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Thursday, April 16, 2009
ODC Technical Support
Monday, April 13, 2009
Freeing up Hard Disk space
The Disk Cleanup tool searches your entire hard disk for files that are safe and possible to delete and helps free up needed space. You can choose to delete some or all of the files.
- Remove temporary Internet files.
- Remove downloaded program files.
- Empty the Recycle Bin.
- Remove Windows temporary files.
- Remove optional Windows components that you are not using.
- Remove installed programs that you no longer use.
You can start Disk Cleanup, by doing any of the following:
- Click Start, My Computer
- Right-click appropriate hard disk drive, then click Properties
- Select the General tab,
- Click the Disk Cleanup button
(Disk Cleanup will take a few minutes to examine your disk ) - When the Disk Cleanup dialog box appears, select the Files from the list that correspond to what you want to delete.
- Click OK
- Click Yes to "Are you sure you want to perform theses actions?" box
- Click OK
To Remove Files Stored on Your Hard Disk
To remove files stored on your hard disk that you no longer use, follow these steps:
- Click Start, and then click My Computer.
- Right-click the disk in which you want to free up space, and then click Properties.
- Click the General tab, and then click Disk Cleanup.
- Click the Disk Cleanup tab (if it is not already selected), click to select the check boxes next to the files that you want to remove, and then click OK.
- Click Yes to the proceed with this action, and then click OK.
To Remove Windows Components
- Click Start, My Computer
- Right-click Local Disk, then click Properties
- On the General tab, click the Disk Cleanup button
- Select the More Options tab
- Under Windows components, click Clean up
(the Windows Components Wizard starts) - In the Components list, click to clear the check box next to the component(s) that you want to remove.
(A shaded check box next to a component indicates that only some of its subcomponents are installed ) - If you want to remove a subcomponent, click Details
- Click the check box next to the subcomponent(s) that you want to remove
- Click OK.
- Click Next.
- Click Finish
- Click Yes
- Click Yes to "You must restart your before the new settings will take effect" message
- Click OK
To Remove Installed Programs
- Click Start, then click My Computer.
- Right-click Local Disk, then click Properties.
- On the General tab, click the Disk Cleanup button.
- Select the More Options tab
- Under Installed Programs, click Clean up
(the Add or Remove Programs dialog box is displayed) - In the Currently installed programs list, click the program that you want to remove, and then click Remove (or Change/Remove)
- Follow specific steps issued for each program if they appear
- Repeat above steps for each program you want to remove
To Remove Restore Points
- Click Start, My Computer
- Right-click Local Disk, then click Properties
- On the General tab, click the Disk Cleanup button
- Select the More Options tab
- Under System Restore, click Clean up
- Click Yes to "Are you sure you want to delete all but the most recent restore point?" message
- Click OK
If you are using Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera, this program does not clean temporary Internet files for those applications.
Disk Cleanup does not clear your browsing history. It certainly isn't necessary to clear these, but if you share your computer, there is a privacy issue when others can see where you go on the Internet
Where to go next?
How to Automate the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP
Free software tools for Disk Cleanup
Nonags Disk Cleaner
This free download utility shows you exactly where the free space has gone. In a matter of seconds Disk Cleaner calculates recursive folder size (including all files and sub-folders) for all folders on the entire NTFS drive. It allows drilling down through any particular folder to its subfolders and helps identify space-hungry ones.
ABiNSIGHT Disk Cleaner
Disk Cleaner is a free download utility that shows you exactly where the free space has gone.
More Topics
How firewall helps protect?
Definition
Firewalls protect your PC from outside attacker and hackers by establishing a protection wall in your computer or network from malicious or unnecessary Internet traffic. Firewalls can be configured to block data from certain locations while allowing the necessary data through. Firewall is very important especially for users who rely on "always on" connections such as cable or DSL modems. A personal computer connected to internet without a firewall can be hijacked in a minute. A firewall can block malware which can scan your computer for a weak point and then break in to using that.
- How firewall protects?
- firewall techniques
- Types of Firewalls
- Benefit of Hardware Firewall
- Choosing a firewall
- Tips for Home PC users
How firewall protects?
All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks whether it meets the specified security criteria. If it does, it is routed between the networks, otherwise it is stopped. A firewall filters both inbound and outbound traffic. It can also manage public access to private networked resources such as host applications. It can be used to log all attempts to enter the private network and trigger alarms when hostile or unauthorized entry is attempted.
firewall techniques
Firewall uses different strategies to block unauthorized datas from accessing our internal network. Some of those techniques are:
Packet Filter
The firewall looks at each packet for 3 things, the source IP address, the destination IP address and the destination port. This information basically tells where the request came from, where it wants to go and what it wants to do. It looks at the "rule book" to determine if it's ok or not. After reading the rule book, it determines whether to accept or deny.
Application Gateway
Through this system, specific applications like FTP and Telnet servers can apply security mechanism.
Circuit Level Gateway
While establishing a TCP or UDP connection the circuit level gateway applies a security mechanism.
Proxy servers
Through this the network address could be hidden. The proxy server captures all messages entering and leaving the network.
Types of Firewalls
hardware Firewall
A hardware firewall is usually a small box that sits between a modem and a computer or network. Hardware firewalls can be purchased as a stand-alone product. But more recently hardware firewalls are typically found in broadband routers, and should be considered an important part of your system and network set-up, especially for anyone on a broadband connection. Hardware firewalls can be effective with little or no configuration, and they can protect every machine on a local network. Most hardware firewalls will have a minimum of four network ports to connect other computers.
- Cisco PIX
- SonicWall
- Nokia
- NetScreen
- Watchguard
Software Firewall
For individual home users, the most popular firewall choice is a software firewall. Software firewalls are installed on your computer (like any software) and you can customize it; allowing you some control over its function and protection features. A software firewall will protect your computer from outside attempts to control or gain access your computer, and, depending on your choice of software firewall, it could also provide protection against the most common Trojan programs or e-mail worms. The downside to software firewalls is that they will only protect the computer they are installed on, not a network, so each computer will need to have a software firewall installed on it.
