Showing posts with label software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label software. Show all posts

Apr 21, 2009

Troubleshooting Windows PC Errors

 Virus Detection: How to Troubleshoot PC Errors at Computer Tech Links at http://pcsourcepoint.blogspot.com/2009/04/troubleshooting-windows-pc-errors.htmlA large number of computer owners are amateur users who are not so technically inclined and have little idea of how to solve computer errors on their own. In offices, you may have an IT person who takes care of such problems or the job may be outsourced to an external IT company. However, a home or a small business Windows PC user does not have such a luxury and is mostly dependent on a knowledgeable friend whenever computer errors occur. Sometimes, after a few futile attempts to troubleshoot the error, a home PC user is forced to make the decision to seek help from a computer technician. Image of Virus Detection by woodsy at SXC.

However, with the amount of information that can be found on the internet today, such as discussion forums and online help sites, computer users have somewhere else to turn to solve their PC issues. With a little research, the common computer user may be able to resolve PC errors themselves.

So, as soon as you receive an error message, such as aacenter.exe has stopped working or you find that processes, such as consent.exe and tscd_win32.exe are slowing down your PC, try to search for a solution over the Internet. Most of the time, you are not the first one to receive that particular error message. So, it is quite likely that if you perform a search by using the error message displayed or with the name of the file or process that is generating the error, you will find a solution to it online. Once you find a solution, you must implement it to resolve your error.

You may also perform the steps below to ensure that no other issue is behind the error:

  • Update your antivirus and antispyware tools and perform a full system scan to detect and remove any malware infections. For better protection, you must use the latest versions of these tools, and try to opt for tools with real-time protection to ensure security for your PC at all times.
  • Next, use a good registry tool to scan and clean your registry.
  • Update your software and drivers, especially the software that generated the error.
  • If you recently installed a new software, uninstall it to see if the error goes away.
  • Use a reliable PC diagnostics utility to run a check on your hardware—if you find a faulty hardware, you may need to get this component replaced or repaired.
  • If you frequently download and install programs from the Internet then you must be sure of the following:
    • Download only from reliable sources, especially if you are downloading freeware and shareware programs—many of these programs are known to be bundled with spyware and adware.
    • Download over a fast Internet connection because a slow connection may interfere with the download and generate errors when you attempt to use the downloaded files.
  • Be very careful while opening email attachments. Open only those attachments about which you are sure- even if they come from known sources.

PC errors may occur due to a number of reasons. To prevent them, you as a user are required to be vigilant and perform regular maintenance.



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Apr 9, 2009

CCleaner, F Cleaner and Disk Cleaner for Computer Cleaning

CCleaner, F Cleaner, and Disc Cleaner for Your ComputerImage by pansao - Internal view from MAC Museum, Rio de Janiero

Clean open pathway for your computer

CCleaner
is an essential and popular utility for your computer's maintenance and perhaps should be run frequently on your computer. CCleaner is an optimization, cleaning and privacy utility. It removes unused files, removes your internet activity, and unused registry fragments - with it's separate registry cleaner. This will result in a faster Windows system, and often significantly increasing the computer's hard drive capacity. Included is the useful option to add (or exclude) folders and files for cleaning.

FCleaner is another, perhaps lessor known, computer cleaner, and performs similar functions to CCleaner to achieve the same goal of optimization. It includes a task scheduler, and a command line option. which I found to run a bit faster, but am unsure how effective it is against CCleaner.

Disk Cleaner
a small and fast utility which optimizes your computer's system and hard drive storage space. You can create cleaning profiles, and can run quickly on start up. Unsure if it optimizes the registry (at this time).

I generally run them all, but it seems CCleaner for cleaning your computer is pretty hard to beat for freeware. In addition it might pay to also run a few registry cleaners for added security, including the popular Eusings registry cleaner. Remember to check for updates and to run computer cleaners on a regular basis.



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May 27, 2008

Userinit Windows Logon XP Error - How to Fix

How to fix userinit windows errorInternet Browsing - Take Extra Care or Beware

Laptop Image by serkaner at stock.xchng

Recently a friend of mine, who loaned his laptop out, had discovered later that he could not easily logon due to a userinit.exe error (similar XP error at this forum). He had to use the task manager and create a new task to enter his programs, some which would not open due to the constant application errors. We cleaned out a stack of malware and spyware with the pre-installed Ad-Aware (which was not updated) and cleaned the registry (or supposedly) with various registry cleaners. However errors still remained, such as absent desktop icons, and systems applications not opening.

