XP and Vista not cutting it?
If your Windows Vista, or even XP not working as well as you'd like? It's time to upgrade! Microsoft is releasing Windows 7 this October and it proves to be a much better experience than Vista ever was. No one wants to upgrade without good reason however, so why would someone want to upgrade to Windows 7? This article will outline four good reasons to upgrade to Windows 7.
Four Reasons To Upgrade To Windows 7:
1. UAC Improvements. User Account Control was a new feature that Microsoft added to Windows with their release of Vista. It was the hot issue and ultimately turned many people off from using Windows Vista. The UAC was meant to protect you by prompting you to verify that you wanted to open a program or file, but it quickly became a hassle and was very unnecessary in many situations. Windows 7 has improved this feature by allowing the user much more control over the UAC
2. Software Compatibility. One of the biggest issues with users upgrading from Windows XP to Vista was the amount of software that their new OS wouldn’t allow them to use anymore. This problem is common in Microsoft’s OS, but its complaints reached a new height with Vista. This has prompted Microsoft to add a Windows XP Mode into Windows 7 which will allow users to run any software that Windows 7 may not be able to run with their new OS. The compatibility mode may not be perfected yet, but it’s a step in the right direction for a company like Microsoft which usually shows little interest in keeping old software compatible with their new OS’s.
3. Better Pricing. Windows recently released their pricing scheme for Windows 7, and the good news is it’s even cheaper than Vista was on release. The Home version of 7 will be $40 cheaper than its Vista counterpart on release, and the Ultimate version will be $80 cheaper. These two OS’s check in at $200.00 and $319.00 respectively. While they’re still not ‘cheap’, any price decrease is appreciated. If you were a Vista user upgrading is even cheaper with the Home version of 7 only costing $120.00 to upgrade, which is $80 cheaper than buying a new version.
4. Recognized Drivers. One problem many people faced with Windows Vista and XP was that their drivers for devices such as their video card weren’t recognized after they installed. This forced them to hunt for the drivers for their device online just to get their hardware to function properly. This can be hard for the non-computer savvy, so that’s why Microsoft has improved their automatic driver support. Microsoft has much improved the ability for Windows to locate a correct driver making the transition from OS to OS a much smoother experience.
Windows 7 is looking like one of the best OS releases Microsoft has had, but what couldn’t be better than Vista right? Expect Windows 7 to drop this fall.
Photo Credits: Taller Hikari
Originally posted 2009-09-22 03:21:15.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 7, 2010 in
Computer, Tech Repair
Water in the Basement?
One of the first things new homeowners realize about their home is that nothing happens automatically. That is to say, nothing will get cleaned unless you clean it up, and nothing will get maintained or repaired unless you take actions toward those ends. One of the frequent problem that pops up? A wet or exceedingly moist basement that smells stuffy. If you want a clean, dry basement that any guest would love to visit, here are a few tips.
First, if you don't have a dehumidifier, you'll need to get one. You'd be amazed at how much water a dehumidifier can remove from the air in your basement - you might find yourself emptying gallons and gallons of water that essentially came from "thin air." When you have a dehumidifier, you realize how things like air quality can really effect the rest of your home, not to mention the general mustiness of a moist basement. Make sure you have a dehumidifer up and running before you try some other solutions for a musty basement.
A dehumidifier can also solve other problems with a wet basement. For example, condensation appearing on your basement walls or on windows can mean that there's a lot of moisture in the air in your basement. A dehumidifier will also work to help solve this problem. If that's not enough, try using a vapor barrier. Remember that temperature differences also can make for humidity and condensation, so make sure that your basement walls are insulated.
For water seepage, there can be more problems with your basement that a simple dehumidifier can't fix. For example, rain water might be able to seap through the ground and enter your basement. If you have water seepage like this, you'll want to identify the source and then do further research to find out how you can remedy this kind of problem. If you're in doubt, try asking a professional for their advice.
