Computers and Technology

Helping in the decision of a new computer or possible other options! In the current financial situation of the world economy it is an hard investment to purchase a new computer. The first thing that you should look at is the reasons why you want a new computer. A super computer user will be able to answer that question easily. But, that does not hold true for all of us.

Most of you have a computer that is several years old and our having performance issues. Before going out and buying a new computer you may want to consider a different alternatives to computer purchase than purchase. In most situations think back to the day you received your computer when it was new. This process will also allow you to thoroughly understand what is on your computer and how you use it.

* Did you like your computer when it was new?
* Does your computer fit your needs?
* Where you able to do everything you needed and wanted to do on the computer?
* Do you need it back to when the computer was new and it would perform well and fit your needs?

If you can answer yes to the above questions you may want to take a different course of action and save yourself some money and improve that old computer.

The Alternative to Computer Purchasing: I have currently work on several computers for friends and associates with this current process and been able to create pleasing results for them with their older computers. Here is the process I walked them through to restore and upgrade their computer to like new or better than it was when it was new.

1. Go over their important Data and Files they have saved on their computer. Make sure you capture all the file directories from Picture Software, other used programs, email and so forth. This process should be followed to the point that you have accounted for everything you do on your computer. This is necessary not to lose any important files.

2. Using either an Picture Software, other used programs, email you discovered on the computer so that you can replace it back to the computer later. Be sure to make notes of the file location so you can put these files back in the location that you found them.

3. The following step is to look at the software on the computer and determine what came on the computer at purchase and what has been added later. At this point it is time to make sure you obtain all the downloaded software information and/or Cd Rom discs and make sure you have all the software licensing code for each software application. You will need this information and the software to re install applications on you computer. The ones that came with the computer will restore however some you may have licensed an application and you will need that documentation also.

4. Then you need to look at your computers hardware setting and make sure you know how to reconnect to you internet account, scanners, printers etc... Check and write down the computer settings. If you are using Outlook, Outlook Express, or some other non internet based email program make sure you know the settings and the location of your file directory for your email so that you can also copy it so you can return the file to the directory after reinstalling.

Once you have completed all the above wait a couple days and go over what you have learned as you use your computer to make sure you have not missed or forgotten anything. Also re verify that you have successfully copied all the files you need to keep. If you have downloaded executable for programs save them too. It will make it easier that downloading them again to re install.

Computer Upgrades The best upgrade to speed up your computer is to max out the amount of Ram Memory that the mother board can handle. First go to control panel, systems icon and find out how mach RAM your computer has installed. Then go to the manufactures websites support page and find the details of your model of computer. It will tell you how mach RAM the mother board will handle. (Most computers have slots for two RAM chips to be installed. Most of the older Computers can handle 2 gig of memory.)

Then there are a lot of websites that will tell you what memory you need for you computer model. I use Geek.com and NewEgg.com as a rule and get great prices. For an example, I purchase 2 gig of RAM Memory for an older HP Pavilion that had one 512mg memory chip for around $65.00. The additional RAM greatly improved the computers performance.

Conclusion At this point you are ready to entirely erase your computer and completely reinstall everything on your computer back to when you first removed it from the box. Unfortunately Windows systems tend to degrade and get bough ed down over time and cause problems. This is the best way to keep you computer running at peak efficiencies. I commonly will reload mine every 1or 2 years as I start to have issues.

I will follow up this article with the types of computer restore options for you so that you will know how to find the information and restore your computer. Talk to you very soon!

jmm