- Microsoft ISA Server
- CheckPoint FW-1
- Norton Personal Firewall from Symantec [retail]
- Norton Internet Security 2007 or Norton 360 from Symantec
- Sunbelt/Kerio Personal Firewall [freeware & retail versions]
- ZoneAlarm ProZoneAlarm Pro from CheckPoint [retail & free versions]
- ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite
- Comodo Personal Firewall [freeware]
- Firewall for Vista
Benefit of Hardware Firewall
Not like software firewall, hardware firewall protects your entire network. Before the packets even come into contact with your internal network, they are processed. Bad packets can't affect your system or the servers. This leaves the resources on your server or PC free to carry out its own role.
Choosing a firewall
As stated in the document above each type of firewall has got its own strong and weak points. The concept of choosing a firewall is included several things. The concept of choosing a firewall is not only evaluating what the best product is. We should mainly consider on following things.
A firewall implements a security
If you do not have a security policy choosing a firewall is a very hard exercise. If you are doing an emergency implementation where there were no protection previously and the risk needs to be addressed immediately make sure to prioritize the development of such a policy. This does include change control, which is key to firewall management. There should be clear guidelines as to what is allowed and what is not on policy level.
Cost Considerations
When you compare the costs of different firewalls, you need to take into account any of the extra cost features that you need to implement. If you don�t need Web caching, it might cost less to buy a SonicWall box than to buy a PC plus the Windows server operating system plus ISA Server. On the other hand, if you DO need caching and you already have an extra box on which ISA can be installed, this might be much more cost effectively than buying the SonicWall plus a Web caching server or appliance.
Tips for Home PC users
- Using a personal firewall is vital no what method you use to connect to the Internet, whether it be with a cable modem, Dial-Up modem, or DSL modem.
- If your PC is not guarded when you are surfing the internet, hackers can get entry to your computer and get access to your personal data on your computer system.
- A personal firewall helps to block out many different types of malicious programs and Internet traffic prior to it reaching your system.
- Some computer firewalls can also assist in preventing other users from using your PC to attack other systems without your approval.
- A computer firewall software will not make your PC or computer totally safe. However, a personal firewall provides the most helpful initial line of protection.
References
Simple Tweaks to Fix Your Computer
You must have wondered that why my computer is slow? Sometimes it becomes so frustrating to use a bogged down computer as you can’t save your work and install new software because your computer frequently gets hanged. But there are ways to prevent this, some of the reasons for a slow computer and their fixes have been stated below:
1. System Registry Errors
This is a major reason, why the computer slows down. Many folks do not have a clue about what is Windows registry and how to maintain it.
Like any other part of the computer system, registry entries in the registry are very important. These registry keys contain instructions that tell the software or hardware in your computer how to run. Over the time registry gets bigger in size and messy because computer doesn’t automatically restore the default settings after running the program. Over the time this problem gets worse thus affecting the performance of your computer.
Thus in order to solve this problem you can download registry cleaner software from the internet. This software will clean up the unwanted registry keys thus freeing up valuable space in RAM.
2. Virus
If you download files from the internet then there is possibility that your computer might be infected with a virus. This could be another factor affecting your PC performance. If you don’t have anti-virus software installed on your computer then download it from a site and install it.
In case, it’s not possible to remove the viruses from the computer then you might need to install your operating system again. Remember to back up your data prior to formatting your hard disk.
3. Insufficient RAM
Insufficient RAM could also be a reason for poor performance of your machine. If this is the key cause then upgrade the RAM on your computer.
For a computer having Windows XP operating system, any RAM lower than 512Mb is probably insufficient to present a good user experience. To check your computer RAM, right click on My Computer icon and go to properties.
4. Spyware and Adware
If you frequently surf on net then there are higher chances of your computer being infected with spyware. These spywares are meant to track your browsing activities and then send back the information to their main sites.
Spyware removal software can be used to remove Ad-ware and spyware from your computer.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Slow computer? It doesn't have to be that way. My computer is slow and find out how to keep your PC running like the day you bought it.
Protecting Your Computer System from Summer Storm Power Surges
With unpredictable spring and summer weather looming over the horizon, protecting your computer system from the harmful effects of a power surge is crucial.
A power surge is a quick, short burst of voltage through a circuit caused by lightening strikes or power outages. This irregularity in the power flow can allow too much power to rush into an electrical device at one time, causing damage to it; this damage can cause a device to run improperly or to not operate at all.
The good news about this is that you can protect your computer from this danger in many ways. By using devices and a little common sense, you can rescue your computer from the dangers of volatile voltage conditions.
One way is by using a handy device called a surge protector. While there are many different brands and styles of surge protectors on the market, they all perform the same duty. This device does exactly what its name states; it protects your electronic equipment from unexpected surges of power. It does this by passing the extra electric current along to the outlet�s grounding wire, saving your computer. This handy gadget is also called a power strip, and it plugs into the electric outlet in your wall. You then plug your computer, monitor, printer, digital camera, and any other electrical devices into the handy extra outlets contained on the power strip. Turn on the flip switch and voila! You�re protected. Easy cheesy. When you buy a power strip, make sure it has adequate spots for all of your electronic devices; also check the product rating on the box. As with any other piece of equipment, you want to make sure you are buying the best quality for your money. You can never be too careful when you�re protecting a costly investment such as a computer system.
So now you�ve got a surge protector and everything is plugged in. Excellent. However, this is not a 100% fool-proof guarantee that if your home or office suffers a power surge that your system is completely protected. The only way to make sure there is absolutely no risk of your system being affected by a power surge is to power off the entire system and unplug it from the surge protector when inclement weather strikes. This guarantees that, if a surge were to happen, your computer would not be on the circuit affected.
If you absolutely need to be able to use your computer system during inclement weather, consider using an uninterruptible power supply such as a battery to power your system. Again, this ensures that your computer system is not on a circuit vulnerable to a power surge, thus guaranteeing protection from power surge related damages.
