Home > Technobuddy > Archives > 2008 > February > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USI hear you. Well, sort of.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m blessed to have poor hearing. It’s made my life easier.
I have no trouble hearing honking horns or having a conversation. So I have it good compared to many. But my hearing loss is real enough that I can credibly ignore my wife when she hands out unpleasant chores.
If you dread chores, this would be a good time to be hard of hearing yourself. Today I’m going to hand out eight easy chores - each one can be done in minutes - that will make your computing experience better.
Crawl under your desk (Lord, I love giving orders) and untangle that mass of wires. Then label each one. Here’s what I mean: the line that goes from your router to your main computer might be labeled Main 1, the line from the phone jack to your phone is Phone 1, the identical cable to your DSL modem is DSL. You get the idea. Once you’re done, things will be neater. Trip over one of these lines and you’ll probably break it, or pull some hunk of equipment off the desk. Even if you’re not clumsy, you’ll be able to find the right cable fast next time something goes wrong.
Defrag your hard disk. XP users can just run the built-in defragmenting program. Vista also has a defrag program but I think it’s worse than XP’s. I recommend a $30 program called Diskeeper located at http://www.diskeeper.com. XP’s defragger is a dumbed down version of this excellent program. Even XP users might want to consider it. Maybe you’ve been told that defragmenting the hard disk isn’t important in Vista. That’s not true. If you are unsure how to use defrag, type “defragment” into the Windows help menu.
If you have a UPS (uninterruptable power supply) then test it. Unplug it from the wall so it’s forced to switch to battery power. First check to see if any critical device (monitor, computer, router or DSL modem) goes off. You’ll quickly see if you’ve plugged in your devices incorrectly. Most UPS devices have outlets on one side for devices you want to keep running during a power failure and outlets on the other side for devices that simply get surge protection (but don’t get juice in an outage). It’s easy to mistakenly plug something into the wrong side. I’ve done it. Next, leisurely shut down your computer. If the UPS’ backup power plays out before you can do that, it’s time to either replace the UPS or its battery.
If you don’t have a UPS, get one.
Check to see that your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs are up to date. If you don’t have one or both of these programs, then get them (you can check my technology blog at ajc.com for free ones).
Optimize Windows so that it runs faster and more efficiently. Since there are several steps to this, including some I’ve already mentioned, I’ll give you a Web page that tells Vista users how to do everything from check your hard disk to get rid of unneeded files. Here’s the link. If you use XP, go to this link.
If you don’t have this program - Belarc Advisor - download it now at http://www.belarc.com. It’ll inventory your computer and hardware and provide the sort of answers a tech support guy might ask. It also will show activiation codes for your installed programs, which can come in handy if you ever lose them.
Make sure you’ll be able to use your computer if you forget the password. That involves making a password reset disk. For Windows XP, go to this Web site to learn how. For Windows Vista, go to this Web site.
If just one of these tips saves your neck some day, you’ll be glad you were able to hear me out.
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: Columns
Comments
By Blogfather
February 29, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
What’s a router? Dumb it down, mr husted, dumb it down, but really, what is a router. Pretend we’re all monkeys and you have to invent the most simplistic explaination you ever thought of.
By Bill
February 29, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Hi Blogfather - a router is the post office that receives packets from the outside network, sorts them out, decides where to deliver them, and then sends them on to the correct computer.
By Blogfather
March 1, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
Okay, so what would happen if a regular person had three different computers and no router? I mean, so what? Why does it matter if the packets get sorted or not. I dont get it. Why was there a need for routers? What is not happening in my life because I dont have one? I dont get it.
By Bill
March 1, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
If a person didn’t use a router, he would at least need a hub - another way of sharing a connection. A hub - to be really basic - is sort of like using an extension cord with several outlets to share a single outlet. There are a few other ways to share a connection but those would be the most common in a home.
By Mike
March 1, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Hi Bill, I tried this web site and all I got was somebody trying to sell me something. web site tinyurl.com/2mwlxw Mike
By Bill C
March 1, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
The same thing happenedd to me. When I was supposed to get to tinyurl/2mwlxw I got yourr AJC ccolumn for today. If I dropped the number and letters it tried to register me for $29.95. What goes?
