When opening "My Computer" or "Explorer" you wait for several seconds and watch the little flashlight roll back and forth before finally opening. Annoying but not critical. I have seen this problem only twice and found that this fix worked for me.
Open REGEDIT, back it up, and then go to the appropriate keys and make the changes as seen below.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\stisvc]
"Start"=dword:00000004
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersionPolicies\Explorer] "NoSaveSettings"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersionExplorer\Advanced]"NoNetCrawling"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersionPolicies\Explorer]"NoRemoteRecursiveEvents"=dword:00000001
Reboot your PC and then open My Computer, it should snap open. If not you may have other issues that are more serious.
If you are unfamiliar with modifying the registry I recommend you call a professional. And remember that we are not responsible for any damages that could occur from YOU changing the registry.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Sunday, November 12, 2006
TCO of your computer & how to look at it.
I had a call from a couple, giving several symptoms of their problems with their computer. With one or many things that it could be, but I needed to see it and gave them my rate and some ideas of what it could be. To MY SURPRISE, the woman snatches the phone and starts hollering that SHE knew what I was up to that I was just trying to make money. I had to remind her that she called ME and was free to call anyone, and that computers came at a cost with ownership.
So with that little anecdote out of the way, I will tell you why I told you this story. I want to make you aware of the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of a personal computer.
It is estimated that the TCO is 3 to 4 times GREATER than that of the purchase price. With computer prices SO LOW, so is the quality and therefore the life span.
The best comparison I can give you is that of a 99 cent pack of chicken hotdogs to that of a prime steak. If you ate a cheap hotdogs everyday you would pay more for it in the long run with your health or life. The same goes with these cheap computers now days. They ARE more affordable but they just don't last as long as they used to, which can be good for they go out of date SO FAST anyway. I also like to look at it like cheap shoes, they wear out faster but hey, you get to buy a NEW BETTER PAIR when they do. LOL, yes "I AM WOMAN!"
Another thing to remind you of when owning a computer, user error is inevitable. Computer USERS tend to cause most of there own headaches. Although this is NOT on purpose, it still is. Like RONCO says, "You can't set it and forget it." With all that said, I hope you have a better understanding of TCO when buying or when you own a computer. It is not the technicians fault nor is it a conspiracy.P-)
Hope this has helped
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Want to talk to a HUMAN?
Check out this site:
http://www.gethuman.com/
Get tips for dealing with automated phone calls and get a list from the database link, to see how to go about getting a human on the line. This is a great tool when you are tired of struggling with those darn machines.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
http://www.gethuman.com/
Get tips for dealing with automated phone calls and get a list from the database link, to see how to go about getting a human on the line. This is a great tool when you are tired of struggling with those darn machines.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Google Pack
It's been a long time since I have posted and I do appologize. I thought it was time to share SOMETHING.
Check out Google's new software pack. It is chock full of great software.
Google Pack (beta)
You have to sign up for an account through Google. It is free, fast and easy.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Check out Google's new software pack. It is chock full of great software.
Google Pack (beta)
You have to sign up for an account through Google. It is free, fast and easy.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Connect, Discover & Share with MSN's New Toys
Though both are fairly new, MSN messenger has been around for some time. MSN messenger is new and improved and now ties in with the new MSN Spaces.
MSN Spaces is another social networking interface that is free. You can use this service for online communication through photos, weblogs, user profiles, e-mail, web forums, and groups, and other media.
Check out the MSN Spaces
It is like My Space, which is a the most popular.
Also try the new MSN Live Messenger, it is really great. I prefer it out of all the existing messengers for I can use any email I want as my user. EG. user@yourdomain.com You don't have to make any silly user names up and you can use it for your passport account as well. See how it all ties in nicely. You setup your MSN Live Messenger with your favorite email account, join MSN Spaces with the same email and use it for your passport account which you may all have had to have at one time or another.
Try MSN Live Messenger
Don't have an MSN passport? Check it out here at
https://accountservices.passport.net/ppnetworkhome.srf?vv=400&lc=1033
As a runner up, I would have to say I like Yahoo Messenger but hardly use it anymore.
Have fun communicating and keeping in touch with all your friends and new friends to come through your new MSN setup.
Cheers!
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
MSN Spaces is another social networking interface that is free. You can use this service for online communication through photos, weblogs, user profiles, e-mail, web forums, and groups, and other media.
Check out the MSN Spaces
It is like My Space, which is a the most popular.
Also try the new MSN Live Messenger, it is really great. I prefer it out of all the existing messengers for I can use any email I want as my user. EG. user@yourdomain.com You don't have to make any silly user names up and you can use it for your passport account as well. See how it all ties in nicely. You setup your MSN Live Messenger with your favorite email account, join MSN Spaces with the same email and use it for your passport account which you may all have had to have at one time or another.
