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COMPUTER MAINTENANCE
Course Offered though:
mwm@madisoncountync.org
Workstation Basics
What do they mean by Left-Click,
Right-Click, Single-Click?:
Where is Stuff Stored?:
Main Folders:
Startup Folder - Programs that load
during Windows Startup:
Application Data - Outlook
Customizations, Rules, Filters, Word Templates, stationary files, Signature
Files:
Important Files:
Files in the Windows Directory:
Computer Startup Files (Root Directory):
Computer Startup Files (Windows
Directory):
Other Startup programs are stored in the
Windows Registry:
Long File Names:
A file name can contain up to 255
characters, including spaces. It cannot contain the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > |
File Associations:
Double click file you want to open. This
will cause the “Open With” dialog box to occur.
Scroll down to find the application to use
for viewing the file.
If you are unsure of the correct application,
uncheck the “always use
this program.” Click OK. If the program
correctly displays the file,
repeat this procedure with the “always use”
box checked.
To remove a file association, open My Computer
and then click on View,
Folder Options, and click on the File Types
Tab.
Scroll down to find the association to
be removed, click to highlight it, then click
on Remove.
Common File Extensions:
Application Library Formats
BIN Generic Binary File
DLL Dynamic Link Library
LIB Program Library
OVL Program Overlay File (also OVR)
Audio/Video Formats
ACM Audio Compression Manager File
AVI Audio Visual Interleave File
MID
MPE Movie Clip (also MPEG)
VOC Audio File (also VOX)
WAV Waveform Audio File
Compressed File Formats
ARC Archive File
LHA Compressed File (also LHZ, LZH)
ZIP Compressed Archive File
Database Formats
CDX FoxPro Index File
DB Paradox Database
DBF Dbase database file
DIF Data Interchange Format
IDX Generic Index File
MAD Microsoft Access Module Shortcut
MAF Microsoft Access Form Shortcut
MDB Microsoft Access Database
MDE Microsoft Access Database
MDT Microsoft Access Add-In
SQL SQL
Language Data
Document/Text Formats
ABX WordPerfect Address Book
ASC ASCII Text File
CHR Character File
CSV Comma Separated Values File
DOC Document File (Typically Word)
DOT Word Template File
LET Letter File (Not standard)
LTR Letter File (not Standard)
PDF Portable Document Format File
RTF Rich Text Format Document
TXT NotePad,
WordPad Text file
WPD WordPerfect Document File (Also WP)
WPS Microsoft Works Text Document
WRI Microsoft Write Text Document
WS WordStar Document File
Executable File Formats
BAT DOS Batch File
COM Executable File
EXE Executable File
VBS Visual Basic Script File
Graphics Formats
ART Clip Art File
BGI Borland Graphic Interface File
BMP Windows Bitmap graphics
CGM Computer Graphics Metafile
DCX Kodak Image File
EMF Extended Windows Metafile Format
GIF Graphic Interchange Format
IMG Generic Bitmap Graphic File
JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group
Graphic Image (Also JPG, JPE)
PCX Paintbrush Graphic File (Also PCC)
PIC PC Paint Graphic Format
TIF Tagged Image Format File (also TIFF)
WMF Windows Metafile Graphics File
WPG WordPerfect Graphics Image
Internet Format
CGI Common Gateway Interface Script
HTA Hypertext Application File
HTM Hypertext Markup Language (also
HTML)
HTT Hypertext Template File
SSL HTML Script File
XML XML
Internet File
Microsoft Office File Formats
PPS PowerPoint Slideshow
PPT PowerPoint Presentation
PPZ PowerPoint Packaged Presentation
PUB Microsoft Publisher Document
SCD Microsoft Scheduler File
WAB Windows Address Book
WRK Microsoft Works Spreadsheet File
XLB Microsoft Excel User Settings File
XLM Microsoft Excel Macro
XLS Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet (Also
XLW)
Microsoft Outlook Files
EML Outlook, Outlook Express E-Mail File
FAV Microsoft Outlook Bar Shortcuts
NWS Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express
New Item
OFT Microsoft Outlook Templates
PAB Microsoft Outlook Personal Address
Book
PST Microsoft Outlook Personal Folder
RWZ Microsoft Outlook Rules File
VCF Microsoft Outlook V-Card File
VCS Microsoft Outlook V-Calendar File
Miscellaneous File Formats
(multiple programs)
BAK Generic Backup File (Microsoft
Backup)
BK? Generic Backup File
(? Can be any symbol) (WordPerfect)
CFG Generic Configuration File
DAT Generic Data File
DCT Dictionary File
DMP Generic Dump File
ERR Generic Error Log File
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
INC Generic Include File
INI Generic Configuration File
LCK Lock Files
LIC License File
LOG Generic Log File
MEM WordPerfect Macro File, Memory Dump
File
TMP Generic Temporary File
USR Generic User Database
Popular Software File Formats
EFL DayTimer
Database File
ORG Lotus Organizer File (also OR2)
QIC Microsoft Backup, Seagate, Veritas Backup file
SHW Presentations SlideShow
WB3 Quattro Spreadsheet
WK1 Lotus
Windows Commonly Used Files
