Backup, Back up, Backup!
  It is recommended that you keep two forms of backup. External and Off-sight. An external hard drive hooks to your computer via a USB cable and you can backup everything or just certain things. You'll find the the best product to suit your needs at places like Best buy.
An off-sight back up company does it for you online, files, operating system and programs. You schedule at your convenience depending on the time of the day you use it the least.
There are also many companies that can back up off site, a popular site is CA- Internet Security
Are you sure it is trash?
Make it habit to check out everything in your recycle bin one last time before you empty it. While in you recycle been files can still be restored, once you empty it there are various utilities available to recover deleted data, when in doubt call your computer experts at EC Computers Inc. We will gladly help you!
Copying or cutting and pasting a text in Microsoft Word or any program in Microsoft Office Suite:
1. Highlight the text you want to copy or cut, press CTRL+C (for copy) or CTRL+X (for cut).
2. Insert your cursor where you want to paste the text.
3. Paste your text by pressing CTRL+V. The text will appear.
Let your fingers do the saving:
Making a habit of saving your word document or excel table can save you from headaches. Use the shorcut CTRL+S.
Defrag, your PC thrives when organized!
Performing Scandisk monthly will keep your hard drive healthy, it will prevent crashes and will keep windows up and running. Defragmenting your hard drive will allow your computer to run faster when opening programs or the internet.
So how old is your Anti Virus Software?
Nothing sends your computer to the us faster than viruses.
No Dust in your PC or Laptop Wind!
Periodically (3-6 months) remove the outside case from your computer. Most computers have a latch or screw that holds the left side of the case together. After removing the screw or moving the latch, the side wall of the computer should slide backward off of the case. This is easiest to do if you lay the computer down on it's side, left side facing up. After removing the side, take a can of compressed air and blow out any dust. When cleaning out the dust from a fan, make sure and hold the fan still by placing a screwdriver into the fins. Make sure to pay attention to the processor fan and heatsink. You will see a large piece of metal with a fan mounted on top, this is the heatsink. Dust is attracted to the fins, and this is the first place dust usually accumulates. After giving everything a cleaning, place the side of the computer back on and re-tighten any screws. This will keep your computer running cool and smooth
Sparkling Keys in no time!
Flip your keyboard it over and shake out any food or other materials that have fallen between the keys.Rubbing alchohol is the best to wipe everything down with the computer off and if any rubbing alcohol accidently gets under the keys let evaporate for about an hour before turning your computer back on.
Do not use glass cleaner or any other household cleaner!
Your monitor is your window to the world,
Keep it clear using a soft rag with just a little bit of water on it. The key here is to gently run the rag over the monitor, if you push too hard you can damage the display. Fold the cloth over and make sure to dry all the moisture off the screen.
Receiving Unwanted Guests, Not in your PC!
E-mail attachments should never be opened unless one is 100% certain as to the nature of the attachment, who sent it, and why it was sent. Unsolicited e-mail attachments, regardless of who the sender is, should be treated as potential virus hazards. Proceed with caution.
It is quite difficult for e-mail messages themselves to contain or be a virus, however attachments to messages may indeed contain viruses. Therefore, before opening any file you should first save it to disk and then run the virus detection program.
Refrain, if possible, from downloading files from questionable Internet sites (for example, sites run by companies or individuals whose true identities are uncertain).
Checking out before you?
When the cursor quits cursing, the browser quits browsing or the system starts moving at a minimal speed, don't despair just yet:
1. Close down all the programs running (if you can) and press START/SHUTDOWN
2. RESTART from the other options if you wish. If nothing will work, go to the back (or side or front) of the computer, use the OFF button, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on.
This clears your system and often cures whatever problem was dragging the system down. For some reason occasionally a program may quit responding and that jams up the whole system. Sometimes the system is overworked and the swap memory is used up. A reboot refreshes the system.
If nothing happens you will need to use a combination of three simple keys that allow them to see which program is not responding. They are ALT/CTRL/DELETE
Press these three keys, at the same time, the task window will open and you will know what is Not Responding.
Even better, you can stop the program that can't respond from continuing.
Just press the button that says, "End Task", you will cure this particular little problem.
If the "freezing" continues you might have a bigger problem in your hands.
We can diagnose your PC, give us a call!
Cleaning a Laptop
Follow these general rules when cleaning the outside
of your computer and its components:
• Shut down a Laptop, disconnect the power adapter and remove the battery.
• Use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer’s exterior, any lint- free cloth will do. Avoid getting moisture in any openings.
• Do not spray liquid directly on the computer.
• Don’t use aerosol sprays, solvents, or abrasives.
• Keep moisture away from laptop, yes, that includes beverages of any kind.
Cleaning a Laptop Display
To clean a Laptop screen, do the following:
• Shut down a Laptop, disconnect the power adapter and remove the battery.
• Dampen a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or paper with water only and wipe the screen. Do not spray liquid directly on the screen.
• Once the display has been wiped clean, dry the display with a soft, lint-free cloth.
• To prevent need for cleaning, make sure your hands are clean when using the Laptop; do not
eat or drink around the hardware.
Carrying a Laptop
• Don't store loose items (such as paper clips or coins) in your laptop case, it could accidentally get inside the computer through an opening such as the optical drive slot.
• Keep it in a protective sleeve when possible.
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