Computer tips

[EliteMike]

There's been a handful of issues with computers lately so lets talk about some things that can be done to prolong your computers life.

1. Don't enclose your tower into a case that gets no fresh air

2. Keep it clean inside

3. Make sure your power supply is strong enough. Many over the shelf computers only have enough power for their shipped with devices. Power is a major stability issue.

4. Upgrade the CPU cooler if possible. I did this last week finally to my newest computer because coolers weren't readily available when I built it. I dropped 20c with a 60 dollar cooler. 20c is HUGE. Chips don't like heat.

5. Leave it on, others say don't. I'll stick with leaving it on. I have 15 years experience with moder computers, often working in a technical envrionment over the years. Alwasy assembling my own machines from scratch. I seem to have fewer issues than other people.
6. Don't buy crap. You get what you pay for.

7. Keep drivers updated. Let windows get the downloads but install them after you tell it to. This way, if there is a problem you can roll it back.

8. Only use one virus scanner and spy ware if you use one. I peronsally only use avg free on my vista machines and windows 7 machines, the only time I've been infected I deseved it.

9. For cryin out loud, 7 year old machines are way past their prime. I have one of the newest Gigabyte brand mother boards, one of their big selling features is components that last much longer. This high end board is REALLY only supposed to be rated for 4-5 years of continuous use. I'm not saying computers won't last, but they really aren't meant to.

10. For salon computers....most computers sold within the past maybe 2 years have had RAID configuration built on, even some of the lower end models. RAID has to basic modes that can be used. For the salon, i"d use RAID 1. It is mirroring. You have 2 drives in the machine, but you only see one drive letter. If one fails, your data will still be there just fine. Average selling price of a namebrand HD starts at 50 bucks. You get a lot for 50 bucks these days.

11. for those of you running sql server for salon touch, setting up a maintence plan to auto back up the db is a good idea.

12. At the salon, no matter the size I recommend a client server setup. If one computer dies in a client sever setup, you can normally get back up and running a hell of a lot faster.

13. Battery backups!!!! They aren't too expensive. If i lose power at the salon, my server and my main front desk cmoputer will shut down nicely. Computers don't like to be shut off for no reason, especially when data is being sent to the HD.

14. Take advantage of Microsofts LIVE MESH application, there are others like it, but its a great way to backup and share data.

15. use a router even if you only use one computer. Routers can be a better firewall than any software even if they aren't marked as being a firewall.

16. Get rid of the old CRT monitors, they are hell on your eyes and power hogs!

17. If you aren't using at least windows xp, don't even think about complaining about your computer. When windows 7 comes out, this is a good time to consider getting a new computer or installing win7 if it will run it. NO EXCUSES. The couple hundred a new computer costs should be easily found in your salon.

18. Only install the required apps at the salon. For me, it's office, photoshop and salon touch.

19. Creating an image of your fresh install is a great idea, especially if someone actually manages to get a virus that can't be cleaned. This is another reason to use client server setups instead of one computer only.

20. Make sure you have some kind of security access!

[engfant]

Exactly.

Now as for motherboards, is Gigabyte the way to go? I've always been an Asus fan but haven't tinkered in a while.

[EliteMike]

I've had a few asus, and Abit. I used to love abit, then I bought a gigabyte just based on a few featues. I'm only on my 2nd Gigabyte. so far so good. It over clocks my I7 with ease. I don't think you'll go wrong with either.

[navigatin1]

4. Upgrade the CPU cooler if possible. I did this last week finally to my newest computer because coolers weren't readily available when I built it. I dropped 20c with a 60 dollar cooler. 20c is HUGE. Chips don't like heat.

I wanna add to this.

Upgrading the fan on the CPU is always a top thing to do, but at the same time, you need to get rid of that OEM Thermal Paste.

Thermal paste is the grease that goes in between the CPU and the heat sink. The OEM paste is OK at best.

By upgrading the paste to a better one, it allows the heat to transfer from the CPU to the heat sink, at a much better rate of speed.

I use Cool Master on my machines. Below is a link to the product and you can also find it at any good computer store.

Cooler Master Thermal Compound HTK002U1 at TigerDirect.com

[movieking]

Mike, is there an off the shelf pc that meets your hardware requirements that you would recommend?

[EliteMike]

I haven't cracked the case on any recent models, but older HPs used asus motherboards. They were generally stable and reliable over the long haul.

A mid to upper range dell is Probably the best bet. They are about as close as you'll get to a custom built computer. I think my last machine came to about 1500 and I already had case. That's just the computer, no accessories, no monitor, printer, keyboard, ect.. I could have bought a similar Dell for much less. But I know the motherboard, even though it might be good, isn't as good as what I used.

When you are talking price... generally a store bought computer is cheaper....You get what you pay for though.

I have a hard time finding a case and power supply for under $125 that I feel comfortable using. I can find a motherboard, cpu and ram cheaply along with a nice size harddrive. The power supplies and cases never get cheaper though. For a casual user, a cheap video card or even the onboard on some chipsets are more than enough. You can even end up with longer support sometimes. Most retail cpu have a 3 year warranty.

[Din]

i've bought my computers from these guys all the time.....good systems, cheap.

PCV Online - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptops, Notebooks, Cameras, Home Electronics and more!

The one i bought back around X-Mas was i believe the Diamond6000 they have on there.

Go to Computer Systems --> Desktop ---> Home & Office Systems....on the left side click to show the Intel Systems.

[engfant]

My next computer task is building a box that only uses open source software. It's almost time that Microsoft is let go but not yet.