Archive for April, 2009

Discover Computer Speed Like Never Before

April 28th, 2009 by Henry | No Comments | Filed in Computers

Computer Speed is largely affected by Spyware, Adware, Dialers, and Web Bug traces. Also these items not only create popups, system slowdowns and or crashes, but lots of items actually record sensitive information such as credit cards, social security numbers, and or other personal information about you,.

Spyware and Adware is software made by publishers that allow them to snoop on your browsing activity, invade your privacy, and flood you with those horrible popups.

Your personal computer is likely infected with malware & spyware if:

* You’ve downloaded music online
* Your Computer Speed is running exceedingly slow
* You’re annoyed by those ugly popup adverts
* Your homepage keeps switching

How come does adware and spyware regard every web user?

* All data you record via the net could be wiretapped

* Self-appointed sites could add themselves to your desktop (icons)

* Unaccredited web sites may add themselves to your online favorites

* Your browsing activity can be tracked and monitored

* Unwanted toolbars and searchbars can attach themselves to your browser without your knowledge or approval

* Your personal info could be traded to unusual parties without your knowledge or consent

* Your default homepage and settings can be hijacked so you can’t change them

* These malicious components not only invade your PC so they can not be removed, but take up your hard drive space and slow down your PC!

Clean-up Your registry with a good Windows Registry Cleaner.

If children, friends, or computer starters are utilizing your computer to browse the World Wide Web it’s real likely that your computer is contaminated. Entirely getting rid of malware may be a large task. Whenever you are not experinced at it, you might prefer to pay a computer repair store to perfect the job for you. If you need more information about a good windows registry cleaner or about computer speed, check out http://www.squidoo.com/Easy-Windows-Registry-Cleaner

Some users believe that the Windows Add/Remove Program option is enough to clean the registry but this is not true. These do not clean the registry thoroughly, when compared to the DLL Registry Cleaner.

For those who could look at the DLL Registry Cleaner as real complicated to use, you should not think that way because it’s not as intense to install. It does not demand a computer expert to utilize the DLL Registry Cleaner. Anybody who uses the personal computer could install the DLL Registry Cleaner and maintain the registry of the system without looking for the assistance of a professional technician.

An additional advantage of possessing a dependable quality registry cleaner is that it keeps the system’s problems from happing to begin with. By installing this, it will already assist the user in preventing and fixing the numerous kinds of computer errors like runtime errors and Active X errors.

The DLL Registry Cleaner specifically forbids the DLL Registry errors. It doesn’t matter how ancient the system is. As long as the DLL Registry Cleaner is set up into the software, the user is more positive that the system won’t become affected by those annoying bugs.

USB 123 Literally

April 27th, 2009 by Henry | No Comments | Filed in Computers

If you have been around for more than a few years then undoubtedly you will remember the frustratingly painful floppy drives that used to be the only way to effectively transfer files between computers. Frustrating of course because often the floppy would not write or even more frustratingly would not read on the donor machine.

USB 1.0 which was first introduced in 1996 was still an emerging standard so if we had a larger file we had to span the data across many floppies which I remember was a real pain at the time.

But as computing power grew at a fast pace the size of files seemed to grow exponentially and the floppy drive was simply not up to the job meaning many people were left having to burn very expensive CD’s as burning technology came into play in the nick of time.

Fortunately the USB (universal serial bus) standard was rapidly gaining ground and it was not long before a new breed of mobile storage hit the market which was of course the humble memory stick also affectionately called a thumb drive. These simple plug an play devices could hold a heady 2,4,6 or even 8mb of data (ok don’t laugh) and data transfer speeds of 12mbps which although slow by modern standards was in fact blisteringly fast back then.

The Computer repair and IT industries where some of the first serious adopters of pen drives primarily due to the fact that system tools could be easily carried on a flash drive and with the larger capacities reduced the need to carry around a number of CD disks used for diagnostics or computer maintenance utilities.

As capacities grew though faster data transfer speeds were needed and this led to the emergence of the second generation of USB …USB 2.0.

The emergence of USB 2.0 and hi speed USB was a bit of a debacle for many consumers however as many USB pen drives and PCI cards were sold at the time claiming to be USB 2.0 but it was not made clear that the devices still only had the transfer speeds of 12mbps as opposed to 480 mbps.The problem was so widespread that many countries trading standards bodies were involved due to consumer lobbying for clearer packaging.

