Archive for the ‘Computer / Laptop Problems’ Category
Sunday, February 21st, 2010
It appears there is a new version of AVG Anti Virus and it appears the maker might be trying to trick people into upgrading to a Paid version of AVG so please be very careful if you want to upgrade and still want a free version then you have two options :-
1) Scroll down to the bottom of the upgrade page and you willl some small writing that say ‘upgrade current product only’
2) You could also :-
- Uninstall AVG Free 8.x : Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs -> AVG Free
- Restart the PC
- Download and install AVG Free 9 - http://free.avg.com/us-en/download?prd=afg
- When installing, a few things to consider:
- Make sure to select the Free version in the installer – don’t get fooled into upgrading!
- Don’t install the Toolbar, it’s overkill
But I have another suggestion why don’t you try microsoft essentials free anti virus and spyware from Microsoft, read more (http://www.pcproblem.co.uk/?p=418)
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
Tags: anti virus, anti virus free, antivirus, antivirus software, internet security, protection virus, software antivirus, virus free, virus protection, virus software
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Saturday, February 20th, 2010
Being a burton computer repairer I sometimes need to buy cable (Network Cables, USB Extension Cables, Printer Cables) in a hurry and sometimes don’t have time to order the cable so I find that one of the better places to buy computer cables are from the likes of Poundland / Home Bargains.
Tags: Burton, Burton on Trent, Network Cables, Printer Cables, USB Extension Cables
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Saturday, February 20th, 2010
Fixin’ Fridays is a once-weekly article where we reveal the trade secrets behind easy fixes for complex pc problems.
As operating systems get more complex so too does the knowledge and experience required to fix them. Windows Vista is by far the largest and most complex Windows OS to date, so it is not surprising that PC problems related to the software can be extremely tricky to fix. This Friday we’re looking at a catch all application, which should square away almost any Windows Vista error. But what software could possibly have the power to do such a thing?
Actually, Vista comes with its own diagnostic and repair tools. The particular tool we need is called the Windows Vista Startup Repair Utility. To use it, you’ll need to boot from your windows Vista DVD disk.
1. Place the Windows Vista DVD into the computer.
2. Restart or shut down, and boot up again, intermittently pressing F8 key
3. Select the option to ‘Boot from CD or DVD’
At this point, the windows Vista DVD loads the Windows installation system - don’t panic! After a while you’ll be presented with a colourful screen asking you to select your language, time and currency format and keyboard inputs, click next.
4. The next screen should show a large ‘install now’ button, instead click the ‘Repair your computer’ button in the bottom left.
5. Windows will scan for compatible Operating Systems, once completed click Next.
6. Windows will scan for problems and automatically fix them – this can take a while.
You’re done! Well, if windows found the specific problem you needed fixing then you are done, otherwise you might like to use the advanced recovery options. If Windows could not automatically fix the issue, you’ll be offered the option to ‘View advanced options for system recovery and support’. This menu provides access to Startup Repair, System Restore, Complete PC Restore, Memory Diagnostic tool and Command Prompt. Use these tools with care.
If an automatic fix is not forthcoming, it is usually advisable to seek professional advice. PC Problem does not suggest muddling through these advanced tools, as they have the power to do great damage to your system if used incorrectly.
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Friday, February 19th, 2010
At our Burton on Trent office we have been seeing more and more Computers with Power issue, we’ve had 2 this week that needed a new Computer Power Supply Unit ( PSU ). There might be several causes for this issue but the basic solution is it’s going to need a new supply. There are also several pointers that it might be the PSU.
1) Smoke coming out of the Unit.
2) It has burnt Smell on the power supply
3) You get a light on but nothing else
4) Computer don’t come on at all.
Tags: Burton on Trent, computer power supply Unit, computer wont start, psu
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Friday, February 19th, 2010
A couple of days ago we talked about retrieving lost administrator passwords in Windows. It turns out that there are a few ways to do it, but they all require some rather tech savvy actions, like booting windows up in safe mode. Well, fortunately that part of the process isn’t so tricky, and we can tell you how to do it right here!
Safe mode is a way to launch the computer which helps with the diagnosis and treatment of various PC problems. In safe mode, only absolutely essential drivers and applications are loaded, making it possible to deal with viruses, adware, spyware and other issues which may not be removable in normal mode. Safe mode is not the solution to all PC problems, but it’s a very good start!
So, how do you boot into safe mode in Windows Vista and XP?
Vista:
1. Turn on or restart the computer.
2. Begin tapping the F8 key. This can be a bit varied, but you should get the Advanced Boot Options Menu.
3. Select the Boot in Safe Mode option by pressing up/down keys.
4. Press Enter to begin the safe mode boot process.
5. Once you’ve finished in Safe Mode, restart or shut down as usual.
Windows XP:
1. Turn on or restart the computer.
2. Again, tap the F8 key intermittently until the Windows Advanced Options Menu appears.
3. Select the Safe Mode option.
4. Press enter to launch the computer into Safe Mode.
5. As before, once you are finished shut down or restart normally to return to the normal mode.
Other versions of the windows operating system tend to require a different procedure. For complete instructions on booting in safe mode in Windows 95/98/2000 and more, click here.
Tags: vista dual boot, xp dual boot
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Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Last week we talked about how data recovery software and hardware technicians can help you retrieve almost any data which you might have thought long gone. But the fact that nearly all data is recoverable, even if it has been deleted and emptied from the trash can, highlights another important question: How do you truly erase confidential data so that it can’t be recovered?
Most individuals and nearly all businesses are likely to deal with information which they wouldn’t like falling into the hands of rival companies, or criminals. Take a moment to consider the content of your hard disk, and how it might be used to compromise your online and offline security: Password lists, account details, client contacts, expansion plans, market analysis, research results, and personal information may all be recovered if not properly erased – even after a hard disk has been taken out of a machine and sent to the tip! So what can be done?
