CRASH PROTECTION
( Created Especially For Spruce Creek South Computer Club By Ray Youngberg )

You can, however, do things to postpone the inevitable and/or make the crash less devastating when it occurs. Find a reliable Guru that you can depend on.

1. Do not turn off your computer while Windows is running. Always follow the Windows shut down procedure first and then turn off your power.

2. Always save an open file often and always before printing it.

3. Make a rescue (System Startup) disk that you can use to get the computer running again if your hard disk crashes. You can create a rescue disk yourself by using a blank formatted diskette and proceed to "My Computer" then to "Control Panel" then to "Add Programs" then to "Startup Disk" then to "Create". This will copy key system files from your hard disk onto the diskette. If this is too confusing, get a utility program that will do all this for you or have your computer Guru help you. (Everybody needs a Guru)

4. If the computer is fouled up after you have installed new software, it is probably because the software has monkeyed with your system files. Be careful and erase the offending software. At this point you may have to run the rescue disk to restore the earlier versions of the system files back onto your hard drive.

5. Back up important data files onto diskettes. If you use the computer a lot, get a serious backup system. Buy a tape drive that handles at least 800 megabytes. Use it to back up the entire hard disk periodically, and, in the meantime, to back up all recently altered files.

6. Run SCANDISK or DEFRAG regularly to check the health of your hard disk. These programs come with Windows 95 & 98. Fancier versions of the same things are available in utility program packages.

7. Use a surge protector or battery backup.

8. Order your next computer with a bigger hard drive, more RAM, a faster CD-ROM drive and a better fax modem than you think you will need. That way you will not be tempted to add hardware later.

9. If you forgot to follow step 8; do not add any hardware to your computer unless you know which interrupts (IRQs) are in use. Find that out through a utility program such as MSD(DOS) or WinCheckIt.

10. Do not buy a DOS game (such as Microsoft Flight Simulator or Epic Pinball) unless you have a good memory manager and a lot of time on your hands to tinker with the system.

11. Before you buy a mail-order computer, try calling the technical support line to see how long it takes to get through.

12. When you buy a mail-order computer, remember the name of the salesman you talked to.

13. When calling technical support, take the call-back option if it is offered to you.  If you can not get through, call the salesman.

14. While you are waiting to hear from the tech support person that the salesman promised, post a query about your problem in an on-line forum devoted to the product that is giving you grief.

15. Consider talking to a local computer service company who also assembles complete computer systems to your specifications and provides local quick service with 3 plus years warrantee of parts and labor.

16. While you are at it, take another look at your computer. Is there a loose or misconnected cable? A phone jack is installed in the wrong socket? A chance that your 4-year old visitor turned down the brightness control on your monitor?