Advice

ERIC SPELLMANN'S PC ADVICE COLUMN

In this update, Eric lists the questions he's asked most often by home PC users

Over the last few years, I've discovered that almost all tech support questions focus on a few key subjects. In fact, I find myself on a weekly basis answering many of the following questions. I thought you might find the answers helpful!

1 How do I stop those annoying pop-up ads?

The best pop-up blocker I've found is also free! The Google toolbar does a great job at stopping these little windows. In addition, you get an easy way to search the web!

2 What is spyware and how do I stop it?

Spyware is any software that secretly monitors your computer activities and reports them to a third party. Many advertising sites use spyware to track your purchases so that they can better target their advertising. However, some spyware can be used to steal your identity.

To discover and remove spyware, get Spybot: Search and Destroy, a great free program. You will be surprised how much spyware you already have.

3 Is there a "free" way to prevent viruses?

While Norton and McAfee control the majority of anti-virus software marketshare, they are not the only games in town. If you're looking for a good, free alternative, check out AVG Anti-virus. The program and all updates are completely free for personal use. If you need a quick scan, check out Housecall. It'll check your system via the web.

4 When I try to defrag my system, it constantly restarts. Why?

As files are saved on your system, they are chopped up to fit in the available storage spaces (clusters). To retrieve a file, your system must put these pieces back together. If these pieces are next to each other physically (continguous), the retrieval happens much quicker. Defragging rearranges the clusters so that they are contiguous.

However, if the Windows Defragmenter detects another program opening and saving files on your hard drive, it will start again (as the contents have changed). This can effectively prevent the defragmentation procedure from ever completing.

The best way to defrag is to boot your system into "Safe Mode." To do that, restart your system and continuously tap the F8 key until a menu appears. Choose "Safe Mode" with your cursor keys and hit ENTER. Once it finishes booting, you'll be able to defrag with no interruptions.

5 My friends send me e-mail "warnings" and stories. How do I know if they're true?

Most e-mail warnings and stories are false and are started by pranksters to see how "far and wide" their joke is e-mailed. To encourage forwarding, they often tempt you with phrases like: "Send it to your closest five friends and something neat will happen on your PC". Before you forward one of these hoaxes to everyone in your address book, check its validity at Snopes. It'll save you some embarrassment.

(Editor's note: There is a wide range of material at Snopes, not all of which you'll find innocent, so be careful how you browse. Also, if your friend sends you a 'virus warning' - don't send it on to 'everyone in your address book' without checking it first at www.vmyths.com. A good 99% of 'virus warnings' are hoaxes which cause more problems by prompting unthinking mass mail-outs than many real viruses!)

6 What's the best way to speed up my system?

First, destroy any spyware (see question 2), remove any programs you no longer use, and defragment your system (see question 4).

If your system is still unbearably slow, consider purchasing more RAM. This low-cost investment can more than double your PC's performance, depending on how you have it configured. I've seen many "obsolete" systems become usable again with this simple upgrade. Contact your PC's manufacturer for more information (or check out www.crucial.com - Editor)

7 How do I stop junk e-mail (spam)?

First, realize that junk e-mail is a fact of life. You will not be able to completely stop it. Some legislation is being worked on (in the US and in Europe) to outlaw many of the deceptive practices used to send this junk. Until then, the burden falls on your shoulders.

Fortunately, there are some specific, easy steps you can take to significantly reduce the torrent of spam in your inbox. However, space doesn't allow me to continue here.

BUT, you can get my full, three-page How to Stop Spam report for free by signing up for my e-mail newsletter. Simply go to my website (http://www.EricSpellmann.com) and type in your e-mail address.

I will ONLY use your address for the newsletter and will not sell or give it to anyone else. The newsletter comes out twice a month and is full of tips and tricks to help you use your PC more efficiently. In fact, all of the tech questions above were selected from previous issues. It's free, so what are you waiting for?

See you in Cyberspace!

