
Windows Vista is a pretty heavy operating system and needs the latest configuration to start up. However, with time, the performance and speed deteriorates. To speed up my computer, you can follow certain Vista performance tips that can help you dramatically improve its speed within minutes.
1. A corrupted Windows registry could be the culprit slowing Vista down. Getting it repaired could speed up the OS instantly. But it is really risky to do it manually because you might end up deleting some critical information. Instead use safe registry cleaners that erase unnecessary registry list items efficiently without any loss of crucial entries.
2. Make use of Windows Defender: This is a built-in application in Windows Vista that helps your computer fight against any malware, whether it is adware, spyware, or virus. In addition, Windows Defender also includes a Software Explorer option or tool that lets you see the list of startup programs. It also provides you with the option to disable programs that you do not wish to start with your system. In order to see unwanted startup programs and disable them, click 'Start' and go to the 'Start Search' box. Type Defender' and then press Enter. This will load the Windows Defender page. Click on the option that says 'Software Explorer'. Ensure that it shows you the category that says 'Startup Programs'. Check the list of programs here and remove unwanted startup programs. This is one of the effective to speed up my computer and helps in your computer starting up fast.
3. Turn the Indexing feature off: This is another of the important Vista performance tips to speed up my computer. Vista automatically indexes files on your system. Although this feature is helpful and makes it easy to locate and access different files, it affects Vista performance. You can turn indexing off by going to 'Start' and then typing 'Indexing' on the 'Start Search' box. Click 'Enter' and then the 'Modify' option. Next uncheck all the files and folders to turn off indexing.
4. Alter the visual settings: You can customize these visual enhancements by going to Start > Control Panel > Performance Information and Tools. On the left hand side, click 'Adjust Visual Effects'. You can then disable all visual effects by selecting 'Adjust for best performance'.
These Vista performance tips can really help me to speed up my computer in minutes. For additional information on registry cleaners and other options, you can visit the following link:
Tired of slowing PC performance? Do you want to speed up my computer in cheap and fast way? You can scan the registry error in your computer for free and fix them with the best registry cleaner on the market. After scanning and fixing your PC, you will be surprise how fast your computer is.
http://www.expert-product-reviews.net/detect-registry-error.html
About the Author
Ally Wood is a professional software reviewer and has worked in CNET. Now she is working for her own review software company to give feedback to the software creator and has done deep test in registry cleaner software. After reviewing the most popular registry cleaner, she has written complete review on a review site for you that can be accessed for free.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A._Wood
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
4 Tips to Speed Up My Computer - How to Restore Your Computer Speed Like a Brand New One in Minutes!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Basic Internet Security Tips
It's unbelievable how the Internet has become such an unsafe place. It started out wowing us for the tremendous world of conveniences and entertainment it could offer. But now, it seems that it has become very much exploited by people who can't find anything more decent to do with their lives. When you use the Internet these days, you're always faced with the possibility of being hacked or being infected by viruses, Trojans, worms, and all sorts of online contaminants. It's as if the dangers associated with this technology are endless and we are simply faced with the recourse of being eternally conscious of our online dealings if we don't want to have to deal with corrupted files, poor PC performance or, worst, identity theft. While we can never be a hundred percent free from the risks that abound on the Internet, there are ways we can do to reduce them significantly.
We don't even have to be experts on Internet security. Most of the time, we only need to practice some common sense, discipline and a little paranoia. For example, if you receive email from someone you don't know, suspect this sender right away of having malicious intentions. Most of these are actually hackers who would try to lead you into clicking on a certain link. If you do click on it, you'll end up in their site which is, of course, abundant in all the things created to wreak havoc in your computer. Or a hacker can also have you land in his site so he could set off a certain code to begin remotely accessing and controlling your computer. That means he can steal whatever personal information you have stored in there - maybe your bank ac count number, your credit card number, your passwords, usernames and even confidential information about the company you work for which the hacker can actually market to competitors. You can imagine what damage all that can cause, so it's always safe never ever to entertain emails from anyone other than those you're sure you'll want to take emails from.
Of course, it follows that if you don't entertain unknown people's emails, you don't answer their queries about your personal information. There are hackers who'll send you email pretending to be an employee of your bank and asking for your current usernames and passwords supposedly so your account could be activated. Just remember that established institutions never transact online, not even the phone, when it comes to very sensitive information. Therefore, when you encounter an email or even a phone call like this, ignore it because most certainly a scam.
