Good Computer Maintenance - Part One
by: Marv Ko
Normally we think of maintenance as a chore, something we have to do to keep things running smoothly and prevent problems down the road, whether with our car, house, or computer.
But with a PC, maintenance can actually be fun ... approached from the right perspective.
Automatic Updates
The "joy" of computer maintenacne takes many forms.
These days, automation is the byword.
Operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Symantec's Norton Interenet Security let you automatically keep crucial parts of your computer system up to date.
It's fun to watch the technology keep tabs on itself.
The security vulnerablilites of Windows are legion, and this forces you to download patches and updates if you want to minimuze your exposure to hackers seeking to break into your system over the Internet.
You can run Windows Update periodically through Microsoft Internet Explorer, which automatically detects which versions of Windows components you currently have installed and, by checking with Microsoft's site, which have newer versions.
Or, if you are running Windows XP Home Edition, you can automate things even further by directing Windows to check for "critical updates" by itself at the frequency and time of your choosing.
From the Control Panel, go to System and click Automatic Updates to specify your settings.
Website Updates
You can keep your other software up to date by periodically checking the Websites of the respective manufacturers.
Typically, by pulling down the program's Help menu, you will quickly be directed to the site.
But the Website VersionTracker (www.techtracker.com/products) does something similar with multiple programs, for free, whether you have a Windows PC or a Mac.
The ad-supported site has 30,000 programs in its database.
Pay versions, starting at $24.95, automatically alert you when new updates of programs that you're using become available.
Using Utilities
Staying up to date is crucially important these days in keeping the bad guys away from your computer and those using it.
A good utility suite for this is Norton Internet Security (www.symantec.com), which combines such crucial tools as a firewall, anti-virus program, porn-blocker, spam filter, spyware detector, and pop-up ad blocker. If you use the program, make sure you let its LiveUpdate feature automatically keep your virus definitions and other components up to date.
Symantec's other utility suite, Norton SystemWorks, is less useful, and if you need system tools more powerful than those provided by Windows itself, a better package overall is V Communications' SystemSuite (www.v-com.com).
SystemSuite includes tools for preventing and recovering from hard disk crashes, recovering accidentally erased files, completely uninstalling programs you no longer need, and completely shredding sesitive files.
It also has an excellent file manager, PowerDesk, that makes quicker work of copying, moving, deleting, and otherwise manipulating files than Windows Explorer.
With today's large and fast hard drives and more efficient operating systems, one maintenance task that's no longer as necessary is disk defragmenting.
When working with files over time, they invariably wind up stored in places at different locations on your hard disk.
Running a defragmenter gathers up the pieces and places them together in one contiguous location.
Recent testing by the computer magazine PC World, however, showed that defragging no longer improves performance the way it used to.
It still makes sense to defrag once in a while, though unless it's for a network file server, there's usually no need to buy a separate program for this beyond what comes with Windows itself.
So in all ... even automated maintenance can be fun in that it is automated and can leave you more time for other endevours.
About The Author
Marv Ko has many years of experience in business, marketing, security, writing, and varied hobbies.
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How a Computer Consulting Business Can Help Your Company
How a Computer Consulting Business Can Help Your Company
by: Joshua Feinberg
While many small companies only call in a local computer consulting business when something computer-related breaks, there's a lot to be gained by forging a proactive, long-term relationship with a local computer consulting business in your area.
Consider Getting Advice from a Computer Consulting Business
If you need to get advice once-in-a-while on how your computers can be better utilized, or you have a specific computer-related problem that needs to be solved, a computer consulting business is generally the way to go.
However, if computer-systems and information technology (IT) are really important to your industry and your company, outsourcing your computer-related service needs to a local computer consulting business is often a much better solution than just piecemeal, ad-hoc usage of a computer consulting business.
Hiring a Computer Consultant
Many...
How a Computer Consulting Business Can Help Your Company
Computer printers > How a Computer Consulting Business Can Help Your Company
The Epson Chip Resetter: Maintaining The Efficiency Of Your Printer
The Epson Chip Resetter: Maintaining The Efficiency Of Your Printer
by: Marisa Pellegrino
When you rely on your printer to produce quality printouts on demand, there is no time for a delay due to misinformation from your printing machine. Unfortunately, a common occurrence in the new Epson model ink jet printers is that the chip will think the printer is out of ink when in fact it is not. In order to guarantee that this does not happen to you, it is wise to use a chip resetter.
Beginning in 2000, Epson began the addition of chips onto the 870 series cartridges. These cartridges, referred to as ?intellidge,? can now be found in all current Epson printers. The chip essentially sits on the cartridge and is connected to the circuitry in the printer. When the chip detects that the micro-droplets printed have reached their maximum, it disables the printer. Despite the fact that your cartridge may not actually be empty, the chip will still prevent...
