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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 asRead More »Cleaning and removing Antivirus 2009, PAV and others from your computer,

Adding RAM to increase computer speed – Video Tip

RAM is the temporary memory that the computer uses to give us the feeling of programs opening and running with some pep. It’s like giving your computer a larger desk to work from so it can spread out and find things more efficiently. RAM also allows us to open multiple computer programs at the same time with less impact on the speed of the computer.

256 megabytes used to be a lot of RAM. Today, I’m recommending users have at least

Senior uses Ubuntu system 14 months trouble free

Sirius Desktop
photo credit: Nico Kaiser

Computers started making their way into homes, en masse, 15 years ago. After 15 years, computer users should not be afraid of using their computer.

This case study tells the story about a customer of mine, Wanda, who happens to be in her 70s. Like most computer users she used a Windows based computer. In her case, it was a system put together by her grandson in 2002 or 2003 and has a 1.8ghz processor, 256mb of RAM and the XP Home version of Windows.

When I first met Wanda a few years ago, she had typical Windows user problems; slow computer, slow Internet, couldn’t open some attachments, virus and spyware problems. She used dialup Juno for Internet and Norton Antivirus on her system. I couldn’t talk her into getting a DSL or cable connection, but I did change her security from Norton to Read More »Senior uses Ubuntu system 14 months trouble free

It’s OK to shut computer off with the power button

We have discussed this topic many times, but I continue to hear from people who forget this simple troubleshooting step. When a problem arises that seems insurmountable or you can't move your mouse or type on your keyboard, shut the computer off at the switch.

There are two ways to shut your computer off when a problem occurs…actually three ways.

  1. Push and hold the on/off button in for at least fifteen seconds or until you hear the computer shut off (don't just push it once and let go…nothing will happen).
  2. Flip the switch on your surge protector. Yes, we should all use surge protectors…good ones.
  3. Reach around the back of the computer and pull out the power cable.

Once you shut your computer off this way, let it sit in the off position for a few minutes before turning it on again. If you are using Windows 95/98/Me, don't worry if it barks at you a little for 'not properly shutting down'. With any computer, this isn't the preferred method of shutting off the computer, but in a pinch it usually gets you out of a jam. 

Email of the Week – 007 – Why choose a Mac?

iMac and iBook, MacBook
photo credit: QuattroVageena

Name:  Richard Doran

From:  Battlement Mesa, CO

OS: Windows XP

———————-

I have a friend who is seriously considering a switch from her Dell PC to a Mac. On a couple of  occasions you have presented some really excellent “talking points” for people who should consider using a Mac. These deal mainly with their own personal computer usage, as I recall. I pulled up all Mac reference on your website and even “googled ” – but found
nothing that really covered the subject like you did.
A review of of your comments would be appreciated and this information could be a helpful useful addition to your web site!
Now I must wait to see if I get embarrassed that the info is already posted, as you so often prove.
———————-
ANSWER

Great question Richard. And I do Read More »Email of the Week – 007 – Why choose a Mac?

Computer Boot Camp – June 2009

HMS Kids' Boot Camp
photo credit: heraldpost

The most common piece of feedback I receive about my monthly computer users group goes something like this; “I love coming to the meetings, but I don’t understand most of what you say.” Or, “Almost all of the information is over my head.”

I dedicate today’s meeting to all you folks who want to learn (and rightfully so) the bare bone basics about computers. This article will give you links to those basics that make computing a much easier endeavor.

And please don’t keep this valuable information to yourself, pass this article on to any and all of your computer buddies/family that could benefit from a little basic training about computers. Read More »Computer Boot Camp – June 2009

Email of the Week – 006

Get a Hold
photo credit: glindsay65

QUESTION

Name: Kathy

From: Grand Junction

OS: Windows XP

———————-
When I go into different web sites I get this message:
ERROR
A runtime error
has occurred?
Line 30
ERROR: Object required
Yes No

This occurs quite frequently can you tell me why and what I can do about it?

ANSWER

This error is usually due to Read More »Email of the Week – 006

Windows 7 Will Launch in October

It appears, from this article, that Microsoft has chose October 22 as the official release date for Windows 7. After testing Windows 7 for the past 5 months, I can honestly say it is heads and tails above Windows Vista. However, I still stand by my previous comments that most basic computer users would be far better off with an… Read More »Windows 7 Will Launch in October

Learn To Use the Taskbar Better

Learn To Use the Taskbar Better

When Microsoft released Windows 95 more almost 15 years ago, one of the most talked about features was the taskbar. All these years later, many computer users still don’t know how to take advantage of the taskbar. Read on so that you can learn more about the how to fully utilize this feature of your computer.

First, remember that with any version of Windows you can run more than one program at a time. Yes, you can have your email going, an Internet browser window, word processor and even Free Cell all running simultaneously. The taskbar admirably keeps track of all these programs or ‘tasks’ for you.

The taskbar is the long grey (or blue or black) bar located next to your Start button. Each time you open a new program or window, a new button Read More »Learn To Use the Taskbar Better