Remember when you first purchased your computer. The operating system would boot in a few seconds. Programs would open as soon as you double clicked. Three years later and those days are blurred memories. What happened?
You've gone through numerous automatic updates to your Windows operating system. These came in the form of small downloads over time. All the while, you have been adding new applications to your PC. Office applications, messengers, games, and utilities have been installed. Each of these programs have likely added a new startup item, causing your boot process to become larger and larger.
Each day you've spent hours surfing the internet, accumulating thousand of temporary files. Most likely you've picked up some unwanted files containing viruses, adware, and spyware.
Here are 6 simple steps to turn the clock back on your aging computer.
1. Uninstall any unused programs. Go to the start button, open control panel (in classic view), choose add/remove programs. Anything that you have installed and no longer need, you can remove from here.
2. Remove programs from startup. Go to the start button and click Run. Type "msconfig" and press enter. Choose the startup tab. You can remove most programs you see listed here without any consequences. If you aren't sure what something is, "google" it to be sure it's not a necessary file for your system.
3. Download CCleaner (It's free) from CCleaner.com. Install it. Click the "Analyze" button under Cleaner. When it is finished click the "Run Cleaner" button. Next Choose the Registry option. Click "Scan for issues" and after that has finished click "Fix selected issues."
4. Download AVG free edition. Install it and run a full system scan. Choose "Move to vault" for any infected files.
5. Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (yes, also free) from Malwarebytes.org. Install, run the full scan and choose to remove what it finds.
6. Defragment your hard disk. Go to Start->Programs->Accessories->Systems Tools->Disk Defragmentor. Click analyze and follow the recommendation to defragment.
By Alan Dwight Sharpe
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Computer and Laptop Repair
We all would agree that with the advent of computers, our lives have changed. We all love to sit on our PC's and laptops for long hours for various individualistic reasons. But what happens when your Computer or Laptop breaks down and is need of a repair? Computer Repair can be a headache for most of us who are unsure of whom to trust.
If you are located in and around the North London and Herts area, there are many computer repair, laptop repair, PC maintenance, Wired and Wireless Networking solutions, and several other IT enabled services-offering companies that can help you out! Many of these companies have thorough professionals employed and have been offering their services for over a decade now.
These companies offer the services of computer repair, networking-related etc. services at affordable prices and onsite repair facilities are also available, depending upon the feasibility. Many residential, commercial, learning and government bodies employ their services. There is also a facility of replying to the inquiries made by a customer within a day.
The professionals from these companies located in and around Herts are efficient and have loads of experience in diagnosing all types of computer problems. They are willing to help you in case your computer has troubles with upgrading, is running slowly or has stopped working altogether! Services like Removing Viruses, Spy Wares, Installation of Broadband, Wireless and Wired Network set-up, Upgrading the PC's/laptops; Computer Setup, Laptop Data Recovery, File Transfers, Laptop servicing, Made-to-order computers, Network maintenance and many more related Computer Services are on offer.
Apart from the basic PC and Laptop Repair, here is a detailed list on what all you can avail from these companies:
Trouble Shooting, Fault finding, Ad ware & Mail ware Removal, PC Running Slow, Blue Screen Errors, Dead Computers, Registry Repair, Hardware Installation, Hardware Diagnostics, Software Diagnostics, Computer Maintenance, System Valet, Driver Errors, DLL Errors etc.
Facility of Remote Access
How about a facility by which one is able to get instant access to their computers at their home or office even when on the move! What if one can access their main office server machines as well!
Well, with the Remote Access Facilities that these companies offer, one can access and/or control their computers remotely. Even the people working under you have the option of sending and sharing files, folders, emails, programs etc. Even when on the move. Your customers and co-workers can also get connected. The list is never ending and benefits are manifold.
If you are located in and around the North London and Herts area, there are many computer repair, laptop repair, PC maintenance, Wired and Wireless Networking solutions, and several other IT enabled services-offering companies that can help you out! Many of these companies have thorough professionals employed and have been offering their services for over a decade now.
These companies offer the services of computer repair, networking-related etc. services at affordable prices and onsite repair facilities are also available, depending upon the feasibility. Many residential, commercial, learning and government bodies employ their services. There is also a facility of replying to the inquiries made by a customer within a day.
The professionals from these companies located in and around Herts are efficient and have loads of experience in diagnosing all types of computer problems. They are willing to help you in case your computer has troubles with upgrading, is running slowly or has stopped working altogether! Services like Removing Viruses, Spy Wares, Installation of Broadband, Wireless and Wired Network set-up, Upgrading the PC's/laptops; Computer Setup, Laptop Data Recovery, File Transfers, Laptop servicing, Made-to-order computers, Network maintenance and many more related Computer Services are on offer.