And then, you'll always want to update yourself about the latest techniques that hackers use to prey on their victims. There's a lot of ways that they can try to dupe you into giving them the information they need so they can advance their selfish interests. Know what these are and do not stop digging the Internet for new information. These people are fast evolving and so are their tricks. Just by being aware could actually save you a great deal of trouble.
Of course, your basic firewall and anti-virus software will have to be enabled properly so content that attempts to enter your system could be duly screened for anything anomalous. Then you'll want to keep a backup of all your files just in case you do end up being infected with a virus.
Another way you can hide from hackers is with the use of an IP changing software. This is a program that lets you surf the Internet without exposing your real IP address. In other words, you'll be surfing using a fake IP. Doing this allows you to stay anonymous while surfing so even if you end up in a hacker's website, that hacker won't have a way of preying on your system because he wouldn't be able to find it. Remember that your IP address serves as your online identifier. Because the hacker can't see it with the use of an IP hider, you're practically safe.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brad_M_Smith
Computer Security Tips
Computer security tips are essential to remain safe from all kinds of perils pertaining to your PC. Particularly for those who use the internet there is dire need of being careful and using these tips. This is for the reason that as soon as you get online, you are exposed to numerous threats such as viruses, spy ware, hackers etc. All these have potential threats for your computer which means they can damage some files or your entire system. However, computer security tips allow you to remain safe from such issues and work in a secure environment.
Here are some tips which will ensure you can use your computer without any problems.
Firstly, the most important computer security tip is to have anti virus software. These programs will not let your data be lost in case some viruses enter your system. They make backup files as well which allows you to retrieve any files that you lose. However, make sure that the anti virus you use is good software. Do not settle for any substandard program for it may harm your PC instead of doing any good to it.
Another very important point pertaining to computer security is that you should not open attachments with emails which you receive from unknown senders. Many of these emails are intended with the purpose of transferring viruses into your system. They can damage your files or the entire computer so better not open them.
Using strong passwords is also a very important tip to secure your computer. You should use long passwords with a mixture of digits and alphabets so that they cannot be easily hacked. Furthermore, you should not allow many people to access your system. Only a few trusted people may have access to your PC so that it may not be misused. It is also important to have firewall protection as they protect your system from hacker.
It is also advisable not to give out your personal information on websites which may not seem reliable. You can see to the ranking and the reputation of the site before giving in your information.
Negligence in this regard may get you into deep trouble so do not overlook these computer security tips.
To learn more about Computer Security Tips please visit http://www.k7computing.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hamza_Ejaz
How to Auto Run a CD Drive For Your CD ROM

Are you having trouble playing that new audio CD you just bought? You pop it in the tray and it does absolutely nothing? You wait for a while, then open My Computer or Windows Explorer, and browse through the CD trying to figure out which file to select so that you can see the contents of the CD or to play whatever is on the CD?
There are few things more frustrating than having a CD that would not play automatically. If this has happened to you often and you want to know how to make CDs run automatically one they are inserted into the CD drive, then read on.
When you have a CD drive that will not autorun or autoplay, there are some steps you need to take to make sure that your CDs start playing automatically after insertion. The steps to be taken depend on the Operating System that is loaded into your computer and on the type of CD. Your CD may contain data or audio tracks.
Let us see how to make a CD drive autorun on a PC running the Windows Operating System.
For a Windows XP installation, configuring a CD drive for autorun is very simple - open My Computer or Windows Explorer. Right click on the CD drive and select properties. In the window that pops up, select the Autoplay tab. You will see a drop down box listing several file types normally found on CDs like music CD, mixed content, video files etc. Choose the type of file closest to your requirement and select the option titled Select an action to perform. In the options given below, choose Play from the list. Press OK. This should enable autorun for any CD with the content specified.
If you are not comfortable with the idea of blanket permissions, you can choose the option Prompt me each time to choose an action instead of the one mentioned above. In this case, Windows automatically asks you for your choice whenever you insert a CD.
Ms. Pinky is a Computer Support Specialist for more than 25 years. Has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering, MS Research work in Systems Engineering.
Get more free computer tips on her blog at http://www.computerhelpdeskandsupport.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pinky_Mcbanon
How to Upgrade Ram Memory in a Power Mac G5
Old hot rodders had a saying: "The only substitute for cubic inches is more cubic inches." That may be true for hot rods, but in the computer world...the only substitute for ram memory is more ram memory.
Make no mistake, the most important thing you can do to improve the performance of your Power Mac G5 is add more ram. Unless the ram slots of your G5 are already maxed out, no other add-on will provide as much performance improvement as a ram increase.
