Software/Hardware What s new and where s it all going?

Transcription

1 Todd McElmurry Network Administrator Curtis Blakely & Co., P.C. P. O. Box 5486 Longview, TX

2

3 What we will discuss today: Preventive Maintenance Clean that puppy up. What does that error mean? Software/Hardware What s new and where s it all going? What is best for me and my Company?

4 What can I do to keep me free from frustration? ti System cleanup Internal (The Operating System, etc.) Cleanup of files Clean Startup (MSCONFIG) Disk Cleanup and Defrag Updates Malware/Spyware cleanup AntiVirus Protection External (The PC itself) Organization Upgrade of Older Equipment

5 Internal: System Cleanup Cleaning up your system internally can extend the life of it. These are a few of the simple tasks that you can do once a week, once a month, quarterly, or even once a year. Clean up Temp folder Choose, Start, Run, %temp% Delete all files that are found here Edit, Select All, File, Delete Then make sure to empty the Recycle bin.

6 MSCONFIG Start, Run, type in MSCONFIG

7 Cleaning up the System Disk Cleanup and Defrag Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools

8 Disk Cleanup Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup What does it do? Allows you to select files on the Hard Drive that you want to remove. These files include but are not limited to: Temporary Internet Files Recycle Bin Compressed Setup Files Microsoft Office Setup Files Each item will give you a description of what files it includes

9 1. Choose the Drive you want to clean up (Scan may take a while, depending on size of drive) 2. Choose the files you want to delete

10 Disk Defrag Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter De-What? Defragmentation The process of rewriting parts of a file to contiguous sectors on a hard disk to increase the speed of access and retrieval. When files are updated, the computer tends to save these updates on the largest continuous space on the hard disk, which is often on a different sector than the other parts of the file. When files are thus fragmented, the computer must search the hard disk each time the file is opened to find all of the file's parts, which slows down response time.

11 De-fragmentation Performing a defrag at least once a quarter will help out dramatically, especially if you have a large amount of data that you are accessing from your local Hard drive. The Steps for a defrag include: 1. Start the Defrag Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter

12 De-fragmentation Performing a defrag at least once a quarter will help out dramatically, especially if you have a large amount of data that you are accessing from your local Hard drive. The Steps for a defrag include: 2. Choose the drive to defrag

13 De-fragmentation Performing a defrag at least once a quarter will help out dramatically, especially if you have a large amount of data that t you are accessing from your local Hard drive. The Steps for a defrag include: 3. Defragment Click on Defragment You will now see the files being moved. Depending on the size of the drive and how long since the last defrag this may take some time.

14 Updates (Windows and other Software) Updates Often when we think of updates we only think Windows, this is not true. Windows windowsupdate com Updates can be schedule in Control Panel to be downloaded and installed at a specific time. Computer must be powered on and a user logon must be initiated if needed. Software Many of your software titles release service packs and other hot fixes periodically. Most update links are found under Help. System itself There are times where the Computer itself will have updates available for equipment drivers and other equipment that reside on it. Check the manufacturers website for more details.

15 Adware, malware, and spyware Scans There are quite a few products out there on the market to scan and protect your system from adware, malware, and spyware. What are these: adware - any software application in which advertising banners are displayed while the program is running. malware - any program or file that is harmful to a computer user. Thus, malware includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan.worms/viruses, and also spyware, programming that gathers information i... spyware - any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge.

16 Fight adware,malware, and spyware Be mindful of sites you visit, links you click on Use software to protect from and to check for new invasions Spybot Search and Destroy HiJack This Lavasoft Adware Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool Many, many others Most Anti-Virus software suites now have built in protection for these

17 Anti-Virus Protection Anti-virus Protection is a must. DO NOT operate any PC without AV protection on it first. AV Software not only protects from computer viruses, they protect you from identity theft, malware/spyware, hacking attempts, etc. You get what you pay for. I stand firm behind this. There are plenty of free AntiVirus suites out there online, but these only receive virus signature files occasionally, don t have extra protection (spyware, identity theft, etc.). What s right for me? All provide protection, some provide heuristic scans (look for files created a certain way and block them before a signature file is created.) Read reviews

18 Top Anti-Virus companies Symantec (Norton AntiVirus) Panda Trend Micro McAfee AVG

19 External (The PC Itself) Canned Air Your friend in the battle of Food, Dust, and Paper Blow off the fans, keyboards, Ports (USB, NIC, etc.) Don t be afraid to open it up every now and then. Blow out the inside, get those dust bunnies off the Processor fan, and off the system board.

