How To Deal With Computer Problems
It seems that nobody realizes that Im alive unless they need
something. Im beginning to feel like Rodney Dangerfield - I get no respect! I always get the I need calls. As in - I need a ride to go to Takos Pig Roast or Ill starve to death -
The other calls that I get are of the variety -
My computer doesnt work - Excel is acting funny - My computers locked up, what do I do?
Well, I cant authorize you to go home or to the mall, so what about trying the three finger salute (Control, Alt, Delete) or rebooting your computer?
I have no idea why everyone asks me how to fix his or her computer problems. I can answer the easy questions like- How do you fix Charbroiled Oysters? or Wheres a good place to eat?
To prove my point -
At home I have a 20Gig hard drive with a Pentium III processor, 500Mhz and Im lucky enough to have a cable modem. I got fat, dumb and happy thinking I would have the resources to run any program.
I got a wake up call when designing our web site and my resources dropped to 30%. Some people in a similar situation would reformat their hard drive. But I would not - except as a last resort - because it is a real pain, time consuming and Im too lazy.
Doing computer cleanup is not foremost in anybodys mind. Whats the old saying - If it aint broke, dont fix it? This is similar to Backups -
Everybody tells you to backup your data and the tendency is to wait till tomorrow. You become a convert real fast when you lose everything youve spent hours, days or weeks entering and you have to start from scratch.
If you suspect your system resources are low, you may want to try these options that I always suggest to those with similar problems. — These are a laymans instruction. If you need help from a professional - call a professional, Im not the one to listen to.
The first thing to do is CHILL OUT!
Step1:
Have a glass of wine, beer, soft drink or whatever -
For Windows 95/98 - You may want to check your reading with a program running such as MS Access (or any program that eats your resources).
Try again with nothing but windows running to see the difference - go into Control Panel, click System, click Performance (or you can right click My Computer and select Preferences).
If System Resources is above 50% with MS Access running, you should be in relatively good shape. With nothing running you should be around 88%. Dont fall for that garbage that says, You are configured for optimum performance. If your resources are down - something aint right!
While youre looking at the resources click Virtual Memory and make sure Let Windows manage is checked. Unless you know what youre doing, dont try to change the settings (I dont). If your resources are running @ 90 %, you dont need to read any further.
Step2:
Have another glass of wine, beer or whatever -
Look in the bottom right corner of your screen. You should see some icons like Volume, Virus protection, Time, etc., etc, etc, etc.
A lot of that is a lot of needless junk that is put in your startup group needlessly by programs. Stuff like Printer status, Real Player, Scanner status, AOL, IOU, DEQ, AEIOU or whatever - those use resources needlessly.
Try disabling them one at a time and check your resources again. If one of them is a hog, delete it from your StartUp group. You can check to see whats in your StartUp group by right clicking your Start button.
Click Explore, in the left window look in the Windows tree (click if there is a + before Windows). Look for Start Menu (click if necessary to expand the tree). Look under Programs - you should see StartUp. Click it.
In the right window is what is in your group. You can highlight and press Delete on your keyboard to get rid of what you dont need. All this is going to your recycle bin in case you change your mind. Unfortunately, when you reboot you will probably see a lot of the same junk you deleted back in the lower right corner.
This is the case with programs such as Real Audio, Printer programs and virus programs. To stop them from starting you usually have to open the individual program and look around. Nine out of ten times you can find a box checked under the options in that program.
Also in Windows 98, you can click the Start button, select Run and type msconfig. A window will pop up with the upper right tab will be labeled Startup. There will be programs listed in there with check boxes.
These are the programs that automatically start when you start your computer. I had 29 programs listed with check marks. I did not have 29 icons on the bottom right of my task bar. I only had 5.
If you recognize a program, you can remove it from automatically starting by removing the check mark and selecting Apply. You will be asked to restart your computer. If you should change your mind, the programs will still be on your hard drive. To be on the safe side - check with your computer manufacturer.
Step 3:
Have a glass of wine, beer or whatever -
Delete your Temporary Internet files. In Internet Explorer at the top under View, select Internet Options; select Delete Temporary Files (your cookies wont be affected). Close IE.
Left click the Start button (bottom left of screen), select Find, Folders, type .TMP, choose Find Now. You can delete anything in your TMP list that pops up. Windows wont let you delete anything that it needs to run. Reboot - If everything is running fine, empty your Recycle Bin.
Step 4:
Have a glass of wine, beer or whatever -
Double click My Computer (if you can still find it), right click your C drive, left click Properties, Select Tools,. Perform a thorough Scan Disk - (depending on the size of your hard drive this could take a while) - make sure Automatically fix error is checked.
Go get something to eat -
(you need something to absorb the alcohol - dont drive!).
After this has finished - again under Tools - select Defrag. Do a Thorough if you havent defragged in a while. This will definitely take a long time. I suggest you do it before you go to bed - (youll need to after the wine anyway).
Running Defrag groups all your data on your computer and helps programs run smoother. If you are in the habit of installing and deleting a lot of programs your data will look like a half-empty football stadium with people scattered. One member of your family is on the West Side, one on the East Side and one in the End Zone.
Defragging will group the family together - if the mother-in-law is there, that may not be such a good idea. Im rambling again. Youre probably wondering if there is a caboose to my train of thought. Oh well, if this helps one person - it was worth it.
About the Author
Fred Renoudet is CEO at RightStuffCo.com <http://www.rightstuffco.com/aps.html>, which provides a huge collection of absolute proven guruhs how-to information, free and resell eBooks, and plenty of content you can use and give away on your websites and in your newsletters… access to everything is just pennies a day to members. He also runs the eBook Resales.. website. There is also a high profit Affiliate Program <http://www.rightstuffco.com/ajs.html>
Fred Renoudet
