J & R PC - Tips

Important Tips to Maintain Your PC

New computer viruses and malware are more likely to infect a computer that is out of date. You need to keep the virus definitions up-to-date, along with Java, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash and important Windows Updates. Many anti-virus programs charge you an annual fee. Panda Cloud Antivirus, AVG and Avast, are very good free anti-virus programs for consumers. Symantec (Norton), Bitdefender, and Kaspersky AntiVirus are currently very good subscription consumer and business antivirus programs.
If the PC is inadvertently infected, reboot into safe mode right away (in XP, Vista, and Windows 7 tap the F8 key when the computer restarts and select Safe Mode). Once in safe mode open Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, update the program, and then run a quick scan. This may clean the system out. If not, call (309) 751-4490. Once cleaned, we recommend installing Sandboxie, and setup a Sandboxed Web Browser that will prevent rogue program downloads and system changes; unless you “recover” them (which allows downloads onto your system). When given an option, after closing the browser, select "Delete Contents". An annoyance of Sandboxie is that after 30-days a "nag screen" appears, when you start the program that makes you wait five seconds. Then you need to click a bar to continue. If you own multiple PCs, and you like the program, we suggest you purchase a perpetual license for Sandboxie that may be used on all of your personal PCs. Do not try to install programs or updates that were downloaded within a sandboxed web browser. They won’t install. That’s the point of the sandbox. Keep in mind that from our experience Sandboxie is compatible with over 90%, but not all, of computers.

