your next purchase. Your Business versus Mother Nature Business Consultants earn hundreds of thousands of dollars every year showing businesses how to improve their productivity. All business consultants in the Information Technology area agree that the biggest threat to business survival is data loss. How To Format A Hard Drive Here's how to format a hard drive (Legal Stuff: We are not responsible for any damages, lost data, or anything of the sort).. Ergonomic Products 101 Human beings are scaling new heights day by day. Markets are becoming more and more complex and competitive. Give Your PC a Monitor Makeover Whether you are crunching figures at a front office job or crouched over a blood and gore video game in some deep recess of your room, there is the right kind of screen available to suit your needs.Monitors are one segment where you are truly spoilt for choice. Getting The Proper Laptop Screen Size Are you sick of viewing everything on that small screen that your current notebook comes with? Do you want your next laptop to have screen size that you are more comfortable with? Well read on.In this article we will take a look at all the common screen sizes found on the many various laptops currently in existence, as well as which ones may be best for you and why. Choosing The Right Bar Code Reader The importance of a bar code reader in this day and age cannot be denied. A lot of practical and pragmatic applications for a bar code reader have been rendered essential by the changing times. How to Read Zener Diode Code Many technicians are confused on how to really read a zener diode code. There are many types of code number indicated on it's body. Refurbished Laptops are the Real Deal! Laptop computers have found usefulness as portable media devices.Even refurbished laptops can be used as DVD players, stereos, and recording devices. A Review of Samsung Laser Toners Samsung laser toner is just as popular as its Hewlett-Packard and Brother counterparts. Samsung is a group of products and services that began in Korea in 1938. ABCs Of DVD Drive Abbreviations The number of different formats available in DVD drives can be confusing to anyone in the market for one. The list is much longer, but to address a few of the common formats, we have DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM ,DVD+R DL and DVD±RW. Used Laptop Computer: Your Quick Purchase Inspection Guide - Part 3 Used laptop computers are everywhere these days. How can you sift through the mass of available used laptop computers to narrow your search down to the right laptop for you? This is the third part of a series of articles designed to give you a few suggestions for your next purchase. ESR Meter - The Capabilities To Check Beyond Electrolytic Capacitor There is something good about esr meter because besides electrolytic capacitor it can be use to measure other type of capacitors such as the non polarity capacitor. From esr meter specification, it is usually mentioned only checking the electrolytic type. Two Essential Accessories For Notebook Computers A Good Notebook BagForget those that are bundled with your notebook computer. Get yourself a good notebook bag that is well-padded both on its load-bearing straps, and 100% around the notebook itself. Personal Asset Preventive Maintenance Software Personal asset preventive maintenance software exists to help people manage and maximize the value of their assets. Common types of personal asset preventive maintenance software deal with taxes and investments. Generation Laptop In May 2005 U.S hardware history was made.
|
| home | site map |
| ©2007 MidasHits |
