Cleaning up your software

Just as a tip…when I clean a computer, the first thing I do is go to the Control Panel and hit “add/remove” programs (for XP users that is).

I generally do a quick scan and see what looks like it should be there and what should not be there.

What should be there? Programs you have paid for or knowingly downloaded.

What shouldn’t be there? Spyware programs!

You can easily tell a spyware program by 2 things.
1.) the word “search” is in the name of the program
2.) the program is very small in size (under 1 mb usually)

If you want to delete those little buggers, you can. Just a reminder that sometimes a removal of those spyware will take you to an internet site and require a download of a tool to uninstall it. Generally that is the safest way to go, follow the spyware instructions. Back in the day it was hard to remove the spyware, but today it’s a big easier.

Sometimes the computer will require a reboot after removing. Make sure you watch for that window or option in a window because you may want to wait to reboot until you are done.

TIP…many “coupon” saving websites will download a tool, so if you’re a coupon maniac, you may want to remember that those coupons you are cyber clipping is maybe adding spyware. Most people hate it when I remove that coupon tool, but it’s really best for your computer.

If you have any questions about removing software, please feel free to email info@callthatgirl.biz or call for a quick free consultation. 612-865-4475

Free "Office" type program available!

Microsoft Office is a pretty big chunk of change for a word formatting and spreadsheet right? It’s $149 at my local computer store.

Or would you rather have a generic version for free? It also saves as “word 97-2003” so you can always make sure your friends and colleagues get a version you send that does open.

http://www.openoffice.org/

Open Office offers word documenting , spreadsheet, presentation, draw, database and a math program. You can also open other “Word documents” in Open Office Writer and save back and forth.

-Free-Looks and feels like Microsoft Word
-Opens Microsoft Word documents
-Creates PDF’s without a writer
-Compatible on XP and Vista

It’s a fairly easy installation, of course…call or ask me any questions!

Have a great Tuesday!

Lisa

The dirty work

Yes folks, you have to clean inside your computer (not if you have a laptop, but we’ll touch on that later).

Clean inside my computer????

Yes, I said it! Do you know what the inside of your computer looks like? It’s a metal box with parts all over it connected by a huge board called “the motherboard” or (fatherboard as the ladies like to call it).

If you are interested in seeing what’s going on and how many dust balls are in that box, let’s take off the cover or “shell” as geeks call it and find out! (reminder…if you have pets, expect A LOT of dust and fur!)

1.) Unplug all cords! This machine must not be connected to any power.

The cover will come off easy if you have a Dell.
The cover will be probably harder if you have another model.

Usually there are clips on the Dells that snap and you slide off half the case, it’s not just as simple as opening a box, but it will slide open.

For other models, you may have to unscrew some of the exterior screws. Sometimes half the cover comes off, other times the whole thing will come off and there you will be seeing your computer naked!

Most people I have seen clean out their computer, just get a vacuum and suck all the dust balls out. (even I do that usually…) But…there are some concerns with that. Electric static can zap your computer and fry some of the pieces. So for you “Average Jane”…I just recommend just hand grabbing all the big pieces. Then after you have them picked out, just grab a paper towel and start wiping the rest out. You will especially want to get the back area where the power fan is, and where you plug in your internet cords, monitor, etc. Those are very dusty! (as they are so close to the fur and dust in your house).

After you find it all clean and good to go, put the cover back on and plug it all back in. Your computer will not run faster or better, but I have seen some really scary fur balls in one of my computers and I feared fur fire LOL. Never know….it was a huge furball.

LAPTOP USERS

Nope, you can’t just take it all apart and dust it out…but you can clean the keyboard and I do recommend that. Why? Because the keyboard is a part of the “machine” unlike a regular computer that has it detached. Keeping your keyboard clean will help keep your laptop working especially after warranty. Just get a can of dust air and give it a good “spraying down” and then check for huge crumbs and what not. A cookie crumb can cause a key to stick and give you hours of drama….so just check that out on occasion and you’ll be in great shape!

If you have any questions about this or want Call That Girl to do a regular computer cleaning and show you how to dust out your computer, call 612-865-4475 for an appt.

Enjoy your Wed!

Lisa