PC Maintenance Class 8: Term 3

Roger in class had brought his computer from home into class last week, and we attempted to speed it up a bit and resolve some of his issues. Sadly sometimes the only real way to guarantee the machine will work is to do a factory reset on the computer.

Firstly though you need to ensure you have your recovery CD(s). A recovery disk is a general term for media containing a backup of the original factory condition or favoured condition of a computer as configured by the manufacturer. If not, you will need to ensure you have a Windows Installation disk.  I usually sit down for five or ten minutes and make a list things I need, or things I need to keep, before doing such a task. For my own computer, the one at which I am sat at, whilst typing this blog, it’s list might look something like this:-

• Windows 7 Install Disk
• Device Driver CDs (for hardware that Windows couldn't install itself, my sound card for instant, or another good example would be a scanner or printer.)
• Check the last Backup! (Make sure its up to date so you don't lose any data)
• Application CDs (these are so you can reinstall your programs such as Microsoft Office or Paint Shop Pro)
• Anti-Virus software.
• Make sure I have no distractions, and that I have a comfortable chair! :-)

All similar boxes checked, we proceeded to reset Roger’s computer.

First of all we used the Vista Recovery DVD, this reinstalled the Operating System and the necessary driver for his hardware, as defined by Dell.  After about 15 mins had passed, we filled in the username and set that most important of things, the Windows wallpaper, and Windows Vista was installed. We then had to copy back his data from the portable USB drive that I brought in.  This put his letters, photographs and music files into their respective folders.  Of course without applications, Word documents are meaningless on their own, so our next task was to install Microsoft Office.  Having allowed that to install we finished off by installing Corel Paint Shop Pro X2 and Nero Burning ROM.

At the end of the class, and some insightful conversations along the way, Roger’s Dell Dimension 9200 was all sorted.   Roger simply needed to go home, connect himself back up to his internet connection and install his Anti-Virus software.  Because of the time permitted, we did not have sufficient time for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 to be installed, but it was something Roger had on CD, so I copied it to his desktop as a reminder for him to run that also. Typically one would expect it to run for about 20-30 minutes, which at 8:55pm wasn’t feasible in class!

I am sure he will not have a problem, but to ensure everything goes fine, I have asked him to phone me, and I will talk him through the installation of AVG, which is what he will be using to protect his PC from Viruses and Spyware.

Two more classes left, pop back to see what we get up to next week!