We believe (and from others on online forums) that the damage had been done. Basically a corrupt registry from spyware intrusion, in particular relating to the user log on registry parameters:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

We edited these values in the right pane:
Shell and Userinit to
Shell=explorer.exe and Userinit = x:\windows\system32\userinit.exe

We applied the above changes, which removed the login/logon error but resulted in a instant log off - i.e. another error. This suggested either corrupted files (e.g. userinit file) in the windows/system32 folder and their associated or other registry data. We could not find the hidden recovery partition on the drive, and could not restore (i.e. system roll back), even from safe mode. We tried a XP disc for a recovery (i.e. install windows over itself, as we did not want a format and new install because his personal files were not backed up). The recovery restored most applications back - except the sound and video drivers.

However he found the user manual which described how to start up the hidden recovery program, - it was a simple press the F11 key a few times after start up. I think you can also create a recovery disc. We opted for the partial recovery, so as to retain his personal files, and everything was back in order, with a few personal folders created and shifted within windows explorer. If only we had known to do this earlier. But good experience and reminded me of a few things to help prevent the userinit logon error (for XP).

- Back up (visit my post on back up with syncback and drive image xml) personal files, photos, etc perhaps on a USB drive or CD/DVD discs.
- Update spyware, anti-virus, firewall programs and manually run them occasionally.
- Regularly clean out your computer’s excess files, surplus registry entries with something like the free ccleaner and a standalone registry cleaner like Eusings cleaner. Create a restore point before cleaning the registry, or when you are about to install software programs.
- Perhaps inform and educate safe computer internet browsing to other users of your computer.
- Maybe bookmark and print off tutorial trouble shooting sites such as techrepublic (when windows won't boot) or icrontic (repairing windows in eight commands)
- Visit and ask at computer forums for help, and the Microsoft help and support site.
- Importantly get to understand how your hidden recovery program works and how to start it. Also learn how to use your XP disc for booting from for windows trouble shooting (e.g. boot issues, recovery, full install, etc).

Perhaps it's a good idea to learn how to trouble shoot problems that occur with a computer (visit my post on hard drive clean up) and windows systems beforehand, rather than possibly spending a lot of time finding and applying various solutions in frustration. Also perform regular computer system maintenance with well known trustworthy programs (visit snapfiles freeware for the popular downloads) so as to keep or your computer running efficiently while reducing the risk of issues occurring. If you have any ideas or programs that can help running a computer system efficiently, particularly for a userinit windows logon XP error,then perhaps let me know in the comments section...

Links to userinit.exe issues
kellys - korner XP (Registry fixes - Line 263 R/H side)
Microsoft Support (Log on/off issues)

pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links

Download Freeware Software Links (Word - 39 kb)

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May 7, 2008

Freeware Programs - Snapfiles Review

Snapfiles - Freeware Programs for Quality Productivity...

Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco, California, United States, by gecco

Of the many Internet freeware programs sites that I have browsed, then perhaps visit
snapfies freeware for a comprehensive list of relevant and popular freeware programs. The site has a comprehensive category listing, with several subcategories, listing just about every possible software program for your computer and internet requirements. The vast list of categories include Browser Tools, Graphics and Photo, System Utilities, Multimedia, E-Mail Tools, Web Authoring, and various others. The site has a stream lined interface and is easy to navigate.

Most of the freeware programs have a user
review and rating system, of which you yourself can participate by signing up. Ratings indicate which programs are popular, therefore giving you are more focused evaluation whether to download the freeware program. The freeware section also has a popular download category, and you can subscribe to receive the latest downloads, almost on a daily basis.

There of course are many other freeware programs sites (Download my freeware programs link list in Word Format), all listing similar categories, and their associated software. Though I like the idea of the ratings and reviews that snapfiles provide, including reviews by the web owners.

