TIPS COMPUTER

computer-crash-and-reinstall-windows

noreply@blogger.com (COMPUTER) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:37:00 +0000

Subscriber David Forness wrote about his recent experiences and the new cartoons:

My computer crashed just before Christmas and coincidentally my tech who has built, upgraded, and repaired, all of my computers for at least the last fifteen years, was on vacation for two weeks. It was more than I could figure out and since the computer was seven months old and still under warranty, I had to wait for his return. We tried a few things via his cell phone but nothing worked.

I have been back in service for a week and am now just getting caught up after a hard drive reformat and fresh installation of the operating system and reinstalling all my programs. Yes! I am definitely, positively, going to purchase an external hard drive very soon both for me and my wife.

All of that is to say that I just saw the comment in today's newsletter so I went back to see last week's cartoon. Keep them coming. I chuckled when I saw it. I could see myself doing the same thing except I am now retired and have a whole lot more patience since things are a lot calmer.

I wrote back to David thank him for the comments and to tell him that I think he wil be a lot happier with his decision to back up to an external hard drive.

I think the best way to do a reinstall is to use an image backup program, effectively creating my own "restore image" with Windows, my programs, my configuration settings and my data. At that point, restoring to the hard drive — or even a replacemet hard drive — is easy.

What are the different version VISTA?

noreply@blogger.com (COMPUTER) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Vista is available in 4 versions to the consumer, which adds much confusion. In the past we only had XP Home and XP Pro to decide between. If we were to compare XP to Vista then Vista Home Premium would be comparable to XP Home. Vista Ultimate would be comparable to a combination of XP Media Center and XP Pro.

Feature	Home Basic	Home Premium	Business	Ultimate
64-bit processor support
Games Explorer
Instant search
IPv6 support
Parental Controls
Speech recognition
Sync center
User account control
anytime upgrade
Backup & Restore
Windows Calendar
Windows Defender
Display Driver Model
Easy Transfer
Firewall
Hotstart
Windows mail
Media Player 11
Mobility center	limited	limited
Windows photo gallery
ReadyBoost
ReadyDrive
Security center
SuperFetch
sidebar
Windows update
Welcome center
XPS document support
Log-in authentication
Aero interface
Windows meeting space	limited
Windows right management
Windows Tablet PC
DVD maker
Media Center
Movie maker
Movie maker HD
Domain join SBS
Encrypting file system
Smart card management
Group policy support
Roaming user profiles
Virtual PC express
Bitlocker encryption
Fax and scan
Shadow copy
Ultimate Extras

This isn't necessarily bad, but Vista comes in both 32 bit and 64 bit versions (just to add to the confusion). All modern processors will run both, but most of today's software is written in 32 bit. Another issue with 64 bit Vista is that device drivers aren't available for all hardware, meaning some of your hardware may not work. Microsoft requires all device drivers for 64 bit Vista to be signed. This may present a problem when an exploit is identified in a device driver. If this happens the device driver for Vista 32 bit can be rewritten and pushed to the user in very little time. If this were to happen on 64 bit Vista you may be in for a wait, while your computer remains vulnerable.

Key Vista features

Backup and Restore: Finally a better solution which will allow easier file backups included with the OS. The average user (especially one who doesn't read Daves Computer Tips) isn't aware of great programs link Acronis True Image. This will give them an application native to the OS. Hopefully this will result in a lot less data loss.

Speech Recognition: This technology has made great strides in the last 10 years. Inclusion with the OS will but the technology into the hands of millions over the next few years, which (hopefully) will lead to wider use and better integration in other software programs.

Performance Assessment: This your PC has slowed down? Now you can actually see if that's true by taking benchmarks and comparing them to earlier tests.

Windows Flip and Flip 3D: Using Alt+Tab has always allowed switching between programs. In Vista it shows a actual screen shots of the programs. The taskbar will also show a screen shot of a program when you hover over the icon.