The USB pen drive has really risen to the challenge to take advantage of the USB interface and storage capacities are enormous and far beyond most peoples requirements, What were almost in the beginning icons of your technical prowess have now become a mainstream device and sales are said to exceed 150 million units per year just for pen drives alone. The USB interface is also said to be present in over 6 billion consumers devices and this number is growing at over 30% per annum.

Increases in drive capacities has raised a number of issues across many industry sectors including the Data recovery industry, which has had to evolve new USB memory recovery techniques for recovering data from these flash based devices.

It is so easy to transfer and store data on these devices that many users are really taking them for granted and not saving their data elsewhere, which is all well and good until your drive breaks or gets damaged, or perhaps the memory controller fails.

Some Data recovery companies have of course stepped up the mark and the pen drive data recovery industry is now alive and well.

Another problem area with plug and play devices is that of data security and the sheer ease of file transfer has given many business and government bodies severe data security headaches resulting in extreme cases to the USB interface being disabled on computers, Pc’s and laptops in security sensitive environments.

As it seems with all technology every development brings us even greater speed and the new USB 3.0 standard is no exception promising data transfer speed 10x greater than current specs which will give us transfer speeds around 5Gbps.

This very fast transfer speed may of course signal the end of the older firewire standard which has been falling behind more recently.

The USB 3.0 standard has now been rolled out and accepted by most mainstream technology players but it may be still be some months before we see any consumer based products or reasonably priced motherboards supporting this latest standard.

When Did You Last Test Your Company Data Backup?

April 26th, 2009 by Henry | No Comments | Filed in Computers

Picture the sheer horror of the following scenario to a business owner: You arrive at work to be told that your IT system has gone down and that all the data may be lost? You ask your in company IT specialist how long it will take to restore the back up and you are told the backup has also failed and all of a sudden the sheer horror of the situation sinks home as you realise have lost your entire businesses data .

IT is the lifeblood of any organisation and those who fail to take the correct steps to protect it do so at their peril. Loss of data is a major threat to businesses of all sizes – from single desktop operations to multi-networked concerns.

Any IT solution should not be restricted to the basics like computer repair, network and computer support , but should also take into account business continuity planning.

The sad fact is that nobody can predict if a business or a consumer is likely to suffer from a data loss emergency, but there are a number of areas that are generally prone potential problems which could arise from a basic electrical power surge, electronic or mechanical failure or even a sabotage attempt by a disgruntled employee. You also have to consider acts of nature i.e floods, storms or even natural disasters depending on your locality.

There is a lot more interest being taken in the topic of business continuity recently, but the implementation of disaster recovery solutions has been pretty hit and miss for many companies and businesses, many of which still rely on aging tape back up technology. One of the biggest failings is testing the system that has been put in place and many companies have felt the pain of the backup simply not being available in their hour of need.

This then leads to the need for far more expensive data recovery or raid data recovery as a method of hopefully retrieving vital data.

Many companies are now investing in remote data backup models as part of their business continuity strategy as these have a number of significant advantages.

For example, if your server or building was damaged by flood or fire and you needed to vacate the premises, even if your back up tapes were available (many companies do not even keep an offsite version) you would still need to source a suitable drive and donor server to restore them. Back up data store on remote servers and data centers will allow you access to your data even if you have to set up in a temporary office.

If you have not yet implemented a disaster recovery plan for your business then you should put this high on your business agenda. Could your business survive if it were to lose all the client records on your CRM system or financial data from your accounts package. Don’t forget the cost is not purely the loss of data but also the lost business that may ensue as well as the time and resource to get things back on track.

And of course on a final note, once you have implemented a business continuity plan make sure you test it to make sure the plan is robust in a real environment.

Effective Computer Software Training

April 25th, 2009 by Henry | No Comments | Filed in Computers

Unfortunately, without some sort of professional software training, a lot of times these types of ’shortcuts’ to improved efficiency are never learned. So, let’s take a few minutes to look at the various types of computer software information available to the computer user today. Refer to computer training courses for mor einformation.

