Archive for the ‘Computers’ Category

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How To Stop Slow Boot Up Performance

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Struggling with slow boot up performance can be a major irritation if you need to restart your computer on a regular basis. Luckily though, there are a large number of tweaks that you can make in order to improve the performance.

Your starting point with any investigations relating to performance are to look at what applications are being initialized as Windows is booting up. The principal utility for doing this is Microsoft’s System Configuration application (start > run > type in msconfig).

The application has a boot.ini tab which has a startup timeout setting that normally defaults at 30 seconds. Try reducing this down to 5 to 10 seconds to see if this makes any gains with slow boot up performance.

The startup tab in msconfig is also useful as it lists all the programs that are initialized as Windows is booting up. From here, you can disable which ones are run using the check boxes provided. The one downside is the fact that applications are listed using their executable file name so you will have to research it first before disabling them (to safeguard yourself from disabling crucial programs).

Additional gains can be made by establishing which services are being run automatically as the computer start-up. The services manager (start > run > services.msc) keeps an index of all services run by the operating system. Many of these will be essential for the smooth running of your operating system, but you will also find a number relating to peripherals and lesser used applications which you could safely disable.

Finally, one area of computer hardware repair that often leads to slow boot up speeds are conflicts between hardware components and/or device driver issues. Both of these can be investigated using the Device Manager application (Control Panel > system > hardware tab). The application will indicate if there are conflicts between programs and provides a troubleshooting wizard for resolving these types of issues. The addition of the device driver update capability means you can check slow running components for patch updates directly from here.

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Top 3 Registry Cleaner Commercial Options

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Trying to pick one registry cleaner to buy out of the vast range available these days is a daunting task. In this article, we’ll look at three popular and effective tools to see how they target specific groups of users.

Registry Easy has been around for a few years and is a standard registry cleaner application that comes with its own backup system and a relatively straightforward user interface and scanning process which really is ideal for novice PC users. The product does also try to add some value added features including an evidence cleaner, a plug-in scanner and junk file removers.

The makers of XP Repair Pro have been around since 2005 and have proven to be widely popular (3 million downloads as it stands) due to the fact that their product can repair over 60,000 types of faults on the registry. This registry cleaner targets a larger group of people by using a simplified scan as well as advanced scanning customizations for more technical users. Some of the additional features are quite nice too, including the registry defragmentation tool and a hard disk cleaning feature.

Finally, Reimage is a web-based PC repair system that can scan your drive in order to fix registry faults along with issues with the operating system (including virus damage, DLL faults, computer freezes, blue screen exceptions, etc). It uses a 20 minute online scan to identify faults and then downloads repaired files from its repository of over 25 million Windows documents. It is different from the other tools in that you pay for each repair cycle that is performed.

Deciding which of these is the best registry cleaner really comes down to how you want to use the product. For weekly or monthly registry checks, then Registry Easy or XP Repair Pro would be ideal (with the second possibly proving a little more effective due to the constant upgrades to faults it can repair). Users with Windows OS faults that may relate to the registry or other system program files would be better off using Reimage to scan and repair the damage.

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USB Flash Data Recovery Made Simple

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

USB flash data recovery software cannot be guaranteed to retrieve your documents 100% of the time. In this article, we’ll step through the simple steps involved in retrieving documents the USB device, along with some of the potential blockers that can limit the amount of documents you will find.

The data recovery process for USB Flash drives is analogous to other types of memory devices and can be done as follows:

  1. Research online a suitable commercial or freeware utility capable of reading USB Flash devices. Freeware options include Undelete Plus and Recuva. Install the application on your laptop.
  2. Attach the USB Flash drive to your laptop and make sure it is being recognized by the computer.
  3. Open up the USB Flash data recovery application and select the USB drive for analysis. I have used these applications before to scan my computer hard drive and found that even the freeware applications are capable of reading Flash memory (since it supports the fat 32 file system format).
  4. Choose the documents from the found file list that you want to retrieve and copy them over to the laptop.

This process can have varying degrees of success. For starters, each application uses their own method/logic to scan the Flash memory for data clusters belong to files, so each could potentially return a different set of found files. The top tip with this is to use the free/trial scans with data recovery applications to assess which tools can recover all the documents you need to retrieve.