ReadyBoost: Physical RAM is the fastest way for Windows to work. When Windows runs out of RAM is starts using virtual memory (the paging file) to store parts of memory that aren't a priority. The paging file is a file on your hard drive and hard drives are extremely slow when compared to RAM. This results in a slower and sluggish PC. ReadyBoost allows the user to insert a compatible flash drive or SD card which Windows will use as the primary paging file, which should help eliminate the sluggishness.

ReadyDrive: Drive manufacturers have started making hybrid drives that contain flash memory. This will allow Windows to read and write to the flash (much faster than the actual hard drive) and have the flash written to the hard drive when there is time. Though these drive aren't common yet they will allow Windows to start and operate faster.

SuperFetch: Windows will monitor which programs you use and will preload them in the background so they start faster.

Kernel Memory Management: The kernel is the brain of the OS, basically controlling everything including memory. The memory management component of the Vista Kernel is a total rewrite with an emphasis on better memory management. This means that what memory we do have will be better utilized.

Tips for New Monitors

noreply@blogger.com (COMPUTER) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:10:00 +0000

You are encouraged to make links to this article from your website and tell your friends

Here are some basic trouble shooting tips for new monitors:

The picture does not appear

Check to make sure the signal cable is firmly connected in the socket.

Check to see if the computer system's power is ON.

Check that the Brightness Control is at the appropriate position, not at the minimum.

The Screen is not synchronized

Check to make sure the signal cable is firmly connected in the socket.

Check that the output level matches the input level of your computer.

Make sure the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.

The position of the screen is not in the center

Adjust the H-Size, H-Phase or V-Size, V-Center controls.

Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.

The screen is too bright or too dark

Check if the Brightness or contrast control is at the appropriate position, not at the maximum or minimum.

Check if the specified voltage is applied

Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.

Especially, check the horizontal frequency.

The screen is shaking

Move all objects that emit a magnetic field, such as a motor or transformer, away from the monitor.

Check if the specified voltage is applied.

Check if the signal timing of the computer system is within the specification of the monitor.

Common Troubleshooting Techniques & Strategies

noreply@blogger.com (COMPUTER) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:05:00 +0000

Common Troubleshooting Techniques & Strategies

You are encouraged to make links to this article from your website and tell your friends

The following article is based on years of experience. It is provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of this advice.

Copying the contents for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without Directron.com's written consent. However, you are welcome to distribute these computer support tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes and you acknowledge the source. You are permitted and encouraged to create links to this page from your own web site.

Here are five common-sense techniques and strategies to solve common computer hardware problems.

(1) Trial-and-error

Personal computers are highly modular by design. The most powerful trouble-shooting technique is to isolate the problem to a specific component by trial-and-error. Swap compatible components and see if the system still works. Try different peripherals on different machines and see if the same problem occurs. Make one change at a time.

(2) "It's the cable, s-----."

More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure all cables are connected firmly. IDE and floppy ribbon cables and power cables can often go loose. Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as video card and sound card are inserted correctly and didn't "pop-up" during transportation.

(3) Don't be frustrated!

Don't be afraid of computer problems. It is often the best opportunity to learn. Trouble-shooting is part of the fun of owning a computer. Imagine the satisfaction you could get by solving a problem yourself.

Of course the fun could ran out quickly once you are frustrated and have spent too much time on the same problem. If you feel frustrated, it's time to leave it for a while and go back with some new ideas or call someone who can help. Rule of thumb: You shouldn't spend more than three hours on the same problem at one time.

(4) Take notes!

Take notes of what you have done and all the error messages. You may need to use them later. For instance, when you see an unusual blue screen with an error message, copy the entire message onto a piece of paper. In many situations, that message may point to the right direction in getting the problem solved quickly.

(5) Take a look?

It's OK to open a computer case and take a look inside. There is only 5V and 12V DC voltage supplied to the components outside the power supply. Those who have never seen the inside of a computer are often amazed by how simple it looks. Of course, still always power down and unplug the power cord first.

