Computer forum FAQ

[Misanthropy]

Computers FAQ
by Rebelius and Misanthropy

This FAQ at the moment is heavily biased towards Windows because Windows questions are most frequently asked


Section 1: Basic software which you should have.

Firewall
– Controls which programs are allowed access to your internet and network connections

Free firewalls include

• Zone Alarm
• Sygate Personal Firewall
• Windows ICF (XP only) (see this page for instructions)

Anti-virus
– Protects your computer from viruses such as trojans and worms

Free Anti-virus programs include

• AVG

You should also complement your anti-virus software with regular online virus scans such as Trend's Housecall - be warned, it's IE only)

Spyware Removal
– Searches your computer for spyware and other rubbish you don't want

Free programs include

• Ad-Aware
• Spybot S&D

Defrag tool
- Arranges fragments of files together for faster access

Windows built in Defragmenter (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter) is pretty bog standard. Some good and much faster alternatives include Vopt XP and O&O, try those for a good quality defrag. Before defragging it is always a good idea to delete all temporary files, temp internet files, empty your recycle bin (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup). There’s no need for Windows to be moving these files around, get rid of them. Also empty your windows\prefetch folder every time you want to defrag, emptying it will speed up your performance, and defragging with it empty helps move all your system files around without moving unnecessary files like these.

• VoptXP
• O&O

All of these programs should be updated regularly - especially anti-virus and spyware removal tools, which should be updated about once a fortnight.

Browser
- Allows you to view pages over the internet

The majority of internet users (something like 95%) use Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which comes shipped with Windows. However - partly due to its market dominance, and partly due to its shoddy coding - IE suffers from some pretty major security holes. It is also pretty light on features (and strangely heavy on resources). Luckily, there are alternatives. Coming in a distant second in market share, but gaining all the time, is Mozilla's Firefox. It's an Open Source (see section 2) project with a huge community dedicated to the refinement of the software. The standard installation already outstrips IE - with pop-up blocking and tabbed browsing coming as standard - and a whole plethora of extensions available to extend its functionality (Adblock and SearchThis! come highly recommended!). Firefox works in a very similar way to IE, and it includes a function to import your favourites from IE, so moving over is a really simple process. If you're still not convinced, have a read of this page

E-mail Client
- Allows to you send and read e-mail

Since the advent of MSN, most people use Hotmail to access their e-mail. Hotmail is a web-based e-mail service, which means you use your browser to check your mail. However, if you have an email address given to you by your ISP, then you most likely use an e-mail client such as Outlook Express. OE is another Microsoft product, and like Internet Explorer, it has its fair share of problems. Junk mail and viruses arrive in a near constant stream, filling your inbox and depleting your will to live. Fear not, there is a solution! And once again, it comes from Mozilla in the form of the utterly wonderful Thunderbird. Again, it works in much the same way as Outlook Express, although it doesn't have support for web based accounts yet. It makes up for this small discrepancy by including fantastic heuristic junk-mail filtering and a better address book. There are also extensions available for Thunderbird.

[Misanthropy]

Computers FAQ
by Rebelius and Misanthropy

Section 2: Q and A

Q) What is a codec?
A) COmpressor / DECompressor. A method used to copress and decompress image and sound data so that files are smaller and easier for a computer to manage. CODEC's define the video settings like the frame rate and size and audio settings like bits of quality. Your CODEC will determine the file compatibility and how large your file may get. Some of the most popular CODEC's include: .AVI, .MPG, .MPEG, .MOV, .WMV, and more.

Q) My computer wont play a video file I have, what should I do?
A) You probably don't have the correct codec installed. A good catch-all method is to download defilerpak and BS Media Player, which should enable you to play most files.

Q) My computer keeps saying there's been an error and it's going to shutdown. Then I get a countdown and it shuts down.
A) When the countdown has started press your windws key + R then type “shutdown -a�(no inverted commas). Then update and run your anti-virus software. This should catch the offending bugger and get rid of it. To avoid any future ocurrences of this exploit, first log in as an administrator. Then click Start > Run, type "services.msc" (no quote marks) and press enter. Double click on Remote Procedure Call (RPC), go to the Recovery tab, and change all the "failure" options to "take no action"

Q) I keep getting messages popping up on my screen even though my browser isn't open!
A) This is most likely Windows Messenger, a horrible, horrible program which comes installed with Windows XP. It allows you to send messages to anyone by their IP address, meaning that you can effectively send a message to anyone connected to the internet. This is bad news if you don't like spam. To disable it, first log in as an administrator. Click Start > Run and type "services.msc" (no quote marks). Double click Messenger, stop the service, and change the startup type to "Disabled".

Q) What is freeware?
A) Freeware is Copyrighted software given away free by the author. Although it is free, the author retains the copyright, which means that you cannot do anything with it that is not expressly allowed by them. Usually, you are allowed to use and distribute the software, but not to sell it, and not to pass it off as your own. However, because such material is Copyrighted, the author retains certain rights on usage.

