|
|
|
Basic Computer Maintenance
We get asked all the time what things you can do to prolong the
life of your system and keep it running in top shape. We have
put together a short list of our favorite tips to help you
maximize that investment of yours. Use these tips to keep...
How To Overclock A Processor
Q : What is over clocking? Overclocking is when you make your system processor run faster that its normal speed. This has many advantages and dis-advantages. Advantages : This is obvious, your system will run faster Dis-Advantages : Your...
Security: Firewalls
If you spend a lot of time on the internet and you are not behind a firewall, then you are living on borrowed time. Putting some protection between you and the internet is probably the third most important thing that you can do (after getting virus...
Setting up a Tape Backup Strategy for your Business
So you know a little bit about tape backup, but you're wondering how to set up a tape backup strategy for your business. Well, let's take a look at 3 simple steps to setting up a complete backup solution. Step 1: Purchase your tape backup hardware ...
Wireless Network Security
Working from home has its advantages, including no commute, a more flexible work schedule and fresh coffee and home-cooked meals whenever you want. But working from home while using a wireless local area network (WLAN) may lead to theft of...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Keep A Diary Of Your Computer
Keeping a diary of your computer can be a valuable asset if
something goes wrong. Imagine for a moment the consequences
if your hard drive failed or worse, someone stole your
computer. And whilst having a reliable and recent backup is
an essential step on your way to recovery, having a diary
is a major advantage.
If you use a computer for your business then like me your
computer has probably become a tool that you rely on. I am
in the internet business and frankly without my computer I
am out of business. Picture the consequences to your
business and your livelihood if suddenly you arrived home
to find the place on your desk where your computer was a
blank space.
Thieves love computers. They are reasonably portable, and
readily salable. If the owner stores all their CDs in an
attractive rack close by, that's easy to carry away too,
and all the better the price.
So why would you keep a diary, what is a diary, what does
it contain?
Why keep a diary?
Let's assume worse case; you're computer is stolen. Replacing
it is reasonably simple; a visit to the local PC shop and in
all likelihood a far better (and cheaper) machine than you
had before. But now you have the new computer home, how are
you going to set it up so that you can have all of the things
you had before? Your email messages for example, that proposal
you were writing for Monday's deadline, and that E-Book
that you're halfway through and will make a fortune in
six months time.
You'll have probably had a dozen or more projects in
progress (can you remember what they all were?). What about
your web site and the software you use to make changes to it?
And there may be accounting records for debtors, inventory
and purchases.
Most backups don't include software. Backups are almost
invariably copies of the data files. My message is that
as well as restoring all of your data, you also need to
restore your 'software environment'. Without this you
can't work with your data.
So the purpose of a diary is to keep a track of what your
software and hardware environment is made up of.
What is a diary and what does it contain?
I have a simple notebook in which I enter changes that are
made to the physical computer (it's hardware) and but
especially changes or additions to the software. There
is a single page for each component (software and hardware
of the machine).
For example if you needed to install a new software program
then you would create a new page heading and make a diary
entry of the purchase. This would include the name of the
software product, version, and where it was sourced, date
and payment method. Some software has a serial number so
this should also be recorded. And if you register the
software also keep a note of the date and method
of registration.
The source of software might have been the purchase of a CD
from a shop in which case recovery is a simple matter
(assuming you've kept the CD somewhere safe). But if you
download software, or the CD was stolen with your computer,
then getting another copy and reinstalling can be difficult
and frustrating.
If you downloaded the software then you at least need the
URL where you purchased the software from.
If you have a record of the software's acquisition then you
can prove to the original supplier the fact of your purchase
and most suppliers will provide a copy (perhaps with a small
handling charge). Obviously if you can't prove your purchase
then bad luck you're going to have to buy it again!
As an aside, whenever possible make a backup copy of all
software you purchase before you install it. Most software
is readily copyable, both technically and legally. Every
software license agreement I have ever seen allows the
software to be copied for a legitimate backup purpose. And
as with any backup, it should kept at a different location
than the computer.
In addition, if you make any upgrades to the software then
full details of these should also be recorded.
Similar records should be maintained of your hardware. As a
minimum, record serial numbers of all hardware items, along
with cost, date and where purchased. For an insurance claim
or Police report these are vital facts.
I also find it useful to keep a page devoted to my internet
connection. This includes all the details needed to connect
such as TCP/IP address (or phone number if on dial-up),
sign-in and email address and passwords, server details such
as pop and smtp names and any security options you've
selected. Whilst all of this information is relatively simple
to setup again, without the details it can be very
time consuming.
