|
 |
Default XP Services and Startup Statuses Service pack 3 Services
Create a Boot USB Boot USB Instructions
Internet Connection Troubleshooting  A lost internet connection can be an aggravating experience. I'm going to go step by step in guiding you through troubleshooting your connection. Let's first look at your cable or DSL modem. Are all the lights on? If you have a cable connection, all the lights should be on except the standby light On a DSL modem, the DSL, Ethernet (or PC or Link) and Status should be steady green. If your DSL modem has different nomenclature, just use the rule that no less than 3 steady green lights should be on. If your cable modem has all the green lights off and a yellow standby light on, then it's in standby mode, press the standby button.  If your cable modem has any blinking green lights or the online light is not on, try unplugging the power (you can unplug from the back of the modem) Wait just a minute and plug it back in. If this corrects the problem but you find yourself doing this frequently, it's time for a new modem. Next, Check the cables to the modem, make sure the coaxial cables are tight. Check the cable/wall connection, make sure it's tight as well. If you have checked the cables and reset the modem and you still don't have all green lights, it's time to call the cable company. Next, let's unplug the network cable that runs from your computer to the cable modem or router. You should have had a popup on you windows screen. It should say Network Cable Unplugged. Ok, plug it back in, the message should disappear. If you can connect to the internet now, it means your network card got stuck. If this occurs regularly, it might be time to get a new network card. The last thing to check outside your computer will be your router (most homes that have more than one computer or a computer and Xbox have one ). The lights that should be on are Power, WAN, and one green light for everything plugged in to the LAN ports (usually 4 in a row) If everything looks good there, let's unplug the power to the router, wait a minute and plug it back in. If nothing has worked so far, let's open a DOS or Command prompt. Click on your Start button, then Run. Type in "cmd" without the quotes, and hit enter. (if you are running Vista, you will need to go to All Programs, Accessories, then Command Prompt) Throughout this article, things that you need to type in will be in quotes, but unless specifically directed, don't type the quotes themselves. You should have a black window. At the prompt, type "ipconfig /all"  This will give us information that we'll need. If you are using wireless, you will need the settings under the Ethernet adapter Wireless Network Connection. If you are connected with a cable, use the Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection
Routine Maintenance Deleting unused files:The easiest way to delete your temp files, internet cache, recycle bin, etc. is to use the built in windows tool, Disk Cleanup. You will find Disk Cleanup by going to the Start button, All Programs, Accessories, then System Tools.  You should select: Downloaded Program Files Temporary Internet Files Offline Webpages Recycle Bin Temporary Files As well as any other Temporary or Temp files not listed here. If you are using a non-Internet Explorer browser, you will need to clear the cache manually. Defragging your hard drive: The icon for defragging can be found in the same location as Disk Cleanup. In System Tools, open Disk Defragmenter.  You can analyze your drive if you like, however, even if it says that your drive doesn't need defragmenting. It does. It's possible that you may have more than one drive show up, the one to be most concerned with is the C: Local Drive. If it has been awhile since you've last defragged, or maybe you never have, then the first few times you run this will take a while. The more you run it and the more effecient your drive becomes, the less time this will take. Both these utilities should be run once a week to keep your system at it's peak.
Is Windows 7 for you? Right now there seem to be some issues with upgrading to Windows 7. One problem is the endless reboot. The other is compatibility. Software shouldn't be a problem because Microsoft listened to the complaints with Vista, and included a virtual XP within Windows 7 so that older programs can run in this XP mode.But if you want to know if your software will run without needing to configure the XP mode, you can check your software (and hardware) in Microsoft's Compatibility Center.  No longer do you have to plod through their Hardware Compatibility LIst (HCL). Memory requirements are surprisingly low (1gb, 2gb if you need XP mode). Vista always ran twice as slow as XP on the same system, Windows 7 is supposed to be a huge improvement in that area. If you want more information about what Windows 7 has, I have Inforworld's Deep Dive report on Windows 7 in the Downloads section I also have a Quick Guide that shows some of the interface and features. My best piece of advise is to wait (for now). I'm optimistic, but even with all the hype and promises, we've learned from the past that Windows almost never works quite right until enough people have found most of the problems and bugs, Microsoft releases the first service pack. XP is a great operating system, and it took 3 service packs to get to where it is today. When I get the opportunity to work with Windows 7 myself, maybe I'll change my mind about waiting, but until then, get XP while you still can.
