How can you remove traces of old, unwanted junk files from your computer?

Have unwanted junk files on your computer that you want to get rid of for good? My advice would be to get CCleaner!

CCleaner is a system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard drive disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally, it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. But the best part is that it's fast and FREE!

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

Why is my internet speed coming slow on my pc while high on my friend's pc?

QUESTION:

Me and my friend have same plan. I have windows xp and he uses linux.I get max 300 kbps while he gets 500 kbps. Why does this happen? Will i also get 500 kbps if i shift to linux operating system ? Why does linux operating system get more speed?

MY ANSWER:

There are a large number of variables imbedded in your question that can make all the difference.

You mention ‘plan’ – so I assume you are on the same carrier but different addresses, modems etc. could also be a factor.

First, I would assume different addresses, same carrier with identical PC hardware, and you are basically asking - is Linux faster than Windows XP?

- Also, I would have to assume from the speed quoted that this is older, residential DSL

- Also, from the way the speed was quoted I would have to assume we are talking about raw ‘apparent’ file download speed from the web.

- Another element of this scenario is just because the plan quoted by the carrier says 500k doesn’t make it so.

- So…back to the core question is Linux faster…YES…but what are you going to do with it???

- What exactly does the speed listed mean to you – how do you use it - - for email with average attachments and browsing ok.

- Where are you going to get applications – Linux support is not universal – commercial programs exist but are not free. Basically, I think that if this is an actual ‘measured’ case that you would like to troubleshoot further as opposed to a hypothetical Linux vs. WinXP question. This is then a question of why is my modem/connection to my ISP running slower? If you are at a different address, different modem, PC of different config etc., then you have many variables. And for the speeds listed, and assuming an up-to-date PC (QuadCore / i7), then this is not a windows issue, but an ISP issue.

Need to reboot with a diskette I no longer have...

What can you do when a computer tells you to reboot with diskette, but you no longer have the diskette?

In a computer forum I frequently post to, I read a question from someone that turned on their computer only to read a message "reboot with diskette," which this person no longer had.

My response:

My first answer to this is that your hard drive has gone kaput. Unless it is an ancient DOS system, you probably don’t even have a diskette drive. Even if you do now-a-days, most systems boot from the CD/DVD drive. Depending how “kaput” your hard drive is will depend on how much data you have lost or how recoverable your system is.

If your system is Windows but also a much older one, your CMOS battery may be dead which means that your hard drive “may” be ok but the system doesn’t recognize any of the internal hardware. This is a much cheaper fix (if that is the problem) by changing out the internal (probably 2032) battery.

Is My Wi-Fi Security Good?

The Question...

"Im using WPA2-PSK (AES) security for my router with randomized 25 character passcode and MAC filtering for it to. I always get wierd feelings that someone is still using my internet despite this. My internet gets slow and will disconnect every couple of days, is it supposed to do this? or could someone be using my internet? Is there a way to check to see if someones using my internet? I know you can check the attached devices but i feel like someone has bypassed it. What else can i do to protect it?"


My Answer...

Your already are using a high level of security but one further step is Mac list access – if your machines MAC address isn’t in the list (that you control by password access from inside the network) there is no wifi access- - unless you’re in an apartment/condo or under the same roof as this would-be-internet thief, then the quality / usability of this link at a distance is very poor. If there is that much concern over snooping – than don’t connect any computer with important data to that network at all – use a separate router and keep things separate. If that’s not enough turn your wifi off and use a long CAT5 cable. From a non-technical standpoint, let me say that anti-spyware can do this to your system also. There is no way to be fully protected no matter what you do. You can have as many locks on your door as you wish, but as long as man makes them, man can break into them. This is the same with Internet security. Realize also, that if you have a cable connection or FIOS, your system is susceptible to outside access when it is powered up - you don’t have to be on your system.



Give us your feedback on this post! Did it answer your questions regarding Wi-Fi security or is there something you'd like to add? Talk to us!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

HP Media Center Failure Troubleshooting

So, I recently read a question from someone regarding her HP Media Center m7580n failure. Turning the computer on, she noticed right away that there were strange patterns of colors on her screen. This pattern of colors changes as the computer boots, but the normal screen does not return. After a few minutes, the monitor powers down, saying there is no input source. Normally, her monitor is set at 1280x1024, but for some reason was set at 640x480 with this desktop. When she hooked the monitor up to a laptop, the resolution changed to match the laptop.

