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This is a series of hints and how to articles that will be
published as time permits. ·
PROTECT YOUR PC FROM THE INTERNET ·
VERSIONS OF MICROSOFT WINDOWS ·
INSTALLING MICROSOFT WINDOWS FROM THE INTERNET There are 4 things you should do to protect your PC
from the hazards of the Internet. Keep Windows up to date - There are updates
available on the internet for free from Microsoft. Most people have a link to the place on
Internet Explorer under “Tools”. Click
on “Windows Update”. You may my also find
a link to ‘Windows Update” from your start menu under settings. Install an Anti-Virus program - This will only work
if the program is always running in the background. You can scan your PC for free at http://trendmicro.com.
This only tells you there is already a virus on your hard drive and my even be able to clean it off for you. However this is not the total solution
because you can get a virus anytime your on the
internet not just from Email attachments.
Run a firewall program - Windows XP has one for
free. Turn this on in Control Panel - Network Connections. Then right click on your connection to the
Internet. Click on Properties then
Advanced and you will see it. Don’t open Email attachments - This is true even if you
know who it’s from since they may have a virus that was sent to everyone in
their address book. If you see the
message in a preview your usually safe but if you
open the attachment then your at risk. There are 5 basic things you should ask the person
selling you a desktop, tower or laptop computer. Ranges are provided so you know if it’s
really old, slightly used or new. Some
computers may have more than the highest value you see here but that is always
a good thing. The speed of the CPU - Hertz 300 MHz
is slow 1.2 GHz is better 2.8 GHz is fast 1 GHz = 1,000 MHz so 1.2 GHz is the
same as 1200 MHz Ask if the CPU is a P2, Celeron, P3 or P4 P2 is the
oldest and P4 is the newest. The
Celeron is cheaper but not
really good for the more powerful programs. However, if all you want is the
internet and email Celeron will be enough power. The amount of memory (RAM) - Megabytes 64MB is
slow 128MB is better 256MB is fast (if you have
Windows 98) Windows
XP needs twice that much RAM The faster
the CPU the less RAM you need. RAM and
CPU are what determine your speed.
It’s easy to add RAM after
you buy and that will make a slow CPU much faster. The video memory (VRAM) - Megabytes 8 MB is
low 32 MB is enough 128 MB is a lot VRAM makes
3D games look better. Sometimes
RAM is used to make VRAM The size of the hard drive - Gigabytes 4 GB is
small 20 GB is enough 80 GB is a lot This
amount does not help your speed but allows you to have more files and
programs on your PC. The monitor - Inches 14” is
small 17” is better 19” is big Also
consider flat LCD panels for about $100 to $300 more These 5 things are not all there is to consider but
if you start here you will know enough to judge if it’s worth the cost or
not. MICROSOFT WINDOWS Here are several versions of Windows. Most versions have sub-versions (such as XP
Home or XP Professional). The
following list is in reverse order by release date. Windows Windows XP - The 2002 version from Microsoft. Also based on NT which means that some
older programs and games will not work.
XP also doesn’t work well on older PCs that don’t have enough RAM and
CPU speed. It is not recommended that
you upgrade a PC to XP if it was purchased with an older version of
Windows. Some XP PCs are currently
sold with only 256 MB but 512 MB is not too much. Windows 2000 - Another new technology version. This is only common in offices. Not intended for gamers. Needs a little more power than Windows 98. Windows Me - Mostly the same as Windows 98 but some
enhancements. Works fast with 128 MB
RAM and a P2 CPU. Considered to have
several bugs that make Windows 98 the preferred version for older PCs. Windows 98 - Many improvements over 95 but needs a little
newer PC. 128 MB RAM is plenty for 98
and it plays most games. If you add a
network card and high speed internet you will be surfing the web as fast as
anyone with a newer PC can. Soon to be
taken of the list for support from Microsoft. Windows NT - New Technology was intended for offices and also
works on older PCs. This version added
more security for networks. Game play
on this version is limited due to improved design that reduces crashes. Windows 95 - Works with much less then a P2 CPU and 64 MB
RAM. This version still works for many
people but due to its age it’s no longer supported by Microsoft. A slow PC with a new modem will surf the
internet just fine but it will be slow.
No USB in most cases which means you can’t add new
accessories like printers and cameras.
Most newer software and PC accessories will
not work with Windows 95. MICROSOFT WINDOWS When installing Windows it’s always best to
completely remove what is on the hard drive.
That is called format but when you do that you lose all your files and
settings. It is not hard to make
backups if you have a CD burner. That
would allow you to keep your personal files in case you have to use the
Restore CD to make your PC like new again.
This is the most common solution to most problems such as viruses and
malicious programs. If all you have is a Windows CD you will not be
able to restore your PC because you will not have the drivers. Drivers are needed for things like the sound,
modem and video card. If you have XP
the drivers for most common devices are already on the Windows CD. After that all you need to do is setup the
internet. Some are as easy as entering
a phone number, username and password.
Others require a CD or setup file like NetZero,
Earthlink, AOL and MSN. If you have
internet from your cable TV company and a network (Ethernet) card the
internet is very simple and will usually work without doing any setup. DSL may require a CD depending on which
modem you have. |