What Killed My PC - Part 3

This is the third in a series of articles in which I deal with the cause of many of the pc failures I encounter. This month I will deal with the third most common cause of pc failures - hard disk problems.

Hidden PC Killer No 3
Perhaps the hardest working, but least understood, device in your computer is your hard disk. You will also hear it referred to as a “hard drive”, “storage drive” and incorrectly as “memory” but regardless of the name used the bottom line is this is where all of your programs and information are stored. It is common for people to become confused between memory and hard disks. Memory, correct name RAM (Random Access Memory), is used by your computer to run your programs. Ram is volatile and once the machine is shutdown any information in RAM is lost. The amount of RAM in your computer has a direct impact on your hard disk.

How Memory (RAM) Affects Your Hard Disk
Each time you run a program your computer decides if it has enough free Ram to load the program. If there isn’t enough it uses the hard disk as a swapping device and will swap in and out the programs as needed. The more programs you run in memory the more the computer does this. If you are running multiple programs with insufficient ram your hard disk takes a pounding. I seldom see a machine which is not suffering from overloading and hence the hard drives are worked to death.

Managing Your Hard Disk And Storage
With the advent of online movies and songs many computer users fill their hard disk with music and video downloads. Filling the drive to near capacity puts added strain on your hard drive because windows must search for areas to store you regular data. Again the hard drive takes a pounding and the life is shortened. Use an external usb drive for movie storage or purchase a second hard disk for this purpose.

Your Hard Disk and Heat
You must keep your computer and hard disk cool. The fuller the drive the harder it has to work and the hotter it gets. This is particularly true of laptop computers. If the machine feels hot to the touch underneath turn it off and allow it and the hard drive to cool. Running a machine hot will eventually cause either the drive or the main board to fail. With the advent of large capacity drives, and in particular the one terabyte models, overheating of hard drives has become more commonplace. For many computer users they remain blissfully unaware that their hard drive is slowly melting.

Tips For Maintaining a Healthy Hard Disk

• Don’t overload your hard disk with movies,music and spurious software.

• Don't install every internet application you come across. These programs use valuable Ram and this will eventually lead to bloat.

• Don’t continue to run your pc or laptop if believe it is overheating. On laptops you will feel that the bottom of the unit is hot to the touch. On pc’s you will hear excessive fan noise.

• Don’t move your laptop or pc when the machine is turned on.

• Don't continue to run your computer if you suspect the hard disk is failing. Turn off the machine and seek competent technical assistance immediately.

• Don't attempt to fix a hard disk problem yourself. I've seen multiple instances of valuable data lost because someone messed with the computer before it got to my bench.

What Killed My PC - Part 2

This is the second in a series of articles in which I will deal in some detail with the cause of many of the pc failures I encounter. If you take the time to read the articles and solutions you should be able to extend the life of your computer. This month I will deal with the hidden pc killer lurking inside your pc.

Hidden PC Killer No 2
At the heart of your pc is your computer processor. As you are no doubt aware it is responsible for all events occurring on your computer. These super small devices are extremely fast and it is mind boggling to consider how much information they can process. With ever year that passes the power of these processors increases. One of the unfortunate trade offs from the increased capability and the consequently amount of information flying in and out of the processor is heat build up and it is this topic I will deal with this month. Few of you ever considered that the cause of the unexpected demise of your computer was heat stroke.

Your Computer and Heat
Your computer must be kept cool. As delivered from the factory your computer will be equipped with at least two fans and various vents to enable cool air to be sucked in and the hot air to be sucked out. If any of these is blocked or malfunctioning the computer will heat up to the point where one or more components inside will be damaged and will fail. You may get indications of this but very often you will see or hear nothing until the damage is done and the computer just won’t boot.

Fans And Vents
The methods employed to cool your machine can also be the cause of its demise. As air is drawn in so too is whatever is in the air. Most manufacturers employ some type of filter system but this is not sufficient to prevent a build up of dust and dirt on and in the fans and vents overtime. Even if the input vents and fans are not blocked and working if the output vents are blocked or obstructed the whole process is compromised. Blocked and clogged fans and vents won’t stop your computer from running and unfortunately must systems do not have a fail safe system to prevent damage before it is too late.