The Epson Chip Resetter: Maintaining The Efficiency Of Your Printer
Computer printers > The Epson Chip Resetter: Maintaining The Efficiency Of Your Printer
Facts about Inkjet Printers
Facts about Inkjet Printers
by: Karen Nodalo
We all know that inkjet printers are in the hype and at high prices. Not all people can afford to buy printers for home and business use. But nowadays, printers have been inexpensive that makes it easier to purchase. These types of printers are also made quiet and reliably fast and people can now produce documents that are printed with high quality.
The present inkjet printers have been more advanced which came from the structures of the earlier version of printers. The printer manufacturers have earned their big shares for the development of the printers that we have now which includes HP, Cannon and many more. The people have also benefited from these printers for business use. It has opened up a lot of ventures and other promotional things for the people that are important in putting up their own business. The manufacturers have been greatly expanding their services with their printers.
The...
Facts about Inkjet Printers
Computer printers > Facts about Inkjet Printers
Three Things You Can Do to Keep Your Computer Running at Maximum Performance
Three Things You Can Do to Keep Your Computer Running at Maximum Performance
by: Larry Andrew
Although there are many things that can affect the performance of your computer, there are a few simply things you can do each month to help keep your computer running at maximum performance. This article will focus on two problems that impact the performance of your computer and will then explain what you can do about it.
Problem #1: Computer Hard Disk Files
Your computer is always writing information to your hard disk, no matter what you do. Your computer attempts to keep all file information in the same location on your hard drive. As you add and delete files, blank spaces are left between your files. As you add new programs or files, your computer tries to use these blank spaces.
Over time, this reading and writing of files can affect the way your computer performs. The files eventually become scattered in multiple locations on your...
Three Things You Can Do to Keep Your Computer Running at Maximum Performance
Computer printers > Three Things You Can Do to Keep Your Computer Running at Maximum Performance
Inkjet Printers ? The Benefits For You
Inkjet Printers ? The Benefits For You
by: Steve Jones
There are several different types of printers on the market today, but the inkjet printer is the dominant force. This is largely to do with inkjet printers being the more affordable option while still being able to produce a good quality output.
It may interest you to know that printer manufacturers do not actually make any profit or sometimes very little profit on the printers they sell. At first this probably sounds crazy, but is a well used business model that can be seen in practice in many other industries. This type of business practice was first used by Gillette to sell its razor blades. The reason the printer companies sell you the printers at a loss is that they aim to make their profits by selling you the ink for the printer. The printer companies have a huge mark up on the ink cartridges. This also explains why they are so keen to discourage consumers from buying replica ink cartridges....
Inkjet Printers ? The Benefits For You
Computer printers > Inkjet Printers ? The Benefits For You
How to Save on Inks
How to Save on Inks
by: Karen Nodalo
Printers are very important in our everyday lives. Home printers or even office printers are a part of our daily lives. If you have been used to having a printer around, you may not live for a day without it. Printers print important documents that we use everyday.
Technology has been enhancing printers from time to time and printers are also getting affordable. Anyone can buy their own use at home or at the office. Especially now that printers have been fully developed, it will be more advantageous to buy one. Printer capabilities at this time are pretty amazing. Just thinking of it, you will find yourself pondering whether you want to buy one. Most people would think of buying a second hand printer because of its low cost. If they find out about that the prices of printers have gone down, would they still go for second hand printers? Second hand printer prices are not far from the price of brand new printers...
How to Save on Inks
Computer printers > How to Save on Inks
Are You Protecting Your Computer?
Are You Protecting Your Computer?
by: Alton Hargrave
Do you know what to look for in anti-virus software?
You just bought yourself a new computer! Can't wait to get it out of the box. Maybe you have had a computer before and maybe this is your second or third computer. And, you don't want to have all those problems you hear about. This is the time to think ahead and go for a positive online experience.
You should realize that while you are unpacking your new machine, there are people all over the world who are plotting to spoil your computer with maliscious, well-thought out plans. Your computer will endure attacks moments after you go online. This is why we all have to use antivirus protection. You and I just have no choice. The single most important program on your computer is your anti virus program. And, it should be a really good one. Everything on your computer, from your valuable software, your work, to your personal financial records...
Are You Protecting Your Computer?
Computer printers > Are You Protecting Your Computer?
Printers: What Really Happens When You Hit ?Print?
Printers: What Really Happens When You Hit ?Print?
by: Bill Smith
You just poured hours upon hours into a lengthy research paper. All that?s left to do is print it out. And that?s the easy part, right? Sure looks easy from the user perspective, but it?s actually quite complicated. A series of critical processes kick off as soon as you kit the OK button.
The first thing that happens is your software application (MS Word, Excel, etc) sends the data you want to print to your printer driver. The printer driver is nothing more than some software that translates data into a format that your specific printer can understand. When you buy a new printer, it generally comes with a CD. On that CD is the printer driver software you need to enable your specific printer to talk to your computer.
The printer driver takes the translated data and physically sends it along to your printer. It?s able to connect to the printer via the USM connection interface....
Printers: What Really Happens When You Hit ?Print?
Computer printers > Printers: What Really Happens When You Hit ?Print?
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