How do we solve this problem? It is very simple, and there are many options to come across!

External Hard Drives

The most simple form of data back up.  Many external hard drives today come with software you can install that can determine what files need to be backed up, and how often they need to be backed up.  I typically recommend Seagate, as the software has been so far the easiest to set up.  These devices are getting less and less expensive by the day.  I recently purchased a 1 TB external drive for $60.  $60!

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

Several networking companies (Netgear being one of the bigger ones) offer these products.  The way this works is rather than being attached directly to any one particular computer, the external drive is connected to the network, allowing any other computer connected to your network to not only access the drive, but use it for backup.  Very handy if you have more than one computer at home or in your office.

Cloud Storage

This type of storage is a little newer, but quickly becoming a great choice in data backup.  Rather than storing all of your data on a drive in your home (which is also susceptible to physical problems, expecially fire!) you keep it all on a remote server, offered by a specific company.  The most popular service is Mozy, and it is very easy to use.  However, Microsoft has recently launched their own Cloud service, called SkyDrive, which offers up to 25GB of free storage.  You can use this to sync a Windows 7 Phone if you have one as well.

Of course, the easiest way to avoid this problem is to simply keep liquids away from our computers, especially laptops that are more easily damaged.  Lets face it though, we all grow a little lazy after a while when it comes to keeping liquids at a great distance, myself included, and that glass of water, or can of soda slowly creeps its way closer and closer to our beloved laptop.

You’re in luck, though, as most spill situations are solvable.  However, a few initial steps need to happen to lessen the chance of permanent damage:

1. Force shut down the computer by holding the power button until it turns off.
2. If the system is a laptop, remove the battery so that power no longer can go to the system at all
3. Bring the system into a repair shop that is comfortable with liquid spill cleanups.

In most situations, the liquid itself does not cause any damage.  However, especially with liquids that have sugars in them like juice or soda, the sugar can crystallize and create corrosion on the system, which can cause conductive bridges between the small components on the boards inside the computer, which can then cause a short, or can burn components when the power is restored.

If the system is properly cleaned before this is able to happen, then you can save your system from what would seem to be certain doom.  If you cannot, most of the time the damage to the system board is unrepairable (or at least not within a reasonable budget to repair) and would result in a need to replace a very expensive component.  Upon reaching this point, you can have your hard drive removed to recover data, and move into a new system.

This is the first in a series of many web blog videos I will be releasing several times a week.

Today’s topic is how to update microsoft windows

Updates are necessary to make sure your computer is running smothly and all of your security is up to date. There are also enhancements in the
code that are available, that are released periodicaly.

So here is how to do that:

First click down here under start menu and go to control panel.

From the control panel you will find something that says windows update. This is a tutorial for windows Vista only.

When you click on windows update, make sure that when you click change settings, it says install updates automatically on dates that you specify. I choose a time when I am no longer in the office.

It then checks for updates, and once it checks for updates you can either install them, or specify them to install automatically.

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If you are thinking of changing your Operating System please follow the link to run a compatibility check on your system:  Click Here