PC Primer Monthly
Roger Creighton 1-1-2012
Users need to have more personal connection with their computers. The amount of effort expended on maintenance and upkeep will be returned many times over; when you consider the improvements in speed, storage space and overall functionality.
What in the world am I talking about? I am suggesting users learn the very easy steps of ridding the computer of unused junk files (this is done by using System Cleanup), Disk Defragmentation, and setting a restore point once the computer is as close to optimized as you can get it.
This is all very easy. Trust Me! (I know you have heard this before).
There are three things that you need to know to make this successful. First you need to use the programs already on your system tools menu bar they are: Disk cleanup, disk defragmentation, and lastly ,system restore. Follow the following steps to bring up the files needed.
1. Click on the Windows start button (lower left of you desktop screen). 2. Left click on all programs. 3. Scroll down to the folder named Accessories and left click on it. 4. Scroll down to the folder System Tools and Left click on it.
2. Scroll down to “disk Clean up” Right click on it. Now from the pop up menu left click on “pin to start menu”. Hit the enter key.
3. Repeat the steps in instruction #1 /when you get to system tools scroll down this time to (either Diskeeper or to defrag depending on the operating system you are using). Right click and choose “pin to start menu”.
4. Repeat the process one more time. This time when you reach system tools right click on “System Restore” then again add to start menu.
Now you have all three folders on your start menu. To use the programs Firstly click on Disk Cleanup and allow the computer to examine its self. It will give you the choice of deleting all the junk that it finds. The only choice I ever make is to delete the files because there is nothing you can do with these files.
When that process is finished (the time consideration is directly connected to the frequency of you past disc clean ups.. If your computer is a few years old and you have never had this done, it may take a while), Be Patient…
Secondly use the “Defragmentation” feature and run a “System Defrag”. If never done before this may take overnight to catch up with your changes. Be patient.
Lastly Return to the start menu and click on “system restore” This will take you to a new page where you are given the choice of restoring to an earlier time or creating a restore point.
You will be allowed to name the new restore point and I would suggest something like “ system optimized” telling you that the computer is at its best configuration. Now let it make the restore point and tell you that it is done. Now re-boot (turn off and then turn on your computer and it should be remarkably faster than before). Good Luck, This one is really easy.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, December 18, 2010
The Internet - could you do without it?
Count me as a NO on this one. There is no going back. Having been exposed to the values of the Internet, there is no way that life would be the same without it. Many of us (myself included) occasionally complain about the "net" and some of the complications we suffer to use it. (Virus' Spam,) and seldom stop to consider the benefits that we derive from that same beast that owns our lives.
Turning on the computer is one of the very first things I do each day and is without question the last thing I do as I am on the way to bed. By saying turning on the computer,I am implying that it boots up to include a normal active connection to the Internet. In my case that brings up Google's iGoogle (and it's several add-ons that give me instant weather, time, temperature, a listing of my calendar for the day, and the days selected cartoons), and opens my Gmail account to the Inbox.
The computer is turned on as I walk past it on the way out of bed to the door to let the dog out. It is shut down when I have my coat on and I am headed for the door to go out. As I return I enter the house and walk to the computer and turn it on before I remove my coat. Again it boots up to the pre set configuration of my preferred sites. I am ready for use at a moments notice. I am capable of monitoring the activities of friends on Facebook if I get a notice that a message has been left for me. I can see a listing of all the communication that I want to be aware of on my Gmail account, and through the use of Google Chrome, I can set up a page that gives me total control and access of what is displayed (and how to get to anything of interest/need in my computer world).
Lets face it. I am hooked for life.. I am a Nerd. I am addicted. Well lets take another look.. Notice that I said I had the computer on constantly whenever I am home and awake. Notice also that I did not say that I was ON the computer the whole time, Just that it was available to be my servant as I needed it. I can walk through and see junk that has come into my Email ( no matter how well Google designs their e-mail some unwanted junk will filter through) If it's unimportant I can choose to ignore it (and frequently do). But if it is an important note, I can respond as soon as I see it and complete a task that in past years would have taken days or even weeks to accomplish. ( sitting down and getting a letter written, posted and delivered to an addressee who had to take the time to sit and write and resend a response via snail mail - well you get the point). The Internet has changed our lives.