Originally, she thought, and hoped, that this was the graphics card, but noticed some things which made her think it was something much worse. First, she tried turning on the computer and then accessing the hard drive through her home network, but now, the media center did not appear on the network. She also switched monitors on the desktop, with no change. The only recent changes made were to security. She was originally using avg2012, but found it was clogging her system. She then uninstalled successfully, and installed avast. Avast gave a blue screen at start up, and would reboot the computer, at which point everything was fine. She uninstalled that and installed Pandacloud, 2 days before this started, but didn't notice anything indicative of this. This occurs right from boot and cannot access safe mode by tapping F8. Normally, she would get a motherboard control screen after hitting the power button, then the bios, then Windows loads. None were visible and the technicolor show begins immediately after power is activated. She initially thought it had something to do with the graphics/video card. However, the computer still remains unavailable to her network, no matter what! Suspecing it could be the RAM module, she wonders if that would affect the desktop from loading properly which is why it fails to connect with the home network?


It sounds like there is trouble and the help she has been getting is not solving the issue. I have my own input that "may" help understand what "might" be going on.

First, she doesn't explain what the "massive failure" was but I am going to assume that it was power related. My answer will be based on that.

With Avast giving a blue screen after installation, I am concerned that you may have had a problem even before the massive failure, albeit a small one probably.

The color pattern on your screen and the change of your settings does indicate monitor issues. This could be the monitor is blown, the drivers are corrupt, or the motherboard (in part) has been blown. Switching out the monitors takes away the blown possibility.

Then she says that the computer cannot be found on her network. Again, the network drivers or the motherboard could be the problem.

Now that you cannot use the F8 key to get into safe mode, you may have issues with the keyboard or the motherboard.

Whether or not it is RAM failure is not as strong of a possibility to me. RAM allows the computer to think and rarely interferes with the running of the system, safe mode, drivers, and the such. However, if you want to check it, it is a simple and low cost check. If you have two or more sticks in the system, you can take them out and check them one at a time (depending on the system… check the manual). The system will be much slower so give it time to boot or stop as soon as the monitor goes to the color pattern. If each and every stick gives this indication, then it is probably not the RAM.
All of the above tells me that, if it was a power issue, the motherboard has taken a hit on several different parts of it. Personally, I wouldn't hire a tech to fix it as he/she may catch all the issues or just enough to bring it up and leave other issues to hit you at a later time.

My recommendation is a new computer, especially at the low costs that they are now. Hope this helps in some way. Future protection so that this doesn't happen again is to spend some money on protecting your system with a UPS (uninterrupted power supply)!
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HOW TO TAKE MY PASSWORD OFF MY COMPUTER...

This could be simple or hard, depending which password you want removed/changed. Yes, there are two passwords on your system!

If you are simply talking about your user password, i.e. the one you log on with, then go to Control Panel and Users (the actual path to get here is different for each type of operating system). Under there is the ability to edit your password. If you don’t want a password, then just leave the new password blank.

If you are talking about the administrator password, i.e. the one you need to make changes or log into the deeper bowels of the system, that can be changed one of two ways. First there is a set of pins on the motherboard that you can short out erasing the system’s memory of the password. Second a good techie may have a program that can change/erase this password. This is not something the standard user should get involved in.

Laptop Overheating/Shutdown

Did you know that when laptops get over-heated, they will shut down. The most common cause of over-heating with a laptp, from my experience, is that the internal fan is clogged with hair, dust, dirt, etc. Someone would have to take the laptop apart and dig all the "garbage" out of the fan.

Computer and Laptop Questions?

Hello! Ever wonder if there is a quick fix or solution to a common computer glitch you seem to have from time to time? If so, email me your question(s) and I will create a post on my blog. Give it a try!

travelingtechs@comcast.net

Traveling Techs, LLC

When to Ditch and Buy New...

So you recently upgraded to a new laptop. You have an old laser USB mouse that you would like to use. After all, why buy when you have what you need, right!? You find the USB mouse works, but not great. You hear Windows dinging every couple seconds because the USB unplugs, plugs, unplugs, plugs.....

My advice:

Since the price of a new mouse is 10 or 15 dollars, I wouldn’t spend more than 2 minutes working this old one. Time to ditch and buy new!

Laptop Won't Connect to Router...

What to do when your laptop will not connect to your router, but all other systems in the house will. Here are a couple things to try as a start....

1. Unplug the router for one minute. Then plug it back in and give it time to "find" itself and set up the network (about 1 or 2 minutes). Then try logging back on.

2. If that doesn't work, then you would need more information. Your laptop was once connected to the Internet, but now it's not, so what was done to it since that time? What model laptop is it? (ie, do you have a wireless switch turned on or is there a combination of keys to hit to activate the wireless capability of it?) Have you run anti-virus and anti-spyware against it? One of the first things spyware will do will disconnect you from the Internet so you can't clean them up.

This is just a start of the basics for solving this issue. Good luck in your troubleshooting! If you need, or would like, further info, send me an email at travelingtechs@comcast.net.

Coming Soon!

What are the top 10 frequently asked questions from computer/laptop users?