I have used snapfiles for several years and have always found freeware programs that are relevant, popular, and easy to implement.
It's a good idea to subscribe via RSS to their site to get the latest daily freeware software for downloading. Please do add freeware program sites that you visit frequently for downloads. I will visit, and perhaps add them to my down loadable freeware programs link list below. Thanks! So if you are looking for a good quality current freeware program, perhaps visit snapfiles...


pcsourcepoint - Freeware, Internet News and NZ links



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Mar 20, 2008

Freeware Software Links

Freeware Software - Explore to find more...

Links to free software sites for useful software. The printable list contains many more freeware sites. Also visit pcsourcepoint for a more comprehensive listing of freeware, tech blog links, news and New Zealand popular links...
Image From Stock.xchng - Exploring by Scyza

Freeware Printable List (Word 31 kb)




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Feb 11, 2008

Computer Hardware Drivers For Performance

Driver For PC Stability…
Image From Stock.xchng by mikekey - Mustang Cobra at Virginia USA

Internal and external device components for your computer such as a printer, modem, graphic card, camera, mouse, etc, all require a driver for optimum operation. This is essentially a file that communicates between the operating system and that component to ensure optimum trouble free performance. But to maintain peak performance without incompatibility issues of hardware and associated software is to ideally update their drivers.

Driver updates or re installation are not as often thought about or published much, compared to system or popular software updates (e.g. anti-virus, firewalls, browsers, burning/ripping/converting software, photo editors, etc). Perhaps driver updates are not really required for a while, until performance issues occur for hardware devices. However it can be time consuming locating the correct latest driver if required, and any associated software from the various manufacturers’ sites.

There are however sites, often requiring signing up, that can scan your computer for driver updates, provide software downloads, and to interact with members to obtain drivers and further information. Pcupdater and Driveragent are a sites that scans your system for required driver updates, and drivermax is a program that can create a driver backup and reinstall if required. Driverguide is a forum and driver database site to search for drivers and software, converse with members for drivers, provide tutorials, and other resources.

Installing or upgrading drivers, whether on a disc or from a download is relatively straight forward, but follow the manufacturer’s instructions if any. For installing new hardware, the driver can be installed once down loaded or with a driver disc (sometimes supplied with a new computer) in conjunction with device manager or with the add hardware option in control panel. Specific driver installation is described at computer hope. Hence a computer’s system is more likely to run at peak performance (in addition to other maintenance procedures) if drivers are updated which will also increase a computer’s stability…



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Feb 2, 2008

Which Video Format Converter Software

Better Video Related programs...Image From Stock.xchng by pukey cow


File format conversion software programs seem to be appearing frequently lately, I think in part to the popularity of YouTube. This involves the relative ease of downloading and uploading videos. I have noticed in forums, many members request for such programs, notably to convert from the FLV format to other formats (mpeg, avi, etc).

Alternatively you can convert to FLV or SWF (Flash format) to upload to the web, such as the free
video to flash converter. Many programs seem to be all in one, and relatively easy to do conversions. I recall a few years back, a combination of programs, or a comprehensive manual program had to be used which I downloaded from video help com. Full programs like Internet Video Converter, Any Video Converter and Biennnesoft YouTube Downloader, are now easily available, which all allow conversions with relative ease. An added benefit perhaps, is the availability to easily extract audio from movie formats to mp3 and wav format. I recall a while back, using three open source programs to do audio extraction. Programmers have certainly got better to achieve similar results with such easy video interface software.




Programs like free YouTube to mp3 converter, and AoA Audio Extractor are examples. In addition, programs are available to convert to iPod, PSP, and mobile phone formats, a few which are listed here in snapfiles freeware. To complement, software players also help out, including playing the FLV formats. I have noticed many blogs and some sites have incorporated YouTube videos as an added attraction and as a marketing tool. Videos within the Internet have become increasing popular as a medium of sorts (marketing, advertising, social connection, etc). As a result, software related to video have become more widespread and much easier to use, including to extract audio from DVD VOB files to create music CD’s.



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Dec 16, 2007

CD Ripping - Grab Them With Audio Grabber

Backing up or "ripping" your CD's music tracks to your computer can be easily performed with the excellent freeware program Audio Grabber. If connected to the internet you can then connect to the online freedb database to automatically insert track and name titles. This saves a lot of time by not typing them in. It can also add id3 tag names to the resulting mp3 and/or wav files.


