Free space to keep

How much free space should you maintain on your computer’s hard drive? Most experts recommend that at least 20% of the drive be kept available.

The extra space is used to store temporary files by applications you use, defragmentation programs, and new files and programs you’ll undoubtedly add as you use you computer.

When you can no longer keep at least 20% of your drive free, it’s time to think about upgrading a larger drive.

Access the BIOS

On the inside, every PC is built around the motherboard. The circuit board does not get much publicity, but it’s important, since every other component in your system attaches to it.

You can configure the way that your motherboard interacts with other components in your system by reading about your computer’s BIOS setup program, which is usually available by pressing Del or F2 as your computer boots up.

Spend some time reading about your motherboard in your computer’s documentation.

Getting around documents

Getting to the top or bottom of a document quickly is something that most Microsoft Word users need to do often.

Using the vertical scroll bar or the PageUp and PageDown keys will do the job, but they’re slow, especially with long documents.

Instead, to get to the top of the document, hold down the Ctrl key and tap Home. To get the bottom, hold down the Ctrl key and tap the End key.

Shift to delete

Ever want totally remove a file form your computer? In Windows, when you delete a file by pressing the Delete key, a copy pf your file is moved to the Recycle Bin.

Anyone who opens your Recycle Bin can easily see the files that you have deleted recently. To prevent files from being deleted to the Recycle Bin, select the file you wish to delete, hold down the Shift key, and then press Delete.

Remember that when you use this method to delete files, you will not to able to retrieve them from the Recycle Bin.

Get rid of dust

Dust is your computer worst enemy. Over time, dust will accumulate in your PC. The result will be both a dirtier environment and more heat inside your computer.

Every month or so, open up your PC case, and with a vacuum hose, gently suck out the dustballs that accumulate inside.

Try not to touch the fragile electronic components with the vacuum. Remember to vacuum the dust in the fan at the back of your PC as well.

When Flash cards die

You’re on holiday and you’re taken hundreds of photographs with your digital camera. Suddenly, it freezes and an error-message appears on screen. Your memory card is corrupted.

Don’t panic. Immediately remove your memory card from the camera (don’t even think of formatting it) and keep it in a safe place.

While your PC may not be able to read data from your card, data-recovery software can (try Google or go to www.datarescue/photorescue/ ). In most cases, you can actually recover up to 90% of the photo on your dead memory card.

Take a break

When using a PC, it is easy to remain stuck at your screen for several hours at a time. Remaining completely still and not drinking water for extended periods of time (i.e “Economy class” syndrome) can result in deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where a blood clot forms in veins of your legs.

If you’re unlucky, this clot may dislodge itself and make its way to the arteries in your lungs or brain, resulting in death.

So take a break from World of Warcraft every hour or so for a drink – it may save your life.

Keep It Cool & Quiet

For most people, the standard cooler that comes with the computer is good enough. But for those who want a really quiet computer, it is worth looking at third-party cooler that keep the processor cooler and yet run quieter.

Two coolers that have recently gained recognition are Scthye Ninja SCNJ-IIOOP and the Zalman CNPS 9700 LED. However, users should make sure that the coolers are compatible with their processor and motherboard and will fit in their casing before purchasing one.

Keeping Tabs On Startup Programs

Q : What’s a good program to see what runs on my computer when I start it up? MSConfig just confuses me.

A : I used to recommend MsConfig, a configuration tool included in most version of Windows, but I can’t anymore. It offers next to zero guidance about the identity of each start-up component – you basically have to Google or guess to learn what each eight-character filename listed in MsConfig means.

If you run Windows XP, use Microsoft’s free Windows Defender (www.microsoft.com/windowsdefender) instead. This antispyware program includes a System Explorer (available under its toolbar’s Tool icon) that list every start-up program, including its full name and creator, and lets you disable any of them. Altough Defender is still in beta testing, it’s been trouble-free in my use.

If you run an older version of Windows or you have problems that stymie Windows Defender, try SysInternals’ free Autoruns (www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/Autoruns.html)

This program presents more technical data but remains relatively simple to operate : Select its “Everything” tab, then click checkboxes under the Autorun heading to disable unwanted startup programs. (you don’t need to do anything else to confirm your changes, just exit the program and restart at that point).

Microsoft itself thought well enough of Autoruns to buy SysInternals in July – LAT-WP