Tech Tips
Preserve Memories with your PC!
Tech Tips for Computers from WSI Computer Assistance
Many of us have old photos and old slides. You may have tons of slide trays, photo albums or just boxes of loose photos or slides. Over time these memories deteriorate. In other cases they are buried in attics and basements, never to be seen.
First and foremost, these pictures can be scanned into your computer in seconds at very little expense. Before these irreplaceable memories deteriorate beyond recognition, you should scan them into your computer. If they are printed pictures, any All in One printer that comes with a built in flat bed scanner can scan them. If they have started to deteriorate, often simple retouching - a lot of it automated - can restore the photos to their original or near original beauty. In some cases they may look better then the original. Now they are safely stored on your system.
In the case of slides or negatives, there are many flat bed scanners (even some All in One Printers) that can scan these. Once more, they can be retouched if repair is needed.
These photos can even be placed on DVDs so that you can watch them as a slide show on your television from your DVD player. Do not forget to back these pictures up now that you have gone thru the trouble of scanning them, either to a DVD or an external hard drive. For added security, you may want to make extra copies and send them to a relative. This way you not only share the memories but are also maintaining an offsite backup in case of a disaster.
Tech Tips for Computers from WSI Computer Assistance
Destroy Old Computer Information!
Many people are thinking of getting a new computer now. Once they get the new system, some people copy files and documents from there old system to the new one. What you need to keep in mind is, the information is still on the old computer! This information can be anything from old pictures to personal information. Deleting these files from the old system does not permanently delete this information. Simple shareware programs that are readily available can be used to retrieve these files. Identity theft is rampant and these old systems are a key source for this information. The information ranges from simple names and birthdates to social security numbers, driver's license numbers and credit card numbers. Dropping the old system at the local landfill for recycling may be good for the environment, but if your hard drive is still in the system, the personal information can easily be stolen. A special program that overwrites the deleted files many times is one method, although time consuming.
The bottom line is, the drive should be removed from the computer before you dispose of the system. Even if the computer will not start, the information may still be retrievable.
One more item, if you are using CD's or DVD's as backup methods, remember if you wish to discard the old ones after creating new backups, the old CD or DVD needs to be destroyed as well. Just as you might use a paper shredder for old documents you need to destroy old CD's and DVD's if they contain personal information.
Power Protection for your Computer
Tech Tips for Computers from WSI Computer Assistance
There are two types of power protection available for your computer equipment: Surge Protector and UPS or Battery Backup.
A Surge Protector will help to protect your equipment from power surges or spikes. A UPS or Battery Backup will keep your equipment running if power goes out for a short amount of time, enough for you to properly shut the computer and they have built in Surge Protection. The other benefit of a UPS is in case of is a brownout or power dip, it can handle that as well for a short time by switching to battery power. Many UPS's have software and a cable that connects it to your computer to shut the computer down automatically if there is a power failure.
Not all power strips have Surge Protection. All of your computer equipment should be plugged into a Surge Protector. The Surge Protector should have a light indicating the protection is working. If the Surge Protector is damaged by an electrical spike, the light or lack of, indicates that it is no longer protecting your equipment. The Surge Protector may continue to act as a power strip without protection. Check for this light regularly, particularly after an electrical storm.
The UPS Battery Backup is used for the computer, not printers as they use too much power. UPS's generally have surge only outlets to handle printers.
Lastly, if your UPS is over 5 years old, the batteries should be replaced if possible or the entire UPS if they are not replaceable. Old batteries may not have sufficient standby power for your computer.