Posts Tagged: remove

General Computer Tips — 2 Comments
1
Nov 09

Deleting Programs and Files

Wheelie Bins - Caledonian Lane

photo credit: geoftheref

This tip conjures up some points from older tips, but needs to be reiterated. Follow these rules-of-thumb to keep your system clean and more importantly running smoothly.

Use these rules when deleting individual files:

  1. Never delete files that you did not create.
  2. If you can’t trace the origin of the file, leave it alone.
  3. If the file sports one of the generic looking ‘windows’ icons (see picture), do not delete it (again unless you created it).
  4. Do not delete files that exist in the Windows directory, unless you created it.
  5. Instead of willy nilly deleting files, use the CCleaner tool

Use these rules when deleting programs or applications:

  1. Always start with 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 →

Riding Shotgun with Rick / Tech News — 2 Comments
20
Aug 09

Yet another reason to ditch Microsoft Office for web based apps

022606_13581.jpg

photo credit: thoth92

This news story has flown mostly under the radar of most computer users for weeks. In a nutshell, it’s a patent infringement suit brought upon Microsoft by a Canadian company called i4i. The suit alleges that Microsoft knowingly used proprietary technologies in Microsoft Word 2003 and 2007. Last week, a judge in Texas, ruled in favor of i4i and ordered Microsoft to remove Microsoft Word from being sold and fined them nearly $300 million. Microsoft, of course, immediately filed an appeal that will draw the case out even longer.

While the appeal is being considered, Microsoft Word can still be purchased, but for how long? This case builds yet another argument for home and business computer users to consider using online based business applications like Zoho.com or Google Docs. If you want desktop software, look to OpenOffice.org.

Read more on the suit between i4i and Microsoft in the article below:

NewsFactor Network | Appeal Seeks To Keep Microsoft Word on Store Shelves.

Application Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 2 Comments
22
Jan 09

What to do with an AVG found virus sreen

AVG Found Virus

If you use AVG Antivirus, you will be presented with the above screen at some time or another. Don’t immediately push the Move to Vault button or the Heal button. Instead, check the box labeled Remove as Power User, then click the Heal button. Checking that box first yanks the legs out from the virus and disposes of it immediately.

Email Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 3 Comments
27
Oct 08

Clean your inbox

stuffed inboxEmail truly revolutionized communication. The ability to retrieve a message from anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds is mind boggling. However, judging by the size of your inboxes (a poll I posted recently showed that 60% of email users had more than 100 messages in their inbox), you could benefit from some tips on how to keep your inbox clean.

I used to keep as many as many as 50 or so email stacked up in my inbox, but I always felt that I was behind in my work and consequently much of the email went unread and unanswered. A little more than a year ago, it all changed after I read an article that struck a chord with me called Email Zen. I immediately started practicing the techniques and suggestions in the article and found myself with a cleaner inbox and a better overall outlook (no pun intended) about email and my email communication. I continue to strive for the empty inbox and find that if i get more than 10, I start to get a little jumpy.

From reading that article and my own experience over the past eighteen months, here are my suggestions for reaching harmony with email:

  1. Employ a good spam filter. The best one available for Outlook, Outlook Express, or Thunderbird is Cloudmark Desktop, hands down. Don’t even bother telling me about another one…unless it is better than this one.
  2. Use Gmail instead of Outlook or any other email system. The tools available in Gmail make handling email a breeze, and the built-in spam filter with Gmail is phenomenal negating step 1.
  3. Learn to use filters to sort and manage your email.
  4. Learn to use built-in search tools in your email program to extract information from saved email.
  5. Unsubscribe from any online newsletters, forums, or email groups that you don’t actively read and never will. Remember NOT to unsubscribe from spam, that only brings more spam.
  6. Ask your email buddies who forward messages and jokes to you that you would like to be removed from their list…again, if you don’t actively read them.
  7. Respond to your incoming email as quickly as possible…preferably directly after you read it so that it is handled only one time.
  8. If you have a phone that is capable of checking your email, use it while in the bathroom, standing in line for lunch, waiting for an appointment, etc. Responding to an email on your phone will make your response brief and to the point and save you that time later when you return to your computer.

Another good article for learning how to handle email in an efficient manner is Inbox Zero over at 43folders.com If you have some other techniques that you find work well for keeping email under control, leave a comment and share it! If you are one of the 60% plus who have 50 or more email in their inbox, give these techniques a try and let me know what you think.

Photo by PatrickO’Shaughnessey

Riding Shotgun with Rick — 5 Comments
24
Oct 08

Treo, what Treo?

iPhone 3G Screen ShotAfter two solid months of using my iPhone 3G, I decided it was time for a short update. As many of you know, I used a Palm device for many years, ending with the Treo from 2003 through this August. When the first iPhone came out, I was intrigued, but thought Apple missed the boat, for me, by not utilizing the fastest cellular data network and not allowing 3rd party applications. When they announced the new iPhone last January and finally released it this summer, they had added the fast cellular network service and opened the system for third party development. It caught my attention in a big way this as it has 7 million other new iPhone 3G owners since its release in July.

