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General => Technical Help => Topic started by: Summers76 on Wednesday 14 May 08 17:22 BST (UK)
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The other thread is locked so I hope its okay to post a handy hint, for members on site.
Like many others I save pages of information in folders and documents on my pc, sometimes I just save items for a short while. But just like your desk, filling cabinet or even your car...... needs a tidy up now and then, so does your pc.
If I have been busy with research data and my my pc, is going slow I find that once a month, I go through my Favourites/Files etc and delete, those links I dont need anymore.
Then I clear the cache, (sometimes pop ups can drop by) this will help for a start and shift most of them pronto.
Next I Defrag my files and folders (if this is your first go it may take some time, but will be worth it)
Then I use the computers in-built 'Scan System' to run a full Scan, again this can take a while ( my first try it took over an hour)
So if your having a few problems, no need to buy expensive gadgets, just use your own computers system.
Regards Summers
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Good idea to tidy up, but I have a few comments.
First, what OS and browser are you using?
In XP just using microsoft's own cleaners/antivirus etc may not be sufficient. Vista has much better utilities built-in. Macs are of course a different kettle of fish.
I use XP pro SP2/3
I highly recommend using [FREE!] ccleaner at least weekly to clear all the junk. This clears the cache, cookies and other rubbish. You do have to log into Rootschat (and other sites) again as it clears all cookies but this is much safer anyway. Safe link to their site:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/downloads/index.cfm?categoryid=1506&itemId=24149
I would not really recommend defragging your hard disk as often as you do unless you have very little memory. Doing it that often will not really give much speed advantage otherwise. I do it only about 6 monthly. XP tells you not to unless your hard disk is 10% fragmented or more. And, of course you need to have 15% free hard disk space. It depends very much how you use your computer, eg lots of work on photos, lots of downloads may need to do it more often.
If you have ever watched in horror as defrag has hung up and you are in limbo, you will know what I mean!
If by I use the computers in-built 'Scan System' to run a full Scan, you mean an antivirus scan, then you are not doing it often enough. You should have an antivirus scan scheduled weekly as a minimum, I do it 2-3/per week.
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summers
you would be amazed at the amount of people who have had a P.C for years,but only use it to connect to the net.I have had a friend for years who does just that ;D Her P.C is allways getting fixed ::) even a new one.For the simple reason it is always full of junk;D She hasn't got a clue how to do things on Like cleaning it out when it starts sticking.As My bruv once said years ago,when i said "I cant do that on mine" His reply was Celia you computer can do anything you want it to do" He was right it'sjust a case of getting to know your computer so saving yourself a fortune in the future. I often hear how do i do this or that,look in your computer and find out ;D ;D
Celia
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If you decide to use CCleaner you can choose to keep the cookies for sites like rootschat which means you don't have to log in every time.
The place to find that is to click options and then cookies.
Christine
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Christine, I know, but I prefer to re-login, as multiuser computer.
There are some sites I need to logout of every time (banking, share dealing) so I prefer to keep the login/logout habit anyway.
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Hello Celia, Christine and pjbuk007, many thanks for your posts. Like many others on site its only a few years since I started exploring sites re'Family History and Holiday destinations ' and to store my large collection of photographs (family and holidays)
Many places do intro courses on 'Working With Your Computer' thats what I did, and made new friends all ages while learning.(the eldest on the course was 80yrs young)
My computer is a few years old, and was given to me by a family member. It works like clockwork now, but like I tried to explain in my first post, pjbuk007, you must give your computer a good clean out/ and delete any unwanted files on a regular basis. (yes by all means install a Firewall etc to halt those nasty Spams)
I have friends who paid a lot of money for systems that said on the instructions, will clean your PC, some friends with upto date laptops and modern computers said they were not impressed.
The original point I was trying to make was that many of us are not technology experts, and by reading your computer instruction book, newbies may just find the answers they need.
I am not in any way going to advertise any products, but many of them are very expensive to buy, and at the end of the day may not really help.
As it is my computer is my best friend and now only needs a overhall every three or four months. Compared to when I first started using it.
Truly its never too late to sign up for a Learners Course on the Do's and Dont's.
Happy surfing to all on Rootschat........Summers :)
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I can nearly allways tell when people went to computer Lessons to learn how to use one.They put capitol letters comers and full stops in the right places ;D I went to one as well ;D
Celia
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Hi Summers I was trying to be tactful about managing your computer. Your basic idea is fine but I would argue with much of what you say, and am now seriously concerned that you seem to imply that I should go on a basic computer course.
Maybe you did not mean that, but as someone who has had her own PC since 1985 (not the same one) and used computers at work for heavy duty data analysis since 1981, I must beg to differ!
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I must agree with pj.....
I've been using computers since 1976 (thats actually operating it, not using a terminal!) and a home computer since the early 80s. I've NEVER had a pc/laptop overhauled by anyone and only one virus due to a teenage daughter and music downloads. I won't tell you what I said to her! :-X
My pc does occasionally run slow but then I do a quick cleanup. Defragging is a LAST resort and only if general clearing the temp files etc doesn't make a great deal of difference and its definitely not a weekly occurrence - maybe yearly.
Virus check once a week but I do have it running in the background all the time as well. Plus Adware run once a week, if I remember ;D
Windows updates are the only necessary evil that unsettle my pc on occassion.
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I can nearly allways tell when people went to computer Lessons to learn how to use one.They put capitol letters comers and full stops in the right places ;D I went to one as well ;D
Celia
Hi Celia,
I learned that at school, not as a result of a computer course.