Apart from the basic PC and Laptop Repair, here is a detailed list on what all you can avail from these companies:
Trouble Shooting, Fault finding, Ad ware & Mail ware Removal, PC Running Slow, Blue Screen Errors, Dead Computers, Registry Repair, Hardware Installation, Hardware Diagnostics, Software Diagnostics, Computer Maintenance, System Valet, Driver Errors, DLL Errors etc.
Facility of Remote Access
How about a facility by which one is able to get instant access to their computers at their home or office even when on the move! What if one can access their main office server machines as well!
Well, with the Remote Access Facilities that these companies offer, one can access and/or control their computers remotely. Even the people working under you have the option of sending and sharing files, folders, emails, programs etc. Even when on the move. Your customers and co-workers can also get connected. The list is never ending and benefits are manifold.
Ten Ways to Maintain Your Computer
Keeping your computer running smoothly requires that you do a little housecleaning once in a while. Here's a list of tasks to help you get started:
Keep all of your working files in one folder. The My Documents folder is offered by Windows expressly for this purpose. The benefits of keeping all your files in one place are multiple. One, you know where all your files are, two, it's easy to back them all up at once, and three, your machine will run faster.
Don't put your personal files on the root of the C: drive. If you store a large number of files on the C: root folder you could corrupt your disk file table which could lead to a "NTLDR is missing" error message when you boot the computer. Very bad. If you have personal files on the C: drive now, move them to the My Documents folder.
Uninstall programs that you aren't using. But don't just delete the program. Remove it correctly so it won't cause Windows errors. Go to Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs. Find the program you want to remove in the list, and click the Remove button.
Store your hardware drivers and purchased software installer files off your hard drive. A flash drive works great for this purpose.
When you download a zipped file and expand it, delete the original zip file. You'll never remember later why you kept it.
If you aren't already using one, get a good surge protector and plug your computer and peripherals (printers, scanners) into it. During bad lightening storms, I unplug my computer and peripherals just to be safe.
Practice safe computing. Don't accept software or downloads for which you didn't ask. Delete any suspicious email without opening it. And even if the email came from your best friend, don't open any email attachments with the following extensions: * .exe, .com, .vbs, .bat, .mdb, .reg, and .js.
Clean up your temp files, your temporary internet files, and other junk files about once a month. To do this easily, you can download my favorite program for cleaning, CCleaner from ccleaner.com. Be sure to read the complete instructions from the associated wiki.
Ensure you have the latest Windows updates installed. Go to Internet Explorer, Tools, and Windows Update. Click on the Custom button. (I always use the Custom button so I can check what's going to be installed before it gets installed). Windows update may ask you to download and install the latest version of itself. Go ahead and do that, then click Close when it's finished, and then Continue. It will then scan again for real updates and offer those. Choose which updates you want to install. Uncheck the ones you don't want to install.
Clean out your email, paying special attention to your Inbox and Sent box. The easiest way I've found is to sort your email box by size of the message, and delete the largest unneeded emails first.
Keep all of your working files in one folder. The My Documents folder is offered by Windows expressly for this purpose. The benefits of keeping all your files in one place are multiple. One, you know where all your files are, two, it's easy to back them all up at once, and three, your machine will run faster.
Don't put your personal files on the root of the C: drive. If you store a large number of files on the C: root folder you could corrupt your disk file table which could lead to a "NTLDR is missing" error message when you boot the computer. Very bad. If you have personal files on the C: drive now, move them to the My Documents folder.
Uninstall programs that you aren't using. But don't just delete the program. Remove it correctly so it won't cause Windows errors. Go to Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs. Find the program you want to remove in the list, and click the Remove button.
Store your hardware drivers and purchased software installer files off your hard drive. A flash drive works great for this purpose.
When you download a zipped file and expand it, delete the original zip file. You'll never remember later why you kept it.
If you aren't already using one, get a good surge protector and plug your computer and peripherals (printers, scanners) into it. During bad lightening storms, I unplug my computer and peripherals just to be safe.
Practice safe computing. Don't accept software or downloads for which you didn't ask. Delete any suspicious email without opening it. And even if the email came from your best friend, don't open any email attachments with the following extensions: * .exe, .com, .vbs, .bat, .mdb, .reg, and .js.
Clean up your temp files, your temporary internet files, and other junk files about once a month. To do this easily, you can download my favorite program for cleaning, CCleaner from ccleaner.com. Be sure to read the complete instructions from the associated wiki.
Ensure you have the latest Windows updates installed. Go to Internet Explorer, Tools, and Windows Update. Click on the Custom button. (I always use the Custom button so I can check what's going to be installed before it gets installed). Windows update may ask you to download and install the latest version of itself. Go ahead and do that, then click Close when it's finished, and then Continue. It will then scan again for real updates and offer those. Choose which updates you want to install. Uncheck the ones you don't want to install.