Overall, the iPhone has performed wonderfully and with the exception of no cut, copy and paste (when Apple?  when?) it has performed admirably. I have been able to duplicate all the functions I used the Treo for, and added many new capabilities. I use the phone the most…after all, it is a cell phone. The visual voice mail system that lets you pick which message to listen to first or have the ability to visually pause, rewind or fast forward voice mail is stunningly implemented and makes managing voice mail much easier.

For extra applications, I settled on SplashID to manage my passwords, Grocery Zen to create shopping lists (I get through the store in at least 25% less time now), Now Playing to look up movie times, Pandora for listening to music (don’t have much time to do this, but it works well), Woot On! to check the daily Woot, but especially helpful when there is a Woot Off, WeDict for a dictionary, Wikipanion for great mobile access to Wikipedia, SportsTap keeps me up to date on sports I follow, Units application for converting volume, length, weight, etc. I also downloaded and occasionally use Word Warp, Sudoku, Tris (tetris clone), reMovem, and Blocks Classic for quick games. For future travel, I downloaded the mobile versions of Yelp and Hotels.com.

The built-in email application works well, and I use it daily in addition to browsing the web. The iPhone truly has exceeded my expectations, and I have no regrets about moving from the Palm based Treo and over to the iPhone. Apple promises to add cut, copy, and paste to the iPhone at some point. I hope they make it quick!

If you happen to own an iPhone, leave a comment below and let me know what your experiences are with it. Also, let me know what applications you have added and which are your favorites.

Computer User Group / Hardware Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 10 Comments
25
Sep 08

Setting up a new computer

new computer boxPrevention 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 computer setups:

  1. Before setting up the new computer, back up all of your data to CD’s, DVD’s, external hard drives, or flash drives for transfer to the new computer  Make sure you get not only your obvious data like documents, pictures, and financial data, but also your address book, email settings, favorites, etc. Remember, you can backup data, but not programs.
  2. Make note of your email settings and configuration (if you didn’t back them up).
  3. Download a copy of a AVG Antivirus and have them on a CD or flash drive at the ready.
  4. When setting up the new PC, DO NOT connect printers, scanners, cameras, and especially the Internet until later.
  5. Once at the new desktop, the first place to head is the Control Panel and Add/Remove programs (Programs and Features in Vista). Remove all trial software that you don’t plan on purchasing (Quicken, Quickbooks, Office suites, etc). Also remove any <!–break–>Internet provider software that you will not use like AOL, Earthlink, NetZero, etc.
  6. Now go back to Add/Remove programs and uninstall any trial security software that came with the machine.
  7. If you uninstalled the pre-installed security software (recommended), install the AVG antivirus program you have at the ready.
  8. Now, you can hook up your Internet connection. Once you have a connection established, update your anti-virus software immediately.
  9. Setup your email program and accounts.
  10. Install your peripherals (scanners, printers, etc) per your manufacturers instructions.
  11. Install any programs that you want on the new system
  12. Transfer your data from their backup locations.
  13. Strongly consider downloading and using Mozilla Firefox as your primary browser.

  14. Create your Recovery CD set found in your manufacturer’s options or utilities folder (if required).

    Enjoy your properly setup and safe, new computer!

Hardware Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 1 Comment
18
Jul 08

Printer Troubleshooting 101

Lately, I’ve run across many printer problems so I’m going to share with you my formula for approaching a printer problem.

  1. Shut off computer
  2. Shut off printer
  3. Check cable from printer to computer and make sure it is securely plugged in on both sides
  4. Check cable from printer to power source and make they plugged in well.
  5. Turn the printer on and wait for it to go through all of its startup activities (wait until it is quiet)
    • If the printer happens to be a HP printer, I will sometimes unplug the power cable from the back of the printer, then hold the power button down while plugging in the power. Release the power button after about 15 or so seconds
  6. Turn the computer on
  7. Click Start –> Control Panel –> Printers
  8. RIGHT Click on the printer having trouble
  9. Click Cancel All documents
  10. RIGHT Click on the printer having trouble
  11. Click Resume Printing (if available, it means the printer has been paused…don’t click the Pause Printing option)
  12. RIGHT Click on the printer having trouble
  13. Click Use Printer Online (if available, don’t click the Use Printer Offline option)
  14. RIGHT Click the Printer
  15. Click Properties
  16. Click Print Test Page
  17. Click Yes on next message that appears
  18. If the test page prints, close all open windows and try printing from the Internet, and/or your word processor and email. If everything is printing fine, you are finished. If you do not get a printed test page, the move on to the next steps.