You need to add encoders, but many are freely available on the internet. Audio Grabber also has a built in player, a "checksum" verifier, normalization, external support for encoders, and a range of other settings. It can output to mp3, wav, or both formats.
I found you need to remember to create or select a folder to extract your files and choose which titles (e.g. artist name, track title, etc), under general settings. Also under mp3 settings, select what specific output - mp3 only, wav only, etc. If you only want to extract selected tracks, then select the little box right at the bottom left hand side to unselect all track names, and then tick the names that you do want to extract.

There is a range of settings (silence, offset, normalize speeds, etc), but I don't think you need worry about these in general. The program is fast and reliable to transfer your musical tracks as a form of back up - to save you constantly reusing (or worse, ruining or losing) your CD. If you want, you can progress further to
extract audio from DVD VOB files to create music CD’s, by implementing similar software programs...



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Dec 12, 2007

MP3 Catalogue Program - Disclib

MP3 Index - Saves Time; From pcsourcepoint

If you have a collection of cd's , particularly mp3's then using a catalogue program such as disclib will allow you to search any file pretty quick. I have about 35 numbered discs for backup, and to find any file I do a search within disclib with the file's name. Disclib finds the disc number instantly - so it saves a lot of time to search each disc manually by inserting the discs in a cd player. You need to insert each disc in the program so it can get indexed, and then assign a tile name that should ideally match that of your disc.

The program creates a directory tree for each disc, and you can also add folders from your pc. It has a few other features such as favorites, Categories, advanced search, export of the file names (for reports), and tags. It also supports wav, wma, and ogg format. It's also free, and you get the program from snapfiles freeware: disclib

Visit my MP3 Free Software Downloads Blog (e.g. MP3 Tools, Utilities, and MP3 Organizers and Catalog Software). Also my review of MP3 Duplicate Finder and remover and Media Monkey Organizer...



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Oct 28, 2007

Freeware Antivirus...More Demand...

ANTI VIRUS FREE EDITIONS - Protection...

O
ver the last few years, I'm sure I have noticed more freeware antivirus software appearing, particularly from sites like snapfiles freeware. Perhaps the web is more busier than ever, and with the huge proliferation of monetization of blogs and websites, and hence possibly more of a attraction for viruses, malware, spyware, and similar. Having a solid antivirus software program it seems, is more important than ever. Equally important is to keep it updated and perhaps test and rank it's effectiveness against other similar programs.
The big "A free three" antivirus software (Avast! Home Edition, AVG Anti-Viris, and Avira AntiVir Personel) still seem to be popular and I presume are still pretty effective in scanning and well catching those unwelcome viruses.. Maybe compare the programs and reviews at snapfiles freeware virus software...
So there is likely to be a suitable and effective freeware antivirus program for that added protection of your computer and it's internet activities...



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Oct 14, 2007

Front Page Web Design - Plan Ahead...



If you use Microsoft's FrontPage 2000 it pays to plan the overall format, the amount of content, and how it is displayed. The format being the 2 or 3 column or otherwise, content being components such as text, photo's, widgets, addins, slide shows, videos, etc. How to display type being component & photo sizes, their frequency, amount of links and type (e.g. shared borders/manual links), tables, submission forms, java modules and so on.
These features should ideally be planned before designing with FrontPage. Perhaps by manually drawing (Yeah - The old fashioned way) your design on paper, particularly for multiple web pages with several external links nested in tables and rows (displayed above in picture). I found that if you decide to do major changes to an already featured or comprehensive site, you run the risk of corruption or messing up of the HTML codes, and of the FrontPage server extensions on your host server. Also the hassle (multiple cutting and pasting) of visually adding, modifying, and rearranging of the overall site in an attempt to streamline it for viewers to view it effectively.

I wanted to change my manually inserted navigation links by inserting the automatic shared borders along the top pages (A popular feature in FrontPage) to allow quick and simple links to the other pages. But it involved moving the container tables downwards, and then moving multiple tables with rows in the container tables, then shuffling around associated photos with tables and so on. Then to align all these and other components to make the pages look intact and relatively viewable to visitors. And if you don't know HTML to shortcut these rearrangements then redesign becomes more difficult. Doing all this took hours, which I believe would not have been so, if I had added the shared borders from the start.