Also, if you continue to use the USB drive for saving documents, running applications or running an operating system then this will result in new files being saved to the USB memory that will overwrite formatted or deleted documents that were previously stored in the data clusters.

Of course, the worst case scenario for USB Flash data recovery is if there is a mechanical fault with the product. In this case, your main option is to resort to data recovery service that can use specialist reading devices to access the Flash memory directly.

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Corrupt File Retrieval

Friday, October 15th, 2010

Recovering a corrupt file or folder is thankfully something which doesn’t have to be done too often. In most cases, using Windows programs will be sufficient to find your files. This article steps through how to recover corrupted files starting with the free Windows applications and ending up with some commercial utilities.

  1. Your starting point is to check to see if your applications are maintaining any type of temporary/backup files. Some programs produce work in progress versions of your documents as your editing them, using the same folder. For example, Microsoft Word produces .wbk files each time you are working on a document. If your main document becomes corrupted then you can reopen the .wbk file by simply renaming it with the .doc file extension.
  2. Check the hard drive for any bad sectors. These can lead to file corruption and damage to entire directories. You can find the Microsoft disk utility by opening it on the properties dialog on the tools tab for each specific hard drive (i.e. via Windows Explorer).
  3. If you suspect that the operating system files have become corrupted then you can roll these back using the System Restore utility (located in programs/accessories/system tools). This Microsoft application maintains backup copies of critical system programs and files on the hard drive. You simply select the date to roll back these critical files to a saved version.
  4. If the above fails then you can resort to using more specialist commercial applications. Problems with operating systems can be resolved using computer repair tools or registry cleaners. I use Reimage to repair my PC on a regular basis as it can fix corrupted DLL issues, registry faults and also download the latest versions of healthy files.
  5. If you would like to repair an individual type of file (e.g. Excel documents) then you could try using a specialist application. A quick search online shows that there are many special purpose utilities (e.g. XLS Regenerator for recovering corrupt Excel files) that specifically target individual file types.

One final way to repair corrupt file issues is to resort to using the data recovery service. These experts have more professional level data recovery applications to hand capable of repairing PC issues and file corruption even with damaged components.

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Hulu

Monday, October 11th, 2010

Watching TV shows and movies on the internet has become so much more fun with the new Internet TV site Hulu. The name itself has been selected to give a fun feeling by keeping it short, easy to spell and easy to pronounce. Hulu has a huge collection of movies from the famous networks and studios including FOX, NBC, Universal, MGM and ABC. More than one thousand TV shows can be viewed on Hulu by its own embeddable branded player. There are recent collections as well as old classics.

Hulu on the iPad

Hulu holds the largest collection of movie videos and thousands of TV shows with full episodes. Hulu interface is very simple and easy for the users. The home page has no cluttering which makes navigation much simpler. There are some interesting features offered by Hulu such as controlling the amount of light while viewing. You can also make the video pop out so you can carry out other web browsing activities in the background. There are very minimal advertisements as compared to watching movies and TV shows on the TV. The resolution as well as the sound quality is quite superb.

With Hulu now you do not need to wait for primetime to watch your favorite shows. Hulu has become the second largest video provider on the web but is currently available in the United States only.

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Speed Up Windows Startup

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Windows provides its own utility application for altering start-up programs that are initialized as Windows is booting up. In this article, we’ll show how to use the System Configuration tool to speed up Windows startup performance.

As Windows starts up, it needs to initialize a number of services, programs and third-party applications. Each of these requires CPU and RAM to complete its initialization. Luckily, Microsoft Windows comes with its own administration utility called System Configuration utility which contains a start-up tab listing off all of these programs.

You can start up this program via start/run by entering msconfig. Go to the Start-up tab on this application and you will see a list of all programs initialized at boot time. There is a column which allows you to enable/disable whether or not the program is run. Save your changes and the next time the system restarts these programs will be activated/deactivated accordingly.