Common Troubleshooting Techniques,Strategies

noreply@blogger.com (COMPUTER) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:05:00 +0000

Technology Blurs Lines Between TV and Computers

noreply@blogger.com (COMPUTER) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:50:00 +0000

In the future, the home entertainment center will probably be replaced by more of a home information center. The home information center would blend access to information and entertainment in such a way as to make it possible to access movies, listen to music, make video phone calls or normal phone calls, play video games, surf the Internet, enjoy virtual reality, read and answer email, and utilize a variety of productivity software programs all from the same room in your home. In short, the home computer and the home entertainment system will become one.

There has been technology capable of doing all of these things on the market for years. They're generally marketed as media center PC's or other as other similar names. The most recent mainstream product that attempts to make this marriage of the computer and the home entertainment center is Intel's Viiv chip set running higher end versions of Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system. The Viiv technology can act as a TV receiver and Windows Vista can manage video in the form of digital video recording.

There have been a couple of impediments to getting Americans to invest in home information centers in the past. Historically, Americans have wanted to keep the easy to use home entertainment system components in the living room, while sequestering the relatively difficult to use home computer systems to the home office or study. As computer systems have gotten easier to use, people seem to be less interested in maintaining this boundary, but nonetheless there still is that boundary because of older prejudices. The other impediment is the high price of these systems- a factor that's even worse when you consider how quickly computer systems become obsolete!

One development that has probably helped to bridge the gap between home computer systems and home entertainment systems is the Digital Video Recorder. The Digital Video Recorder helps to break down this prejudice because it is essentially a computer, yet it's easier to use than many of the home entertainment system components of the past.

One product that brings the home computer system into the living room under the guise of a DVR is the Monolith Media Center. The Monolith Media Center is marketed as a DVR, but when you look at the details of what it can do, it becomes very obvious that it is in fact a home computer with a lot of features added on. The Monolith MC comes with multiple TV tuners that can handle standard definition television as well as HDTV and relies on a free version of an on screen program guide so that no subscription is necessary like with other DVR's such as the TiVo. This device can also play audio through your home stereo system.

The real beauty of the Monolith MC is the amount of control that it gives its users. For example, it can get video just like a normal TV receiver through a TV service provider or it can download video from the Internet or it can play video off of DVD's in its built in DVD player. When recording video from a TV signal it can store that video on its hard drive in standard MPEG-2 format or in the space saving MPEG-4 format. It can also copy video from its hard drive onto DVD's that can then be played on other devices.

The Monolith MC also has full computer capability because it runs the Ubuntu Linux operations system with tons of productivity software, web browsers, and even games. This could be the exact technology needed to bridge the gap between the computer and the TV.

5 Simple Ways to Speed Up Your PC

noreply@blogger.com (COMPUTER) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:17:00 +0000

There are many ways to improve computer performance, from hardware upgrades to editing the Registry. But upgrading hardware can be quite expensive and editing the Windows Registry can seriously harm your computer if you do something wrong. In this article I’ve focused on simple and safe tweaks that will not cause any trouble and will make your computer run faster.

1) Speed Up Windows Explorer

Sometimes starting Windows Explorer can take a while. This is because Windows automatically looks for network files, shared network folders, and devices when you start Windows Explorer. It is possible to make it open faster by changing the settings:

Open Windows Explorer
Click on Tools menu
Then click on Folder Options
Click on the View tab
Find Automatically search for network folders and printers check box and uncheck it
Click Apply, then click OK
Reboot your PC

From now on Windows Explorer will start faster, as it will no longer automatically search for network files, shared folders, and devices in the network.

2) Optimize Appearance Settings

We all are used to how Windows XP looks. But actually its visual effects waste system resources. The graphics card is not the only one that has to deal with it - the CPU and the memory are affected as well. Windows Vista graphics are even more advanced and can dramatically slow down your PC, especially if your computer is not one of the latest and the fastest ones.

