Safest Place to Get Windows Updates Is the Source
Q: I’ve used Windows Update to get critical updates for Windows 98. If I need to reinstall Windows 98 on my computer, do I need to use Windows Update again or can I reinstall the critical updates from my system backups? How would I do that? Where does Windows Update save the downloads on my hard drive?
A: It is technically possible to save downloads from the Windows Update site, but it’s very cumbersome, unreliable and fairly labor intensive. The friendly geeks at Q&A; labs don’t know of any way to grab a copy of the critical updates out of your system once they’ve been installed.
In addition, Microsoft is constantly tinkering with the updates; you’re much safer just going back to the site and reinstalling them.
Windows users should make a regular habit of visiting the Windows Update site--available by clicking the Start button--to check for things such as security patches.
Q: Should opening a computer case, vacuuming it and blowing the dust off of the fan be part of one’s maintenance program? If so, how is it done?
A: If you’ve had the box for a couple of years, or if you’re using it in a pretty dusty area, or if you’re having problems that could be related to heat buildup in the system--such as display problems or lockups on a hot day--then you should consider it. Otherwise, it’s probably overkill.
Before cracking open your computer, make extensive backups, and then unplug the power line. If you’ve got a standard computer case, there’s half a dozen or so screws on the back or the bottom. Just loosen them and pop the shell off the base of the unit. Ground yourself to make sure that any static electricity you’re accumulating doesn’t discharge into the computer’s electronic components and then visually inspect the components inside the box for debris.
If you’re comfortable mucking around with circuit boards and such, now’s also a good time to make sure all the boards are properly seated and the wires aren’t coming apart. We’d recommend just making sure the vents and fan are clear instead of running a vacuum over the whole works.
Q: Would an uninterruptable power supply let me keep working during a blackout?
A: Yes and no. These are basically just batteries that stay plugged into the wall outlet all the time, and the computer plugs into the UPS. An affordable home UPS--less than $100--is designed to give you a few minutes of power in the event of an interruption. You’re supposed to use the time to shut down the system yourself, since repeatedly turning off your computer by just killing the power could corrupt the operating system, which could lead to much wailing and gnashing of teeth later on.
You can pay more for a UPS that will give you hours of power. But before you spend hundreds of dollars on such a system, realize that those UPS batteries don’t last forever; in some cases, they need to be replaced annually. Unless your computer needs to be always on for business or safety, a high-end UPS for your home is an unnecessary expense. As an alternative, consider picking up a used laptop with a new rechargeable battery pack.
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Dave Wilson is The Times’ personal technology columnist. Submit questions to Tech Q&A; at techtimes@latimes.com.