Water damage can be among the most serious threats to your property, especially if you've got a basement full of sentimental items and useful trinkets and supplies. Make sure to guard your basement effectively by understanding insulation, air humidity, and how you can seal your basement off from potential water harm. The more you know about a wet basement, the better you'll be able to fix it.
Photo Credits: Loozrboy
Originally posted 2009-10-16 03:37:48.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 6, 2010 in
Basement, Handyman, How to Fix
Loose Spindles.
When your wood furniture is loose and your wooden dowel seems to move around too generously, you know that it's time to tighten up the loose ends and make sure that your furniture spindle won't suddenly go flying off in the right direction. Luckily, wooden chairs and tables that have been put together with dowels and spindles are actually very easy to repair: that is, if you know what you're doing. By the time you're done reading this article, you will.
The first thing you'll need to do - and this is the case in many around-the-home repairs - is actually to take your furniture apart. Don't worry; this is the point. If you don't take the spindle out of the dowel socket and retreat it, you wouldn't be able to fix much. Remove the spindle from the furniture socket and take a look at the edge. In all likelihood, the point of the spindle has seen its glue worn off, which explains why it has become loose. It's time to use a tool to remove the glue that remains. If you have a power drill, you should be able to use a grater-like tool in order to do this. Failing that, try some sandpaper.
Now that the wood is exposed, dry without the glue, and you will be able to re-treat the end of the spindle. Apply some basic glue to one side of the spindle, making sure to wrap silk thread around the entire area - don't try to puncture the glue. The thread will help expand the radius of the spindle, keeping it tight once the glue sets.
Once the spindle is ready, apply some more to the tip, and then on the inside of the socket. Slide the spindle into the socket, and then set the entire thing aside (with a clamp if you have one) so that it can dry - usually, you'll want to let wood set overnight. Once the glue is dry, take out the furniture and see how stable it seems. If it's still a little loose, you may need the glue to dry a bit longer. Another possibility is that there is another spindle that needs fixing.
Now that you've fixed your spindle, however, there's a good probability that the chair will feel good as new. Now if you ever come across another piece of furniture that has lost its sturdiness, you'll know just what to do with the spindle.
Photo Credits: jek in the box
Originally posted 2009-08-19 03:30:19.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 5, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
Be innovative!
One of the parts of the shower ensemble that we take for granted is simple: the shower curtain rings! Our daily shower is such an ingrained part of our daily routine that we barely think about the quick second it takes to pull our shower curtain closed, let alone the rings that allow this simple maneuver possible. Of course, if you have broken shower curtain rings, suddenly you become inconveniently aware of their presence - or lack thereof. Here's how to fix your shower curtain rings for the long-term so you can get back to your daily routine.
First, go out to a home furnishing store and buy a new set of curtain rings. You'll be replacing all of the rings - remember that inside the home, uniformity in color and shape will be important when it comes to a "crowd" of parts like shower curtain rings. Your goal here will be to replace ever shower curtain ring, even the ones that are not broken. Once you've replaced them all, you'll feel better knowing you have a fresh set of curtain rings through every hole on your shower curtain.
In order to start fixing them, simply remove them. This might require taking the shower curtain off of the dowel first - don't try to pull it all down using force. After all, most household accidents take place inside the bathroom. Now that you've got the curtain off, pull off your shower curtain rings one by one. (Note: In some cases, you might have to take off the shower curtain rings one by one in order to get the curtain off. Whatever order works better, use it.)
Now you can start applying your shower curtain rings. One of the best ways to do this is to put the ring through the hole in the curtain so that you can attach the rings and curtain all at once when you're ready. Some shower curtain rings might be hard to figure out, but once you've figured out their mechanism - and some are quite simple - you'll be able to replace them all in no time.
Voila! You should now have a shower curtain attached firmly to the dowel in your shower, with a fresh set of rings keeping it attached. You should be able to enjoy this new setup for years. Until, of course, the next bathroom project shows up.
