I've got to upgrade

[cherrysmum]

OMG..it's fixed...I had a microsoft critical pack upgrade and I let it do its thing..and my computer is just fine now..even the mouse isn't sticking anymore..could it be that was all it was???

[Lefty]

Quite possible. Whenever something's not working always do these things (you may want to write this down.)

1) Check your cables.
You wouldn't believe how often people throw away stuff that has lousy cables that don't connect too well anymore. Often when speakers or keyboards aren't working, it's the messed up cables that are the main problem.

2) Check your software.
A) Is everything updated? i.e. virus scanner, windows updates, both to be found somewhere in your control panel. (Start > Control panel) If you are using Windows XP with service pack 2 you have a special security center built in, accessible through the control panel.
B) Are there things installed you don't really need? Because they can slow the thing down a lot. (Go to Start &gt; Control Panel &gt; Software, and you'll get a list of everything on your PC.) <u>Never</u> uninstall a critical component. If you're not sure: leave it alone and ask someone about it.

3) Perform routine cleaning.
A) Delete your temporary internet files and cookies. (Go to your browser, top line that says file/edit/view etc. and choose extra &gt; internet options. You'll find in the middle of the pop-up panel two buttons to delete these files.)
B) Defragmentation. Your hard drive remembers where you put all your stuff, but when you start to install and uninstall stuff, it scatters more and more information all over your drive and takes a lot of time remembering where it put which part. Defragmentation puts it all in the right order again. Warning: this may take several hours, so do it when you can leave your computer on, but don't intend to use it.
C) Clean your mouse. Underneath your mouse you will find a circle that you can turn in the direction of the arrows. It pops open and you'll see this ball. That little ball pushes the small rolling pins inside (one vertical, one horizontal, and one diagonal that looks different from the other two) along to make your arrow move. Take the ball out and look at the three pins that have dust-like blackish gunk on them. That gunk shouldn't be there. Remove it without scratching the pins too much (so use your fingers or paper towels) and afterwards spray a little alcohol-based cleaning solution on them to remove all the unnoticable fatty liquids from your hands off of the bars. This will ensure that you won't have to reapeat this exercise next week.

Really, most people don't do this, but routine cleaning (bi-monthly is good enough) extends and increases the life-expectancy and performace of your computer.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 17, 2005 10:36 AM: Message edited by: Lefty ]</font>

[cherrysmum]

*blowing the cat hair off the keyboard*..I didn't know all that

[cherrysmum]

I still want a laptop when we go back to Florida in the winter.....think I'll put that on my Christmas list...hehehe