We need our computers!

So many of us are running our business from a computer. I myself am checking a few dozen times a day. It is the main tool of my buiness and so there are a few things that I try to do to keep it running in tip top shape.

1.Think before you install. So many times I’ve heard someone say their computer isn't working properly. Come to find out.... they've downloaded several programs from the internet or from a CD of a friend. Installing all these programs on your computer will take up space on your hard drive, which will eventually slow your computer down. They could also be an open door for viruses and cause other programs to crash. So install as few programs as possible on your computer. If you can, use a second computer to “play with” and test programs you're thinking of using company-wide.

2.Dump what you don't need. Every few months you should go thru your computer to find and delete any programs you don't really need. These unused or unnecessary programs take up valuable hard drive space, and if you're not using them, you should remove them from your computer via the “Add/Remove” programs option in your control panel.

3.Defragment your hard drive. The hard drive is one of the hardest-working parts of your computer—you're using it all the time, every day (whether you realize it or not) to access the programs you use and store the files you create. The hard drive doesn't save the files in any particular order; instead, it uses the first empty space it encounters (space that's created when you delete files). So data gets scattered around the hard drive, making it slower for you to access the data stored there. That's why it's critical to defrag your hard drive on a regular basis to keep things running as quickly as possible. Do it monthly if you're a “light” computer user and weekly if you're a power user.

4.Security is important. Things do go wrong. Therefore, its important to always backup your important data. You can back it up online, to an external hard drive or to a central server, or you can place the data on CD-ROMs or DVDs. Whatever method you choose, make sure to back it up on a regular basis so that if your computer crashes, you can easily recover your important data.

Tracy(Cedara)Dunn of http://www.thrutheatticdoor.com/