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                             A FEW TIPS AND TRICKS FOR HEALTHY COMPUTING
 
 
1. DEFRAGMENT THE HARD DISK REGULARLY
 
     When using your computer over time, you will have been writing and deleting files from and to your hard disc. This effectively leaves blocks
     of information scattered across the surface of your hard disc. Eventually the disc becomes 'fragmented' to the point where reading date
     from your hard disk becomes increasingly slower. To prevent this being a problem, at least once a month you should 'defragment' your hard
     disc, you can do this by selecting "Start" select  "All Programs" /"Accessories" /"System Tools" / "Disk Defragmenter". Or alternatively
     you can use a proprietary program such as Norton Utilities.  
   
 
 2. BEWARE OF THE FAKE "UPDATES" MESSAGES FROM MICROSOFT
 
     A very large number of people are getting caught out by an e-mail purportedly coming from the "Microsoft Support Center", inviting you
      to open an attachment which contains an update for your computer's security software. MICROSOFT DO NOT SEND SUCH E-MAILS.
      Microsoft only supply udates from their own web site. The scam e-mails are very convincing in appearance, do not open the  
      e-mail as the attachment carries a virus. On reciept of such an e-mail just delete it and your computer will come to no harm.
 
 
3. NEVER OPEN E-MAILS UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN WHERE THEY CAME FROM
 
     Viruses  are often attached to e-mails. never open an e-mail attachment , and particularly one with a double file extention after the
     file name, unless you are absolutely certain as to where it comes from. And always make sure your virus checker is on-line and
     up-to-date.
 
4. BACK UP ALL OF YOUR DATA
 
     This is a very important rule of computing. until you have had a computer crash which does happen. its difficult to appreciate this
     rule. At regular intervals, copy all your date in "my Documents " on to other discs ie CD-ROMs Floppies, or even an External
     hard drive.
 
5. INSTALL A VOLTAGE SURGE PROTECTOR ON YOUR COMPUTER
 
     If the power supply to your computer surges, -due to faulty equipment elsewhere in the house, a faulty power supply, or a  lightning
     strike in the vicinity, you stand to suffer significant damage to your computer. This can include loss of the motherboard, the
     graphics card, and the hard disc with loss of data. Such a failure can be very expensive. To protect against this, buy a surge
     protector and  fitting this in the power lead to the computer. This does not cost much around £10 pounds or less but is an
     excellent insurance policy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
this page is provided to try and provide some guidance to ensure that your use of a computer is a trouble-free as possible. It must be stressed that these are simply
hints derived from personal experience, and they are being passed on in the interests of trying to be helpfull. colutech can take no responsibility for problems
that may result as a consequence of following these tips and nor can they be expected to provide further advice.