Archive for the ‘Tech Repair’ Category
Busted, broken, and beat up.
Beyond repair? Here are some things to consider when buying a computer monitor:
Resolution
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)? Confused yet? You’re not alone; buying a computer monitor can be a daunting task for someone who doesn’t understand what any of the above terms mean. Monitors are much more than meets the eye, and while the market may seem oversaturated with seemingly similar monitors, there are key differences that should be noted.
CRT or LCD
Whether a monitor is a CRT or an LCD is the easiest thing to notice when you’re purchasing your monitor, as CRTs often have backs and LCDs are flat. Being flat, LCDs weigh much less than CRT monitors, making them ideal for transportation or for those who need to fit a monitor into a small space. In terms of cost however, the CRT wins hands down as its older technology and less desirable design makes them less sought after. It’s important to note however that LCD monitors come down in price with every breathing moment. One advantage that CRT monitors hold against LCDs is their color rendering ability. Many graphic designers and artists feel that the colors presented with a CRT monitor are of higher quality, which is true in most cases. LCD color quality is quickly improving, however, and it’s hard to tell if the CRTs will hold this advantage much longer.
Response Time
Response time, or refresh rate, refers to the ability of the monitor to update the color that a pixel must represent as quickly as possible. It’s actually so quick that this quality is measured in milliseconds. So why does this concern you, the buyer? Response time is very important for people who’re playing video games, as they require a quick response time, as well as video editors. High response times can cause more than lagging your game though because bad response time is often seen as the cause for image ghosting and blurring.
Your Needs
The most important thing to consider when purchasing a new monitor is what it’s that you actually need. If you play video games then you may want to spend extra time looking for a monitor with a high response time and resolution. On the same note, people who just check their emails need not worry with things like a high response time. It’s also important to note what kind of connection your video card uses and what kind can fit into the back of the monitor. Messing with converters can be annoying!
Photo Credits: binarydreams
Buying a Monitor can seem like a challenge for the computer illiterate, but it’s actually quite easy with a little help. Make sure to talk to a store expert if you find yourself in a jam, and consider your needs so that you do not pay for pointless extra features.
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 23, 2009 in
Computer, Tech Repair
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
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 22, 2009 in
Computer, Tech Repair
Take care of your laptop.
So you’ve just bought a new laptop and you have no idea how to
properly maintain it? Laptops are foreign to most people as they’re
seen as unreliable and have simply not caught on as the standard due
to pricing and overheating. They’re very popular though because of
their portability, and use in schools and businesses. So how can you
take good care of your new laptop? This article will provide a few
tips to keep your laptop factory fresh.
1. Keep Your Laptop Ventilated.
As said in the above paragraph,
laptops are subject to overheating and if your processor is constantly
being exposed to high level applications it will become very hot.
It’s extremely important that you never block the fan, as laptops
often only have one exit for air to leave from making them very prone
to heat failure if that exit is blocked. It’s suggested to have a fan
on nearby your laptop, or to buy a laptop cooler to reduce the strain
your laptop feels from the heat.
2. Protect Your Screen.
Laptop LCD’s are very sensitive to being
smudged, so try as hard as you can to not touch it with your fingers.
It’s inevitable that you will touch your screen with your hands
however, so just make sure when you’re going to wipe off the screen
that you do it with a cloth and not your hand. It’s also important to
remember that when you close your laptop you don’t want any items that
could possibly damage the screen to remain inside. This includes
pens, pencils and paper as they would be pressed against the screen
after it was closed and could possibly cause damage.
3. Avoid Beverages.
This seems like a very common sense tip, but it’s
on here because of how common the problem really is. Laptop spills
are not hated because they’re annoying to clean up, but because they
can cause permanent damage to the components of your computer. Most
of the components are stored under the area where the keyboard is, so
when you spill a drink into the keyboard, they sop right into the
components causing short circuits and possibly corrupting data.
4. Keep The Hard Drive Clean.
It’s not only important to keep the
hardware clean, but it’s also important to keep the contents on the
inside of your computer safe. It’s never a bad idea to run routine
virus and spyware checks to ensure that your computer has not been
slowed down or affected by a virus. Always make sure to turn your
firewall on, and that you’re careful about which websites you visit
and who you accept files form.
