Surge protectors provide false sense of security

The power went out in part of town last night. Before 10am this morning I had already received two calls from people who were having problems as a result. This seems to happen every time we have a power outage or severe lightning storm. In most cases the computers were on a surge protector when the power went out. I have even seem a few on expensive battery backup systems. The only way to protect your computer is to unplug it...

Zonbu is coming to Grand Junction!!

Today, I helped a new customer order a Zonbu computer. I first wrote about this interesting computer about two months ago. I offered to setup these machines up for free for the first three people in our area that buy one. After much deliberation and research, the customer (KC) and I decided that this computer was really the right decision for her needs. She bought the laptop Zonbu, and I can’t think of anything...

Brain transplant

If I could impart one aspect of my computer knowledge to everyone who uses a computer, it would be the ability to understand file management. File management, in the computer world, means how information (files) are stored and utilized on a computer system. Understanding file management, means understanding: How to locate files (documents, pictures, spreadsheets, music, etc) on your computer. How to move those files from...

Do you use or are you interested in Online Backup?

I wrote about backup last week, I know. But already this year, I’ve seen at least a dozen computer users (many of them running businesses) who either don’t backup at all or have no clue how to backup their important data. Adam mentioned that he will start using and testing the heavily advertised Carbonite online backup system and post a review soon. I started using Xdrive (an AOL company) again tonight to test...

How to backup using SecondCopy – Video Tip

One of my favorite programs of all time is SecondCopy. SecondCopy offers a flexible and easy to use automatic backup program for any Windows computer user. You need to have a spacious backup drive that will hold what you want to backup like an external hard drive, flash drive, etc. I recommend using this product for automated daily or weekly backups, but I still think it is imperative that you copy the backups this program...

Backup…yes, again

I’m late in writing my daily Shotgun report because I have four computers sitting in my office in various forms of failure. Fortunately, at some expense to the owners, I was able to extract some valuable data from two of the machines. The other two machines didn’t fair as well and nothing was salvageable. Today’s lesson? BACKUP!!!!!!! I just searched HelpMeRick.com and found no less than 15 articles and tips...

Backup Your Email Address Book – Video Tip

You can back up your address book very simply to a floppy disk or USB Flash drive and the heartache it has the potential to prevent far outweighs the thirty seconds it takes to complete the task. Follow these steps depending on the program you use: Outlook Express Windows Mail Users Insert USB Flash Drive Start Outlook Express Click the Address Book icon from the toolbar. Click File –> Export –> Other...

Picasa class coming this Tuesday!

See below to pre-order my new Picasa tutorial CD. I will ship it out on Tuesday. Click on the "Buy Now" button and follow the directions. Note the link for non-PayPal users. After month’s of requests, I am finally doing an entire class on Picasa. On Tuesday, November 27 from 7-9pm in conjunction with our regular digital photography user group, I will be teaching about Picasa for the entire two hours. The class...

How to fix Windows Mail when you can’t dele...

I ran into a problem today with a Windows Vista machine that apparently isn’t unique. This tip only applies to Windows Vista users who use Windows mail. Problem: Can’t delete any messages in Windows Mail…which also prevents new messages from being read. Symptom: When you try and delete a message in Windows Mail, you get an “Internal Error” message then have to restart the...

Why would I pay 99 cents for a song?

That is a direct quote from a Freshman in college that I helped with her computer today. She purchased it just three days ago and already has Lime Wire installed. For those not familiar with Lime Wire, it is a service that many people use (especially college aged kids) to download free music, movies and more. In addition to be legally questionable (or downright illegal by some accounts), downloading free music is the single...

Are you still using floppy disks?

I worked with three customers today who all used floppy disks as their main backup. All three users had Windows XP machines, but felt that floppy disks fit their needs the best. The picture I took here was from a consultant’s desk…there must be 20 floppies in that box. I explained to all these folks how simple, efficient and spacious a USB Flash drive could be for them. Whether they ‘bite’ or not...

How to Remove the Greeting Card Virus

Adam and I first mentioned this nasty little virus earlier this spring on our radio show. The email that spreads it poses as an electronic greeting card from your friend or relative. Because the email is so poorly constructed, is never from a known address, and the link it displays in the body of the message is a number (NEVER, EVER Click a link that is constructed of a number, ex: http://91.188.176.15/) we didn’t put...

Stop buying floppy disks

  I have seen a number of people lately who have insisted on backing up on USB flash drives and floppy disks. Having two backups is always a good idea, but the era of  the floppy has come and gone. What’s wrong with floppies? 1. They scratch 2. They bend 3. Even a small particle of dust can hurt them 4. Almost any magnet can corrupt them – such as setting them too close to a computer...

Backup – Again

I will keep bringing this topic up again and again until every visitor to HelpMeRick.com makes a regular habit of backing up their valuable data. Already this week I have received three calls from computer users who lost valuable data due to a computer crash. In addition to the calls, I received another four or five emails from computer users in the same situation. I know backup is monotonous, but it is also vital to...

Ubuntu – Day 8

Week two with Ubuntu starts today, and still no shakes, dry heaves, or headaches after leaving Windows last weekend. I’m enjoying the Ubuntu and even have the spam a little more under control with Thunderbird email. Normally, I don’t play games on my computer, but I do like puzzle games that challenge my mind and help me wind down after a long day troubleshooting Windows’ problems. Ubuntu comes with a...