What most people do not know about Windows is that it provides an easy tool to keep a backup of all your data in a single file in a single location. The Backup and Restore feature of Windows allows you to create a single file (.bkf) that includes all of your files and folders.
To use the backup and restore feature all you need to do is run it! It does not require you to save the backup on separate media like many of the other backup applications you can use. You can save the backup file directly to your hard drive if you wish, but I would not recommend you keep it there long. The whole point of the backup file is to have it if the hard drive crashes, and if it crashes then you won’t be able to get to that backup file if it was only stored on your hard drive. I would suggest investing in an external hard drive that you can buy at pretty much any tech department in any department store.
The backup and restore feature is fairly dynamic. It will allow you to create incremental, differential, or full backups. To use the incremental and differential you MUST first do a full backup (called normal in the backup and restore wizard). After you have your full backup then you can set your scheduled backups to backup incrementally or differentially. Incremental means that if you take your full backup on Sunday then starting Monday your backup will include only the files that were saved or changed on Monday. Then on Tuesday your backups will include everything from Monday as well as Tuesdays new and saved documents and so on throughout the week. Differential backups will only backup the files that were changed on that day. Both incremental and differential have their plus and minuses so play around with it and find the best way for you. I would recommend incremental though.
The way you get to the Backup and Restore feature click on Start->programs->accessories->system tools->backup. When you get to the point where it wants to start the backup there will be an advanced button. You will need to hit advanced if you want to set the parameters on whether to do a full(normal), incremental, or differential backup.
To restore your files you will need to get the Backup and Restore feature again by following the above path. Instead of allowing the wizard to do a backup you would select the restore option. Check the folder you want to restore and allow the restore wizard to do the rest.
Most people don’t know how simple it really is to make a backup of their hard drive so give them my website if they would like to learn! You can also submit a help request and schedule a time for me to come out to your house. I service the surrounding areas of: Carrollton, Dallas, Douglasville, Hiram, and Villa Rica.
I have found that a lot of people get very weary and anxious at the thought of getting a new computer. For me it is quite the opposite, but that is just the way I am. What I found out was that these people that get anxious over getting a new PC are doing so because they think their files and settings might go missing or they will just lose all their data. Well, folks, I am here to tell you to feel anxious no more! Microsoft thought about you briefly while developing their operating systems and came up with the File and Settings Transfer Wizard.
The File and Settings Transfer wizard is a great tool for the PC user who is especially weary about change. This transfer wizard will capture all of your files and settings and allow you to by either a direct cable connection or over a network connection. For the average user the network transfer might be a little hard to understand at first but as long as you know your way around My Network Places you should be able to browse to a shared folder over a network. For direct cable connection I would suggest a dual male ended USB cable. Windows will auto detect the connection once it is made. Once the transfer is complete then all you need to do is run the file and settings transfer wizard from the new PC and it will auto-migrate your data into the new PC.
Microsoft has an alternative method of transferring your files and settings. They have a program now called the Windows Easy Transfer.
Create An Administrator’s Password Reset Disk
A problem we see a lot is forgotten Administrator’s passwords–Especially in Windows Vista where it urges you to run as a limited user. If you created a password for your Windows Administrator’s account and run as a different user, it might be only a matter of time before you forget what that password is, and while cracking it is possible, it is a process that makes users feel like their doing something wrong. There is also the possibility that using hacker tools will damage your system unless you know what you’re doing. To avoid this potential problem, simply create an Administrator’s Password Rest disk.
Create the Password Reset Disk
You will need a blank, formatted disk. Next, go to the Control Panel and look for the User Accounts icon. Highlight the user account you want to create a reset disk for and select Related Tasks, then “Prevent a forgotten password.” This will start a wizard that helps you create the disk. You will be asked to type in the password for that account. It will write that information to the disk you have inserted and then the wizard will conclude.
Label that disk and keep it in a safe place. If you change the Administrator’s password, you will need to re-create the password reset disk. If you have never created the disk, there are tools online that allow you to reset them. But again, it’s best to create this disk in advance rather than having to do something that can potentially damage your system. If you have questions about password recovery, feel free to join our free computer forums today and someone should be able to help you find resources to resetting them.
Troubleshooting issues dealing with your software can make one feel pretty helpless and frustrated. Even I get pretty frustrated when I have to troubleshoot software issues. My best advice is to be patient and stay calm. Applications are generally not release to the public until they are nearly completely bug free. However, because almost no two computers are exactly alike there will always be issues with software and computers.
