All PC Tips

If your computer is not part of a network then you don’t have to worry much. But if your computer is part of a network then the mistakes you do will affect the whole network not simply your computer. Ever heard of the phrase, ‘the strength of a chain lies in its weakest link’? Likewise even if one computer user does not use follow best practices then it will affect the whole network.

Listed below are the best practices that every network computer user should follow:

1. Do not give your network computer’s password to anyone. Not even to your network system administrator.
2. Change the passwords often
3. Always keep a difficult to guess password. For example do not keep your wife’s name, child’s name, husband’s name or your birth date etc.
4. Do not write and keep your password everywhere. Don’t keep your password stored in a file in your computer. Just remember it in your mind.
5. Do not leave the computer unattended while it is on. If you shutdown before you leave it saves power as well as prevent unauthorised people from logging in to your computer.
6. If there is a need for someone else to use your computer then logoff from the computer and leave him to use.
7. If anything goes wrong in your computer get help from your network administrator.
8. Do not store your personal files in your ‘home’ directory in the network.
9. If you need to share an important file with your colleague do not make your whole home directory as ‘shared’ folder. Copy those files in to a common folder and share that folder only. After the colleague copies the file immediately delete that folder.
10. In any circumstance, do not leave important files in common folders.
11. Without your system administrator’s knowledge do not install any application in your computer. Do not download programs from internet or copy programs from CDs
12. Do not download unnecessary audio, video, images from internet. These are the common route for viruses.
13. During working hours avoid using Yahoo messenger, MSN messenger or any other instant messengers to chat with unofficial persons. You may however use them to communicate for official needs.
14. Avoid using your personal emails during office hours except your office mails.
15. Do not send unwanted mails to others in the network.
16. Do not send emails with big attachments. If you need to send a big file to many colleagues copy it to a network folder and then ask your colleagues to view it from there.
17. Do not use your office email address to join mailing lists and newsgroups. Doing so may increase the possibility of SPAM mails.
18. Do not open email attachments from unknown persons. Always use a good anti virus software in your computer.
19. Do not reply to SPAM emails and do not click on unsubscribe link in these mails. Delete them immediately.
20. Refrain yourself from chain emails.
21. Do not enter to directories and folders that are not designated to you in the network.

These days it is becoming very common that in a household there are more than one computer. Instead of using them individually you can connect them together and create a Local Area Network (LAN). There are many advantages of LAN network. Here is a tutorial on LAN and steps to create a network.

To create a LAN you may need to spend some money and spend a few hours working on it. But if you do it once then you can enjoy the benefits of LAN for the rest of your life.

Benefits and advantages of LAN

1. You can share files and information between computers. You can share the documents, audio, video and image files with other computer users in the network and similarly access their files from their computers.
2. You can share hardware devices such as laser printer, DVD writer between computers. So you do not have to buy these hardware for every computer. If one of the computer has, then the other computers can use this.
3. You can share the single internet connection. You can just pay for one internet connection while all your computers can share the same internet connection through the LAN.

Types of Networks

• There are four types of network namely Wired network, wireless network, hybrid network and powerline network. Let us discuss each of them very briefly
• Wired – As the name suggests, the computers in wired network are connected using wires. For this, coaxial cables and UTP cables are used. 10/100 ethernet cards can be used. Network card or network adapter (NIC: Network Interface Card) has to be installed on all computers in the network. 10/100 implies 10MBPS or 100 MBPS speed. Gigabit cards are also available in the market.

  The advantage of Wired network is it is fast, cheap and easy to create. You need a hub, switch or router. The disadvantage of wired network is that the wires have to be laid from these switches to each individual computer in the network.

• Wireless network does not need any cables. It is easy to install. However it is quite expensive. There are limitations in the distance and there are security problems in wi-fi.
• Considering the pros and cons of wired and wireless networks, connecting some computers through wires and some computers wirelessly is called hybrid network.
• It is possible to send data through electrical wires. Powerline network was invented based on the concept that there is no need for a separate cable to carry data. It is not so popular in many countries.

Steps to create a LAN (Wired network)

1. First install the network card’s driver software in all the computers. You can refer to the manual of the network card.
2. Shutdown the computer and unplug the power connection
3. Open the computer’s cabinet
4. Touch an object such as metal pipe and release the static current from your body.
5. Look for a free PCI slot in your motherboard. Remover the slot cover from the cabinet near the free PCI slot and insert the network card into the PCI slot firm and tight and secure it with screws.
6. Close the cabinet, insert the power cable and start your computer. Windows will detect the network card. Now it will prompt for the driver. Use the network card’s CD and install the driver.
7. Now connect the network Switch to the power cable and switch on.
8. Use the UTP (Network cable) to connect your computer’s network card and the switch.
9. Similarly connect the second computer to the switch.
10. Now in Windows, star the Network setup wizard. In Windows XP, click Start->my network places and then select ‘Setup a home or small office network‘ link. This will open the wizard. Just follow the instructions in the wizard and complete the steps in the wizard

Congratulations. Your home network is ready to use.