Computer Advice for Novice Users

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Dave

This blog is a resource to help new and inexperienced users solve problems with MS Windows based PC’s .  The majority of problems commonly encountered on modern PC”s are software problems. The majority of software problems are caused by unwanted programs collectively called Malware. Knowing how to avoid Malware is an essential skill for a modern computer user. Knowing how to get rid of it isn’t as important as avoiding it in the first place, but it is a helpful skill that we will also discuss here.

The articles for beginners presented here will help you maintain your computer and get maximum enjoyment when you use it. Nothing is more frustrating than a slow computer. I know it because a deal with them all day. It’s my job. I would rather build PC’s or upgrade them than fix stupid software problems, but that’s what I’m stuck with too often these days. I have all kinds of good advice. We will start with the basics. Feel free to post questions on the articles.

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Basic Hard Disk Maintenance Pt.1

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Dave

Cleaning Up Temp Files

Windows is the operating system found on most consumer geared personal computers. It comes in several versions. Microsoft is busy developing the next version even before the latest version is released. A computer you buy today will more than likely have Windows 7. If you bought it before 2010 it likely has Windows Vista. If it was purchased before 2007 it likely has Windows XP. The good news is these operating systems are all fairly similar. What you learn on one can usually be applied to another. To see what version of Windows you are using, go to the Start Menu, right click on Computer or My Computer and choose Properties. This will Display the system information.

Now we can try some general maintenance. We will do a Disk Cleanup. Go to the Start Menu, click on Computer or My Computer. You will see a list of storage devices. Right click on Local Disk and choose Properties. Notice that we see how much drive space is available(see graphic below.) Even if you have lots of drive space it’s a good idea to do a disk cleanup. It gets rid of temporary files that can slow down the computer if they accumulate.

Push the Disk Cleanup button. If you are prompted choose Files from all users on this computer. Wait while the system is scanned.  When it’s done you will be presented with a dialog box with choices on what files to delete. Choose Temporary Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Thumbnails. If you choose Recycle Bin the Recycle Bin will be emptied. I don’t recommend compressing old  files. Uncheck this box if you see it. I also don’t recommend deleting the log files. Make sure these are not checked. Push the OK button to complete the cleanup.

You have completed a disk clean up. How often you should do it depends on how often you use your computer. I do it once a week.

Vista Disk Properties

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Streetlight Animated gif.

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Dave

 I did this by altering the color balance of a photo with the Curves Tool in Photoshop. See : http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/photoshop-curves.htm.

Then I imported the original and the altered images into Adobe ImageReady as layers with the original on top. I animated the opacity of that layer from 100% to 0% using the Tween tool, and saved as a .gif file.

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