YES - It's that time of year again!

The beginning of the year is always interesting. For some, it's all about New Years' Resolutions and for others it's about new strategies for operating their business. I tend to be in the second category; unless you call that a form of New Years Resolution also ... ;-)

The tips for this January are simple enough for anyone to be able to follow if interested.

* Get more familiar with their computer's file system
* Provide your computer with proper and adequate power

On the first note: Getting more familiar


What I am referring to is where you save your files. No matter whether you are using Microsoft Office or Photoshop, you will be saving your data on a regular basis. Don't make the mistake of just hitting 'SAVE,' and not knowing exactly where Windows is putting the file! If you don't know where the file is, how will you retrieve it later? For further tips on using the Windows Explorer see my Blog entry from last year devoted to the subject. I know your data is important to you. It's up to you as the computer user, to know where the files are so you can back them up if nothing else.

On the second note:Providing Adequate Power

This is getting more and more critical this Winter as we have had a lot of seasonal weather which creates power fluctuations. If your PC is plugged in to one of the cheap white 'power strips,' then these voltage fluctuations are being passed right on to your equipment.

The reason I am mentioning this is very simple: In my business I fix PC's and this Winter I have seen a lot more failures of motherboards & power supplies than ever before. A Power supply failure will cause your PC to either die while you are using it, or (just as common) one day it just will not start. When the Motherboard or Hard Drive fails your PC will be plagued with many kinds of errors such as frequent crashes, loss of video, or data corruption. Remember, when your data gets corrupt, backing it up is useless! It is at that time that you will be needing to USE an EXISTING data backup to restore your files.

The solution is simple: Plug your computers into the right equipment. A cheap power strip is nothing more than an extension cord with multiple outlets, and it does nothing to protect your hardware. What is required at the very least is what's known as a Power Conditioner. This device filters the power going into the computer and makes sure that the voltage is even and constant. It will certainly enhance the life of your computer and your data. If you use an Interruptible Power Supply, (UPS)
you will not only get the benefit of power conditioning but also the added protection of the battery backup. When your power fails it will allow your computer to run for at least 10-15 minutes until the electricity comes back on. If the power is not on by the time the battery backup runs out of juice, then you have the ability to shut your computer off properly rather than it crashing. Again, your hardware and your data will thank you.

Feel free to have San Diego PC evaluate your situation. If it is time for a data backup too, then let me know when you call so I can bring the necessary equipment to do so. Give me a call at 619-850-5218 if you are in the Greater San Diego Area.