becoming a power user

Becoming a Power User!

Adam Kingadam@npowermichigan

.org


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• Computing Trends• Maintaining & Optimizing Your Computer• Upgrading Your Computer• Troubleshooting Problems• Backup & Security• Windows XP – Tips and Tricks• Office 2007 – Tips and Tricks• Tools to be More Productive• Additional Learning Resources• Open Session – Questions and Sharing

Today’s Session

Computing Trends

Operating System

XP Vista Windows 7

Office Suite2003 2007

Computing Trends

Portable Computers

$$$ $

Computing Trends

Mobile Devices(for communication, organization, productivity)

Computing Trends

• “Cloud Computing”– Programs accessed via Web browser– Rent vs. Buy– Hosted vs. host your own– Work from ANY computer

Computing Trends

• “Cloud Computing”

Computing Trends

Computer Maintenance & Optimization

• Large USB flash drive• Portable external hard drive• Small flashlight• Screwdriver set• Extra cables (USB, ethernet)• Hard drive adapter• Canned air• Software and Driver discs• Spare Keyboard and Mouse

The Power User Toolkit

Top Monthly Computer Maintenance Tips1. Run Microsoft Update monthly2. Clear out temporary system files3. Defragment your hard drive4. Run a spyware scanner5. Run a full virus scanner

Maintaining Your Computer

• 1. Microsoft Update– Windows + Office Suite = Microsoft Update

• Run manual update – Automatic doesn’t always cut it

• Updates released – 2nd Tuesday• Large Updates rolled into a Service Pack

– Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1, Office 2003 SP3, Office 2007 SP1


• Clearing out temporary files!– Temp internet and system files– Free up space– Speed up access times– Prevent problems from occurring (i.e. browser

issues and spyware)


• 2. Clearing out temporary files!– Step 1: Run Disk Cleanup– Step 2: Clear out browser cache


• Clearing out temporary files– CCleaner – the one stop shop!

– Download.com – search for “CCleaner”


• The Windows Registry– Database on the computer that stores all the

settings and information about the computer and software on the computer

– Careful when working with the registry!– Use CCleaner to clean registry


• 3. Defragmenting the Hard Drive– Gaps on the hard drive– Rearranges files and programs – Run monthly, don’t use while running– The more you run it the quicker it will be


• Defragmenting the Hard Drive– Faster Defrag – Auslogics Disk Defrag

– Download.com – search for “Auslogics Defrag”


• 4: Run a spyware scanner– Spybot – MalwareBytes


Available for download at www.Download.com

http://www.download.com/

• 5: Run a full virus scan– Keep subscription active– Update definitions (i.e. Norton LiveUpdate) – Use alternate scanner:

• TrendMicro HouseCall – http://housecall.trendmicro.com • Panda Antivirus – http://pandasecurity.com/activescan


http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

http://pandasecurity.com/activescan

• Keeping it Clean– Shoot it with canned air– Keep off the floor– Don’t use a vacuum – Clean out mice– Wipe down surfaces


• Uninstall unused programs– A lean computer is a fast computer

• Don’t install what you don’t need– Webshots/screensavers, Weather programs,

Toolbars• Stop programs from running at startup

Optimizing Your Computer

• Turn off System Indexing– My Computer Right Click C:\ drive

Properties Uncheck “Allow indexing…”


• Change Background to Solid Color– Right click on Desktop Choose Desktop tab

Choose Background: None


• Reduce Size of Recycle Bin– Right click on Recyle Bin Move slider to 3%


• Computer Inventory– TechAtlas.org

• Network Documentation– Account information, passwords,

IP addresses, contact info, network diagram, etc.

Be Organized

For Yourself: For Your Organization:

• Keep files organized in named folders

• Don’t store lots of files on the desktop

Be Organized

www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=12489

Be Organized

• Network Documentation Template

http://www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=12489

• Stick with “Business Class” systems• Maximize processor • Plan for one upgrade• Laptops: Go with the LARGER battery• Laptops: Get the accidental protection

warranty

Computer Buying Tips

Monitor Size

2008 University of Utah Study:

Participants using 24 inch monitor completed tasks 52% faster than those using an 18 inch monitor.