Your computer system is an expensive setup that is very important to you. You use it for homework, financial needs, perhaps even for your job. Protect this valuable piece of equipment from damaging power surges that are out of your control. Utilizing easy to use devices and a little bit of common sense will keep your computer system out of harms way this spring and summer.Dudley Heller writes on topics such as Whole House Surge Protector, SPDIF. Visit Protecting Your Computer System from Summer Storm Power Surges.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Free applications for Nokia phones that lets you edit, synchronize and back up many of your phone's files
Nokia PC Suite is a package of Windows-based PC applications developed especially for use with Nokia phones.
Depending on your phone model, Nokia PC Suite lets you edit, synchronize and back up many of your phone's files on a compatible PC through a cable or wireless connection.
Here are some key features of "Nokia PC Suite":
· Back up and restore phone files
· Transfer information, pictures, and music from phone to phone or phone to PC
· Synchronize your phone and PC calendars
· Edit contacts, pictures, and phone file names
· Install Java-based applications in your phone
· Convert ringing tone formats
· Play multimedia messages and videos
· Send text messages from the PC
· Connect by using your phone as a modem
Requirements:
· Nokia Mobile Phone connected to your PC
Free virus and spyware removal utility from Trend Micro
Trend Micro System Cleaner is a stand-alone fix package that incorporates the Trend Micro VSAPI Malware and Spyware scanning engines as well as the Trend Micro Damage Cleanup Engine and Template.
Usage:
· Create a temporary folder and copy SYSCLEAN.COM into this folder. NOTE: This temporary folder should be created on a local or mapped drive.
· Download latest malware and spyware pattern files (see Requirements) Extract the downloaded ZIP pattern files into the created folder.
· Close all applications running on your system, including any antivirus software.
· Run the executable file, SYSCLEAN.COM, by either: Double-clicking the tool in Windows Explorer / Executing it via command prompt using syntax based on the aforementioned parameters.
· Enable any antivirus software that is installed on your system and perform a manual scan. NOTE: This fix tool generates the log file, SYSCLEAN.LOG, in its current folder.
Here are some key features of "Trend Micro System Cleaner":
· Terminate all detected malware/spyware instances in memory
· Remove malware/spyware registry entries
· Remove malware/spyware entries from system files
· Scan for and delete all detected malware/spyware copies in all local drives
Requirements:
· lpt$vpn.XXX in ZIP format as lptXXX.ZIP
· ssapiptn.da5 in ZIP format as ssapiptnXXX.ZIP
Trend Micro System Cleaner is a stand-alone fix package that incorporates the Trend Micro VSAPI Malware and Spyware scanning engines as well as the Trend Micro Damage Cleanup Engine and Template.
Usage:
· Create a temporary folder and copy SYSCLEAN.COM into this folder. NOTE: This temporary folder should be created on a local or mapped drive.
· Download latest malware and spyware pattern files (see Requirements) Extract the downloaded ZIP pattern files into the created folder.
· Close all applications running on your system, including any antivirus software.
· Run the executable file, SYSCLEAN.COM, by either: Double-clicking the tool in Windows Explorer / Executing it via command prompt using syntax based on the aforementioned parameters.
· Enable any antivirus software that is installed on your system and perform a manual scan. NOTE: This fix tool generates the log file, SYSCLEAN.LOG, in its current folder.
Here are some key features of "Trend Micro System Cleaner":
· Terminate all detected malware/spyware instances in memory
· Remove malware/spyware registry entries
· Remove malware/spyware entries from system files
· Scan for and delete all detected malware/spyware copies in all local drives
Requirements:
· lpt$vpn.XXX in ZIP format as lptXXX.ZIP
· ssapiptn.da5 in ZIP format as ssapiptnXXX.ZIP
Seven Tips to Having a Healthy Computer
Decatur, GA Whether we are part of a small business, a multinational, or are just trying to find a recipe online at home, we seem to spend just as much time fixing issues and conflicts on our computers as we do working on them. For the home user this is merely an inconvenience, but to a business it can add up to tens of thousands of dollars lost to decreased productivity or repairs.
Although the mere thought of trying to fix a computer would cause a cold sweat to break out in most of us, it is in fact the simple little things that even the most timid technophile could prevent, which cause the majority of our desktop woes.
Malware, viruses, identity theft and spyware account for about 80% of all computer issues resulting in downtime, reveals IT guru Chip Reaves. It is estimated that the lost-productivity cost due to these alone is around $50 billion, and the associated IT costs of dealing with it has skyrocketed from $20 billion to $198 billion in the last five years.
That is a lot of money and a lot of work-time lost. But Reaves, the National Director of Computer Troubleshooters, explains that there are certain simple tips everyone could adhere to businesses and individual computer users alike that will keep our computers (and wallets) in tip-top shape.
1 Old Hardware. Studies have shown that the likelihood of physical problems with computer equipment goes up significantly after 24 to 36 months, says Reaves. Consider replacing computer systems every three years considering how inexpensive computers have become, one major repair bill could easily cost more than purchasing an entire new system.
2 Power Protection. Surges and power drops can cause data loss and are always damaging to sensitive components, reducing their lifespan. Most people do use surge protectors, but what many don't realize is that surge protection wears off over time. For the best protection make sure that the surge protectors for all your computer equipment are replaced every 2 to 3 years.
3 Illegal Software. Many businesses don't realize that they don't own software; just the licenses to use it on a specific number of PC's. Manyt software programs automatically report their usage via the internet, and breach-of-license letters and audits from software manufacturers to businesses are on the rise.
4 Training. Having to spend money training your staff might sound like a waste, but most employees understand less than 20% of the software packages they use. The gain in productivity far outweighs the training costs.
5 Firewall and Security. The internet is full of hackers who regularly try to access computers for nefarious purposes. If they get in (either directly, or with the help of exploits from malware or viruses) the list of problems they can cause is pretty big; including stealing files or customer records, and deleting important data. It's important to be sure that all computers in your organization are updated with the latest security patches from Microsoft or Apple, and that firewalls are installed and maintained properly.
