Pamela’s Computer Help for Seniors Blog

From the numerous emails that I receive on a daily basis it is apparent that most computer problems are software related. Hardware rarely fails if computer maintenance and security is taken seriously. Computer problems can also be caused by the lack of organization.

In my opinion no one should ever have software related technical problems with their computer if Computer Maintenance (disk cleanup, error checking and defragmentation), Windows Updates, Spyware and Antivirus software are updated and run regularly.

To begin with; clearing the desktop of all icons except the “Recycle Bin” and clearing the “System Tray” of unnecessary icons can speed up the startup and performance of your computer. The icons that appear on your “System Tray” which is next to the clock in the bottom right hand corner of your screen are programs that are running in the background whilst you are working on your computer. The only programs that you need in this “tray” are your “security program icons” and notification icons i.e. sound icon, internet or wireless connection, etc. Others like Real Player – QuickTime – Picasa and other photo or office programs do not need to be running constantly. If you remove them from the “System Tray” and need to use them you can easily access them from the Program List, Start Menu or Quick Launch bar depending where you have placed them.

Keep your frequently used programs on the “Start Menu” by “pinning” them from the Program List and put the MOST frequently used programs on your “Quick Launch Bar.”

Documents kept in your “My Documents” folder (Windows XP) or “Documents” folder (Windows Vista) and pictures stored in your “My Pictures” folder (Windows XP) or “Pictures” folder (Windows Vista) will be quickly accessible. The folder that you are working on can be placed on the desktop temporarily until your work is completed and then filed away in the appropriate folder as described above.

“Lean and Clean” is my motto and “less certainly is better” when it comes to computer software. Install ONLY the programs that you need and do not duplicate i.e. have more than one photo editing program and stay away from free programs unless you are going to use them.

It’s very tempting to download programs if they are FREE but many of these programs come down from the internet with ‘Spyware” attached to them so it is very important to run your Anti-Spy program every day that you surf the internet. Spy files can steal your identity and compromise your security so be diligent and make sure that you not only have the “Anti-Spy” software but you update and run it regularly.

Don’t wait until a catastrophe occurs! If you have used the above suggestions to arrange your folders, copy your “Documents” and “Pictures” folders onto a “Flash Drive” or another external medium regularly to backup and keep these files safe. If you would like to have a complete backup of your entire hard drive an external hard drive can be purchased and used for this purpose. Remember to detach the external hard drive from the computer and from the power supply after each backup to ensure its safety should a power surge or crash occur. Make sure that you use a powerful Surge Protector to connect all your computer peripherals and it’s a good idea to disconnect it from the power source when you leave for holidays or long periods of time or if there is a pending weather alert.

These simple procedures will ensure that your files and folders are easily found and your computer, regardless of its age, is running as fast as it was the day it was purchased.

If you would like a free detailed tutorial on any of the above procedures please do not hesitate to contact me and I will answer within 24 hours; weather permitting.

Request your free tutorial at: http://tinyurl.com/ask-pamela or http://computertutorinc.net/survey/questions_2008.htm

I look forward to hearing from you.

Most of us receive many emails each day and it can be quite a chore to sort through them if you have not organized your folders in your “inbox.” Organizing the folders and making “rules” to direct the incoming emails into the folders will solve many of your problems and save you a great deal of time.

The “inbox” in Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express or Windows Mail has the capability of holding many folders that will help you organize incoming and outgoing mail. You can also add folders to Web Mail in a similar manner.

Adding folders is a simple task and can be done as follows in Microsoft Outlook:
• Click on the down arrow next to NEW and select FOLDER in Outlook or FILE, NEW, FOLDER in Windows Mail.
• Make sure that you click on the INBOX to highlight it and then type the name of the new folder in the supplied box . For my purposes I would name one of my folders “QUESTIONS” and then I would make a RULE so that every email that is sent to me through the QUESTION LINK on my website ASK COMPUTER TUTOR will arrive in my QUESTION FOLDER. Right away the folder will be highlighted and I will know that a question from an anxious computer user is waiting for a reply.

To make sure that your selected emails arrive in the correct folders you will need to make RULES.
• Click on TOOLS.
• Click on RULES and ALERTS in Outlook or MESSAGE RULES in Windows Mail.
• Select NEW RULE
• Then select the options that you require when your message arrives.
• Type the name of the folder you have made to receive the email message.
• Choose more options if required, then click OK.

You can make as many folders as you need for friends, family, business associates, clubs, committees making the emails easy to locate as soon as they arrive.

Find easy ways to operate your computer and make computing a pleasure instead of a chore.

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.