Lately I've been hearing from readers who got a new computer as a holiday gift. Most of them are scared to death.
It's not hard to see why. The TV and newspapers are full of frightening stories about hackers, viruses and the growing menace of adware and spyware.
Those are real problems, and I've written about them many times over the last 12 months. Hackers and virus creators are a real and ugly danger.
But there are others who represent a greater danger to your computer. They're not famous hackers. The only viruses they've ever created came from a sneeze.
That would be you.
You represent the biggest threat to your own computer. There are everyday ways to kill a computer --- think of them as bad attitudes --- that have nothing at all to do with viruses and hackers.
> I'm not afraid of lightning: The truth is that lightning strikes and plain everyday voltage surges can fry the innards of your computer. Unlike a virus attack, there's no practical way to fix things once that happens.
Here's what you can do about these threats: Buy an uninterruptible power supply (commonly called a UPS). Now that you can get one for $60 or so, buying a surge protector doesn't make sense. A built-in battery takes over in milliseconds when the power goes out. Surge protection is built in.
When you shop for a UPS, you'll see the industry uses a rating system that might look like this: "10-minute backup, 325 VA." That's the very minimum. Most home users with a 17-inch monitor should get a UPS with a 500 VA rating or more, as a rule of thumb.
> Let me get at it: When a new computer arrives, there is a temptation to dive right in and get things working in record time. Boxes get ripped apart and thrown away. Often, disks and cables get thrown away, too.
Don't make those mistakes. Look through the packing material to make sure you aren't throwing some component away by mistake. If you can, save the boxes and packing material in case you need to return the computer for service.
> Give me some air: Now that our desks at home are crowded with computers, monitors, scanners and speakers, space is at a premium. It's tempting to push all your gadgets so close together that you block air circulation.
But doing that can cause a computer to run hot. Just as was true with my first sports car, overheating is a serious problem. At the very least, it will slow performance. At worst, it can ruin your computer.
> Mr. or Ms. Fix it: I swear this is true: The leading cause of computer failure is an enthusiastic attempt to fix the computer. Most of us would shy away from brain surgery at home, but there's something about a computer that invites tinkering. I get long, sad e-mails every week that start, "A friend of mine who is a computer expert worked on my PC and now it won't work at all."
The best rule here is to thoroughly research any problem before attempting to fix a computer. If you feel sure that you are a computer expert, ask your spouse if he or she agrees.
There's nothing at all shameful about taking a computer to a repair shop.
> Man, that looks cool: Maybe you stumbled across a Web page that offers a free add-on to your Web browser. With that add-on you'll be able to check the weather in Des Moines, find the best prices for gasoline in your neighborhood and other virtual miracles. Hey, it's cool and it's free. But many of these free add-ons carry adware and spyware that can turn your computer into a remotely controlled zombie.
Avoid downloading free programs. There are some legitimate ones out there, but odds are you won't find them.
> I can save you some money: Computer stores are full of really cheap components --- video cards, sound cards, hard disks and monitors. Remember when your dad told you that you often get what you pay for? He was right. In many cases, el cheapo components are either inadequate or use outdated technology. Computers are a chain of devices working together. A computer is only as fast as the weakest link in that chain.
> I don't need no stinking manual: You'd be surprised at what you can learn by reading the manual. It may not rank with the world's greatest literature, but it's required reading if you want to take good care of your computer.
Once you've read the manual, put it in a safe place. The manual will tell you the type of memory you need to buy when the time comes for an upgrade. You'll see how to install a second hard disk and what to do when things go wrong.
Follow my advice, and you'll have fewer problems down the line. Notice that I said "fewer" problems. The only trouble-free computer is the one you'll find pictured in an enticing advertisement.
tecbud@ajc.com