Additional steps to take if the above steps don’t get the printer working:

  1. Shut off printer
  2. Make sure all lids and doors to the printer are closed properly and not accidentally open
  3. Take the paper out of the paper tray and check for a paper jam…if present, clear it by opening the back of the printer and gently easing the stuck paper out or gently pull it from the front.
  4. Turn printer back on and check that all ink cartridges are secured properly. You might even want to remove them and then re-install them securely.
  5. If the printer has any type of screen or read out on it, check to make sure it isn’t giving you any error codes. If there are error codes, use the printer’s manual to look up the error and follow the advice given for the specific error.
  6. If all of the above checks out ok, I then unplug the USB cable connecting the printer to the computer, then Click Start –> Control Panel –> Add/Remove Programs
  7. Find and remove all software related to the printer then restart the computer
  8. After the computer restarts, insert the original printer disk and reinstall the software. Plug in the printer when the on-screen instructions indicate to do so.

These steps should get you pretty far in solving many printer dilemmas. If they do not get you printing again, contact a computer professional or call the printer manufacturer.

Internet Tips / Riding Shotgun with Rick — 2 Comments
10
Jul 08

Solution for computer users who can’t print from Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7)

Since I use Firefox exclusively for my browsing, I haven’t seen this problem yet, but today I ran into a computer that could print from anywhere but Internet Explorer 7 (IE7). Turns out that, in her case, the upgrade to AVG 8.0 caused the problem. A standard installation of AVG 8 installs a security toolbar in Firefox, if you use it, or Internet Explorer 7. The toolbar is meant to help users from clicking on potentially harmful web links. However, the toolbar, like most toolbars, slows down browsing speeds and in the case of Internet Explorer 7 with Windows Vista, it also disables the ability to print!

The solution to get Internet Explorer (IE7) working again is to uninstall AVG 8.0 and reinstall it using the following instructions. Incidentally, these instructions were posted by an alert and astute visitor to the web site within a week of my original AVG 8.0 post. I use this method exclusively when installing AVG 8.0 on client’s computers:

How to install AVG without LinkScanner

  1. Download the AVG 8.0 Free Edition installation package by clicking here
  2. Save the file to your C: drive (not the desktop or any folder)
  3. Change the file name to avg (or avg.exe if you can see the three letter extensions)
  4. Click Start
  5. Click Run
  6. Type:   C:\avg.exe /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch
    • You might want to copy and paste the above text into the run box so you don’t mistype something
  7. Click OK and follow on-screen instructions to complete installation.

For Vista and XP users who can’t print with Internet Explorer 7 after installing AVG, this solution will get you printing again.

If, however, AVG 8 is not your problem, then your best bet is to reset Internet Explorer 7 by:

  1. Closing all Internet Explorer windows
  2. Click Start –> Control Panel
  3. Click Internet Options in Windows XP  (Click Network and Internet, then Internet Options in Windows Vista)
  4. Click the Advanced tab
  5. Click Reset
  6. Click Reset
Riding Shotgun with Adam — 4 Comments
16
Jun 08

Warning: Your computer may be infected with viruses, spyware and exortionware

Extortionware? What is extortionware.

I have seen at least 10 computers in the past two weeks that have recently been infected with extortionware – viruses and spyware that infect your system by pretending to be an antivirus or other security program.

With names like Windows Antivirus, WinAntivirus, XP Antivirus 20008, etc. these programs appear to look and feel official. However, they are some of the worst virus or virus-like programs I have ever dealt with.

These viruses often come onto a computer via a pop-up advertisement that says looks like a Windows security or antivirus warning that reads something like, “Your computer is infected with one or more viruses and spyware programs. Click here to run a full scan.”

Up until you click on the button, your computer is likely 100 percent virus and spyware free. However, after clicking on the scan button your computer will be infected with dozens of viruses and spyware programs.

These programs scan your computer and appear to be looking for bad guys. When the scan finishes it shows a long list of discovered programs and informs you that to remove them you must pay $50 or so to remove the viruses.

This is why it is called extortionware. These programs infect your computer then expect you to pay to have the software removed. You should know though that even after paying the money, your computer will still be infected.

Removing these programs can be extremely difficult and time consuming. I have four infected computers sitting in my office right now awaiting a reformat due to these problems.

Removing the infection can be easy with the right tools, but so much damage is done to system files that often, a reformat is the quickest option for full repair.

Most of the infected systems have had full antivirus protection, the problem with these viruses is that they install like programs so antiviruses don’t often catch them during the install. Once they have been installed, the first thing they do is shut off the antivirus making them more difficult to remove.

Be careful. Unless the warning includes the name of your antivirus, you are best to just click on the X in the upper corner. Do not click on the CANCEL or CLOSE button if one is provided as these are often false links.

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