Much of the advice given in this article seems cliché, but you only
hear a lot of this advice repeated constantly because it’s true. Just
remember to be very careful with your laptop because laptops are often
more expensive than your desktop, and are also prone to many more
types of damage.
Photo Credits: John Althouse Cohen
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 21, 2009 in
Computer, Tech Repair
Computer problems are never this cute.
Sometimes our computers don't quite run like they used to. Like a rusty machine, they aren't as fresh as they were "off the factory line," and if you only bought your computer a year or two, this can be a pretty discouraging fact. But just because your computer is running slow doesn't mean you can't salvage its usability. In fact, you might be able to clear out a lot of the unnecessary information and processes that have been taking up your computer's memory. So how do you do it? Follow these simple steps.
Uninstall unneeded programs. How do you know which programs to uninstall, or even which program you can run that will actually find these unneeded programs? If you're a Windows user, click over to your Control Panel. Here, you should see an Add or Remove icon. Click that, and you'll see a list of the programs you've added to your computer. It should give you the option to remove these programs.
There are two ways to know which programs to uninstall. First, look at the memory that's being taken up on your computer. You can do this by clicking into your Task Manager, clicking the "Processes" tab, and then sorting each process by the most memory taken up. Try to find the programs that you never seem to use but seem to be using your computer. These are programs you might want to target for deletion.
You can also scan the "Add or Remove" list to find which programs you never use - your computer should show you how long it's been since you last opened up the program. If you find yourself suddenly reminded about certain programs you haven't used in a while, you might want to clear these ones out.
Control when your programs run. You don't have to remove an entire program to free up memory space on your computer. Instead, you can set a program to run only when you click on it - not automatically upon startup. Many programs, once installed, will set themselves to automatically pop up once you've booted the computer. This can make the booting process a five-minute long endeavor, so if you want a faster computer, make sure to find out which programs these are and change their settings.
Many of the icons that show up in the lower-right section of your computer are the programs you'll want to modify. You can also try another Task Manager diagnosis to see which programs are volunteering themselves open.
Photo Credits: anomalous4
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 17, 2009 in
Computer, Tech Repair
If you’ve ever worked with a computer extensively, you’ve
probably experienced every single one of these problems at least once.
Computers by nature become outdated and will have to be worked on to
fix the common problems that occur during their life cycle. This
article will address the three most common computer problems and how
you should go about fixing them. If you’ve had any experience at all
with a computer, you’ve probably at least seen one of these issues.
1. Computer Speed and Performance Slowed.
This is probably the most
common complaint that users have with their computers today. There
are many reasons why computers slow down overtime, but the most common
reason is lack of proper housekeeping. If your computer has slowed
down, try to remove any programs you don’t use anymore. It’s also a
good idea to clear the recycle bin and clear out any temporary
internet files that you may have retained. It’s also extremely
important to make sure that you don’t have spyware or adware on your
computer, so run virus/spyware checks often. If none of the other
fixes seem to increase your computers speed, try to defrag your
computer.
2. Computer Keeps Rebooting.
This problem is usually associated with
overheating or faulty hardware. If your computer is overheating, the
computer will recognize that there is a problem and shut it will shut
itself off when it reaches an unsafe temperature. You must first
identify what’s causing the computer to overheat. Make sure that your
computer has plenty of ventilation room and try cleaning the insides
out before restarting. If the above didn’t work, make sure you’re not
overclocking any parts, and if you’re not try to install new methods
of cooling within your computer. If all else fails consult an expert
about possibly diagnosing the specific part and replacing the problem
altogether.
3. Blue Screen of Death.
There are almost an infinite number of
reasons that you could be seeing the blue screen of death, so it’s
very hard to recommend a course of action. The most standard actions
you should take however, is making sure you don’t have a virus by
running a virus scanner and removing anything suspicious you may find.
If this does not solve your problem, it’s time to call professional
support, as it could be something very minor that only an expert could
handle.
Most of the problems mentioned in this article can be prevented
by maintaining good house keeping with your computer. Remember to
keep your virus and spyware applications up to date and contact tech
support if you feel any problem is out of your grasp.
Photo Credits: russelljsmith
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 16, 2009 in
Computer, Tech Repair
Viruses? Spyware? Adware? Malware!
