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This being my first monthly
article on computers, I thought I’d start with dispelling the myth.
“Computers should always be perfect!” It just ‘ain’t’ true.
Especially a computer that’s over 4 years old.
Those ‘older’ computers and their operating systems, Windows
95, 98 and ME, were built for that eras software, games and hardware.
Simple stuff. Today’s software requires today’s computers. Many of us
buy the newest software and ignore the computer itself along with the
operating system.
And…
It’s a documented fact that 51% of computer freezes/crashes are caused
by operator error. (So, don’t always blame your poor computer!) 34% by
software glitches and 15% by hardware failures. (That’s 100%, right?)
Combine
this with the habit of running multiple programs and your box is
guaranteed to crash. “Multi
Tasking” or running many programs at once in older computers,
(especially games and graphics), does not mean opening and leaving open,
three or more programs at the same time. Especially if you are a power
user and click and run to something else while the first click hasn’t
completed it’s job. Even in
newer, faster computers this will put your system to the test. If you’re
finished with a program, close it before opening another. Your computer
will be a lot happier and you’ll get fewer error messages, freezes and
crashes.
Any
computer running a Microsoft operating system, Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME,
2000 or XP, has a built in crash program. (Just joking.) But really,
Microsoft is known for releasing it’s products, especially it’s
operating systems, before they’re ready and letting the rest of us find
the bugs. These ‘bugs’ are a large percentage of the reason your
computers “ain’t perfect”. Mr. Gates is always under pressure by
stock holders, etc. to “get out the product.”
If
someone hasn’t changed it, there is a line, at the top of the
“Start” button menu or the “Start/Programs” menu called “Windows
Update”. Click the “Start” button and look near the top of the menu.
(On XP, click “Start/Programs”.) USE IT!. If you click this “Windows
Update” while you’re on line, Microsoft will inspect your system, with
your permission, and inform you of the updates required. Be prepared for a
long wait and sometimes multiple sessions to update your Windows.
Especially if you’ve never done this before. These are the “patches”
or bug repairs that Microsoft knows about. Do this at least once a month
to keep your computer updated and as crash free as possible. Caution…
you must have an ISP who doesn’t “bump” you all the time, to get
this done.
Each
month I’ll introduce you to a new aspect and hopefully some help on
various computer issues. Among these will be viruses, power surges,
lightning strikes, networking, firewalls, modems, and more. So… stay
tuned.
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