Computer Expert
By
Eric Sissom
English Composition I
October 1, 2005
I have expertise in computers inside and out. I first started using a computer when I was twelve years old. That was in the days of the Intel 486 processors and the Microsoft Windows 3.1 operating system. Since then, I have used an Intel Pentium 2 with Windows 98 and my newest computer is a Pentium 4 with Windows XP.
I specialize in fixing computer problems. I have three CompTIA Certifications: A+, which is about computer hardware and Microsoft Windows; I-Net+, which is about the internet and website technology; and Network+, which explains how to network computers and networking technical information. I also have a Microcomputer Specialist Diploma and a Network Specialist Diploma from the Tennessee Technology Center in Shelbyville. I am currently pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Information Technology through the Tennessee Board of Regents Online Degree Program. I have completed the following technical college courses: Programming in Visual Basic, Programming in C++, Computer Graphics, Web Page Development/Design, Data Structures, Java Programming I, Java Programming II, Web Page Applications, E-Commerce, Advanced Web Page/Site Design, Data Programming, and Introduction to Linux.
There were a number of problems on both the Pentium 2 and Pentium 4 computers. One virus was confirmed on the Pentium 2. The other problems may have been a virus or a mysterious Microsoft Windows issue. When I tried to log on to Windows, my computer displayed an error. I had anti-virus software at the time. If you can not log on to Windows, then there is nothing you can do, besides reinstalling Windows.
Reinstalling Windows requires access to your Windows CD. When you first press the power button to turn on the computer, you should see an option of hitting a key on the keyboard to access a boot menu. It’s very quick after the computer starts to power up. After hitting that key, you should see a screen giving options of how to boot the computer (ex. Floppy, CD, Normal). At that time, you would insert your Windows CD in the CD-ROM Drive, and choose boot from CD. It will take a minute or two to load the CD. After the CD is loaded, you will have an option to either setup Windows or exit setup. You will choose to setup Windows. You will then be asked where on the hard drive you would want to setup Windows. If there are not any files or documents you want to keep, you would want to delete the hard drive that has the error or virus and create a new drive. Format the drive using the NTFS file system for Windows XP/2000 or FAT32 for Windows 98/ME. It will give you a choice of quick or normal format. Quick format will take just a few minutes. Normal format will take twenty or more minutes. After the format, it is very self-explanatory. In the beginning of setup, it will ask you to verify the date and time. During the process of setting up Windows, it will automatically reboot twice. The second reboot should log you on to Windows for the first time.
When running Windows for the first time, it is a good idea to download all of the Windows Updates Microsoft provides for free. Most of the updates address security issues. There is a link to the updates under the Start Menu, on top of the Programs list. Windows XP downloads the security updates automatically in the background and notifies you when they are ready to install. They won’t download automatically, if you download them manually yourself.
Next, you would want to install anti-virus software. There is a free anti-virus program available at www.grisoft.com. It is only free for home use.
Windows XP comes with a firewall. Firewalls block hackers lurking around the internet, and bad connection attempts from unknown sources. The firewall options are found under the Start Menu, click on the Control Panel, then Security Center. The Security Center is only available if you have the latest big security update from Microsoft, released in 2004. For computers without a firewall, such as Windows 98, there is a free firewall program at www.zonealarm.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Grade: 83/100 | This essay was written by Eric Sissom, e-mail: essay@ericsissom.com
Homepage | About Me | College Papers