Mastering the use of the tools of the Internet and the programs that make it work for us and not against us should be our goal. Finding the right products from the right people can complete the picture of a happy Internet life. We will cover many of those on a weekly basis.
This is not rocket science, If I can do it then You can do it.
Roger
Turning on the computer is one of the very first things I do each day and is without question the last thing I do as I am on the way to bed. By saying turning on the computer,I am implying that it boots up to include a normal active connection to the Internet. In my case that brings up Google's iGoogle (and it's several add-ons that give me instant weather, time, temperature, a listing of my calendar for the day, and the days selected cartoons), and opens my Gmail account to the Inbox.
The computer is turned on as I walk past it on the way out of bed to the door to let the dog out. It is shut down when I have my coat on and I am headed for the door to go out. As I return I enter the house and walk to the computer and turn it on before I remove my coat. Again it boots up to the pre set configuration of my preferred sites. I am ready for use at a moments notice. I am capable of monitoring the activities of friends on Facebook if I get a notice that a message has been left for me. I can see a listing of all the communication that I want to be aware of on my Gmail account, and through the use of Google Chrome, I can set up a page that gives me total control and access of what is displayed (and how to get to anything of interest/need in my computer world).
Lets face it. I am hooked for life.. I am a Nerd. I am addicted. Well lets take another look.. Notice that I said I had the computer on constantly whenever I am home and awake. Notice also that I did not say that I was ON the computer the whole time, Just that it was available to be my servant as I needed it. I can walk through and see junk that has come into my Email ( no matter how well Google designs their e-mail some unwanted junk will filter through) If it's unimportant I can choose to ignore it (and frequently do). But if it is an important note, I can respond as soon as I see it and complete a task that in past years would have taken days or even weeks to accomplish. ( sitting down and getting a letter written, posted and delivered to an addressee who had to take the time to sit and write and resend a response via snail mail - well you get the point). The Internet has changed our lives.
Mastering the use of the tools of the Internet and the programs that make it work for us and not against us should be our goal. Finding the right products from the right people can complete the picture of a happy Internet life. We will cover many of those on a weekly basis.
This is not rocket science, If I can do it then You can do it.
Roger
Sunday, December 5, 2010
PC Primer Revived
Welcome !
The pcprimer of old, has been reborn. Now in the Blog format instead of loaded for newspaper download.
The initial concept is to cover the intricacies of frequent Internet usage. The design will be open forum give and take. I will provide information (as always) from suppliers of Products that will make the daily use easier and more efficient. As in the past Newspaper writings ( more than 675 weekly columns in papers all over the U.S. as well as several international papers). I will include reviews of products that will specifically aid general computer use and promote a better understanding of what is available for what you need to do.
As in the past I promise that the reviews will be an honest appraisal of the value of the products reviewed without any predetermined deals made with the Manufacturer. I promise a non compromised viewpoint as always.
So welcome to the Blog, Communicate with me through the pcprimer@gmail address with questions about products you would like reviewed and comments. I look forward to hearing from you .
Roger Creighton
pcprimer Editor/Writer/Radio Broadcaster
The pcprimer of old, has been reborn. Now in the Blog format instead of loaded for newspaper download.
The initial concept is to cover the intricacies of frequent Internet usage. The design will be open forum give and take. I will provide information (as always) from suppliers of Products that will make the daily use easier and more efficient. As in the past Newspaper writings ( more than 675 weekly columns in papers all over the U.S. as well as several international papers). I will include reviews of products that will specifically aid general computer use and promote a better understanding of what is available for what you need to do.
As in the past I promise that the reviews will be an honest appraisal of the value of the products reviewed without any predetermined deals made with the Manufacturer. I promise a non compromised viewpoint as always.
So welcome to the Blog, Communicate with me through the pcprimer@gmail address with questions about products you would like reviewed and comments. I look forward to hearing from you .
Roger Creighton
pcprimer Editor/Writer/Radio Broadcaster
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