1. How NOT to Crash your Computer By: Taylor Helsper

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

3.  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.

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

5.  3 Main Parts ◦ Hard Drive ◦ Memory (RAM) ◦ Processor  The ‘Motherboard’ links them all together

6.  Hard Disk Drive ◦ “Long Term Memory” ◦ Where files are saved ◦ Programs are installed ◦ Measured in Gigabytes (GB) and Terabytes (TB) http://www.wdc.com/global/images/products/models/img4/300/wdfCaviarBlue_6Gb.jpg

7.  Memory (RAM) ◦ “Short Term Memory” ◦ Stores files being used ◦ Measured in Megabytes (MB) and Gigabytes (GB) http://images.crucial.com/images/resources/medium/package/184-pinDIMM.gif

8.  Processor ◦ “Brains” ◦ Performs all operations ◦ Speed measured in Hertz, mostly Gigahertz (GHz) http://www.interfacebus.com/Dual-Core-AMD-Opteron-Processor.jpg

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

10.  Virus Protection  Defragment the Hard Disk Drive  Add Memory http://www.corsair.comhttp://www.shetlandcomputing.com/press_logo_avg1.jpg

11.  Prevents viruses  Many Choices (Free) ◦ AVG ◦ Microsoft Security Essentials ◦ Sophos  Stay up to date! http://www.blogsdna.com/wp- content/uploads/2010/12/microsoft-security-essentials.jpg http://www.shetlandcomputing.com/press_logo_avg1.jpg

12.  Run Virus Scan ◦ Click on Tray Icon ◦ Click “Scan Now” http://www.blogsdna.com/wp- content/uploads/2010/12/microsoft-security-essentials.jpg

13.  Video Tutorials on How to ◦ Download ◦ Install ◦ Upgrade ◦ http://www.avg.com/us-en/tutorials.pnuid- 1285678304 http://www.avg.com/us-en/tutorials.pnuid- 1285678304 http://www.shetlandcomputing.com/press_logo_avg1.jpg

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

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

16.  Upgrades “Short Term Memory”  Easy to install in a desktop, not on laptop  Do research, get the correct type!  2+ GB Recommended http://www.corsair.com

17.  Any Brand ◦ ATI / AMD ◦ NVIDEA  256+ MB Memory  Direct X 9.0+ Based on recommended settings for Photoshop / CAD Programs used http://www.amd.com http://www.nvidia.com

18.  Issues? ◦ Update the driver  No issues? ◦ Don’t break it http://www.amd.com http://www.nvidia.com

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

20.  Same as a HUGE thumbdrive  Inexpensive ($50 - $100)  Connect with USB  Search on newegg.com http://www.wdc.com/global/images/products/mo dels/img2/300/wdfElements_BAAU.jpg

21.  Remove programs you do not use ◦ Search through start menu ◦ Uninstall  Start -> Control Panel -> Uninstall a program ◦ You can sort by size http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hM6wPbYqTOI/TOGq4XHRvdI/ AAAAAAAAAVs/VtT7cOkml3M/s1600/trash%2Bcan.jpg

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

23.  There are many good alternatives  Antivirus ◦ Sophos is supported by MSU ITS  Spyware Removal ◦ Sophos  ITS  Website: http://www.sophos.com http://www.sophos.com  Tutorials http://www.sophos.com

24.  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. http://www.amd.com http://www.intel.com/

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

26.  It’s hard to tell  If you notice anything wrong ◦ Run a virus / spyware scan ◦ Defrag your Hard Drive  Make schedules http://www.dnenetworks.com/images/100percent.jpg

27.  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

28.  Most files are important  Only delete your own files  Remove programs by going to Start-> Control Panel-> Uninstall a program http://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/uploads/important.jpg

29. Microsoft Internet Explorer http://windows.microsoft.com/ie9http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/http://www.google.com/chrome/ There are many browser options. These are three popular choices.

30.  Update your Operating System ◦ Windows ◦ Linux ◦ Mac  Keep virus protection up to date http://steve.files.wordpress.com/2006/03/Matrix%20tut%202.jpg

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

32.  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

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

34. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/

35.  Delete Trash / SPAM  Outlook ◦ Downloads E-Mails to your computer  Compress Folders

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

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

38.  Hard Drives can crash!  Keep your files backed up  If you think your hard drive might be going bad, try this: ◦ http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 ◦ Download and run the diagnostic program for the maker of your Hard Drive ◦ Or, ask someone for help http://www.gottabemobile.com/wp- content/uploads/2009/09/hard_drive_crash.jpg

39.  Virus Protection  Backup Files  Ask for Help

40. 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.