7 DIY COMPUTER TIPS

7 SIMPLE DIY COMPUTER TIPS

Be patient! If things go wrong and your computer isn't "havin' it" don't lose your patience despite the overwhelming desire to thump your computer or throw it out the window, or both! Computers can be very troublesome. And sometimes, what starts out and seems like it's going to be a 5 minute job installing software or adding a printer or scanner can occasionally, turn into a 5 hour job!

If a particular software program isn't functioning the way you think it should, search the internet for related issues as others may have had the same problem. Uninstall (NOT "delete") the program and try re-installing it.

Whilst it can seem a chore, regularly backup or copy your data to other storage media such as a USB memory stick, exterior hard disc drive (HDD) or a CD/DVD.

Whilst make every attempt at saving data, sometimes it is simply not possible such as in the case of a hard-drive failure. And if the hard drive needs re-formatting, you WILL lose everything.

Buy a battery-powered mains backup device called an UPS (or onduleur in France). Splash-out and buy a decent one because Cheap-and-Nasty is not the way forward when buying this computer peripheral. A lot of software operating errors are caused by voltage fluctuations and sudden power loss. Installing such a device will allow you time to shut down your computer in an orderly manner in the event of a power cut. It may also go towards preventing mains power fluctuations including surges and spikes which can damage the computer's power supply and other components such as your broadband or dial-up modem, Ethernet switch or screen.

If you rely on your computer for work, don't rely on it to always work 24/7/365. And in the event of a malfunction, if you had bought a second computer and kept it updated, you would feel less compromised and could continue working without difficulty. You can easily connect two computers together with a special cross-over cable.

Don't keep your computer in an environment that's hot (like a conservatory) or cold (like a garage) or humid (like a bathroom) and make sure the area around it is well ventilated. If the computer can't cool itself down it will overheat, shutdown abnormally and may cause serious damage to file integrity. Resting your laptop / notebook pc on a soft surface (like a pillow) is not a good idea as it may restrict ventilation.

Keep your discs safe and sound. If you need to re-install Windows® together with all the device drivers to support vital computer components such as the sound card and graphics card, how are you going to do that if you can't find them? Create a restore disk when you first buy your computer and do that right now if you haven't done so already (instructions on how to do that will be in the manual that came with your computer, on-line, or in a off-line help-file somewhere on your computer). And especially, keep any Windows® operating system CD's and serial number(s) very safe because without that CD and a corresponding serial number, either are practically useless.

Mind you, you could always recycle the CD and hang it from your fig tree to scare away the birds?