How to make computer purr

A computer is very much like a house cat. Just when everything seems to be purring along sweetly it will — for no reason at all — sink its claws in deeply enough to make you say Howdy Do.

I wish I could tell you I have discovered a secret that will instantly transform your computer from cat to a well-behaved poodle dog. You would be able to issue commands that the computer would always follow correctly and then it would sweetly lick your hand.

Instead the best I can do is to offer ways to make those rude cat-like interruptions less frequent and less dangerous. You may already be doing some of what I will suggest — I hope so — but treat these tips as an arsenal of weapons. No one weapon is enough, you need to use them all to get the best results. Even then there will be times when the cat sinks in its claws anyway — despite your best efforts and mine.

Let’s see what we can do to declaw that cat.

Back up for a minute

You absolutely must make regular backups of your data. There will come a time when your computer takes a dirt nap. Maybe it’ll be a virus, maybe your hard disk will fail, or it could be some weird combination of things that would even leave a professional computer technician shaking his head.

There are several ways to do this including using TECHNOBUDDY’S BIG Q&A A: Here is a link that offers four ways. I’d use the one that shows you how to remove the inner disc and cut it with scissors. But any of the four ways would work, including burning (but you’d sure want to do that outside, the fumes would be terrible). http://www.wikihow.com/Destroy-Floppy-Disks For those who still have these old floppies, it’s a good idea (if you have a drive that will read them) to check out the information on the disks before destroying them. You can find floppy drives that connect to your computer by USB port on Amazon — they aren’t pricey.

an online backup service such as Mozy or Carbonite (Use Google to get prices and details).

If you go that route all the work is done for you. You sign up with the service and your data are automatically backed up, no buttons to push by you. I use Carbonite myself but think either service would be just fine.

Or you can buy an external hard disk — most come with backup software included or you can use the free backup application that comes with Windows.

You connect the hard disk to a USB port and follow the directions to set up your backup. It’s not difficult and whether you use an online service or a hard disk it’s the most important thing you can do to protect your data.

Bug killing time

Many problems creep into your computer in the form of malware. That’s the term we use today for the wide assortment of bugs that crawl around the internet like cockroaches with a hangover. There are several bug killing programs I like. I have had good luck with Malwarebytes and with Norton Security Premium. I’ve recommended other programs like this in the past so don’t feel bad if you are using one I’ve

recommended earlier. They’re still good too.

Be on guard

Many of the worst threats can only arrive with your help and, when that happens, your malware programs may not be able to stop them. So guard against opening email attachments (they can carry ugly payloads, even when they come from friends). Also be careful about bad neighborhoods on the Web and guard against clicking on links that offer free software. Obviously some offers are just fine, but some are not and it’s difficult to tell which is which.

Keep up-to-date

I regularly get emails from readers who complain about Windows Updates. They are tired of them and want to avoid them. That’s a mistake. These updates usually fix problems that have been discovered — the updates are needed to keep Windows running correctly. Set your computer to automatically update and be glad when it does, even if it seems like a hassle.

Don’t get in a fix

There’s a temptation to tinker when it comes to a computer. You’d like it to be faster and more trouble-free. You’ll often get advice from friends about some miracle way to soup up your machine, or you’ll stumble across a site that promises to do it for you. At least half the reader emails I get come from someone who fixed his computer to the point that it no longer works. Random fixing will get you in a fix.

Finally

Accept the fact that there will be times when your computer isn’t working correctly and it needs to be fixed. Don’t use one of the many online services that promise to do the fixing remotely — some are OK, many are bad and a few are downright crooked schemes to part you and your money. Instead bundle up your computer and take it to a real computer technician. It’s more trouble but, by doing that you are avoiding danger.

Follow these tips — every one of them. After all it takes more than one way to skin a cat.