6 Backup Data. It sounds so obvious but most companies fail to keep 100% of their important data backed up 100% of the time there are often gaps in what's being backed up which are only discovered when it's too late. The consequences of lost data can put a company out of business on the spot, and data retrieval is frighteningly expensive.
7 Spam, Viruses and Spyware. 80% of all Computer Troubleshooters service calls worldwide are from people with problems directly linked to these issues. You should consider good virus protection, spam filters and anti-spyware programs as mandatory if you want a trouble-free computer.
With a small amount of common sense, weekly maintenance (much of which we can set our computers to do themselves) and some small financial outlays, we can have many more trouble-free workdays and spend far less on the IT repair man. This will allow us more up time to complete our work and give us the chance to explore the myriad other technology opportunities that can help us improve our businesses, or our lives. Now that's technology in action.
Chip Reaves is the National Director of Computer Troubleshooters. To help pay for his studies in computer science at Georgia Tech, Reaves began fixing computers for local businesses in the late 1980's. The part-time work quickly became a full-time business, with Reaves establishing Chiptech in 1992. Reaves was surfing the web when he discovered Australia- based Computer Troubleshooters in 1998, and by 1999 he had negotiated the rights to operate CTS in the US, a move than has lead to over 230 CTS locations in North America today. Reaves is also on the board of directors of two local charitable organizations. Chip Reaves website can be found at www.comptroub.com
Removing a Bios - CMOS Password
It is a bad luck that the access to computers can often be obstructed for all of the wrong reasons. Occasionally, this occurs owing to hardware related problems such as electrical problems or by way of mistake unconsciously, such as someone has set and then forgot the password. It can take place as the result of accidental usage of a Bios password by a new user. This also often happens in case an employee who has been sacked or suspended sets the BIOS password as an indication and exposure of the personal vengeance against the boss who is responsible to have taken drastic measures against the employer. This can do a lot of damage to the motherboard. Simultaneously getting back to right track will be time consuming and difficult which relies on the motherboard manufacturer and type of the motherboard.
However one can heave a sigh of relief because there is one way still open . Through resetting or disabling password this can be brought to right position. Occasionally, and without any specific reason, static discharges and other electrical problems can make the PROM on the motherboard to adjust the BIOS CMOS to its default values and even make the default BIOS password to be placed. There is the availability of some of the default Bios password being used with various BIOSes. A number of times it is seen that customers lodge complaint by saying that either an employee of any family member has forgotten password after they set it.
Therefore it is a matter of difficulty to run the computer. In other cases, it is also seen that an irritated employee set Bios passwords to take revenge against the boss in the case of the termination or punishment. So far as the domestic matter is concerned this can be done by inadvertent mistake of the adult or any kid who somehow forgot the password. In either case getting back the old password is not an easy task and time consuming.Brian Anderson writes on topics such as Dell BIOS Password, BIOS Password, BIOS Password Visit Removing a Bios - CMOS Password.
Back Up Registry Results Made easy
One of the first things that you should do is when looking into cleaning out your registry is to do a back up registry copy. There are a couple of different ways to do a back up registry copy however you are going to want to use a registry cleaner program unless you know where to look in your computer for all the files that you are going to want to back up.
Even most people who know where to look are going to use a program to back up their registry folder since it is simply faster than doing it manually.
There are a number of reasons why you are going to want to back up registry files. The first major reason is the fact that it helps to prevent a problem with files should something accidentally be deleted that is necessary for a program to work.
One of the key file types that the registry deals with is called a DLL. These are library files and contain a wide assortment of information designed to make it easier for software applications to run by providing standardized code for certain functions. As a result, files that share functions will more than likely share DLL files.
When you remove one of these programs, the registry can often cause that DLL to come up as being no longer in use. However, if you delete it, the programs that share it can also be affected. This is the main reason for the creation of a back up registry file.
The registry repair programs that are available should have a feature that will allow you to back up all the files within your registry and create the restore point within your computer.
Any program, which does not offer this feature, should not be considered when looking into the various types of programs available for registry repair.
It is also a good idea to note which files are deleted when you clean your registry. There will be a list prior to deletion. This will tell you which programs for the most part the files are associated with.
If it looks like a file that may be shared between other programs such as word processors, you may be safer simply leaving it rather than deleting it and the registry program will let you know if the file is possibly a shared file. If you choose to delete the back up registry, copy can help you to restore the necessary file.
Having a clean registry is necessary in order to be able to keep your computer running as effectively and quickly as possible. Using a registry repair program can help to ensure that not only you get all the files that are invalid deleted from your computer but should any programs arise you can easily restore the files to the registry.
In some cases, there may programs that back up only the registry and not the computer itself and some that will provide you with a complete restore point and separate back up.
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Thomas Gredgen is a technician for www.registry2aid.com and tests many registry programs and places his results on the website. Now that you know how easily you can back up your registry, we recommend you look at the windows registry errors that will come up, so you can know when to have that back up handy.
Blue Screen of Windows XP and Data Recovery
Have you ever faced the blue screen error popped up? Blue screen is an error screen displayed by Microsoft Windows XP after encountering a critical system error. In this situation, the computer screen freezes and only way to get pass this screen is to restart your system by pressing the reset button. This error is generally caused by three things:
A Corrupt Registry:
The registry contains detailed information regarding what in inside your computer. It has information about programs, printer, drivers, external cards, games and network routers. Everything is stored in the registry. If the registry gets corrupted due to virus attack or the user has deleted any registry entry in registry editor, then it may cause the blue screen of windows XP.
Faulty RAM:
if your computer system goes into the Blue Screen mode while booting up, that is when it’s accessing data from RAM (Random Access Memory) and the Registry, then it caused by the faulty RAM. Most of the modern computers come with 512MB or 1GB RAM. The more RAM we have, the operating speed will be fast and waiting time will decrease. But in case of faulty RAM, when CPU calls instruction from it, the Blue Screen on Windows XP appears.