Clean out your email, paying special attention to your Inbox and Sent box. The easiest way I've found is to sort your email box by size of the message, and delete the largest unneeded emails first.
Learn Basic Computer Skills Fast
We all use computers in our every day activities. So many people these days use computers more often than using regular papers especially in offices. Due to the ways computers help so many people to be more efficient and effective, so many people now prefer to use computers more regularly than before. Keeping track records, doing more calculations, data processing, composing and even chatting are just few of the main reasons while most people these days prefer to use there computers more often than using normal paper works especially in most offices.
In our present life, every one must have some basic knowledge about computer. But if there is someone who is unable to operate a computer, then he can take part in basic computer learning programs easily which are accessible online and offline. Individuals who are unable to attend regular classes at some college or school, can benefit from the Internet or some offline computer learning programs. Some aged people feel embarrassed in joining classes at schools or colleges with young students so they want to master their course at home.
It is not hard to start your basic computer skills learning, because it is very simple to learn and master. There are many issues that one should keep in mind while selecting a useful source for him or her to obtaining basic computer skills. In the process of basic computer learning from home all the lessons or lectures should be in video format, because it would leave a strong impact on the learner. And the person who is delivering the lecture should be experienced and should teach in simple and easy language. The teacher should not be seen as speaking computer himself.
The teachers' system of teaching should be interesting and simple to follow because it will create interest of the learner in learning basic computer skills faster. The knowledge of the teacher should be perfect and good because if he don't have complete knowledge of computer himself, then it would be tough to handle students who are totally strange with computers. There should not be any kind of pressure on the students, as this can frustrate the students. The learning environs should be good and there should be some good materials to practice with or little interesting assignments for the students.
A completely different and better choice will be for the student to choose to learn basic computer skills faster on his/her own from a video tutorial/video lessons. Especially if the learning product series are on a DVD instead of a normal CD-rom and most importantly, a learning DVD product that can play on a home DVD player, so as to let the student easily learn and master basic computer skills faster on their own. You won't need to worry about the teachers fastness or the learning environment. Depending on your time schedules and your devotions to your learnings, You could even learn and master your computer skills faster in a matter of days, as he or she would be able to watch, learn and practice at the same time.
It is necessity today in basic computer learning, that students can repeat lectures and tutorials again and again. It is proven that those who don t have good pick feel problems and want to repeat each lesson over and over again in other to understand it. The velocity of delivery of lectures and performance should be slow and understandable because if it's too fast, then a new student would feel problem and can feel that it is very hard to get basic computer skills. And if the individual keep in mind all these views then they would reach a wise decision in choosing a source for learning computer skills faster.
In our present life, every one must have some basic knowledge about computer. But if there is someone who is unable to operate a computer, then he can take part in basic computer learning programs easily which are accessible online and offline. Individuals who are unable to attend regular classes at some college or school, can benefit from the Internet or some offline computer learning programs. Some aged people feel embarrassed in joining classes at schools or colleges with young students so they want to master their course at home.
It is not hard to start your basic computer skills learning, because it is very simple to learn and master. There are many issues that one should keep in mind while selecting a useful source for him or her to obtaining basic computer skills. In the process of basic computer learning from home all the lessons or lectures should be in video format, because it would leave a strong impact on the learner. And the person who is delivering the lecture should be experienced and should teach in simple and easy language. The teacher should not be seen as speaking computer himself.
The teachers' system of teaching should be interesting and simple to follow because it will create interest of the learner in learning basic computer skills faster. The knowledge of the teacher should be perfect and good because if he don't have complete knowledge of computer himself, then it would be tough to handle students who are totally strange with computers. There should not be any kind of pressure on the students, as this can frustrate the students. The learning environs should be good and there should be some good materials to practice with or little interesting assignments for the students.
A completely different and better choice will be for the student to choose to learn basic computer skills faster on his/her own from a video tutorial/video lessons. Especially if the learning product series are on a DVD instead of a normal CD-rom and most importantly, a learning DVD product that can play on a home DVD player, so as to let the student easily learn and master basic computer skills faster on their own. You won't need to worry about the teachers fastness or the learning environment. Depending on your time schedules and your devotions to your learnings, You could even learn and master your computer skills faster in a matter of days, as he or she would be able to watch, learn and practice at the same time.
It is necessity today in basic computer learning, that students can repeat lectures and tutorials again and again. It is proven that those who don t have good pick feel problems and want to repeat each lesson over and over again in other to understand it. The velocity of delivery of lectures and performance should be slow and understandable because if it's too fast, then a new student would feel problem and can feel that it is very hard to get basic computer skills. And if the individual keep in mind all these views then they would reach a wise decision in choosing a source for learning computer skills faster.
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