Not a computer geek? Don`t worry, nor are the vast majority of users. Although it took a couple of decades to resolve, finally a combination of technology, software development and programming produced computers for non-tech-heads. Loading new programs can usually be achieved in a few minutes by following the on-screen prompts. The program will not only configure itself but will also update or modify any operating system and shared services files to make it run correctly with other applications. Happily, peripherals like printers, scanners, networking are now "plug and play" meaning that as soon as they are connected to the computer, a new device is recognised and the "wizard" completes the installation process.
Most personal computers (PCs) are now so smart that they will detect and even correct problems automatically. Unfortunately, there are numerous factors that could contribute to the fault. As a general guide, these fall into two categories, namely hardware problems and software problems. Mostly, these are relatively easy to identify, but occasionally what appears as a faulty program or a viral infection might actually be a hardware component overheating and thus failing intermittently. Whatever the cause, the resulting shutdown, re-boot, or even just closing of a program can be highly frustrating.
Before getting into fixing problems, it obviously makes more sense to prevent them in the first place. This can usually be done by registering every program (and the PC itself) from the outset, generally done using the "register now" prompt when installing the program. Just follow the prompts to do this. Microsoft, Adobe and most other mainstream providers will then send and install any important software updates.
If a program crashes, the most simple advice is to read then write down the words displayed in any error message. This will make the task of a repairer much simpler, in the event that you cannot fix the problem yourself. It is important to do this immediately the message occurs, because you will surely have forgotten the details after working through the various "help" screens and on-board diagnostic tools. However, it is frequently possible to rectify problems yourself. The "help" screens are indispensable guides to resolving many problems that can be rectified without having to engage a repair service. If these do not load automatically when a problem occurs, look in "my computer" and/or in "all programs." Of course, never experiment with a command you do not understand because you may do more harm than good. Look for "repair" links and click on these, again following the prompts.
Viruses were mentioned earlier. These are the bane of the computer industry, costing users more time and money than any other problem. There are numerous effective anti-virus programs that will scan every incoming email, visited website and warn you of possible danger. The best of these feature automatic scans of all files, including the operating system and programs, then list and remove any infections. Look for tools that prevent "worms" and key-loggers that allow someone to record your keystrokes - like bank passwords. A reliable firewall stops hackers from gaining access to your machine.
Finally, the size and complexity of many items you will wish to access on the Internet means that old dial-up services will be unacceptably slow. Choose a reliable Broadband Internet supplier because you need skill, experience, a wide range of support services and the ability to survive, when some cheaper providers might fail. It is even possible to find one where bundled services Mobile broadband free laptop will supply everything you need, including the PC itself and it is easy to see how such a service can take away many of the problems you might otherwise encounter.
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