Table of Contents

Security
Disaster recovery
Windows tips and/or issues
Email
Hardware
Polls
0 comments Links to this post

Another great anti-malware tool

You can (hopefully) download this one, PrevX, even if you’re already infected!  Go here, http://info.prevx.com/downloadcsi.asp and click on their link to "Download a randomized filename."

And here's a great article that made me aware of that program:
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en/vistasecurity/thread/0587ba31-0027-4642-b4df-50e0097043ae

While on the subject, I've often wondered why I almost never (maybe once every five years) get infected with these things, while others do.  Sure, I work on PCs for a living, so I know my way around a computer, but I'm not really doing anything particularly clever.  Here's how I've always been setup and what I've always done while browing the internet:
  • I've always had a router.  Not just the cable/DSL router provided by the ISP, but another router, a wired/wireless router (Linksys, DLink, Netgear, whatever) because I've always had multiple computers at home.  That alone helps with security because a router is, almost by definition, a hardware firewall, not allowing anything in other than whatever the program I'm running at the time might let in.
  • I've always had an anti-virus and one or two anti-malware/spyware programs.  Here's another key:  I make sure they're staying up to date so that they know how to combat the latest threats.
  • Speaking of staying up to date, I always keep an eye out for that little yellow shield (Vista's icon is light blue) in the bottom right, telling me that there are Windows Updates available.  Of course, this latest thing going around pretends to be that shield, telling you that you are out of date and that you should click on it to get updated.  It's easy to fall for.
  • That brings up another point, I might pay closer attention to the wording of such pop-ups than other people do.  For instance, that recent false infection warning is very generic.  It doesn't mention any brand of antivirus, it just says "your antivirus" is out of date.  An authentic warning would almost surely mention the antivirus program maker's name.
  • Another point about wording:  these hackers are almost always ESL (English as a second language) speakers who regularly use bad grammar and spelling.
I'll add more here as I think of it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For in-home/on-site computer repair (or just plain help) service in the greater Nashville area (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments Links to this post

How to automatically set a new System Restore Point

Copy and save the following as NewRestorePoint.vbs:

' begin code
CONST DEVICE_DRIVER_INSTALL = 10
CONST BEGIN_SYSTEM_CHANGE = 100
strComputer = "."
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:\\" & strComputer & "\root\default")
Set objItem = objWMIService.Get("SystemRestore")
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
set objEnv = objShell.Environment("PROCESS")
objEnv("SEE_MASK_NOZONECHECKS") = 1
errResults = objItem.CreateRestorePoint _
    ("hepya.com restore point", DEVICE_DRIVER_INSTALL, BEGIN_SYSTEM_CHANGE)
objEnv.Remove("SEE_MASK_NOZONECHECKS")
' end of code

  • Now edit your Startup group (right click Start, choose Open All Users, double click Programs then Startup)
  • Copy or move the NewRestorePoint.vbs file above into that Startup folder

Voila!  From now on, every time your computer starts up, you'll have a new System Restore Point, which is VERY useful if your computer starts acting up at any point after that!
If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.


0 comments Links to this post

Keeping your PC safe

That bogus "your pc is infected" warning seems to be going around again. BEFORE you get it, do the following:
If it's too late and you already have this problem, get a friend to download Malwarebytes and put it on a flash drive for you, then install and run it on your computer.  You might have to be in Safe Mode before you can run it.
     Here's another good article on the same subject.  And, finally, click here for a good explanation of "cookies."

