April 9, 2009
Written by Joanne Jennings
It happens in a blink of an eye–if you click on a link, attachment, or file that downloads an exploit–your computer is infected! Some signs that a computer is infected include a browser home page that you did not select, sudden slowness, unexplained hard drive activity, or the inability of your computer to access the network. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact OET immediately, and disconnect your computer from the network by unplugging the Ethernet cable or disabling the wireless adapter.
To get your computer back on track, OET will run antivirus and anti-malware software to determine if an infection exists. We also will search the hard drive for personal nonpublic information (PNPI). If no PNPI exists, we will either clean your hard drive or, more likely, reformat it. If we reformat your drive, we will back up your files, wipe you current hard drive of all information, and restore your applications and files. This procedure usually takes a day or less. If PNPI exists on the hard drive, we will contact IT to determine if any further action is necessary. During this more extensive investigation by IT, expect not to be able to access your computer for several days.
To insure that your computer is exploit-free and always up and running, keep virus protection up to date, apply operating system and application updates, avoid clicking on links or attachments that you were not expecting to receive, and follow IT’s guidelines for storing PNPI.
October 14, 2008
Written by Joanne Jennings
Has your computer suddenly slowed to almost a stop? Do you walk away to get your coffee, read the mail, or do your morning exercises while your computer boots? If this has happened to you, OET invites you to attend How to Speed Up Your Computer.
The seminar, next offered to CHEP faculty and staff on Thursday, November 13 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in 007 PRS, will give you strategies to increase your computer’s speed. Designed primarily for Windows users (although Macintosh users will benefit as well), this seminar reviews steps to increase your computer’s speed, most of which are free.
If you would like to attend, send a note to oet-help@udel.edu to register. So that we can address your specific experiences or concerns in the seminar, feel free to post them as a comment to this blog entry.
July 30, 2008
Written by Joanne Jennings
For faculty and staff who consider the weight and price of a laptop before making a purchase, there are several solutions on and near the horizon.
In August, Dell plans to release the E Ultraportable Notebook that is a tiny 8.9” in diameter, weighs just 2.2 pounds, and starts at $299. Although details on system components have not been released yet, since it will carry the Dell name, parts should be able to be replaced easily by OET’s Dell-certified technicians while under warranty.
Lightweight laptops such as the Dell E Ultraportable offer increased portability for less, balancing cost with available system components. Configuration choices for RAM, processor speed, hard drive capacity, optical (DVD) drive, and warranty length are usually limited but within normal ranges. These laptops may be perfect for someone who only wants use minimal processing power (e.g., to surf the web or to do word processing).
Other popular mini notebooks include the ASUS Eee PC that offer several configurations from $199 to about $399 and the HP Mini-Note which runs from $500 to $750. These laptops offer configurations with various operating systems including Vista Business, which is supported by OET, and Linux and Windows XP Home, which are not supported by OET.
If you are thinking about purchasing a laptop, OET will be happy to assist in configuring the one that’s right for you. Just write to oet-help@udel.edu.