The best way to troubleshoot any software related issue is to reinstall the program. You will either need to find the application media (CD, DVD) or go and download the installer from the website that you found the application. Once you have reinstalled the application then try to run the program again. If you still have issues running the program you might want to try to completely remove the program from your computer from the Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel. Once you have removed the program it is good practice to reboot your machine before trying to install it again. Once your computer has rebooted you can now try to install the application once again. I have found that 70-80% of application issues are resolved by either repairing the installation or completely reinstalling the application.
If you are unfamiliar with any of the above steps from the above article then feel free to contact me through email or phone. If you live in my service area (Carrollton, Dallas, Douglasville, Hiram, or Villa Rica) the call or email to submit a request to schedule a time for me out to your computer and take a look at your software issue.
Troubleshooting Blue Screen of Death Errors
by Jules on May 18, 2009
Any frequent Windows user has encountered the big bad BSOD, short for the Blue Screen of Death. This common error will make its presence known whenever the system senses that an application, piece of hardware or device driver is experiencing issues behind the scenes. What makes this particular issue so tricky is that it can be an indicator of anything from a minor glitch to a major error that causes your system to malfunction and leave you staring at the infamous blue screen.
On rare occasions, getting rid of a blue screen error is as simple as rebooting the system. Some have been lucky enough to restart their PC and never encounter the problem again. Unfortunately, this error usually means that your system is suffering from a critical error and when this is the case, it will not go away until you address the matter.
There is no standard solution to fixing the blue screen problems, mainly because there are so many problems that can result in such an error. This could be anything from a new program you just installed to a memory stick you added to the computer. In order to eliminate this nuisance, you must first diagnosis the problem to find out what’s actually going on. By doing a little troubleshooting, you can narrow things down and actually find the culprit.
Check Software and Hardware Components
The easiest step to eliminating blue screens is uninstalling any new software or hardware recently installed on the machine. If you encountered the problem after adding on a new component, this is likely the source of your problem. This could be due to a failed installation or incompatibility issues related to the software or a driver the device needs to function.
Check Your Memory Status
Blue screen errors could also appear if you recently added more RAM to your computer. You can find out if your RAM is faulty by running a diagnostic utility. If you don’t have such a tool handy, you will have to get more hands on by opening the computer case and removing the stick of RAM you just installed. From there, you can fire up the machine to see if the blue screen still shows up. This is actually easier than it sounds, but if you don’t feel comfortable opening your computer find yourself a professional technician who won’t charge an arm and leg to do the job.
Fix the Registry
The Windows registry is one of the most common causes of the BSOD. Over time, the registry gets cluttered with invalid files and other unwanted items that can make your system unstable. A blue screen of death occurrence is the ultimate sign of instability. You can run a registry cleaner to find out if the registry is stirring up all the trouble on your PC. These programs are fairly inexpensive and have the ability to automatically detect and remove the questionable items hiding out on your PC.
Conclusion
When the blue screen of death shows up, it will be accompanied by a STOP code that gives details on what caused the problem. Be sure to jot down this information when troubleshooting to better your chances of successfully fixing the issue.
Simple Care and Maintenance to Extend the Life of Your Computer Hardware
by Bert Moen
Caring for your computer hardware today will go a long way toward extending its life. I’d like to share with you some easy things you can do to keep your computer running in top form.
1. Many of the computer desks available today have a closed cabinet for you to place your computer in. Computers need circulating air to keep them from overheating. I recently replaced a video card that got too hot and blew some capacitors because it was in a closed cabinet.
If possible try to put your computer out in the open and up off the ground. Also the environment should be moisture, smoke and dust free if possible.
2. I’m often asked if it’s better to leave a computer left on or shut it down when you’re done until the next time you need it. If you use your computer daily it’s best to leave it on. Every time you have to cold start your computer it causes stress to the electrical components.
Leaving your computer on is better for it but make sure you’re using the energy saving features that turn off your monitor and hard drives after a set amount of time. I don’t recommend the Windows hibernate feature though. Also insure your computer is plugged into a surge protector and that you’re using a firewall if you have a broadband connection. The Windows firewall is sufficient, Comodo’s free firewall is even better.
3. Dust inside the computer case can plug fans and coat components causing your computer to work extra hard and overheat. I worked on a computer recently that the fans were literally plugged with dust and debris.
The extra stress and heat caused three blown transistors right next to the processor and a fourth was bulging.
