Archive for the “Self Help” Category
Posted by: wayne in Self Help
Simple steps to follow when it’s time to service your PC
Hiring the wrong computer repair service can not only be incredibly frustrating and expensive for you, but you could also end up loosing ALL of your irreplaceable files, photos, music, e-mails, and other important documents!
#1. Demand someone who has a long-standing reputation. Let’s face it; there are a lot of other computer repair technicians out there, but most are new or just getting started. You want to make sure you avoid hiring a fly-by-night technician between jobs that sets up shop one day, and is out of business within a month or a year. Only deal with computer technicians and repair shops that have a proven track record.
#2. Demand that they have specific knowledge or expertise on solving your particular problem. Do NOT let someone practice on your machine. If they have not worked on your problem before, they should TELL you that in advance. There is too much risk involved financially and in your data and equipment.
#3. Demand that your technician backs up your system BEFORE working on it. This is just common sense. Don’t let them touch your machine before your entire system is securely backed up just in case something goes wrong.
#4. Demand that your machine comes back with the same settings, look, preferences, and applications that you had on it prior to dropping it off. There are a lot of second-rate shops with inexperienced technicians who will end up causing you more problems than you bargained for. Very frequently, these inexperienced technicians will recommend that you wipe out your hard drive and re-install Windows to fix a problem. This means you loose all of your settings and preferences, as well as loosing all of the software programs you have installed. This should ONLY be done as a last resort.
#5. If you rely on a one-man-band operation, you might find yourself without any help when they go on vacation, get sick, or when they are simply too busy servicing other customers. Although having multiple technicians on staff is not a guarantee of fast, reliable service, but you are far more likely to have someone to talk to when you have a problem.
Another reason you want a computer service that has multiple technicians is because no one computer guy no matter how good has infinite knowledge about every type of software, hardware, and platform. Multiple technicians mean multiple skill sets and a higher likelihood that your computer problem will get resolved faster.
Following these simple five steps will not 100% guarantee that nothing will go wrong, but to do otherwise will welcome disaster!
Wayne
No Comments »
Posted by: wayne in Self Help
Antivirus and Spyware Utilities currently selling on E-BAY
No Comments »
Posted by: wayne in Self Help
How important is it to keep your windows registry well maintained?
Microsoft designed the Windows operating system with a central system database called the Registry. The Registry keeps track of everything about your system including almost everything that you add to it. By keeping a system database Windows allows all the software in your system to interact and work together to deliver the rewarding and enjoyable experience that you’ve come to love but it does come at a price
.
Designing a system that’s as complex and simple to use, as the Windows operating system is an understated achievement despite the criticism it often gets. Microsoft was however unable to eliminate the need for ongoing maintenance. They took the easy way out and built in the need to maintain and repair the system regularly to keep it running at its optimum performance. Fortunately software is available to perform this ongoing maintenance for you. Maintaining your Registry is easy if you have the right tools.
Microsoft knew that they would have to provide some way to edit the Registry so they provide a utility called Regedit that allows you to change almost every piece of data stored in the Registry.
In the wrong hands this tool can be a nightmare. It comes with no docs and its use is not straight forward and in some cases irreversible. My advise: If your not a computer geek or professional do not use regedit!! Even if you don’t, over time your computer may start to slow down and start acting sluggish.
There are many factors that can reduce your computer to a crawl. Viruses, Trojans, worms and spyware are amongst the better known causes. Prevention and cure software for these kind of threats are now installed on most computers and most users appreciate that steps should be taken to avoid them. There are also some lesser known and understood causes of failing performance.
- Installing software, not liking it and deleting it. (fragmenting your hard drive)
- Software that didn’t uninstall properly.
- When uninstalling programs deleting files common to other programs thus making them unstable and not run properly.
- failing to defrag your hard drive on a regular basis.
Fortunately there are tools to automate this process some of which are free like Spybot and Ad_aware. There are also reputable sites that will scan your computer for free. Naturally they are hoping you will buy their product once you see what a good job it does. But what the heck it’s a freebie. To visit one of these sights click here.
I’ll review some of my favorite cleaners in a future post.
Click on my name below to see my other site.
No Comments »
Posted by: wayne in Self Help
Even though Norton Antivirus programs are the most widely known, I’ve always shy’d away because of there intrusiveness. They in twine themselves into the registry so much that if they become corrupt it is almost impossible to fix short of reloading the operation system.