Corrupted OS:
The blue screen problem may also occur when your operating system get corrupted. Any system file corruption or deletion may cause this error.
You can resolve the blue screen problem by using registry cleaner tool and checking the corrupted registry and fix them. If it works, then it’s great. But if it doesn’t work then you should check whether you RAM is connected properly or not. If not then reset it. In case, when both of these options don’t work, then the error is occurred due to the operating system corruption and you need to reinstall it.
Whatever the reason, the blue screen error lead to improper shutdown and may cause data loss. Data loss in this error may also occur due to registry deletion or system reformatting in order to reinstall the operating system. This is the worst scenario of data loss. Sometimes it may lead to completely formatted drive. In this way, you may loss you critical data due to blue screen problem. In these circumstances, to recover your lost data, you need for data recovery software.
Data Recovery software are the software programs that are designed for helping the user in recovering and restoring the lost data. The data recovery software can recover data in most of the cases no matter what is the reason of data loss. These software use sophisticated algorithms to search the lost data and can save them to their original location or user specified location.
How To Create A Windows XP Boot Disk
When you press the power button on your computer and it just sit there with none of those clicking and beeping sounds along with the monitor still having that blank screen,you know that you're going to have a bad day.
A computer that fails to boot can be one of the most pain staking things that can happen to a pc user.And in most cases, the user don't have a clue as to what procedures they can take to get the PC up and running again.
When you do experience pc bootup failure, always start your troubleshooting by checking the obvious.It the cord plugged into the wall outlet and is the other end securely plugged in the rear of the system unit.
In many cases the cause is a corrupted startup file which prevent the computer from going through the bootup from start to finish.In this case, an easy way to start your PC is to have an emergency boot disk handy.
A Boot Disk contain copies of critical files needed for startup that you should have made earlier.To use the floppy disk, all you need do is to place it in the floppy drive and reboot the computer.
As the computer start the boot process, Windows will use the good files to get itself going.The Windows XP boot disk will enable you to resolve a corrupt Ntbootdd.sys driver, missing or corrupt Ntdr or Ntdetect.com files.
These files are used by Windows XP and are crucial to its startup and configuration.The boot disk have also repair a damaged MBR or Master Boot Record.
The MBR is a small program executed when the PC boots and resides on the first sector of the hard driveIt looks up the partition on the hard drive.You can create a MBR with the FDISK /MBR coomand
A damaged boot sector can also be corrected with the boot disk.Your Windows XP boot disk will be a life saver when you have pc bootup failure and you need that file for your next interview.
A sector is the smallest unit that can be accessed on a disk.When a disk is low level formatted, it will be divided tracks and sectors
When making a boot disk make a mental note of the files being copied.This will give you added knowledge when you will need to help in making their boot disk.To make a boot disk, perform the following.
Place a blank formatted floppy disk in your floppy drive and go to My Computer in Windows XP.Click the hard drive icon and on the toolbar, click Tools, Folder Options, and then click the View Tab.
And scroll down and check "Show hidden files and folders" and just below uncheck "Hide protected operating system files (recommended). Now we're getting a little slower.
Take note of this process and as you become more familiar with this task, you'll be able to make a boot disk for others in no time and help them save on down time.
After unchecking "Hide protected operating system files, click OK.Some grayed out files will now be visible in the drive window.These files are protected system files.
Now you're ready to select the boot, the NTDETECT, and the ntldr files.Now right-click, click Send To, and select Floppy ( A: ).When you have copied all files to the floppy, you now have a Windows XP boot disk.
You should make two or more boot disks and place them in a safe place away from any type of magnetic or static charges.Before putting them away don't forget to label your life saving floppy disks.
Should you be unfortunate enough to have to put one of your boot floppies to use, remember to replace the startup files on the hard drive with the ones on the floppy.
If you overlook this critical step, you'll have the same boot up problem every time.Take your time as you copy the files and be sure not to reverse the copy procedure.
This is why its important to make two or more boot disks. This way should you have an accident with one disk, so what, you paid attention here and made several copies.
You've done it.You're now armed with a repair tool should your XP computer fail to boot.All Windows 98, 2000, and Me users also have the resources to create a book disk.
Otis F. Cooper is solely dedicated to boosting the knowledge and confidence of every computer user. Sign up to receive his informative articles every month and learn PC Repair absolutely free. Sign up now at www.repairarticles.com
What Causes Your Computer to Freeze Or Crash?
Have you ever experienced freezing of your computer? Other PC owners call it crashing. Even if you don't want this to happen to your computer, it is sometimes unavoidable. Well, if your computer is not cooperating, don't freak out because after you've finished reading this article, you will know what to do.
One day, you're using the computer and it's working properly but then suddenly, everything freezes or crashes. Does it sound familiar or what? Here are quick and simple tips that will help you solve the problem.
1. Check all the recently installed hardware or software. If you've installed either a new hardware or software, you need to uninstall it. If the problem does not persist, then that hardware or software caused the freezing/crash.
2. Run the antivirus program in your computer. Computer lock ups happen suddenly. The antivirus program should be updated regularly. If you have no antivirus program, you can make use of the free programs online. Search the web for free antivirus program that you can use to check which caused the crash or freeze.
3. Remove spyware through spyware removal programs. If you've finished tip number two and you did not find any virus, then there might be spyware or adware in your pc. You can download software programs that remove spyware/adware or you can use the free spyware removal software programs online.
4. Check the hard drive space. Check drive C and you must ensure that free space is over 20%. If the disk space is quite low, it may be the cause of random lock ups.
5. Check if your pc is overheating. Lockups are also caused by overheating. Make sure that the fan inside the computer does not have any dust buildup; cooling problems are also among the causes. The temperature should be just within the prescribed limits. Observe extra care when cleaning the case of your computer.
6. Check the computer's hard disk. You need to ensure that the computer's logical structure is not corrupted. Go to 'My Computer' and right click the 'disc C'. Click on the 'tools' tab. Check 'yes' if a prompt appears to restart the computer. After startup, some problems are fixed automatically. But if problems persist, the hard disk may need to be replaced. Run the 'disk defragmenter' so that the computer will perform well. This is one way to ensure computer reliability.
