Tech Info

Keyboard Shortcuts & More

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Keyboard shortcuts are keys that are very helpful in the operation of Windows.  Shortcuts save time, reduce repetitive steps, and save the user from having to retype information.  You can COPY information from one application, such as Microsoft Word and PASTE it into another, such as Notepad.  Any Windows program that you can highlight any information, press CTRL-C to COPY.  You may have heard the term, Copy and Paste.

When you copy information, Windows holds this data on the Clipboard.  The clipboard is a temporary holding tank (computer memory).   Information placed on the clipboard will remain there until other information is copied over it, or the computer is turned off.  Here are the shortcuts I recommend every user to become very familiar with:

Ctrl + Z = Undo (Undo's last performed action)
Ctrl + X = Cut (Cuts/Removes information and places on Clipboard)
Ctrl + C = Copy (Copies information and places on Clipboard)
Ctrl + V = Paste (Paste information that was either Copied or Cut)

Alt + Print Screen = Creates a screen image.  Paste into Wordpad to print a copy

You might notice the location of the keys on the keyboard.  They are grouped conveniently on the keyboard.

More shortcuts in Windows!  

Maintenance / General Recommendations  

Surge Protection

Lightning can cause severe damage to your computer system.  I recommend buying a quality surge protector that will protect the electrical connections and phone connection as well.  The surge protectors I use for personal and business use, are made by APC (American Power Conversion).  I have the Personal Surge Arrest (7 outlet with phone protection) for sale at $26.95.  Dual protection meaning phone line protection as well as your regular AC wall outlet.  Most people don't realize that our phone lines are in the ground and if lightning strikes nearby, it will come through the phone line. It will more than likely come through the phone line before the normal electric lines.  If you've got the dual model, make sure the phone line is plugged into the surge protector.  I've seen too many of the surge protectors protecting the AC current, but people forget to plug in the phone lines through them.  If you want to go a step further, check on a battery backup.  If your electricity fails while you are working on your computer, it will give you time to save your work before shutting down your system.

Sometimes even with a surge suppressor, the electricity will surge or go off and then come back on.  If your computer won't come on when you try to start it, try unplugging the power cord from the back of the unit.  Wait 5 or 10 minutes, plug it back in and try to start the computer.  I've seen where the computer's power supply itself has a built in mechanism for protection.  Unplugging the power from the unit gives the power supply time to reset.  Try this before you assume your computer is fried.

System Cleaning

Electronic components attract a lot of dust and animal hair if you have pets in your house.  Computers that sit on the floor have tendencies to attract more than the systems that sit up high on a desktop.  I recommend getting a couple of cans of the "canned air".  You can get this at most office supplies and computer stores.  I take the cover off my computer and blow them out at least every 6 months.  Pay particular attention to the power supply and the CPU cooling fan.  I've replaced many of the CPU fans due to clogging of dust.  The CPU runs at a very high temperature and the fan is required to keep it at a safe operating temperature.  It's just like the fan on car.. without it, the engine would overheat and the car would shutdown.  Your computer will do the same thing if the CPU fan is left unattended and clogged with dust.  The power supply converts normal electricity to a lower voltage to run your computer.  It also acts as an outlet for heat that is generated inside the computer.  It has vents on the inside and the fan pulls air through the power supply and exhaust at the rear of the computer.  Keeping these two essential elements clean will save you time and headaches down the road.

The keyboard is another area of concern.  I know we all snack at our computers.  The crumbs from the food we eat can cause your keys to stick or quit functioning all together.  As part of your general cleaning, include blowing the keyboard out occasionally too.

Your mouse also needs attention every now and then.  Taking the ball out and cleaning the housing inside will keep the mouse functioning at it's best.  Over a period of time, the rollers that the ball rests in will develop a "track" of lint and dust.  If you notice your mouse not functioning correctly, you might check these areas.  I use a Q-tip and a little alcohol to loosen the lint and then gently scrape it off with a small utility knife.

Data Backup

Personal Data

Information that you enter into a program needs to be backed up on floppy disk, tape, zip drive, or whatever means you have available.  Believe me, sooner or later, you will get caught in a situation where you don't or didn't have your personal files backed up.  Putting these files on an external source will save you in the case of a hard drive crash.  Some people like to work off of floppy disks that contain their data, but this is not a guaranteed protection practice unless there is another backup of the original disk.  I recommend using the internal hard drive to save the information and then copying the finished product to floppy disk.  Another habit you might consider forming, is to save your work regularly.  The smaller the interval you choose means the lesser amount of work you will loose in the event of a system glitch or power failure.

The newer computers we have today can store a tremendous amount of information on the hard drive. This causes everyone headaches when it comes time to do a backup. Why not trying to save your information in a single folder, with sub folders for your different types of files.  You could use "My Documents" or "Personal", then have folders inside that might say, "Printshop", "Quicken", "MSWord", "MSExcel", etc.  Now, whenever the time comes to backup, you have all your data in a central location.  This meaning not having to scramble through endless files searching for your data.

Scanning / Graphics Tips

Scanners are great tools for home use.  These used to be limited to business application only due to the high cost of the equipment.  Now that the price of these units have come down, they are becoming more common in home use.  There are a few do's and don'ts that should be followed.  Here are some of my suggestions:

• I use Paint Shop Pro with my scanning software.  Great program!

• Scan at 100dpi - 150dpi for normal pictures (300dpi maximum)
  The more dpi (dots per inch) the larger the file size will be

• Save your graphics in .jpg format
  (especially if you're planning on sending over the Internet)
  .jpg format uses compression which helps in keeping the file size smaller

To get the full scoop on scanning... check out Scan Tips.  Excellent information here!

Thanks and Happy Computing!
Trey 

© 2004 Trey Asher / Asher Computer Service