One method that is very popular today is the hands on method of computer programming information. While this is very popular, there are a couple of different avenues that this particular method can be approached. One method is to hire a tutor. While this is probably the most direct and successful method, it can also be the most expensive. Tutors for any variety of training usually charge by the hour, although you will gain one-on-one training and attention from the tutor during your class time together. Another popular method is to take a community class that may be offered by some group in your area. Often computer clubs, civic groups, and local schools may offer introductory the type of information that will allow for hands-on learning. However, these are often followed up by attempting to sell you on another class, book, etc.

Computers and learning can also become hands-on when you have a video or other on-screen directions to guide you through the learning process. One such program that has become very popular over the last few years is the Video Professor. His program is seen all the time on late night TV infomercials and is now online as well. Offering introductory your information for free, he follows up with a variety of paid sales programs to get the most bang out of his advertising buck. There is nothing wrong with this, just as long as you know what you are getting into. This is one of the most appealing methods of gaining the information you require because you can do the study on your own terms and in your time, on the exact software subject of your choice. Go to computer training courses for more information.

Probably the most simple, and the most cost effective method of obtaining this process is the most overlooked today. With almost each and every computer program that you purchase there are three types of documentation included in your purchase: the software manual, internal software help programs, and the online help program. Each of these is a mini course in and of itself. First you should read the entire program manual that comes with the software. This will contain many shortcuts and efficiency aiding devices that are built into the software. Next, you should take the time to read through all of the topics built into the software help program. This will be one of the best sources of learning for that particular version of software.

Last, but certainly not least, you will find the online support or help most effective in solving those few areas of troubled functioning you are having with the software. Perhaps there is a tough formatting issue that you are trying to solve. Oftentimes, availing yourself of the assistance of the online support forums can be the very best information for this training which is available. After all, it is from the people who actually wrote the software to begin with. You cannot get any better computer software training advice than that! Visit computer training for further information.

Improving Your Knowledge With Computer Training Courses

April 25th, 2009 by Henry | No Comments | Filed in Computers

For older adults who have long since graduated from college, it can be frustrating to learn new computers software for work. In the past, employees simply needed to know their way around a keyboard, occasionally entering the most basic of data into the computer, such as a user name and password to access information.

online computer training
Today’s employee is bombarded with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, Adobe Acrobat, Quickbooks and all sorts of perplexing programs. To keep abreast, everyone must have some level of computer knowledge these days.

There are many types of computer training available. Most cities offer special computer training schools where employees can use tutorial software to learn various programs like Microsoft Excel, Word, Powerpoint and Quickbooks, and skills, such as typing faster or organizing better.

These centers are good for learning basic computer skills applicable to one’s profession. However, when contemplating a career change, local colleges offer more in-depth computer training courses like computer engineering, troubleshooting, networking and programming. There are two-year and four-year degrees that are bound to increase one’s salary.

Additionally, there are online training courses for the busy, working professional or stay-at-home mom. These are an ideal starting point for someone who is considering a career in computers. Lastly, there is tutorial software training available for beginners and pros alike.

In special instances, online training courses can be found. Executive Training Solutions offers computer training to unemployed Arizona residents at a $325 value. They’ll learn all of the Microsoft Office applications and have access to additional courses for QuickBooks, HTML, JavaScript, XML and SQL.

The aim of these courses is to provide individuals with the tools they need to succeed, while increasing efficiency and productivity. Interested parties can also find free online training courses at www.web.mit.edu. Some local libraries and training centers also offer free classes to community members.

free computer classes
Today, almost every profession requires online computer training. The health care industry is using electronic health records, online reference systems, radio frequency technology and complex tele-medicine. The automobile industry is using computerized shop equipment and email.

Administration assistants now need to know database management, spreadsheets, word processing, scanning, emailing and attend basic computer classes. Even restaurateurs need to know how to complete online orders, work electronic seating charts, send out promotional materials electronically and manage employee paychecks. Computer training courses truly are the way of the future.

Get Helpful Advice About Registry Errors

April 22nd, 2009 by Henry | No Comments | Filed in Computers

Computer running windows are very susceptible to all kinds of infiltration from malware, spyware, virus’s, root-kits, etc. I have covered that in other posts on my blog which will be linked at the bottom of this article.

