Last week we talked about PC environments. This week we'll discuss where and how you should set up your PC.
First and foremost, the PC's location depends on the type of PC you have. Most recent desktop PCs have the mini tower format. These fit almost anywhere - and that could be a problem. I don't like putting PCs on the floor. It makes it easy for bugs to crawl in and dust bunnies congregate there. You can knock it over and/or hit it with vacuums. Any spill or leak ends up with water on the floor. So if you can (and my customers are sharp cookies) please keep your PCs off the floor. We have our desktop PC on our work desk. It makes for convenient access to the DVD burner, the memory card reader and USB ports (all located in the front of the PC)!
Next place your monitor DIRECTLY in front of your face. I like the top half of the screen even with my eyes, but many like the middle of the screen even with your eyes. Don't look up to the screen. That is a neck ache or headache waiting to happen. Having a chair that can change heights is a great benefit for easing where your eyes and hands are located. Make sure you aren't too close to the monitor (minimum 15 inches from your nose).
Speaking about hands, keeping them level from your body- not upward or downward - facing is key to avoiding arm fatigue. Having arms on your chair can also help. I use one of the ergonomic keyboard with separated key sections and wrist rests. It really makes a difference. A gel wrist rest for you mouse is also nice for web surfing.
Keyboards should have adjustment legs so that you angle them toward your body. Many have two levels of adjustment for your convenience. There are also comfort mice available. I haven't found one I'm thrilled about but many of my customers like the Logitech Revolution series of contour mice.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
#115 - Cold enough for you?
Boy its cold out. 7 degrees in Covington right now -20 something at Lambeau Field in Green Bay for the big game. I was thinking about temperatures and computers and thought I'd update you on where you should be operating your technology equipment.
PCs like to be operated at temperatures people like. 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit ambient temperatures are perfect for most PCs. Go above 75 degrees and if you stay there long enough you'll start to have PC problems. Your PC needs cool air to be pulled into your PC to help cool its internal components (the most important is the Central Processing Unit [CPU - the Pentium whatever]). Go below 60 degrees and your risk bringing in air that is cool and it will heat up rapidly possibly causing condensation (water vapor). Note that water and electronics are NOT a good mix. In fact starting up a PC (one that isn't ruggedized) near freezing temperatures is almost as fatal as trying to operate one at 90 deg. If you transport a PC in cool temperatures or store one there, you need to let it heat up GRADUALLY before turning the PC on.
Next temperatures to be aware of are the temperatures that your PC keeps track of internally. We use the free utility, Speedfan, to tell us internal info. You can download it here: http://www.download.com/SpeedFan/3000-2094_4-10067444.html?tag=lst-1
Maximum temperature of CPUs and other internal components is around 50 degrees C (122 degrees F). If your internal temps are much higher (above 70 dec. C) then the odds are good you are heading for a shutdown. There are several solutions as simple as cleaning up dust bunnies, cooling the room or getting a new internal cooling fan.
Printers and Monitors like the same moderate temperatures as PCs. DO NOT try to operate a Printer below 40 degrees F. Lots of bad things can happen!
If you have questions about your PC's temperatures give us a call or email.
PCs like to be operated at temperatures people like. 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit ambient temperatures are perfect for most PCs. Go above 75 degrees and if you stay there long enough you'll start to have PC problems. Your PC needs cool air to be pulled into your PC to help cool its internal components (the most important is the Central Processing Unit [CPU - the Pentium whatever]). Go below 60 degrees and your risk bringing in air that is cool and it will heat up rapidly possibly causing condensation (water vapor). Note that water and electronics are NOT a good mix. In fact starting up a PC (one that isn't ruggedized) near freezing temperatures is almost as fatal as trying to operate one at 90 deg. If you transport a PC in cool temperatures or store one there, you need to let it heat up GRADUALLY before turning the PC on.
Next temperatures to be aware of are the temperatures that your PC keeps track of internally. We use the free utility, Speedfan, to tell us internal info. You can download it here: http://www.download.com/SpeedFan/3000-2094_4-10067444.html?tag=lst-1
Maximum temperature of CPUs and other internal components is around 50 degrees C (122 degrees F). If your internal temps are much higher (above 70 dec. C) then the odds are good you are heading for a shutdown. There are several solutions as simple as cleaning up dust bunnies, cooling the room or getting a new internal cooling fan.
Printers and Monitors like the same moderate temperatures as PCs. DO NOT try to operate a Printer below 40 degrees F. Lots of bad things can happen!
If you have questions about your PC's temperatures give us a call or email.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
#114 - Moving up, Moving on - Best way to transfer files.