Luckily there is a way to configure Windows XP for best performance by reducing the effects in the graphical user interface. This will free up RAM and increase computer speed. To configure Windows XP for maximum performance do the following:

Go to Start - Settings and select Control Panel
In the Control Panel, click System and then Advanced tab
In the Performance Options window select Adjust for best performance
Click OK to confirm and close the window

This will turn off all visual effects, which is good for less powerful PCs and laptops. However, if you would like Windows XP to look more like what you’re used to, leave the following boxes ticked:

Show shadows under menus
Show shadows under mouse pointer
Show translucent selection rectangle
Use drop shadows for icons labels on the desktop
Use visual styles on windows and buttons

3) Uninstall Unused Device Drivers

Once you have uninstalled a device, it’s a good idea to remove any device drivers that were left behind. Otherwise those drivers will still be using valuable system resources. Here is why this happens.

When you install a device, you also install its drivers and they get called each time you boot up your PC. And even when the device has been removed, but the drivers are still there, your system continues to load them at boot up. What a waste of resources!

If you have Windows XP, follow these steps to remove any unwanted device drivers:

Press the Windows key + the Break key on your keyboard. System Properties box will appear
Select the Advanced tab

Click Environmental Variables
Under System Variables click New
In the variable box type devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices
Type 1 in the Variable value text box
Click OK to return to the System Properties box
Click OK again
Go to the Device Manager tab
Click View - Show hidden devices

Then you will need to expand all the branches and look for washed out icons. Those icons show unused device drivers that you can uninstall.

Once you have found a device driver you wish to uninstall, highlight it, right-click it, and choose Remove. Delete only washed out icons. All the other icons show drivers of connected and used devices. If you delete them, your devices will stop functioning properly.

4) Remove Software You Don’t Need

One more way to speed up your PC is to check what software you have installed and see if you need all the applications or not. To do this click Start - Settings - Control Panel - double-click Add/Remove Programs.

Most likely you will find programs you’ve used only once or twice. Removing them will free up disk space and make your PC run faster.

When Uninstalling Software Fails

Uninstalling software doesn’t always go as smooth as one hopes it would. A very common problem is that some programs don’t remove all their data completely, thus leaving some files behind. These files are called junk files.

Sometimes you have to uninstall the software trial version in order to register the full version. But if the uninstall process is not complete, you might fail to register the program that you have paid for.

If the uninstaller doesn’t work, it may be possible to remove the software manually. This means that you will need to remove all related files and configuration data from your hard disk. Usually software uses the Windows Registry to store configuration information.

Firstly, you will need to find the folder where the program was installed. Most likely it’s the Program Files directory. Locate the software folder and delete it. If it’s impossible to delete some files, try restarting your computer. This will help if the files were used by the system. If you can’t delete the files even after a restart, try booting in Safe Mode (tap F8 during PC boot) and then delete the files.

After that you will need to remove invalid Registry entries. Microsoft offers a free Windows Installer CleanUp Utility to help you do the job. After you’ve installed and opened it, select an application you wish to uninstall from the list. The utility will remove all registry entries related to that software. Double check what applications you select and also backup the Registry in case something goes wrong.

If running Windows Installer CleanUp Utility does not solve the problem, you can use a third party registry cleaner. Be careful and only use well-known software that has received positive reviews and trustworthy awards. There are lots of programs that claim to be great, but in fact they contain malware and spyware, and can damage your computer.

Another way to uninstall software without having to worry about the Registry is to use a software uninstaller. Program uninstallers track down and remove all application-related components from your system, thus ensuring that the software gets completely uninstalled.

Auslogics BoostSpeed contains both an uninstaller and a registry cleaner, plus lots of other useful tools to optimize and protect your system. You can download it from http://www.auslogics.com.

5) Disable Indexing Services

The Indexing Services use large amounts of RAM and can often make a computer pretty slow and loud. This service indexes and updates lists of all the files that are on your computer in order to enable you to search for the files and folders faster. To tell you the truth, this service is not really needed and you can safely disable it.