Preventing Heat Build Up
Laptops
I will deal with laptops first because it is more common for heat damage in this group than in their desktop cousins. Firstly your standard laptop is not designed to be left on for extended periods. It is quite common for machines to be left on overnight after the teenager has fallen asleep. If you own a laptop you will be aware of the heat building up underneath and you may even hear the fan kick in to cool them machine. If your laptop is hot to the touch then the likelihood is that it is running too hot or you are running it for too long. In both cases you will eventually kill the machine. Thus it is sound practice to use the laptop in an area where it can draw in sufficient cool air (and no under the blankets is not one of those) and secondly do not leave the machine turned on for extended periods of time. When done turn it off and disconnect it from the mains, allow to cool before putting it in a laptop bag.

Desktops
With desktops the danger comes mainly from blocked input and output vents. I had a machine in recently where the measured temperature of the hard drive after two minutes was 190 degrees F or around 88 degrees Centigrade. The owner told me the machine had always been noisy due no doubt to the cooling fans being on full to cool the machine. This pc was a real fire hazard and worse still the owner told me he usually left it turned on. The problem was not blocked vents but a design fault which meant the machine could simply not stay cool enough as the case was too small. So how to prevent heat build up? Here’s how:
· Make sure your leave sufficient space around your computer for air to circulate.
· Ensure when placing your machine that you do not block the vents. You will find vents on the side and rear of most modern machines. Thus don’t jam your pc into a desk just because it looks neat!
· Monthly with the pc turned off and disconnected from the mains hoover in and around the machine and input and output vents. If the machine is near the kitchen the likelihood is that air borne cooking oil has attached itself to the fans and thus dust will cling to and build up on the fan blades. Smokers should also be aware that nicotine leaves a sticky residue on the fans which has the same effect.
· If the machine has never been in for service and you think you already have a dust and dirt build up send it in for a cleanup. I advise against doing this yourself as I’ve seen more than a couple of machines damaged by owners opening them up and trying to clean out dust. Those internal parts are delicate and you should not attempt to service the machine yourself anymore than you would service your heating boiler.

Conclusion
Heat build up is a real problem with computer systems and it not only can damage your computer but can turn it into a fire hazard. If you suspect it is overheating get it looked at sooner rather than later and take appropriate precautions before you do.

What Killed My PC? - Part 1

Over the next couple of articles I will deal in some detail with the cause of many of the pc failures I encounter. If you take the time to read the articles and solutions you should be able to extend the life of your computer. This month I will deal with the hidden pc killer lurking in your home!

Hidden PC Killer
You can’t see it, you can’t smell it but in the blink of an eye it will attack your computer and render it scrap metal. The hidden pc killer lurking in your home is hiding behind your power plugs - Its’ electricity.

Your Computer and Power
Unlike some electrical items, such as your electric cooker or microwave, your pc does not need the full level of power provided by the ESB. To reduce the power down the computer uses a power supply. If you have a laptop you can see your power supply it’s that small black box that connects between the pc and the power plug. The power supply is the heart of your system and once damaged your pc will not turn on.

Electrical Problems
The quality of electricity provided by the ESB is subject to environmental conditions and the demands placed on the grid. Both of these can cause serious electrical problems in the form of surges, spikes, brownouts and cuts. All of these conditions result in poor electrical supply which is poison to your computer and has the potential to damage your power supply. In severe cases the problem passes through your power supply and your memory, hard disk or motherboard sustain damage. When these problems occur it is rare to observe any indication that it has happened. You won’t see sparks, blue flashes, or smell burning but you may notice the lights flicker or dim. Electrical problems will damage not only your computer but will take out your broadband modem/router and I’ve seen this numerous times. These problems are not rare and occur fairly frequently. During storm conditions, common here on the east coast, the power levels can drop and sometimes there are multiple short term electrical power cuts. Each time these conditions occur they may also been accompanied by surges and spikes.

