Keeping a PC running and avoiding losing work

 

1.              What to do if there’s a problem              1

2.              Maintenance of your computer              1

3.              Keeping your work safe so that you don’t lose files              2

4.              Retrieving files              2

  1. What to do if there’s a problem

 

Is something not working? If it’s small, such as the mouse or usb drive, you may simply need to get another one, although see the software checks to make sure. If it’s major such as the DVD drive, hard disk or screen, these should be covered under the warranty, so contact Dell on 0870  908 0800 and quote your machine tag (on a sticker on the bottom) which is 2JKMH2J. This warranty lasts until 2/10/2011 and if you call they should come to you and replace the part the following day.

 

Software doesn’t usually stop working unless there’s a clash with another programme or something malicious on your computer. If you suspect a clash, uninstall the most recent programme or recover the system back to a known point and try again.

 

Viruses can stop your PC working too. McAfee is installed, so update it if you can – see maintenance- and remove any suspect viruses the checker finds. IF YOU CAN'T EVEN CONNECT to the internet you may need to take the laptop to a computer shop to have a specialist fix it. (Try to prove your internet acces point is working though, by seeing if anyone else can connect to it).

 

Virus checkers don’t find everything – someone programmes appear innocent to them but can still cause harm. This is malware. Download a specialist programme such as Superantispyware at http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html

and remove whatever it detects, focusing on the serious threats first.

 

Viruses or malware can also stop hardware working properly: if you see something odd such as wrong characters appearing on the screen, the screen background is a strange colour but the screen still works, etc. this might be the cause.

 

  1. Maintenance of your computer

Two key things to do: keeping the PC protected, and keeping the performance OK.

 

To keep the PC protected, always reply to the automatic prompts to keep Windows and McAfee up to date.

 

  1. Keeping your work safe so that you don’t lose files

 

Back up to a USB stick or online: Virgin Media offer  a free service, which may also be useful for info held on your phone.

 

  1. Retrieving lost files

 

Not guaranteed, but try the following:

Is it in the Recycle bin? It will be if you have done any ordinary delete and haven’t emptied it.

Was it work in progress? If so, look in Temporary files.

Was it

 

Finally if this guide hasn’t found the solution try Gizmo http://www.techsupportalert.com/   for tools, the Guardian technology for advice.