A computer’s hard drive can crash for any number of reasons. You don’t want to be happily finishing up a 30 page project when it happens. Where does the information go? It is lost in the abyss that has become home to many a kilobyte.

It’s more frightening than a bad hair day but you can keep it from happening to you. Back up your computer files so that you don’t lose all of your work to the great beyond. It is a good practice for anyone who has a computer.

It is not hard to put a backup system in place. When you buy most laptops these days, the system comes with free backup for one or two years. Every file is stored elsewhere for easy retrieval should you lose it. There are two ways of backing up computer files: online or software programs.

Backup Software Programs

Heard of Norton? You probably know about their antivirus software. They also make backup software for your computer. One is Norton Ghost 14.0. You can back up your entire hard drive or specific folders. With this software, schedule regular backups just like any other maintenance operation to protect your computer. The software setup is instructive and easy to follow.

Another Norton offering is Norton Save & Restore 2.0. It is similar to Norton Ghost 14.0 but without the extra features. You can schedule your backup operations and forget about it. In the event of a crash, you won’t lose what you have worked so hard to create.

Online Backup Programs

With an online backup, your data is sent to a secure server online. They offer both free and paid services. Depending on the amount of data you are backing up, the free plan may work for you. For a business, the paid service offers unlimited data backup for a low monthly fee.

Examples of online backup programs include:

• Mozy – free up to 2GB; $4.95 per month for unlimited data
• Carbonite – yearly subscription of $49.95 for unlimited data
• SOS Online Backup – $39.95 per year

Each program offers something different. The advantage of an online backup over more traditional programs is the theft-proof aspect. In cyberspace, your files can’t be stolen.

Use online or software options for backing up the vital information on your computer. It gives you peace of mind in the event of a system crash.

Today, we do everything from order pizza to shop for household appliances online. With that level of traffic and financial information floating around, it’s no wonder criminals have turned their attentions to the Internet. But, lucky for you, so have software manufacturers.

No one wants to be the victim of identity theft or fraud. Even though it is not your fault, the burden of proof is on you and the red tape is monstrous. So, do all that you can to protect you and your loved ones while they are online.

One way to do that is to arm your computer with anti-spyware tools. Spyware constitutes programs that hide within other programs, hence the name “spy.” Here’s how it works: You go to a site and download a program. The program may be hiding another program within to track how you use it. This is a non-lethal spyware program. It was probably employed by the site for statistical purposes.

Then, there are other spyware that, when downloaded, will go in and rewrite certain things on your computer without your consent. If you’ve ever downloaded something and then your home page changed, it was probably courtesy of a spyware program.

Both of these are mild examples compared to what usually happens. Even the mild spyware you don’t want. If someone has to do something behind your back to get you to try it, steer clear. More lethal spyware will search your files and retrieve financial information.

Anti-spyware tools and programs seek out these dastardly additions and eliminate them. A well-protected computer will have both antivirus and anti-spyware installed for a wider net of protection. Spyware tools, like antivirus can be obtained for free or paid for.

Shop Around

Know what you are buying. Be sure that free programs offer you adequate spyware protection. Sites like STOPzilla and pctools offer free spyware tools for you to use. These tools work behind the scenes in real-time and on schedules to detect spyware. They also clear your browsing history and prevent pop-ups all over your screen. Spyware also lets you know if a site in your search results is dangerous for you to visit.

Paid spyware offers a few more perks but make sure that you actually need those perks for your system. If you choose to pay, find software with multiple user capabilities so you can arm all of the computers in your home. Some good companies are Avast and AVG.

Protect yourself from the beginning. Use anti-spyware tools to prevent and remove spyware that threatens your computer.

There is another dilemma: With so many antivirus products on the market, which one do you choose? There is no right and wrong answers here but some people are concerned about the difference between the free programs offered and the ones that you have to pay a yearly subscription for.

Let’s backtrack a bit and talk about viruses. Unlike the ones that humans deal with, the computer variety can be found and eliminated before they cause trouble. Computer viruses get into your hard drive and wreak havoc. They slow your computer down by taking up your hard drive space. Once there, they can infect your programs and steal personal and financial information. What you are left with is a big mess that is a pain in the neck to fix.

