Lately too many customers have had to wait for repairs on their computers because I needed to order recovery CD sets from the manufacturer. This time and expense can be avoided if you do two simple things when you buy your new computer: 1. Save all disks and/or documentation that comes in the box 2. Since most manufacturers no longer… Read More »Keep track of your original computer documentation and make restore CDs
If you are a Microsoft Windows user, of any flavor, I recommend that you download and use the free CCleaner utility once per month. Our computers create thousands of small files that we never see in order to perform the computing tasks we ask of them. Visiting web sites also creates thousands of files including the oft misunderstood cookies. All these files are called temporary files and are completely expendable. Over the course of time, these small temporary files can build up to such a significant amount that they can drag down the performance of even the fastest system.
CCleaner offers a quick, easy and thorough tool to clean all these files in a single click. After downloading and installing the product (I un-click the option to add the Yahoo toolbar during the install), you will have a CCleaner icon on your desktop like the one pictured (large red C with a blue whisk broom). Double-click it, and click the Run Cleaner button. In just a few minutes, the cleaning will finish and present you with a report detailing what was deleted and how much space was recovered.
IF you don’t want your web history or cookies or recycle bin to be automatically cleaned (deleted), you can uncheck the appropriate box before clicking the Run Cleaner button.
Some of the nastiest spyware infections can be dealt with easier than previously thought if you try the following steps immediately after becoming infected:
I have had good success with this routine if the infection is caught quick enough (usually within a day or so).
Since Windows 3.1 in the early 90s, we have been able to run multiple programs at the same time with our computers. Probably the easiest way to take advantage of this feature is learning to use the Alt+Tab keyboard shortcut. At least four times this week, clients asked me what I was doing to switch between open windows so quickly. When I showed them the Alt+Tab keyboard shortcut, the seemed to be both mesmerized and intrigued.
Click on my tip below to watch the video tip explaining and demonstrating this fundamental skill that all computer users should master:
Use Alt+Tab or Command(Apple)+Tab to quickly change applications – Video Tip
Many moons ago, I shared with you a tip on how to create a desktop icon to shutdown Windows XP instantly. It’s about time that I share with you the same tip applied to Windows Vista. Here’s how it is done:
You can see all these steps in action in the video below AND get a bonus tip of how to change the action of the little power button on the start menu.
I had another big frustration today. Unfortunately I reformated one computer before I found the fix, but it saved me a lot of time on the next computer that had the same problem.
Some Windows XP machines with AMD processors get caught in a reset loop after installing Service Pack 3. After running this little command, the problem goes away.
There are also a few other tips that resolve this problem caused by other issues, surprisingly Norton products can also cause reset loops after installing Service Pack 3.
I looked all over the Internet for a long time to find this answer. Once I discovered it, I decided to post it here on HMR so that everyone can have it.
The problem arises in Windows XP while trying to connect to a secured network, often on a D-link router.
While trying to connect a new computer wirelessly, an error comes up stating that “Windows was unable to find a certificate to log you onto the network (Network name here).
Here’s how to fix it if it is WEP encryption…
I just finished my normal Sunday morning routine of breakfast with the Sunday paper. I always peruse the Sunday high tech ads to keep tabs on prices. Computer prices continue to drop (and I still think manufacturers are getting a kick back from Microsoft) to help spur sluggish sales.
However, the past few weeks, I picked up on another trend; increased RAM.
In this week’s big 4 ads (Office Depot, Office Max, Circuit City, and Best Buy), there were 43 desktop and laptop ads. Out of these 43 systems, only one of them had
Windows Vista stripped out the ability to make an easy quick access toolbar to your most used files and programs. I posted a video last year on how you can make such a toolbar, but it certainly isn’t as straight forward as it was in XP.
In my quest to find an easier way, I ran across two program, RocketDock and ObjectDock. I tried them both out and ended up liking the RocketDock a little better. Both are free and work well, and for $20 you can get even more features for ObjectDock.
If you like easy, quick access to your most frequently used programs and files, give RocketDock a try.
Microsoft released the 3rd service pack for Windows XP about three months ago. Microsoft packages many operating system updates and fixes into one large package and then releases it as a service pack. Because these are extremely large files that apply many updates and changes to our systems, they can sometimes have trouble.