With many customers moving on to new PCs, we struggle with the best way to move our data AND programs to the new PC.
Let's look at moving data issue first. Where you store your data is the main issue here. Hopefully you have organized your files in your My Documents folder. If you have done this then its not to bad to move the My Documents folder to your USB flash drive or an external hard drive. If you look at your My Computer you should see your flash drive or external hard drive as your E: or some other drive letter. Now double click on C:, double click on Documents and Settings, double click on your user name (might be Owner or Administrator), then click once My Documents. You can now click on the copy this folder item in the File and Folders task left side panel. It will prompt you for the copy location and you can find your E: (or whatever letter ) and click on it.
The problem in moving files happens when not all your files are in My Documents. You may be storing your Quicken or Quickbooks files someplace else. If you aren't sure where the files are stored, go into that program and do a Backup to the My Documents folder and you'll be covered.
Moving Programs to a new PC usually requires taking the original CD and installing it on the new PC. You then have to restore the data from your My Documents. YOU CANNOT JUST COPY THE FOLDER of the program to the new PC. You can't do this because most programs install their files in MANY locations on your PC, not just the Program File folder. There may be some other setting files you might need to restore, so you might have to contact the program manufacturer.
Let's look at moving data issue first. Where you store your data is the main issue here. Hopefully you have organized your files in your My Documents folder. If you have done this then its not to bad to move the My Documents folder to your USB flash drive or an external hard drive. If you look at your My Computer you should see your flash drive or external hard drive as your E: or some other drive letter. Now double click on C:, double click on Documents and Settings, double click on your user name (might be Owner or Administrator), then click once My Documents. You can now click on the copy this folder item in the File and Folders task left side panel. It will prompt you for the copy location and you can find your E: (or whatever letter ) and click on it.
The problem in moving files happens when not all your files are in My Documents. You may be storing your Quicken or Quickbooks files someplace else. If you aren't sure where the files are stored, go into that program and do a Backup to the My Documents folder and you'll be covered.
Moving Programs to a new PC usually requires taking the original CD and installing it on the new PC. You then have to restore the data from your My Documents. YOU CANNOT JUST COPY THE FOLDER of the program to the new PC. You can't do this because most programs install their files in MANY locations on your PC, not just the Program File folder. There may be some other setting files you might need to restore, so you might have to contact the program manufacturer.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
#113 - Keeping stuff up to date and running
Happy New Year friends!
The new year is starting out with snow showers and windy nip in the air. If you are ready for 2008 here are some suggestions to keep you up and running.
If you use the free AVG antivirus and antispyware that we install on PCSS PCs, you need to make sure they are getting updated. Its automatic with the antivirus, but not with the spyware. Its also a good idea to actually run the scans manualy once a month. Double click on the AVG antivirus, then click on Test Center, then Scan Computer. On the Antispyware, double click on its icon, Scanner, Fast System Scan. Make sure you apply the actions to delete the spyware. If this all too much for you consider buying the McAfee Security product from PCSS. For $39 you get automatic everything.
Year end is a good time to organize your files. Create new 2008 folders for your Word, Excel, Quicken or Quickbooks files. Don't know how? Please give us a call and PCSS can help. Backup your files to a CD or DVD. This will protect you from a major problem going forward. Clean up very old files on your PC. We have some 2001 files that need to be backed up and then deleted off our Hard Drive. When you are in My Documents click on View, then Details. Then click on the Modified tab and your files will be in chronological order. You can then backup and delete.
See you soon!
The new year is starting out with snow showers and windy nip in the air. If you are ready for 2008 here are some suggestions to keep you up and running.
If you use the free AVG antivirus and antispyware that we install on PCSS PCs, you need to make sure they are getting updated. Its automatic with the antivirus, but not with the spyware. Its also a good idea to actually run the scans manualy once a month. Double click on the AVG antivirus, then click on Test Center, then Scan Computer. On the Antispyware, double click on its icon, Scanner, Fast System Scan. Make sure you apply the actions to delete the spyware. If this all too much for you consider buying the McAfee Security product from PCSS. For $39 you get automatic everything.
Year end is a good time to organize your files. Create new 2008 folders for your Word, Excel, Quicken or Quickbooks files. Don't know how? Please give us a call and PCSS can help. Backup your files to a CD or DVD. This will protect you from a major problem going forward. Clean up very old files on your PC. We have some 2001 files that need to be backed up and then deleted off our Hard Drive. When you are in My Documents click on View, then Details. Then click on the Modified tab and your files will be in chronological order. You can then backup and delete.
See you soon!
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