7. Check the computer's memory. Lockups, freezing or crashing are also related to memory. If you find memory problems, re-seat the RAM. After you've re-seat it and the problem persists, you should replace it because it is already defective.
8. Advanced users can check for hardware problems. Make sure that you do this appropriately.
9. Update the drivers and Windows. Outdated components can sometimes cause freezing. You need to update these components regularly.
These helpful tips can diagnose the problems of your pc and eliminate the possible causes. Most of the time, computer problems are dealt with case-to-case basis; it all depends on the configuration of a certain computer. You can consult online computer problem forums so that you can discover effective solutions. If after tremendous efforts freezing still persists, it's time to consult a computer technician. Experts can help you in repairing the freezing problems of your computer. Now you can use your computer without encountering any computer problems.
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How to Resolve System32 Corrupt or Missing Error in XP
Sometimes you may face that your XP operating system stops booting with an error message:
“System32 Corrupt or Missing”
This error may be the possible reason of corruption in “System32”. It may corrupt due to some changes in software or hardware configuration.
System32 is the most important part of your computer. It’s like the heart and brain of the operating system without which the computer wouldn’t be working at all. Its generally located in the “C: Windowssystem32” and is generally hidden in order to avoid any accidental alterations by the user.
You can resolve this problem manually without any professional help in two ways:
1. Reboot your computer and press F8 until you get into the menu. Choose “Boot Using Last Known Good Configuration”. Your computer will now try to start using a configuration that has worked last time when it started.
2. If you are still facing the same error, insert XP recovery CD and reboot you computer. Select the recovery console. You need to be more careful while using this step because you have to write some specified commands here and if you type incorrectly, your system may severely damage.
You can try to solve your problem using these steps but these are neither safe nor comfortable. Any kind of minor mistake may lead to big system problems. In case when you fail to resolve this problem using these methods, your system may become completely inaccessible and may lead to data loss.
In these situations, your can’t access your system in normal way as your operating system is corrupted and you need to reinstall it in order to access your system. When you reinstall the operating system, you have to format a drive and it can permanently delete the data. To access the data from this formatted hard drive, you need for data recovery solution. In this case, as the problem arose due to software malfunction, you need to use Windows Data Recovery software.
Windows data recovery are special recovery tools designed to retrieve the lost data from windows based computers. These are easy to use and powerful data recovery programs. These software uses advanced scanning methods to search and locate the lost data from formatted hard drive. These software can also recover data in other situations of data loss like accidental deletion, operating system corruption, and virus attack.
Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is well known data recovery software for windows users. This is a read only and non destructive data recovery software that recover the data from windows hard drive without changing the original contents. The software can recover data in almost all possible cases of data loss. Windows data recovery software provides several recovery options for FAT and NTFS file systems from all versions of windows operating system including Windows 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista
Author of this article is Joshaf Smith
Computer Support and Microsoft Help
Be it’s a desktop PC or a laptop, technology is advancing at a rapid speed. And it is obviously difficult for any non-tech person to stay in step with all such progressions. But, computer support or online computer repair help is there to give you an amazing sense of security when confront with nasty PC blues.
Online PC repair is most helpful at the time of troubleshooting software problems. Starting out with simple issues such as those of installation of any software programs to critical like fixing blue screen of death error, you can contact these technicians for anything related to your PC. One of the services which are pushing the popularity of computer support among computer enthusiasts is Microsoft help and support.
Microsoft help includes the complete array of support services required to troubleshoot errors related to Microsoft Windows. Online computer repair vendors with an excellent reputation have a team of trained or Microsoft certified experts who provide support across operating systems including both the old and recent released Windows version. Be it online vista support or online Windows 98 support, you can avail any with computer support’s experts.
The range of Microsoft help is not limited to just support for Microsoft launched operating systems. It’s another level offers extensive help to troubleshoot faulty web browsers like Internet explorer or any related network issues. Online PC support is offered either over phone or via Internet. However, the services are believed to be cheaper and beneficial than expensive computer repair showrooms or calling any technician at premises.
Apart from Microsoft help, there are computer repair services which help you keep your computers running at top speed by fixing and preventing the menace caused by virus or spyware. Computer support is not just meant for PC users. Online computer repair vendors like iYogi.com brings computer support methodology for small business and middle sized enterprises to help them keep their resources and network working. Such companies usually offer different services to cater all your PC needs as well as provide consultations on a variety of technical issues or maintenance of your desktop PCs and laptops.
About the Author
James Larry is an Online Technical Support Executive for iYogi who provides detailed information on Computer Support, PC Repair Services, Online Technical Support, Computer Repair, 24/7 Support etc.
Easy Ways To Fix Corrupt Registry Entries In Windows XP
This sounds a lot more difficult than it really is. There are easy ways to perform this basic maintenance routine, and doing so will give your PC an added boost of speed as well as fix most error messages and crashes.
Back Up Your Registry
The first step in any Windows registry repair process is to make a copy of your registry. This is extremely easy!
All you need to do is this:
1. Go to Start / Run
2. Type in "regedit" and hit enter
3. This opens the registry editor. Don't touch anything!
4. Got to File / Export
5. Pick a safe place and name your registry after the date.
6. Click save
And that's it! That was simple, right? Making a manual hard copy of your registry is an important first step for all PC maintenance routines.
Run A Registry Cleaner
Using a registry cleaner is the absolute best way to fix corrupt registry files in your computer. The registry is a complicated system of files that store very important settings and preference data that your computer needs in order to function properly. Tinkering with the registry by hand is not recommended.
A decent registry repair program will allow you to scan the computer registry in seconds, then remove the obsolete and corrupt entries with the click of a button.
Author of this article is Cynthia Blake.
The other advantage of using a registry cleaner is that they also offer additional features that will help improve the performance and speed of your computer. For example, the program RegCure offers a Startup Manager function that allows users to limit the amount of programs that load during the Windows boot sequence. This dramatically impacts how fast your PC boots up.
