The checklist is more of a reference or a starting point for you, the computer user, to refine and tweak.

For instance, I was in an auto parts store the other day looking for new wiper blades.  The package recommended changing wiper blades every 6 months.  Well at $15.00-18.00 each, you can bet I’ll check my wiper blades but doesn’t mean I’m going to replace them if they clean my windshield properly.  So it got me to thinking, under what conditions did the “powers that be” decide every 6 months.  Surely it must be different if you live in Maine vs. Florida, whether you keep your vehicle in your garage, etc.  How could the blades wear out the same in significantly different environments?  And maybe it doesn’t make a difference, but it drives the point that as individuals we may have to tweak what the “experts” tells us to better suit our specific environment.

So back to the check list.  How often should you scan? What software should you use to scan?  Should I defrag my hard drive?  And on and on it goes.

Let me pause to bring you this important announcement…..BACKUP YOUR DATA BEFORE SCANNING YOUR COMPUTER!  Of course I’m sure you backup your precious data on a regular basis.

There is lots of software to use for scanning and most of them are good tools, so it really boils down to personally preference.  But remember it takes more than one of these scanning tools to clean your machine.  Each one has its strengths.  One size does not fit all.  Usually these programs have settings for quick scans or thorough scans.  So there will be times when a quick scan will be the most appropriate setting.

It is also, all in the timing.  You could scan your computer and a new variant of spyware is released the next day…you could get infected.  And infected with one spyware or virus leaves even more vulnerable to other infections.  The flood gates are opening!

Guidelines for clean and lean computer

Every other day

Check antivirus software and virus definitions are up to date; this usually an icon in the bottom right hand of your screen.  Various ways to find this – hover your mouse cursor over it; double click on it; or right click and select open

Every 2 weeks

Make sure spyware/malware software is update; run a quick scan.  If only cookies found then no need to repeat.  If other items (Trojans, keyloggers, etc) are found, run again.  If scan is clean, you are done.  If not clean, boot into safemode and scan.  If you still can’t get a clean scan, if would be best to call an expert.

NOTE: don’t know about safe mode?  Just search the web and you will find plenty of instructions.

If 20 or less cookies found change schedule to once a month.

Run antivirus scan

Some antivirus programs also have spyware scanning so the same idea about cookies apply.  If viruses are found, scan again.  If you can’t get a clean scan after 2-3 scans, call an expert.

If no viruses found change to once a month.

Once a month

Check 3rd party apps for updates.  Adobe can be found by opening Adobe and click on HELP, CHECK FOR UPDATES.  Java and Flashplayer are set by default to check for updates.  Just don’t ignore the legitimate popup window for these programs.  You know the ones from the bottom right hand corner of your monitor.  For Flashplayer http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/155/tn_15507.html
This link will tell you your version and download if older

Every quarter

Shut computer down and power off all night, if you don’t do this already on a shorter schedule.
You can use the sample checklist to tweak your schedule for your needs.  For some, making tasks or adding to your calendar in Outlook will suit you better.

Sample checklist

Every Other Day

Task                                     Date Performed

Check antivirus
software &
definition

Every 2 weeks

Task                                     Date Performed

Scan for viruses,
spyware/malware

Once a month

Task                                     Date Performed

Check 3rd party apps
(Java, Adobe Reader,
Flashplayer, etc)

Once a Quarter

Task                                     Date Performed

Shutdown computer
& leave off all night

Now of course, you have diligently saved this word document every time you were interrupted.  You come back from lunch, and are editing, so you save the document more time.  Perhaps you have even re-named it to “where did you go edits”.

You are done with it so you close this word document.  Back to your email you go to reply to the originator of the document.  You start the process to attach a file, you browse to the folder where you saved the document, or so you thought.  And the file is not there.  You haven’t paniced yet, you just think you are over looking it.  So you sort by date, you just created it so it should be easy to spot.  Still can’t find it…slight panic.  Oh wait, I’ll search for it.  Off to your favorite search function, still your precious word document that took hours to complete still eludes you.  Real panic now!

First and foremost, CALM DOWN.  The process we are about to embark on is going to take a clear thinking head.

This tip isn’t your typical step by step, look at the screen shots kind of guide.  It can’t be because there are too many variables.  So be warned that frustration will rise and must be kept to a minimum or just call an expert (that would be me julie@tennysonsolutions.biz 850.251.7378)

So if you are still with me, you decided not to call the expert, at least not just yet.

