Zonbu – Part II

In a post last week, I announced that the first Zonbu computer (that I know of) was coming to Grand Junction. It has indeed arrived, and I am enormously impressed with the machine. Like all Linux computers, the Zonbu requires a high speed wired or wireless connection to operate. Dial-up users need not apply. The reason for requiring a high speed connection is that Zonbu provides automatic backup of files, automatic...

Top Ten Questions to ask when Buying “Open B...

By Andy Cochran  1. Does the item have all of its accessories? This is a very important question when it comes to things like, battery chargers or special cables for Ipods, MP3 players, or digital cameras, and remote controls TVs. Ask if everything is there before you buy it. Owners’ manuals and most product software can be found online, if it’s MIA at the store. Have a salesperson print the manual, and...

XBox 360 Nyko Intercooler Overheat Problems

This is perhaps a strange thing for our basic computer help website, but it is a pretty serious matter to some people in the computer and electronics business. I couldn’t find a head quarters for information on this problem, so I figured I would try to make one here. Of course we also hope it brings a few new folks to the website. I bought an XBox 360 about a year after they had been released. Along with my purchase I...

New computer recommendations

At least once a year, I write a short article about my current computer recommendations. The holiday season is upon us, and I haven’t written an article like this in awhile, so here goes. In the past six months, I ask more questions than I give when approached with this question. Scenario 1 If I find that the person has a 2-4 year old computer with Windows XP, and just thinks the computer is slow, I go with this...

Windows Vista SP1 – WOW!

When Microsoft released Vista, their slogan for the new program was, "The Wow is Now," or something like that. Their ad campaign was not incorrect, over and over we have heard people say, "Wow!" As in, "Wow! This is slower than my Windows 98 system." Most major software titles come in several generations. There is the initial program then, over time, major updates called service packs are...

3 Reasons NOT to use Registry Cleaners

I know that downloading can be fun and pop-ups can be enticing. But when it comes to most system utilities (programs supposedly designed to help your computer), just say “NO!” One of the worst add-on utilities you can get is the so-called “registry cleaner”. First, let me try to define the registry. Starting with Windows 95 and all versions of Windows since then, Microsoft has employed a large and...

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...

Fun with Cameroon Pet Scams

I really love English Bulldogs. Recently I became aware of a common pet scam that is based on every other over seas Internet scam. Someone from Cameroon posts a desired breed up for a ridiculously low price. He/she asks for money plus shipping. You never get the dog. Here is my recent correspondence with one such scammer. I have resorted the posts from oldest to newest so you can enjoy the events as they occurred. For...

10 Things you should know how to do with your digi...

Here is what we will discuss at tonight's digital photo user group:  1. How to find information in the Manual If your camera didn't come with a manual, it is likely on the disk that came with the camera. You may also download it from the manufacturer's website. 2. How to insert and remove the camera memory 3. How to set your camera on full auto mode – this is the setting that lets the camera do all of the...

How to get around Windows XP user password

A caller recently inherited a computer with a password enabled for getting into Windows. Here are two ways to disable or delete the required password. 1. Turn on the computer. 2. Immediately begin pressing the F8 key over and over in about half second intervals. 3. A menu will come up asking how you want to boot – choose SAFE MODE. 4. Windows will come up with two user accounts, click on the Administrator account. 5....

I’ve heard you say that before

Imagine for a moment (you won't have to stretch very far) that your son or daughter comes home past curfew and you say something like, "I told you to be home by midnight." In reply your kid says, "I know I heard you say that." Imagine for a moment that you are an engineer who builds bridges. One day a bridge that you design collapses. You confront the builders only to find that they used half of the...

Spyblocker: My first nasty Vista spyware and repai...

I am writing this from a client's house. Typically I wouldn't work on the site while I am on the clock but since I have to sit and wait for they repair scan to finish, I might as well tell you why I'm here. It all began with a call this morning. My client said that she could move her mouse but it wouldn't let her click on anything. Luckily I had time available to see her in the afternoon. When I got here I...

Three ways to learn Photoshop

Although Photoshop Elements is the "easy" version of Photoshop, it is still far from intuitive. While this may seem like a bad thing it is actually what makes it a great program. When programs get too intuitive, they begin to think for you and limit options. Photoshop and Photoshop Elements do neither. The newer versions of  Photoshop are much better about guiding you to certain areas and offering better tutorials,...

Properly Uninstall Norton Products

How to get rid of Norton Antivirus: 1. Go to Start – Control Panel (Start – Settings – Control Panel)2. Open Add/Remove Programs3. Now you will want to remove the following items: Anything that says "Norton" or "Symantec" in the title. LiveUpdate LiveReg 4. Restart your computer when prompted to do so Install AVG,...

Is this a test?

Today I had an appointment that spanned almost every area of what I do on a daily basis. The appointment lasted roughly three hours. In that time I… Helped setup a new iMac. She is making the switch from Windows and wanted some of the features that she was used to in her PC. I set her computer to ask for her password whenever it was turned on or came out of sleep mode so her kids couldn't get online without her...