Try MSN Live Messenger
Don't have an MSN passport? Check it out here at
https://accountservices.passport.net/ppnetworkhome.srf?vv=400&lc=1033
As a runner up, I would have to say I like Yahoo Messenger but hardly use it anymore.
Have fun communicating and keeping in touch with all your friends and new friends to come through your new MSN setup.
Cheers!
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Sunday, May 28, 2006
LOOKOUT 4 OUTLOOK
No really, that is the name of this handy dandy little program for your
Outlook program. It does a much better job at searching your Outlook than the
find feature.
Go ahead, give it a whirl.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Outlook program. It does a much better job at searching your Outlook than the
find feature.
Go ahead, give it a whirl.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Date in Tray
What a handy little tool this is, great for just glancing down by your date and time slot (Windows Tray) at the bottom right and getting todays date.
After installing you must add to your startup folder in order for it to appear everytime you restart your pc. Just copy and paste the shortcut into your startup folder. This is located in your all programs from the start button.
This is freeware and can be downloaded at www.crispybytes.com/dateintray/
Enjoy!
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
After installing you must add to your startup folder in order for it to appear everytime you restart your pc. Just copy and paste the shortcut into your startup folder. This is located in your all programs from the start button.
This is freeware and can be downloaded at www.crispybytes.com/dateintray/
Enjoy!
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Friday, April 21, 2006
Spyware Warrior
Email Etiquette
How to Properly Forward Emails
Please, Please, Please don't send me 10 attachments inside an attachment of improper forwarding. I don't want to read what you have send if I have to go around my elbow to get to my backside, if you know what I mean.
MAKING IMPROPER, PROPER
When you open an e-mail and someone has improperly sent it to you, (you will know this by the multiple times you have to open an email inside an email) be kind and hit the forward button from inside the very window that you are seeing the content. Or, just copy and paste the content in a new email. If not you have just added another attached .eml and made for a messy and maddening receival. Remember, forward from the email that has the ACTUAL content in it. I don't think I can be any clearer than that. If you are confused then just call for a lesson.
Now of course if you don't see this then someone did not forward to you improperly and you can move on.
THE CC: AND TO: FIELDS
Only cc: a person if they have some sort of involvement with the message you are sending. When you send an email using the TO: or CC: fields to more than one person, everyone can see whom you have sent this email too as well as their email addresses.
THE BCC:, OH YEAH
When you are forwarding an email to multiple people, it is best to use the BCC: field for everyone. This makes for a nice CLEAN MASS MESSAGE. BCC stands for Blind Carbon Copy, just in case you where wondering.
CLEAN UP THAT FORWARD HISTORYYou have properly set your forwarded email up and put your multiple email addresses in the BCC: filed. Good for you! Now make sure to delete the previous email addresses of those before you. You will find this in the body of the letter, pretty messy eh?. Highlight what you need to get rid of and hit the delete key. Of course you will not have to do this if you have just simply copied the content and pasted in a new letter. Now that you have your email all ready to go and properly formatted you may now hit the send button.
Congratulations, you have just made several friends that will actually read your emails when you send them.
Recap:
1. Forward from the email with the content, this is the actual letter that is opened. Or just copy and paste the content in a new email.
2. Add your multiple addresses in the BCC: field only unless these people are all involved.
3. Finally clean up the emails addresses from the body, if need be and send her on her way.
Now you need to forward this info to anyone that doesn't know proper email forwarding etiquette. PLEASE!!!!!
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Please, Please, Please don't send me 10 attachments inside an attachment of improper forwarding. I don't want to read what you have send if I have to go around my elbow to get to my backside, if you know what I mean.
MAKING IMPROPER, PROPER
When you open an e-mail and someone has improperly sent it to you, (you will know this by the multiple times you have to open an email inside an email) be kind and hit the forward button from inside the very window that you are seeing the content. Or, just copy and paste the content in a new email. If not you have just added another attached .eml and made for a messy and maddening receival. Remember, forward from the email that has the ACTUAL content in it. I don't think I can be any clearer than that. If you are confused then just call for a lesson.
Now of course if you don't see this then someone did not forward to you improperly and you can move on.
THE CC: AND TO: FIELDS
Only cc: a person if they have some sort of involvement with the message you are sending. When you send an email using the TO: or CC: fields to more than one person, everyone can see whom you have sent this email too as well as their email addresses.
THE BCC:, OH YEAH
When you are forwarding an email to multiple people, it is best to use the BCC: field for everyone. This makes for a nice CLEAN MASS MESSAGE. BCC stands for Blind Carbon Copy, just in case you where wondering.
