Often I tell clients to run more than one antivirus program. Just like one vacination can not save you from all the diseases out there, nor can one antivirus program protect your computer entirely.
So how do you best protect your computer? By running a supplement program.
Even the best anti-virus programs can’t stop every threat. Programs like Norton and Mcafee dominate the market and do a pretty good job of keeping out most viruses. Currently I think Norton is doing the best job detecting most threats. Symantecs new product, Anti-virus 2009, is doing an exceptional job of blocking threats with ease of use and low processing impact on your computer.
At one time I did not recommend Norton because it was bloated with services and extras you didn’t really need. However, their Norton 2009 product is outstanding. Norton now only has one service running in the task manager and also proves it’s not taxing your processor, with a visual bar chart of what resources its using on your computer. (Smart move Norton)
Norton is great at stopping and removing virus threats. But I still think most computer users need anti-spyware such as PC doctor. This program has moved to the top of my list for removing many Malware and Spy-ware threats. Keep Norton as your main program and occasionally run PC doctor as a supplement.
Do not try to run more than one anti-virus program on your computer, such as AVG or Norton. Let me make clear that only one Anti-virus program should be installed on your computer. Do not install multiple anti-virus programs! You need one anti-virus and one spyware detector.
Do you help or want a professional tech to install these programs for you. Give York Computer Repair a call and we’ll make sure your computer is running at it’s best.
Did you ever reinstall windows and run into hardware issues and missing drivers? DriverPacks is your answer.
With thousands of drivers to download and slipstream into nlite for easy access and smoother Windows installs.
What are the “DriverPacks“?
Each DriverPack is a package of drivers for a particular category of hardware. There are for example DriverPacks for Sound devices and for Graphics devices. For each of these DriverPacks we include every device driver of that category. On top of that, we solve tricky problems — such as driver conflicts — for you.
They are intended to be used while creating a Windows 2000, XP, 2003 or Vista (and soon Windows 7) installation disc/image. We also provide you with the software to make that as simple as possible.
Your Windows installation disc doesn’t have drivers for all hardware, and over time the drivers it does have get out-of-date.
We’ve built this to simplify the lives of network administrators and employees of pc shops, but also enthusiast pc users.
If you’re already using nlite then this is a great tool to add to your slipstreams.
Summer is fun and usually involves a trip to the beach. If you take your laptop on the beach and get sand in it, here is what to do.
Turn off computer immediatly. Do not start the computer again. Sand can creep into the tiniest nooks, it’s really amazing. I recommend taking the computer to your local repair shop. The computer needs to be opened up and thoroughly cleaned.
It is nearly impossible to get the computer entirely clean without having it taken apart. There are not a lot of moving parts in a computer but here is what you risk of damaging if you do not get it professionally cleaned.
- Hard drive has moving parts and sand dust can damage (data lose)
- Fan bearings will be damaged and fan replacement will be necessary
- Opening and closing the lid will eventually damage hinges with sand dust.
- DVD player has moving parts that can be damaged
Contact York Computer Repair to have your computer thoroughly cleaned by a proffessional tech!
I had an old laptop sitting around, a 2.4 GHz single core with 512 MB of memory. This computer was too slow to use as a work station. I had an idea to turn it into a media center to watch internet content on the TV.
Last summer I bought my first flat screen Vizio 32 inch. The purchase made my media center creation much easier. Newer TV’s often come with multiple inputs and output. These large screen televisions are nothing more than a large computer monitor. Here is how I connected my laptop and created an awesome upgrade to my living room.
Here is the process in short and I’ll give more detail:
1. Connected laptop to TV via VGA cable
2. Change mode on TV to RGB
3. Installed Windows 7 RC1
4. Purchase wireless keyboard & mouse
Start by connecting your laptop to the TV through one of the connection types offered on the back or sides of laptops. VGA is blue and the most common type of monitor hook up. S-video is round input type or your other option is DVI. You’re going to have to look what your laptop and TV offer. For this demonstration I used a male to male VGA cable to connect the TV to the PC. You can buy a 5 foot cable for about 6 dollars at your local computer store or online.
Next change the mode on your TV to RGB. After doing step one and step two you should see the laptop on your television.
To make the experience even better I added Windows 7 RC1 which has a great built in media center for just such an occasion. When the beta runs out you can purchase it for $50 which is a great way to spruce up an old laptop. Not to mention you can easily add more RAM via a USB stick using Windows Ready boost. Ready boost is a cheap and easy way to get more speed out of that old laptop.
Next I bought a wireless keyboard and mouse to control the computer from anywhere in my living room. Be sure to check the range on the wireless components, I needed a minimum 30 meters to ensure good wireless coverage for my mouse and keyboard. One alternative to using a wireless keyboard and mouse is to control the computer remotely. If you have another computer in your living room you could install a remote product like Logmein Free edition to control your TV through your other laptop computer.
Now the kids love watching internet TV and I enjoy listening to Pandora through the television. Having the internet through the TV makes a great entertainment station!
Are you looking at getting your business more attention with web video? Video can be a powerful tool and broadcast medium to get your message across. If you’re looking to learn the basics of web video ,editing and hosting call YCR for a 1 hour tutorial.
Cut the learning curve way down with a quick primmer. Get started producing high quality video, it’s easy and fun. Drive traffic to your business and use your creativity. Call now to set an appointment!
Microsoft is making Windows 7 available for pre-order now through July 10, 2009!
Order your copy of Windows 7 and installation from York Computer Repair and save 58% off of the software’s regular purchase price!
Windows 7 Installed for Only $219.99!