It was called writing the King's English in my day! ;D English has changed as well since I was at School. ::)
Still I suppose I am getting on a bit! ;D I don't feel it though, still young at heart I am. ::)
I taught myself how to use a computer, with a little help from my friends! :) :D ;D
Rabbit B ;)
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Christine...is there a link to download that CCleaner and is it a freebie :o :o
Jane
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Hi Jane,
Here's the link and yes it is free ;D ;D
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Christine
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Hi Jane
I have to admit that using ccleaner for the first time terrified the life out of me in case I lost anything, but it is well worth it.
And having to relog in to various sites with user names and passwords is no big deal anymore, I have them all written down in a book anyway ;D
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I have never had any problems with it and it is very quick.
If you use it for cleaning the registry it gives you the option to back the files up in case you have a problem after deleting. I always use this option but everything has always been ok after deleting.
Christine
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Quote Rabbit
I learned that at school, not as a result of a computer course.
It was called writing the King's English in my day!
I suppose i did to,but it was so long ago i don't remember ;D
The only reason i went on a computer course years ago was because i was bored.My brother suggested it,i said no i cant type, not interested real reason being,i was terrified of them ;D.I have been forever gratefull to him since,because he got a form,made me fill in,and took me the coledge to hand it in.I was hooked on the first day ;D and bought a computer 6 month later,
Celia
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Quote Rabbit
I learned that at school, not as a result of a computer course.
It was called writing the King's English in my day!
I suppose i did to,but it was so long ago i don't remember ;D
The only reason i went on a computer course years ago was because i was bored.My brother suggested it,i said no i cant type, not interested real reason being,i was terrified of them ;D.I have been forever gratefull to him since,because he got a form,made me fill in,and took me the coledge to hand it in.I was hooked on the first day ;D and bought a computer 6 month later,
Celia
Good for you Celia,
Doing it that way takes guts! My Son had an old one years ago which he used to do his thesis, I did a lot of the work for him, after using a typewriter. It was bliss!
It was the word processing bit that appealed to me. The first time I ever used a PC was at the OU Summer School having to land a rocket ship loaded with fuel. I crashed it! I never was any good at maths!
Since then I have used loads of different programmes, strange really because I worked outdoors most of the time in my younger days!
I did a typing course many years ago, but never used it until I got into PC's. Hated it so!
Rabbit B ;D
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Hi Summers I was trying to be tactful about managing your computer. Your basic idea is fine but I would argue with much of what you say, and am now seriously concerned that you seem to imply that I should go on a basic computer course.
Maybe you did not mean that, but as someone who has had her own PC since 1985 (not the same one) and used computers at work for heavy duty data analysis since 1981, I must beg to differ!
Summers reply to PJbuk007, and other Rootschat members.
I am sorry if my use of words in any of my posts has upset any other visitors to read this thread (332 at this moment in time)
With the utmost respect I did not imply that PJbuK007, needed to take any lessons. My comments and views were made to the many newbies, (and I still class myself as one,) who find computers sometimes challenging to say the least.
And this was after I had read the many, many posts on Rootschat, from learners/newbies on other threads, each one asking for help.
Again I am sorry if anyone has taken my post personal , but to those technology experts on site please realise that sometimes, just sometimes the technical jargon/expressions used, can scare the life out of learners.
I am a mature student who is not ashamed to say I felt ill when I first took the computer lessons, later on over tea-break I realise I was not the only one in the class to feel that way.
regards Summers
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Hello Rabbit B
I wonder did you start out with an old fashioned typewriter.a one that weighed half a ton.I did, oohh!! a simple letter made my fingers so sore as I pressed hard on the keys.
Years later I bought a lightweight handy portable word-processor, and that helped me to enjoy writing again, the slight touch of the keypad and your words are in print.
Now with the help of Family and good friends I have an old but trusty computer.
Regards Summers
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Oo err Summers!
There is something very fishy going on here. I got my last post in a 'quote colour blue', with your name on. Nothing else, so I hit the reply button and there underneath is the post that you have written that was not showing up minus the 'quote' ??? Strr-an-ge ???
Gremlins!!!
Now I did a typing course back in the 50's and hated it, so did not stick it for long! I had had to leave school because of an RTA at 14. So I was trying to get some training of some sort, hence the typing course. :-\
They were huge machines in those days! The in the late 60's I was given one when I was a Guider and raising money to help build our Scout/Guide hut, that one must have been one of the first ever made! It is an antique! [Don’t say like the owner] ;D ;D]
I have still got an almost new electric typewriter as well up in the loft, it is a good make and not a cheap one! But, when my Son got his Atari that was me hooked! ::)
Rabbit B ;)
PS Now all of that quote has gone! You must have deleted it!
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Hi Rabbit B, :) not sure about the gremlins on my last post to you :-[ I did say I was a learner, I must have hit the wrong key.
What I was going to ask you, is do you have any special handy hints or tips, that may help other newbies like me...Make a cup of tea or coffe and if you have any hints, please do post below......regards Summers :)
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Hi Summers,
What you had done is an easy error, I have done it myself, and you have now corrected it! Never type inside the quote marks or the lot goes blue as you found out! The strange bit, was that your post showed up underneath only when I hit the reply button! Don't you just love computers! ::)
Thank heaven for the modify button I say! At least you can change it like that any time. ;D
Have you found the tea room? It is situated in the off topic bit and is now run by Gadget! That is the place for tea and coffee and general fun! Come and join us sometime!
Rabbit B ;)