Spyware and adware is a plague that is affecting computers everywhere
all of the time. What is spyware and adware, you ask? Spyware is a
type of software that is installed without the user knowing that often
takes personal information and reports it back to the installer.
Adware is software that secretly installs itself onto a computer so
that it can display advertisements for its products. Collectively,
these terms are known as malware. So how does one get rid of malware?
This article will provide a few programs that will help clear your
computer of its malware issues.
Ad-Aware
Ad-aware is an anti spyware, malware, and adware program that works
to counteract the spread of these menaces onto your computer. It was
developed by Lavasoft in 1999 and has been used ever since and is
still one of the most popular choices for anti-malware in 2009. It’s
very popular because there is a free version that allows you to scan
your PC and ultimately remove any harmful programs that the software
finds. There are also pay versions that allow you more capabilities
and customization, such as scheduled scanning as well as an
anti-virus.
Spybot
Spybot Search and Destroy is a popular spyware and adware removal
program that is widely used because it’s compatible with windows
machines from Windows 95 and up. Spybot was created in 2000 by
Patrick Kolla for the sole purpose of removing two of the earliest
adware programs from computers. Since that time, Spybot has grown
into one of the most trusted and popular programs for combating
spyware. It’s very popular because it’s completely free and offers
support for more than just adware problems. Spybot has received
countless positive reviews from the likes of CNN, MSNBC and PC
Magazine, proving it’s reliability.
Macafee
While Macafee is the only one of the three that charges for its
software, it has a good reason, it works. Macafee is a respected
computer security company making and anti-virus program as well as
spyware removal programs. Macafee software is extremely reliable, and
is guaranteed to remove 99% of your spyware and adware problems.
Macafee costs about $39.99, but you won’t care once you’re covered by
a great program that is able to keep all of the pesky malware from
touching you.
These three programs should be able to help you fend off any spyware
or adware problem you’re currently facing. Most of them feature
things beyond simply scanning for malware making them even more ideal
for you to use. Why not get a malware removing and an anti-virus at
the same time? You’re killing two birds with one stone!
Photo Credits: adria.richards
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 15, 2009 in
Computer, Tech Repair
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
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 11, 2009 in
Computer, Tech Repair
Spyware is to Computer what Trojan Horse is to Troy.
Along with the modern conveniences commonly associated with today's computers and laptops, we have one serious drawback: the things just don't always seem to work! This is especially true if you grew up in a generation that wasn't familiar with computers - why does your computer run so slow and always seem to keep freezing? In this article, we'll look at how to fix a computer loaded with spyware. After all, it's important to get back to that game of "Age of Kings."
First, you'll have to be sure that the problem with your computer is actually spyware. If it is, you should be able to remove it, but if your computer's problems rest in its actual hardware or construction, you'll probably want to get in touch with the manufacturer for some help. In some cases, a computer might be beyond fixing and you'll need to have it replaced. If your problem is only the spyware, you should be able to sweep it clean using the following technique.
Disconnect your computer from the internet - this might even be a good habit to keep up every night. Once your computer's disconnected from the Web, power it down by clicking "Shut down," or whatever proper way you have at your disposal. Give it a minute to shut down properly, and then have an anti-spyware CD ready. You'll re-boot your computer, this time with the CD ready to go. Once the computer's been started up, insert the CD and install the software.
Run a deep and wide software scan to find and track down the spyware on your system. (Note: You might want to set aside a day to handle this so that you can let the software take its sweet time). Periodically check in with your computer to see how far the scan has progressed. Once it's finished, go through with all the "deletes" you can to clear off the spyware from your computer.
After this is done, give your computer another re-boot and connect it back on to the computer. Make sure to note that the anti-spyware software you just installed might contribute to a longer start-up because it will automatically come on with your computer; if you don't want this, try to configure the options to meet your needs.
Your computer should now be spyware-free, or at least freshly cleaned. Now, back to "Age of Kings"!
Photo Credits: Darcy McCarty
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 9, 2009 in
Computer, Tech Repair
Is your computer on fire?
Overheating is a serious issue with PC’s today, especially with
the new powerful graphics cards and processors on the market today.
It’s no coincidence that more and more fans and liquid cooling options
have emerged, it’s very common for your computer today to shut itself
off to protect you from the damage that overheating can cause. How
can you prevent the overheating from happening though? This article
will give you a few surefire ways to prevent your PC from overheating.
