TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Archive for the ‘Windows Help’ Category

When you first buy your computer, it often comes with a few things already installed. Check out your all programs list, or even better, go to Control Panel, then Add or Remove Programs (a.k.a. Programs and Features on Windows Vista and 7). From here you can not only see all your installed programs, you can also remove unused programs. Any program like a messenger, toolbar, security program, or installation software for a dial-up should probably be removed if you aren’t going to use it. First of all, it’s taking up space on your hard drive that can be used for the programs you actually want, and secondly, these programs are probably starting themselves up every time you turn on your computer. This means that they are using your system resources and possibly even your bandwidth, both unnecessarily.

You may have received a free trial of a security suite, like Norton Antivirus or McAfee. You can certainly use them, at least until you install other security software, but if you don’t upgrade it when the trial runs out, you would definitely want to uninstall it. Programs like these are constantly running and performing maintenance tasks. Again, they are using up your system resources, so try to uninstall any antivirus or anti-spyware programs you don’t want to use. Even if it has “run out” and asking you to upgrade, it’s still using your system resources-not to mention being an annoyance with constant reminders to “renew now!”

Check your system tray for programs that are running on your computer every time it is turned on. It’s in the lower right corner of the screen, just beside your clock. You may see an arrow button that will show you more icons if there are more than 3 or 4 programs running. Each icon in the system tray will tell you what it does if you hover over them with your mouse. You will probably see a volume icon to adjust your sound, an Internet connection icon, and an icon for your antivirus program. You probably have other icons, depending on the type of computer you have and what you have downloaded on your computer.

Almost every house could use a little something to make it yours, and most businesses would benefit from adding a little decoration to their offices. Standoff systems are a simple step in the right direction. Many applications are possible, and standoffs come in many varieties and functions. Standoffs can be used to mount pictures and displays between two or more pieces of glass or acrylic, create floating counter-tops, protect your artwork, or your television. The variations of colors add to displays. And if your application requires a standoff that is unobtrusive, low profile parts exist.

Mounting Displays Has Never Been Easier or More Attractive

The simplest and most common application of standoff systems is mounting displays. Standoff systems can be used for almost any size display, and though the most common standoff systems have a maximum length of 6 inches, custom standoff systems are relatively simple to manufacture. Simple standoff systems are designed to hold one or two panels flat against each other. Sheets of paper, canvas, or other display materials may be displayed in this manner. Other standoff systems may hold multiple panels, for more three-dimensional artwork. Panels are secured by the standoff cap mounting into the base. While standoffs are sometimes used as edge-grips so that drill glass is not necessary, this is not a safe method of mounting glass. For any application that prohibits the drilling of display panels, specialized hardware exists, but standoff systems should not be used.

Different materials are used for standoff systems, based on application. Plastic standoff system exists, and many multi-panel standoff systems are made of plastic. Plastic is a lightweight material, however, and most plastic standoffs are limited to under 30 lbs loads. Every successive panel in a multi-panel standoff system must be lighter, with load limits decreasing rapidly. Aluminum standoff systems are far more sturdy, and can bear loads of up to 60 or 70 lbs or more. Brass and stainless steel standoff systems are used for the heaviest panels and largest displays. Proper anchoring of standoff systems is always advise, and it is recommended that any standoff system is mounted into wall studs wherever possible.

A PC or a personal computer is one of the most common household items found at present day. It is a basic necessity to own a computer. Many conventional businesses have already automated their work process through the usage of computers.

Daily tasks have been made simpler and more efficient with the help of a PC. 20 years ago when the first personal computer took off the market, it was the biggest and most successful business of the century. 20 years later which is today, computers are not only faster, but more reliable, acting as an entertainment system and of course most important of all, for communication.

As PC sales continue to climb year by year, it is in your best interest to be equipped with basic knowledge in how to fix your computer. Here are some of the most common problems found when using a PC:

Virus, Spyware, Malware

Virus attacks are one of the most common problems to plague a PC. According to sources, there are in fact millions of computer viruses created with newer versions coming out every minute. To disinfect a PC from a virus attack, all you need to do is to install and run a virus scanner. It is highly recommended that you have a virus scanner installed at all time. Always set it on auto update to get the latest virus definitions. Examples of virus scanners that you can get off the market are AVG and McAfee.

Spyware and malware on the other hand requires another type solution – a spyware and malware scanner and cleaner. Always scan your PC for spyware and set your browser to a higher security level. Try using other types of browser such as Firefox and Opera. Internet Explorer on the other hand is more susceptible to a spyware attack. If possible, try installing a firewall on your PC as well.

This will be the prototypal in a series of articles about common machine problems and how to fix them. This prototypal article will tackle a problem that seems more common than anything else: a slow computer.

Before we can address the software issues that might be slowing down a computer, we have to countenance at the hardware. If a machine doesn’t have the needed element to run at a reasonable speed, all the software
troubleshooting in the world won’t do such good.

If the machine is running Windows XP, it should have at least 512MB of RAM. While Windows XP claims to only require 256MB, system and background processes easily take up that amount. If the machine has inferior than 512MB of RAM, it’s probably more suited to run Windows 2000. Windows 2000 is rattling similar to XP, but it’s not as pretty and takes up far fewer system resources.

If the machine has at least 512MB of RAM, then we’ll continue to software problems that might be slowing it down. We should make sure that the system is liberated of viruses, spyware, and adware. Make sure the computer’s antivirus program is up to date and run a full system scan.

An out-of-date virus construe is as useless as no virus scan, so it’s rattling essential that the latest version of the software and virus definitions are installed. If the machine doesn’t have an antivirus installed, you can download and establish AVG antivirus for free.

Spyware and adware are next. There are plenty of programs out there that you can buy to construe for these pesky little programs, but none of them are worth the money. There’s plenty of liberated programs that do a better job. I recommend installing and running two, both available for liberated download. The programs are Spybot: Search and Destroy and Ad-Aware. Between the two, they’ll do a good job getting rid of any unwanted programs.

Like the antivirus, it’s rattling essential that these anti-spyware programs are up to date before they start scanning, or they’ll be pretty such useless. Run virus and spyware scans at least once a week to check for any newborn problems.