General Computer Tips

CCleaner adds helpful new feature to cleaning results

Temporary files need to be cleaned from your computer from time-to-time. I recommend at least monthly. Temporary files are the support files created by Windows and the programs we use every day to perform the functions we ask of them. We don’t see these files because they created behind the scenes and can stack up over time and number in the tens of thousands.

Keeping these caches of small, numerous and expendable files cleaned out of our systems not only saves disk space, but also helps the peformace of the individual programs and the computer in general.

Over the past few years, I made it a habit to add Continue reading →

Why you should always backup

Search my site for the word backup and you will find many, many tips on how to backup your valuable data. I stumbled on this video today that shows how recovery services can recover lost data, but at a price of up to $2500. The video also has a few good shots of what the innards of a hard drive look like when running which is educational to watch as well. Take a look: Continue reading →

General Computer Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 2 Comments
15
Jun 09

It’s OK to shut computer off with the power button

We have discussed this topic many times, but I continue to hear from people who forget this simple troubleshooting step. When a problem arises that seems insurmountable or you can’t move your mouse or type on your keyboard, shut the computer off at the switch.

There are two ways to shut your computer off when a problem occurs…actually three ways.

Push and hold the on/off button for at least fifteen seconds or until you hear the computer shut off (don’t just push it once and let go…nothing will happen).
Flip the switch on your surge protector. Yes, we should all use surge protectors…good ones.
Reach around the back of the computer and pull out the power cable.

Once you shut your computer off this way, let it sit in the off position for a few minutes before turning it on again. With any computer, this isn’t the preferred method of shutting off the computer, but in a pinch it usually gets you out of a jam.

Computer User Group / General Computer Tips — 6 Comments
10
Jun 09

Computer Boot Camp – June 2009

photo credit: heraldpost

The most common piece of feedback I receive about my monthly computer users group goes something like this; “I love coming to the meetings, but I don’t understand most of what you say.” Or, “Almost all of the information is over my head.”

I dedicate today’s meeting to all you folks who want to learn (and rightfully so) the bare bone basics about computers. This article will give you links to those basics that make computing a much easier endeavor.

And please don’t keep this valuable information to yourself, pass this article on to any and all of your computer buddies/family that could benefit from a little basic training about computers. Continue reading →

General Computer Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 6 Comments
28
May 09

Basic Computer Terminology

photo credit: **CRT**

Throughout my week, I need to remember to define the terms I’m using with regards to technology. Too often, a message or lesson can be lost because I assumed that the learner knew some terminology they didn’t Today, I want to define some basics for you. Learn them and share them with all your computer buddies:

Browser – I tell folks to imagine that a browser is like a television set. Any brand of television (Sony, Panasonic, Magnavox, etc) does the same thing…displays a television program. Like a television set, a browser (no matter the brand) does the same thing…displays web pages. The most common web browsers are Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Opera. They all do Continue reading →

General Computer Tips — 5 Comments
15
May 09

Learn Minesweeper & give Solitaire or FreeCell a Break – Video Tip

minesweeperss Solitaire seems to be a game that is synonymous with computers. Microsoft planted the game in Windows not only for entertainment, but also for new computer users to learn mouse skills (click-and-drag, double-click, etc). Some computer users have branched out to FreeCell and like it better than Solitaire.

However, have you tried playing Minesweeper?

Minesweeper appears difficult upon first look. And yes, it does require some brain power, but isn’t that partially the purpose of our computers…to use our brains? If you do like a challenge and using logic give Minesweeper a try.

The object of the game is to avoid the ‘mines’. You do this by first making a random guess and clicking one time on the board. If you are lucky, you didn’t hit a mine (some say that you can never hit a mine on the first click, but I have).

Now you have to use the clues the game gives you to figure out where the other ones lie. The clues come in the form of a number (usually 1-5). The number indicates how many mines border that particular square. One hint to commit to memory is that one square (if it is not along the edge), borders eight other squares. Keep that in mind and like FreeCell, every game is winnable.

It is much easier to Continue reading →

General Computer Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 4 Comments
29
Apr 09

5 Quick and Easy Steps to Spring Clean your PC

photo credit: solcookie

Spring has sprung and along with your other spring cleaning chores add these five computer cleaning techniques to keep your computer clean, cool, and happy.

Desktops: Unplug all of your cables (label them if necessary) and take the tower outside. Open up the side (usually thumb screws or a latch on the back of the computer) and blow the dust out of the system with a can of compressed air. I recommend starting from the top and moving towards the bottom making sweeping motions from side to side. Pay particular attention to the vents on the case so your computer breathes well. Don’t over spray the fans as you might cause some damage to them by causing them to spin at too high a speed. You might have to repeat this a few times until hardly any dust is no longer evident coming out of the computer.
Mice: If you are still using a mouse with a ball underneath it (turn it over and look at it), go to your nearest office super store, electronics store, even department stores like WalMart or Target and spend Continue reading →

Computer User Group / General Computer Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 14 Comments
26
Apr 09

10 Skills EVERY computer user should have (or learn)

I originally posted this list in January 2007. However, through my keen observation skills, I discovered that all computer users have not yet read and digested this information. For this reason, I’m posting it again because I won’t stop working to educate computer users until every computer user knows these 10 skills.

Computers have become almost a main stream household appliance. Whether you have been using a computer for fifteen years or one, these skills should be second nature:

Cut, Copy, Paste
Print just what you want (word processing, email, web)
Backup your address book
Select (highlight) text or files
Properly uninstall unwanted programs
Burn a CD
Download files from the Internet
Use MSCONFIG ; Another MSCONFIG tip
Search the Internet
Attach Files to an email

If you already know how to do these skills, please pass this article along to someone who doesn’t…help me help other computer users.

General Computer Tips / Links / Windows Tips — No Comments
20
Apr 09

How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first)

This article helped me immensely today. He doesn’t link the EasyBCD program in his article that is critical to getting everything going, but I’ve linked it here. He also links to another article of his that explains how to dual boot XP and Vista with XP already installed.

Good stuff!

How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first) — the step-by-step guide with screenshots.

General Computer Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick / Windows Tips — 2 Comments
8
Mar 09

Keep track of your original computer documentation and make restore CDs

Lately too many customers have had to wait for repairs on their computers because I needed to order recovery CD sets from the manufacturer. This time and expense can be avoided if you do two simple things when you buy your new computer:

1. Save all disks and/or documentation that comes in the box
2. Since most manufacturers no longer send along recovery CDs and operating system CDs, it is up to you make them. Look for a System Tools or System Recover CD wizard in your Programs menu to help you with this task. After making them, put them with the computer’s documentation and keep track of where they are.

Hopefully you will never need these items, but you will be happy you have them when you do need them.

photo credit: jm3