Another page should be devoted to the operating system. My
current computer was purchased about 18 months ago and came
with a copy of Windows 98. I subsequently upgraded to
Windows 98 SE, then earlier last year I bought an upgrade
copy of Windows XP. And so to rebuild the software environment
I'd need to reinstall Windows 98, perform the upgrade to SE
and then perform the upgrade to Windows XP. Without a few
notes in my diary I'd probably not remember the sequence of
events. Likely my new computer would have a copy of Windows
with it and so this page would be unnecessary. But if you're
only replacing a failed hard drive then this information
is necessary.
Perhaps you think hard drives don't fail. I live in a small
town with a population of 30,000 people. A good friend owns
the only computer shop. He advises that not a day goes by
when at least one person doesn't come in with a broken
hard drive.
One last thought, throughout your diary make notes of any
special options or features that you install or set.
About the Author
About the Author:
Grant McNamara has over 20 years experience in IT,and specializes
in multi-lingual web site and software development and training.
His web sites are http://www.selling-it.com/ and
http://www.translateme.co.nz/ mailto:grant.mcnamara@selling-it.com
|
|
|
|
|
| Tom's Hardware |
| : Tom's Hardware Guide is the Internet's premiere resource for hardware news and reviews. |
| www.tomshardware.com |
|
| HardwareCentral - Your source for in-depth computer hardware info. |
| HardwareCentral is the #1 Hardware Information Resource on the 'Net. Featuring over 600 pages of Hardware information, including advice on System ... |
| www.hardwarecentral.com |
|
| Apple - Hardware |
| Find your favorite Mac, iPod and other Apple accessories. |
| www.apple.com |
|
| Ace Hardware |
| Nationwide (United States) hardware and home improvement retailer. Includes products, dealer locator and corporate information. |
| www.acehardware.com |
|
| Computer hardware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and ... Personal computers, the computer hardware familiar to most people, ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
|
| Hardware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Hardware is the general term that is used to describe physical artifacts of a technology. ... In a looser sense, hardware can be major military equipment, ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
|
| Open Directory - Computers: Hardware |
| Hardware Central - Computing-centric community providing vital information, support, tools and interaction facilities for power computer users and ... |
| dmoz.org |
|
| Microsoft Hardware – Home Page |
| Learn about Microsoft mice, keyboards, desktop sets, webcams, media center peripherals, gaming products, fingerprint readers and presentation tools. |
| www.microsoft.com |
|
| AnandTech: your source for hardware analysis and news |
| Independent hands-on reviews of computer hardware such as motherboards, graphic cards, and CPUs. |
| www.anandtech.com |
|
| hardware.com - Routers, switches, firewalls, servers, memory ... |
| Supplier of new and refurbished networking hardware and approved and compatible network accessories. Located in the United Kingdom. |
| www.hardware.com |
|
| Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters |
| From the article: "Although the news caused barely a ripple of reaction in the audience of software and hardware engineers, there are industry analysts who ... |
| hardware.slashdot.org |
|
| InformationWeek HardwareTech Center |
| Our hardware coverage ranges from mobile computers and PDAs to servers and supercomputers, and the infrastructure issues enterprises deal with every day. ... |
| www.informationweek.com |
|
| What is hardware? - A Word Definition From the Webopedia Computer ... |
| This page describes the term hardware and lists other pages on the Web where you can find additional information. |
| www.webopedia.com |
|
| Google Directory - Computers > Hardware |
| Hardware Central - http://www.hardwarecentral.com/ Computing-centric community providing vital information, support, tools and interaction facilities for ... |
| www.google.com |
|
| Gifts: Unique Gifts & Gift Ideas at Restoration Hardware |
| At Restoration Hardware, you'll explore an exceptional world of high quality unique gifts. Browse our products to find gift ideas & more at Restoration ... |
| www.restorationhardware.com |
|
| HwB: The Hardware Book |
| HwB provides you with circuits, pinouts, cable/adapter descriptions and other technical information. |
| www.hardwarebook.net |
|
| Reg Hardware: Product News and Gadget Reviews from The Register |
| More Gadgets Stuff. 5th December 2006 12:09 GMT. Author: Reg Hardware ... 27th November 2006 15:31 GMT. Author: The Hardware Widow ... |
| www.reghardware.co.uk |
|
| red hat hardware compatibility lists |
| hardware.redhat.com/ - Similar pages |
|
|
| TrueValue.com |
| Here's our tip to hang strands of lights with ease. Jeanenne & Jim Tucker Plantation True Value Hardware Richmond, TX ... |
| www.truevalue.com |
|
| A complete illustrated Guide to the PC Hardware |
| A complete illustrated Guide to the PC Hardware, Logic and Architecture. 500 easy-read articles about the modern PC. Understand the basic architecture of ... |
| www.karbosguide.com |
|
|