How NOT to Crash your Computer
By: Taylor Helsper
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Introduction
Basic Computer Information
Common Issues
Conclusion
Questions
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What is this lecture?
◦ Part of a CSE 4000 Independent Study Course
◦ “Practical Issues in Software Engineering”
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What’s the point?
◦ To provide practical information to MSU students in
computer topics
Note: The products presented in this presentation are
merely examples and there are many alternatives that would
also work.
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Introduction
Basic Computer Information
Common Issues
Conclusion
Questions
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3 Main Parts
◦ Hard Drive
◦ Memory (RAM)
◦ Processor
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The ‘Motherboard’ links them all together
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Hard Disk Drive
◦ “Long Term Memory”
◦ Where files are saved
◦ Programs are installed
◦ Measured in Gigabytes (GB)
and Terabytes (TB)
http://www.wdc.com/global/images/products/models/img4/300/wdfCaviarBlue_6Gb.jpg
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Memory (RAM)
◦ “Short Term Memory”
◦ Stores files being used
◦ Measured in Megabytes (MB)
and Gigabytes (GB)
http://images.crucial.com/images/resources/medium/package/184-pinDIMM.gif
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Processor
◦ “Brains”
◦ Performs all operations
◦ Speed measured in Hertz,
mostly Gigahertz (GHz)
http://www.interfacebus.com/Dual-Core-AMD-Opteron-Processor.jpg
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Introduction
Basic Computer Information
Common Issues
Conclusion
Questions
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Virus Protection
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Defragment the Hard Disk Drive
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Add Memory
http://www.shetlandcomputing.com/press_logo_avg1.jpg
http://www.corsair.com
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Prevents viruses
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Many Choices (Free)
http://www.shetlandcomputing.com/press_logo_avg1.jpg
◦ AVG
◦ Microsoft Security Essentials
◦ Sophos
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Stay up to date!
http://www.blogsdna.com/wpcontent/uploads/2010/12/microsoft-security-essentials.jpg
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Run Virus Scan
◦ Click on Tray Icon
◦ Click “Scan Now”
http://www.blogsdna.com/wpcontent/uploads/2010/12/microsoft-security-essentials.jpg
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Video Tutorials on How to
◦ Download
◦ Install
◦ Upgrade
◦ http://www.avg.com/us-en/tutorials.pnuid1285678304
http://www.shetlandcomputing.com/press_logo_avg1.jpg
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Defragging moves related files so they are
close together
Makes reading them faster
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How to defragment
◦ Start ->
Accessories ->
System Tools ->
Disk Defragmenter
◦ Choose your Hard Drive
with Windows ( C: )
◦ Click Defragment
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Upgrades “Short Term Memory”
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Easy to install in a desktop, not on laptop
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Do research, get the correct type!
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2+ GB Recommended
http://www.corsair.com
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Any Brand
◦ ATI / AMD
◦ NVIDEA
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256+ MB Memory
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Direct X 9.0+
http://www.amd.com
http://www.nvidia.com
Based on recommended settings for
Photoshop / CAD Programs used
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Issues?
◦ Update the driver
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No issues?
http://www.amd.com
◦ Don’t break it
http://www.nvidia.com
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Move Files to External Hard Drive
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Uninstall Junk
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Stay Organized
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Run ‘Disk Cleanup’
Clipart
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Same as a HUGE thumbdrive
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Inexpensive ($50 - $100)
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Connect with USB
http://www.wdc.com/global/images/products/mo
dels/img2/300/wdfElements_BAAU.jpg
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Search on newegg.com
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Remove programs you do not use
◦ Search through start menu
◦ Uninstall
 Start ->
Control Panel ->
Uninstall a program
◦ You can sort by size
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hM6wPbYqTOI/TOGq4XHRvdI/
AAAAAAAAAVs/VtT7cOkml3M/s1600/trash%2Bcan.jpg
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Deletes
◦ Temporary Files
◦ Recycle Bin Files
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Start ->
Accessories ->
System Tools ->
Disk Cleanup
Pick C: Drive
…
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There are many good alternatives
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Antivirus
◦ Sophos is supported by MSU ITS
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Spyware Removal
◦ Sophos
 ITS
 Website: http://www.sophos.com
 Tutorials
http://www.sophos.com
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Two Popular Brands
◦ AMD
◦ Intel
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Brand does not matter
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Pay attention to
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Look at recommendations for
your programs
http://www.amd.com
◦ Speed (GHz)
◦ Number of Cores (1,2,4)
http://www.intel.com/
Note: AMD and Intel speeds are measures different, so you cannot compare between
brands.
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Short Answer
◦ No
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Long Answer
◦ Only if you are running extremely low on hard drive
space
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It’s hard to tell
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If you notice anything wrong
◦ Run a virus / spyware scan
◦ Defrag your Hard Drive
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Make schedules
http://www.dnenetworks.com/images/100percent.jpg
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Two possibilities
◦ Your have a regular virus
 Fix by updating your virus software
or virus definitions
 Run a virus scan
clipart
◦ You have a virus that acts like virus software
 It asks you to buy and download their software to
remove it
 DON’T DO IT!
 Update your real virus software and run a scan
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Most files are important
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Only delete your own files
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Remove programs by going to
Start->
Control Panel->
Uninstall a program
http://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/uploads/important.jpg
Microsoft
Internet Explorer
http://windows.microsoft.com/ie9
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
http://www.google.com/chrome/
There are many browser options. These are three popular choices.
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Update your Operating System
◦ Windows
◦ Linux
◦ Mac
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Keep virus protection up to date
http://steve.files.wordpress.com/2006/03/Matrix%20tut%202.jpg
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Keep them in one place
◦ My Documents
◦ Thumbdrive
◦ External Hard Drive
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Name folders well
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Make Backups!
clipart
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Example Using Microsoft Security Essentials
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Open Program (Click Tray Icon)
Choose Custom Scan
Click Scan Now
Check the box next to your thumbdrive
Click OK
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See recommendations by MSU ITS
Make sure to install updates
If it runs Windows
◦ Use it
apple.com/macbookpro
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/
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Delete Trash / SPAM
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Outlook
◦ Downloads E-Mails to your computer
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Compress Folders
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It tells you what your computer is running
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Control + Alt + Delete -> Start Task Manager
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Check for processes that are running at a
high percent
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Get Information from Task Manager
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Restart
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Run Virus Scan
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Defrag
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Hard Drives can crash!
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Keep your files backed up
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If you think your hard drive might be going bad,
try this:
◦ http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287
◦ Download and run the diagnostic program for the maker
of your Hard Drive
◦ Or, ask someone for help
http://www.gottabemobile.com/wpcontent/uploads/2009/09/hard_drive_crash.jpg
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Virus Protection
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Backup Files
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Ask for Help
Information came from my general knowledge
due to experience and classes here at MSU.
All images used have the appropriate links
below them or came from Microsoft Clip Art.