Symptoms Of Electrical Damage
Electrical damage to your pc can take two forms. The easiest to identify is component failure. Simply put your pc refuses to turn on and the power light is off. The second form of electrical damage results in what I term as a “walking wounded” computer. In this form one or more of your components is damaged but the pc will turn on and function. After several weeks or months the damage component will fail and you are left scratching your head as to the cause.

Preventing Electrical Damage
The simplest and most effective steps to prevent electrical damage are as follows:
1.Purchase good quality surge protectors designed to protect your computer and electronic equipment. I recommend Belkin surge protectors but surge protectors by APC are also of good quality. Don’t skimp here and buy cheap ones as they are a waste of money and simply do nor work. Electrical problems can also travel down the phone line and when purchasing surge protectors you can also protect your broadband modem with one equipped with phone line protection. Don’t forget to buy one for the big screen television if you have one.
2.Turn off and disconnect your computer and other sensitive components during stormy conditions particularly if you see lighting or the lights dim. Leave it off during the storm.

Battery Backup Systems (UPS)
My own systems, and the computers I repair ,are protected not only by surge protection but I also use backup battery systems which are called UPS's. This stands for uninterruptible power supply. A battery backup not only provides emergency power in a power cut but also provides surge protection. The models I use, from APC, monitor the power and alert me with a warning signal whenever they cut in to protected my systems from an abnormal electrical condition. During the winter months I hear this alarm quite frequently and only last night(Sun 28th June,2009) I heard the alert beep. Less than a minute later there was a short power cut. Once again my trusty APC backup saved me! If you run a business from home I recommend you protect your computer with a ups.

Ed Note: (I posted this article on the 29th in the morning by the afternoon I had my first call for a machine that was damaged during the aftermentioned power cut.)

Conclusion :

Electrical damage to your computer can and does result in expensive repairs and in many cases it is not cost effective to repair the machine. You can reduce your exposure to this threat by spending as little as 25 euro. By investing in proper protection you will extend the life of your electronic components and save yourself a heap of cash in the long run

Protect Yourself From Internet Fraud – Expanded Version

This month I’ll be giving you some tips on how you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud on the internet. I’ve seen a marked rise in the number of cases recently and in one case over a €1,000 had been charged against the victims’ credit card before they realized it. If you follow the steps outlined you should be able to avoid this unpleasant and costly experience.

Identifying Possible Attacks

The three primary fraud methods currently in vogue are : Unsolicited email invitations, virus-spyware infections, and fake websites. I’ll deal with each of these in turn and outline the preventative steps to avoid them. Before I do a word on anti-virus software which is your primary defence against virus attacks.

Anti-Virus Software

Here are a couple of simple truths about anti-virus software. Firstly free anti-virus products will not protect your computer from a serious virus attack. Secondly do not rely on a computer shop assistant to advise you on what anti-virus/security tools you should buy. They are not technicians and their advice, for the most part, is worthless.

Lastly do not rely on so called “computer whiz kids” to advise you on your anti-virus needs as a “little knowledge is dangerous”.

Email Fraud

Email fraud attempts to get you to hand over your money in exchange for a supposed greater reward. In the past these included inheritance scams but today the criminal may use other less well known methods.

Prevention: Do not in any way engage the sender of the suspected fraudulent email. Do not open the email, browse to any included web links, or view any attachments that came with the message. If you inadvertently open the email turn off the pc, disconnect it from the internet, and seek professional advice immediately. It takes less than a second for your machine to become infected so don’t take chances.

Virus-Spyware Infections

Virus and spyware infections increasingly use two methods to defraud the victim. The first is to get you to pay for their virus/spyware removal tool by scaring you into thinking your machine is near the point of collapse. The second method is to install software to steal financial details on your computer.(commonly referred to as hacking). Once the criminal gets hold of your information it will be almost instantly used to purchase good/services.

Prevention As with the fraudulent email immediately shutdown the pc and disconnect it from the internet. Seek professional advice, contact your credit card company/bank and cancel or suspend your card.