Additionally, It's possible that if you add too much too late, and if you already have too many components, then the FrontPage server extensions on your host site may have difficultly trying to handle them consistently. This could affect how the pages are displayed when visitors view your site. So perhaps if you use FrontPage for your web site, plan it well and maybe keep it clean and lean....



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Oct 11, 2007

Automatic Computer Log off Program



Here's a nice little utility that you can activate to allow automated logoff for your computer. If you are intend to download large files, say overnight then you can set up the date and time to shut down your computer. It sits in the system tray, and it can also hangup, restart, logoff, standby, and hibernate. Swift and simple to use...




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Oct 1, 2007

Gadgets for Life...Life Without Gadgets...

Life can be associated or even dependent on gadgets, particularly the communication portables. Many of us need or desire to have them, if not for show or to be in with any trend, but for real helpful use. That is, helpful functional use perhaps on a daily basis. I-Pods, Mobile Phones, Pagers, PDA's, Hand Helds, GPS Coordinators, and many others, are all part of this trend and need. The need to communicate, to keep in touch, to get instant useful relevant information. It's the gadgets that do help...

If we need to initiate a quick message, voice call, find instant information, or directions from a resticted space such as a car or boat, or a lift (in an emergency) then we simply tap into our gadgets - our mobiles, hand held or GPS devices. Perhaps GPS gadgets don't come to many people's mind as do mobile phones. GPS (Global Positioning System) are based on satellites circling our earth, and are extremely accurate, working in all weather conditions 24 hours anywhere in the world. With this powerful system, GPS devices therefore can be extremely functional.

GPS devices ought to register in one's mind as a very handy gadget...Wanting easy to access directions on your travels? Then the streetpilot c330 GPS system can help - quite easily. With it's simple touch screen, voice navigation and recognition, auto route calculation, and it's 3D to birds eye view mode, and more it is sure to please. All these features in a sleek hand size device to easily navigate to your selected destination. Yes it's a gadget, but one that can serve a real functional need, that can add that extra usefulness.
I remember being lost on long country roads around central New Zealand and with my young family on a hot day, it was frustrating, and annoying that I got myself...simply lost. if I had known about GPS then, then certainly having one then would have been extremely helpful.

So gadgets for life - Nearly all of us have them, as they do indeed satisfy our need to get instantly what we want - for a simple chat, message notification, current information, including easy to get travel directions - since we do not like to get lost do we?



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Sep 25, 2007

Gadgets For Goods... From Google...

Goods From Gadgets...
Simply nice and informative the Google gadgets. Many of them are customized mini info and search boxes that can be easily integrated within a web site with codes that are copied and pasted from Google's web master tools site. They will possibly appeal to visitors if the gadgets are relevant with the site's content, or perhaps still appeal if they are not relevant. Hence the gadgets may project more attractiveness and information than any embedded advertisements or other visual or text content within the site. The gadgets may be too good for visitors - They may become the "ads" to focus and click through and hence bypassing the site's content and any valid advertisements.

Thus there may be a bit of a initial visual conflict with informational link based ads, particularly if they look similar to linked based gadgets. This means perhaps, that the gadgets need to be selected and placed carefully within a site to try to exclude or minimize any appeal relative to any advertisement's present. Many of the gadgets are updated regularly - news, tech blocks, currencies, etc which will also account for their appeal. The use of gadgets and ads need to be readily identified, analyzed in the context of a site, and situated strategically so as to ideally compliment one another...


I have added a couple of gadgets to my Computer - New Zealand based site, which I believe fit in adequately...

Cheers,


Kahawai Chaser, pcsourcepoint
Visit My web site for Computer Freeware links and popular New Zealand Internet Site links


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Sep 19, 2007

MP3 Tags to Track Name Time Saver...

If you have a sizable collection of Mp3's without their formal track titles (i.e. artist - song name or similar) then Mp3 tag, a powerful tag (tagger) to rename mp3 files may help if the embedded tags are present. It certainly did for me, when renaming several ipod tracks after they were converted to mp3 format (I think with i tunes or another conversion program). The "track" resulting names were a series of unsuitable "codes" like adcs123. To rename them manually would have taken too long. Mp3 tag took about a minute! Very fast and accurate with additional options.
Having the proper or suitable track titles allows ease of cataloging and searching on the PC, recognition in certain stereo players, to name a few benefits...


