Documentation:
Hopefully your computer system
came with a complete set of manuals. Manuals include books on the
motherboard, all add-on cards, etc. Some manufacturers provide manuals
on CD. Gateway is one that comes to mind. You hopefully received
driver disks for each item that needs one. This would include the
video card, sound cards, and possibly the CD-ROM drive. I would start
a file or box and place all these items in it. A copy of the invoice
could be handy too, in case a warranty repair is needed. Anytime
software updates or patches are installed, they should also be documented
and put in this storage box. Remember to keep this box away from
heat and magnets. (The power nozzle on a vacuum cleaner can damage
disks, so don’t put it near where a vacuum cleaner may pass by.)
Software:
You did receive a Windows ’95 or ’98 CD with your PC didn’t you? Do you know where it is? And how about the all important serial numbers on the front of the manual or license card. You’ll need this if you ever have to re-install Windows. The same applies to many other products, including Microsoft Office. (Keep a record of all CD Keys used to install the product on your PC.) Keep the installation disks all together and in a safe place.
Software you should have loaded on your PC:
Under Start-Programs-Accessories you should have Backup, Disk Defragmenter, and Scandisk. Backup is not loaded by default. To get it, go to Start-Settings-Control Panel-Add/Remove Programs, Windows setup. You will find it under Disk Tools. Add it to your configuration by checking the box. Another gem is found on your Windows ’95 CD. The CD will usually launch when put in your drive. Just close it, then under Start-Find-Files or Folders and look on your CD-ROM drive (usually D: ) for ERU. When Windows finds it, right click on the found FOLDER and drag it to your C: drive and copy it there. (This make a folder ERU on your C: drive) You do have a virus checker installed, working, and updated don’t you???
Okay, I have them, now what ???
1st… After any major software changes- go to
Start-Settings-Control Panel Add/remove programs. Pick Startup Disk..
Get a NEW high quality 1.44 meg floppy and make a startup disk. You
may need your Windows CD-ROM. Label and DATE your new disk!
2nd… After any major software changes- Go to your C: drive and then into the ERU folder. Double click on the ERU icon… follow the directions except instead of A: drive for destination, we want “other directory”. Change the default of ERD to ERDMMDDYY where MMDDYY is the date and proceed.
3rd… This one should be done monthly if not more often. In Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools run Scandisk and then Disk Defragmenter. I defrag any disk over 2% fragmented. These programs check your hard drive where all your data and programs are stored for errors and organize your files for faster access. Use the thorough option on Scandisk every 6 months. If it ever finds any bad sectors, replace your hard drive ASAP, because it is failing. While you are at it… update the virus checker files.
What about Backups?
This is a very serious and neglected
problem for most users. Do you have a tape drive?? Most likely
not. If you do, USE IT ! At least monthly! Is your new
large hard drive only 1/3 full? Then I have an idea for you.
It won’t protect against hard drive crashes, but it will save you if software
blows up ! Use Microsoft Backup to back up your drive to itself.
Microsoft backup makes a file set named Full System Backup. Use this
file set when you back up your PC. Pick your C: drive as the destination.
Be careful if you are restoring single files from this backup, as it will
also automatically restore your registry. If you frequently need
to grab individual files, then DON’T use “Full System Backup”, just select
drive C: instead.
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