Don't assume just any memory will work, however. Different versions of the G5 utilize different ram chips, and even chips that meet the published specifications have been known to cause problems. To avoid frustration, only ram designed to meet Apple's strict guidelines should be used. That doesn't mean you have to buy ram from Apple -- OEM ram chips are generally more expensive than third-party modules. Just make sure you buy from a vendor who guarantees that their ram chips will work correctly in a Power Mac G5.
You could pay a technician to install new memory, but the task of adding DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module) chips to a G5 is quite simple. Generally, it only takes a few minutes, even if you take your time.
The original Power Mac G5 units shipped with a meager 512MB ram, barely enough to run OS X, let alone get some work done. Time to fix that with a ram upgrade.
Make sure you are well grounded
Start by turning off the machine and disconnecting all cables except the power cord. Before you disconnect the power cable, touch the PCI access covers on the back of the case to dissipate any static electricity.
Some vendors include a grounding strap with new memory orders. If you don't have access to a ground strap, you have to be very cautious about static electricity. A static charge can do bad things to your new memory chips, as well as internal computer components. You should be safe by following the recommendation to touch the metal chassis with the power off and the computer plugged in.
Opening the Power Mac G5 case
Unplug the power cord before proceeding. Open the case by lifting the lever on the back of the machine. This allows you to lift off the aluminum side panel from the computer enclosure.
Once you remove the side panel, you can remove the clear plastic air deflector. NOTE: the deflector is necessary to properly cool the G5, so don't misplace it.
The beauty of the G5 case is that no tools are required to access most of the components. The ram sockets are located behind the processor fan assembly. To gain access the sockets, simply grasp the handle on the fan assembly and slide it toward you until it comes free.
With the fans removed, you have full access to the motherboard mounted sockets. Some G5 models feature 8 sockets, while others have only 4. The basic G5 512MB ram configuration shipped with two 256MB chips installed.
The late 2005 Power Mac G5 towers can recognize ram chips as large as 2GB and feature 8 sockets, providing a maximum of 16GB memory. All other models of the G5 towers only recognize memory modules of 1GB, 512MB or 246MB. If you own an early model with 8 slots, this means you can install a maximum of 8GB of memory, while the 4 socket models will restrict you to 4GB.
Memory must be installed in pairs
On all versions of the Power Mac G5, you must install memory in pairs. There is a top bank of sockets and a lower bank. When you install a ram module in the top bank, you must install the exact same size memory chip in the corresponding socket of the lower bank.
If there are empty slots on the mother board, you can populate these with your new ram chips. In cases where all the sockets are filled with smaller capacity chips, these will need to be removed in order to install larger modules. With the current low price of memory, it makes little sense to install anything but the largest capacity chips: 2GB modules for the late 2005 models, 1GB modules for all others.
If you are removing smaller chips, unclip the locking tabs and press downward on the tabs. This will force the old DIMMs out of the socket. To install new chips, line up the notches with the corresponding pins in the socket and push the chip straight down. The DIMM modules are engineered to fit into the memory slots in only one direction.
Lock your new ram chips in place
If the chip is inserted correctly, pushing the chip down will force the locking tabs to swing up and secure the module in place. It is good practice to manually push on the tabs to make sure they are in the fully locked position.
Repeat this process for the lower bank and the basic installation is complete. Reinstall the fan assembly, the air deflector and the aluminum side plate. Reinstall the cables and power cord.
When you press the power button, if everything is installed correctly, you should hear the familiar Macintosh start up chime. Wait for the machine to finish the start up process and then click on the "About this Mac" under the Apple Logo in the menu bar. The Memory field should reflect the newly installed memory.
For a step-by-step photo walk-through demonstrating how to install Ram Memory in the Power Mac G5, see Tom Bonner's Power Mac G5 Upgrade lens on Squidoo.
Tom Bonner is the author of the Sony Alpha DSLR - A300/A350 Digital Field Guide, published by Wiley Publishing. A photographer for more than three decades, he offers photography and web design services to clients in the Charlotte, NC area
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Bonner
How to Reformat Your Windows XP Computer
While still in Windows, place your XP disk into your disk drive (sometimes a window will appear, simply close this). Simply reboot (restart) your PC while the disk is still in your drive. Reboot your PC from your Windows Disk.After restarting your machine (a few seconds wait) you should be presented with this option: Press any key to boot from CD. Simply press any key and your on your way for a fresh install of Windows XP!. If you did not receive this message then your PC does not have your cd drive as the first boot-up option.