I’m happy to report that they have listened and everything I didn’t like has been fixed in there new release which also has a fresh name change. It’s called Norton 360.
Posted below is an article describing all the new features. I plan on purchasing this product and will report my findings in a later blog.
Introducing Norton 360 – All-In-One-Security! Click Here
Wayne
————————————————————————————-
I’ve been using spyware and other security software for almost two decades but far too often, I have wondered whether the cure was worse than the disease.
Symantec is a case in point. Older versions of its Norton Anti-Virus and Norton Internet Security programs have slowed down my machine and interrupted my work flow by asking me to decide what to do with every suspicious file or email it ran across.
I’m happy to report that the company reformed its ways. Its newest product, Norton 360, has no noticeable impact on system performance and has left me blissfully almost unaware of its presence.
That doesn’t mean it’s not doing its job. It’s just being quiet about it. The software, which costs $69.99 per year for up to 3 household PCs, is designed to protect users from viruses, spyware, phishing attacks and other security threats.
It also has a two-way firewall that blocks incoming threats and outbound threats – malicious software that “phones home” to send personal information to a rogue server. There is also a “PC Tuneup” feature that removes temporary files left behind by Windows or your browser and defragments your disks to speed up drive access.
In addition, there is now a backup feature that allows you to automatically backup to an external drive or to an online server run by Symantec (you get two gigabytes of online backup free and can purchase additional space). I’m a big fan of online and other off-premise backup strategies because they protect you even if the unspeakable happens such as fire, flood, hurricane, earthquake or worse.
Unlike some backup software, this product doesn’t try to compress or otherwise alter your files. That leaves you with a backup that you can access from any PC even if it’s not running Norton 360.
Because Norton 360 is so unobtrusive, I was wondering if it was even working until I discovered its view statistics option that told me that it had detected and blocked two viruses and one piece of spyware. It also informed me that it had automatically completed 53 security and program updates to make sure my protection isn’t out of date.
For Internet Explorer users, the program is able to help protect you from malicious websites by checking against a database of known bad sites and analyzing sites on the fly to see if they contain code that could lead to “drive-by downloads” of malicious software that could jeopardize your security or harm your PC. Unfortunately, this feature doesn’t work with Firefox, Opera and other browsers besides Internet Explorer.
I also used the program to defragment my disk drive, which puts all of your files in contiguous areas of the drive so that the drive heads can access your data more quickly. Earlier versions of Norton products used to give you feedback as they defragmented your drives but in the spirit of leaving you alone, this one doesn’t tell you anything other than that it did a defrag. Personally, I wouldn’t mind having a little more reassurance that it’s doing its job as long as that didn’t slow down my PC.
Unlike some competitive products from ZoneLabs and TrendMicro, the new Norton product doesn’t have wireless network protection. It also lacks features to clean up the Windows registry (which can sometimes slow down a PC) as well as other system performance tweaks you’ll find in other packages such as Iolo’s System Mechanic.
Parental controls, ad-blocking and anti-spam tools are not included with the product but you can add them by downloading the Norton Add-on pack. Actually, I think this is a pretty good idea. The company kept the product leaner and faster by leaving out features that a lot of users don’t need while making them available at no cost for people who do need them. Perhaps Microsoft could learn from this example.
Overall, I give Norton 360 good marks for being easy to install and configure, and knowing when to stay out of your way and not slow you down – which is exactly the kind of progress I like to see when it comes to security.
By Larry Magid © MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
No Comments »
Posted by: wayne in Self Help
Easy PC fixes
Does this sound familiar? Your PC malfunctions, you wait (seemingly endlessly) on the phone to get help from the manufacturer’s tech-support service, only to find it can’t help you fix the problem. Finally, you do what you considered doing first anyway: You call your computer-savvy child, who calmly fixes things and then shows you how to fix it should it ever happen again.
Our latest Computer Tech Support Survey, by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, found experiences like this unnervingly common. Only 55 percent of those who contacted free support had their problem solved. Roughly 15 percent of users with problems didn’t even bother contacting the manufacturer’s support because of past bad experiences.