Newsletter Mailings Jay Davis Consulting will email newsletters with helpful information.There will be technology news, tips on how to keep your computer safe and running smoothly. Also reviews and sites to download and use free software
Free Replacement Programs for commonly used, expensive programs 1) Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) = replace with Open Office2) Photoshop (Image manipulation program) = The Gimp 3) Adobe Acrobat (creating PDF files) = Primo 4) PC Anywhere or LogMeIn or GoToMyPC = Ultra VNC 5) Nero or EZ CD Creator = CD Burner XP Pro 6) ACDSee (Image Browser) = FastStone 7) Norton or McAfee Anti-Virus = Avira Anti-Virus 8) Outlook = Mozilla Thunderbird 9) FTP Client = Filezilla
Check out that Ad/Spyware removal program before you download. There are a lot of suspect Anti-Spyware programs out there. This link will give you a list of known Anti-Spyware programs that give false positives, try to make you buy something, or are just downright useless. Stick to known, tried and true programs, like the ones I have listed under my Links section.
Create A Limited User Account Since most internet users are now more aware and wary of opening email attachments, spammers are now counting on being able to install their adware and spyware through a part of Internet Explorer called Active X. For the most part, the user (the person that is currently logged on) has to be an administrator to be able to install anything. There are exceptions of course. Windows XP by default, makes any new accounts, administrators (this will be changed in the future), Windows 2000 makes the initial account administrator. Linux (a different operating system, similar to UNIX) has the practice of only allowing one administrator account, and all other users don't have access to critical system files.To protect yourself, I suggest creating at least two accounts. One, is the administrator account. This is used only when you need to install. The other is called a "Limited Account", you should use this one for your browsing and day to day activities. NOTE: This will only work for windows later than ME (Millenium Edition)To create a limited account, open the control panel (start -> settings --> control panel). Open up "Users" or "Users and Passwords" Windows 2000: 1) Right click on "My Computer" and select "Manage" 2) Scroll down to "Local Users and Groups", click on the plus sign to expand it. 3) Right Click on "Users" and select "New User" 4) Fill in the appropriate information and click on "Create" 5) Click on the "Users" folder. Right click your newly created user on the right side and select "Properties" 6) Select the "Member Of" tab. Windows 2000 creates limited accounts by default, so you should just see "Users" there. 7) This should be the account you use for browsing, etc. 8) If you have problems with any programs, you may want to change the account type from "Users" to "Power Users". 9) If you have been using "Administrator" and have settings you are missing in the newly created account, see my "Copying and Cleaning Profiles" entry. Windows XP (very simple): 1) Open the Control Panel (Start -> Settings -> Control Panel) 2) Open "User Accounts" 3) Select "Create New User" 4) Follow the wizard and select "Limited Account"
Spyware Removal - Part One - Task Manager When trying to remove adware or spyware, often the software you are using will not be allowed to delete files. This is a result of these files being in use.The first step is to open up Windows Task Manager. In Windows, right click on the task bar (the grey bar along the bottom of your screen) and select "Task Manager". Select the "Processes" tab. *Note, if you are running a laptop, such as Toshiba, ending certain processes will stop devices like your touchpad from working. If you have any HP equipment, computer or printer, you will find a lot of processes that begin with HP. First, you want to end the processes that have nonsensical names (such as qglkudijn.exe). A lot of spyware programs will generate randomly named processes. Next, you will want to look up processes that you don't know. If you don't have a clue as to which processes belong, at the bottom of this tip is a list of processes that do belong, you can look up the rest. You can look the questionable processes up at sites such as: Or Search for the Filename Here If you have found a suspect process, highlight it and click on "End Task". You will receive a popup either confirming to end the task, or not allowing you to end it. If an illegal process doesn't let you stop it, then you will need to try and boot clean, that is restart the computer with minimal processes running. Normal Processes:(There may be more than one, ie. SVCHost) System Idle alg.exe csrss.exe ctfmon.exe explorer.exe GoogleCalendarSync.exe GoogleCrashHandler.exe GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe hkcmd.exe igfxpers.exe igfxsrvc.exe igfxtray.exe lsass.exe pinger.exe qbupdate.exe rapimgr.exe RTHDCPL.exe services.exe smss.exe spoolsv.exe svchost.exe SynTPEnh.exe System taskmgr.exe TFncKy.exe THotkey.exe TODDSrv.exe TPSBattM.exe TPSMain.exe wcescomm.exe winlogon.exe wmiprvse.exe wuauclt.exe
Go to page >> |
Poll |