Antivirus software may come pre-installed on your computer. If it does, it is likely a free trial or a paid subscription that you ordered with the system. Either way, its job is to detect viruses within items on your hard drive and remove them according to your specifications. When the paid subscription is up for renewal, you’ll receive pop-up messages warning you that your system is about to be left unprotected.

What many computer owners don’t know is that you have a choice. You don’t have to pay for antivirus, when many companies offer antivirus software for free. We have all heard the adage, “You get what you pay for,” but, just like everything else, it is best to shop wisely before making a choice.

Ideally you want antivirus protection to alert you when a virus is trying to hack your system. Also, spyware falls into this category. The software will let you know if spyware a danger from anything that you have or will download.

A free program can do that is so much the better for you. Free doesn’t mean cheap, just minimal. Some companies offer a program that does what you need, but offers the extra bells and whistles for a fee. Depending on your computer usage, the bells and whistles are not needed. They take up extra hard drive space and almost never get used.

For a person, like yourself, who is careful about where they go on the Internet the basics of free antivirus protection will work. Protecting yourself with some basic surfing and downloading guidelines is half the battle.

Here is some good advice: While you are still within the free 30-day trial that the manufacturer gave you, compare free and paid software. If the free software gives you what you need, go for it. You can always change later.

The first thing to remember is even though your computer screen or monitor resembles a television screen, you don’t clean it the same way. Spraying Windex on your screen will create bigger problems. Computers work hard but they are delicate. Take the soft approach.

Cleaning the Screen

Whether a laptop or a PC, the screen will get dirty. You touch it and dare we say, probably have sneezed on it (deadlines still exist even when you are under the weather). Over time, all of this stuff builds up on your computer and needs to be cleaned off.

To see just how dirty your computer is, turn it off and stare at the blank screen. Before you scream, grab a lint-free cloth. You can buy them at any computer store.

Gently apply even pressure as you wipe dirt and dust off of the screen. Be aware that pressing too hard could damage the components in the screen. This is not so much the case with a computer monitor unless you have one of those newer flat screen ones.

If the screen is still not clean, you can apply a little cleaner specifically for computer monitors to the screen. When the hard stuff softens, wipe it away with a lint-free cloth. Commercial cleaners may say that they are safe for computers but using an approved is best and won’t leave a film on your screen.

Cleaning the Keyboard

The worst looking place on your computer is the keyboard. Over time, dust, lint, dirt, food and other small particles get wedged between keys. Since the keys are so close together, it is nearly impossible to clean between them with a cloth and not pop your keys off.

Instead, use a can of compressed air to clean your keyboard. Start at one end of the row of keys and direct the spray towards the other to move all the dirt out in one direction. Use some of the screen cleaner to wipe skin oils from the keyboard keys. Follow all of this up with a computer brush or computer vacuum to remove the last bits of debris.

Try to perform this maintenance on a monthly basis. It prevents sticky key situations and you scratching on the screen to remove dirt. Not to mention, those nasty germs will no longer linger and make you sick again! Take care of your computer and it will take care of you.

There are many reasons that computers begin to run slow: viruses, not enough memory, too many applications (goes along with insufficient memory) or a lot of files. Whatever the reason, something needs to be done so you don’t have to work at a snail’s pace.

Behind the scenes on your computer, many things are going on. If you get on the Internet, your computer may be allowing “cookie” files to be stored to remember where you’ve been. We download any and everything from music to videos to eBooks from the Internet. There are temporary files created for some of your downloaded items that can accumulate over time.

Sometimes, the hard drive just needs to be cleaned up a bit. With the defrag process, the computer finds ways to free up space on your hard drive. This cleaning process ensures optimal performance from your computer when something else is not the problem. Defragmenting your computer is a good first step when performance is not at its best.

If you are having a hard time navigating the various files on your computer, the proper name of the process used to correct this is “Disk Defragmenter.” You can use your program search bar on the Start Menu to find it easily. The defragmenter takes fragmented files and consolidates them or gets rid of them completely depending on what they are and if they’re needed.

This is not something that you need to do every day. Remember, you are maintaining here. Performing the operation once a week is good for those who use their computer every day and create a lot of documents and files. The best thing about Windows is that these maintenance operations can be set up on a schedule so that they work behind the scenes like Santa at Christmas. Schedule maintenance operations at odd times like early in the morning or in the middle of the night, when you are not at work on your computer in order to keep them from slowing down your PC while you’re trying to work.