Productivity dropped off when using 26 inch monitors.

• Dell Vostro 220– Intel Core 2 Duo E8500– Windows XP Professional

(Home vs Pro?, Home vs. Business?)

– 3 GB of RAM – DVD +/- RW drive– 160 GB Hard drive– 22” LCD Monitor– Integrate Video & Audio– 1 year warranty


$788 on 5/18/09

• Dell Latitude E5500– Intel Core 2 Duo P9600– Windows XP Professional– 4 GB of RAM – DVD +/- RW drive– 160 GB Hard drive– 9 Cell Battery– Bluetooth– Integrated Video & Audio– 3 year onsite warranty + accidental damage


$1450 on 5/18/09

Best Source for Professional Reviews:

Best Source for User Reviews and Purchasing:


Upgrade Your Computer

Upgrade Your Computer

• Why?– Slowing down, running out of space

• What? – Memory, Hard drive, processor (maybe…)

• When?– Less than 3 years old

• Inside the computer– Hard drive– Memory– Processor– Power supply– Motherboard– Add-in cards (video, audio, etc.)

Know Your Computer Parts

Step 1: Determine how much memory you haveStep 2: Determine the right kind of memory

Upgrade Your Memory

Step 3: Install the Memory

Upgrade Your Memory

Step 4: Verify it is installed correctly

Upgrade Your Memory

Upgrading a laptop:

Upgrade Your Memory

Step 1: What type of hard drive?

Upgrade Your Hard Drive

OR

Step 2: Install the drive


Step 3: Image old drive to new


Step 1: Determine your socket type

Upgrade Your Processor

Step 2: Remove processor fan and unitStep 3: Apply thermal greaseStep 4: Insert new processor unit and fan


Step 5: Verify installation


Computer Processors

The Good

• Intel Core 2 Duo

• Intel Core 2 Quad

• AMD Athlon 64 x2

• AMD Phenom x4

• AMD Turion 64 x2 (moblie)

The Bad

• Intel Pentium D

• Intel Pentium 4

• AMD Athlon 64

The Ugly

• Intel Celeron

• AMD Sempron

• AMD Opteron (mobile)

Computer Processors

• Processor Specs– # of Cores– Speed (in Gigahertz)– Cache– Speed of FSB

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E8400 (3.0GHz, 6M, 1333MHz FSB)

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E7300 (2.66GHz, 3M, 1066MHz FSB)

Vs.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting requires a systematic thought process that starts at the most basic level and moves towards the complex as possibilities are eliminated.

Troubleshooting

• General Troubleshooting Tips:– #1 Power User Trick: Reboot!

then…

– Ask the question: Is it just me, or everyone?– Look around: Check physical connections, flashing

lights, etc. – What has changed since it was last working?– Test with “known good” equipment – Write down error messages and numbers exactly

Troubleshooting

• General Troubleshooting Tips:– You are not the first person to have this issue!

Troubleshooting

• Keyword searches• Use “quotes” for exact

errors

• Google-it!– Problem : “Something happened and now my

monitor is displaying everything upside-down!!”

Troubleshooting

• Solutions:– Use CTRL+ALT+Arrow Keys– Check your video card settings

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 1: Computer makes loud noise at boot up!– Open computer, clean out dust– Listen to the fan– Listen to the hard drive

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 2: My computer won’t boot into Windows!– Remove any floppy disks, CD-ROMS, USB drives

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 2: My computer won’t boot into Windows!

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 2: My computer won’t boot into Windows!– Repair Windows XP

Troubleshooting

• Change Boot Order

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 2: My computer won’t boot into Windows!– Repair Windows XP

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 3: “I turn on the computer and the screen is black! All I hear are BEEPS!!”– The beeps MEAN something – MB, RAM, Video…– Count the beeps (#, long, short)– Each motherboard is different – Google it, Tech

support

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 4: “I can’t print!”– Check cables (power, USB, ethernet)– Check power– Check paper level, paper jams– REBOOT!– Reinstall printer

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 4: “I can’t print!”

