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Rick

Don’t confuse Updates with Scans

Many of our Castellini on Computers listeners are well versed (we hope) in the dangers of an unprotected computer. We preach constantly about the importance of keeping updated anti-virus software, anti-spyware and even firewalls on your computer. However, those not savvy to the show yet, find themselves kneed deep in computer problems often times because of one small mistake; thinking that a weekly virus scan is equivalent to computer security.

Some computer users know enough to check their anti-virus programs for a scan date (which is often very current), but overlook the date of the "last update" in their program. ALL anti-virus software must be updated via the Internet at least weekly, and preferably more often. The updates teach the software what to hunt for the next time it scans. If the software does not know what new threats exist, the subsequent scans are almost worthless.

Adam beat me to the punch

I knew I should have written my article yesterday! Actually, it was fun to read Adam's post today about Vista. We were obviously studying the big box store prices on the "new" Vista machines using the same calculator. Since he did a great job explaining the pricing, I just want to echo his final statements; DO NOT buy a Vista machine with less than 1 GB of RAM and you really should consider 2 GB of RAM (or more) for better Vista performance.

Lastly, I wanted to share this great quote from a CNET newsletter I received today: "That $200 Windows XP service pack called Vista" . WOW! Pun intended. 

How to get into Safe Mode when F8 doesn’t work

Some computers will refuse to go into safe mode no matter how quickly you press F8.

If you are using Windows XP, here is how to force your computer to boot up with the safe mode prompt:

  1. Go to START->RUN
  2. Type 'msconfig' into the box (without the quote marks)
  3. Click on the BOOT.INI tab
  4. Check the little box that says /SAFEBOOT
  5. Click Apply and OK
  6. Restart your computer.

To get your computer to stop booting up with the options menu, just repeat this process and uncheck the /SAFEBOOT option

 

Change Windows Vista’s Theme

Windows Vista is here and we can't change that so let's learn how to work with it. Much of the new Windows is visual eye candy. The new visual layout will intimidate many users and certainly get in the way of using the computer as we once did. To get around the initial shock of this different looking Windows, I recommend changing the theme to make it look a little more familiar.

  1. RIGHT Click the Desktop
  2. Click Personalize
  3. Click Themes
  4. Click the theme choices pull down menu and choose "Classic"
  5. Click Apply and OK

To make the Start menu work in Classic mode:

  1. RIGHT Click the Start button
  2. Click Properties
  3. Choose Classic Start menu
  4. Click Apply and OK

To watch these steps, watch the video below. (if the video doesn't start right away, be sure to click "Read More")

7 ways to save money

  1. Do not use AOL.
  2. IF you use AOL, make sure you are paying the lowest price you can. Currently that is $9.95 for dial-up service and ZERO if you use AOL with a high speed connection. If you aren't getting these rates, call 1-888-265-8008 to get the rate. 
  3. Do not use Norton AntiVirus or McAfee products. Instead use the security software packages you can find by searching our site for "security". You will thank me later for this.
  4. Do not pay for two phone lines. It will be cheaper to get a high speed connection than pay for two phone lines and an Internet provider. For rural folks, look into Wild Blue satellite Internet or a local microwave wireless provider.
  5. Do not let your kids fix your computer…it will cost you MUCH more later.
  6. Get a second computer for the kids and keep it in plain view (like a living room or kitchen).
  7. Visit HelpMeRick.com daily to get the latest news and tips about computers that applies to the average computer user.

 

Avoid losing precious Quicken information

This quick tip coincides with a tip I wrote last year called the Magical Title Bar (click here to read it…and it is a MUST read tip) . However, since I run into many Quicken users who "lose" data, I thought it was time to give Quicken users a tip of their own to help decrease anxiety and increase productivity with this truly legendary program.

When I get the frantic call or show up and see the disgruntled facial expressions, I smile inside knowing that I will almost always be able able to pull their data from their perceived digital hell. And I don't do anything magic, I simply employ the use of the Title Bar and Quicken's "recently used document list". My first question, is "When did you last backup?", followed by "When did you notice that your data was different?"

Learn how to check your backups

I'm glad to see so many of my customers really starting to take backing up seriously. As we start storing more and more crucial or even irreplaceable data on our computers, it is absolutely imperative that you learn to backup your data properly. 

Once you start backing up, you may start to wonder, "Hmmm, does that disk really have the information that I need on it?" If you are backing up by simple using the Send To function or copying data straight to a flash drive or CD/DVD, then the easy way to check your backup is by double-clicking the drive in My Computer. This will open the drive and let you peer at its contents. If nothing shows up, then your backup method is failing, and you need to adjust. If the data is there, then pat yourself on the back and enjoy the feeling of seeing that your data is safely located on a disk other than your computer's hard drive.