Quick Tip

010-2007

12 Step Program To Happy Computing

(Tips for New Users)

1.      SYSTEM PROTECTION:  Have a surge proctor on your system (electric and phone). There are many brands available, check the UL Rating and if it has a Connected Equipment Warranty.  A good one will cost between $25 – $50.

2.      SHUT DOWN:  When you are thru using your computer for the day Close all open programs on your Taskbar, then go to the Start Button then Shut Down, then turn the rest of the power off. When you go on vacation or there is a violent thunderstorm, unplug the electric and phone line.

3.      WHAT ARE BOOT UP, DESKTOP, AND TASKBAR?
The screen you're looking at when you first turn your computer is called Boot Up. The second screen, which is stable, is called a Desktop.
The small pictures on the left of the Desktop are called Icons, when you click or double click on one of them it opens a program.
The Bar that goes across the bottom of your Desktop is called a Taskbar.
Remember Desktop, Icons, and Taskbar and what they are.

4.      MOVE, RESIZE, MINIMIZE, MAXIMIZE, AND CLOSE A WINDOW.
To move a window, put your cursor on the Title Bar (top line of the window), left click and drag to another location.
To resize a Window, put your cursor on either of the four sides and when your cursor changes into a double arrow, left click and drag till you get the size you want.
At the upper right you'll see three buttons:
__ Minimizes the window, but leaves the program running:
(It is in your Taskbar)
[ ] Maximize Button: It will enlarge the window to fill the screen.
X Close Button: Click on this to close the program.
If you click on __ [ ] X in the upper right hand corner of your Window by mistake, move your cursor to an empty spot before you let it unclick, and the computer will do nothing.

5.      SCROLL BAR: The size of the bar in your vertical scroll space tells you the size of the file you are viewing. If it fills half the space, you're looking at half of the file. If it fills 10% of the space, there is 90% left, and etc.

6.      ACCIDENTAL DELETE:  If you delete something by mistake do Control Z on your keyboard and most times it will correct your mistake.

7.      MOUSE PRACTICE:  If you need practice with your mouse, play Solitaire. If you don't need practice with your mouse, play Solitaire.
Let me repeat and repeat and repeat, when typing a document, save the data every few minutes so if something happens to your computer you will not have to do the work all over again.
Just do Control S very often.

8.      COMPUTER IDENTIFICATION:  Type: This Computer belongs to: Then type your name, address, and phone number into a WordPad document and name it FBI, then Save. If your computer is ever stolen it will identify the owner.
Sample:
This Computer belongs to:
CHARLIE BROWN
123 Main Street
Claremont, CA  91711
Phone 909 986 2317

9.      V I E W:  When in Windows Explorer, at the top of the screen click on VIEW and select DETAILS this will show the name of the file, size, type, and date modified. Now go to FOLDER OPTIONS, VIEW, click on Apply to all Folders.

While in VIEW, click on Show Hidden files and folders, unclick Hide extensions for know file types, now you can see the file extensions like .jpg or .exe.

When opening a Picture Folder go to VIEW and click on thumbnails and it will show you a thumbnail size photo of all your .jpg and .bmp files.

10.  PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER:
FIREWALL, ANTIVIRUS, ANTISPYWARE, WINDOW UPDATES:

The Security Center in Windows XP

Checks the status of your Firewall, Antivirus and Updates.

To open Security Center
1. Click Start and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Security Center. Security Center checks to make sure you have:
• A software firewall.
• An up-to-date antivirus program.
• Automatic Updates set to download and install updates automatically.

To check the configuration, click on the bottom 3 item: Internet Options, Automatic Updates, Windows Firewall.

11.  FIREWALL: ANTIVIRUS: ANTISPYWARE:
Go to www.filehippo.com and download CCleaner, AVG Free, Ad-Ware and Spybot Search and Destroy. All of these programs are free and will help you protect your computer.  Also go to www.microsoft.com , search for and download Windows Defender which is a free program that helps you stay productive by protecting your computer against pop-ups, slow performance and security threats caused by spyware and other potentially unwanted software.

(Use only one antivirus, if you use more than one they conflict.)

AVG is your antivirus program. When you first install it, you must update because it is already months behind. Most viruses come from an attachment sent with the email.

If you need help with this section, come to the Friday workshop and there will be experienced club members to help you.  If you bring your computer tower or laptop they can download, install and configure these programs for you.

Remember to Backup and Restore regularly copies your important files and settings to CD, DVD, or external hard disk.

12. CONFIGURE WINDOWS XP TO UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY.

Go to Start > CONTROL PANEL, SECURITY CENTER, near the bottom of the screen, click on AUTOMATIC UPDATES and set the time, click on WINDOWS FIREWALL select the top option, ON. (You can do Internet Options later.) This will help save you from crashes and hackers.