But when we asked more than 20,000 subscribers with computer trouble how they solved their problems with and without the manufacturer’s help, we found hope. Here are some of the highlights:
- You might be more computer-capable than you know. Fifty percent of our survey participants who tried solving their own problem, after free tech support failed them, were able to solve it.
- Outside help can be very effective. More than 90 percent of those who skipped tech support entirely and called an independent service at their own expense had their problem solved. Those services could typically solve problems that tech support had failed to fix.
- You should indeed think of calling the kids first next time. More than 60 percent of those who turned to family and friends after free support failed had their computer problem fixed.
Drawing on those survey experiences and the expertise of the computing experts at Consumer Reports, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you solve common computer problems yourself, get the most from free manufacturer support, use an outside support service if necessary, and keep your PC in top running shape.
TRY TO FIX IT Yourself
Consider these first. When trouble strikes, one of these four all-purpose computer fixes might do the trick:
- Turn off the computer and any misbehaving peripherals for a minute and restart them.
- If a printer or other device isn’t working, turn it off, then disconnect and reconnect all cables securely to their proper ports. Check the power plug, too.
- For trouble with sound, video, or printing, review the device’s settings (usually in Windows’ Control Panel).
- Remove recently installed hardware or software. If you are running Windows XP, use System Restore to reinstate the computer’s previous settings.
Consult guides here and online. The computer manufacturers offer online guides, but our survey showed that they helped only about a third of the time. You might instead want to check the 11 problems and solutions in our June 2006 report on how to fix computer problems yourself.
Next, if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, try the free diagnostics at PC Pitstop ( www .pcpitstop.com ), which also runs a user-forum site and offers for-pay support.
For problems with a particular piece of software or hardware, check the FAQ and knowledge base at its manufacturer’s site.
User forums and newsgroups provide a wealth of free information, often from volunteer experts who scour such sites and answer questions. Access them from groups.google.com or groups.yahoo.com. You can also use the newsreader program in applications such as Microsoft Outlook Express for access to the tens of thousands of free online discussion groups known collectively as Usenet.
maximize free TECH Support
If you’ve exhausted your own expertise and that of family and friends, it’s time to consider calling tech support. But before you do, check your coverage. At least a year’s free tech support is the norm, but see whether on-site support is for hardware repair only or includes diagnostic help. Apple offers 90 days of free phone support, after which it charges $49 per incident. (Support is always free in person at the Genius Bars in Apple retail stores.)
If you’re covered, follow these steps:
Consider the manufacturer’s track record. In our June 2006 report on laptops and desktops, satisfaction with tech support varies widely by manufacturer. Calling tech support is more likely to pay off with Apple Computer, or IBM (Lenovo) for laptops, which solved, respectively, 76 and 64 percent, of problems than with low-scoring Compaq, which solved just 38 percent of problems and typically kept customers waiting a long time before getting help.
Decide how to reach support. Phoning isn’t the only way to get free support, but we found that it offered better results than the other ways. Most manufacturers also offer help through e-mail, online chat, their Web site, or sometimes via remote control of your computer. Unfortunately, as our survey shows, none of them worked very well. For example, half of respondents had at least one problem with phone service; most common were a long wait and being bumped from technician to technician. Of those who e-mailed the manufacturer, 29 percent either waited more than 48 hours for a reply or received none at all.
We also found that those we surveyed used the phone for support more frequently than they used e-mail or the Web.
Organize system information. Write down important information about your computer, such as the service code, model, and serial number, ahead of time. Keep your receipts in the same place. Also jot down all pertinent specifications, such as the amount of memory, processor type, and anything you’ve installed since you purchased the system. Keep handy all the system discs, backup discs, and software that came with your computer.
Record what happened. Be able to tell the technician what the exact problem is, when it occurred, and what you were doing when it began. Record error messages and what you were doing when they appeared.
Get identification. As soon as you’re in touch with a technician, get his or her name or ID number, or an incident number. That way, if you’re cut off and call back, you can ask for the same person. Also immediately provide your name and phone number so that the technician can get back to you if necessary. Keep a log of calls made, dates, and resolutions.