Microsoft has been working hard on their new version of Window. Since the near fatal marketing disaster that Vista has been they owe computer users a good operating system. I think Windows 7 may be it.
Why have York Computer Repair perform the installation?
Pre-purchase your Windows 7 software and installation through York Computer Repair before the July 10th deadline and York Computer Repair will:
• Test your system’s compatibility with Windows 7
• Test your applications’ compatibility with Windows 7
• Install the Windows 7 Upgrade
• Install any needed drivers and updates
• Cover the installation under warranty for 3 months (no matter who built your system)
Why Should I Upgrade to Windows 7?
Windows 7 runs faster than Windows XP does (on the same hardware) and is compatible with EVERYTHING that Vista is!
Some of the biggest benefits of Windows 7 include:
• Faster Hard Drive Access Times
• Much Less bloated than XP or Vista
• Faster Boot times
• Avoid the expense of hardware upgrades
• Support for the latest PC technologies
• Better notebook battery life and performance
Is My Computer Ready for Windows 7?
Vista users have nothing to worry about in moving to Windows 7. Microsoft guarantees that all programs and drivers that are compatible with Vista will be compatible with Windows 7.
In fact, because Windows 7 runs so much faster than Vista, upgrading to the new operating system will have the same impact as DOUBLING your PC’s current memory and processor capabilities.
If you are looking to give your Vista PC a boost, the best prescription for your sluggish Vista PC is Windows 7!
Windows XP users will need to run a Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor tool to determine if their computer is capable of running Windows 7.
Windows XP users have to perform a “clean install” to get Windows 7 up and running on their computers after they pass the Upgrade Advisor. After the clean install, all programs will have to be reinstalled from the original discs that were used to install them the first time.
Important Details:
• Microsoft will ship the Upgrade DVD to your address. York Computer Repairs not responsible for lost shipments or damaged discs.
• There is an additional $5 shipping fee (from Microsoft) to ship the discs to your home
• This special offer and the warranty contained within does not cover hardware in your PC that fails during the warranty period. It only covers the installation of the operating system.
• York Computer Repair recommends you back up your important data before upgrading your operating system. We will do our best to protect your data, but we can’t be responsible for lost files.
• This offer is ONLY good through the end of the day on July 10th, or while supplies last. This offer is limited to 100 installations.
• When your discs arrive at your home or business, bring them with your PC into York Computer Repair so our technicians can perform your upgrade.
• Because this is a limited quantity offer, York Computer Repair will charge $170 in installation fees at the time you purchase the upgrade. Microsoft will charge your credit card for the upgrade disks when they ship on October 22, 2009.
• The quoted prices are for Windows 7 Home Premium. If you need more advanced versions like Business or Ultimate, additional charges may apply.
• All installations purchased under this offer must be completed by December 31, 2009. Installations that are not completed will not be refunded.
If you have a computer that uses RDRAM here are some tips and tricks.
- RDRAM requires the memory to be installed in pairs.
- RDRAM may require all DIMM slots to be utilized
- Continuity sticks can be used if you don’t have enough RDRAM
RDRAM can be expensive to replace, so if you think you may have a bad stick or pair of memory there are some options for cheaper diagnosis. If you memory fails a memory test and you need to identify which stick is bad here are some options.
The memory needs installed in sets or pairs. So if one stick is bad it’s hard to tell which one because they need to be installed together. One way around this is to identify which pair is bad. You can use continuity stick for that. It’s a cheaper alternative at $14 a stick compared to over $200 for new RDRAM. Continuity sticks will allow the DIMM slots to have continuity while you rotate the memory pair out to check which pair is bad. I hope that makes sense, comment if you have questions.
Recently Microsoft released Vista Service pack 2 for manual download. Before you install you should know a few things about your computer.
It should start automatically downloading to your PC within the next 10 days. You need to prepare your computer for this BEFORE it happens.
If you do not do these things, your computer will not be able to successfully install Vista Service Pack 2.
BEFORE you allow Service Pack 2 to install you must do the following:
* Install Windows Vista Service Pack 1. You can’t install Service Pack 2 without first installing SP1. If you try, the installation will fail and could damage your Windows Vista installation.
* Install the Microsoft Servicing Stack Update. This is the most complicated Service Pack that Microsoft has ever released. For it to even install properly a patch has to be downloaded and installed first!
* Backup your data. If something goes wrong during the installation process, you don’t want to lose everything.
For a limited time York Computer Repair is offering a special Service Pack Installation service for only $39.99.
Rather than jumping through all of the technical hoops yourself, we can do it for you!
For the $39.99 price we will:
1. Scan for and remove any viruses / malware from your computer
2. Install Vista Service Pack 1 if you don’t already have it
3. Install the Microsoft Servicing Stack Update
4. Create a System Restore Point
5. Install Vista Service Pack 2
6. Test your computer to make sure it is working properly
7. Back your Service Pack installation with a 30-day warranty
Installing the latest Vista Service Pack can take up to 3 hours on your own on an original installation of Windows Vista. Let our trained technicians install your Service Pack for you and know that the job is done right!
If you have any questions about Vista Service Pack 2 feel free to call us anytime at 739-9675.
Occasionally I will write a post on new software I am testing out. The latest post worthy software I have enjoyed is called bumptop. Bumptop creates a virtual desktop to mimic a real world environment. When I have more than one project I’m working on I use my desktop as a storage, reminder and workspace. It get’s a little crowded and needs organizing on occasion. Watch the video to see how bumptop can help you stay organized.
They have a free version that works fine for me. Warning you’ll need lots of free ram to utilize the app. I don’t recommend bumptop if you have a computer that is on the slower side.
