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So you’ve got your new computer and it’s fantastic. But six months down the line has it become one of your biggest causes of stress?
Startup Programs
Does your new PC randomly shut down? Is it much slower than it used to be? Or does it seem to take forever for your computer to startup? Do you have lots of little pretty icons sitting next to the clock in Windows? When you install some programs, or select the option in the application itself, they can launch themselves just after Windows starts and a little icon will appear and this is what is slowing down your PC. Although the majority of computers have plenty of memory (RAM) and processing power (CPU), any overhead will slow your computer; in its simplest form, it’s a bit like towing a trailer when you don’t need to, the car will still go but you will use more fuel and you won’t be able to go as fast. In the same way, your computer does not necessarily have to be ‘towing multiple trailers’ when you are just journeying across the Internet so why not remove them until you need them?
MEMORY LOSS
FUNNY NOISES
“My computer makes a funny noise and won’t start... all my files and photos are okay – aren’t they?”
I cannot tell you the number of times we have heard similar queries to this, and sometimes the answer is not the one people want to hear! Most of the data on your computer is stored on the hard drive. The hard drive is a sensitive mechanical device which records information magnetically onto a moving disk.
AN External Hard Drive
These often come with software that will enable you to choose which information you would like to back up and how often. They can be set to run at the same time every day and can be set up to record changes only. However, these backups are only as reliable as the hard drive and whilst very cost-effective, they hugely differ in quality and reliability. This being said, a couple of quality external hard-drives are a reliable way of backing up your important files.
These often come with software that will enable you to choose which information you would like to back up and how often. They can be set to run at the same time every day and can be set up to record changes only. However, these backups are only as reliable as the hard drive and whilst very cost-effective, they hugely differ in quality and reliability. This being said, a couple of quality external hard-drives are a reliable way of backing up your important files.
USB Memory Stick
This is a small USB stick which allows you to copy smaller quantities of information. It is a great way to move information from one computer to another but are generally much smaller than dedicated backup drives and are usually as reliable as the price, which is not that great.
This is a small USB stick which allows you to copy smaller quantities of information. It is a great way to move information from one computer to another but are generally much smaller than dedicated backup drives and are usually as reliable as the price, which is not that great.
Online Backups
Sometimes called ‘cloud storage’ you can upload your data to the internet. The simplest online backup is a fixed amount of storage that gives you space on a server. Some paid for services offer software that looks for changes daily and uploads them for you. The initial upload can be very tedious and time consuming as it is done via your broadband connection. The free online backups will provide limited space and if you have a lot of data you wish to protect you will need to pay a monthly charge for more space. Prices start from £5 per month for 1Gb of storage and is generally one of the safest forms of backup. This is because the online backup provider not only takes a copy of the files you choose, but also backs-up the backups to make sure that your restore media is not compromised. Remember, you do get what you pay for so how much do you value your files?
Sometimes called ‘cloud storage’ you can upload your data to the internet. The simplest online backup is a fixed amount of storage that gives you space on a server. Some paid for services offer software that looks for changes daily and uploads them for you. The initial upload can be very tedious and time consuming as it is done via your broadband connection. The free online backups will provide limited space and if you have a lot of data you wish to protect you will need to pay a monthly charge for more space. Prices start from £5 per month for 1Gb of storage and is generally one of the safest forms of backup. This is because the online backup provider not only takes a copy of the files you choose, but also backs-up the backups to make sure that your restore media is not compromised. Remember, you do get what you pay for so how much do you value your files?