Becoming a Power User

A workshop on how to better use and maintain your computer and software.

1. Becoming a Power User!

2. Adam King [email protected] Becoming a Power User!

3. What do YOU want to learn? Ask Questions and Share your Experiences! Becoming a Power User!

4. NPower’s Mission To inspire and empower nonprofits to use technology to better serve their communities.

5. http ://techguide.npowermichigan.org/

6. www.slideshare.net/npowermichigan/

7. Computing Trends Maintaining & Optimizing Your Computer Upgrading Your Computer Troubleshooting Problems Backup & Security Windows XP – Tips and Tricks Office 2007 – Tips and Tricks Tools to be More Productive Additional Learning Resources Open Session – Questions and Sharing Today’s Session

8. Computing Trends

9. Operating System XP Vista Windows 7 Office Suite 2003 2007 Computing Trends

10. Portable Computers $$$ $ Computing Trends

11. Mobile Devices (for communication, organization, productivity) Computing Trends

12. “Cloud Computing” Programs accessed via Web browser Rent vs. Buy Hosted vs. host your own Work from ANY computer Computing Trends

13. “Cloud Computing” Computing Trends

14. Computer Maintenance & Optimization

15. Large USB flash drive Portable external hard drive Small flashlight Screwdriver set Extra cables (USB, ethernet ) Hard drive adapter Canned air Software and Driver discs Spare Keyboard and Mouse The Power User Toolkit

16. Top Monthly Computer Maintenance Tips Run Microsoft Update monthly Clear out temporary system files Defragment your hard drive Run a spyware scanner Run a full virus scanner Maintaining Your Computer

17. 1. Microsoft Update Windows + Office Suite = Microsoft Update Run manual update – Automatic doesn’t always cut it Updates released – 2 nd Tuesday Large Updates rolled into a Service Pack Windows XP SP3, Vista SP1, Office 2003 SP3, Office 2007 SP1 Maintaining Your Computer

18. Clearing out temporary files! Temp internet and system files Free up space Speed up access times Prevent problems from occurring (i.e. browser issues and spyware) Maintaining Your Computer

19. 2. Clearing out temporary files! Step 1: Run Disk Cleanup Step 2: Clear out browser cache Maintaining Your Computer

20. Clearing out temporary files CCleaner – the one stop shop! Download.com – search for “CCleaner” Maintaining Your Computer

21. The Windows Registry Database on the computer that stores all the settings and information about the computer and software on the computer Careful when working with the registry! Use CCleaner to clean registry Maintaining Your Computer

22. 3. Defragmenting the Hard Drive Gaps on the hard drive Rearranges files and programs Run monthly, don’t use while running The more you run it the quicker it will be Maintaining Your Computer

23. Defragmenting the Hard Drive Faster Defrag – Auslogics Disk Defrag Download.com – search for “Auslogics Defrag” Maintaining Your Computer

24. 4: Run a spyware scanner Spybot MalwareBytes Maintaining Your Computer Available for download at www.Download.com

25. 5: Run a full virus scan Keep subscription active Update definitions (i.e. Norton LiveUpdate ) Use alternate scanner: TrendMicro HouseCall – http://housecall.trendmicro.com Panda Antivirus – http://pandasecurity.com/activescan Maintaining Your Computer

26. Keeping it Clean Shoot it with canned air Keep off the floor Don’t use a vacuum Clean out mice Wipe down surfaces Maintaining Your Computer

27. Uninstall unused programs A lean computer is a fast computer Don’t install what you don’t need Webshots /screensavers, Weather programs, Toolbars Stop programs from running at startup Optimizing Your Computer

28. Turn off System Indexing My Computer  Right Click C:\ drive  Properties  Uncheck “Allow indexing…” Optimizing Your Computer

29. Change Background to Solid Color Right click on Desktop  Choose Desktop tab  Choose Background: None Optimizing Your Computer

30. Reduce Size of Recycle Bin Right click on Recyle Bin  Move slider to 3% Optimizing Your Computer

31. Computer Inventory TechAtlas.org Network Documentation Account information, passwords, IP addresses, contact info, network diagram, etc. Be Organized For Yourself: For Your Organization: Keep files organized in named folders Don’t store lots of files on the desktop

32. Be Organized

33. www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=12489 Be Organized Network Documentation Template

34. Stick with “Business Class” systems Maximize processor Plan for one upgrade Laptops: Go with the LARGER battery Laptops: Get the accidental protection warranty Computer Buying Tips

35. Monitor Size 2008 University of Utah Study: Participants using 24 inch monitor completed tasks 52% faster than those using an 18 inch monitor. Productivity dropped off when using 26 inch monitors.

