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General Questions-Laptop

There are many ways to fix this type of problem.

 

  • The first method is to defragment your hard drive: If you are using a window 7 operating system (OS), click on the “start menu” and type “defrag”. In the control panel menu, click on “defragment your hard drive” thereafter Click on “analyze” in the menu that pops up. After the system has finished analyzing your hard drive for a fragmented portion, click on “defragment disk”.
    If you are using a Windows 8 or 10 operating system (OS), type “defrag” on the search bar, then click on “defragment and optimize your devices”, thereafter Click on “analyze” in the menu that pops up. After the system has finished analyzing your hard drive for a fragmented portion, click on “defragment disk”.
  • Second method: removal of aero: you can remove the aero effect which requires more run time to display. To do this right-click on your desktop and click on “personalize”, scroll down and then choose the “windows 7 basic theme”.
  • The third method, upgrade your RAM: Running multiple programs simultaneously on your system with little memory space (RAM), will slow down your computer. Consider increasing your RAM size.

Microsoft Windows Defender is a basic antivirus antimalware utility that comes integrated with Windows 10. Since it is an integrated part of the operating system, cannot be completely uninstalled, however it will drop cooperatively to the background if you install another antivirus or antimalware program on your computer.

With a brand new factory built desktop computer, it should have the activation key for Windows already in place. If this issue comes up, you should check into your Settings, go to Update & Security and then go to the Activation section. You should have an option for a trouble-shooter there and follow the prompts and that should activate Windows. Another thing to check would be that your computer’s date, time, and time zone are correct.

When setting up your Windows 10, you may choose to instead go with an Offline Account or Local Account. This will allow you to set up an account on your computer that is not associated with a Microsoft Account and is only specific to this computer. To reach this option, you will need to not be connected to the internet while you are setting things up.

A Recovery Disc or Operating System Disc is used when the Operating System has become unusable, due to file corruption, virus or hardware malfunction. Most newer computers rely instead on either a recovery partition originally included on the hard drive or a recovery image that you might have made on an external drive when you first set up the computer. These are rarely needed these days, however when they are needed they are sure nice to have around.

Keeping an up-to-date backup of your data is critical if you have files on the system that you do not want to lose. If your computer gets infected by a virus or if the hard drive fails, you may lose all information on the computer. Keeping information saved on an external hard drive, or other storage media using backup software, ensures that it will always be available to restore. When failures happen, the operating system and programs can be somewhat easily reinstalled using a recovery of some kind, however your personal data cannot be replaced unless you have backed it up somewhere before a failure occurs.

  • You can’t carry a desktop PC around your house – it sits in one room and takes up space. Yet many still prefer it for work and play over a laptop! On the face of it, it looks like a mild form of madness, but when you get down to the nitty-gritty, you’ll see there are lots of advantages to having that big machine sat in the corner of your room.
  • But how do you decide which is best for use in your home? The simple solution to choosing a desktop or laptop is to buy both, then you get the best of both worlds. But if your budget won’t stretch quite that far, which are you going to go for?
  • Well, the right desktop can cost less than a laptop, and you can likely get your work done more quickly and more smoothly. And for those who are slightly obsessed with their computer’s performance, a desktop is difficult to beat.
  • But it’s not all one-way traffic. Laptops have their undeniable pluses. To help you decide, we’re going to walk you through the difference between a PC and a laptop, as well as their pros and cons.

  • Desktop PCs are the giants of the tech world and are often preferred by those who value performance over portability, especially in gaming, where a gaming PC is usually more powerful than any gaming laptop for performance.
  • The laptop’s comparatively high price tag in some respects could be a contributing factor. Either way, many advantages come with choosing a desktop PC.

FAQ

General Questions-Desktop

1 – Clean your keyboard regularly 

How to clean your dirty and dusty keyboard? Did you know that a PC keys can be 20,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat? The best way to clean a keyboard is using a damp, lint-free cloth. A quick weekly wipe is enough to restore cleanliness and peace of mind!

Hard to press or sticky keys are likely clogged with dust, dirt or debris. In this case, compressed air is the solution. How to proceed?

  1. Turn your laptop off and unplug USB and power plugs.
  2. Turn the laptop upside down and gently tap its underside to dislodge any debris.
  3. Return the laptop to its original position and spray compressed air between keys from a distance of about 1-inch.
  4. Spray in short bursts moving from one side of the keyboard to the other and back again, if necessary.

2 – Keep cables organised

Ever noticed how cables seem to have a talent for tangling and mixing up? We’ve all been there. Thankfully, there are various solutions.

Organize cords by type, grouping them with zip ties. If they are particularly numerous, try labelling cords so you know what each is for at a glance. You might even decide that a PC cable management system, such as a cable box, is suitable for you!

