News & Information
Helpful Tips for Small Business Owners
Indispensable Online's goal for the upcoming year
is to provide helpful and useful information to small
business owners.
We would like to make the small business owner's life
easier and more productive. If you would like
Indispensable Online to address a specific topic, please
contact us at info@indispensableonline.com.
Computer Upkeep and Maintenance 101
If you aren't already doing so, may we suggest implementing some or all of the below suggestions to enhance the performance of your computer workstations and laptops.
- You should check your hard drive for bad sectors and errors. To do this, select the Start Menu, choose My Computer, right click on the drive you want to check (i.e. Drive C), choose Properties, click on Tools, select Windows Fix Errors Automatically, press Start. Once the scan has been completed a summary report will appear for your review.
- Defragment your computer. To do this, select Start Menu, choose All Programs, choose Accessories, select System Tools, Select Disk Defragmenter.
- Perform Disk Clean-up, select Start Menu, choose All Programs, choose Accessories, select System Tools, select Disk Clean-up.
- Delete Browsing History, open Internet Explorer, select Tools, select Internet Options, select Delete under Browsing History, review the options box and select the items you wish to delete.
- Clean out your email. To do this, go into your Sent Items and delete the files that you no longer need. Select Delete Items folder and right click, select Empty Deleted Items folder.
- Periodically run Windows Updates. To do this, select Start Menu, choose All Programs, select Windows Updates and run.
- Run scheduled virus scans using the virus software of your choice.
- Limit downloading from unknown sources.
- Stay away from suspicious websites.
- Delete suspicious emails and attachments. Do not open these emails and attachments and definitely do not give your credit card information out to these sites.
- Check and clean your registry for
errors. You can use a free program
called CCleaner to do this.
Download the free application
here and follow the installation
instructions.
Again, these items should be done on a recurring basis. These recommendations are for computer workstations and laptops only.
If you are a small business that has a server, we recommend you speak with your IT professional before performing any type of maintenance on your systems.
Conference Recommendations
If you are a business professional looking to expand your knowledge and skills, consider attending the Geek Girls Boot Camp being held on Saturday, March 19th from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Cape Cod Community College Campus, 2240 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable, MA. To register visit their website at www.geekgirlscamp.com
Have a happy and productive month!
Shannon Vanasse, President
Indispensable Online
“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers" - Voltaire
