Build A Bomb Proof PC

Jonathan Parkyn explains how to put together a safe, simple computer for older (or younger) relatives… without turning yourself into their private tech support team.

- Jonathan Parkyn

Being the tech-savvy one in the family is a double-edged sword. It’s great to help elderly parents and other relatives, but once they know you’re willing to help them with their computer problems, you’re always on call. And, when ransomware or some other disaster strikes, it’s inevitably you they’ll turn to – not Microsoft nor their PC manufacturer’s actual tech support team – for assistance. With the best will in the world, it can be pretty annoying to find yourself reduced to the role of a helpdesk operator. Wouldn’t it be brilliant if you could prevent their computer from having any such problems in the first place?

Well, one solution would be to tackle the source of many problems: Windows itself. As much as we love Windows, it’s intrinsically prone to precisely the sort of problems – viruses, slowdowns, update issues and Blue Screens of Death – that you’ll be called upon to resolve. Installing security software often isn’t enough, either. Luckily, we have some alternative ways to make a PC easy to use, reliable and, above all, safe.

The Linux method

Swapping out Windows for a Linux install – or running it side by side with Windows in a dual-boot configuration (see overleaf) – has several important advantages, depending on which distro you opt for.

There’s no shortage of choice in this regard and your decision is likely to be governed by your preferences, as well as the requirements and/or skill level of the person you’re building the PC for. We recommend Linux Mint, which, in recent years, has defined itself as one of the best distros for anyone switching from Windows.