Troubleshooting

Delete the printer


Troubleshooting

Download latest drivers


Troubleshooting

• Scenario 5: I can’t connect to the Internet!– Is it just you?

• Check cables• Reboot• Renew your IP address

Troubleshooting

• Renew your IP address– Start Run cmd

Troubleshooting

• Renew your IP address– Ipconfig /all

Troubleshooting

• Renew your IP address– ipconfig /release– ipconfig /renew

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 5: I can’t connect to the Internet!– Is it just you?

• Switch out your cable for “known good”• Follow you cable all the way to the router/switch• Swap out switches• Bad network card?

– (beware static shocks!)

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 5: I can’t connect to the Internet!– Is it everyone?

• Check cables• Check network equipment (router, modem, switches)• Power cycle router and modem• Call ISP

Troubleshooting

• Scenario 6: I can’t send or receive email– Is it everyone?

• Internet down• Email provider down

– Using Outlook?

Troubleshooting

Scenario 6…

Troubleshooting

• Bill Gates – BSOD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgriTO8UHvs

Troubleshooting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgriTO8UHvs

• Blue Screen of Death – BSOD

Troubleshooting

• IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL - 0×0000000A– Two devices trying to use the same memory space– Reboot usually fixes it

• PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA - 0×00000050– Incompatible software installed– Memory has gone bad– Motherboard has gone bad

Troubleshooting

Most Common BSOD’s:

Backup

• Scary Statistics:– A computer hard drive fails every 15 seconds– Over 2000 laptops are stolen or lost everyday– 1 in 5 computers suffer hard drive failure during

their normal useful life– Eventually, 100% of all hard drives will fail

Source: Realty Times

Backup

• My Documents• Shared files• Database files• Email• Accounting data• Organizational pictures• Favorites/Bookmarks• Fonts• Desktop

• Music• Personal or Non-

organizational data

What to Backup? What to Not Backup?(personal backup only)

Backup

• Personal Backup:

My computer

Backup

• Central file storage location:

Server or networked PC

Backup

• InternetPros

•Automatic and incremental

•Versioning

•Affordable option

•Offsite

Cons

•Relies on your Internet connection

•Recurring fee

Backup

• Disk Image

Backup

Email Backup

Google: “Outlook Backup”

Email Backup

Save your email backup to a external drive!

Computer & Network Security

• Use Strong Passwords:– 6 to 8 characters long using lower/upper case letters, numbers, and

symbols• 4 characters – 14 million possible passwords – 2 seconds

• 8 characters – 200 trillion possible passwords – 1 year

• 9 characters – 13 quadrillion possible passwords – 70 years

• 10 characters – 840 quadrillion possible passwords – 4000 years– Avoid words in the dictionary (easier to guess)– Use a sentence that means something to you

• Every Sunday I go to church at 9• E$igtc@9

– Change passwords

Computer and Network Security

• Threats:– Viruses + Spyware + Adware = MALWARE– Email attachments/links, “free” downloads


• Prevent Malware:– Keep antivirus software up-to-date and run a

monthly scan– Run Spybot and/or Malwarebytes regularly– Install Windows Defender –

www.microsoft.com/defender


++ = Safer computing

http://www.microsoft.com/defender

• Remove Malware:– Step 1: Update Antivirus Definitions– Step 2: Download and Update Spyware Scanner

• Spybot Search & Destroy• AVG Internet Security (free trial) – www.avg.com

– Step 3: Reboot Computer into Safe Mode


http://www.avg.com/

• Remove Malware:– Step 4: Run full virus and spyware scan


Step 5: Reboot

• Remove Malware:– Smitfraud remover - http://is.gd/nxJX – CoolWebSearch (CWS) remover - http://is.gd/nLRf


http://is.gd/nxJX

http://is.gd/nLRf

• Phishing


• Configuring Wireless Security


http://192.168.1.1

• Wireless Security Options– WEP is breakable– WPA2 Personal (aka WPA2-PSK)