The life of this computer has been cut short due to too much dust. Once a year I make it a point to clean up the inside of my computers. I also clean the inside of every computer I fix.
Here’s how to do it:
A. Shut down the computer and unplug it.
B. Open the case. Usually it’s as easy as removing two screws in the back of the computer or pushing a latch. See the documentation that came with your computer if you’re not sure how to open the case.
C. There’s a huge debate about whether you should use a vacuum or not since vacuums can create static electricity which can cause permanent damage to the computer. Everyone agrees though that using compressed air is OK to use as long as you keep the can upright. If you tip the can it starts blowing moisture and can even freeze components in the computer.
I’ve always used a combination of compressed air and a vacuum. You might want to do this outside or in the garage if you don’t want a bunch of dust blown into your house. I usually just hold the computer hose outside the case and blow the compressed air to dislodge the dust.
If the computer is really dirty and you can see that the fans/heat-sinks are plugged and components are coated with dust you can carefully use a small paintbrush and/or these great, inexpensive vacuum micro attachments. Personally I would never purchase the special vacuums created specifically for vacuuming out computers because most of them get bad reviews.
4. While the computer is still unplugged, close the case and take a slightly damp rag and wipe down the exterior of the computer. I usually wait at least a couple hours after doing step 3 and 4 before I plug in and turn on the computer.
5. Next I unplug and clean the monitor. It’s very important that you don’t just start spraying Windex on your screen. LCD screens used on laptops and flat screens can be ruined using abrasive cleaners. Personally, I use Monster ScreenClean Display Cleaning Kit that includes a reusable MicroFiber cloth to clean any type of screen. Don’t spray the screen, spray the cloth then wipe the screen gently. You can find other screen cleaning options in your owner’s manual or a quick Google search.
6. You’ll also want to clean your keyboard. I usually just turn the keyboard over and shake it out then use compressed air to blow the dust out.
Following these simple and inexpensive steps to keep your computer hardware clean will extend its life and save you money in the long run so get started today!
-Bert
Computer Sound Issues – How To Fix
By Zach Hill
1. Make sure your speakers are on and plugged into power.
As I’ve said in other articles, nothing can run without power. Make sure your speakers are plugged into a power outlet and that the outlet itself is working.
2. Make sure your speaker wires are in the right place.
Basic Speakers may just have the one wire, but If you have anything other than the bare minimum, there’s going to be 2, 3 or even 4. And if you don’t plug the right wires into the corresponding plugs, your system won’t work. The one that every system has is the plug for the main speakers and it’s pretty universal that green corresponds to these, and therefore should go into the green jack. If there aren’t matching colors, the speaker jack should have some sort of symbol depicting a speaker or headphones radiating sound, or something similar. If you have anything more than a two speaker system, for example a 5 speaker surround sound system, you will have more to deal with. The green will be for the front left and right speakers, but you will have two more wires that correspond to the front center speaker and the back left and back right speakers. On my Logitech system these are black and orange respectively. Now there is another jack for a microphone, which I have encountered as pink most of the time. But even without a color there should be a symbol depicting a microphone beside it.On a side note, most sound cards will have three plugs, one for the main speakers, another for the front center speaker, and one for a microphone. In order to have a surround sound computer system you usually need a higher end sound card that supports those extra back two. But don’t worry if you have a big speaker set and don’t have enough plugs for everything, the main speakers will still work, you’ll just have to upgrade Cards to get the surround sound experience. Now if all else fails and your cords and plugs are the wrong colors and there aren’t any symbols depicting which is which, a simple trial and error will eventually work, plug each wire into each plug, and one of them should eventually work.
3. Check windows volume control aren’t turned down or muted.
I know I’ve done this a thousand times. Turned on some music, heard nothing, had a mini-panic attack about my speakers being broken, and then realizing that the sound was just muted. To start with, make sure your speakers themselves are turned on. Many speakers will have a button that turns them on when they’re plugged in. They also may have a volume knob that you can turn to adjust the sound, make sure this isn’t turned all the way down.Most applications that involve sound (for example windows media player or iTunes) will have a built in volume control somewhere in the interface. These can look like a slider or meter that shows a speaker with sound waves coming out to show what it is. Make sure this is turned up and the mute box (if it has one) is unchecked. Now Windows has a master volume control that sits near the clock on the bottom right corner of the screen. If you double click the speaker icon, then the sliders will come up. Make sure they are all turned up to how loud you want them. Now if all this doesn’t work, it could simply be your system is trying to play through the wrong device. If (in Vista) you right click your volume control and select “playback devices” from the list, you should open up a window that lets you change the device.