Q) What is open source software?
A) Open Source Software is software for which the underlying programming code is available to the users so that they may read it, make changes to it, and build new versions of the software incorporating their changes. Linux operating system is an example of an open source program.

Q) What is a backup? What should I keep?
A) Backing up is an important part of any computer system. Essentially, you save all of your important data to a separate media format, in case of emergencies like hard drive failure. In business or other important areas, it's usually recommended to keep three generations of backups at all times, but in a home computer system this is probably a little excessive. Keeping one backup should be sufficient, and with today's technology is very easy to achieve. All you need is a CD-writer, CD writing software, and some recordable CDs. You simply take everything you want to back up, write it to cd, and forget about it (until you need it, that is). Some useful things to backup would be:

• Personal data (My Documents folder, etc.)
• Install files for any programs you use (try making a list of everything you use regularly. you'll be surprised at how large it can get)
• Up to date drivers for all your hardware
• Browser bookmarks/favourites list
  • In Internet Explorer: C:\Documents and Settings\(Your Username)\Favorites
  • In Firefox: open Firefox, click Bookmarks > Manage Bookmarks, then File > Export
• MSN Contacts list (open MSN, click Contacts > Save Contacts List)
• Save game files (varies for each game)

Q) My computer is definitely dead, I have backed up all that I want and just want to start all over again now. What do I do?
A) Find your Windows CD (or buy a new one if you don't have one). Put the CD in the drive and start your computer up. Follow the simple instructions making sure when you get asked regional settings that you choose UK wherever you can (saves hassle later)

Once you've got Windows up and running install any service packs you have on CD.

1. Install Motherboard drivers which you should have on a CD somewhere.
2. Install modem drivers if you have a modem.
3. Install Firewall and Anti-Virus software.
4. Download and install any Service Packs you don't have on CD.
5. Update Direct X
6. Install Graphics Card Drivers
7. Install all other hardware drivers
8. Install all windows critical updates
9. Install all your other programs and update them/set them up as you go.
10. Full Defrag!

Q) Where can I find more useful software?
A) Try starting with the list of Useful Software on dearwandy.com. It lists pretty much everything you need, and since it was compiled by the users of a dedicated computing forum, you know it's good stuff. It's important to remember in this day and age that there are alternatives to all the software you normally use, and lots of it is better than the original (and free too!). If there is a particular utility you need, try searching for it with the word "freeware" included in your search terms. It's amazing what you can find this way

Q) My computer beats the minimum spec. for X game but the game still isn't running properly.
A) Make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your graphics card and motherboard and try with all the scaleable settings turned right down.

Q) How do I install new graphics card drivers?
A) First you need to find the drivers. Official ones can be found on the ATi site or nVidia site depending on your card. Once you've downloaded the latest drivers you'll need to uninstall the old drivers (very important!). To do this, got to control panel//add or remove programs and select your display driver and remove. Restart your system and during the startup press F8 and choose Safe Mode. When safe mode boots, the add new hardware wizard will pop up, don't use it. Just use the file you downloaded and it should take care of everything for you.


Well, that's the FAQ for now. If anyone has any queries, comments or suggestions, let either Rebelius or I know and we'll update accordingly

[andrewforce5]

my computer goes "chugga chugga chick bom tshh" what does that mean?

[Misanthropy]

that's your drumkit, andrew

[vaya]

explorer has disappered from this computer, how do I restore it?

[WarmToast]

have you installed anything new (ie. firefox?)

try Start->Run and type iexplore then hit OK to see if IE is still working.

Why would you want to restore is anyway?

[humndislocation]

Originally Posted by WarmToast

Why would you want to restore is anyway?

Perhaps because some sites don't work in firefox. That might be because they're badly designed, but the fact that they're badly designed doesn't change the fact they don't work in firefox.

[vaya]

I was meaning windows explorer, not internet explorer

[Rebelius]

alt+ctrl+del Applications New Task explorer.exe

How can you work your pc without the explorer shell and still need to load it? (i.e. if you haven't replaced it as the default shell, how can you use the computer without a start bar or any of that stuff?)

[vaya]

Originally Posted by Rebelius

alt+ctrl+del Applications New Task explorer.exe

How can you work your pc without the explorer shell and still need to load it? (i.e. if you haven't replaced it as the default shell, how can you use the computer without a start bar or any of that stuff?)

Task manager , I can do everything through that.







now what?

(btw, this Pc isn't mine thats why i'm using AOL, I'm a firefox guy myself)

[Rebelius]

windows is corrupt, time to backup and rebuild i'd say

[vaya]

Originally Posted by Rebelius

windows is corrupt, time to backup and rebuild i'd say

Yeah, thanks for your help anyway

[protex_rick]

theres some pretty handy stuff there. im gonna bear most of that in mind!!
cheers!!