General Computer Tips

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
  

After almost 13 years of battling security problems on Windows machines, I'm finally seeing the light of day and recommending Mac's and Linux for many computer users. It will be a long journey convincing people that there is life beyond Microsoft.

For those who bang away with Microsoft Windows computers,and have problems with Slow Computer Disease (SCD), pop-ups, viruses and other problems, I present the following sage advice:

I've learned that when it comes to spyware/adware (THE major cause of SCD), if it takes more than an hour to troubleshoot and solve, you will be WAY AHEAD of the game to:

1. Backup your data
2. Reformat the system, and resinstall Windows

This weekend, an emailer asked the question of how to use the backups that we describe on our site. An excellent question I'm sure others have had as well.

Over the years, I laid out step-by-step methods for backing up your email address book, favorites/bookmarks, and even your email. To use these backups, simply use the "Import" function to bring them back into a new installation of a program or even a new computer.

Not long ago, a commenter on the web site suggested we put up some links to our some of our best and most visited tips. I thought it was a great idea, and here are seven that I came up with. If you have your own favorite or most helpful HelpMeRick.com tips, please share them with everyone by leaving a comment below.

• Cut, Copy, and Paste  -  I believe that this invaluable skill should be a computer prerequisite
• Print just what you want - Everyone's going green these days, and we've been green for years
• MSCONFIG - Take control of your computer's startup
• How to Burn a CD  -  Million's have this question
• Create your own custom online newspaper -  A video tip packed with information that WILL change your life
• Tabbed Browsing  -  You have to see it to believe it. Then use it to save hours of your time.
• Set up a home network  -  Yes, you can. And yes, you should. 

Remember to tell us which are your favorite HMR tips by leaving a comment below.