Free Advice

Nothing beats free advice from a professional. This section of our website contains helpful tips and suggestions to insure that your computer is running the best it can be. None of these tips are intended to be a "cure all" or a fix to specific problems you are having, but they are helpful for general maintenance and optimization. Many words used in this section will have common definitions with them, to access these definitions simply click the brown words. You may also notice that Almost all of the tips are targeted towards Windows XP, 2000 and Millennium Edition; this is because Microsoft no longer supports Windows 98 or 95. If you are interested in upgrading to a newer version of Windows please contact us.
Getting the most from your Computer Consulting
Preventing Problems
1. Improving web speed and decreasing pop-ups (Without using third party software)
-also helps improve system stability
2. Monthly maintenance tips and suggestions
3. Recommend Software
4. Security suggestions and recommendations

Configuring Common software and settings
1. Choosing a screen saver
2. Book marking a webpage
3. Changing your desktop picture

Improving Web Speed and General System Performance

Any who has used the internet knows that "pop-ups" will occur. Often times the pop-ups contain "free" offers that sometimes require a download. Sometimes the pop-ups will be a "Security Warning" that will often ask if you want to "install and run" a particular file distributed by: the companies name. If the companies name is not one that you recognize, i.e. Microsoft or Macromedia, do not click "Yes," click "No." These pop-ups and illegitimate "Security Warnings" are often the source of more pop-ups and "spy-ware." If you are not sure about a particular download it is best to call someone who would know. We are in the office most of time and would be happy to answer these basic questions for free.

Other common sources of pop-ups include; Kazaa, Morpheous, Weather bug, My Search Bar, Yahoo Search Companion, Google Search Bar, and almost any other Search bar that embeds itself into the internet explorer toolbars. Click here for an example picture. These software programs often run in a way that you don't even know they are running. If you find that, while connected to the internet; you are getting pop-ups without even opening a web site, you likely have one of these programs on your machine.

What to do if you already have or suspect you have spy-ware or other pop-up causing programs installed.
The following advice will include directions that could harm your computers stability if not performed correctly. If you have any doubts at all about the results that will come from un-installing software please do not do it. Call someone who can help you that knows what they are doing. As always we are available to assist you with these tasks, 570.501.2581
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Un-installing software
In windows 2000 or XP:
1. Click "Start" and choose "Run"

2. Once the "Run" Dialogue" box is open type: "Control Panel" in the command box and click Ok.

3. Wait a few seconds and the Control Panel Window will open. Once that is open, double click the icon for
"Add/Remove Programs"

4. After Double-Clicking the Icon This box will open:

Scrolling down through this list will show you all the programs installed on the
computer that can be removed by the user. If you recognize anything on this list as
a program that you do not want; click "change/remove" and follow the directions for
un-installing it. Be Careful! Un-Installing software can harm your PC, if you are
not sure about a particular program do not remove it until you find out what it is. You
can ask anyone who is familiar with computers whether or not you should remove a
particular program.
Some programs will ask you to "restart" your PC after un-installing them, if so do this, and
then return to this list following the directions above until all unwanted software is removed.
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Monthly Maintenance Tips
These tips will help your computer running smoothly and ensure good performance overall.
A. Defragmenting your hard drive (Windows XP and 2000)
    1. Click "Start" and choose "Run" (Like before)
    2. Once the run dialogue is open type "dfrg.msc" and click ok.
    3. You should see a window similar to this:


    4. Click on the "Defragment" button and follow the directions on screen. NOTE: While
        Defragment is running it is not recommend to use your computer for anything else, so
        you may want to start this task before eating supper or before going to bed; any time
        the computer will not be needed for an hour or so.
As always, if you have any trouble do not hesitate to ask for help.
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B. Running windows update
    1. Open Internet Explorer
    2. In the address bar type: "http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com"

    3. Once the site loads click the "Scan for Updates" link and wait for instructions.
    4. You may be prompted with a "Security Warning" box, click Ok and wait.
    5. Once windows update start you will see "Windows is checking for available updates"
    6. Once it is done checking, you will see "Pick updates to install," or "Review and install updates"
    7. Click this and then click "Install Now" button.
    8. This process is not the easiest to follow and if you would like help with it please call, we will
        gladly walk you through it over the phone, or come to your location to help (on location help
        is subject to charges).
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C. Running Scandisk (Windows XP)
    1. Open "My Computer" (By clicking "Start" then "My Computer"

    2. Once My Computer opens, using your RIGHT mouse button click on your C: drive
        or which ever your main drive is (In my case it is I:)
    3. And then left click on properties.