CAL Calendar File
CHK Chkdsk/Scandisk
Output file
CPE Fax Cover Page
GID Windows Help Index File
HLP Windows Help File
Windows System Files
CAB Compressed Windows Installation File
CNT Windows Contents File
CPL Control Panel Extension
CUR Cursor File
DAO Windows Registry Backup File
DOS DOS
Specification File
DRV Device Driver File
FON Font File
GRP Windows Group Manager File
ICO Icon File
INF Generic Information or Setup File
JAV JAVA Source Code (also JAVA, JS)
KBD Keyboard Layout File
MDM Modem Definition File
MSI Windows Installation Package
NLS CodePage
Keyboard File
OCX Object Linking and Embedding Control
File (ActiveX Controls)
OLE Object Linking and Embedding File
PIF Program Information File
PWL Windows Password List
REG Windows Registry Import/Export File
SCR Screen Saver File
SHS Scrap Object
SPL Windows Printer Spool File
SWP Windows Swap File
SYS Windows System File
THE Windows Theme File (also THEME)
TLB Object Linking and Embedding Type
Library
TTF True Type Font File
VBX Visual Basic Extension File
VGA Video Driver File
VXD Windows Virtual Device Driver
386 Windows Driver or Swap File
WordPerfect Files
FIL WordPerfect Overlay File
FRM WordPerfect Merge File
LEX WordPerfect Dictionary File
STY WordPerfect Style Sheet
WCM WordPerfect Macro File
WPT WordPerfect Template File
Windows Explorer, My Computer:
Shortcuts and Icons:
Drag and Drop:
Virtual Memory:
Virtual Memory is a technique your
operating system uses to make up for a lack of actual physical memory. When
your computer needs more memory than it actually has installed, it uses the
hard drive as virtual memory. Just as data is saved and read from memory, but
at a much higher speed, the system
does this on the hard drive. Due to the
mechanical nature of the hard drive, it is slower. This explains why your hard
drive may be quite active while it appears you are doing nothing. It also
explains a lot of drawbacks on performance.
To facilitate copying virtual memory
into real memory, the operating system divides virtual memory into pages, each
of which contains a fixed number of addresses. Each page is stored on a disk
until it is needed. When the page is needed, the operating system copies it
from disk to main memory, translating
the virtual addresses into real addresses.
The process of translating virtual addresses into real addresses is called mapping.
The copying of virtual pages from disk to main memory is known as paging or
swapping
Organizing Folders:
Computer Hard Drive Organization
Useful Tools
Ctrl-Alt-Delete:
Typical close program window
My Computer Properties
Double click on My Computer, right
click on c-drive, and left click
Properties
This screen shows the total amount of
memory and the amount of free
system resources.
System Information Utility
Click on Start, Programs,
Accessories, System Tools, and
System Information
Click on Tools, System
Configuration Utility
Click on the Startup Tab
Send To:
Backup/Restore:
To Create a Backup:
1. Load Microsoft Backup
2. Select Job and New to create a new
backup set, or Job and Open to select an existing backup job.
3. In the ‘What to Backup’ window,
select the folders or files to include in the backup.
4. In the ‘Where to Backup’ window, type
the drive, folder and name of the backup file to create
5. Click on the Options button and
select whether to verify the backup, whether to maximize compression, and
whether to overwrite or append. Suggestions: if performing a backup to another
location on the hard drive, it is generally not necessary to verify the backup.
When performing a backup to zip disk, diskette or tape, a
verification should always be run. If performing a backup to a removable
media (diskette, zip drive, or tape) select either append or
overwrite, depending on the size of the backup
and how much space is available on the target device. When performing the
backup to a hard drive, select overwrite.
6. Click Job and either Save or Save As
if this backup will be repeated in the future.
7. Click Start to begin the Backup.
Note that when the Backup program is
loaded, it always displays the last backup job performed.
To Restore a Backup:
1. Click on the Restore Tab
2. In the ‘Restore From’ window, find
the backup QIC file created by a previous backup
3. Click on the Refresh button
4. Verify the correct Backup Set is
displayed.
5. In the ‘What to Restore’ window,
select the files to be restored
6. In the ‘Where to Restore’ window,
select ‘Original location’ to restore the file to its original location (and
possibly overwrite a newer copy) or ‘Alternate location’ to restore to a new location.
To restore to an alternate location, type the beginning path of the new
location. The actual path of the restored file will be added to the location
entered.
7. If necessary, click on Options and
check the box to allow overwriting of existing files.
8. Click Start to perform the Restore
function.
