General Computer Tips

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 (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 and something different than clicking on cards or sitting in front of a TV, 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. 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 isn't along the edge), borders eight other squares. Keep that in mind and like FreeCell, every game is winnable. (see the video below for a video lesson on this fun game.)

Give it a try. My best time so far on the beginner level is 29 seconds and 326 seconds on intermediate level. Call us up and let us know what your best times are, leave a comment here, but most of all have fun!

Your best defense against computer problems is a solid backup strategy. If you search our site for backup, you will find many articles relating to this important topic. However, in the past year or so, IF you have a high speed Internet connection, another compelling backup option has emerged. That option is online backup. Backing your data up automatically to a server on the Internet can be affordable, safe, and painless.

In today's tip, I demonstrate how to sign up for Mozy Online backup, install the product and configure it. Mozy offers 2 GB of free space and unlimited backup space for $4.95 per month.

Other good online backup options to consider include:

• Xdrive
• I-Backup
• Carbonite

Online backup should not be your only backup option, but it does offer a very solid tool to add to your backup regimen. Again, you need to have high speed Internet connection (fast DSL, Cable or Fiber) as online backup services will not work with dial-up services.

 

Throughout my week I receive many exasperated calls from computer users and encounter flustered users when I visit their home or office. In the almost 13 years that I've been helping people with their computers, I have found that many problems can be resolved quickly IF the following three steps are practiced:

AVG released a new version of their popular AVG Anti-virus on Wednesday. An alert web site visitor alerted us to this yesterday, and I immediately downloaded and have been testing it since then. Here are some important facts you

When I help people setup a new computer, camera or printer, the standard question asked by the new gadget owner is; "What shall I do with the old one?" I think that the value of tech curbside recycling is highly undervalued.

Curbside recycling involves hauling your old hardware out to the curb and just leaving it there. In most moderately busy neighborhoods (HOA's rules aside), a piece of technology on the street will be snapped by a collector or hobbyist in less than 48 hours and often much quicker. The item gets reused or put to work in someway, you didn't have to fret about where to take it and haul it long distances, and the device more than likely won't end up in a land fill...a win-win-win situation.

One of the first questions tech support people will ask you if you have problems that need solved is what version of Windows you are using and what version of the program you have a question about you are using. Fortunately, finding out the answer takes just a few steps:

Locating your Windows version

1. Click Start
2. RIGHT Click the My Computer icon (or Computer icon)
3. Click Properties
4. The System Properties screen appears telling you not only what version of Windows you are using, but also how much RAM (temporary memory) you have and how fast your computer's processor is. 

or, you can push the Windows key + the Pause/Break key on your keyboard to get the same screen  

Locating the name and version of any program

1. Start any program
2. Click Help from the menus in that program
3. Click About
4. The program's information screen will appear telling you the official name of the program, its version number, and sometimes the programs support web site address and/or phone number.

Use this handy tip to gather important information about your computer before calling for help to save yourself and your computer helper time.

 

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.

1. 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
   

Last month I wrote about the increasingly popular online backup business and reviewed AOL's X Drive. Since then, I have been testing Mozy Online Backup. Mozy offers home users 2 GB of free backup space and unlimited space for $4.95 per month. The setup and configuration is extremely quick and easy and shouldn't take even the greenest computer user long to setup. Once installed and configured, the backup system worked flawlessly and silently. I chose to have Mozy alert me when a backup was finished so that I knew when a backup had occurred.

Unlike the Xdrive system, I have never had to restart or troubleshoot Mozy. It truly turned out to be "set it and forget it" as advertised. Like all online backup systems, a high speed connection is required...no exceptions. Too much data gets transferred to make using anything less than a high speed connection. Mozy gives you good control of how often backups happen and what gets backed up. The customization tools for backup creation and scheduling include all the essential options you will need and nothing extra. Just the way I like my software to function...clean, simple and to the point.

All online backup systems guarantee the security and privacy of your backups with state-of-the-art encryption protocols. However, security starts with you creating a good password and  remembering it!

I tested the online access and restoration capabilities of Mozy, and like the backup system, they both worked well.

Overall, I give Mozy online backup a solid A. If you haven't started your own backup regime yet, Mozy would make a good place to start. Backup is like insurance, you hope never to use it, but are awfully glad when you do need it!

Here are some techniques for making the selection of files and text easier and more efficient for you as you work with your computer. This tip also includes a narrated video to further demonstrate these important skills.

• Double click on a word to select it
• Click and drag in the margin of your word processor to select entire line(s) of text
• Push the Ctrl+A key on your keyboard to select all text in a document
• Text that spans multiple pages: Click once where you want to start selecting, scroll to the end of the text and then hold the Shift key down and Click