Another type of threat that we are going to discuss is actually us ourselves. That’s right, us. What I mean by this is just simply the fact that we get on our computers on a daily basis. Whether we do our banking or have a web-site or blog that we update daily or just simple web-surfing. We get on our computers pretty much on a daily basis and it would be hard to live without these machines.

Now the problem really isn’t our fault. At least it is not our fault all of the time. Sometimes we do everything we can to protect our machines because unless you are a PC technician, you are going to have to take it to get repaired or pay for someone to come to your location to fix it.

The problem really stems from us using these machines everyday. That’s right. Just using our machines can cause problems in a dangerous place (if you don’t know what you are doing) called the registry. If we install a program or uninstall a program we change the registry every time. If we install a plug-in in firefox then it changes the registry. Almost everything that we do in one way or another changes the registry. Now the registry for some of you who don’t know is kind of like a book keeping of all the settings for all programs on our computers. Now the registry does go a lot deeper than this, but I am trying to keep this as simple as possible as I know the general public will be reading this.

The registry itself can go through so many changes that literlally a few clicks of a mouse can really mess up a computer. Now you might be asking how can we fix this. Well, there are programs out their that do just that. They look for and fix registry errors. Now, they don’t get every single one, but for the most part they do a pretty effective job.

Now, a program that I really like and use a lot is ccleaner. Another reason I like this program so much is because it is free and they update it almost on a bi-monthly basis. You can get a free copy of it from filehippo.com or just simple search for ccleaner in yahoo or google.

Now, this program does a lot more than fixing registry errors, but that is mainly what it is used for. At least that is mainly what I use it for. Once you get this installed and running, you do a scan and tell it to repair all errors. What I like to do is do a scan and repair the errors, then do another scan and repair those errors. I keep doing this until no errors come up in the scan. The reason I do this is a lot of times when you fix one registry entry, there are others that were dependent on that entry and so it itself becomes a bad registry error. So you need to keep checking for errors and repairing them until you don’t get any at all.

Well, thanks for reading and I am sorry for all my errors and mistakes in this article because I am sure I have some. I am a technician and not an English professor so I do apologize and I thank you for reading.

Read more about Registry Errors here.
Read more about Computer Help here.
Make your brain play - get cheap PlayStation 3 - frugal tips here.

Choosing the Most Appropriate Microsoft Training Course

April 20th, 2009 by Henry | No Comments | Filed in Computers

There are a large array of courses available for those who wish to improve their proficiency in Microsoft Office or Windows Training. Whether you are an individual or part of a business the difficulty is often matching your requirements with the most suitable course. Go to computer training courses for more information.

There are many variables that need careful consideration, such as the choice of program and version, the user’s level of experience and the type of course format. Of course all of these details can be discussed by making a quick call to a Microsoft Authorised Training Centre, but this article will give you the low down and is the perfect place to start.

Hopefully, selecting the appropriate application will not be too difficult. Training courses are available for all the various applications and versions in the Office suite, Windows and others Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Project and Frontpage.

Most levels for Microsoft Training can be split into Introduction, Intermediate and Advanced. The subjectivity of an individual’s choice according to their experience can be questionable at times and this is no easy task! Where possible it is always a good idea to look at the course syllabus or better still, contact a training centre for a better diagnosis.

Formats of Training
It is important to have resolved the above issues before proceeding in the decision of the most appropriate course format. We will now take a look at the various course formats available:

Public Schedule
Some of the leading Microsoft Training Companies in the UK offer daily public schedule courses for popular programs like Microsoft Excel training. Other business critical courses such as MS Project training are run as often as twice a week and are always in comfortable air conditioned environments in a variety of centres in and around London. These instructor-led classes typically have an average size of 6 with a maximum of about 8.

On-site
You may find it convenient for classes and trainers to come to your company site or home. You have the flexibility of covering a structured public schedule syllabus or tailoring the course to suite your individual requirements. It is often possible to combine syllabuses of different courses, which may include intermediate and advanced levels or two totally separate programmes. Refer to computer training for more information.

It is handy to know that some of the leading Microsoft Training Companies have very competitive pricing policies and some even offer to beat any like for like training quotations - so do your research and ask! Many UK training companies offer on-site training UK wide and to other popular European locations.