Clean Your Computer
That’s right; it could be as simple as cleaning. Clearing the
dust out of your computer is one of the best ways of decreasing the
heat that your computer is putting off. Dust can accumulate to a
point where it slows down the speed of computers fans, and it even can
stop them! You can’t stop dust from getting into your computer
either; even if you leave the computer case closed dust will still
find its way into your computer.
When cleaning your computer it’s important to remember to turn it
off. This ensures that the fans won’t be moving and that you won’t
cause any unwanted damage to your system. It’s also important to know
what areas you’re looking for. There will be a fan on your CPU, your
power supply, as one located on the back of the side of your case.
There are many ways to clean these fans off but one that’s often
recommended is the use of canned air.
Reduce Overclocking
Overclocking is the term used for when you’re running a computer
component at a higher speed or rate it was intended to run at.
Overclocking is more popular among high-end and gaming PC’s, so if you
didn’t know what overclocking was it’s safe to assume you’re not doing
it.
Overclocking not only decreases the life of the component being
overclocked, but it also increases the temperature that the part runs
at tremendously. Therefore, if your computer is having overheating
issues, it’s never a bad idea to investigate if there is any
overclocking occurring within your PC.
Control Air Flow
It’s important to make sure that your computer has room to breathe.
If you’re cramming objects against the computer or putting it inside a
desk, you will cause it to retain more heat that it normally would.
You should also pay extra attention to the cables inside of your
computer. Many manufacturers let them run wild inside your computer,
which could mean that the cables are rubbing against other parts of
your computers or even slowing the fans down. This can easily be
solved by organizing them with Velcro cable ties.
Computer overheating is a serious problem, but it almost always
has a direct cause. This article outlines a few tips that should get
you on the right track to returning your PC to its intended
temperature level.
Photo Credits: rust.bucket
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 8, 2009 in
Computer, Tech Repair
Running slow - get an influx of speed!
Old computer just doesn’t go as fast as it used to? Computers grow
old and often get bogged down as they grow older, but don’t fear
because there are many ways you can help make your computer feel
younger. This article will give you a few pointers that will make
your computer run as fast as it used to.
Clean Hard Drive Space.
When your hard disk space is taken up your
computer often slows down in the wake many applications being used
together. So how do you go about clearing some hard drive space?
It’s important to uninstall any program that you don’t use, clear out
any temporary internet files and empty your recycle bin. If you’re
using Windows Vista, you can also clear disk space from the “My
Computer Screen”. Once on the “My Computer” screen, right-click the C
Drive, go to properties, and then Disk Cleanup.
Don’t Run So Many Programs.
A silent problem with many computers is
the number of programs that hide in the background or that start
themselves on a fresh boot of your computer. Notable programs that
start themselves on the start of your computer are instant messengers
and anti-virus/spyware programs. The taskbar in the bottom right hand
corner of your screen often is where many of these programs minimize
too, search there for any you don’t wish to have running.
Run An Anti-Virus Program.
Don’t close that anti-virus software
just yet! Spyware often slows computers down and can cause no other
seeable results other than a slowdown in your performance. Many
spyware applications are hidden applications that only the trained eye
can find, so what can you do? Fortunately, many anti-virus programs
also come with a scanner that is great for located and destroying
pesky spyware programs. Be careful if you’re downloading a new
anti-virus program, however, as many of them are spyware applications
in disguise.
Defrag Your Hard Drive.
Defragmenting your hard drive can increase
the speed of your PC greatly, but be warned that defragging is time
consuming. Depending on the size of your hard drive and what you want
to defrag the process could take anywhere from 30 minutes to several
hours. The disk defragmenter program is very easy to find and is very
user friendly. If you want to access this program while running
Windows Vista, click the start button in the bottom left, and type
Disk Defragmenter into the search box and press enter. Select the C
drive as the drive you want to defrag and select enter.
These tips aren’t the only ways to speed up your computer, but they
are the most available and often times the most effective ways. If
you want to make sure that your computer is really speeding up, there
are many internet sites that will let you test your speed, simply test
before and after you try the above fixes.
Photo Credits: Gavin Loynes
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Posted by Fix Handyman on September 7, 2009 in
Computer, Tech Repair
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