We are going to use good ole fashion DOS to find your precious word document.  Click on START, RUN.  You don’t see RUN, then click on ALL PROGRAMS, ACCESSORIES, COMMAND PROMPT.  Once you find RUN then type   cmd  in the “open” field, press ENTER or click OK.  You should have a black window with white letters and a blinking cursor.  Next type    c:\    and press ENTER.  We are going to use the attrib command so it is time to start typing.  Type the command   attrib  then hit the space bar.

Remember when I said this wasn’t a step by step guide?  We have hit that spot.  What you type next depends on your situation.  I used the example that your word document was named “where did you go edits”.  So after the command  attrib I would type where*.* /s   then press ENTER

EXAMPLE    attrib where*.* /s

For inquiring minds, * are wildcards and /s command is to search all sub folders.  So armed with this knowledge you could have typed  attrib where*.doc /s  or  attrib *did*.doc /s  In this example “where did you go edits” is a Word 2003 document and by default it will have the extension (the 3 letters after the period) of DOC.  By altering what you search, you will decrease or increase the number files that are found.

Now back to our objective….get the word file where it is suppose to be!

So there you have it, in this black window with white letters you see your precious word file listed.  A small smile, a glint of hope……Well great, now what do I do.  Remember this is not a step by step guide and to complicate matters there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Let’s try this method.  Leave the black window with white letters just like it is and double click on MY COMPUTER, click on C: and make a new folder called Yes or however you want to make a new folder on drive C.   Now back to the black window with white letters, you see your word file listed, and you have a blinking cursor.  Type the command   copy   then press the spacebar.  Now click on the upper left corner, the tiny black square with the white “c:\: then select EDIT, select MARK.  Using your mouse, highlight your precious word document to include the entire path.

EXAMPLE   C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\where did you go edits.doc

EXAMPLE   C:\Users\administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\where did you go edits.doc

After you have this highlighted, go back and click on the upper left corner, (just like before) select EDIT, select COPY.  Now make sure your cursor is blinking at you just past the word copy that we typed previously.  Click back on the upper left corner again, select EDIT, select PASTE.

We are almost to the end of the road.  Because the precious word document name has spaces in it, you have to put it in quotes.  So using your arrow keys, not your mouse, place a quote in front of where and at the end of doc.  You should now have a line that looks something like this:

copy C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp\”where did you go edits.doc”
with the blinking cursor at the end
OR
copy  C:\Users\administrator\AppData\Local\Temp\”where did you go edits.doc”
with the blinking cursor at the end.

Proceed by pressing the space bar, then type c:\yes or whatever new folder name you used.

Drum roll please, cross your fingers, stand on your left foot and press ENTER.

If you are hoping that your day is getting better, you should see the message “1 file(s) copied.  If not, don’t despair yet!  If you get a syntax error, then press the up arrow key and that long line you just created should re-appear.  Study it very closely, look for too many spaces, not enough spaces, typos.  When you find the errors, use you arrow key to edit.  Eventually you will get the syntax correct, your day will get better because you will finally see “1 file(s) copied”.

For those of you who hung in there and are still with me, you have almost reached the objective.  Your choice – open Word and browse to YES folder to select precious word document and open, or browse to YES folder and double click on precious word document to open in word.  Now save that puppy, just remember to browse to the folder you really want it in because that tiny mishap is what got you in this mess to begin with.

To close the black window with white letters, type  exit and press ENTER

You are now safely back to familiar ground, you are ready to attach the precious word document to that email and be done with it.  Give yourself a round of applause!

• Foxit Reader; PDF-XChange – replaces Adobe Reader
• PDF creator – create PDF’s from Office Suite
• Thunderbird – email client
• FireFox – replaces Internet Explorer
• OpenOffice – replaces Office Suite
• Recuva – undelete software
• QuickTime Lite – for playing QuickTime content only (for those who don’t have iTunes MP3 player)
• AVG – antivirus
• Malwarebytes – removes spyware/malware
• Spybot Search and Destory – removes spyware/malware
• CCleaner – removes temp files, cleans out registry
• 7-Zip – replaces WinZip

Find these wonderful programs at www.filehippo.com