Datasheet

12
Part I: Getting Ready to Upgrade
Do upgrade one thing at a time
Even if you’ve just returned from the computer store with more memory, a wireless
network card, a new hard drive, and a new monitor, don’t try to install them all at
once. Install one part and make sure that it works before going on to the next part.
If you can stand it, wait a day to make sure no problems turn up.
If you install more than one part at the same time and your computer doesn’t work
when you turn it on, you may have trouble figuring out which particular part is
gagging your computer.
Do make a restore point before every upgrade
The Windows System Restore feature does a great job of reinstating your computer’s
settings that made it run smooth and clean. However, System Restore works only if
your computer has a restore point for it to return to.
If you’re installing anything that involves software, drivers, or setup programs,
head to the section, “Making sure System Restore is working,” later in this chapter.
That section describes how to make your own restore points to supplement the
ones Windows automatically creates. So, make a restore point that describes what
you’re about to do: Before installing that wireless network adapter, for instance,
make a restore point with the name, “Before installing the new wireless network
adapter.”
Then, if the wireless network adapter bulldozes your finely tuned network settings,
System Restore can return to those peaceful days when your network buzzed
happily, giving you time to troubleshoot the problem.
Do watch out for static electricity
Static electricity can destroy computer parts. That’s why many computer parts,
especially things on circuit cards, come packaged in weird, silvery bags that reflect
light like the visor on an astronaut’s helmet. That high-tech plastic stuff absorbs
any stray static before it zaps the part inside.
To make sure that you don’t zap a computer part with static electricity, you should
discharge yourself — no matter how gross that sounds — before starting to work
on your computer. Touch a piece of bare metal, like the edge of a metal desk or
chair, to ground yourself. You also must ground yourself each time you move your
feet, especially when standing on carpet, wearing slippers, or after moving the cat
back out of the way.
If you’re living in a particularly static-prone environment, pick up a wrist-grounding
strap at the computer store. (They usually sell them near the packages of memory.)
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