20 Organization Organization is one of the more important parts of being efficient on your PC. If you ve ever had to hunt for a file that you knew you had, only to find yourself searching for what feels a lifetime, only to have to ask for someone to resend it to you and then a day later you find it, you know how important being organized can be. On your PC at any given time there are hundreds of places you can put a file, My Documents, the Desktop, the root directory (C:\) etc. A computer just like a file cabinet needs to be organized. You wouldn t just put papers in a file cabinet without a way of being able to find them easily in the future (tabs, folders, etc.) would you? So why drop files on your computer randomly expecting to be able to easily find them in the future. Sure you could use Search, but first you d have to at least know either the name of the file, when it was created, or where you thought you saved it at.

21 Is it time for something new? Upgrade of Older Equipment How Often Do I need to Upgrade? Every 3 to 5 years When software you use dictates it What do I need to look for? Processor Speed (Multi-core Processors now available) Memory (1GB minimum, more the better) Note: 32 Bit system will only read up to and use 3.2GB Choose an Operating System that will work with your software and equipment. XP vs. Vista Windows 7?

22 Helpful Commands and Tools Sfc /scannow Start, Run, sfc /scannow (This will require that you have the Operating System CD in case it comes upon files it needs to repair) Chkdsk /* (This will need to be run from a DOS Prompt outside of windows) In order to get to DOS outside of windows run the Windows Setup CD at bootup, You will see the following options, Setup Windows XP now, Press Enter To Repair Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console, Press R To quit Setup Without Installing Windows XP, Press F3 You will want to choose R,, load the recover console and from the DOS Prompt run chkdsk /r

23 Helpful Commands and Tools Belarc Advisor This utility will display all the parts of your system (Hardware and Software) giving you a report that you can use to determine what you have on and in your system.

24 Software/Hardware - What s new and where s it headed? d? Remote Access PC s/laptops GoToMyPC LogMeIn Windows RDP Multi-Core Processors GB s of Memory HDD/Flash Adobe Monitors Microsoft Office Word Excel Outlook Widescreen vs. Dual Monitors Operating Systems

25 Remote Access Application Security Cost Ease of Use GoToMyPC Very Secure $20 per month (discount with group purchase) Very Easy LogMeIn Very Secure Free - $12.95 per month Pretty Easy Windows RDP g/mobility/getstarted /remoteintro.mspx Only as Secure as the connection you are logging in from and to. Free can only be used on one workstation on a network through h the router. Very Easy

26 Software Adobe (PDF s) Free Adobe Reader PrimoPDF (Creator) CutePDF Writer Purchase Acrobat (Adobe Pro or Standard) Docudesk PDF Writer

27 Adobe Product Comparison Acrobat 8 features Reader Standard Pro Create PDF documents from any application that prints, including one-button creation from Microsoft Word, Excel, and no yes yes PowerPoint Protect PDF documents with passwords and 128-bit encryption no no yes yes Apply restrictions on printing, copying, and altering PDF documents no yes yes Create PDF documents with one-button ease from Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer, Publisher, and Access, as well as no yes yes Lotus Notes Compile comments from all reviewers into a single PDF document and sort, filter, and print as needed for easy no yes yes reconciliation Save Adobe PDF files as Microsoft Word documents, retaining the layout, fonts, formatting, and tables, to facilitate reuse of no yes yes content Complete tasks more quickly with a streamlined user interface, new customizable toolbars, and a "Getting Started" page to no yes yes visually direct you to commonly used features Enable Adobe Reader users to participate in reviews with complete commenting and markup tools, including sticky notes, no no yes highlighter, lines, shapes, and stamps Enable Adobe Reader users to fill and save PDF forms locally for offline use no no yes Enable Adobe Reader users to digitally sign PDF documents no no yes

