Update
Virus Definitions
E
X T R E M E L
Y I M P
O R T A N T !
Anti-Virus
Definition Update
Viruses
spread within minutes, so
having a firewall and
keeping your antivirus
software updated is
essential. If you are
connected all the time,
set your virus program to
automatically update
itself at a time when you
are not using the
computer (e.g. run at
2:00 a.m. while you're
sleeping). If you
are on dialup, manually
check for latest
definitions and run a
scan before reading your
email or starting to
surf, especially if you
have been on vacation for
a while.
Check
For Windows Updates
Users of
ALL versions of the
Microsoft Windows
operating system can
visit Microsoft's Windows
Update web site which
should automatically take
you to the correct set of
updates for your
computer's version of the
Windows operating system.
Windows Update scans your
computer and provides you
with a selection of
updates tailored just for
you.
You can
set your updates download
to notify you when a new
update is available
(recommended for dial-up
users) or automatically
download and install
updates (recommended for
hi-speed internet users).
Check to see if there are
any new critical updates
or patches you need to
install. The latest
patches from Microsoft
will help to secure your
system. When you connect
to the website, they will
automatically detect
which updates are
necessary for your
computer and will list
them accordingly. The
critical updates should
always be installed. Read
the summary on each
optional one and
determine which ones are
necessary for your
particular computer - you
do not need to install
all of them. After your
selected updates are
installed, your machine
may need to be restarted.
For a guide (from UMBC)
on how to install the
updates, 
Do An
Incremental Backup
If you are
working on an important
project, we recommend making
a backup copy of your
working files. It's
a lot easier to back
those important files up
as part of a daily
routine than to re-create
them in the event of a
loss.
Caution -
the 'Back' browser button
may look like it is not
disabled for the link
above, but it seems OK to
close the window.
Otherwise,
consider a weekly backup
on everything you would
not want to lose or have
to recreate.
File
Management
Email
Messages
Keeping
your inbox orderly on a
daily basis will make
your life a lot
easier. Move or
delete any unnecessary
messages. If you
need to follow-up on a
message, most mail
programs have some sort
of flagging process to
mark those messages;
otherwise, create a
"Followup"
folder and store those
message in that
folder. Some
mail programs will allow
archiving of old email
entries.
General
Data Files
Just like
you should keep your
email organized for later
retrieval, we suggest you
also maintain folders for
your data files. Create
folders and sub-folders
are needed. Storing files
and folder on your
desktop is not
recommended, move them to
the normal “My
Documents” folder
structure so that backup
programs (and you!) will
have a easier time
finding them when needed.
Reboot
When Programs Crash
Although a
fully patched Windows XP
system itself seldom has
problems, many programs
have been known to
“Crash” or
“Hang” (become
unresponsive.) Restart or
reboot your system after
every crash or program
hang. This clears your
memory cache and system
to reset all drivers and
support programs.
In fact, a
reboot is also called the
“Microsoft Windows
Universal Fix,” so
if you are having trouble
with your Windows
computer try a reboot. Of
course, and if you can,
first save your data from
any open applications
because a reboot is
guaranteed to close and
reset all open
applications.
Run
Chkdsk if potential disk
corruption is suspected
If you
sense that your hard disk
is having difficulty
reading or writing data,
such as suddenly very
long program load times,
clicking or buzzing
noises, it is a good idea
to run a
“Chkdsk”
(think: CheckDisk).
Click
<start><run>
and then type in
“chkdsk C:”.
The program will tell you
if any logical errors are
found; if so directed,
run a full check with
“chkdsk/f c:”
(the “/f” is
for ‘fix’).
Shut-off
(Power-off) computer when
done
Recommendations
for this item range from
“Always” to
“Never!” so it
is difficult to give
unqualified guidance. It
is true that electronic
equipment will last
longer if kept at a
constant temperature;
that is, always turned
on. But it is equally
true that they consume
more power and have
higher energy costs while
turned on.
The US
government’s Energy
Star program (www.energystar.gov) tries to
strike a balance between
full on and full off
– devices that have
earned the Energy Star
label helps eliminate
wasted energy through
special energy-efficient
designs. They use less
energy to perform regular
tasks, and when not in
use, automatically enter
a low-power mode.
Newer
computers and especially
computer peripherals are
much better saving energy
in low power states than
older ones. A rule of
thumb is if you can hear
a fan running while the
computer is in
‘stand-by’ it
is not energy efficient
and should be powered off
when not in use. Commonly
used power state terms
are:
“Shut-Down”
– all applications
closed, all services
shut-down, all devices
powered off. No power
consumed in this state.
“Hibernate”
– the full operating
condition of the computer
is saved to memory
storage devices (usually
the hard disk) and
computer powers off. Upon
start up from
hibernation, all running
applications, services,
and open files are
restored. No power
consumed in this state.
The computer should be
slightly faster shutting
down, and take only about
half the normal time to
start up.
“Stand-by”
or “Sleep”
– A low power state
in which the full
operating condition of
the computer is
maintained. Upon start up
from sleep, all running
applications, services,
and open files are
restored. Power consumed
in this state is usually
less than 10 watts. If
power is cut while
sleeping, all open files
will be lost, and error
reports may be received.
The computer should be
significantly faster
shutting down and
starting up. (Windows
Vista is especially good
handling stand-by states,
and can shut down and
start up in less than 5
seconds.)
