Setting up a new computer

Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to avoiding illness in ourselves. Prevention in the computer world is no different. And like a newborn baby, a newly purchased computer is subject to many terrible diseases and problems if not properly cared from the moment it is taken from its cardboard box. I follow these steps when setting up a new computer system for my clients, and recommend this methodology for all new...

Install a new DVD Burner – Video Tip

Regular visitors to our site and listeners to our show know that we continually talk about the importance of backing up your computer. Many computer users rely on external hard drives these days for their primary backup. And, yes, external hard drives are quick and convenient, but because they are hard drives and subject to electrical or mechanical failure, I still highly recommend that all computer users backup their most...

Scanning and Attaching Documents to Yahoo Email &#...

These notes were generated for a customer using an older HP All-in-one printer. He needed to learn how to scan documents, save them, then attach them to his Yahoo email. For folks learning how to scan or attach items to Yahoo email, these notes will help. ...

How to add a previously purchased Kindle Book to y...

This question came to me via email today. Here’ my notes on how to add books you already own from your Kindle reader to your Amazon Kindle iPad app.   ...

Steps for Scanning with HP Solution Center –...

I inserted a photo of the notes I created for a HP Scanner / All-in-One user today. Anyone using an HP scanning device with the HP Solution Center software will be able to use these notes to get the hang of using the scanner. You can also download the PDF version of these steps:  Scanning a Photo or Document ...

Apple iPad – What, why, how?

Today, we talked about the iPad and what it can do, why you might want to consider an iPad, and how to understand the basics of the iPad, the app store, and connectivity. At the end of this article, you will find a handout of the short PowerPoint style presentation I put together to start the class that I created on the iPad with the amazing Keynote app ($9.99) from Apple. We talked about a lot of the features and how to use...

Best video I’ve seen on how a hard drive wor...

Over the years, I try to instill in my readers, clients and folks who take my classes the importance of backing up important data. In addition to helping people recover lost data, I know roughly how a hard drive works, and it scares the heck out of me! Maybe watching this video I found on how a hard drive works and just how much has to go right in order for your data to survive, will help you understand the importance of...

Troubleshooting HP Printer Network Issues

If you are using any HP printer that connects to your computer via a network (wireless or wired), you are bound to run into some issues with connecting to it. Fortunately, HP has built in a network troubleshooter that will help you solve these hiccups. Even before using that troubleshooter, however, try some simple steps first. Here’s what I recommend for troubleshooting HP printer network problems: Shut off computer...

Printer Installations Continue to Grow

It really shouldn’t take 15 minutes and more to install a new printer…especially on a new computer! This kind of time commitment is becoming all too frequent lately from all manufacturers, but HP seems to be the worst. If you want to save time on your printer install and prevent your computer from becoming lethargic afterwards, try these small tips the next time you install a new printer. Uninstall all previous...

Optical Mice

Over the past few weeks, it seems that a large share of my clients were still using older, mechanical mice (the one’s with the ball underneath). I say older because almost all new mice are optical mice…either infrared or laser. These mice replaced the ball rolling against rollers in the mouse housing (that could quickly become dirty and cause erratic behavior of your pointer) with a light source that tracked your...

How to save time & money when printing email ...

The web and email were not meant to be printable items, but we love to print many things we receive via email or the web. In this tip, I’m going to teach you how to use less paper and ink when printing AND get better looking printouts for things you do want to print. If you combine this new tip with my Print Preview tip, my print what you want tip,  and learn how to use your printer’s draft mode (if available),...

Lots of RAM upgrades lately

The past six months or so, I have performed at least 4 RAM upgrades per week. RAM is the temporary memory that gives  our computers the best chance to perform at optimum speeds. I am doing more of them because folks are electing to hold on to their older computers instead of buying a new one. With the RAM upgrade and some other optimization, most folks can get another 2 or more years out of an existing computer. When I get...

How to burn a CD with Windows XP

Floppy disks have long since departed from the computer landscape. Most comptuer companies have not included floppy drives as standard equipment for at least two years.  I say good riddance except for one thing…they were easy to use. Computer users felt comfortable copying and backing up information to these slow, yet convenient drives. For quick and roomy storage today, I recommend flash memory drives (click here for...

How to Use the “Extra” Keys on Your Ke...

There are roughly 50 keys on your keyboard that you use on a regular basis, but there are at least 104 total keys on your keyboard. So, what are those other keys for? Here is a list of the keys you may not be using that can make your computing life a lot easier – in no particular order. F1 – The F1 key is located above your number and letter keypad. In almost any program anywhere in Windows, pressing F1 will bring...

Adding RAM to increase computer speed – Vide...

Since Service Pack 3 for Windows XP (security update) was released late last year, many of my XP clients started experiencing slower performance. This upgrade put an additional strain on systems with less than 512mb of RAM. Upgrading the RAM will make a big difference in speeding up the system again. RAM is the temporary memory that the computer uses to give us the feeling of programs opening and running with some pep....