The key to using the application is to make sure you are familiar with the programs before you disable them. Unfortunately, programs are listed using their executable file name which may be unfamiliar to you. Research this executable name online to establish what these programs are before making any attempts to disable them as you do not wish to run the deactivate an important/critical tool (e.g. anti-virus updates).

For additional performance improvements, you could also try using free PC maintenance software or registry cleaners that can re-factor the registry file settings on your PC. By doing this, you can tune the settings for each program on your computer, including those that are run at start-up, to make these applications run faster.

Once you speed up Windows start-up performance for the first time, you should notice some initial gains. However, you should also consider using the hibernation and standby modes as an alternate way of shutting down and starting up your PC. This can often prove to be a lot faster than doing a full reboot every single time.

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Asus Battery Charger

Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

The importance of battery charger is known to everyone. Whether it is Acer laptop charger or Asus laptop charger, you simply need one in order to use your laptop. In this article I will briefly go over battery charger for laptop.

We have seen too many brands of laptop spreading around the computer shops. It has been considered as the necessity nowadays as it helps us ease our work and connects people across the globe. With the new innovation of computer, it accentuates new features that are distinct from other brands. Laptop as portable as it is has battery on its unit to work it possibly even in secluded places or where electrical switches are not available.

Battery is the power of our unit where we rely too much especially when our works demand constant traveling. It equates with processor and toils the data we needed. It makes it confusing how we choose the right brand with quality battery life on it. It makes it confusing and tends on picking one that has recorded high on gross sale.

This device too has restrictions and depends on the life span manufacturers created. Like Asus, as the leading producer of technology device has proven worth in the market. It supplies gadgets to other brands and starts of the distinct characteristics of their product. Accompanied with regaining power on battery life is having a charger which has distinct features from one another.

Asus charger are built in strong exterior design. It works well and was tested to perform better even in environment where signal zone is at zero level. Aside from the fact that this gadget last longer than other brands. It helps re-amplify the power of your battery in a short period of time. This has shown extreme activity in bringing back the strength of your laptop.

It was said that this charger complements with other clone computers. It works similar to how it functions on its brand. This what makes this charger a top choice among customers aside from its availability always in the shop. This is quite inexpensive to note and worthy to own. You can never go wrong with Asus products as its company has made it sure to introduce only calibre products beyond the customer’s satisfaction.

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Microsoft Internet Explorer Testing Lab

Friday, October 1st, 2010

Jason Upton, the Partner Test Manager, took a few technical journalists through Microsoft’s Building 50, to Microsoft Internet Explorer Lab.  Upton informed us that the 948 PCs along with the 119 servers could be individually configured via an automation system. This vast lab enabled Microsoft configure browser testing for the best slices of data.

The opt-in customer improvement program of Microsoft takes data from all over the world, so that the labs can duplicate prominent hardware trends as well as software setups of any user.  The program also paves the way to have a look at the hardware trends, distribution, language and other data. Varying environmental trends can be mimicked and tested by customizing physically and logically, by tasking the machines through the automation system.

Every month, 146 versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer are shipped by Microsoft.  The browser is available in 63 varying languages. The lab is continually testing versions from IE5 to IE9, inclusive of released ones and developer browser builds.  The PCs in the lab facilitate thousands of tests dealing with all software aspects.

Monitors and keyboards are very few in Microsoft Internet Explorer Lab, as remote access is rendered from each team member’s office.  Any system that does not respond to remote commands is dealt with a ‘crash cart’ loaded with the required tools. There are several notebooks, though laptops are hardly seen.  Upton informed us that hundreds of desktops used in the lab were configured with hardware components of laptop specifications.  The team conducted most of the tests using clean OS installations, because the results are reproducible, though OEM software setups are used in some tests.

The systems are ranked impressively, though they are away from the whole test bed.  The Internet Explorer Virtualization Manager (abbreviated as IEVM) constituting HP c7000 class chasses, and loaded with ProLiant BL460G6 Dual SocketX5550 servers is a system built by the test team. It is equipped to concurrently run 1200 virtual client machines in a completely automated testing system.  A group of servers renders 300 variants of Microsoft Internet Explorer and Windows running at any point of time in virtual machines.  Behind the lab’s main server bank, an intense hot wind emanates, contrary to the very cool air in the lab’s other areas.

