Where is Elvis?
Turning Confusion into Productivity
inspired by Barbara Goren
Have you ever entered a name, phone number or other information into your computer and
not been able to find it the next time you needed it? Then to add to your frustration,
sometime later it mysteriously shows up, after you have
given up and entered it again. This is not part of some alien plot to get you.
There is an easily understandable logical explanation. More importantly there
is an easy way to prevent this frustration from happening again.
Finally we will look at shortcuts and tips to
eliminate some of the little frustrations of Windows and increase our productivity
How is information
stored on your computer?
Written information is stored on paper. Sometimes information or data is written on a
blank sheet of paper, sometimes on preprinted forms and some information is written on a
pad or in a notebook. You may be able to think of some additional variations as
well.
Some of these papers are sitting loose on your desk or on top of a filing
cabinet. Some papers are in drawers, possibly in file folders.
Though you probably have not given it much thought until now, if you understand the
previous two paragraphs you are only a few paragraphs and a few moments away from
understanding how information is stored on your computer.
Information (sometimes called data) is stored in files. The most common storage
devices (media) are:
internal hard disk drive
The first hard disk is the C drive which is usually the boot drive. If there is a
second hard drive it is usually D
removable floppy disk
high capacity disk
tape
Recently compact discs (CDs) have begun to gain acceptance as a storage media as
well.
In Windows95, (as the Mac has been doing for years) files are organized into file
folders, similar in concept to the file folders in your desk drawer or filing
cabinet. Prior to Windows95 file folders were known as directories.
How
does the computer handle changes, additions and deletions to our data?
Windows shortcuts and tips
Play CDs automatically
Audio CDs
Data CDs
Tweak UI
The JSP Self-Insurance Plan
1. Creating a boot disk and
rescue disk set
Creating a Boot Disk Without Norton Utilities
Double-click My Computer on your Desktop.
Double-click Control Panel.
Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
Left-click the Startup Disk Tab.
Left-click Create Disk.
Next we need to backup our system
files.
Open Windows Explorer
| With Windows Keyboard |
Without Windows Keyboard |
Windows Key + r
|
Left-click the Start Button.
Left-click Run
|
Type sysedit
Click OK
The System Configuration Editor window will open containing 4 - 6 smaller windows
(depending on your system setup).
CAUTION: We are not making any changes to any of the system files at this
time. If you inadvertently make a change be sure NOT to save the changes when
closing the files.
Autoexec.bat should be in the window on top. If not, left-click Window from the
Menu (or [ALT]+W) and then select C:\autoexec.bat from the drop-down list
CD-ROM, mouse, modem drivers need to be backed up as well.
2. Backup and Verify
When you enter data that you don't want to have to re-enter back it up.
Once a month Verify Your Backup
If you need a backup strategy or have questions about backup, restore or verifying a
backup see Proper Backup Etiquette below.
Programs
Data
Settings
Here are some tips you may not know:
Running most Anti-Virus programs with the default (automatic) settings can usually do more
harm than good to your computer system.
Before installing ANY program on your computer close (not just
disable) any programs that are running including your Anti-Virus program.
If your virus definition files are more than two or three months old you are not
getting the full protection you need. Some of the better Anti-Virus programs offer
free updates to keep you protected.
4. Clean-up the clutter and
Organize
Check your disk and files for errors
Note: These utilities can not be run on Networked Drives.
Windows95
Double-click My computer
If you have more than one hard drive or logical drive repeat the
following instructions on each drive.
Right-click (C:)
Left-click Properties
| If you have Norton Utilities installed you will see a Norton Tab. Left-click it |
If you do not have Norton Utilities left-click the Tools Tab. |
DOS 6.x
DOS 5 and earlier
Temporary Files
Every time you run Windows and every time you run a program temporary files are created
which are used behind the scenes by Windows and your running programs. If your
programs and Windows close down properly these temporary files are deleted and you never
see them. Many times some of these temporary files remain outliving their
usefulness. If they remain they will at best slow down your system and add to the
clutter on your hard drive. At times they will interfere with your programs running
properly and at worst can corrupt your real files or stop your programs or even Windows
from running properly.
The simple solution is to get rid of any unnecessary temporary files.
In Windows95 open Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer).
In Windows 3.1 open File Manager
DO NOT DELETE ANY TEMPORARY FILES WITH THE CURRENT DATE.
Look for any of the following folders (Windows95) or directories (Windows 3.1)
tmp
temp
windows\temp
In Windows95 click on the modified header so that the most recent dates
are on top. There may be one or more folders at the top of the list. Leave them
there for now. Click on the first file with a date prior to today. This file
and all of the files below it can be deleted. If there are more than about 200 files
delete them in groups of 200 or less (and clean up more often).
In Windows 3.1
What
are Cache Files and why
are they slowing down my computer?
Organize your files monthly
5. Installing New
Programs or Updates
Before installing any program or update be sure there are no other programs or
utilities running. This includes screen savers, anti-virus programs, mail retrieval
programs |