• Wireless Router– SSID = the name of your network



• Wireless Router– Change default username/password

Windows XP

Tips & Tricks

• Keyboard Shortcuts:– + D = Show the Desktop– + E = Open “My Computer”– + Break = Open “System Properties”– SHIFT + DELETE = Delete, skipping the Recycle Bin– ALT + TAB = Switch between programs– Right Click + Drag = Copy or Move option– CTRL + SHIFT + Drag = Create a shortcut

Windows XP Tips & Tricks

• More Keyboard Shortcuts:– CTRL + C = Copy– CTRL + X = Cut– CTRL + V = Paste– CTRL + Z = Undo– CTRL + Y = Redo– CTRL + B = Bold– CTRL + U = Underline– CTRL + I = Italic


• Backup or transfer IE Favorites– My Computer C:\ Documents and Settings

USER Favorites


• Save Energy + Time– Windows “Standby” Mode

– Windows “Hibernate” Mode


• When a program freezes…– CTRL+ALT+DEL = Windows Task Manager


• Using MSConfig– Start Run msconfig


• Using MSConfig– When in doubt, don’t stop it– Safe to stop:

• Adobe stuff• Google updater/notifier• Quick Time (qttask)


• Edit Visual Effects to boost performance– Right Click My Computer Properties– Advanced Tab Performance Settings


Uncheck all but the last item.

Microsoft Office

Tips & Tricks

• Office 2007

Office 2007

$20 – TechSoup.org

• Word - .doc .docx• Excel - .xls .xlsx• PowerPoint - .ppt .pptx

Office 2007

• Office 2007 Compatibility Pack

Office 2007

Office 2007

• Save As PDF - http://is.gd/enw

Office 2007

http://is.gd/enw

• Customize the Quick Access Toolbar

Office 2007

• Outlook = Email, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes

Outlook

• Outlook Add-ins:– Xobni

Outlook

www.xobni.com

http://www.xobni.com/

• Word• Excel• PowerPoint

Office Suite

• Office.Microsoft.com

Office Help

Tools to be

More Productive

• LogMeIn.com– Free access to your computer at the office– Work on files, email, etc.

Tools & Tips for Productivity

Tools & Tips for Productivity• MeetingWizard.com

– Send a single meeting request to many people with proposed dates and times– Choose the time that works best for most– Automated email reminders


• Workspace.Officelive.com– Share and work on Office files from anywhere

• CostToDrive.com


• FreeConferenceCall.com– Host a conference call for free– Usually not a local number



• DimDim.com– Online voice, video– Share slides, show your computer Desktop– Free for 20 or less attendees


• RememberTheMilk.com & ToodleDo.com– Online To Do list– Access from any computer and sync with your phone– Prioritize, due dates, etc.– Email and RSS alerts on due dates


• ToodleDo.com

• MeetWays.com


• Firefox– Faster than IE– Tons of Add-ons


• Firefox Add-ons:

– http://is.gd/pxE

– http://is.gd/1zK8

– http://is.gd/nBgG

– http://is.gd/nBnV


http://is.gd/pxE

http://is.gd/1zK8

http://is.gd/nBgG

http://is.gd/nBnV

Additional Learning Resources

• HP Learning Center

Additional Resources

http://is.gd/nAP7

http://is.gd/nAP7

• A+ Certification– Computer training focusing on installation, configuration, diagnosing,

preventive maintenance and basic networking– Classes available at a New Horizons (www.nhgreatlakes.com)


http://www.nhgreatlakes.com/

• NPower Michigan’s Delicious


http://del.icio.us/NPowerMichigan

http://del.icio.us/NPowerMichigan

Q & A Forum

Adam [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

becoming a power user

Technology