Restoring Your Computer
When the grandchildren leave and the house seems empty you go to your computer to write them a message. To your dismay the computer will not “boot-up” and if it does the whole appearance of your desktop has changed! “What could have happened?” you ask. The answer is obvious; your grandchildren have been having fun on your computer and have changed not only the appearance of your desktop but many of the settings in your programs. They may have even downloaded games and music which often come along with “spyware” which has slowed down the system.
My advice would be to be a Computer-Wise Grandparent and protect your computer before problems occur. Here are a few simple steps that you can take:
• Create a “Guest Account” with limited access so that no important changes can be made and no programs can be installed or downloaded. (VISTA: Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > Manager another account > Create a new account) (Windows XP: Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > Create a new account)
• Place a “Password” on your account and do not give it to anyone. You may even decide to change the password from time to time to make doubly sure that no one has access to your files. (Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > Change your password)
• Make a “Restore Point” the day before your visitors are expected and return to that “Restore Point” after they leave. This really clears out a great deal of unwanted “matter” from your computer. (Start > All programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore > Create a restore point.)
• Place a password on your important “Office” program files i.e. EXCEL or WORD and make sure that they are not displayed in “Shared Folders.” (With your “Office” document open click on Tools > Options > Click on the Security Tab > Add a password.) Now your personal files cannot be access or changed.
Making the above adjustments to your computer before your visitors arrive will ensure that you will be able to bring your computer back to “normal” after your visitors leave and none of your important files or folders will have been changed.
Since most people own a laptop it may be a good idea to ask them to bring it along with them. Nevertheless I would suggest making the security changes above in case they decide to use your computer instead.
If you have additional solutions to this problem I would love to hear from you.
If you have a computer problem that you cannot solve please visit me at:
http://tinyurl.com/ask-pamela and more often than not my answer will arrive within 24 hours.