If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
2 comments Links to this post

Keyboard shortcuts

Some fairly universal keyboard shortcuts that work in many programs that quite a few otherwise computer-savvy people might still be unaware of are as follows:
  • Ctrl A (holding down the Ctrl key at the bottom left or right of most keyboards, then tapping the letter A) = highlight all
  • Ctrl B = bold
  • Ctrl C = copy whatever text you might have highlighted
  • double-click on a word to highlight it (usually)
  • triple-click to highlight an entire paragraph
  • Ctrl F = find/search
  • Ctrl G = go to a specific line or cell
  • Ctrl H = search and replace
  • Ctrl I = italicize
  • Ctrl K = create hyperlink
  • Ctrl N = new document/message
  • Ctrl O = open document
  • Ctrl P = print
  • Ctrl Q = quit/exit (not as universal)
  • Ctrl S = save
  • Ctrl T = new tab (in tabbed browsers)
  • Ctrl V = paste (whatever's been copied)
  • Ctrl W = close window
  • Ctrl X = cut (as opposed to copy)
  • Ctrl Z = undo

If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments Links to this post

Saving Word documents

In Word 2003 (and possibly older versions), go to Tools, Options, Save and check (if not already) the following settings:
  • Always create backup copy
  • Allow background saves
  • Make local copy of files stored on network...
  • Save AutoRecover info ...
  • Save smart tags as XML
In Word 2007, go to Word Options (under that office icon at top left), Save, and check Save AutoRecover ...

If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in the greater Nashville area (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, fix a myriad of computer-related problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments Links to this post

Which brand of personal DESKTOP computer would YOU recommend?

http://www.sodahead.com/technology/what-brand-of-personal-desktop-computer-would-you-recommend/question-779775/


Computer Upgrades from 4allmemory.com


If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks! 
0 comments Links to this post

What every Windows pc needs

In addition to staying on top of your Windows and Office Updates, you should install and/or run the following:


Malware protection
  • To prevent viruses, we like AVG.  It’s FREE!  Of course, you can upgrade to the Pro version which is probably even better.  Also good are BitDefender, ESET NOD32, Kaspersky.
  • To get rid of malware/spyware, we like MalwareBytes best.  Also good are a-squared, AVG's "suite," SpyBot, AdAware and SuperAntiSpyware. They all have free and “pro” versions.
  • To clean out unnecessary junk files (where malware often hides), we love ATF-Cleaner.  You’d be amazed how much space this sometimes frees up.  It’s much better than Windows’ built-in Cleanup utility, although that’s good, too.  It’s free, but we recommend you donate to them.
Disaster recovery
  • We highly recommend Acronis True Image, no matter what your operating system is.  It creates an image of your existing installation and copies it to a bootable, protected, hidden partition (or an image file on an external or network drive) that is easily restored.  You might lose recent documents after restoring, depending on how it's setup, but it’s the best thing we're aware of for quick and painless disaster recovery.  Windows VISTA and 7 also have the ability to make a complete backup of your system, but we haven’t tested it thoroughly enough to rate it here.
  • For flaky/weird/hinky recovery, assuming you can get into Windows, we recommend ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility for NT-based Windows).  It puts itself into the Startup group and makes a backup of your Windows registry (where all settings are stored) every time you startup.  It’s free.
  • Don’t forget System Restore, again assuming Windows will at least start.  It’s a great tool.  It’s under Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools. 
Browsers, etc.
Hardware
  • For your hard drive, the physical piece of equipment where all of the above happens, we recommend:
    • An external hard drive (here or several here) to safely copy your files.  They're getting bigger and cheaper all the time.
    • For the integrity of the drive inside your computer, we recommend running Check Disk every 2 or 3 months, like so:
      • Open up a DOS/command prompt (click Start, Run, type "cmd" without the quotes, hit Enter or click OK.  For VISTA and Windows 7, you don't click "Run")
      • Next, type (without quotes): "chkdsk /r" and hit Enter
      • When chkdsk starts, it'll say it can't be run now, "would you like it to run next time you start Windows?"  Answer Yes and then restart your machine soon thereafter.  Otherwise, you'll forget, and the next time you start your machine it will take forever to finish that check and load Windows, you'll be in a hurry, and you'll start cursing me and my advice.  :)




If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in and around Nashville (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, setup new systems, fix a myriad of problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments Links to this post

Windows: XP vs. VISTA vs. 7

I just tested the startup speeds of the three latest versions of Windows.  Yes, I have that kind of time.  :)