3 – Wipe down monitor 

How many times do you and your students point at your laptop screen during class? You’re probably asking yourself how to wipe a computer monitor to remove fingertips. The answer is a lint-free microfiber cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.

Never use bleach or hash chemicals of any kind. Avoid using a circular motion when you clean. Long, gentle side-to-side or top-to-bottom strokes are best. And to avoid screen damage, never apply pressure!

4 – Tips to maximise battery life 

Looking to optimize your battery’s lifespan? Avoid the common mistake of keeping it constantly under charge! Lithium-ion batteries last longer operating at a charge of 20-80% – so always unplug the charger when you reach 100%.

Also note that when a device is in storage, the battery drains… and can be damaged if it sits unused for long periods. So if you don’t plan to use your device for over a month, it’s best to unplug it – even though the best practice would be to charge the battery from time to time during lengthy storage periods.

Finally, be sure to remove the battery if the laptop is constantly plugged in.

Note: New laptops should be charged for over 24 hours before the first use!

5 – Run antivirus and malware scans regularly 

Malware, viruses, and cyber threats can seriously damage your devices – particularly in schools. Running regular scans with good antivirus products will save you from ransomware, data loss, performance issues and headaches!

We recommend well-reviewed antivirus software such as the Norton Security Ultra or Microsoft Defender Antivirus – a valuable built-in option for Windows OS.

6 – Purge your system of junk files & programs 

Finding your PC unusually sluggish? Then it’s time to get rid of junk files and unused programs to free up hard drive space and improve performance!

The first step would be manually uninstalling unused programs from your Control Panel then emptying the recycle bin. Secondly, remove browser cookies and empty your cache. Thirdly, you can run disk cleanup software such as CCLeaner and delete temporary files with Windows Disk Cleanup.

7 – Defragment the hard drive 

Disk cleanup isn’t always enough. Next on your computer maintenance checklist is defragmentation to restore speed.

Adding and removing files can cause your hard drive to become fragmented, thereby spreading out files. In this event, the hard drive must work harder to access the files, resulting in a computer slowdown. The advantages of disk defragmentation are speeding up access again by rearranging and compacting files.

SSD drives don’t require defragmenting so much as older hard disks. However, the Windows Defrag Tool has you covered with both drive types! Follow these simple steps to defragment your hard disk:

  1. Type “defrag” into the Windows taskbar search and choose Defragment and Optimize Drives.
  2. Select the drive to defragment and click Optimize.
  3. Set a regular defrag schedule – daily, weekly, or monthly – via Select Change settings.

We recommend defragging your hard drive at least once a month.

8 – Keep your PC cool 

When a PC’s heat-dissipating cooling system malfunctions, the device can overheat, leading to crashes, slowdowns and other problems. The first defence against PC overheating is the fan. Make sure it’s working correctly, and remove dust using compressed air. These devices require adequate ventilation. The objective is to keep your CPU cool. Heavy programs such as games can use much CPU power, often overheating.

Pay attention to where you use your laptop! The portability of our devices means they can follow us onto the sofa or even into bed, but such surfaces can block vents. Keep in mind that flat, hard surfaces are your best bet. Try to keep at least two inches of free space on both sides of your device, avoid direct sunlight and always store in a cool, dry place.

9 – Update Windows OS and programs 

The benefits of updating your operating system include improved computer security and performance.

The safest way to get driver updates in Windows OS is through the handy Windows Update. We also suggest installing the latest Acer driver software and firmware.

10 – Backup your data 

Here’s the final step of your computer cleaning routine. One of the most common best practices for files such as assignments, student information, databases and legal papers is backing up data.

Cloud storage services such as Google Drive or OneDrive keep data safely stored off your computer. Those who prefer hardware can opt for a USB drive or external hard disk.

Talk to your veterinarian about how to care for your older pet and be prepared for possible age-related health issues. Senior pets require increased attention, including more frequent visits to the veterinarian, possible changes in diet, and in some cases alterations to their home environment.

Talk to your veterinarian about how to care for your older pet and be prepared for possible age-related health issues. Senior pets require increased attention, including more frequent visits to the veterinarian, possible changes in diet, and in some cases alterations to their home environment.

Talk to your veterinarian about how to care for your older pet and be prepared for possible age-related health issues. Senior pets require increased attention, including more frequent visits to the veterinarian, possible changes in diet, and in some cases alterations to their home environment.

Talk to your veterinarian about how to care for your older pet and be prepared for possible age-related health issues. Senior pets require increased attention, including more frequent visits to the veterinarian, possible changes in diet, and in some cases alterations to their home environment.
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