Try to avoid reformatting. Tech-support services often advise reformatting your hard drive when there might be less-drastic solutions. Before taking that advice, try to check it out with a third party, such as a computer-savvy friend or relative, or even a paid professional. If reformatting is necessary, or if you must send in or leave your PC for repairs, back up all your personal files first.
 |
| PAID HELP Independent tech-support services like this one above solve problems better than most computer makers’ support, but they can be expensive. |
consider Independent Support
Independent support consultants solved close to 90 percent of the problems that users in our survey brought to them after manufacturers’ support could not solve them. Such services cover computers, peripherals, operating systems, and software, so you avoid the runarounds you often encounter with manufacturer’s support.
Here’s a sampling of the kinds of problems several independent services will solve and how much they charge. We have not assessed their performance.
- PlumChoice (www.plumchoice.com) emphasizes remote-control services for hardware and software troubleshooting for $25 per 15 minutes. There’s also a subscription option that performs virus scans, spyware cleanup, and Windows Updates for $24.95 per month.
- PC Pinpoint (www.pcpinpoint.com) runs a series of diagnostic tests, then lets you solve the problem or gives a technician access via remote-control software. It also offers e-mail, chat, and phone support. Prices are $25 per incident or $75 per year.
- Ask Dr. Tech (askdrtech.com) specializes in remote diagnostics. Phone and e-mail support costs $19 per incident, $24 per month, or $89 per year.
- PC Pitstop ( www.pcpitstop.com ), which also offers user forums and free tips, sells paid support for fees ranging from $19.95 per incident to $99 per year.
- GeeksOnTime ( www.geeksontime.com ) and Geek Squad ( www.geeksquad.com ) send someone to your home to perform any of a variety of tasks such as setup, maintenance, and repairs. You can find Geek Squad at many Best Buy stores. On-site services from Geek Squad range from $129 to $229. GeeksOnTime starts at $89 per hour on-site.
When choosing an independent support service, here’s what to look for:
Satisfaction guaranteed. Many of these companies offer warranties for their services. For example, with a one-year subscription, if PC Pinpoint can’t solve your problem in 30 days, you’ll get a full refund. PlumChoice guarantees its remote services for five days.
Certification. Ask the service provider about the certifications its tech-support personnel have. Some important certifications are CompTIA A+ (an internationally recognized credential sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association); MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer); and MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional, which covers any of several specialty Microsoft-certified areas). For network-related jobs, the technician should have a network certification. Also look for certifications for specific manufacturers, such as Dell.
24/7 service. Look for a service provider that is available around the clock, especially if you are subscribing. Odds are you’ll never need service at 3 a.m., but it’s nice to know that help will be there if you do. The price charged should be the same no matter the time of day.
No minimum times. Some companies charge for a full 15 minutes when you are on the line for less. A subscription service might cost less, especially if you think you’ll be needing help again.
No travel charges. Choose an on-site tech-support service that doesn’t charge for travel time. The clock should start ticking when the technician arrives.
PREVENT future problems
Maintain your computer properly. Detailed instructions are available at ConsumerReports.org. Click on “Electronics & computers,” then on “Easy fixes for computer problems.”
- Empty the Recycle Bin and the temporary Internet files.
- Run Microsoft’s maintenance tools: ScanDisk, Disk Cleanup, and Disk Defragmenter.
- Enable automatic Windows Updates.
- Delete unneeded items from the Windows Startup menu.
- Back up your data.
- Remove dust from vents on the case.
- Don’t install software you don’t need, especially from the Internet.
- Install antivirus and antispyware programs, and use a firewall.
- Turn your computer off when not in use for long periods, such as at night.
- Enable Windows XP’s System Restore or install a program such as Norton GoBack from Symantec, which can return your PC to its pre-problem state.
weigh extended support
If you’re buying a new computer, consider our Ratings of major brands’ tech support. Some manufacturers offer an extended warranty that you can buy along with a new computer, which adds premium services. For example, Gateway offers a one-year plan for $60 that includes on-site visits for hardware repair only. Prices for a two-year upgrade from Dell start at $50, depending on the system type. A three-year plan from Sony that includes on-site visits costs $250.
For most brands of computer, such plans aren’t worth buying. According to our survey, they didn’t reduce many of the hassles people experienced with free support, though they did solve slightly more problems. And 7 percent of those who had bought them ended up paying an independent service to solve their problem. However, IBM (Lenovo) extended laptop support is worth considering because it solved 75 percent of users’ problems. So are Apple’s three-year AppleCare plans, since the phone support that comes with a new Mac is free for only 90 days.
