Software, Computer Help
Posted by admin | Filed under hardware
Computers are electronic devices, like a TV or microwave and should, in essence, be treated as such.
If I could distill the most-asked customer question from my 13 years of computer support, it would be one that has troubled techs for ages.
It requires us to reinforce our recommendation with various arguments because we know that the person asking this question will immediately retort, “then how come my friend reckons (insert scenario here)”.
I’m talking about the question of whether to turn our computers off at night.
I imagine as soon as my recommendations are published, my inbox will be inundated with everyone’s special theory as to why we should/shouldn’t shut down our machines.
Being a fair and unbiased individual and in true democratic style as befits an election year, I will present my take on the subject and you can do whatever you want.
First, we have to dispel a few myths, namely that:
* Your data “wears out”.
* Computers remember everything forever.
* Data can be easily recovered if your hard drive fails.
* Viruses “burn” sector 0 of your hard drive.
* Computers “don’t like” being restarted.
* Smoking banana skins gets you smashed. (more…)
Posted by admin | Filed under Software Fixes
Like Elvis in ‘68, Microsoft is itching for a “comeback,” and Windows 7 is the perfect excuse. In fact, this week in LA at the Professional Developers Conference, Windows 7 officially shoved Vista aside. Having suffered through the often deserved criticisms of that ill-fated OS installment, Microsoft’s people are thrilled to tears to be able to talk about something (anything!) else. On Sunday, they took journalists through a lively 7-hour orientation on Win 7, then handed off a Dell XPS M1330 loaded with pre-beta Build 6801. Thankfully for the overworked, underappreciated developers at Redmond, it’s surprisingly stable, and its look and feel already puts Vista to shame.
Here’s a walkthrough of the system
Posted by admin | Filed under Uncategorized
How’d you like to increase your office productivity by as much as 50%? Add a second monitor to your computer setup. Once you do, you’ll never go back to using only one monitor again.
For example, you can open a document or presentation on one monitor and use the other to conduct research on the Web. Or, see your e-mail arrive as you work. Photo editors really benefit from having an image open on one monitor and the tool bars in full view on the second monitor. Video editing suddenly becomes almost as easy as the TV commercials promise.
Adding a second monitor to your system is easy. First, you have to check to be sure your computer has a dual-output video card. If it has a single-output card, you’ll need to add a second video card.
A dual-output video card runs about $100, depending on the specifications. A single-output card costs slightly less. Your computer may already support dual monitors, though, because many newer computers do.
Installing a video card isn’t difficult, but you may not want to mess with it. An electronics store can install a card for a fee.
You could also buy an external monitor adapter, but internal cards perform better. If you use two video cards, the cards should have the same specifications. That way, there will be no lag between the monitors.
Choosing a monitor
You can use an old monitor if you have one. The experience is better if the monitors are the same size. Even better are identical monitors.
These days, you can find bargains on flat-panel monitors. Go for a 19-inch monitor if possible. Otherwise, a 17-inch screen is good. Anything larger than 19 inches may strain your eyes if you sit close.
The monitors and computer should have matching ports. Many monitors have both VGA (analog) and DVI (digital) connections. This makes things easier. (more…)
Posted by admin | Filed under Software Fixes
Thanks to customers who can’t avoid spyware and trojans to save their lives, I’ve gotten pretty quick at backing up, reformatting, and finishing off Windows installs. I’ve got five core tools that I use to get the job done, and here they are.
Copy the USMT folder from the computer’s c:\windows\system32\ and save it to a USB drive. Alternatively, do what the wizard wants you do and create a wizard disk. Run the exe from there both before and after the reformat. It’s critical to use the exact same version of the executable to avoid problems.
The tutorial at the WPIW site is excellent, and will guide you through setting up your first Wizard.
What about you? What apps help you get from a crapped up install back to a nice, clean OS?
Posted by kglee | Filed under Software Fixes
winpass, choose vista folder, unlock account, clear password
winpass -u username
Hack Windows Vista! - Click here for this week’s top video clips