Fake Websites

Increasingly used as a quick method to get your credit card/bank details the criminal will attempt to get you to reveal your account details by sending you an email asking you to visit the website to confirm your details.

The fake website will look and act like your online banking/credit card site or it may be a fake social networking site. If your machine has been hacked then there is no need for the email they simply redirect you to the site and wait for you to attempt to login. As with the other attacks you will be unaware that your security has been compromised.

Prevention:It is extremely difficult to counteract this type of attack but if you are suspicious do not login. The same rules apply here as with other attacks seek professional help as soon as you detect suspicious activity.

Recommendations

• Avoid all illegal gaming, gambling, video, music and adult content sites.
• Do not install Limewire ,Bearshare or other internet sharing programs and do not download any illegal content from the internet.
• Install and use Firefox as your primary program for browsing the internet.
• Do not allow your computer to be used by anyone particularly teenage visitors to your home.
• Purchase and Install a solid anti-virus program (I recommend support and sell Escan Anti-Virus software)
• Have your machine checked if you suspect any type of virus or spyware infection.

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Protect Yourself From Internet Fraud – Expanded Version

This month I’ll be giving you some tips on how you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud on the internet. I’ve seen a marked rise in the number of cases recently and in one case over a €1,000 had been charged against the victims’ credit card before they realized it. If you follow the steps outlined you should be able to avoid this unpleasant and costly experience.

Identifying Possible Attacks

The three primary fraud methods currently in vogue are : Unsolicited email invitations, virus-spyware infections, and fake websites. I’ll deal with each of these in turn and outline the preventative steps to avoid them. Before I do a word on anti-virus software which is your primary defence against virus attacks.

Anti-Virus Software

Here are a couple of simple truths about anti-virus software. Firstly free anti-virus products will not protect your computer from a serious virus attack. Secondly do not rely on a computer shop assistant to advise you on what anti-virus/security tools you should buy. They are not technicians and their advice, for the most part, is worthless.

Lastly do not rely on so called “computer whiz kids” to advise you on your anti-virus needs as a “little knowledge is dangerous”.

Email Fraud

Email fraud attempts to get you to hand over your money in exchange for a supposed greater reward. In the past these included inheritance scams but today the criminal may use other less well known methods.

Prevention: Do not in any way engage the sender of the suspected fraudulent email. Do not open the email, browse to any included web links, or view any attachments that came with the message. If you inadvertently open the email turn off the pc, disconnect it from the internet, and seek professional advice immediately. It takes less than a second for your machine to become infected so don’t take chances.

Virus-Spyware Infections

Virus and spyware infections increasingly use two methods to defraud the victim. The first is to get you to pay for their virus/spyware removal tool by scaring you into thinking your machine is near the point of collapse. The second method is to install software to steal financial details on your computer.(commonly referred to as hacking). Once the criminal gets hold of your information it will be almost instantly used to purchase good/services.

Prevention As with the fraudulent email immediately shutdown the pc and disconnect it from the internet. Seek professional advice, contact your credit card company/bank and cancel or suspend your card.

Fake Websites

Increasingly used as a quick method to get your credit card/bank details the criminal will attempt to get you to reveal your account details by sending you an email asking you to visit the website to confirm your details.

The fake website will look and act like your online banking/credit card site or it may be a fake social networking site. If your machine has been hacked then there is no need for the email they simply redirect you to the site and wait for you to attempt to login. As with the other attacks you will be unaware that your security has been compromised.

Prevention:It is extremely difficult to counteract this type of attack but if you are suspicious do not login. The same rules apply here as with other attacks seek professional help as soon as you detect suspicious activity.

Recommendations

• Avoid all illegal gaming, gambling, video, music and adult content sites.
• Do not install Limewire ,Bearshare or other internet sharing programs and do not download any illegal content from the internet.
• Install and use Firefox as your primary program for browsing the internet.
• Do not allow your computer to be used anyone particularly teenage visitors to your home.
• Purchase and Install a solid anti-virus program (I recommend support and sell Escan Anti-Virus software)
• Have your machine checked if you suspect any type of virus or spyware infection.