Photo Credits: Darwin Bell
Originally posted 2009-08-24 03:01:57.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 4, 2010 in
Bathroom, Handyman, How to Fix, Shower
Shiny new computer.
So it’s about time for you to finally upgrade your computer, but
wait, what details should you look for while shopping? This article
is not for an IT student or a computer science major; this article
aims to help the computer illiterate into making a choice that he or
she won’t regret. Most of the advice in this article can be applied
to both desktop and laptop computers.
Warranty
While at the store looking for your new computer, make sure you ask
and search for any warranty options that may be available to you. Not
only search to make sure that the computer you’re interested in has a
warranty, but also make sure that it covers as much as it possibly
can. A limited warranty that only covers an overheating part won’t do
you much good when you spill coffee all over your laptop. It’s
important to note that many computers come with a one year limited
warranty that covers basic damage, though many people don’t feel safe
enough with this warranty.
Prioritize RAM
If you’re looking for a basic computer that will let you: play music,
let you surf the internet, and run most applications then RAM (Random
Access Memory) is your best friend. With new operating systems such
as Windows Vista becoming the standard, RAM is increasingly more
important so that you don’t feel that clunky slowdown. An ideal
amount of ram for a Windows Vista machine is 2GB (gigabytes). While
processor speed and hard drive space are important, they are usually
not as big of a factor in small end machines and therefore won’t be as
important to you.
Your Needs
What are you using this computer for? This is a question you should
constantly ask yourself when buying a new computer. If you’re buying
a machine just to check your email, then you don’t need the best and
most expensive computer parts to achieve your goals. If you’re trying
to build a machine that can play top of the line video games, or run a
large amount of applications at once; then it’s then more important to
invest a larger sum of money on your video card (GPU) and processor
(CPU) units. If you’re unsure about what parts will fulfill your
needs, you have many options to educate yourself. Ask the store
specialists, search online blogs and articles, or even asking an
online forum will net you a sufficient amount of answers to any
questions you may have.
Remember when buying a new computer to always think of what you will
be using the computer for. This will help you not end up with a
machine that is less than what you needed, but it will also help you
not to overpay for a machine that offers much more than you wanted it
to.
Photo Credits: thelastminute
Originally posted 2009-09-11 03:05:53.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 3, 2010 in
Computer, Tech Repair
Got a dry lawn?
Sure, you can read plenty of do-it-yourself articles that focus on home improvement and fixing different appliances and fixtures in your house, but what if your lawn is the thing that needs repair? If you've just gone through a dry month and need your lawn to go from brown to green in a hurry, this post is for you. We'll take a look at some tips and techniques for getting your lawn looking, well, alive again.
- First, be sure what the source of the problem is. If you're not sure that it's the dry weather that's making your lawn brown, you'll want to figure out if it's a shortage of water or an abundance of hungry insects that's making your lawn go brown. If your lawn is brown in patches, there's a good chance that it's something other than the dryness - or at least not the dryness totally - that's effecting your lawn. If your entire front and backyard are both brown, you're probably looking at simple dryness. Hint: a good way to test this is to take out a clump of your lawn and look for the roots. If the roots are eaten up, you have bugs to blame. If not, the weather is probably the factor.
- Next, you'll want to make sure you apply the appropriate amount of water to your lawn. Look up your individual grass type or at least climate and try to find out the typical amount of water your grass needs to look green. You don't want to under-water your grass, but you don't want to over-water it either. Note: making sure you water your grass the proper amount doesn't necessarily mean that you'll want to conserve water. It seemly means that you'll want to find the right amount of water for your grass type - it might be high or low.
- Finally, you'll want to make sure you have strong blades of grass with strong roots. This is achieved by mowing your lawn with a high setting, meaning that you'll leave tall blades of grass. Why? The shorter the blades, the less need they have for strong roots to provide them with strength and nutrients. If you have longer blades of grass on a regular basis, the roots will grow strong and give your grass blades a healthy, attractive look. Remember that the more roots there are, the more water they'll need.