Visit our comprehensive website for information on how to fix corrupt registry entries and how to fix the Windows registry.
Home Computer Repair Know How
Computers are actually very easier to repair these days. Home Computer Repair activity classified into hardware problems and software problems. Software problems only the main source to repair the home computers again and again. If there is no antivirus program in our systems then it is easily attacked by threats. The famous computer threats are listed below
1. Vulnerabilities
2. Spy ware
3. Email spam
4. Malware
5. Phishing
These threats are very powerful must repair the home computer. Prevention is better way to repair the home computers.
A software program which helps protect a computer against being infected by a virus is Called Antivirus Software. Most antivirus programs include an auto-update feature that enables the program to download profiles of new viruses so that it can check for the new viruses as soon as they are discovered.
The popular Antivirus software’s are
1. Mcafee
2. Kaspersky
3. Avg
4. Avast
5. Symantec
Automatic updating is the easiest and reliable way to protect the computer from the latest threats. Antivirus software scans incoming emails for attached viruses. It monitors files as they are opened or created to make sure they are not infected. It performs periodic scans of every file on the computer.
The following steps are very important to prevent the computer from threats.
1. We must use original software’s only.
2. We update our software and security patches up to date.
3. We use a reliable Internet security program to protect from spyware and other security risks.
4. We configure the firewall to block unsolicited requests for outbound communication.
5. We do not accept suspicious dialogs within the browser.
6. We do not download free deal of free offer without know the details.
7. Before installing any new software we must read End User License agreement.
8. Install Spam filtering/blocking software.
9. If we find an email is spam, delete the mail without fail.
10. Reject all Messages from people who are not in our messenger list.
11. Only open mails and attachments that come from trusted sources and are expected.
12. Before opening attachment we must scan the antivirus program.
13. Delete all unwanted messages without opening.
14. Without knowing the information about the website doesn’t open that.
15. If a person on our messenger list is sending any strange messages, files or Web site links then don’t accept.
16. Scan all files with a reliable Internet security program before transferring them to our system.
17. Only transfer files from secured sources.
18. Always use anti-virus programs when we are connected to the internet.
19. Don’t open the pornographic sites for any reason.
If we follow the above steps then there is no need to repair the home computer. Most of the antivirus programs are freeware and shareware. We can easily download from the internet and use. If we find the any hardware problem in home computer then we identify which hardware is to be fault. Then only we take the necessary action to repair the home computer.
Visit our home computer repair help blog to learn how to keep your home computer in tip top shape!
Weight Loss and Diet Pills: Do They Help?
You've no doubt seen all of the commercials advertising the ill consequences that many have had to deal with after taking diet pills. Unfortunately, many people who are merely trying to lose weight end up harming their health by taking diet pills. But not all diet pills are bad. Some really do help. So, if you have ever wondered which pills work and which ones don't, this article is for you. However, no pill is going to make you lose weight if you don't put in the effort. Exercise and diet are essential.
If you've ever went to the store to purchase diet pills, you know how many there are out there. How do you choose? You will need to begin by learning about what is available. If you are a newbie, stick to natural diet pills. These are usually safer.
Most diet pills on the market today work by either boosting the metabolism or suppressing the appetite. Although the reviews for Hoodia have been a mixed bag, it is probably the most notable example of an appetite suppresant. Cayenne has recently been discovered as an effective metabolism booster and has gained some lime light from Beyonce, who used it to help her lose 20 lbs. for her role in the movie "Dreamgirls".
Again, diet aids are not miracle pills. You will need to work to lose weight. There is no easy fix. Diet pills should be an addition to your weight loss plan and should not constitute your plan in its entirety. If you do not watch what you eat and exercise, you will not lose weight. It's as simple as that. No diet pill will take off "30 pounds in 30 days"!
Although in the past, diet pills have gone through far less trials than prescription medications, because of the increased levels of obesity within the USA the FDA is beginning to approve some of these diet products. Weighing the positives and negatives of obesity, combining the effectiveness of diet pills with regular exercise is far better than accepting a fate of heart disease and more.
Before you choose any diet pill, you should research it thoroughly. Become familiar with the side effects. Find out if the product is safe. Again, if you have doubts, stick to natural products like Green tea. Green tea has been around for centuries and so far research has shown it to be safe. Natural products usually have fewer side effects, but before you take anything, read reviews and consult the FDA to find out if it is safe.
Your goal is to take weight off and keep it off! To do that, you will need to make an informed decision regarding diet pillss. Do not leave your doctor out of the decision. You should ask your doctor before you take diet pills or start any type of diet program.
About the Author:
Before you buy any diet pills online, make sure you receive Deen Dragonovichs' excellent free report on weight loss help, and receive your free diet profile. You can get a unique content version of this article from the Uber Article Directory.
How To Choose Nutritional Supplements
The use of alternative medicines, especially herbal products and supplements, has increased significantly in the last decade. As we continue to learn about the benefits of herbal nutritional supplements the demand for them will probably continue to increase.
With all the news about the benefits of green tea and its impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties one of the many herbal nutritional supplements that have gained popularity in recent years is green tea pills.
Echinacea is always popular during cold season. Melatonin and Valerian have become popular to help people get a better night's sleep. And St John's Wart has gained a good deal of attention in recent years to help with mood swings.
But with all the herbal nutritional supplements available it can be overwhelming trying to sort through and decide what's best. For starters you need to educate yourself about the herbal supplements you're considering before you go out to purchase them. It's important to talk to your doctor about adding supplements to your daily routine as well.
New regulations are being put into place for dietary supplements, but it can still be difficult to know if you're choosing a high quality supplement. The regulations are designed to improve safety by requiring manufacturers adhere to specific manufacturing practices that will guarantee the supplements include exactly what their labels claim they do and that the supplements won't contain contaminants.
Look for herbal supplements that are standardized. When a supplement is standardized it means it has been tested for uniformity, and that each supplement is guaranteed to provide a specific amount of the active components. It's also good to make sure the product is certified. A few of the groups that certify herbal supplements include the US Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab.com and NSF International.
