Who Can I Ask?

     I've been using computers since 1963 and have yet to meet someone who never gets

     stumped by some things computers do.  It's the "unintended consequences" syndrome:

     you build a machine to do some complicated thing and unknowingly give it the capability

     to do unwanted things too.

 

     We all need help with computer problems now and then.  There is always someone else

     who has had the same problem or can find a way out of our latest problem.  How do you find

     such a person?  Read on.

 

1.  Have a live-in computer expert.  This isn't entirely facetious because I actually know someone (in the Class of '57) who has this advantage.  Realistically, this doesn't help many of us.

2.  Hire a computer expert.  The disadvantage here is the expense.  But a knowledgeable, experienced person with the right tools can be the fastest way to get a computer up and running again.  One of my computers got into a horrible state once that was way beyond my repair capabilities.  I never found out why or how.  For $50 an hour and a couple of hours, a clever man pulled it back from the abyss.  He found the problem so interesting and unusual, he charged me only for one hours' work because he learned so much from it.  Wish I could say the same.

3.  Talk with friends.  If you know someone who might be helpful, ask him or her...or a child of someone.  Even if he or she doesn't know what's going on either, he or she may have suggestions of things to try.  You can then decide if you want to follow these ideas or not.  Perhaps this friend will even spend some time on your computer trying this and that; this is even considered fun by some people.

4.  Check the web.  It might take a while to find something useful on the web, but it might not.  Of course, if your computer can't get on the web because of the problem, this will have to be done at another computer (a friend's or at a library).  But many problems aren't that severe.  For example, if a software product doesn't work as it should, the company may have a web site with FAQ (frequently asked questions) where your problem is discussed or the web site may have a way to contact them with a question.

5.  Ask the Class of '57.  Send your problem in to Phil who will broadcast it to others who read this web site...anonymously, if you wish.  I know some clever people who don't read this web site and could bounce the problem off them too.  I can't give any guarantee beyond giving it a good try but that just might be enough.  E-mail me at prinard@losalamos.com.  Some problems are easiest to discuss on the phone and I am willing to do that too, but e-mail me first.

 

6.  If you ask me, a large percentage of problems can be cured with a small number of simple actions.

    (a) Turn your computer off, wait a minute, turn it back on.  This is "rebooting" and gives the computer a chance to heal itself .

    (b) If a program behaves badly, reinstall it to elimination some part of it that has gotten corrupted.  It is usually best to remove the old program first, reboot, and then reinstall the new program.

    (c) If you don't have an antivirus or anti-spyware program, buy one (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) and use it check your complete computer for bad things.  Keep such programs running any time the computer is on and regularly (weekly?) update the "definitions" for new viruses and spyware that are generated by the cretins who delight in causing trouble.  Get a firewall also (see "Help!" and "Computer Security").

    (d) If your computer runs fine, but seems slower than ever, try a registry cleaner.  (I use "RegCleaner" that I got from the web for free.)  I don't really understand the registry but I don't have to either.  I just know it's good to clean out litter than accumulates in it.

    (e) Another way to speed up a sluggish computer is by "defragmenting" the hard drive.  In Windows, open Explorer, click on "My Computer."  Right click on "C:" (your hard drive) and then on "Properties."  Next click on the "Tools" tab and finally on "Defragment now..."  It can take a while, but it's automatic and you can go do something that doesn't involve a computer.

7.  Computer Security.  Avoid the nastiest problems in the first place!  Make sure you have at least the minimum in computer security programs running with the latest updates.  See this web site's "Help!" and "Computer Security" menu options.

PLEASE send in your thoughts on this subject.  Mine are limited to what little I know and there's a lot more.  Beyond what I list here, what else can be done to attack problem computers?  I want to learn from your experiences and problems.