My desktop PC is triple-boot, meaning I can run Windows XP, VISTA or 7 on the same PC (for the next few weeks, anyway, until the newer versions' trial periods expire).  Speaking of which, I found a GREAT utility, iReboot by NeoSmart Technologies, for multi-boot machines.  Anyway, I thought I'd test to see which operating system ("OS") starts up the fastest.  Basically, the timer (me counting thousand-one, thousand-two, etc., because I don't wear a watch and couldn't find a timer) started when that initial boot menu shows up.  Your PC probably doesn't show that unless you're running multiple operating systems like I am, or maybe you've got it set to give you the Safe Mode option. 

I didn't use iReboot for these tests, although I guess I could have timed a complete reboot for each of the OS's.  Another program by NeoSmart, by the way, is the VERY handy EasyBCD, for editing the VISTA\7 boot configuration instead of Microsoft's kluedgy (sp?) bcdedit.

The timer stopped once the Windows desktop was completely "up" with all icons visible and the hourglass no longer spinning.  Not very scientific, but it is applicable to real world perceptions, and I'm all about perception.  :)  All three installations have basically the same thing installed on them, although in XP's defense it does have MS Office and a few other small utilities that the other ones don't have installed.

Anyway, the start-up speed results, in seconds, were:

XP Professional SP3  =   70
VISTA Business SP2  =  60
7 Ultimate (final beta)  =  45

On that note, after getting somewhat familiar with Windows 7, I'd say I definitely like it better than VISTA, but not necessarily better than XP.  It's just diffferent.  The only drawback to 7 vs. VISTA that I've noticed so far is that Windows Mail (Outlook Express's replacement) doesn't come with it.

I'm not going to go out and buy Windows 7, though.  Mainly because it's not that much better than XP, if at all.  Besides, my main printer, an old but perfectly good NEC SuperScript 870 hand-me-down, won't work with Windows 7 or VISTA.  Apparently, NEC got out of the printer business.  Who knew?  Also, Movie Maker doesn't work on my PC with VISTA or 7 because they say the graphics adapter is not good enough, even though it works fine with XP and it's ON THE SAME PC!  :)

In conclusion, I'm sticking with XP.  :)  When I can afford a second machine, I'll most likely get a Mac.  The Mac Mini is actually pretty cheap at apple.com.  As cheap as that is, though, I still can't justify buying one yet.  My wife also wants her next PC to be a Mac.
If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks!
For in-home/on-site computer repair service in the greater Nashville area (remove viruses, connect to the Internet, fix a myriad of computer-related problems), call Bill at (615) 479-4981.
0 comments Links to this post

Frontpage

PROBLEM:
I've been very happy with Windows Frontpage, but that's no longer supported and there is no Windows replacement for it. I have tried a couple others, but nothing seems as easy and powerful as Frontpage. So I'm wondering if I can install the old Windows 2000 OS onto this computer so that I can continue using my favorite html editor (frontpage).
The problem is that my other computer is on its last legs and it is my only one I can use for this program. It's getting pretty worrisome. I need to have an HTML editor I can use with Vista Home Basic but will seriously consider Windows 7 if that one allows me to run the old Frontpage designed for Windows 2000.

SOLUTION:
Microsoft replaced FrontPage with something called Expression.  I tried using it for a while, but it was just such slow, complicated bloat-ware, I found it easier to use a text editor called Notepad++, in combination of course with what's built into Google's blogger where I host hepya.com and WordPress editing that I use for  friendsnews.com.
I wouldn't count on Windows 7 supporting something that Vista doesn't support.  Here are a few WYSIWYG html editors, some free, here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_HTML_editors.  Of the non-free programs, I'd recommend Dreamweaver.  I've always liked it best.  Although I see on this list that Microsoft Office SharePoint Designer is free, though it might only work with XP.  You can download that here:  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=baa3ad86-bfc1-4bd4-9812-d9e710d44f42.
If the above helped you in any way, please click the PayPal DONATE link here. It's safe. Thanks! 

1 comments Links to this post
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)