Closed Company
Closed company training is sometimes preferred when there is a preference of training away from the work place and not in a public schedule course. Training companies provide training venues and Microsoft certified trainers that are able to train from a public scheduled syllabus or alternatively to specific tailored requirements.

One-to-one
One-to-one training, similar to on-site and closed company, can be done at your work place or at a training venue provided by the training company. It offers a more individual, highly tailored and personal approach that many often prefer. One-to-one training allows the individual to be trained at the most suitable pace and also allows time to be focused on critical business related subjects.

Consultancy
Businesses that require tailored training may also consider a mentoring approach in the form of consultancy. Consultancy provides a superb choice for businesses that need to understand or tweak an already existing application. For example, Excel Consultancy can help with spreadsheet design or re-design and development to improve robustness, efficiency and usability.

E-Learning
E-learning or blended learning solutions can help to sharpen Microsoft Desktop and general I.T. skills. This approach allows self paced learning to fit around your work or personal schedules.

Hopefully you should now have a clearer idea of what type of training course best suits your needs. Microsoft Training positively impacts on staff productivity and also helps in the communication of ideas and making informative business decisions in a fast and timely fashion. For more information about the right training course for you, a simple Google search will help find a reputable Microsoft Training company. They will be more than happy to discuss further your exact requirements. Visit computer training for further information.

Discover Helpful Secrets About computers

April 19th, 2009 by Henry | No Comments | Filed in Computers

Trojans are malicious programs that install along with a more attractive one. For example, that great free software program you got from that dodgy website? It may well be the program you wanted. But someone (usually a 3rd party) may well have attached a Trojan to it. The Trojan will be installed as well as the software you wanted.

Trojans are not viruses, in the sense that they don’t replicate or send copies of themselves to others. They are just another software program that can be installed on your computer, albeit a nasty one!

SO what do trojans do? A Trojan can be very malicious indeed. Most of them are intent on controlling your PC. These are called Remote Access Trojans, or RATs for short. If someone has placed a Trojan on your computer, they’ll be able to see everything that you can. Some of them can even control your web cam. That means the attacker can see you! If you have speakers attached to the PC, they can even hear you!

If that weren’t bad enough, the attacker will have access to your computer, enabling him to upload nasty things to your PC. After all, why should he store these things on his computer when he has access to yours?

Most trojans nowadays are placed on your computer by hackers or criminals. If you type your credit card details in to a website, for example, then the attacker can record what you type. If a criminal has control of a lot of computer, he could also launch something called a Denial of Service attack. A DoS attack is when a lot of malicious computers attack a particular network or website. The network has so many request that it can’t cope, so has to shut down. The criminals then blackmail the owner (”We’ll let you have your site back if you give us money”.) Many gambling sites have been hit by this type of attack.A Trojan can also disable your security software, leaving you wide open on the internet.

So now you may be asking how trojans get on my computer?
If you have an unpatched version of a Windows operating system (XP, ME, W98, etc) that is allowed on the internet then you have a very high chance of becoming infected. Install Service pack 2 as matter of urgency. And get all the other Windows updates. If you browse using Internet Explorer then be aware that it is notorious for being unsecured. (At one stage, it was known as the Swiss Cheese browser because it had so many holes in it!) even with all the latest patches, someone is always trying to find a new hole in Internet Explorer. If an attacker can guide you to a particular website, then your browser’s security holes can be a way for them to load programes onto your PC. A lot of people have switched to using a browser other than Internet Explorer, the most popular choice being Firefox. But Trojans can get on to your PC many other ways: email attachments, software/music downloads, unsafe Instant Message clients, IRC, Peer 2 peer downloads, open ports not protected by a firewall, etc.

Just because you have anti virus software does not mean you are necessarily protected from Trojans. The best thing to do is to constantly scan your computer with programs like MalewareBytes or ComboFix. You can get these software freebies by doing a google search or yahoo search.

For more information click here for pc tech
Click here for Computer Information

P.S. Tired of computer stuff. Get some rest. Read how to get a cheap PlayStation 3 and have fun.

