Tags: | windows xp | software | tech support |

2007-03-05 00:00

My Part-Time Tech Support Hobby, and Essential Software Recommendations for Windows XP

Being a longtime computer hobbyist, and a Computer Science student in college, nearly everyone I know thinks of me as a "computer guy". Some people may not realize it, but sometimes this can be quite a burden. I am the network administrator and computer tech support guy for all the computers at my parent's and grandparent's houses - My mother depends on me to help her with any computer needs at her business - I've helped to fix the computers of family friends, co-workers, friend's friends, etc. While people aren't constantly asking me for help, it happens enough that it can be tiresome, especially if more than one person is having a problem at the same time. Despite a minor annoyance at times, I enjoy being able to help people, get their problem fixed, and get them back up and running, hopefully better equipped than they were before I helped them (the free dinners, baked goods, and heaps of praise also help). If you find yourself faced with the most common problem I see, a slow-running and semi-broken Windows XP install, you may find my recommendations below helpful, and you might be able to fix the problem yourself, and equip yourself for a better computing experience in the future.

I often find that people will have a bogged down system due to months or years worth of adware and spyware, viruses, and unnecessary and unused software - my favorite solution is to format their Windows partition and re-install the operating system, allowing for a clean slate or fresh start. This solution is satisfying, partially because it can clear out hard to solve problems, but it also thrills my inner obsessive-compulsive self - I get to clean! Re-installing the operating system also gives me a chance to remove software my "client" doesn't and will never use, and to install some useful and necessary software they may have been missing. In my experience, it is always easier if possible to not try and repair windows XP once it has been compromised. I'm sure my list is smaller than some people's, but after re-installing XP I always make sure to do three things:

- Update Windows, at least to Service Pack 2.

- Install Mozilla Firefox for web browsing (highly recommending that IE be ditched).
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- Install Antivirus Software - I use AVG Free on all my computers.

Depending on my "clients" past history, bundled software, and their computer needs and wants, I will sometimes install Open Office for word processing and other "Office" functionality, AVG Anti-Spyware Free, Thunderbird for e-mail, 7-zip for zipping and unzipping needs, CDex for CD ripping, Trillian for instant messaging, Java, and Winamp (my preference for listening to music) or Itunes. Also, for most people I will make sure to set up a consistent automatic download schedule for Windows update, so they stay up to date. These tools serve almost every basic need someone has on their Windows desktop, and they are all free and easy enough to use - if you aren't using at least the first three I listed then I highly recommend getting them. If you have any recommendations for me I would be happy to hear about something new or useful that I haven't before - please tell me about it!

- Kevin
Kevin (at) Upcsite (dot) Net

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