In a nutshell, disk defragmentation is important for everyone. Scheduling the operation leaves your brain free to think about other things. If the defragmentation process does its job, your computer will continue working well for you without any hitches or glitches.

For a long time, people didn’t think about the computer screen. When the screen is bright it is easier to see, especially when the surrounding light is low. But, if you have ever looked at someone sitting in a dark room looking at a computer screen, what does it remind you of? That’s right – someone watching television. The only difference is that we are taught not to sit that close up to a television screen.

No wonder the screen’s glare affects you so! For office workers and home business owners, the computer is a necessity. Whether it is a laptop or a PC, you rely on it to conduct your business. So, what can you do to stop the eyestrain?

• Tip #1 – Unplug your laptop. When your laptop is plugged in it runs on AC power. The computer screen is brighter while you work. A good laptop battery can run free of AC power for six or eight hours. Even a four-hour battery will serve you well. So, simply unplug. The screen is now dimmed since it is using the battery. Work in four hour periods and then recharge the battery while you do something else.
• Tip #2 – Use lamps and overhead lighting to compensate. If your monitor allows you to adjust the settings, turn them down. A desk lamp can compensate for the low light and help reduce the eyestrain.
• Tip #3 – Invest in a glare filter. For PCs the filter is made into a bracket that fits over the monitor screen. For long hours spent on the computer, your eyes won’t become strained and cause headaches. Using the filter all the time will benefit everyone who uses the computer.

For laptops, glare filters fit on the edges of the screen frame or directly on the screen. They can be removed when you are done working. Some glare filters even incorporate privacy so that no one can see what you are doing on your laptop unless they are directly in front of the screen.

Now you don’t have to wear your sunglasses indoors when working on your computer. You’re now equipped with something even better: Three solutions to stop the headaches and still get your work done or surf the web for fun.

Your computer has a hard drive. And, that hard drive has a certain amount of memory on it. It is a good idea to buy a computer with hard drive memory in mind so multiple applications or multiple files won’t slow your system down. Sometimes, you need external storage for more versatility.

A flash drive is another form of storage device. They usually connect to your computer via USB ports. They can range from 256MB to several gigabytes in storage capacity. You can have huge external hard drives with terabytes of data storage space, but we will concentrate on the flash drives for now.

Flash drives have several advantages.

1. They are portable. You can use them anywhere you have a computer with a USB port. Your data is always with you when you need it.
2. They are durable. You can hang them on a lanyard; place them in your purse or even in your pocket. Because of their size and lack of moving parts, a little jumbling is tolerated well.
3. They can store massive amounts of data for almost instantaneous retrieval. Keep your pictures, music, videos and movies on flash drives to be used anywhere. They replace carrying around tons of folders in your briefcase.

Realistically, you only need as many flash drives as you have different tasks to use them for. For example, personal and business needs can be kept separate on two flash drives to avoid pulling up pictures of baby’s first bath at the monthly sales meeting. Buying a flash drive, with future storage in mind, ensures the most memory for your buck.

It is easy to check to see how much memory you have on a flash drive to know if it is time for another one to be purchased. When you plug one in to your computer, you can access information on it and about it. From your Start menu, go to Computer.

Here, all of your computer storage media are listed. Under Removable Storage, you will see your flash drive listed according to the port it is attached to. Right clicking on the picture will reveal a menu. Choose Properties and view a pie graph comparing used to free space.

Flash drives are useful for portable storage when you don’t need to take your laptop along. This is great for PC users who can’t possibly drag their desktop everywhere with them. Buy flash drives with sufficient memory for present and future needs.

What is a video card? It is the component responsible for the pictures that you see on the computer screen. The video card is essential for gamers, graphic artists and the everyday website surfer. Before getting just the basic video card or the top of the line one, know how to shop for one.

A video card has four basic criteria for choosing one:

• Price
• Speed
• Resolution
• Card Slot Type

Video Card and Graphics Card

You may hear people talk about video cards and graphics cards. They are similar in what they do. Video cards are more useful to gamers. A gamer wants to have the greatest amount of memory on their video card so that they can play faster. Certain games take up a lot of space and no one wants to have technical difficulties just as they are about to slay the giant beast.