Some malware are automatically downloaded through peer to peer file sharing programs like Ares, Warez, FrostWire, LimeWire, eMule, BearShare, and the various Torrents. When using file sharing networks you open your computer files for the world to see, and steal. IM file transfer is another avenue for programs that you don't want. Never accept IM file transfers that you didn't ask for and know are safe while using any Instant Messaging program, or click on any unsolicited links. Use legal download sites only, such as iTunes. Spyware is often installed with "free" offers, like free screensavers or cursors. To avoid Spyware, do not install any free programs that have not been professionally reviewed as free of Spyware and make sure to uncheck any offers for “free” stuff like toolbars.
Make frequent backups of your data files. Why risk losing photos and other important files? Save your data to another PC on a network, to a flash drive, or ideally to a portable hard drive. Backing up onto your own computer, where your original files are, won't help if the hard drive dies, gets corrupted, or the system is hit by an electrical surge caused by a nearby lightning strike. One complete backup weekly is recommended with daily incremental backups if you are using the PC as an integral part of a business or organization. Home users should also backup all important files. Don't learn the hard way! Back up your data locally by imaging your PC’s hard drive or solid state drive. Windows 7 has disc imaging as part of its built-in Backup and Restore software. Windows 8 includes Windows 7 Backup and Restore, but renames it Windows 7 File Recovery, which is located in Control Panel. You can make system images of your entire Windows 8 hard drive onto a portable hard drive. Make sure to burn the Repair Disk to restore your entire hard drive in case of disaster. Additionally, Windows 8 File History itself makes rapid backups of your data files, once it is setup to do so. If you own a laptop, use a large capacity SD card for Windows 8 File History backups. A portable hard drive (USB 2.0 or 3.0) is recommended for all system images and large data backups. Why not have multiple backups, since you can keep your files safe over the Internet with secure sites such as mozy.com, which gives you 2-GB of storage for free. Sky Drive and Dropbox also are valuable free tools. You will need a broadband connection for online “cloud” backups.
For security purposes have others use a Guest Account. This helps prevent installation of some malicious programs, but will not completely eliminate all risk. All legitimate programs should be installed by the main user (also the Administrator) with access allowed by all users. The main account should be password protected to insure curious people will not subvert the established security levels of your PC. Additional users should be Standard users so that the Administrators password is needed to install programs or make system changes. Install Sandboxie (see #2). Note that Sandboxie is not compatible with all computers and is not for business use without a license, but can be used for personal use on a business computer.
Never click on a link in an e-mail whether it is from a stranger or from a known acquaintance, unless you expected the e-mail. It may unknowingly be a link to trouble, as spammers and bad guys have no qualms faking any email address. You can avoid malware written into the code of digital pictures by setting your local e-mail program to read all e-mail in plain text. After doing so, all the nice formatting and pictures will not be viewable; neither will porn, spam, or digital picture viruses. Web based e-mail services, like Yahoo and Hotmail, are imperfect, but usually keep their spam and virus filters up to date. Web mail offers the advantage of running under Sandboxie where you can right mouse click on links and select "Open in new tab". This prevents infections from being unleashed on your computer, but only if you always surf the web with the sandboxed web browser.
Never blindly use the trial software that comes preinstalled on a brand name PC. Why? Because it is a trap to get you to pay more than you would for the same software purchased on sale, or to dissuade you from using alternate software. If you want MS Office 2010 or 2013, determine which of the many versions you want and then buy the retail version, preferably when it is on sale. The retail boxed version of 2010 may be installed on two computers. Card keys may be installed on only one PC. Retail Office 2010 Home and Student may be installed on three PCs, but not on business computers. Office Home and Student 2013 may only be installed on one computer. Save your retail disks and the product key for reinstalling software when needed in the future.
Always connect and remove all cables from the computer with the power turned off and the power cable unplugged. The only exceptions are USB (Universal Serial Bus) and FireWire cables. They are designed to have cables plugged in and removed with the PC on and running.
If your computer locks up and doesn't come back to life after 15 minutes, hold the power button for about 5 seconds to shut down the PC. Then restart the PC. In Windows, go to Windows Explorer, right mouse click on the C drive, select Properties, and click the Tools tab, in the Error Checking area left mouse click on the Check Now box, click on both boxes, and click Start. Windows will tell you that it cannot run the program and ask if you want to run it at the next reboot. Select YES. Go to the Start button and restart the PC. Upon rebooting a utility will run and fix any error that may have occurred. Windows will restart normally after the chkdsk utility completes. The test may take ten to twenty minutes or so to run and fix any file errors caused by the lockup. If you have thousands of photos or music files chkdsk may take over an hour. Let it run anyway. If the drive turns out to be damaged you will still have your externally backed up files. Remember to backup often as issues will occur, eventually, with all computers.
If you want to remove a program for whatever reason, run Uninstall from the "Add or Remove Programs" or “Programs and Features” Icon in Control Panel if you do not see “Uninstall a Program”. Manually deleting program files using Explorer, or other file utilities, will create system and registry errors and may cause problems such as lockups, blue screens, or slow operation.
If your system came with AC powered speakers, turn them off when not in use or when you don't want to hear sound while using the PC. Control the volume using the speaker's volume control. While there is a software volume control built into Windows, it is most useful for setting the various device levels, microphone, CD, line, and system .wav files so they are the way you like it.
Do not change the CMOS or BIOS settings (done at PC start up by pressing the Delete, or other specific, key when prompted on screen) unless you are certain you know what will happen and what you are doing. This is not an area to experiment on as some incorrect settings will prevent the PC from functioning.
Never use the CD or DVD for any other version of Windows to add or remove system components. Use only the disc that you received with your computer. Only install programs and drivers designed specifically for the version of Windows on your particular PC, or you are likely to experience problems.
Contrary to popular belief you can create problems by arbitrarily hitting various keys. There are key combinations that cause actions. You will become familiar with keyboard shortcuts over time. They are usually shown next to menu selections that have associated keyboard shortcuts. For example, pressing the Ctrl and the C keys at the same time will copy into memory text, and/or graphics, highlighted or selected in a program. Ctrl & V pastes the text (or graphics) into the same or another program.
Only you are responsible for proper use of your computer. When unsure how to do something in Windows, check the help files built into every Windows program and the operating system itself, or simply use Google to learn what to do. Use Sandboxed Web Browser, if installed, to avoid drive by infections.
There is no need to use screen savers. In fact, we recommend against the use of screen savers as modern monitors do not "burn-in" like older model monitors did. Typically, we set up your PC to turn off the monitor after 15 minutes, or so. Simply move the mouse or click a button to turn it back on. If the PC is in sleep mode, you may need to press the power button to have the PC back up and running in seconds.
Use a battery backup/UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to ensure clean power enters the PC and to prevent shutdown, and corresponding lost data or corrupt files, during brown outs or power outages. A minimum power rating of 350 VA is recommended. One of the main reasons to use a UPS is to prevent power supply stress during periods of voltage drops, which occur most often during the summer. If your power completely stops, the UPS will give you about five minutes to save your work and shut down the PC. You will have peace of mind after you put one to use. A UPS battery normally lasts three years.
Searching for free sites to watch movies or TV can lead you to infections. Use a sandboxed browser to block downloads.
If you start hearing clicking or dull clanging sounds from your PC, or see warning messages that the drive needs files backed up and replaced, the hard disk drive is failing. Back up all data immediately and have the drive tested and replaced if needed. Or, turn the PC off and call us at (309) 523-3168 to do the work for you.
If you have a big brand name Windows 8 computer make sure that you burn your recovery disks, and do not put this task off. Microsoft decided that you can no longer do a clean install of Windows 8 using the product key on the case sticker, since there isn't one anymore. So, if you do not have recovery discs (or flash drives) for Windows 8 be prepared to wait weeks while the recovery disks you order for your Chinese made Dell, HP, etc., PC are shipped to you. All previous versions of Windows came with product keys to allow customers to quickly have their PC's serviced and clean or upgrade installs performed if needed. Only small shops like J&R PC now offer Genuine Microsoft Windows 8 that come with case stickers with product keys that allow clean optimized installs when needed.

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