CLEAN UP THAT FORWARD HISTORYYou have properly set your forwarded email up and put your multiple email addresses in the BCC: filed. Good for you! Now make sure to delete the previous email addresses of those before you. You will find this in the body of the letter, pretty messy eh?. Highlight what you need to get rid of and hit the delete key. Of course you will not have to do this if you have just simply copied the content and pasted in a new letter. Now that you have your email all ready to go and properly formatted you may now hit the send button.
Congratulations, you have just made several friends that will actually read your emails when you send them.
Recap:
1. Forward from the email with the content, this is the actual letter that is opened. Or just copy and paste the content in a new email.
2. Add your multiple addresses in the BCC: field only unless these people are all involved.
3. Finally clean up the emails addresses from the body, if need be and send her on her way.
Now you need to forward this info to anyone that doesn't know proper email forwarding etiquette. PLEASE!!!!!
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Data corruption, what is it?
What is data corruption?
Data Corruption refers to computer data that when transmitted it arrives at its destination is different when it was transmitted from the source. This difference often makes the data unusable to those at the destination.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_corruption
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_corruption
- Bad Shutdowns
- Hardware Failure
- Bad Device Drivers
- Malware & Viruses
- Other Crazy Patterns
- Users themselves
How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Updates and Backups
Owning a computer can be more work than owning a pet. You have to keep up with the latest updates and patches for every program, including your Operation System. Most people think that a computer has no maintenance, and that you set it and forget it, this isn?t Ronco baby. You must think of your computer like you think of your car, if you don?t maintain then your to blame. You must keep everything updated and backed up.
To maintain your computer you must keep things organized for one. Don?t save files all over the place, keep your files in one location, PREFERABLY, My Documents. Then make sure you backup consistent to your use. If you have critical information that you can?t afford to lose then you should backup up everyday. Whether it be a CD or DVD, tape backup or even an external hard drive or data store. If you don?t want to lose it then back it up.
General things that you should backup would be the ?My Documents? folder, your favorites, and your email store for ?Outlook Express? or your pst files for ?Microsoft Outlook?. Most other email programs are web based and are kept on your providers end. It is best to ask your provider if you are not using either one of these email programs.
If you follow these guidelines you won?t have to learn the hard way when you LOSE EVERYTHING for you where not attentive enough to take initiative and back your files up.
Another most important thing you must do is keep things updated. This means everything from your Windows updates to your Anti-Virus programs. You wouldn?t believe how many times I have went out to find that they don?t even have service pack 2 installed or that their virus definitions haven?t been updated since it was installed. Then they ask how could this have happened?
Windows Updates
Some updates are designed to address critical security issues, and not applying them could leave you vulnerable to attack. Others are to fix a flaw found. It just makes sense to install windows updates. Sometimes you will find that the update causes some minor problem but the good new is that you can uninstall that hotfix.
Anti-Virus Programs
Its purpose is to protect and fix you PC from viruses, which are small programs that are meant to steal info or cause damage. If you don?t keep your definitions up to date and don?t keep your subscription up then you leave yourself open to attack. Even if you do keep it up, just remember that the virus comes out BEFORE the cure. So as in life you need to protect yourself in the virtual world.
Other Programs
Most programs will set up a small program to run always looking for an update to the programs as in Adobe or QuickBooks. You can usually find an update option in almost every program or go to the company website of that program and check out their download page to see if they have an update for your program. It is also good to checkout firmware updates on hardware.
Owning a computer takes some responsibility and the more you use it the more you need to maintain, as you would your car. You need to be more consistent with your updates and backups as you would your oil changes on your vehicles. Remember, I don?t want to hear you bawling later because you didn?t follow these simple procedures.
Read more about backing up from GeekGirl.
http://www.geekgirls.com/windows_backup_strategies.htm
Read more about Updates
Windows
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/msupdate_keep_current.mspx
Mac
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106704
Read more about Viruses from HPhttp://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?cc=us&lc=en&docname=bph07130
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
To maintain your computer you must keep things organized for one. Don?t save files all over the place, keep your files in one location, PREFERABLY, My Documents. Then make sure you backup consistent to your use. If you have critical information that you can?t afford to lose then you should backup up everyday. Whether it be a CD or DVD, tape backup or even an external hard drive or data store. If you don?t want to lose it then back it up.
General things that you should backup would be the ?My Documents? folder, your favorites, and your email store for ?Outlook Express? or your pst files for ?Microsoft Outlook?. Most other email programs are web based and are kept on your providers end. It is best to ask your provider if you are not using either one of these email programs.
If you follow these guidelines you won?t have to learn the hard way when you LOSE EVERYTHING for you where not attentive enough to take initiative and back your files up.
Another most important thing you must do is keep things updated. This means everything from your Windows updates to your Anti-Virus programs. You wouldn?t believe how many times I have went out to find that they don?t even have service pack 2 installed or that their virus definitions haven?t been updated since it was installed. Then they ask how could this have happened?