Video games have advanced beyond the huge rectangular blip that was the ball in the Atari table tennis game. Resolution is important but some gaming worlds are so advanced that faster play is more of the essence.

Graphics cards are desired more by graphic artists and those using CAD. Here, attention to detail is essential in your designs so that is what will be the main consideration here. The same goes for the casual user who surfs the Web.

Types of Video Cards

This depends on what type of connection you have for a video card. The video card can already be installed to your preference in a new computer. If you build computers, this information is helpful.

Just so that you know, there are three main connection types for video cards. The ones that you will see used most often these days are AGP and PCI-E. Older connections use a VGA cable.

Price

Video cards range from moderately expensive to quite expensive. A website surfer won’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a video card, but a graphic designer might to suit their job needs. Cheaper doesn’t mean inferior quality, just fewer bells and whistles. That’s okay if you are not into gaming or computer design.
Not sure what all the letters mean? Talk to someone at your local computer store who can help you choose your video card wisely.

Most new computers are equipped with a sound card. The sound card allows you to hear what is happening on your computer screen. Some people don’t notice that there is no sound card installed because they don’t use the computer for surfing the Internet. If you are creating and managing documents on your PC no sound is required.

If you are one those computer owners that installs a PC game and finally realizes that you can’t hear anything coming from the screen, don’t be alarmed. You have not gone deaf. All you need is a sound card.

Just about any office supply and computer store sells sound cards. Before buying one, you can check the computer compatibility specifics either on the PC or in the user manual to see if there are any guidelines for choosing a sound card. If you have no clue, you can always ask the store personnel. Describe your computer system and they can recommend a sound card. Creative makes the Sound Blaster series of sound cards that most people are using these days.

Installing a sound card for the first time is relatively simple for anyone to do. Just a few suggestions: Before opening the back of your PC tower, make sure that it is unplugged and you are grounded to avoid any unfortunate accidents. It’s also good to stay away from carpet when performing the installation. Problems with static electricity are not an urban legend.

1. Find your sound card slot on the back of your tower. On most computer towers, empty slots are covered over with a metal bar. Use the first empty slot after an occupied one for the sound card.
2. With a screwdriver, remove the metal bar over the slot.
3. Remove your sound card from its packaging. Be careful not to touch any of the colorful connections on the card as this may damage them.
4. Slide the sound card into the open slot. It will click into place. If you feel any resistance, stop. The card may be inserted upside down. Remove and start again.
5. Once the sound card slides into place screw it back in. turn your PC tower upright and reconnect your peripherals (mouse, keyboard, etc.)
6. Turn on your computer. It should detect the new sound card when it boots up. If not, the instruction manual will guide you through the set up.

You are now ready to hook up those speakers and experience mind-blowing sound at every turn!

When you buy a computer, it comes with a certain amount of memory already loaded on. This storage is where you can save files, applications, music, videos, pictures and anything else you’d like. It would be great to have unlimited memory but that is not always the case.

Maybe you have noticed that your computer is running slower than usual. You have used Disk Defragmenter to combine files and get rid of others that you don’t need. A computer that still runs slow may need a memory boost.

You can check the memory capacity on your hard drive. If you go to Start Menu, click on Computer. You’ll see a visual representation of your hard disk drives (C and D). The C drive is what you are looking at. It will show you how much of the total memory is still free, such as “231GB free of 285.”

When you need more memory, it’s not that hard to find. The quickest way is to check with your manufacturer. Most name brand computers have websites where you can find everything you need with a few clicks.

Let’s use Dell for example. On the bottom of a Dell laptop or on the Dell PC tower is your service tag number. With that number, you can access all of the information about the computer that they built for you. Now, you can find out which memory options you have for that model.

Memory comes in different configurations depending on the age of your computer. It doesn’t require an expert, but you will need to pay attention to the instructions carefully to get it right. For a laptop, the memory can be inserted in the underside of the device.

In either case, be sure that the device is turned off and everything is unplugged before beginning. Working on a kitchen table away from carpeted flooring is best to avoid problems with static electricity. Be sure that you are grounded to avoid shock.

Read all instructions before beginning. There are dedicated slots for memory expansion in both devices. Before you purchase a new computer, see if it is more feasible to add memory for better performance.