About a month ago my computer started acting up. You all know how it goes, first it reboots in the middle of a sentence, then it does it twice a day, the blue screen starts showing up and so on.
So you do the usual stuff--check disk, search for malware, delete unused programs, empty recycle bin, and try to tidy things up a bit. And, of course, make sure that you've got everything backed up while you still have a working computer! :)
And then the day when it doesn't turn on and you get that sinking feeling. Yes, I have a laptop as backup, but I love my dual screens and comfortable chair and ability to have notes and edits up and about and surrounding me!
I ended up getting a semi-new desktop computer (my tech guys couldn't quite figure out my problem) and now I'm in the battle of setting up the desktop and personalizations.
Even though I'd backed up data, I'd forgotten to get pictures of my ribbon setups in Word and Excel, and StartUp and Desktop personalizations and stuff.
So here's my advice to you all:
Back up! Use Dropbox or other programs, back up your important pictures and music and be ready for the worst!
Change your automatic backups in Word to every minute if you can! Just it case...
Check out saving your favorites in the menus on Google and Internet Explorer toolbars
Take a picture of any personalizations you made so you can remember how to put them back that way!
Make a list of the programs you've downloaded and use often (or rarely). Update it when you can. That way you can re-install them all at once.
And if at all possible make sure you have a spare computer, laptop or desktop, because when you've got projects due you'll need to be able to keep working!
What else do you recommend? Any favorite tips or tricks to make sure you can keep on working?
Now to go back to hooking up those speakers....