Simply restart your machine and enter BIOS (this is done by pressing a key when you machine makes that weird start up noise.) The key to press will be displayed on the monitor. After entering BIOS you are looking for start-up sequence or boot options - make sure the CD drive is selected first. Restart your PC and everything should be ok.
Click INSTALL WINDOWS, this gives you a fresh installation. You will be asked now if you wish to create a new partition. To begin with select the partition you already have and press D to delete. Press ENTER to confirm and then L to confirm deletion again. This process will now erase everything off your hard drive. If your copy of windows xp is damaged or lost then you will need to buy an official copy. For fantastic savings on all software and operating system software visit the free fix it computer store and pick up your copy of windows xp.
To carry on we need to create a new partition. Simply press C. Dont worry about the size of this partition, lets just get installing by pressing ENTER. Next, select the partition that we have just created by pressing ENTER. All we have to do now is select the first option available to us (format the partition by using the NTFS file system/Quick). Windows should now be installing and the screen in front of you will now look more familiar. Installation takes some minutes (depending on how powerful your PC is) so its a good time to get your product activation key ready. Your next task is to carefully enter your product activation key. This can be found in either your Windows XP manual or on the back of your PC case.
Select Typical network settings when prompted and then Windows will finish the installation. Windows will detect most of your hardware but you will still need most of your hardware installation disks to ensure a smooth install. This concludes the article on how to reformat your computer.
Debra a computer expert spends her time editing free fix it computer help.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_Warwick
Computer Virus Safety Tips
Computer virus are a menace and they are outright annoying to say the least. It is almost impossible to see someone using a computer for long without being infected with at least one computer virus. The following tips will help you better keep safe from these data threats - viruses.
Use and Anti-Virus
Unless you use a Linux or an Mac based computer, your computer is vulnerable to viruses which can cause you loss of private information, data and more. An anti-virus protects your computer from these rogue programs by checking all the files you open and the websites you browse on the Internet.
Install Security Updates
There are security loopholes being discovered every day by the makers of operating systems like Windows and it is important that you update your operating system once in a while to keep safe from virus writers looking to exploit these loopholes.
Use a Firewall
Contrary to the popular belief, firewalls and anti-viruses are different things. A firewall protects external access to your computer by bots and hackers who use different techniques to sniff into your computer for valuable information like credit card numbers, private photos and the like.
Careful Instant Messaging
Instant messengers like Live Messegers, Yahoo! Messenger are a favourite of spyware creators as unsuspecting users are tricked into clicking links which download harmful software to your computer. So, when a close friend of yours sends you chats with suspicious links, make sure you click on it only if you are sure of the destination.
The above mentioned ways are only some of the methods to keep yourself safe from the malicious world of computer viruses.
Nandu is a online security expert who has been writing about computer security for the past 4 years and you can see his website http://msnvirusremoval.net/ which has all the latest information about MSN virus removal tips and about keeping safe from them.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nandu_Baxtel
How to Buy a Right Computer
If you want to buy a right computer then contact 3 to 4 computer sellers and take down the details what you are getting by investing a price for that computer.
There is a quality in computers. Suppose if you buy a low quality then also it is Good but make sure that all the components are available fully uploaded but some how the sellers won't give you some original items but it will work quite good enough. If you see a quality one yes there is a little bit increase in price and the quality is is also good for an affordable man/women.
Suppose if you are buying a quality one and in that RAM is 128 and hard disk is 40GB then the speed of it will decrease means it will work slowly and if it works slowly then what is the use in buying the quality one. I suggest you that increase in RAM and Hard Disk is the main thing at first to get your Quality Computer giving a satisfying results.
Even in low budget computer is also good for non affordable buyers. If the basic idea is clear in getting things to upload computer fully with an increase in RAM and Hard Disk it will work smoothly. Now a days smooth fast work is the best work when you work on a computer.
Suppose if the computer is very slow then when you are working in a computer which doesn't show the best results then probably you will get bored and have to wait for a long time to upload or download anything in your computer. Not only you will get bored but also give boredom for everyone. Before you buy any Computer read on the tips so that your money is safe when you buy a quality and low quality one.
For complete tips click on this link it will guide you for the following rest.
http://www.googlewindfall.com/computer/how_to_buy_the_right_computer.html scroll down and browse through 100s of tips below
D Mohan Kumar
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dmohan_Kumar