Eric Spellmann is the owner of Spellmann & Associates, a corporate technology training facility in Amarillo, Texas. Besides his weekly column, he produces technology segments for his local CBS television affiliate and speaks at numerous conferences. If you would like to receive the full transcripts of his columns as well as the television segments he produces for CBS, sign up for his FREE e-mail newsletter by sending a blank message to nl@ericspellmann.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject. Or, you can sign up at http://www.EricSpellmann.com

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		ERIC SPELLMANN'S PC ADVICE COLUMN In this update, Eric lists the questions he's asked most often by home PC users Over the last few years, I've discovered that almost all tech support questions focus on a few key subjects. In fact, I find myself on a weekly basis answering many of the following questions. I thought you might find the answers helpful! 1 How do I stop those annoying pop-up ads? The best pop-up blocker I've found is also free! The Google toolbar does a great job at stopping these little windows. In addition, you get an easy way to search the web! 2 What is spyware and how do I stop it? Spyware is any software that secretly monitors your computer activities and reports them to a third party. Many advertising sites use spyware to track your purchases so that they can better target their advertising. However, some spyware can be used to steal your identity. To discover and remove spyware, get Spybot: Search and Destroy, a great free program. You will be surprised how much spyware you already have. 3 Is there a "free" way to prevent viruses? While Norton and McAfee control the majority of anti-virus software marketshare, they are not the only games in town. If you're looking for a good, free alternative, check out AVG Anti-virus. The program and all updates are completely free for personal use. If you need a quick scan, check out Housecall. It'll check your system via the web. 4 When I try to defrag my system, it constantly restarts. Why? As files are saved on your system, they are chopped up to fit in the available storage spaces (clusters). To retrieve a file, your system must put these pieces back together. If these pieces are next to each other physically (continguous), the retrieval happens much quicker. Defragging rearranges the clusters so that they are contiguous. However, if the Windows Defragmenter detects another program opening and saving files on your hard drive, it will start again (as the contents have changed). This can effectively prevent the defragmentation procedure from ever completing. The best way to defrag is to boot your system into "Safe Mode." To do that, restart your system and continuously tap the F8 key until a menu appears. Choose "Safe Mode" with your cursor keys and hit ENTER. Once it finishes booting, you'll be able to defrag with no interruptions. 5 My friends send me e-mail "warnings" and stories. How do I know if they're true? Most e-mail warnings and stories are false and are started by pranksters to see how "far and wide" their joke is e-mailed. To encourage forwarding, they often tempt you with phrases like: "Send it to your closest five friends and something neat will happen on your PC". Before you forward one of these hoaxes to everyone in your address book, check its validity at Snopes. It'll save you some embarrassment. (Editor's note: There is a wide range of material at Snopes, not all of which you'll find innocent, so be careful how you browse. Also, if your friend sends you a 'virus warning' - don't send it on to 'everyone in your address book' without checking it first at www.vmyths.com. A good 99% of 'virus warnings' are hoaxes which cause more problems by prompting unthinking mass mail-outs than many real viruses!) 6 What's the best way to speed up my system? First, destroy any spyware (see question 2), remove any programs you no longer use, and defragment your system (see question 4). If your system is still unbearably slow, consider purchasing more RAM. This low-cost investment can more than double your PC's performance, depending on how you have it configured. I've seen many "obsolete" systems become usable again with this simple upgrade. Contact your PC's manufacturer for more information (or check out www.crucial.com - Editor) 7 How do I stop junk e-mail (spam)? First, realize that junk e-mail is a fact of life. You will not be able to completely stop it. Some legislation is being worked on (in the US and in Europe) to outlaw many of the deceptive practices used to send this junk. Until then, the burden falls on your shoulders. Fortunately, there are some specific, easy steps you can take to significantly reduce the torrent of spam in your inbox. However, space doesn't allow me to continue here. BUT, you can get my full, three-page How to Stop Spam report for free by signing up for my e-mail newsletter. Simply go to my website (http://www.EricSpellmann.com) and type in your e-mail address. I will ONLY use your address for the newsletter and will not sell or give it to anyone else. The newsletter comes out twice a month and is full of tips and tricks to help you use your PC more efficiently. In fact, all of the tech questions above were selected from previous issues. It's free, so what are you waiting for? See you in Cyberspace! Eric Spellmann is the owner of Spellmann & Associates, a corporate technology training facility in Amarillo, Texas. Besides his weekly column, he produces technology segments for his local CBS television affiliate and speaks at numerous conferences. If you would like to receive the full transcripts of his columns as well as the television segments he produces for CBS, sign up for his FREE e-mail newsletter by sending a blank message to nl@ericspellmann.com with SUBSCRIBE in the subject. Or, you can sign up at http://www.EricSpellmann.com © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.