Advice for those new to computing and those with little knowledge.

[posiview]

What advise would yu give to those who are new to computing?

I'm taking about best using their computers (how often to defrag; scan disk, etc); how to keep safe while on-line (also when children have access); things that a novice should NEVER do to their computers (such as deleting files, changing settings).

Just general computer saftey and maintainanace advice.

If a thread already exists or you can post a link (that's user friendly to novices) just let me know.

The reason I ask this is that I bought a new DELL and started to mess about with it; result computer worked very slow and I was unable to use various applications. I had to reinstall XP!! Not good.

Cheers.

 

[Lord Kalthorn]

What advise would yu give to those who are new to computing?

I'm taking about best using their computers (how often to defrag; scan disk, etc); how to keep safe while on-line (also when children have access); things that a novice should NEVER do to their computers (such as deleting files, changing settings).

Just general computer saftey and maintainanace advice.

If a thread already exists or you can post a link (that's user friendly to novices) just let me know.

The reason I ask this is that I bought a new DELL and started to mess about with it; result computer worked very slow and I was unable to use various applications. I had to reinstall XP!! Not good.

Cheers.

Well - first off its nice to get priorities correct; Microsoft Good, Macintosh Bad, Linux in the Middle. Use http://search.msn.com not www.Google.com. And always remmember that the Internet is 90% Porn - so never trust any adverts or Pop-ups.

Defraging is simple enough - just go to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tool, and Defrag. Decide the Drive Click Start and its done.

Safe to be online personally I say MSN Explorer - there are a range of packages at http://join.msn.com and there there is a Demo which will so you the advantages of the Explorer. Very good Parental Controls even if you're children know more about it than you.

Never kick the computer, spill tea in the computer, or Lemonade in the keyboard which gets dreadfully sticky and makes life terrible, you can give it a name and refer to it as such to make you feel more friendly with it even! Tiberius is a good idea!

Yeah - don't use RegEdit under any circumstances - and try not to install any extras like GMT Clock or Precision Time or Google Search Bar, or any kind of Internet Explorer thing other than http://toolbar.msn.com which is very good and stops popups. Settings should be changed but generally don't change system settings; its easy enough to steer clear of them.

hope that helped, ask any more specific questions if you want.

 

[posiview]

Thanks for the great advice.

I had a problem with XP recently and I had to reinstall the it and other discs that came with my computer.

My computer seems to be working OK, but how can I tell if it's where it was before I reinstalled XP, etc?

 

[posiview]

"Use http://search.msn.com not www.Google.com."

Why MSN? I did a few searches using MSN and Google - I got far more results with Google than MSN.

Why was that? Is MSN a "smart" search engine?

Cheers.

 

[David Lindon]

Use the Nintra search!

 

[bluto]

What advise would yu give to those who are new to computing?

I'm taking about best using their computers (how often to defrag; scan disk, etc); how to keep safe while on-line (also when children have access); things that a novice should NEVER do to their computers (such as deleting files, changing settings).

Just general computer saftey and maintainanace advice.

If a thread already exists or you can post a link (that's user friendly to novices) just let me know.

The reason I ask this is that I bought a new DELL and started to mess about with it; result computer worked very slow and I was unable to use various applications. I had to reinstall XP!! Not good.

Cheers.

I prefer to ignore the other replys.
Dell is Hell,
Lets go from there.
A newbie has to have if possible local friends,relatives.Mom or Dad etc.
You won't do it all here.
But you can send me an email,bet you won't.

 

[posiview]

Thanks for the advice.

I've decided that I need to go on a nightschool course and have found one at a local school.

I need it!

 

[Lord Kalthorn]

Thanks for the advice.

I've decided that I need to go on a nightschool course and have found one at a local school.

I need it!

Yeah - we can only really give you advise if you ask a specific question - and even then as our answers have shown we each have our own little bias. However huge! Mine is for Microsoft; Blutto's is against Dell.

I hope you get back to us and say how its going? Always nice to know - as the Sig points out! |
\/

 

[Lord Kalthorn]

"Use http://search.msn.com not www.Google.com."

Why MSN? I did a few searches using MSN and Google - I got far more results with Google than MSN.

Why was that? Is MSN a "smart" search engine?

Cheers.

I'd like to think so - others would say otherwise. It would be nice to hear what the nightschool teacher says about the fact that MSN is better than Google? Maybe he/she would just be diplomatic about it! You'll have to tell us.

It is - very much so - whereas Google can many different pages on the same website loads of times for the same question - MSN will not give that many of the same website in its search. its also more precise - and you won't get porn whatever you type in!

 

[bluto]

Good luck i think you made a good decision if you don't have someone at home sittting beside you.
I must say though i can't recommend MSN.It takes too much control.
Google just added a million plus websites.I never go wrong there.
Search tip eg:
title:books about fish