10/ 17/ 2002
by Melany Klinck
Like most home-based business owners whose livelihoods are tied to their computers, Fred Baldwin, a Pennsylvania-based freelance writer, doesn't have a technical whiz on staff to troubleshoot computer problems or to keep his equipment in tip-top shape.
It's something he's had to teach himself, computer by computer, program by program, new technology by new technology. "The truth is I don't want to know any more about the machine than I have to learn," says Baldwin, who found using good computing habits cuts down on problems. "For most of us, knowing how to prevent problems is more important than knowing how to fix them."
But when prevention fails, as it occasionally will, Baldwin's first tip is "to stop and take a deep breath." Then try the following:
Look for obvious problems such as loose connections. Baldwin labels all the wires coming out out of his computer so he can quickly locate them.
Take action systematically. Whether you're switching cables, running diagnostics or changing settings via pull-down menus, try one thing at a time--not several at once.
Keep notes. They'll come in handy if you need to seek further help.
If you've recently installed a new program, visit the manufacturer's Web site for technical support.
When all else fails, you may want to explore online support sites. Many offer free advice. However, warns Baldwin, it takes patience to find information this way, and solutions gleaned from user groups can be confusing.
Protective Measures
To prevent computer breakdowns, Baldwin offers these do's and don'ts based on hard-won experience:
- DON'T overload your machine with programs you don't need. Most computer problems are caused by software conflicts, not by malfunctioning hardware.
- DO back up critical data regularly.
- DON'T skimp on surge protection. If you don't have one, invest in a Universal Power Supply that protects your data in case of a power outage.
- DO practice safe computing by using anti-virus software (and updating it regularly), installing a firewall program and keeping Internet downloading to a minimum.
- DON'T neglect "housekeeping" chores. Periodically clean out old files, defragment your hard drive and scan disks for errors.
This article originally appeared in the October/November 2002 issue of MyBusiness magazine.
