Offices in Red Wing, MN & Hudson and Janesville, WI
Phone: 888-385-060 7
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.startech-comp.com
Editor: Julie Winger, Director of Business Development
NEWSLETTER - August 2011
Two Simple Tools to Improve
Computer Performance
By Mike Bang, System Specialist I
Is your computer running slower
than usual? Does it take seemingly
forever to open Microsoft Word? Am
I starting to sound like one of those
“MyKleanLaptop.com” commercials?
Don’t worry. I’m not
going to tell
you to go to
some random website. Instead, I’m going to fill you in
on two tools you already have that
might give your computer that boost
you were looking for.
Disk Defragmenter Disk Defragmenter is probably something you have heard of before. Over
the course of using your computer,
data stored is split up across the
physical platters of your hard drive.
The more split up your data becomes, the harder your hard drive
has to work to access it. Disk
Defragmenter relocates fragmented
data so that it is easier to access,
thus speeding up the retrieval of it.
On Windows Vista and Windows 7,
Disk Defragmenter is scheduled to
run automatically once a week.
Chances
are
your computer
isn’t powered on
when the scheduled defragmentation is set. Altering the schedule is easy. Just click “Start” and type
“Disk Defragmenter.” When you
open up the program you should see
either “Modify Schedule” (Vista) or
“Configure Schedule” ( Windows 7).
Select one of these options and configure it to suit your needs.
In Windows XP, configuring Disk
Defragmenter to run automatically
isn’t quite as simple. Click “Start”,
point to “All Programs” and point to
“Accessories”. You will find Disk
Defragmenter under “System Tools.”
In “System Tools” select volume “C”
and click “Defragment.” That’s all
there is to it.
Disk Cleanup Disk Cleanup is a tool that helps free
up hard drive space. The tool works
by
filling
you
in on
what
data
can be safely removed and allows
you to choose what you would like to
either keep or remove. Disk Cleanup
can be found on Windows XP, Vista
and Windows 7 under “System Tools”
above Disk Defragmenter. It can also
be found in the “Start” menu in Vista
and Windows 7. Disk Cleanup runs
nearly the same way in each of the
above mentioned operating systems
with some minor differences.
In Windows 7 and XP disk cleanup
may prompt you for a drive selection
upon start up, select the “C” drive.
After the tool has run it will present
you with the specific areas in which
data can be removed. After making
1
your selection, click “OK” and click
“Yes” to delete the data.
Windows Vista’s version will ask you
if you want just your files cleaned up
or the entire computer. Select the
entire computer
option. Next you
will be prompted
for drive selection, choose the
“C” drive and click
“OK”. After the tool has run, pick
which files you would like removed,
click “OK” and then click “Delete
Files.”
If you are uncomfortable with doing
the prior suggestions, or just don’t
have the time, please feel free to give
us a call. Our engineers will be happy
to show you how or do the task for
you.
Customer Questions—
Recently, a customer submitted the
following questions via our website.
You may have had thoughts about
these questions as well:
Does it really slow my computer
down by having too many icons
on my desktop?
It is possible. Many individuals have
their an entire desktop plastered with
icons. What they do not know is that
these icons/shortcuts use resources
and can slow their pc down. Remove
the icons you do not use all the time.
Don’t worry, you are not removing
the program, you’re just removing
the short cut. The program will still be
on your start menu.
Should I shut my PC/Laptop down
each night?
There are many differences of opinion when it comes to what is best
and there is no right or wrong answer; it comes down to what you
prefer and how you user your computer. Below are a few things to consider—
Leave your PC/Laptop on at night—
Programs that need access in the
evenings/nighttime can run and not
interrupt
your
daily workflow.
Programs such as
antivirus
solutions are often
set to scan your
computer in the
evenings and it
may be worth it for you to have them
run in the evening and not slow
down your PC during the day.
Windows updates often are performed in the evening and then need
to automatically reboot your machine; it is nice not to have to work
around these necessary functions
during the day. Many people need
immediate access to their computers
when they start their work day. If you
have to boot your PC first it may impede your workflow.
Turn your PC/Laptop off at night—
The primary reason to turn off your
PC/Laptop is to conserve energy. It is
difficult to accurately define exactly how much
power any given
PC
consumes,
but it is safe to
say that with a
monitor, printer and maybe an external hard drive attached, it is using
between 60 to 150 watts.
Another reason to turn off your computer is that it is less likely to sustain
damage from an electrical storm.
Credit Card Phone Fraud
Just as we have to be cautious with
our personal info
online, we also
need to be aware
that
scammers
are also brazen
enough to actually call and ask us for information. Any
time you get a call from your credit
card company, before verifying or giving your personal information, credit
card number, 3 digit code or PIN , it is
best to tell the caller you will call them
back. You will find the needed phone
number on the back of your card. This
will ensure that you are actually talking with who you think you are talking
to!
Fun Question—Fun Answer!
If you had all the money in the world
but still wanted to have some kind of
job, what would you choose to do?
If I had all the money in the world but
still had to work I would open an after
school/summer program for unprivileged
children and their
families. All children
deserve a chance at a
successful life that
awaits them. -Tiffany
Upp, Scheduling Coordinator
puter for long periods. Rest your eyes
for 15 minutes after two hours of con
tinuous computer use. For every 20
minutes of computer viewing, look
into the distance for 20 seconds to
allow your eyes a chance to refocus.
Blinking— To minimize your chances
of developing dry eye when using a
computer, make an effort to blink frequently. Blinking keeps the front surface of your eye moist.
Lighting— Position the computer
screen to avoid glare, particularly
from overhead lighting or windows.
Use blinds or drapes on windows and
replace the light bulbs in desk lamps
with bulbs of lower wattage.
Location of Your Computer Screen—
Most
people
find it more
comfortable to
view a computer
when the eyes
are
looking
downward. Four
to five inches
below eye level
is optimal.
Special Dates for StarTech Computing
StarTech Computing has three birthdays to celebrate in the
month of August—Mike
Bang,
Dan
Flemke and
Mike Benoy all have birthdays this
month! Happy Birthday!!
Healthy Living Tip
In this day and age it is highly likely
that your day includes many hours of
computer usage. Below are some
handy hints for your health and comfort.
Rest breaks - To prevent eyestrain, try
to rest your eyes when using the com2
Thank you for your business-we
appreciate it. Call us anytime with
comments on how we are meeting
your needs. We value your feedback. Please contact Julie Winger,
Director, Business Development
888-385-0607.