Need A Nerd - Ask us anything techie

Q&A with a Nerd

Keeping your computer running sweetly can be a challenge, even for us nerdy types. I am often asked for advice on how to fix a problem and I'm going to answer some of the common questions today.

My computer is really slow? What should I do?
As computers age they can fill up with junk files that you don't need any more. This can cause the computer to run much slower. Having lots of software (programs) on your PC can also slow it down.

You can cure this by giving your PC a cleanup. Download Ccleaner from www.ccleaner.com and run it to cleanup your old files. Defraggler www.defraggler.com can sort your files to make things run faster.

Remove unused software from your computer by uninstalling it, go to Control Panel > Programs to get a list and remove them.

Finally, if you do all of this and your PC is still slow, it might be time for an upgrade of your hardware or to purchase a new PC so give your local Nerd a call.

Help! My computer won't turn on
Make sure the computer is plugged into a power point that has power. You can use a lamp or radio to test the power point.

Next unplug any other devices that are plugged in such as printers, USB sticks or webcams. Make sure there are no disks or CD's in the PC as well and try turning it on again.

Next try to clear the residual charge by removing the power cord and pushing the power button several times, then plug it back in and see if it turns on.

Failing that, give your local IT company a call. If you are getting an error message, write it down so you can pass that along too.

My computer has viruses on it!
Preventative medicine is the best thing for stopping viruses. Make sure you have a good antivirus & antispyware program installed. Often the free versions will not protect you against the latest threats.

If you do get an infection you can try to clean them using your antivirus software or visit www.eset.com/online-scanner to scan your PC with the best in protection from ESET - Nerd recommended!

Many infections are really spyware and not viruses, particularly when you are getting lots of odd pop-ups. MalwareBytes www.malwarebytes.org is a free antispyware scanner you can install and run a scan to clean up your PC.

How do I backup my computer?
Backups are very important. You wouldn't want to lose your files or photos if your computer crashed. You will need a backup device such as a USB stick, and external hard drive or some blank CD's or DVD's.

You will also need some backup software. Windows has a built in backup system and the Windows 7 backup software is great and easy to use. You can find it under Control Panel > System & Security > Backup & Restore or in older versions under All Programs > Accessories > System Tools.

You can setup your backup by choosing what files to backup, where to back them up to and also set a schedule to run the backup to ensure that you don't miss a beat.

I want to buy a new computer. What should I buy?
First you should set your budget. Generally the more you can afford to spend the better computer you will get, but not all computers are created equal.

A desktop computer is ideal for use at home and will often be much more powerful than a laptop for the same price. Parts and upgrades are also cheaper. A desktop is ideal for computer gaming, watching large screen videos or movies and desktop publishing, writing documents etc.

A laptop computer gives your portability. You can take it with you and work on your PC just about anywhere, on holiday, while travelling, on the road or in your living room. Also you can purchase a mobile broadband device to give you internet access on the go.

When comparing different computer models you will need to look at different specifications so here is a quick breakdown to help you decide:
•    CPU speed. Measured in GHz (gigahertz) the higher this is, the faster the computer will be. Dual, triple or quad core means faster processing. A dual core is roughly 1 ½ times faster than a single core and triple core roughly 1 ½ times faster than dual core.
•    Memory or RAM: Measured in GB (gigabytes), the more of this, the better.
•    Storage or Hard Disk space: Also measured in GB, the more you have the better.
•    Graphics: There are many different types of graphics cards. Look for a computer that has one that will play the latest computer games. If you are not a gamer or graphic designer then this won't be very important.
•    Optical Drives or Burners: Get a computer with a DVD Burner. Some will support Lightscribe (burn labels onto special discs) or BluRay (the latest high definition movie format)
•    Computer accessories: It is cheaper to purchase a new LCD monitor as a package with a new computer, plus you can upgrade to a widescreen for bigger pictures and better quality. Consider purchasing a webcam to make video calls or a wireless keyboard or mouse for more computing freedom.
•    Upgrade the warranty: Make sure to ask what warranty to coverage the computer comes with. Most new computers come with a 1 year, return to base warranty meaning in the even of a failure you will have to send it away for repairs, possibly for several weeks. Consider upgrading to a longer warranty with onsite service, so the PC doesn't have to leave your home. I recommend 3 years.