Generally it's best to buy products that only contain one herb. Products that contain a blend don't always list the specific dose of each herb per tablet. It's important to understand the dose you are taking.
Watch out for potential false claims. Herbal nutritional supplements have helped a lot of people, but no single supplement can deal with a broad range of health issues. If the claims sound too good to be true trust your instinct.
Since herbal nutritional supplements are easily purchased, and don't require a doctor's note, people often underestimate them. Herbs can be potent; they can produce side effects in some people, and as with any over the counter medicine you shouldn't take a larger dose than recommended on the bottle.
Also note that herbal supplements might produce side effects if mixed with other medicines - over the counter or prescription. This is exactly why you should talk to your doctor before taking them.
I suggest discussing this matter with a doctor, pharmacist or naturopath to help determine and prevent allergic reactions, contraindications and side effects.
Many people have had positive results taking supplements. It's just important to understand what you're taking before you take it.
About the Author:
John Stevens researches and writes about Green Tea Supplements. Browse to Green Tea Gum and learn more about the benefits of green tea.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Bedroom Design Ideas for a Refreshing Change
While a bedroom's main purpose is for rest and relaxation, it doesn't have to be plain and boring. It's good to refresh a bedroom every few years to give it a new look and feel. Bedroom design ideas can be as minimal as adding a few accents or as major as repainting or changing furniture. When deciding on which bedroom design ideas to implement in your home, consider your budget and the amount of time you have to devote to the project.
When thinking about bedroom design ideas, visit home design stores in your area, browse through magazines, or surf the Internet for some style ideas.
Before beginning your bedroom design project, take a look around the bedroom and write down things you would like to change. Perhaps it's the style of the furniture, or maybe the color of the bedroom itself. You might want to change the window treatments or organize areas that tend to become cluttered. Create a list for every bedroom in your house, making sure to include ideas from children or other family members who use the bedrooms.
A multitude of bedroom design ideas can be found online at interior home design websites. One of the more helpful ones is Frugal Home Design at www.frugalhomedesign.com. The website has plenty of resources, including an interactive style guide that helps you with defining a room style, whether it's traditional, country, modern, or contemporary.
If you're looking for bedroom design ideas that can be done on a limited budget, there are plenty of them. Important features to a bedroom, like the bed's appearance can be redesigned with a new duvet or comforter and decorative accent pillows in textured fabrics. Some other inexpensive ways to change the look of a bedroom is to add plants, new lighting, art work and accent accessories like candles, mirrors and vases. These small changes can really change a look of the room.
For a more dramatic change, look at bedroom design ideas that call for major redesigns. These include repainting or wallpapering the room, adding new window treatments, changing all the furniture in the room to a different style and rearranging the layout of the room.
Bedroom design ideas that work best for the master bedroom, children's bedroom, or guest bedroom are those that reflect yours and your family's interests. In each bedroom, decorate storage displays and walls or add borders and plaques that show off hobbies, interests and favorites.
Themes make for fun and easy bedroom design ideas. With a few accent pieces, you can turn your bedroom tropical, nautical, or floral. The possibilities and creative options are endless. The theme could reflect your passion, such as photography, or your family's interests, such as traveling. Some other bedroom design ideas are a garden theme, an animal theme, a sports theme, a nature theme, or an ethnic theme.
When thinking about bedroom design ideas, make it personal. Consider colors and items that are soothing to you and give you a feeling of contentment. This will create a calming bedroom ambiance that will embrace you in warmth, comfort and relaxation.
About the Author:
Expert Sue Krippner has a lot more information about >bedroom design ideas here. Learn how to give your home the interior design lift it needs without spending too much at frugalhomedesign.com
Pioneer Car Audio Options
No name is more recognizable in the electronics field than Pioneer. DVD player, blue ray devices, and home theater systems are just a few of the things they do well. Pioneer Car Audio is the one area that nearly everyone knows well.
You would be hard to find a someone who has never had some element of a Pioneer system in their van . It may have only been the speakers, but they were utilized with pleasure! What is the latest on the Pioneer car audio front?
Car Audio with DVD
Maybe the newest progress in Pioneer car audio is the stereo that doubles such as a DVD player. Not too sure , about the idea of a DVD screen within sight of the driver, but
Features included in the Pioneer AVH-P5000DVD:
A. 7 inch adjustable angle touch screen
B. Mp3, WMA, and AAC compatible
C. Optional IPod connector
D. Bluetooth compatible with adapter
E. USB
CD player
Anybody can afford to have a component of the Pioneer car audio experience . While Pioneer has long been famous for its expensive types of van stereos, they now also sell choices that are more easy on the pocket
Pioneer sells numerous units with Bluetooth, XM, Sirius, and IPod compatibility that are also easy on the pocket . Starting at simply in $200 on the official site to only over a hundred from popular sites such as Amazon it is potential promising to get a quality Pioneer car audio device.
Speakers
No gossip about Pioneer car audio is complete without a part on the magnificent speakers this maker has made for years. Their speakers have been very well-known that numerous car types mounted them in the workshop.
When it put to car speakers Pioneer equips them all, tweeters, 6x9, subwoofers and many more in between. ranged from tiny small speakers that suit in the dash or door panels to great 12 in subwoofers that will rock you in the chest , there is something for each person .
It must be assumed that for any brand of speaker they are just as good as the system and amp pushing them, this is why a lot of people claim by keeping a system all under one label . beside if you have a Pioneer car audio CD player then keep with the Pioneer any product for speakers and amplifier.
Finally
While this is absolutely not an exhaustive review of Pioneer car audio lines it does grant you a good impression of the range of products the company offers . Pioneer has been in the marketplace electronics game since 1938, and have the user devotion to prove they deserve the long valuable history they have have the benefit of. When it meets to excellence Pioneer has always existed above the rival.
About the Author:
Anne Ahira's Zune Accessories guide. Providing the best, up-to-date information on the best in Laptops Notebooks research, tips, & much more!
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