    4. Once properties is displayed, click the TAB that says "Tools"
    5. And then click the "Check Now..." button

6. This box will open and you should check both options then "Start."
NOTE: Often it will tell you that it can not run and will ask to schedule it for
the next time the computer restarts. This is fine, and you can either restart
right away, or restart later to run it.

Once it runs, it will tell you if there were any errors and if it fixed them.
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C.1 Running Scandisk (Windows 2000)
    1. The first is the only different one, in that; to open "My Computer"
        you simply double click the icon on your desktop labeled "My Computer"
    2. All other steps are the same.

C.2 Running Scandisk (Windows ME)
    1. Click on "Start" then "Run" and type "scandisk" in the box

    2. This will open this window: Choose "Thorough", "Automatically Fix Errors" and then "Start"

    3. Once this is running you should not use the PC for anything else.
NOTE: If scandisk restarts 10 times you will get an error, or if scandisk gives any other errors feel free to call us, and we will try to help you through it.
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Recommended Software Applications
The following Programs are software that we recommend for various uses and reasons.
Purchased Software
1. Norton Antivirus - This software is used to protect your computer from viruses that can cause problems with the way your computer runs. It normally sells for anywhere from $20-$50 per year and will save you a lot of money if it catches one virus. The average cost to repair a non-critical virus is $65 to start. If you were unlucky enough to get a System Crippling virus, you would likely lose ALL of you saved data, and it would cost an average or $120 to restore your PC to normal operating conditions.
2. Microsoft Office - This is essentially the industry standard for creating documents; whether they are spreadsheets, letters, emails, presentations or flyers. There are other programs available that do similar tasks, but the general market reflects that the Microsoft Office Suite is the easiest to use and maintain. Prices start at $200
3. Paint Shop Pro - This program is used for photo editing on a novice level. It is very flexible as well as affordable. Starting at $79 it can be a useful tool for creating and editing images for printing or the web.
4. Microsoft Picture It - A beginner photo editing software that very easy to use, yet still useful. Starts around $35
5. Quicken or QuickBooks - Used for managing finances these are the most popular programs used by individuals and businesses alike with generalized accounting needs.

Free Software
1. Adobe Acrobat Reader - Available for download from www.adobe.com this software is used to view many files available online.
2. WinZip - Available at www.winzip.com this application is also used for opening many files received online.
General - There is software available to do almost task with a computer, and if you need help deciding what is right for you, please give us a call.
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Security Tips to help you ensure that your data is safe and your computer is secure.
1. Passwords - Using passwords on your computer can help prevent the wrong user from viewing your files. Web sites often use passwords to secure your login information. It is a good idea to use different passwords for several sites. The passwords should be uncommon, even made up. The best passwords are 6-8 characters using letters and numbers. For example the password "ab12xy72" is an excellent choice. If your name is Fred, the password "derf12" is not a good password. Do not use names of family members or friends for passwords. If you need more information on passwording please contact us.

2. Internet Explorer remembering passwords - the first few times you type a password online, Internet Explorer may ask you if you would like it to remember that password. This is generally a bad idea and I would not recommend it to people concerned with security.

3. Physical security - One of the biggest threats to data is simple theft. If you work in an office environment were people are walking in and out, you should "lock your computer" when it is not in use. And if it is a laptop, it should be cabled to a stationary object with a laptop lock (available at many computer stores).

4. Following the advice in the section about web-slowness related to "Security Warnings" and spy-ware will also help to make sure you are secure.

5. Using a Firewall - can help prevent most hacking attempts. Firewalls are available in many forms and from many vendors. For more information about what type of firewall is best for you please contact us (570.501.2581) or someone familiar with computers that you trust.
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Choosing a screen saver is one way of personalizing your computer to your own likeness.
1. Right click on empty desktop space and choose "Properties"

2. Then choose the "Screen Saver" tab

Once the "Screen Saver" tab is open you can drop the menu full of Screen Saver
choices and preview different choices. You can also tell it how long to wait before
coming on. And you can set a password for it. Once you have made your choices,
Click "OK."
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Book Marking a web page is done so that you can return to that page easily. If you visit a page that you know you will want to visit again you can follow these steps to bookmark it or ad it to your "favorites."
1. Once you are on the page to want to bookmark, Choose the "Favorites" menu, and select "Add to Favorites..."

2. This will open the following box, simply click "OK."

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