Photo Credits: Bill Hails
Originally posted 2009-09-28 03:38:26.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 2, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Landscaper, Lawn
Trouble with your laptop?
Laptops are a great new technology, but being newer than desktops, they also bring about new problems that people may not be aware of. If you’re a power user than you will think these things are common sense, but many amateur computer users may not fully understand how a laptop works and these tips will be helpful. So before you call technical support review this list and see if your laptop is just having a common issue.
My Laptop Won’t Turn On?
One of the most common issues people have with their laptops is the fact that sometimes they will not turn on. Is there any specific reason that laptops would suddenly decide to not turn on? Why yes, yes there is. The first thing you should do if your laptop is not turning on is to make sure that there isn’t a lock. Many laptops have a standby lock that is a small switch that you can push back and forth that is there so your computer doesn’t accidently turn on and drain itself of all of its battery life. Speaking of battery life, that’s the most common reason your laptop won’t turn on. If you press the power button and your laptop power blinks red that means it has no power. The solution is quite simple, plug your laptop into the wall outlet for a few hours and let it recharge.
My Laptop Has Slowed Down?
Another common problem that people have with their laptops is the fact that they slow down after long term use. This can be attributed to a number of factors such as viruses, spyware, and even a lack of hard drive space. To make your laptop run fresher it’s recommended that you run a virus and spyware scan to remove any potential leech from your system. If that fails, uninstall any unused programs and files and your laptop should be on its way to running like it’s new.
My Laptop Won’t Connect To the Internet
Internet connection issues are probably the least fun of the problems to deal with because they can be caused by so many different issues. If you’re connecting your laptop via a wired connection make sure that both ends of your connection are plugged in, the phone line, and the computer. If you’re running a wireless, right click your network settings in the bottom right and make sure that none of your wireless settings have been tampered with. If you’re really at a loss for how to fix your internet connection, technical support is always happy to help and that is an issue worthy of a call.
Laptops can be a hassle, but they are one of the greatest new devices we have at our disposal. Before you call technical support make sure you review the above list and try to diagnose the problem yourself, as it may be a simple error on your part.
Photo Credits: Ed Yourdon
Originally posted 2009-10-15 03:23:42.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 1, 2010 in
Computer
Stuck? We'll help get it unstuck!
There might be nothing quite as frustrating as trying to open a drawer, only to force it out through a good ten seconds of struggle. If you're sick of trying to pry open a sticky drawer, or having it fly out at you once you've pried it loose, it's time to get in there and fix it for the long term. There's a good chance that the drawer in question is a wooden one, so let's figure out how to work with a wooden drawer.
Why don't metal and plastic drawers stick? Easy: they are made of moving parts meant to slide. If they do end up sticking, usually some metal lubricant or a Teflon lubricant for the plastic should be able to get things slide again.
When it comes to your wooden drawer, the task isn't so simple. Some wood drawers are made with sliding mechanisms, and others are simply put into place, assuming they will slide because they're made of wood. The first thing you'll need to do is get in there and try and figure out exactly what's causing the drawer to stick. This might be a problem unique to wood - for example, wood can swell and expand, causing it to be trickier to open up.
Check your drawer for anything that seems out of the ordinary - especially as compared to the other functioning drawers. If everything seems to be in place, you might simply need to use a lubricant. On wood, soap and beeswax will function fine as lubricants, but make sure to apply them generously and to as many areas as you can reach. If you miss one key area, it might leave the drawer still sticky even though you've applied a lubricant.
Other problems like loose nails can be causing the obstruction. If your drawer opens partially but suddenly stops, there's a good chance that something hard like a nail is getting in the way. Other hard obstructions in the sliding mechanism might be the cause, as well. If you can, try to remove the nearby drawers so that you'll have better access to the sticky drawer. This should give you the ability to have a closer look at the inner workings of your drawer, which is where you might be better able to make a diagnosis.