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Getting The Most from Your PC In a Recession Part 2

This month I’ll be giving you some tips on how you can use your pc to sell goods on the internet and also how you can use your pc to product cash budgets.

Selling Goods On The Internet
The internet, and in particular Ebay, offers you a quick and convenient way to sell your unwanted goods. Like any business there are a couple of key areas that you should be aware of before you start selling on the internet.

Getting Paid
You need a seller’s Paypal account to sell on eBay. Paypal is the preferred method for most people buying goods on eBay as it offers both the seller and buyer a degree of protection from fraud. (You’ll find a link to the Ebay seller requirements on the link page at the bottom of this article.)

Postage
Start small and avoid selling delicate items. Research what it will cost to ship your product and remember your buyer may be from anywhere in the world.
By starting with small items you will keep your first transactions simple and learn as you go. Delicate items can be easily damaged in transit so avoid then until you are confident that your packaging is up to snuff.

Packaging
This is a key point and you should pay particular attention to how you package your goods for shipping. Poorly packaged items will result in unhappy customers and this can cause problems and these include not being paid. Happy Selling!

Creating A Cash Budget On your PC
Your pc is the ideal tool for creating a budget to control and monitor your spending.
Don’t be intimidated by the thought of using your pc for budgeting. With the right software you can easily create your budget and get control of your spending. The software you will need may already be installed on your computer and if not you can download a free version from the internet. (Visit the links page at the bottom of this article to download the “free” software.)

Software You Will Need
Any of the following software packages is capable of creating your budget.:Microsoft Works , Microsoft Office Excel, and Sun Systems Open Office Spreadsheet. Open office is free for non-commercial use and if you are familiar with Microsoft Office you’ll have no trouble using Open Office. Even if you are not familiar with any of these programs virtually all contain templates for budgeting. If you use a template all that is required is for you to fill in the numbers and the template does the rest. Even if you’ve never used a spreadsheet before you will find it relatively easy to use the built-in budget templates. For a quick online budget visit www.itsyourmoney.ie and click on budgeting to use their simple online budgeting tool.


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Getting The Most from Your PC In a Recession

This month I’ll be giving you some tips on how you can get “more bang for your buck” out of your pc.

Reduce Your Printing Costs
Printing costs money in both paper, ink and electricity but you don’t need to print if your pc has a pdf print driver installed. With PDF the computer captures a print image which can be viewed on screen and printed later if required. PDF stands for Portable Document format and it was developed to enable documents to be moved or printed between computers without the requirement for the original document. The PDF format is owned by Adobe but a variety of programmers have produced generic versions of the product. Drop me an email and I will point you to where you can download these free versions which can save you a bundle on your printing needs.

Saving On Electrical Costs
Leaving your desktop computer or laptop connected to power consumes electricity even when the computer is in sleep mode.The same is also obviously true for your printer scanner and speakers. Bottom line here is turn off the equipment if you are not using it. If you don’t have a switched socket disconnect the equipment from the power outlet. Remember if you are not going to use your scanner or printer for a particular computer session don’t turn them on.

Reduce Telephone/Mobile Costs
Most people are familiar with making calls over the internet. You can save a huge amount on making internet calls but I recommend you shop around as some of the more popular programs are now over subscribed and the quality is poor. If you call/text mobiles a lot you can use some of these programs to call mobiles at a reduced rate. To save on texting use the free web text service offered by many of the mobile providers. Vodafone as an example gives you 300 free web texts a month which would cost you around 60 euro if you sent them direct from your phone.


Shopping For Bargains
Most of us love a bargain and the internet is a handy way for you to save time by checking on prices before your visit the supermarket. Take advantage of the fact that those suppliers who offer online shopping publish their prices. You can check their prices before you go to store and build yourself a shopping list accordingly. When it comes to holidays and travel I am not convinced anymore that the internet offers you the best value but it is no harm to check.

Selling Products/Services Budgeting
Next month I will discuss how you can use your pc to sell goods on the internet and also how you can use your pc to product cash budgets.

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