MP3 Track Namer with the Free MP3 Tag Utility

Image of MP3 Tag a freeware MP3 Track Namer Utility
MP3 Tag has some useful features such as batch mode conversion, individual editing, auto numbering, custom or user defined settings, track to file name switching (i.e. easily "flip" between the two). Also includes freedb support, a free CD and music data base service to query and provide information for music based on meta data or tags. Cover art (primarily to Amazon Com), and tag source album information retrieval (from Disogs and Music Brainz).

You can also create a favorite directory for later reference, export playlists (e.g. in html, csv and other formats), and perhaps optimize settings with the many options, including a range of language preferences. Hence MP3 tag is a great MP3 track namer to rapidly and efficiently rename your mp3 files, and once that is done you may want to organize your music files with another freeware utility such as Media Monkey (my review) or search duplicate MP3's with MP3 duplicate Finder.

Download 25 FREE songs at eMusic.com!



For other Tag editors and MP3 editors visit my blog MP3 Free Software Downloads




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Tagging mp3's for Track Names

Unwanted track name to proper track name >>

If you have a collection of mp3's without their formal track title names which may be unsuitably titled as track number, genre, code numbers, or other "no name" format then mp3 tag may help. It can quickly rename the files by swapping their tags (if they exist) for the unsuitable track names. I found this program helpful and quick when renaming ipod tracks after they were converted to mp3. After converting to mp3's with another program (itunes or another conversion program) the titles ended up with " code numbers" - something like AACC12HH, etc.

By loading the converted ipod tracks in mp3 tag, and then converting the embedded tags (i.e. track title - artist and music title tags) to the unwanted actual track titles took about a minute - for over several tracks. Super fast! Having the correct track titles is beneficial for displaying them in stereos, creating catalog's on the PC to name a few. Worth a try if you have multiple tracks to rename properly....


Related Posts - Visit my MP3 Free Software Downloads Blog (e.g. MP3 Tools, Utilities, and MP3 Organizers and Catalog Software). Also my review of MP3 Duplicate Finder and remover and Media Monkey Organizer...


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Sep 6, 2007

Basic Computer Backup:Drive Image XML

Often we use our PCs so much and we might forget about backing up our files until it crashes or we accidentally delete a important file or program. Then panic...So a strategy to backup is in order...You can either back up individual programs or files manually or with software on external drives, discs, servers, or online storage, etc, or a entire back up as a image. The image approach is probably the best approach - as everything can be backed up and restored. This includes the entire operating system, windows updates, and others such as virus files, spy ware, and others.

Image backup saves the hassle and hours of re-updating important updates again. Drive XML offers a free image backup program to easily backup for free. Have a look at their site which includes other programs. You might want to also create a boot up disc, in case your PC won't boot up. So try Bart PE which works with Drive XML among other plug in utilities - Both very useful and important programs...


Related Post:
Back Up Hard Drive with Syncback/Drive Image XML



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Aug 29, 2007

Email Importance! - Notification



emails! - Many of us rely on them for all sorts of reasons - contact, newsletters, auction updates and so on. If you multi task on your computer, you may want to consider a notification or alert program. They scan your server for emails and displays a "pop up" on your screen or some other form of notification - flashing or sound. This is what I use as I might be running 3 or more applications at once including a auction site where I sell items and need instant updates. It saves opening up your main e-mail program(s) and logging in, which you may not want to, depending on the importance of the email, and perhaps the loading times of some web based email programs. So something like pop peeper is a excellent freeware, at snapfilesl to achieve this....
Try It!

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Aug 25, 2007

Computer Freeware: Basic Firewall Problem

It pays to think about checking your firewall, as it may cause an unexpected problem. Because the internet provides a lot of system essential software for free, such as firewalls, adware and anti-virus programs. I guess it's no surprise that most of us like to try new or different software on our PC's. Easy to do: Search Google for a freeware site, and quickly download a suitable program and perhaps 1 or 2 similar ones for comparison. Extract and install your selected new software and you are done. If it's a popular system program, like a firewall or adware program, then they tend to run smoothly and even unnoticeable in the background. Only a few updates and upgrades, all with a minimal effort to maintain.