A sticky drawer can be caused by one obstruction, but the problem can also be a little more difficult to ascertain. Try to stick with it until you find the problem, and you should have a much better idea where to go from there.
Photo Credits: kcolwell
Originally posted 2009-08-27 03:46:32.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 31, 2010 in
Furniture, Handyman, How to Fix
Fixing the Garbage Disposal
When you've lived long enough in a kitchen that has a garbage disposal, it's easy to get used to the idea that you can simply let the old grime and muck off of your dishes wash down your sink drain. It's only when the garbage disposal fails to work that we realize how much easier it made our lives around the home. So what do you do when your garbage disposal won't turn on?
In this article, we'll address this question in a specific case: what do you do if your garbage disposal won't turn on and won't make any noise?
First, a note of safety: it's crucial that you don't put your hand down the garbage disposal "hopper" - where the food goes. If your garbage disposal suddenly starts up, you'll find yourself wishing you hadn't put your hand down there, so be smart and don't do it at all! That's a basic rule of safety when working with a garbage disposal.
If your garbage disposal fails to turn on and won't make any noise, the first thing to do is to check the power itself. This may seem like an obvious solution, but it's the first place you'll want to look, as lack of power can mean other "fixes" don't do the job.
Next, if the power is fine, you'll want to check the re-set button on the bottom of the disposal (it's usually red and easy to find). Give the disposal a try after this.
If this still fails to get the disposal running, you'll actually want to check the circuit breaker. This is usually a good point to ask a professional or ask your landlord to help you out with your garbage disposal, as it may put you in unfamiliar electrical territory. It's best to leave it to the experts if you're not sure as to how to proceed.
Once someone is able to take a look at your garbage disposal, make sure you ask them about how they fixed it in case you need to know for future reference. If it helps, even make sure to write it down so that you can look back at your notes if your garbage disposal fails in the future. A good professional should be willing to give you advice.
jsgphoto
Originally posted 2009-09-25 03:32:24.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 30, 2010 in
Handyman, How to Fix, Sink, kitchen
Understanding a Flickering Light
When we think about some common problems around the house, we don't often think about the small stuff: leaky faucets, long-term wood damage, or burnt-out light bulbs. But this "small stuff" is actually the exact kind of home repair that will consume most of your time unless you understand what they're caused by and how to fix it. At the head of this list of the "small stuff" around your house? The flickering light.
A flickering light seems like a simple problem, but it can come from a variety of causes. If you're going to understand your home electricity systems, you'll need to know just how and why these different causes effect the light, and what you can do to ensure a safe and proper repair. Let's take a look at some of these causes.
First, it's helpful to understand that it's relatively normal for a light to flicker, usually due to the nature of voltage traveling through wires - the flow won't always be stable, especially if there are other factors that are taking away "juice" from the circuit. This is why many homes are designed with two different types of circuits: larger main circuits for the appliances that will use up larger amounts of electricity, and secondary circuits for simpler devices like light bulbs. Today's modern homes have largely solved the problem of noticeable flickering due to inconsistent voltage flow.
It's important to remember that a flickering light isn't necessarily a harmless problem. Circuit connections that are broken can lead to heating at certain points in the circuit, which obviously can lead to injury or even fires. That's why you won't want to let your light flicker endlessly - at the very least, inspect the situation. A switch that is failing can also have the same problem - if you are unable to find the problem there is a possibility you have not inspected the light switch.
Some problems leading to flickering lights are less sinister. There might be electrical effects from outside electrical loads which can even come from neighboring houses.
Because a light is not simply a bulb, but the result of electrical wiring and circuitry that go into your home, understanding a flickering light is about more than understanding the bulb. You have to know the potential dangers of electrical wiring behind the scenes and what a flickering light might indicate. If you have any doubts, call in an electrician to fix the problem and answer your questions. You can at least learn some things about lights that you'll be able to use in the future.
Photo Credits: PetroleumJelliffe
Originally posted 2009-07-24 08:00:07.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on August 29, 2010 in
Electrician, How to Fix
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