Posts Tagged: download

General Computer Tips / Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 10 Comments
11
Nov 09

5 Simple Rules to avoid SCD (Slow Computer Disease)

HPIM8136

photo credit: jennconspiracy

I’ve written about this before, but it bares repeating on occasion for new visitors to the site and long time visitors who haven’t learned yet. The advice is simple:

Do not download free screensavers, wallpaper, email programs (Incredimail, etc), or games from the Internet.

Unless you are WELL versed in the origin of these items, they can easily destroy your computer’s ability to compute.

“Slow computer” is the most common computer ailment  Windows users search for on the web. Sadly, slow computer disease (SCD*), does not have to be the pandemic it is because it is 100% preventable.

Here are my 5 simple rules to prevent SCD for Windows users: Continue reading →

General Computer Tips — 4 Comments
2
Nov 09

Should I backup?

Five Days' Backup

photo credit: daryl_mitchell

Should you carry health insurance? Should you carry car insurance? Should you save for retirement? Should you eat every day? Does a bear….  Well, hopefully you get the picture. The answer is a resounding YES!!

You should backup, and depending on your computer needs and usage your backups should occur frequently (sometimes daily). Many computer users equate backing up their computers with their mother’s giving them castor oil. It’s no fun, but a necessary evil. What is castor oil any way?

Things you should backup on your computer include Continue reading →

Windows Tips — 5 Comments
19
Oct 09

A quicker way to Rename folders and files in Windows

Windows XP, Vista and the upcoming version 7 continue to help us accomplish certain computer tasks more quickly.

One of my favorite features involves the renaming of files. You can still use the techniques I outlined in a previous tip, but renaming files can be even faster with the right steps. If you have the need to rename a group of files (for example a group of freshly downloaded pictures from your digital camera), you can select them and rename them in groups. Here’s how: Continue reading →

Riding Shotgun with Rick / Windows Tips — 4 Comments
20
Aug 09

Cleaning and removing Antivirus 2009, PAV and others from your computer,

Cleaning

Photo by Jim Grandy

Preventing your computer from becoming infected is infinitely easier and less stressful than cleaning up after an infection.

Search my site for tons of information on setting up your computer for security and techniques to avoid scams. However, if you are already bit by one of the most recent nasty forms of software, Antivirus 2008, Antivirus 2009, Personal Antivirus, Internet Security 2009 among others (software I call extortionware that installs itself on your computer and then poses as Continue reading →

Hardware Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 16 Comments
2
Jun 09

Digital Readers and E-books

kindle 2

photo credit: pt

Amazon released their version of a digital reader, called the Kindle, in late 2007. It received a lot of attention at the time, but not as much as its new version released this spring. Amazon states that more than 285,000 books are available for download and purchase, 50,000 audio books, and there are many magazine and newspaper articles also available for download (including my blog). A full text book can be downloaded in about 60 seconds and most books cost around $9.99. For newspaper, magazine, and blog subscriptions, the Kindle automatically syncs the content to the Kindle over the air (no cables needed).

Currently, two Kindles are available for purchase; one holds up to 1500 books and the other up to 3500 books. Current Kindle users seem extremely happy with the device and the technology based on online reviews.

Intrigued by the buzz surrounding the Kindle, I downloaded Continue reading →

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
13
May 09

Opening PPS (PowerPoint) files in Outlook Express

PPS files are PowerPoint presentation slide shows that have been saved as a file that can be viewed by anyone. If you get a PPS file and can’t see the slide show, then click here for our tip on where to find the free PowerPoint viewer.

Once you get the viewer, however, some people still can’t see the slide shows without first saving the attachment to the desktop then double-clicking it from there. It works, but requires a few more steps. Today, I had a call from a customer who was in this situation and really wanted to avoid having to first save the attachment, close email, look for the file and then double-click it to view the slide show.

I sucked it up and did some research and found a little tool that works great to correct this problem and allow Outlook Express and other email users the ability to view their PPS files from within their email.

  1. Click here to download the PPSfix program zip file
  2. Close all programs
  3. Double-click the attachment you just saved.
  4. Drag the PPSfix.exe file out to your desktop
  5. Double-click the PPSFix file
  6. Follow on-screen instructions

You can delete the file you downloaded and the one you just double-clicked when you finish the above steps.

Computer User Group / General Computer Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 14 Comments
26
Apr 09

10 Skills EVERY computer user should have (or learn)

I originally posted this list in January 2007. However, through my keen observation skills, I discovered that all computer users have not yet read and digested this information. For this reason, I’m posting it again because I won’t stop working to educate computer users until every computer user knows these 10 skills.

Computers have become almost a main stream household appliance. Whether you have been using a computer for fifteen years or one, these skills should be second nature:

  1. Cut, Copy, Paste
  2. Print just what you want (word processing, email, web)
  3. Backup your address book
  4. Select (highlight) text or files
  5. Properly uninstall unwanted programs
  6. Burn a CD
  7. Download files from the Internet
  8. Use MSCONFIG ; Another MSCONFIG tip
  9. Search the Internet
  10. Attach Files to an email

If you already know how to do these skills, please pass this article along to someone who doesn’t…help me help other computer users.

Riding Shotgun with Rick — 5 Comments
25
Apr 09

2 laptop suggestions for college students

Hats Off

photo credit: jarnott

Millions of high schoolers will be graduating soon and will be leaving for their respective campuses (campii?) at the end of the summer. These students will more than likely go to college with a computer…probably a laptop. I would like to suggest two possible laptops ideas for these students.

Both of my ideas involve good systems that will allow college kids to word process, chat, email, listen to music, watch DVD’s, browse the web wirelessly(for school research of course), create presentations, spreadsheets, download and edit photos and much more. Neither involve Windows and thus don’t require a degree in computer security and maintenance. One of the computers costs between $1200-1800 and the other costs less than $700.

My recommendations stem from first hand accounts from parents whose college kids call home frequently with tales of woe about a slow, non-functioning new computer. Students need to have their computers operational, and running around to the campus IT people or dropping the computer at a fix-it shop for expensive repairs. These two recommendations will keep calls home for repair money, tales of woe, and computer down time to a bare minimum. Continue reading →

Internet Tips — 2 Comments
14
Apr 09

How to Download Files from the Internet – Video Tip

Once you find a file you would like to view or download, how do you get it to your computer? Follow these steps to get the computer safely and successfully to your computer:

  1. Click once on the file’s name (some web sites will have a download button)
  2. You will be asked to Save the file before the download initiates. Pay special attention to the Save In box at the top of the save screen so that you know where your file is going.
    (TIP: I suggest that you download all files to the desktop so that they are easy to find)
  3. Click the Save button and in a few seconds your download will start and you will Continue reading →
Application Tips / Email of the week — No Comments
31
Mar 09

Email of the Week – 001

Abandoned Mailbox

photo credit: cindy47452

Starting today, I will be posting a minimum of one email from your submissions here on the web site in addition to my regular weekly feature Rick Answers His Email Videocast. I will title them all the same way and they will have their own category you can access from the Category list on the right of every page here at HelpMeRick.com. I will also include the original email (via submissions from the Ask a question form listed at the top of every page here at HelpMeRick.com).

QUESTION:

Name:  Raymond Lafontaine

From:   Woonsocket RI

OS:      Windows XP

———————-
I have been trying to find the right download for free foxit for my other computer but it keep bringing to other foxit purchase, can you help

ANSWER:

Continue reading →

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