Using Winzip:
To create a new archive:
1. Click On New
2. Select the Name and location of the
archive
3. Select one or more files to include
and click on Add
4. When finished click on File, Close
Archive
Note: disk spanning is permitted if the
archive is created on a removable device (e.g., diskette)
To retrieve an item from a zip file:
1. Open the Archive
2. Select the file or files and click on
Extract
3. If necessary, select the location to
save the file. Click on Extract
Computer Maintenance
Disk Cleanup:
1. Open My Computer
2. Right-click on the local ‘C” drive
and left-click on Properties
3. Click on the Disk Cleanup Button
4. Select the items to delete (temporary
Internet files, temporary files, Recycle Bin) and click Ok
Removal of CHK Files:
1. Click Start, Find, Files or Folders
2. In the Named window, type *.CHK
3. In the Look in window select the
local ‘C’ drive
4. Check the box to include subfolders
5. Click Find Now
6. When the Search is complete, Click on Edit and Select All
7. Click on File and Delete
Tips for Running Scandisk:
Click Start,
Run, and type Scandisk. Click OK.
Windows Updates:
Click on Start and
Windows Updates.
Alternately, open a browser and go to
HTTP://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
Click on Product
Updates. After a moment,
a ‘Please Wait’ window appears.
Troubleshooting
Invalid Page Faults:
A Page Fault occurs whenever a program
requests a page which does not currently reside in physical memory. An Invalid
Page fault occurs when the requested page is not available in virtual memory.
Page fault errors can occur for any of the following reasons:
- The virtual memory system becomes
unstable due to a shortage of physical memory (RAM).
- The virtual memory system becomes
unstable due to a shortage of free disk space.
- The virtual memory area is corrupted
by a misbehaving application.
- An application attempts to access data
that is being modified by another running application.
The first two causes are the most
common. These conditions can also cause a general protection fault (GPF).
An invalid page fault is also called a
page fault error (PFE).
General Protection Fault:
A General Protection Fault is a computer
condition that causes a Windows application to crash. The most common cause of
a GPF is two applications trying to use the same block of memory, or more specifically,
one application trying to use memory assigned to another application.
Critical Updates which have not yet been
downloaded are selected. Browse the list and select other modules which may be
needed. Click on the Download button when finished.
The following situations can also cause GPFs:
-
Running
an application with insufficient resources
-
Using
improper hardware device drivers
-
Corrupted
or missing Windows files
-
Applications
exchanging data that cannot be read
-
GPFs are often preceded by an invalid page fault.
Trojans, Viruses, and
Trojan - A program that appears to do something useful, or at
least entertaining (such as putting up an attractive screen saver) while
concealing a destructive purpose, such as destroying files. A trojan does not replicate itself.
Virus - A virus spreads by attaching itself to otherwise
legitimate files. Viruses can usually be cleaned from the original file.
Worm - A worm is a self-replicating file that does not alter
other files but spreads by duplicating itself.
Virus Notes
A computer
can become infected by:
If You Suspect You Have a Virus
1. If you are connected to a network,
disconnect your computer by unplugging the network cable.
2. If you are connected to the Internet,
disconnect from the Internet and disconnect the telephone line.
3. DO NOT TURN OFF OR REBOOT YOUR
COMPUTER. If you had already shut down or rebooted your computer before
realizing it was infected, reboot your computer in Safe Mode.
To boot up in Safe Mode, start up your
computer while holding down the CTRL key.
4. If you know the specific virus, check
for detailed removal instructions. Go to another,uninfected computer and access the McAfee website at
http://vil.nai.com. Search for the virus in question and
check for Removal Instructions. In some cases you may download a removal tool
which can be copied to a diskette for installation at the infected computer.
5. If you do not know the specific
virus, check the following files or folders for signs of an infection, and
remove suspicious items: AUTOEXEC.BAT file, Windows Startup Folder, Windows
WIN.INI file. Load Windows System Information and check for worms or Trojans added
to the Windows Startup section.
Computer Myths and Legends
Should I always turn my computer off, or
can I leave it on all the time?
From ZDNet Reviews & Solutions
We vote for turning your computer off if
you're going to leave it idle for more than a couple of hours. Otherwise,
you'll waste energy and money (about 2 cents per kilowatt hour). Some argue
that cycling the computer's power hastens wear and tear on moving parts like
the hard drive. While that may be true, modern hard drives
last years in normal use. Chances are, your
computer will live a lot longer than you want it to. Admittedly, it's easier to
keep your computer on than to wait several minutes each time you start it up,
but you should restart Windows daily anyway-- it gets less reliable the longer
you use it. Finally, if you want to leave the computer on and save power, get
one of the new Energy Starcompliant computers.
(Hardware with the Energy Star logo has met certain energy-saving standards set
by the EPA and Department of Energy.) And the industry as a whole is moving
rapidly toward powersaving computers that go to sleep
when unused for a period of time but pop back to life with the click of a
mouse.
What is screen burn-in? Should I be
concerned about it?
In the past, leaving a monitor on for
hours and hours would burn the image into the phosphor on the inside of the
glass tube. Because the phosphor's phosphorescence had literally been worn out,
this image would remain permanently "engraved" into your monitor's
display.
Fortunately, modern technology has made
this problem virtually non-existant. Today's monitors
would have to be left on for years before they began to exhibit significant
signs of burn-in. If you're still concerned though, feel free to turn the
brightness down or install one of those nifty screen savers.