Preparing and Troubleshooting Your Personal Computer for Use in Educator

1
Preparing and TroubleshootingYour Personal
Computer for Use in Educator

• Presented by
• Oliver K. Burrows III
• Adjunct Instructor, College of Business and
  Management
• Cardinal Stritch University

2
Personal Computer Selection Criteria

• Define tasks to be completed
• Identify appropriate application software to
  complete tasks
• Identify operating system compatible with
  appropriate applications software
• Identify hardware compatible with appropriate
  operating system and application software

3
Applications software options

• Office suite
• Microsoft Office 2003/2007
• Open Office 2.1/2.2/2.3
• System security
• Firewall
• Anti-virus
• Adware/Spyware blocking and removal
• Utilities

4
Preparing a New Machine(Part 1)

• Windows Update
• Load Microsoft Office (if appropriate)
• Update
• Download all updates
• Critical updates
• Optional software updates
• Optional hardware updates
• Automatic updating only downloads critical
  updates

5
Preparing a New Machine (Part 2)

• Add firewall software
• Protects system while visiting non-Microsoft Web
  sites
• Recommended freeware- Zone Alarm
• Download Site-http//www.download.com/3000-2092-10
  039884.html
• Latest Version-7.0.408

6
Preparing a New Machine (Part 3)

• Anti-virus software
• Most overlooked part of system security
• Two best known applications
• Provide at best average performance
• Slow down system as much as 30
• Recommended package-Avast Home Edition
• Download Site-http//www.avast.com
• Latest Version-4.7
• Latest Virus Definition-071108-0
• Note Avast protects automatically but requires
  manual full system scan

7
Preparing a New Machine (Part 4)

• Malware Blocking/Removal software
• Recommended package-Ad-Aware 2007 Free
• Download Site-www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_awar
  e_free.php
• Recommended package-Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4
• Download Site-www.download.com/3000-2144-10122137.
  html
• Recommended package-Spyware Blaster 3.5.1
• Download Site-www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblas
  ter.html

8
Preparing a New Machine (Part 5)

• Microsoft Windows Defender
• Integrated into Microsoft Windows Vista
• Recommended install for Microsoft Windows XP
• Download Site-www.microsoft.com/athome/security/sp
  yware/software/default.mspx

9
Preparing a New Machine (Part 6)

• Utilities
• Recommend package-Adobe Reader 8.1.1
• Download Site-www.adobe.com/support/downloads/deta
  il.jsp?ftpID3806
• Note Download includes Adobe Photoshop Album
• Quick Zip 4.60.016
• File compression/decompression package
• Supports 19 file compression formats

10
Preparing a New Machine (Part 6)

• Toolbars (optional but helpful)
• Google Toolbar
• Note Disable Page Rank and Desktop options when
  installing
• Yahoo Toolbar
• Disk Clean Up-(Programs/Accessories/System Tools)
• Disk Defragmenter-(Programs/Accessories/System
  Tools)

11
Preparing an Existing System

• Before performing the previous eleven steps, do
  the following
• Uninstall any existing system security software
• Run Disk Clean-up
• Run Disk Defragmenter
• Run on-line malware/virus scanner
• Recommended package-Housecall 6.5 (Trend Micro)
• Web Site-http//www.housecall.trendmicro.com

12
Troubleshooting System and Connectivity Problems

• Primary causes include
• Malware infections
• Trojan viruses
• Spyware disabling Internet browser
• Malware hijacking Internet browser
• Operating system vulnerabilities
• Lack of operating system updates
• Device driver issues
• Proper operating system/application software
  updating and usage eliminates over 95 of
  problems
• Problems are avoided by implementing systematic
  system preparation and maintenance procedures
• Presenter has had 100 success when systems are
  properly prepared and maintained using only
  freeware software

13
Freeware CD

• Contains
• All recommended software
• Latest versions of Open Office
• Freeware applications for
• Creating PDF files (Cute PDF)
• Identifying malware taking control of Internet
  browser (HiJack This)
• Freeware Bible program (for those who are so
  inclined)
• Includes this PowerPoint presentation (feel free
  to use/modify as desired)

14
Questions?

• To reach presenter by phone
• [phone] (Home office)
• [phone] (Cell phone)
• [phone] ext. 25023 (Insight School)
• To reach presenter by e-mail
• oliverburrows_at_yahoo.com
• To reach presenter by mail
• Oliver K. Burrows III
• 5008 Sunset Street
• Schofield, WI 54476

15
(No Transcript)