The entire laboratory setup involves tremendous power consumption, and Microsoft’s development team works to mitigate it. Hundreds of PCs can be remotely addressed and their distinct power sockets can be addressed via IP power distribution units. Through a program known as Green Lab Initiative, this system can power down the machines which are not being used.  It had saved 1.8 kilowatt-hours (equivalent to 218 tons of carbon dioxide) last year alone.

Microsoft Internet Explorer Lab is a standing example of the largest software company in the world. Coupled with supportive installations, no other browser is equal to Microsoft Internet Explorer.

About Me:

I like to write about all sorts of technology topics including games and computers. My latest craze is writing is the XBox 360 Kinect which will be released next month. This new game platform will allows users to play video games without the use of a controller and the XBox Kinect games will be able to detect and transmit your movements, even fine facial movements, right into the gaming environment. It is amazing technology and will transform the way people play games with each other.

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Installing A 1 GB RAM Module Is Easy To Do

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

With the economy being slow like it is right now not many people can afford to go out and buy a new computer but would like their old computer to work better.  Installing a 1 GB RAM module in your computer is inexpensive and easy to do and it may have a significant impact on the performance of your computer.

You should understand one thing about purchasing RAM for a computer.  Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as simply telling the computer store clerk that you need to buy RAM for particular brand of computer.  Your best bet is to remove one of the old RAM modules from your computer and write down the numbers that are printed on it.  This way you will know if you need a 1 GB DDR1 RAM module or a 1 GB RAM DDR2 module.

It’s very important that you remember to unplug the computer before working on the inside of the computer box.  After you have unplugged it’s always a good idea to try to turn the computer on.  Believe it or, not many people accidentally unplug the wrong cord since there are often many cords around a computer.  If the computer doesn’t power on after you have unplugged it, you are good to go.  Next, take the access panel off by loosening the axes panel screws.  Next, you’ll need to ground yourself by touching something that is metal on the computer chassis.  This will discharge any static electric charge that your body may be carrying.

It’s now time to take the RAM module out of the packaging.  You’ll want to use caution here and only touch the edges of the module to prevent any oil from your skin from getting on the circuitry.  Next, simply press the RAM module into an open memory slot and locking into place with the retaining clips that are on each end of the module.  The last step is to put the axis panel back in place and secure with the retaining screws.

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Windows PC Startup Faster

Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

There are some simple ways to make your Windows PC startup faster. Using these approaches, you can save yourself the irritation of slow boot performance and have yourself working or browsing the web quicker than previously.

The key to faster start-up times is to look at what applications are initialized as Windows is booting up, which ones you can disable and how to improve the ones you leave enabled.

Windows provides the system configuration application for enabling and disabling start-up applications in a centralized location. Start this program through the start menu, run program by entering in the phrase msconfig. Go to the start-up tab in once the application is started to view the list of services initialized as Windows starts.

When you run down through this list, you may recognize immediately some of these programs. If you feel that can be disabled without causing any problems, then feel free to disable them. For applications you do not recognize, try searching for the executable file name on the web to understand what this application is actually doing and if you can safely disable this program from starting.

For the applications that are left enabled, you should consider ways of improving their performance. Start by checking for updates to the programs. Then you want to ensure that there are no viruses with these programs (or other programs) by running a full anti-virus scan. Finally, use computer maintenance software (such as Reimage) to check that the Windows registry file is not been corrupted.

Finally, improving the overall performance of your computer will also improve start-up times. Some simple ways of doing this are to run the disk cleanup and disk defragmenter tools (under accessories/system tools) to improve disk read access times. Run the Windows update service to get the latest hardware and software improvements for the operating system, device drivers and third-party hardware. Additionally, you can use trial and error to modify the performance options (for example, reducing the number of visual effects and increasing the virtual memory size that you allow Windows to use).

One additional way to getting your computer to startup faster is to consider using the hibernation/standby mode. These modes are capable of using system snapshots of what error programs and applications are running when you shut down the PC. The snapshots are saved to disk and then used to load up all these services when the computer restarts, usually a lot faster than doing a full reboot.

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