36. Dell Vostro 220 Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Windows XP Professional (Home vs Pro?, Home vs. Business?) 3 GB of RAM DVD +/- RW drive 160 GB Hard drive 22 ” LCD Monitor Integrate Video & Audio 1 year warranty Computer Buying Tips $ 78 8 on 5/18/09

37. Dell Latitude E5500 Intel Core 2 Duo P9600 Windows XP Professional 4 GB of RAM DVD +/- RW drive 160 GB Hard drive 9 Cell Battery Bluetooth Integrated Video & Audio 3 year onsite warranty + accidental damage Computer Buying Tips $1450 on 5/18/09

38. Best Source for Professional Reviews: Best Source for User Reviews and Purchasing : Computer Buying Tips

39. Upgrade Your Computer

40. Upgrade Your Computer Why? Slowing down, running out of space What? Memory, Hard drive, processor ( maybe… ) When? Less than 3 years old

41. Inside the computer Hard drive Memory Processor Power supply Motherboard Add-in cards (video, audio, etc.) Know Your Computer Parts

42. Step 1: Determine how much memory you have Step 2: Determine the right kind of memory Upgrade Your Memory

43. Step 3: Install the Memory Upgrade Your Memory

44. Step 3: Install the Memory Upgrade Your Memory

45. Step 4: Verify it is installed correctly Upgrade Your Memory

46. Upgrading a laptop: Upgrade Your Memory

47. Step 1: What type of hard drive? Upgrade Your Hard Drive OR

48. Step 2: Install the drive Upgrade Your Hard Drive

49. Step 3: Image old drive to new Upgrade Your Hard Drive

50. Step 1: Determine your socket type Upgrade Your Processor

51. Step 2: Remove processor fan and unit Step 3: Apply thermal grease Step 4: Insert new processor unit and fan Upgrade Your Processor

52. Step 5: Verify installation Upgrade Your Processor

53. Computer Processors The Good Intel Core 2 Duo Intel Core 2 Quad AMD Athlon 64 x2 AMD Phenom x4 AMD Turion 64 x2 ( moblie ) The Bad Intel Pentium D Intel Pentium 4 AMD Athlon 64 The Ugly Intel Celeron AMD Sempron AMD Opteron (mobile)

54. Computer Processors Processor Specs # of Cores Speed (in Gigahertz) Cache Speed of FSB Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E8400 (3.0GHz, 6M, 1333MHz FSB) Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor E7300 (2.66GHz, 3M, 1066MHz FSB) Vs.

55. Troubleshooting

56. Troubleshooting requires a systematic thought process that starts at the most basic level and moves towards the complex as possibilities are eliminated. Troubleshooting

57. General Troubleshooting Tips: #1 Power User Trick: Reboot! then… Ask the question: Is it just me, or everyone? Look around: Check physical connections, flashing lights, etc. What has changed since it was last working? Test with “known good” equipment Write down error messages and numbers exactly Troubleshooting

58. General Troubleshooting Tips: You are not the first person to have this issue! Troubleshooting Keyword searches Use “quotes” for exact errors

59. Google-it! Problem : “Something happened and now my monitor is displaying everything upside-down!!” Troubleshooting

60. Solutions: Use CTRL+ALT+Arrow Keys Check your video card settings Troubleshooting

61. Scenario 1: Computer makes loud noise at boot up! Open computer, clean out dust Listen to the fan Listen to the hard drive Troubleshooting