Satellite Tv For Pc - How To Watch Most Satellite And Cable TV Channels On Your PC

April 19th, 2009 by Henry | No Comments | Filed in Computers

Many of my subscribers constantly ask me questions about the software used to watch tv on your pc. Here I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

Satellite TV for PC or satellite tv for pc; what is this, what kind of software is this?

TV on PC or satellite tv for pc; how it is commonly called, is a software developed with the idea of allowing the user to watch cable or satellite TV on their computer or laptop. The way this software works is by streaming television signals through internet TV provider, to the user computer.

Cable TV tends to be well-received in built-up areas since it is not affected by terrains and weather. However, in places where cable technology has not reached, such as rural areas or some suburban districts, satellite TV is their choice. In fact, you can set up a satellite dish system to watch satellite TV on your TV from any part of the world so it has a worldwide appeal. Where you can have internet access, you can watch satellite TV on PC readily.

Legal concerns regarding satellite tv for pc Software

Everything about satellite tv for pc software is legal. In the first place, most of the channels that we normally watch through cable and satellite TV every day are air-free channels. That means that anybody would be able to watch them if they would have the means to streaming them to their computers.

That is what the satellite tv for pc software does; it picks up all the TV channels from the air and streams them to your pc.

Can I use the tv on your pc software to watch TV from others countries or others continents?

You can use satellite tv for pc software to watch TV from almost every country around the glove, with un-interrupted and clear picture. On top of that, you are going to be able to watch channels in any language you choose, including English, Spanish, Italian, and French, Just to mention a few.

Wich tv channels would I be able to watch from my PC?

You are going to have access to just about every channel that you have access in satellite or cable TV, plus hundreds of internet only channels, including sports, news network, movie, etc. Some satellite tv for pc software even includes some premium movie channels like HBO and Showtime, etc.

What about monthly fees or charges? Any extra payments required?

Most tv on your pc software is one payment only. This mean, once you purchase the software you do not pay any kind of payments anymore. Never purchase a satellite tv for pc software that requires you to pay any kind of monthly or recurring payments.

Can I use satellite tv for pc outside the US?

You can use satellite tv for pc software to watch any channels from anywhere in the word, as long as you have an internet connection. Remember your signal come straight through the internet, which means, you do not pick the signal from the air.

Easy Learning With Computer Training Courses

April 17th, 2009 by Henry | No Comments | Filed in Computers

Need a crash course in personal computers? Today, nearly every job requires basic computer classes to remain viable in the employment marketplace. Some perfectly intelligent adults miss opportunity after opportunity because they can’t seem to type fast enough or get a handle on their quick Microsoft Office training.

Everyone learns at their own individual pace, which makes free online computer classes an attractive option for continued learning.

free online computer classes
QuickCert is one program designed to train students to “install, build, upgrade, repair, configure, troubleshoot, diagnose and perform maintenance” on personal computers through their free online computer classes. Students will learn through a combination of methods, from instructor-led online computer training and online lab classes to multi-media slides and practice tests.

After receiving a free demo, students will have to pay for further software computer training, just like any school. For example, a Microsoft Word 2007 course costs $105 to achieve Microsoft Certified Application Specialist status in that particular program. For a full year’s worth of education and broader certification, students can purchase a package for $1,895.

While this may seem like a lot, consider that 82% of those who received their A+ Microsoft certification reported a salary increase. Median earnings for a Microsoft Technology certified specialist with 1-4 years experience is $52,072, whereas a specialist with 5-9 years of experience may earn an average of $70,988.

Another program to consider is the GCF free online computer classes at www.gcflearnfree.org. The most basic computer classes can be found here, which teach the ins and outs of Windows 98, Windows XP, internet basics, email basics, internet safety and the Mozilla Firefox web browser.

online computer training
Yet, more advanced computer training courses can be taken in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Office, Outlook and Publisher. Articles on the site can assist with career planning and interviewing, as well as working from home or resolving conflicts within the workplace. Those who complete the courses will receive a certification of completion and continuing education units.

Free online computer classes are a great way to improve skills, learn shortcuts and gain rewarding hands-on experience in a rapidly evolving industry. Why struggle needlessly, when help is at your fingertips, and for free?

Community colleges or accredited online schools like Phoenix or Empire State College offer more official computer training courses.