Fix Computer issues in this Hints, Tips and Tricks Newsletter

Many upgrades which fix computer issues are a matter of a few minutes and a few keystrokes. For example:

1. If you still have an old-style CRT monitor, you might want to consider getting rid of it and upgrading to a new LCD. You will be amazed at the amount of free desk space you will recover. Also, LCD monitors are less taxing on your eyes than CRTs. Today's monitors are almost uniformly widescreen and are a bit more than just displays. The Dell SP2208WFP, is a 22-inch monitor that offers great performance and some convenient extras. It comes with a 2-megapixel camera and a dual microphone array built right into the bezel. The best part is that it's less than #300. (PC Mag Article)

2. Install Mozilla Firefox. You may have noticed how slow Internet Explorer has gotten with each revision. Fix computer issues with Mozilla Firefox, a fast/free Internet browser (www.mozilla.com). You can customize the browser in a number of ways which I will discuss in a future newsletter.

3. Vista Users - On the right system, Vista is very fast. First, though, you need to decide if you want a system that's fast, or good looking. Here are a few tweaks that will make your PC perform better.
a. Set the desktop to a plain, one-color background. Big colorful wallpapers can slow load time.
b. If you don't care about the little desktop widgets on the side, turn off Windows Sidebar, It takes up space on your desktop. Go to the Windows Sidebar Properties control panel and deselect "Start Sidebar when Windows starts."
c. Heard of "Aero"? It is a fancy name for the cool transparent interface that Vista uses. It can slow down your system. Fix computer issues with the Personalization control panel, select Windows Color and Appearance. In the next window, click Open Classic Appearance properties. Change the color scheme to something else, such as Windows Standard and then click Effects to turn off menu shadows and the ability to see windows as you drag them.

These are but a few ways to get your home PC running better without spending a lot of money. If these suggestions seem a bit too much, we are here to help. Call today and we will have a certified technician come assist. 919-713-8008

Recycle that Old PC

You can probably put your old PC to some kind of good use. But sometimes, you want that old doorstop out of the house. Here are some options:

1. Fix computer by revitalizing it - you may think that old laptop is too slow for use, but try installing the small and consumer-friendly Linux-based operating system, gOS 3 Gadgets (www.thinkgos.com). It may turn that old slowpoke into the perfect web-surfing speed demon for another family member.

2. Give it away - Whether you hand it down to a family or to a local charity, there has got to be someone that might want your old, working PC. If you can't find anyone, check www.freecycle.org for a mailing list of people in a city near you that love free stuff.

3. Pick a dump spot - Find a PC Donation center in your area or visit Earth 911 (earth911.org) for places that will dispose of electronics responsibly.

No matter what you choose to do, sanitize that hard drive before you pass it on. At a minimum, format the drive and reinstall the operating system before you give it away. Keep in mind that this is not enough to completely remove all of your data - it still can be recovered. If you are concerned by this, you can get rid of the data entirely for free by using the software DBAN (sourceforge.net/projects/dban). It may take hours to completely scrub your drive of data, but your peace of mind is worth it.

If you need assistance with any of the above steps, give us a call at 919-713-0090 and we send a certified technician to help.

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