Discover MORE on Google

Most web users are familiar with Google as a search engine – that is a website that helps you search the web for other pages related to a given search topic. What most people don't know is that Google has many more hidden powers. Many of these powers are as spectacular as the traditional search engine itself.To discover everything that Google has to offer you must look below the search box. Web – Click...

Geek Squad is a comin’

Today I had lunch at a local burger place. I try to eat a hamburger a week just so I don't forget how bad they are for me. While I was eating six Geek Squad guys came and set down at the table next to me. For those who don't know, the Geek Squad is Best Buy's computer repair team. Essentially they are a bunch of kids with book learning but little real-world experience outside of the routine jobs that they do on a...

Books on CD are a wonderful thing

Just like Rick, I also spend a lot of time in my car driving from one appointment to another. Lately I have discovered the joy of reading, both traditional books and audio books. All through school I was never much of a reader. In fact, it wasn't until college that I actually kept up with reading the required text and that was only in classes that I enjoyed like American Government and Creative Non-fiction (yes that was a...

When it’s gone, it’s gone

Adam eluded to a trend that he has noticed about failing computers and hard drives lately. Indeed, I have seen the same epidemic. My question to you is, do you really know what the hard drive is and what its function is? Some computer users point to the box that sits on their desk or floor and call it a hard drive. Others know that it stores data. I think few understand how important and valuable the hard drive really is and...

Windows 98 vs. Windows Vista

I've seen a fair amount of Windows 98 machines lately and read many, many articles and reviews about the upcoming (six months?) release of Windows Vista. If a computer user doesn't load a Windows 98 machine with bloated security software (Norton) or too many background programs and utilities, it runs pretty darn well…even fast! Windows Vista, on the other hand, continues to baffle industry experts on exactly...

I should have trusted my instincts

I teach my kids to trust their instincts when making decisions, taking tests, and dealing with people. I try to do the same, but sometimes my brain (or maybe ego and curiosity) gets in the way. Over the past few years, we have talked at length about computer security and the dangers of not being secure.  After spending many hours hunkered down over an infected computer and trying to get overwhelmed computers fixed, we have...

Ordering HP – Compaq Recovery CD’s

Few computer manufacturers include the original installation disks or even recovery disks for new computers today. Almost every computer user will have a need to access these important disks over the life time of the machine. Most computer makers' web sites allow you to order these recovery CD's via their support sections. Also, you can (and should) make your own set of recovery CD's or DVD's through tools...

Error 7 installing Windows XP

Josh called and had a problem with reinstalling Windows XP. Here are some sites that he or anyone can use to troubleshoot the problem: Microsoft Knowledge Base article One more Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 

LED’s

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. They are designed to last for years and come in mostly green and red. However, you will find orange and blue ones as well. Where? Look on the front of your stove, microwave, TV, DVD, VCR, digital alarm clock, computer tower, power strip, modems, routers, cell phones, printers, electric tooth brushes. They are literally everywhere. At night my office looks like the Las Vegas Strip!...

Spell Check in Outlook Express

Faithful listener, Roger, shared a great program with us to add spell checking to Outlook Express. If you don't have Microsoft Word installed on your system, then the spell checker won't work in Outlook Express. This small utility takes care of that problem. Thanks Roger!Spell checking for Outlook Express from SnapFiles

Big Box Electronic Stores Tech Help

Our town is getting ready to open a Best Buy. We have had a Circuit City for five or six years and recently (probably in preparation for the opening of Best Buy) they started offering in-store computer repair. I am not privy to the training these sales people go through to learn to fix and troubleshoot computers, but I do have anecdotal evidence that these post-adolescent sales people have no business in the computer repair...

Repair/Reinstall Outlook Express

We had a caller who had a problem importing and exporting her address book in Outlook Express. While we still haven't found a solution for her exact problem, this link will take you to Microsoft's support site that explain's how to repair and reinstall Outlook Express.

FAX from your computer…

Here is some updated information for faxing with Windows XP: Setup the FAX If your computer has a modem, you should have the Microsoft Fax already setup. To see if it is ready to go, click Start –> Control Panel and double-click the Printers and Faxes option. If you see the Fax in the installed printers you are ready to go. If you don’t see it next to your other printers, then Click the “Setup...

Another hobby horse: Don’t let your kids fix...

Yesterday I wrote about how much I dislike poorly custom built computers. Today I saw a similar situation – computers custom built by kids. By kids I don't mean children or young goats, I mean offspring. While at home this family's two sons had built and maintainted the two family computers. Now those two sons have moved away from home and married. I was called to fix things up and the call went something like...

Why I don’t like custom built computers

I have seen a lot of custom built computers lately. By custom built, I don’t mean Dells or HPs that are ordered custom configured. I am referring to computers that are built by friends, family members or computer shops using parts that are purchased separately then assembled like an Erector set. Most computer geeks will likely prefer custom built comptuers because the parts are non-proprietary and they can be more...