How NOT to Crash your Computer By: Taylor Helsper

 Introduction  Basic Computer Information  Common Issues  Conclusion  Questions

 What is this lecture? ◦ Part of a CSE 4000 Independent Study Course ◦ “Practical Issues in Software Engineering”  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.

 Introduction  Basic Computer Information  Common Issues  Conclusion  Questions

 3 Main Parts ◦ Hard Drive ◦ Memory (RAM) ◦ Processor  The ‘Motherboard’ links them all together

 Hard Disk Drive ◦ “Long Term Memory” ◦ Where files are saved ◦ Programs are installed ◦ Measured in Gigabytes (GB) and Terabytes (TB)

 Memory (RAM) ◦ “Short Term Memory” ◦ Stores files being used ◦ Measured in Megabytes (MB) and Gigabytes (GB)

 Processor ◦ “Brains” ◦ Performs all operations ◦ Speed measured in Hertz, mostly Gigahertz (GHz)

 Introduction  Basic Computer Information  Common Issues  Conclusion  Questions

 Virus Protection  Defragment the Hard Disk Drive  Add Memory

 Prevents viruses  Many Choices (Free) ◦ AVG ◦ Microsoft Security Essentials ◦ Sophos  Stay up to date! content/uploads/2010/12/microsoft-security-essentials.jpg

 Run Virus Scan ◦ Click on Tray Icon ◦ Click “Scan Now” content/uploads/2010/12/microsoft-security-essentials.jpg

 Video Tutorials on How to ◦ Download ◦ Install ◦ Upgrade ◦

 Defragging moves related files so they are close together  Makes reading them faster

 How to defragment ◦ Start -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Defragmenter ◦ Choose your Hard Drive with Windows ( C: ) ◦ Click Defragment

 Upgrades “Short Term Memory”  Easy to install in a desktop, not on laptop  Do research, get the correct type!  2+ GB Recommended

 Any Brand ◦ ATI / AMD ◦ NVIDEA  256+ MB Memory  Direct X 9.0+ Based on recommended settings for Photoshop / CAD Programs used

 Issues? ◦ Update the driver  No issues? ◦ Don’t break it

 Move Files to External Hard Drive  Uninstall Junk  Stay Organized  Run ‘Disk Cleanup’ Clipart

 Same as a HUGE thumbdrive  Inexpensive ($50 - $100)  Connect with USB  Search on newegg.com dels/img2/300/wdfElements_BAAU.jpg

 Remove programs you do not use ◦ Search through start menu ◦ Uninstall  Start -> Control Panel -> Uninstall a program ◦ You can sort by size AAAAAAAAAVs/VtT7cOkml3M/s1600/trash%2Bcan.jpg

 Deletes ◦ Temporary Files ◦ Recycle Bin Files  Start -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup  Pick C: Drive …

 There are many good alternatives  Antivirus ◦ Sophos is supported by MSU ITS  Spyware Removal ◦ Sophos  ITS  Website:  Tutorials

 Two Popular Brands ◦ AMD ◦ Intel  Brand does not matter  Pay attention to ◦ Speed (GHz) ◦ Number of Cores (1,2,4)  Look at recommendations for your programs Note: AMD and Intel speeds are measures different, so you cannot compare between brands.

 Short Answer ◦ No  Long Answer ◦ Only if you are running extremely low on hard drive space

 It’s hard to tell  If you notice anything wrong ◦ Run a virus / spyware scan ◦ Defrag your Hard Drive  Make schedules

 Two possibilities ◦ Your have a regular virus  Fix by updating your virus software or virus definitions  Run a virus scan ◦ 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 clipart

 Most files are important  Only delete your own files  Remove programs by going to Start-> Control Panel-> Uninstall a program

Microsoft Internet Explorer There are many browser options. These are three popular choices.

 Update your Operating System ◦ Windows ◦ Linux ◦ Mac  Keep virus protection up to date

 Keep them in one place ◦ My Documents ◦ Thumbdrive ◦ External Hard Drive  Name folders well  Make Backups! clipart

 Example Using Microsoft Security Essentials ◦ Open Program (Click Tray Icon) ◦ Choose Custom Scan ◦ Click Scan Now ◦ Check the box next to your thumbdrive ◦ Click OK

 See recommendations by MSU ITS  Make sure to install updates  If it runs Windows ◦ Use it apple.com/macbookpro

 Delete Trash / SPAM  Outlook ◦ Downloads s to your computer  Compress Folders

 It tells you what your computer is running  Control + Alt + Delete -> Start Task Manager  Check for processes that are running at a high percent

 Get Information from Task Manager  Restart  Run Virus Scan  Defrag

 Hard Drives can crash!  Keep your files backed up  If you think your hard drive might be going bad, try this: ◦ ◦ Download and run the diagnostic program for the maker of your Hard Drive ◦ Or, ask someone for help content/uploads/2009/09/hard_drive_crash.jpg

 Virus Protection  Backup Files  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.