62. Scenario 2: My computer won’t boot into Windows! Remove any floppy disks, CD-ROMS, USB drives Troubleshooting

63. Scenario 2: My computer won’t boot into Windows! Troubleshooting

64. Scenario 2: My computer won’t boot into Windows! Repair Windows XP Troubleshooting

65. Change Boot Order Troubleshooting

66. Scenario 2: My computer won’t boot into Windows! Repair Windows XP Troubleshooting

67. Scenario 2: My computer won’t boot into Windows! Repair Windows XP Troubleshooting

68. Scenario 2: My computer won’t boot into Windows! Repair Windows XP Troubleshooting

69. Scenario 3: “I turn on the computer and the screen is black! All I hear are BEEPS!!” The beeps MEAN something – MB, RAM, Video… Count the beeps (#, long, short) Each motherboard is different – Google it, Tech support Troubleshooting

70. Scenario 4: “I can’t print!” Check cables (power, USB, ethernet ) Check power Check paper level, paper jams REBOOT! Reinstall printer Troubleshooting

71. Scenario 4: “I can’t print!” Troubleshooting Delete the printer

72. Scenario 4: “I can’t print!” Troubleshooting Download latest drivers

73. Scenario 4: “I can’t print!” Troubleshooting

74. Scenario 4: “I can’t print!” Troubleshooting

75. Scenario 5: I can’t connect to the Internet! Is it just you? Check cables Reboot Renew your IP address Troubleshooting

76. Renew your IP address Start  Run  cmd Troubleshooting

77. Renew your IP address Ipconfig /all Troubleshooting

78. Renew your IP address ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew Troubleshooting

79. Scenario 5: I can’t connect to the Internet! Is it just you? Switch out your cable for “known good” Follow you cable all the way to the router/switch Swap out switches Bad network card? (beware static shocks!) Troubleshooting

80. Scenario 5: I can’t connect to the Internet! Is it everyone? Check cables Check network equipment (router, modem, switches) Power cycle router and modem Call ISP Troubleshooting

81. Scenario 6: I can’t send or receive email Is it everyone? Internet down Email provider down Using Outlook? Troubleshooting

82. Scenario 6… Troubleshooting

83. Bill Gates – BSOD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgriTO8UHvs Troubleshooting

84. Blue Screen of Death – BSOD Troubleshooting

85. IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL - 0×0000000A Two devices trying to use the same memory space Reboot usually fixes it PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA - 0×00000050 Incompatible software installed Memory has gone bad Motherboard has gone bad Troubleshooting Most Common BSOD’s:

86. Backup

87. Scary Statistics: A computer hard drive fails every 15 seconds Over 2000 laptops are stolen or lost everyday 1 in 5 computers suffer hard drive failure during their normal useful life Eventually , 100% of all hard drives will fail Source: Realty Times Backup

88. My Documents Shared files Database files Email Accounting data Organizational pictures Favorites/Bookmarks Fonts Desktop Music Personal or Non-organizational data What to Backup? What to Not Backup ? (personal backup only) Backup

89. Personal Backup: My computer Backup

90. Central file storage location: Server or networked PC Backup

91. Internet Pros Automatic and incremental Versioning Affordable option Offsite Cons Relies on your Internet connection Recurring fee Backup

92. Disk Image Backup

93. Email Backup Google: “Outlook Backup”

94. Email Backup Save your email backup to a external drive!

95. Computer & Network Security

96. Use Strong Passwords: 6 to 8 characters long using lower/upper case letters, numbers, and symbols 4 characters – 14 million possible passwords – 2 seconds 8 characters – 200 trillion possible passwords – 1 year 9 characters – 13 quadrillion possible passwords – 70 years 10 characters – 840 quadrillion possible passwords – 4000 years Avoid words in the dictionary (easier to guess) Use a sentence that means something to you Every Sunday I go to church at 9 E$igtc@9 Change passwords Computer and Network Security

97. Threats: Viruses + Spyware + Adware = MALWARE Email attachments/links, “free” downloads Computer and Network Security

98. Prevent Malware: Keep antivirus software up-to-date and run a monthly scan Run Spybot and/or Malwarebytes regularly Install Windows Defender – www.microsoft.com/defender Computer and Network Security + + = Safer computing

99. Remove Malware: Step 1: Update Antivirus Definitions Step 2: Download and Update Spyware Scanner Spybot Search & Destroy AVG Internet Security (free trial ) – www.avg.com Step 3: Reboot Computer into Safe Mode Computer and Network Security

100. Computer and Network Security

101. Remove Malware: Step 4: Run full virus and spyware scan Computer and Network Security Step 5: Reboot

102. Remove Malware: Smitfraud remover - http://is.gd/nxJX CoolWebSearch (CWS) remover - http://is.gd/nLRf Computer and Network Security

