This month we deliver on our promise of the remaining five of our Top 10 Tips for looking after your computer. These are things you can do yourself to help optimise your PC for it's day to day running. They are not the answer to all your problems but do go along way to prevent minor hassles.
Also, if you are a Small/Medium Sized Business looking to expand your client base and contacts, check out the information below about an organisation that can help you do just that.
Due to the amount of calls and setups we have done over the last month regarding wireless networking, next month we'll have information giving you the pros and cons in going down the wireless path.
Regards,
Chris Gruiters
digitalfile
Once upon a time, your computer was brand new. It started up perfectly, ran your software without errors and it had never even seen the internet. However, over time things started to slow down. As you visited websites and installed software, something had a negative effect on your computer's performance. Your local Computer Troubleshooter can 'clean' things up, but what happens when you get your computer back again? Is it just a matter of time before another service is needed?
This month, we continue with the remainder of our ‘Top Ten Tips' for looking after your computer:
|
6. Cleanup your disk:
As you perform tasks on your computer (like browsing the internet), a trail of ‘temporary' files are left behind, so your computer can access your information faster the second time around. Unfortunately, these are often not cleaned up again and the pile of temporary files grows bigger, taking up valuable space on your hard disk. The easy way to delete these (without deleting something important by mistake) is with Microsoft's Disk Cleanup program. In Windows XP you can find it under Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. We recommend you run this once a month.
7. Defragment your disk:
How does your paper filing cabinet look? Is everything logically stored and labeled, or it is messy, with documents stuffed in wherever you could find room? You'd agree that it's much quicker to retrieve documents from a tidy filing cabinet. The physical storage of files on your computer can get messy too, slowing down the time it takes to open them. Microsoft's Disk Defragmenter program literally tidies up the ‘fragments' of your files, much like tidying your filing cabinet. In Windows XP you can find it under Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. We recommend you run this once a month too, after your Disk Cleanup.
8. Remove & prevent dust: A serious, hidden danger lurks in the room with your computer – dust. Just like a blanket, even a thin layer of dust inside your computer causes heat to build up which can cause permanent damage to your computer's vital internal components.
|
Do not place your computer directly onto carpet - it will suck up carpet fibres and dust. Check the outside of your computer case and brush off any dust from the fan grills (with your computer turned off!. If they are looking particularly dirty, call your local Computer Troubleshooter – they can clean the dust from the components inside your case too.
9. Upgrade your hardware:
As technology advances, new software programs require more computing power. Asking your old computer to perform new tricks could place too much strain on it. You may have an option to upgrade individual components rather than buy a whole new computer. Consider upgrading your computer's memory, hard disk or processor to speed things up and handle your new software. Your local Computer Troubleshooter can advise if this is a cost-effective option for you.
10. Address little problems before they become big ones:
If you notice a minor problem with your computer, call your local Computer Troubleshooter. It can be significantly more cost-effective to fix a minor problem straight away, than waiting for it to compound and then require major work. Keep a log book to record the details of any problems, including what you were doing at the time and the exact wording of error messages. This can help speed-up our troubleshooting process, as we follow your trail of ‘clues' to help us determine the source of the problem.
|
Call us on 8503 7057 to discuss how these tips
can help in your particular situation. |
|
businessfile
Are you looking to expand your network as far as business contacts go? We are part of a group currently looking to form a BNI (Business Network International) Chapter in the Clayton/Oakleigh area and are looking for potential businesses to compliment our current list of members. If you would like to be part of a brand new Business Network to help expand your clientele and help other like-minded businesses in your area then call us for more details on 8503 7057 or go to http://www.bni.com.au for more information.
Attention! DELL BATTERY RECALL
For those of you who made a recent purchase of a Dell Notebook, you maybe interested in the recall that was made last month regarding the possibility of the batteries overheating and catching fire. Click Here for the Dell Site Information or Click Here to see the article at Economist.com |
|
The comptroub file is Computer Troubleshooters means of communicating with you on a regular basis. It provides updates of the changing digital age and informative reading.
We trust you enjoyed this edition.
Happy surfing
The Team @ Computer Troubleshooters - Oakleigh
ph: +61 3 8503 7057
| If you do not wish to continue receiving the comptroub file, Reply to this email with REMOVE in the subject line.We would like to advise Computer Troubleshooters has always adopted strict privacy principles, by keeping all client and database details secure and not disclosing any of this information to any party without prior permission. |
 |
|
|
contactfile
Computer Troubleshooters
Oakleigh
e: cgruiters@comptroub.com
p: +61 3 8503 7057
f : +61 3 8503 7598
w: www.ctsoakleigh.com.au
newsfile
SME broadband use soars
Ross Kelly in Sydney
JULY 25, 2006 |
|
|
THE proportion of small businesses using broadband internet has skyrocketed in the year to May, and use of wireless technology like Blackberries and satellite navigation devices is also on the up.
The latest Sensis e-Business Report has revealed 80 per cent of the 1,800 small and medium sized enterprise (SME) owners it interviewed had a broadband connection. That was well up from 63 per cent in the previous corresponding year.
"You can see a huge growth in broadband adoption, particularly if you look at it year-on-year for the last five years," said report author Christena Singh. Back in 2002, only 17 per cent of SMEs had a broadband connection, in 2003 it was 30 per cent and in 2004 it was 43 per cent. "So growth has really shot up, especially in the last two years," Ms Singh said.
The percentage of households with a broadband connection has also increased apace. In the year to May 2006, 49 per cent of 1,500 Australian households interviewed had a connection - up from 31 per cent the year before.
The spend on software increased $100 per business to a total spend of $3,400 in the year, with software purchases for calendar 2006 predicted to be at the same levels as 2005.
Not surprisingly, accounting software, general office and internet/email packages were the top three most popular software packages purchased. Security software jumped to fourth, bought by eight per cent of respondents this year, up from negligible levels the year before.
On the wireless front, half of respondents had a notebook or laptop computer, seven per cent had a mobile e-mail device like a Blackberry hand held device and 12 per cent had a car fitted with some form of satellite navigation device. Last year, the number of businesses using wireless technology was negligible, Ms Singh said.
Such technology will allow SMEs to compete more effectively with bigger businesses, Ms Singh said. "It may even help them better juggle the delicate balance of work and home life," she said.
|
Phone 85037057 for help and
advice on switching to broadband. |
|