Or in XP, you can right click your volume control and go to “Adjust Audio Properties” and then go to the Audio tab.
Now if you have more than one device in this screen then select one, and click set default, and try your sound, and then the other, click set default, and try the sound. Click OK when you find the one that works.
4. Make sure your sound card drive is installed and working.
Now this step is a little bit more complex, though not awfully so. Sound cards have drivers that run them, so if there’s no driver, then your sound card won’t work. There sound be a driver CD that came with your computer with the right driver on it, so look for that and use the CD to install or re-install the driver. Failing that, most manufacturers will have the drivers to their products on their website so if you know the maker of your card you can simply go to the website and download it. Additionally if you know the model number of your card you can sometimes input that into Google or other search engine and it will take you to a site where you can download your driver. In order to find the model number of your card you have to look at the card and you have to take apart the computer to do so and I don’t really recommend that unless you really know what you’re doing.
Well that should be about it for basic sound troubleshooting. This should cover anything that’s not a real malfunction, hope it helps!
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To get more tips on computer repair, visit http://fasteasycomputerrepair.com/ where you will find this and much more, including how to remove viruses and find out which companies are scamming you! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zach_Hill |
Have you ever heard the term Cloud Computing? This is a fairly new term in the world of computers. Cloud computing is the idea of having a wide area of which to access files, and run applications, all which usually run in your internet browser. For example, Google Apps is considered cloud computing because you open your web browser to access their word processor, spreadsheet applications, and presentation application and be able to create new documents, save documents, and upload previously created documents. All of the files that you save are saved to Google’s file servers and are accessible anywhere in the world that you have an internet connection.
Microsoft has also come up with their own Cloud Computing application called Sharepoint. Sharepoint is an application that is installed on one of a company’s servers and is fully customizable. It can be used like Google’s Google Apps or can be utilized exclusively internal to the company. It looks a little nicer than Google Apps but can be difficult to customize. Many companies are outsourcing as they move to the cloud because of the fact that most businesses are small to mid-sized and does not have their own internal IT department. Also, since it is still pretty new there are many IT professionals that are still unfamiliar with Sharepoint and don’t have the time to take the necessary training.
My suggestion would be that you, the reader, go sign up for a free gmail account and start playing around with Google Apps so that as the IT industry moves toward a decentralized type of information technology you are not left behind.
I’ll assume that if you are reading this that you have some sort of high speed internet (DSL, Cable, etc…) so I will go ahead and tell those users still on dial up that this article will not apply to them. A lot of people will have their ISP come and set up their internet for them at home. The only downside to that is they only install the modem and no router to go along with it. A lot of modems now have some built in security but not the amount of security that most professionals would suggest. Nowadays everyone that connects to the internet needs some sort of firewall between their computer and the outside internet.
The best and easiest way to accomplish this is to purchase router. Routers have a built in firewall that will protect you against hackers. Here are a few routers I would recommend:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10730619
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320026 (My recommendation)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156001
If you live in my service areas of Carrollton, Dallas, Douglasville, Hiram, or Villa Rica then you could email or call me and we could schedule a service call for me to come out and set up a new router for you or give you an estimate on a home office set up.
The first step in making your own website is to decide on a domain name (ie pcbitsandbytes, google, yahoo, etc…). After you decide on the name you need to check and see if it is available. Once you have a unique website domain name you need to decide on where to have your website hosted. Most of the businesses that provide your domain name have an option to have your website hosted through them. Go Daddy is pretty competitive. If you are an experienced computer user then using software like Adobe’s DreamWeaver might work well for you. If you are somewhat experienced with computers then software like Microsoft’s Front Page would be good for making a basic website. I have tried using both of the website building software that I have suggested so far and have made working websites. For this website I wasn’t sure how I was going to make a professional looking website. I work on computers for a living and had no idea how to make a professional looking website. I was introduced to WordPress by a friend and found it so easy to use.
There is also the option of hosting your own website. I tried this option for awhile as well and I will tell you it was not easy. Finding the directions to set up IIS took a long time because there are not too many websites out there that give good, detailed, step by step directions on how to set it up correctly. Plus you have to make sure that you are keeping IIS up to date because of all the hackers out there that are trying to do harm to whomever they can.
So, my suggestion is you get with a website like WordPress or Blogger or something like those two if you are like me and have little to no website creating experience. The easier you can make it for yourself the less frustration you will face.
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