103. Phishing Computer and Network Security

104. Configuring Wireless Security Computer and Network Security http://192.168.1.1

105. Wireless Security Options WEP is breakable WPA2 Personal (aka WPA2-PSK) Computer and Network Security

106. Wireless Router SSID = the name of your network Computer and Network Security

107. Computer and Network Security Wireless Router Change default username/password

108. Windows XP Tips & Tricks

109. Keyboard Shortcuts: + D = Show the Desktop + E = Open “My Computer” + Break = Open “System Properties” SHIFT + DELETE = Delete, skipping the Recycle Bin ALT + TAB = Switch between programs Right Click + Drag = Copy or Move option CTRL + SHIFT + Drag = Create a shortcut Windows XP Tips & Tricks

110. More Keyboard Shortcuts: CTRL + C = Copy CTRL + X = Cut CTRL + V = Paste CTRL + Z = Undo CTRL + Y = Redo CTRL + B = Bold CTRL + U = Underline CTRL + I = Italic Windows XP Tips & Tricks

111. Backup or transfer IE Favorites My Computer  C:\  Documents and Settings  USER  Favorites Windows XP Tips & Tricks

112. Save Energy + Time Windows “Standby” Mode Windows “Hibernate” Mode Windows XP Tips & Tricks

113. When a program freezes… CTRL+ALT+DEL = Windows Task Manager Windows XP Tips & Tricks

114. Using MSConfig Start  Run  msconfig Windows XP Tips & Tricks

115. Using MSConfig When in doubt, don’t stop it Safe to stop: Adobe stuff Google updater/ notifier Quick Time ( qttask ) Windows XP Tips & Tricks

116. Edit Visual Effects to boost performance Right Click My Computer  Properties Advanced Tab  Performance Settings Windows XP Tips & Tricks Uncheck all but the last item.

117. Microsoft Office Tips & Tricks

118. Office 2007 Office 2007 $20 – TechSoup.org

119. Word - .doc  . docx Excel - . xls  . xlsx PowerPoint - . ppt  . pptx Office 2007

120. Office 2007 Compatibility Pack Office 2007

121. Office 2007

122. Save As PDF - http://is.gd/enw Office 2007

123. Customize the Quick Access Toolbar Office 2007

124. Outlook = Email, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes Outlook

125. Outlook Add-ins: Xobni Outlook www.xobni.com

126. Word Excel PowerPoint Office Suite

127. Office.Microsoft.com Office Help

128. Tools to be More Productive

129. LogMeIn.com Free access to your computer at the office Work on files, email, etc. Tools & Tips for Productivity

130. Tools & Tips for Productivity MeetingWizard.com Send a single meeting request to many people with proposed dates and times Choose the time that works best for most Automated email reminders

131. Tools & Tips for Productivity Workspace.Officelive.com Share and work on Office files from anywhere

132. Tools & Tips for Productivity

133. CostToDrive.com Tools & Tips for Productivity

134. FreeConferenceCall.com Host a conference call for free Usually not a local number Tools & Tips for Productivity

135. Tools & Tips for Productivity DimDim.com Online voice, video Share slides, show your computer Desktop Free for 20 or less attendees

136. Tools & Tips for Productivity RememberTheMilk.com & ToodleDo.com Online To Do list Access from any computer and sync with your phone Prioritize, due dates, etc. Email and RSS alerts on due dates

137. Tools & Tips for Productivity ToodleDo.com

138. MeetWays.com Tools & Tips for Productivity

139. Firefox Faster than IE Tons of Add-ons Tools & Tips for Productivity

140. Firefox Add-ons: http://is.gd/pxE http://is.gd/1zK8 http://is.gd/nBgG http://is.gd/nBnV Tools & Tips for Productivity

141. Additional Learning Resources

142. HP Learning Center Additional Resources http://is.gd/nAP7

143. A+ Certification Computer training focusing on installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking Classes available at a New Horizons ( www.nhgreatlakes.com ) Additional Resources

144. NPower Michigan’s Delicious Additional Resources http://del.icio.us/NPowerMichigan

145. Q & A Forum

146. Adam King [email protected]