Successful Searching of the Internet

All too often I hear comments like “I can’t find anything on the Internet” or “I’m afraid of getting viruses from the Internet” or “Where do I start”. In today’s meetings, we discussed some tried and true methods of searching the Internet successfully and easily. Google is the current king of web searching and should be your first stop to start any search. Boolean...

Nothing is by the book

There are two things that make the businesses Rick and I run different from running a computer shop or working as the IT guy in a big company. 1. We see dozens of computers each week and no two of them are the same in any way. 2. Rarely is anything done by the book. Every person has their own preference for desktop wallpaper, word processing program, Windows version, printer, antivirus, digital camera, web browser, etc. It is...

You have a virus, it is called Norton

I had one client today who had setup an appointment for me to get rid of a virus. Every time they turned on their computer and/or logged into their email, an error would pop up. The error in their email was so bad that they couldn’t even read their messages. I noticed that all of the errors were related to Symantec – the company that makes Norton. I removed Norton and installed AVG. All of a sudden the...

Be careful using multiple accounts

Windows XP has a unique ability to act like multiple computers on a single machine. This feature was created so that the computer could be used in a business environment allowing each user to have his or her own programs, desktop, passwords and My Documents. Although setting up multiple user accounts allows for a lot of customization, it has some pretty screwy side effects. If you have more than one user account set up in...

Upgrade or repair?

If I had a dime for every time this question comes up…. I actually had this happen with two of my cutomers today. My answer, the last couple of years, is a definite ‘it depends’. Wishy, washy, I know, but it really does have to be thought out. First, the proper diagnosis has to be made. What is the estimate of the repair parts and labor and how does the user use the computer factor in together. Next, a...

Welcome to Riding Shotgun

Welcome to Riding Shotgun with Rick & Adam For a long time Rick and I have talked about our strange and wonderful jobs as roving computer guys. Our roles stretch beyond being ordinary computer repair people. We help people keep their worlds on course. That may seem like an exaggeration, but it is not. Some days we may help people through ordinary problems like viruses and spyware, other days we may be helping a client...

How to get into safe mode

We have told a number of callers today to run their utilities like scandisk, antivirus and antispyware in safe mode. Here is a quick reminder on how to do it. You can find more information on safe mode by searching for "safe mode" in our search box. 1. Turn on your computer 2. As your computer turns on press your F8 key over and over in about half second intervals until a menu of options comes up. 3. Choose Safe...

Run spyware and anti-virus scans in safe mode

If your anti-virus finds a virus during a scan, reboot  your computer into Safe Mode (push F8 repeatedly on your keyboard when the computer starts up) and run all anti-virus scans and anti-spyware scans in Safe Mode. This will help get rid of pesky viruses and spyware.

Remember to Logout from Financial Sites

Millions of computer users now bank and trade online. The convenience of online banking and trading is not disputed, but some still wonder about safety. All large banking institutions take the time and effort to shore up security from their end to protect you and your transactions. They also know that if they don’t provide the best in security that they won’t be in business very long.  However, no matter how...

Re-installing a problematic program

Sometimes a program that is giving you trouble will work better after reinstalling it. Here are some tips to help make that process a little easier and more successful. Uninstall the problematic program by using the Add/Remove programs applet in the Control Panel in Windows Restart your computer via Start–>Shutdown and restart; even if the computer doesn’t ask you to do so. After Windows reloads, shut...

How to Format Your Hard Drive and Reinstall Window...

WARNING:  I have done my best to outline the steps in this somewhat arduous task, but undertake this procedure at your own risk. Because of the vast differences in hardware and software, I cannot possibly cover every nuance. Please use this Tip as a guide and not the end all. AND BE SURE TO BACKUP ANYTHING YOU DON"T WANT TO LOSE PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING THE TASK! Since many of the sites that I used to refer...

Unblocking Attachments in Outlook Express

Many computer users over the past few months lost the ability to receive attachments normally in Outlook Express for seemingly no reason. As with all problems, there is a cause. In this case, the loss of attachments starts after a Windows Update session or an upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer/Outlook Express. Microsoft decided that since attachments can bring along a virus, by default they would prevent...

One Additional Defense Against Email Viruses

This simple tip should not be a substitute for anti-virus programs and keeping them updated, but can be an affective adjunct to anti-virus programs. As always, remember that viruses can come from friends and family. Although not on purpose, if a friend or family email buddy received a virus unknowingly, they will propagate the virus unknowingly as well. Because we have a tendency to look at email attachments, institute this...

Fight Spy and Adware

Fight Spy and Adware In the last twelve months, a new menace has invaded our computers via the Internet. Different than a virus, but equally as irritating, we need to be watching out for and fighting against spy and adware. Spy and adware are little programs that install themselves on our computers and use up a great deal of our memory and processing power. Sometimes they are installed by us using some flaky software...

All Search Results are NOT Created Equally

When you click on a link provided by a search engine for a medication you are taking or maybe a popular TV show, there is a good chance that you may end up at a site packed with spyware and/or viruses ready to pounce on your computer. In this week’s tip, I don’t want to rant about viruses and spyware or even the nuances of searching. All of these topics are thoroughly covered here at the web site. Instead, I want...