But how many of us really bother to open up such programs? as many of us would rather race to click on the internet to our favorite sites, social networks, forums, blogs, or e-mails, instant chat, etc, rather than click on our silent but essential programs. Recently I could not click fast enough to get on the internet - because I could not get on at all. The browser would not open up a web site - just a error page. For nearly an hour, after restarting the browser, re-entering passwords in internet explorer, still not much luck...

I was nearly at a loss, then that little "silent" icon on the task bar which has been there for a fair few years (longer than my previous two pc's), seemingly doing nothing, caught my eye. Only because I was staring like a thoughtless log at the screen. Yes it's the firewall program...
After opening the program, and scrolling through the dozens of displayed applications and files on my PC, some, including internet explorer were ticked as blocked. Hence no internet access....
I found out that the firewall was quickly accessed by my 3 year old girl as she liked the colour of the icon and the inside of the colorful program itself, which she thought was a software game. I was outside briefly when she "played" on the PC! In fact she probably clicked throughout the program more than what I ever had.

But because of this basic firewall problem, it pays to check your firewall manually on occasion, as with the other system programs. I guess many of us would benefit if we pay more attention internally to our basic but essential programs...


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Aug 17, 2007

Where and How to Learn Computer Maintenance: Basic Overview

Often one can come across a problem on their computer, where things run smooth or not, then suddenly nothing: It freezes, stalls, or some unreadable error code. So what next? Other than panicking you..Get advice from a knowledgeable person? Call up your local computer repair shop? Get access to another internet enabled computer to search on Google for help? This has happened to me due to the lack of maintenance, a huge amount of software programs (Many which were rarely used - there were a total of around 36, 000 files! that constituted or rather compromised the programs present), incorrect use by others (e.g. the young ones deleting files), and the hidden files of annoyance- worms, malware, adware, etc...


What I did was rush of to the computer stall then get them to fix it - rather reformat my PC. I asked what was wrong and how it was fixed, but he did not really want to any give specifics, only to say the pc was unstable. So 50 dollars later, then reinstalling several software programs and driver discs, with hours of updating (re-updating) windows, adware, anti virus, etc - All which was a pain. So I went on a mission to learn how to first prevent and then to fix future major hassles. This was achieved by learning how to back up folders and then images on a removable drive. Then to use the XP disc to fresh install or repair sections of windows, e.g. the boot sector. Then all good - back to the beginning of a healthy computer...

But I wanted to know more - free useful maintenance programs, latest help articles, forums, blogs, maintenance, strategies and so on - all just for a personal PC. But perhaps like no other..It is used heavily - the kids internet games and browsing, editing music files (ripping from vinyl, removing noise, adding reverb, etc), creating web sites, extensive gaming, music management(burning, ripping, categorizing), testing the latest software, photo and art editing and illustrations for stock uploads (Examples above), and so on. Bit like a household or a car to operate efficiently you need a bit of selective planning, preventative maintenance, training or learning, and a routine schedule to do so.

So I read articles from PC magazines, rss feeds, forums,and searched extensively on the internet (over about 3.5 years) to find and download essential maintenance programs and articles - which I use to this day and are most important for any windows environment. I also joined a forum at pcworld NZ for a little while, to offer advice (though perhaps limited compared to the resident experts). But there are hundreds of download sites, forums, advice, online tutorials, and of course the almost thousands of software programs. And their levels of application and content - freeware, shareware, trials, for basic, enhanced or expert use. There are some great well known sites - pcworld, about com, wikipedia, how stuff works, download com, and many others - which many of us know and probably reference.

So I taught myself web page creation (though not at the true design level yet!) at a fundamental editing, code insertion, level. This was with the relatively easy to use Microsoft front page 2000 and collated a list of useful pc/freeware sites and recent computer news, including popular New Zealand internet sites. The info is updated almost daily, so maybe you can check out www.pcsourcepoint.netfirms.com http://www.pcsourcepoint.netfirms.com/ This is a website I created which has many useful sites and information links, which I believe should pertain to some common problems. Many of us link or search throughout the internet to get to where we want, to get what we want, in part I believe to always gain knowledge for what ever reason..."Linking for Knowledge". Hence this my web site is knowledge which I want to share...

For more advanced Computer Maintenance visit:

Troubleshooting Windows PC Errors

How To Avoid Malware And Keep Your PC Error Free


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