Windows Updates
Some updates are designed to address critical security issues, and not applying them could leave you vulnerable to attack. Others are to fix a flaw found. It just makes sense to install windows updates. Sometimes you will find that the update causes some minor problem but the good new is that you can uninstall that hotfix.
Anti-Virus Programs
Its purpose is to protect and fix you PC from viruses, which are small programs that are meant to steal info or cause damage. If you don?t keep your definitions up to date and don?t keep your subscription up then you leave yourself open to attack. Even if you do keep it up, just remember that the virus comes out BEFORE the cure. So as in life you need to protect yourself in the virtual world.
Other Programs
Most programs will set up a small program to run always looking for an update to the programs as in Adobe or QuickBooks. You can usually find an update option in almost every program or go to the company website of that program and check out their download page to see if they have an update for your program. It is also good to checkout firmware updates on hardware.
Owning a computer takes some responsibility and the more you use it the more you need to maintain, as you would your car. You need to be more consistent with your updates and backups as you would your oil changes on your vehicles. Remember, I don?t want to hear you bawling later because you didn?t follow these simple procedures.
Read more about backing up from GeekGirl.
http://www.geekgirls.com/windows_backup_strategies.htm
Read more about Updates
Windows
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/msupdate_keep_current.mspx
Mac
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106704
Read more about Viruses from HPhttp://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?cc=us&lc=en&docname=bph07130
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Saturday, February 25, 2006
You NEED more RAM
Okay people, here it is. The little Dell or HP you got with only 256mg-O-Ram in it, ISN'T ENOUGH.
If you running WindowsXP then you are going to need at least 512 MB to 1 GB. You see, after your XP takes it's share, then your video card sneaks a small portion (that is unless you have a good graphics card with its own memory), then your Anti-Virus protection, Firewall, & spyware scanners and such have their way, you won't have enough memory to execute demanding applications or more than one application at a time. Anything below 512 MB will likely to cause bottlenecks in performance. In other words, it shall fail to proceed or not proceed as it should.
So, if you are running slow and you are clean and are not infected or ganked up with any type of *-ware then you should check to see how much memory is install. I bet it isn't enough. This is how you can tell, right click on My Computer, left click on properties, when system properties opens up on the General tab, look down at the part that says Computer and read what it says after the processor type, ____ of Ram. Increments are 128, 256, 512, 1GB and so forth. It may not be exactly the size that is installed if your video card is taking up its share. EG If your card where to take up 8MB then you would only have 120MB.
So if you don't have enough then you know what to do, ORDER MORE. Less would not be more in this case. You can never have enough memory. You will be surprised at the difference more memory will make on your machine.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
If you running WindowsXP then you are going to need at least 512 MB to 1 GB. You see, after your XP takes it's share, then your video card sneaks a small portion (that is unless you have a good graphics card with its own memory), then your Anti-Virus protection, Firewall, & spyware scanners and such have their way, you won't have enough memory to execute demanding applications or more than one application at a time. Anything below 512 MB will likely to cause bottlenecks in performance. In other words, it shall fail to proceed or not proceed as it should.
So, if you are running slow and you are clean and are not infected or ganked up with any type of *-ware then you should check to see how much memory is install. I bet it isn't enough. This is how you can tell, right click on My Computer, left click on properties, when system properties opens up on the General tab, look down at the part that says Computer and read what it says after the processor type, ____ of Ram. Increments are 128, 256, 512, 1GB and so forth. It may not be exactly the size that is installed if your video card is taking up its share. EG If your card where to take up 8MB then you would only have 120MB.
So if you don't have enough then you know what to do, ORDER MORE. Less would not be more in this case. You can never have enough memory. You will be surprised at the difference more memory will make on your machine.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Chain Mail, Gifts & Donations
Click Here
This says it all. This is for all the people whom send chain mail and believe everything they read on the internet and pass the ignorance along.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
This says it all. This is for all the people whom send chain mail and believe everything they read on the internet and pass the ignorance along.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Pink Notes Plus, what a handy little program.
Whether you want to send Instant Messages down the hall, or across the world, Pink Notes Plus is the Easiest, Fastest, and most Efficient Business Instant Messaging software available, to deal with real-world business requirements.
Pink Notes.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Pink Notes.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Monday, January 30, 2006
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Geek Squad Driver Finder
The Geek Squad graciously offers you a list of different available driver downloads.
Driver Finder
Drivers are the software that your computer needs to communicate with things like printers and scanners and other hardware. It is what makes the hardware work.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Driver Finder
Drivers are the software that your computer needs to communicate with things like printers and scanners and other hardware. It is what makes the hardware work.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Monday, January 02, 2006
Microsoft Office 2006 Calendar Templates
Download the new calendars for 2006.
Microsoft Office 2006.
How refreshing it is.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
Microsoft Office 2006.
How refreshing it is.
Computer Repair Lakeland, FL
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