No Comments »
Posted by: admin in Self Help
| Name |
Description |
Actions |
On |
Surfing on the internet is risky business. Apart from electronic pests like viruses and spyware, the web is increasingly full of criminals hunting for sensitive information left unsecured. Online surfers should be as selective with their browser as real- life surfers are with their surfboards. After all, this is the program that is used to navigate the virtual world. And regardless of which browser is used, one single false setting can expose  online surfers to dangerous security leaks. Â
“The browser is the most dangerous application,” says Christoph Fischer, an expert in IT security from Karlsruhe. Browser programs are indispensable for depicting internet pages on the computer, but are anchored deep into the operating system. At the same time they make direct contact with the chaotic realm of the internet. That makes them an inviting target for the ill-intentioned.
Adding to the problem is the increasing complexity of browsers, Fischer notes. All modern browsers include embedded support programs and languages like Java, Java Script, Flash, and ActiveX. This is a result of the trend toward more colourful web sites loaded down with animated “do-dads.” Without the corresponding plug-ins, the pages cannot be properly depicted with the browser.
This “featuritis” has made no friends at the German Federal Agency for Information Technology (BSI) in Bonn.
Frank W Felzmann, the division head for IT safety in operating systems, says, “That makes the browser easier to attack.” Every program has weak points that can be exploited once they are discovered. Among other problems, this means that market leader Microsoft has “grave security problems with its older browsers,” Fischer feels.
Even the Firefox browser from the Mozilla Foundation, developed as a stripped down counterpart to Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE), now features numerous add-ons. These helper programs allow the browser to be customized to meet personal preferences.
BSI expert Felzmann estimates that the current version of IE has more weak spots than Firefox. Yet this has cost IE many users. “That makes Firefox more interesting for attackers, since they react to the market share,” Felzmann explains. “Attackers will go after the browser that is most widespread.” The new IE 7, expected on the market in the second half of this year, may well become a prime target for so-called malware authors.
Microsoft has recognized, however, that “significant investments in security are a constant necessity,” explains Andreas Schoenberger, the company’s marketing manager in Munich. Dangers through phishing must be taken just as seriously as viruses and worms. The new IE 7 browser will therefore also offer both an anti-spyware function and a “phishing filter.” This involves tests to prevent attacks luring online banking users into revealing their access data.
The first step in the process is a comparison of the web site being visited with a local list of recognized genuine sites. Another step involves checking the site for characteristics typical of phishing sites. Finally a comparison is made against a constantly updated online service from Microsoft, which notes “good” and “bad” sites. If a phishing alarm is triggered, then the surfer is provided a warning or the page is blocked.
BSI expert Felzmann warns against overconfidence. The new IE 7, whose beta version is already available, has not been written completely from scratch. “Parts of earlier versions were used, and these contain some security holes.” Moreover, protection based on a list of banned sites is a “cat-and-mouse game,” since new phishing sites appear on the web constantly.
IT expert Christoph Fischer points out that this process also involves certain privacy risks. Microsoft is ultimately being informed about visited web sites in real time, which not all internet users may appreciate. Fischer also complains about the lack of transparency for the browsers. Certain functions can in fact be turned off, but “Which users know about it? They are too complex for normal users to master.”
As a result, many simply ignore security issues “because they’re annoying.” The IT expert also implores surfers to take basic precautionary measures, regardless of which browser they use. This includes switching off browser features like ActiveX and Java Script, which can be used to sneak in spy programs. The automatic downloading of plug-ins should also be deactivated.
Alongside the regular update of the operating system, virus protection program and firewalls, Felzmann also advises surfers to be vigilant about security threats and to approach unknown web sites with caution. The consequences of security gaps are not clear to everyone, Christoph Fischer adds: “Millions of people are spied on every day by spyware. They’re standing buck naked on the web.”
INFO BOX: Create separate user profile for surfing. Computer users should create a user profile with restricted access rights to be used when web surfing, advises Frank W. Felzmann from the German Federal Agency for Information Technology (BSI) in Bonn. Most users foolishly surf using their administrator account. That allows any malware that sneaks onto the machine to gain full control of it.  Â
By Felix Rehwald,Â
  Â
No Comments »
|
Entries (RSS)