By Bill
March 1, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
Hi Bill, this is Bill. The URL seems to be working correctly for me. I did try
tinyurl.com/2mwlxw
and it took me to the right place. I realize that something is wrong since this is happened to two of you, but - at the moment - I have no explanation.
I’m going out tonight but will try to check the blog when I return or tomorrow a.m. at the latest.
By Bill
March 1, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
OK, I had some extra time before leaving. I did check all the links and they seemed fine.
However, I turned the links in question into clickable links … so that should remove any chance of error. Just click on the blue text.
By Blogfather
March 2, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Now hold on, Bill, you said a router was a device that sends packets to the correct computer. If you have three computers all on one internet line into your home, what diffrentiation of signals or packets or compressed data would there be from the router? What would tell the router that computer A gets packet A? Wouldn’t all data go to all the computers in your home no matter what?
I get the idea that a wireless router allows you portability around your home with several laptops (so equiped to receive a wireless router’s signal). And I understand that a heavy PC and Printer can work without the jungle of cables if a wireless router is used and the PC has a wireless receptor.
But it’s not that simple is it? A router also is discreet about which data to send to a specific computer so that one computer gets a particular compressed signal and another doesn’t and vice versa?
Or am I being a pest, I dont mean to be, it’s just that I want to understand and cant.
By Rick
March 2, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Nice article. I can’t emphasize enough how home users should invest in backing up their data. I work with companies who don’t do enough of this…
I would suggest a topic for a future column on rescue CDs. There’s an excellent Linux-based rescue CD called System Rescue CD:
http://www.sysresccd.org/
I’ve been able to save entire disk partitions, copy stuff across the network and repair NTFS filesystems with it.
By Bill
March 2, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Hi Rick, for years I preached back-ups but often failed to do enough for my home computers.
Then, an almost new hard disk crashed, and I lost (forever) a whole series of family photos taken with a digital camera.
It’s a hard way to learn, but - with me that’s often been how it is. Ever since that day, I’ve been really vigilant about regular backups to my external hard drives (one for me, one for my wife). And for files such as family photos, I now store one copy on my computer, another on my wife’s computer and back up both computers. So - with all that - there are often four copies of any piece of data that I know I could never replace.
By DavidK
March 2, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
or Bill you could just get a Mac!
By Bill
March 2, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
That would solve all the world’s problems, cure poverty, make people smarter and I would grow hair too, David.
Seriously, I use both. Both have saved my neck at times, both have screwed me over at times.
By Lewis
March 3, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this
Hi, Bill,
Long time, no writey. :)
I had to write this time, however, after seeing you recommend a defrag program that costs money.
I finally upgraded to Vista Home Premium 32-bit a few months ago and have nearly forgotten what XP was all about. I’ve actually quite enjoyed my experience so far.
But, as you stated, the Defrag program that comes with Vista does leave a bit to be desired. I kind of like being able to monitor the progress if I’m at the PC when it’s working.
So, quite some time ago I came across the Auslogic Defrag program and I very much like it. The free version is available online at a very reputable site:
http://www.download.com/Auslogics-Disk-Defrag/3000-2094_4-10567503.html
Check it out and see if it fits the bill for you, too.
Sincerely,
Lewis Turner Marietta, GA
By Lewis
March 3, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this
To BlogFather:
I’m not Bill Husted, but, I do understand some of what you’re asking about.
We here at our house have a few more than three computers connected to the Internet at one time. The router keeps track of each one of these using a separate IP Address [Internet Protocol Address] so that each computer/PC is separated from the others as to what is being done with that PC on the Internet.
I can be playing one game online, my son can be playing another game online, and my daugher-in-law can be doing whatever she wishes online and none of the signals get crossed because the router keeps track of which IP Address is doing what.
If you check out your own Network settings, you’ll find that each of your own PCs had its own specific IP Address. So, using Bill’s analogy, the router IS like the Post Office situation and the IP Address is what tells the carrier which House to deliver the mail to.
I hope this helps a bit.
Lewis Turner Marietta, GA
By Bill
March 3, 2008 7:27 AM | Link to this
Hey Lewis, thanks for jumping in. Who would have thought - when I was a kid - that we’d all be playing post office with a computer.
