Recommended
Items
Things
every computer owner should have
Installation
CDs, Original system & software discs
In
the event that certain software components need
to be reinstalled, you must have your computer's
original system software diskettes or CDs, as well
as any auxiliary software diskettes or CDs for items
such as CD-ROM drives or printers. WITS will not
provide you with system software.
Warranty
Information
It
is important that you keep track of your warranty
information that came with your new computer, in
case your computer ever needs service. If your system
came with a registration card, make sure you complete
it and mail it in. Some manufacturers allow you
to register your computer on their web site. You
may also be able to get specific information about
your computer by visiting the web site and entering
certain information, such as the computer's serial
number. This information may include the details
of your warranty.
Manufacturer's
Tech Support & Contact Information
Make
sure you keep your manufacturer's contact information
handy. You will need this in order to get specific
technical support, warranty repairs or parts replacement.
If your computer did not come with printed contact
information, you can usually find the appropriate
phone numbers by visiting the manufacturer's website.
Insurance
Coverage
Your
computer and other valuables you keep on campus
may be covered under your parents' home insurance
policy. Have your parents check their policy for
coverage. If you are not already covered, you may
be able to add sufficient coverage for your possessions
at a nominal cost.
Surge
Protectors
It
is fairly common for electrical power surges to
occur in the power grid. These surges are due to
fluctuations in the delivery of electricity, lightning
strikes, overloads in your home or neighborhood,
accidents involving power lines or transformers,
etc. Power surges can damage sensitive electronic
equipment such as computers and audio and video
components. If you place a good quality surge protector
between the wall socket and your components, they
usually will not be damaged by a power surge. Even
if they are, the manufactures of the better surge
protectors include an insurance policy as part of
the purchase. A good surge protector will cost between
$15 and $25. Choose one that is designed for the
type of equipment you want to connect and one that
includes insurance coverage. Make sure you register
your surge protector with the manufacturer immediately
after purchase.
Security
Cables, Locks, Alarms
More
information about security cables, locks, and alarms
coming soon...
Anti-Virus
Software
No
computer should be without anti-virus software.
For the software to be effective, you must ensure
that up-to-date information about new viruses is
installed at least weekly. Any good anti-virus software
provides a means for you to automate these weekly
or daily updates, so once you have the software
properly installed and configured, all you need
to do is pay the annual subscription charges usually
required to keep those updates coming. While you
are a student here, we will relieve you even of
that burden if you install the Symantec Anti-Virus
software that WITS provides, beginning with the
Fall 2003 semester. Visit our anti-virus software
download page to obtain this software (coming
soon).
Back-ups
A
backup is an extra, up-to-date copy of your important
files stored in a place separate from your computer.
It protects you from hardware failure, computer
viruses, brain cramps, spilled Coke, theft, flood,
fire, and any other mishap that might befall your
computer and its contents. A good backup will save
you the agony of reconstructing hours or days of
work on a file lost to one of these minor catastrophes.
With a backup you can restore the file to your computer
(or another one, if yours is out of commission)
with little wasted effort. For additional information
about different backup strategies, check the WITS
Protecting your data page.