28 Office 2007 What s new? Toolbar replaced by The Ribbon File formatting (xml format).docx,.xlsx,.dbfx, etc. Conversion utility available on Microsoft's website for opening 2007 format files in Previous versions of Office Ability in Excel to surpass 65, rows (Over 1 Million) Ability in Excel to surpass 256 columns (16,384) Increased amount of Memory Excel can use from 1GB to Maximum allowed by Windows

29 MS Office 2003 vs Office 2003 Classic Toolbar Addin for Office $30 USD for all $16 USD per app Download w/ Optional CD Rom Purchase viewarticlebasic&articleid= #classic

30 Versions of Office

31

32 Hardware (Laptops, PC s) Processors Multi-Core Processors now are using multi-cores within the same processor po o chip. This ao allows for true multi-tasking tasking and allows for a system to use the processor more efficiently. Processor Data Out Core1 Core2 Data Out Data In

33 Memory Gigabyte 1GB Minimum now with most PC orders Memory is maxed out on 32-bit O.S. at 4GB (3GB apps, 1GB Kernel) for XP and full 4GB equally divided in Vista 64-bit O.S. will support up to 4GB (Equally divided) in XP 64-bit version and 128GB (Vista Business Enterprise), 16GB (Vista Home Premium), 8GB (Vista Home Basic) in Vista.

34 Hard Drives / Flash Drives Hard Drives (Physical platters) Hard Drives come in many sizes Internal Choose the size that will fit your needs (Check system board requirements on what can be supported) 80GB 1TB (PC) 500GB HDD for Laptops now External (USB, Firewire, etc.) Terabyte + Flash Drives (Chip) USB (KB 100GB) SSD (Solid State Drive) Up to 832GB, possibly 1.6TB with 3.5 model <More commonly size is 32GB 125GB> Used more in new ultra portable laptops in lieu of a physical HDD

35 Monitors How many? According to recent survey done at the University of Ohio the increase of productivity for a novice user using either a Widescreen Monitor or a Dual monitor was the same as adding 76 more work days to the calendar. Question: How do I know it s right for me? Answer: Try it out and see. Many of us have a spare monitor lying around the office, and most Dual Monitor video cards are less than $150, so for basically $150 + the time it takes to install the new card and attach the new monitor you ve gained 76 more work days for each employee. You do the math.

36 So which scenario is right for me? Widescreen Dual or My personal opinion is Dual Monitors, but what you have to take into consideration for your office is: 1. What is more cost affordable for my office? Two Monitors + a Dual Monitor video Card or one Widescreen monitor 2. What is my work like, can I achieve it better on two monitors or one Widescreen? Recommendations are: Spreadsheets, Word Processing, or any side by side comparisons are better performed on dual monitors. Graphics, design models, are better performed on a Widescreen so the model is fluid all the way across with no break in between.

37 Operating Systems Windows Operating Systems MAC Operating Systems Windows XP Home Professional Windows Vista Home Basic Home Premium Business Ultimate Enterprise MAC OS X Leopard Linux Operating Systems (Linux Kernel with a GNU is an O.S.) Distributors: Unbuntu Red Hat Suse Multiple Operating Systems (Unix Linux Max OS X) can now be Multiple Operating Systems (Unix, Linux, Max OS X) can now be authenticated in Windows Active Directory. (Likewise software)

38 You can still order from most resellers thru Jan but as of June 30 You can still order from most resellers thru Jan. 31, 2009, but as of June 30, 2008 no more OEM XP CD s will be made, and only low cost AEEE style laptops will be able to get XP installed. By first Quarter 2010 they will no longer offer support for Windows XP.

39 What is Best for you and your Company? Operating System Office Adobe XP vs. Vista (Decision will be made for you soon enough) MAC that s O.K. we ll forgive ya. Linux expect a learning curve, but very stable O.S. My opinion is everyone needs at least Standard in their office, or at minimum i a utility that can create PDF s. Hardware The suite that works best for you. There are conversion utilites out there for receiving XML files into earlier versions. What ever your needs dictate.

40 Reference Material Operating Systems: Office 2003 vs. 2007: Adobe 8.0: Software purchase: Office 2003 Classic Toolbar Addin for Office $30 USD for all $16 USD per app Download w/ Optional CD Rom Purchase ic

41 Additonal Features in Excel Tips to fix BSOD by Charlie White Likewise Software (Multiple O.S. authenticated in AD)