By Joe Abusamra
March 3, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this
Hi Bill,
Nice tips, thanks. Another defrag option is PerfectDisk (certified by Microsoft for Vista) - it also consoloidates free space.
Thanks, Joe Abusamra
By Bill
March 3, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
Thanks Joe. I’m a big fan of defragging. I spend way too much time playing an online game (Guild Wars) and there’s a real difference in how well the game runs after I defrag.
By Shodan
March 3, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Hi Bill, Great article. Let me also add that a regular backup schedule and a good file recovery software are a must if your data is of any value to you.
The backups are self-explanatory.
File recovery software already in place is critical to ensure that you don’t permanently lose an accidently deleted file, especially if it has been modified since the last backup. A solid data protection plan in place is way better than desperately searching for solutions after a file-loss incident and running the risk of losing the files due to overwriting. -Regards
By Bill
March 3, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Yes, Shodan - it’s funny, after I read the column online I realized that I should have at least mentioned backups.
I’m actually with the program now, smile. For years I preached it but didn’t often do it. But after one really bad experience I’m among the faithful now.
By Blogfather
March 3, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Conservatism is dead. Sen Craig sounded taps, with his flag at half-mast.
By Kristin
March 3, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Bill,
Do you have a link to the freeware for recommended antivirus/spyware? I usually run both Adaware and Spybot S & D, but have my tried and true (but not free) Symantec Corporate Edition. We are a non-profit, so I try to save where I can. If your readers are also in the 501(c)(3) public charity world, they should know about TechSoup Stock http://www.techsoup.org/stock/default.asp?visit=1 . You have to qualify, but there are great resources there.
By Bill
March 3, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Hi Kristin, I like Grisoft for a free anti-virus program (http://free.grisoft.com).
I’m fine with Spybot Search and Destroy - which apparentely you are already using - for spyware/adware.
By mc^2
March 5, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this
T-Buddy, I appreciate your articles. However, I was disappointed when I found that the tinyurl link took me to a microsoft site. You see, over the years I’ve avoided ms more and more including their website. In doing so my computer has run more and more reliably with fewer problems. I have spent my techno-time in learning more about and optimizing win98se. I don’t get the spyware or the adware. I haven’t even found a virus on my pc in a few years now. I do video editing, photo editing, watch movies and pretty much all the stuff most others do. I am picky about what I download of course including avoiding ms and it’s newer products. Xp to me is simply xtra problems. Vista is what you see when you get to the top of a hill or mountain.
So please let us know at least what the basic website is that a link will take us to. For example… tinyurl.com/1x2y3z will take you to microsoft’s website for the details. Then I, and I’m sure some others, will avoid it like the plague.
Thanks.
By Bill
March 5, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
Hi mc^2, I’m not sure that I’m with you on this one. Let me try to explain what I mean and see if it makes sense to you.
Whether a person likes Microsoft or not, there’s a good case to be made that - when it comes to knowing Microsoft products - Microsoft is an excellent source. That’s not exactly exotic reasoning.
Now I can also understand the folks who want to steer clear of Microsoft. A case for that can sure be made.
If that was the case with me, I would avoid Windows altogether. After all, there is the Mac - with an OS that is arguably equal or better. Then there is Linux. Both have strong advocates and both make intelligent cases.
But if a person does stick with Microsoft - and I may be misunderstanding your point, but assuming that you are in that boat, it’s a good idea to at least consider what Microsoft has to say about tweaking it and updating it.
Anyway, maybe I’m being dense here - it does happen, grin. But if you’re saying you have choosen to run Windows but don’t want to know what the folks who created it think, then I’d need a lot of convincing to think that makes good sense.
By Sherri
March 7, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Optimize with agent ransack, you can sift out files that Microsoft internet options wont allow you to eliminate. Event veiwer…Prefetch must be eliminated manually, Interent Explorer wont delete them and sometimes you must manually go back over auto complete and double files, thus using agent ranscack..There is a Dell forum to help with almost any OS, including Linux. My personal preference is linux Ubuntu, however I possess even so two other machines with XP pro.
Optimize completely then defrag, by now everyone should understand to defrag. The internet is information highway, its all there and most still free, why pay? linux free. Windows $$$$ teck help also $$$, so check the internet first and foremost,,,that is the key..
Sherri