Data shredding!
It’s a classic PC problem – containing your sensitive data, and keeping out of the hands of identity thieves, criminals, and rival organizations. Fortunately, the solution is relatively simple. There are various software and hardware solutions available for the job, depending upon the extent of your needs. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
File Shredder – Does exactly as it says. File shredder is a small and free application which provides a range of file destruction services. It can shred single files, entire folders, or shred the unused space on a disk, where previously deleted files are still hidden.
Blancco Shredder – This professional application suite provides a range of file shredding functions.
Tags: clean wipe, computer hard drive, computer wipe, wipe drive, wiping
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Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Windows uses a user account system which gives ultimate control over the PC to the administrator account. The level of control given to other accounts varies, but an administrator account login is generally required to make lasting changes to the operating system or applications contained on it. Users can sometimes go for months without logging into an administrator account, making it possible, or even likely to forget administrator passwords.
So what can be done?
1. In the past, forgetting an administrator password would usually mean re-installing the operating system and transferring files to a new installation. It is impractical, time consuming, and runs the risk of losing valuable files.
2. Alternatively, you can use special software to replace the old password. A program like Petter Nordahl-Hagen’s Offline NT Password & Registry Editor is able to replace the password of NT/2000/XP/2003 and Vista operating systems. You’ll need a floppy disk or bootable CD to use this software.
3. A final, possibly more user friendly solution to recovering a forgotten administrator password is using a website like LoginRecovery.com. These folks provide a very simple solution to this classic PC problem in the form of an application which extracts the old encrypted password. You then upload the password to their server, where it is decrypted – they then let you know what the password is!
All three of these methods require a decent level of PC aptitude, as you will be required to create bootable disks, CD’s or DVD’s, possibly install the operating system, and perform some command prompt based interactions. If any of that sounds too challenging, leave the job to a professional.
Tinkering with programs of this nature is not for the faint of heart, and may create more serious PC problems. However, if you have forgotten the administrator password for Windows, they may present a quick and relatively painless way to resolve the problem
Tags: hack password, how to password, password, password change, password default, password recovery, password reset, recovery password
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Monday, February 15th, 2010
In our office in Burton on Trent we offer Computer Diagnostics reports, we seem to be getting more and more of this sort of work where someone has taken a computer to another computer shop in town and been charged to fix the problem but the problem is still there.
One guy recently had a computer checked out at a local Burton on Trent computer shop and they charge £90 and didn’t find anything wrong. I found the problem in 10 minutes.
I will ONLY charge if I find the problem, otherwise it’s FREE. Please be aware this sort of work can only be done in our office.
Tags: Burton on Trent, computer diagnostics, computer diagnostics Burton on Trent
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Saturday, February 13th, 2010
Fixin’ Fridays is a once-weekly article where we reveal the trade secrets behind easy fixes for complex pc problems.
A Service, at least when you are talking about it in terms of Windows operating systems, is a program which runs in the background – hidden from normal view. A service performs certain continuous operations which don’t need user interaction to work. Things like anti-virus programs, email monitoring, network connections, file managers and more are all likely to use services.
Services are a great way to keep certain operations on the go without bothering the computer user with unnecessary PC problems, but sometimes you want a little more control over what programs are running in the background. For that, there’s msconfig.
1. Click Start.
2. In the search box, type: msconfig and press enter.
3. Click on the Services tab.
4. Click Hide all Microsoft Services to clean up the view
You’ll now have a view of the various services which are running in the background. Most of these will be useful programs which need to run in the background to work properly, so don’t start removing things for the sake of it. In most cases you should be able to identify the software which is running, you may notice services which are part of previously uninstalled programs, or applications which you rarely use. To stop a service, and ensure it does not start with windows do the following:
1. On the Services tab, untick the services you wish to end.
2. Now move to the Startup tab.
3. Check the program which startup with the operating system. They may be related to the services you just unchecked. Find programs you no longer use and uncheck them.
4. When you are finished, click Apply.
And you are done. Restart and marvel at your accomplishments! In some cases certain programs will continue to run even after being removed from the startup and services tab. In this situation you will need more forensic efforts to eliminate the service, likely to include manual editing of the registry. This can lead to lots of PC problems if you are not experienced in this work, so be cautious or call an expert.
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Saturday, February 13th, 2010
Fixin’ Fridays is a once-weekly article where we reveal the trade secrets behind easy fixes for complex pc problems.
Transferring files between PC’s can be difficult, particularly if you only intend to move a few specific files from a few specific folders. Nowhere is this more time intensive than the process of transferring files and folders from an old PC onto a new one. Doing the process manually can take many hours, and risks missing certain folders and dependent files. Fortunately there’s an easy solution!
Windows Easy Transfer!
Windows Easy Transfer is a free tool which allows users to move files and settings from one Windows Vista, XP or 2000 machine onto Vista or Windows 7. Later versions will also allow transfer between Windows 7 machines. So what does this mean?
It means you can move all your documents, emails and settings from one PC to the other with relative ease, making the PC problem of upgrades and manual transfers a thing of the past.
The easy transfer system works best by linking up the two computers which need transfer using a special USB cable developed specifically for the task, but can be accomplished using other storage mediums like an external hard drive or a network transfer.
The Windows Team Blog has written a great guide to the latest Windows 7 upgrade to the tool, which explains current and new features in detail.
So, if you are looking to transfer files and settings from one version of windows to another, look no further than Windows Easy Transfer to take the sting out of what is normally an extremely time intensive and potentially costly exercise.
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Phone : 01283 563464
email : sales@pcproblem.co.uk |
7-8 New Street, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 3NQ
VAT Registration number: 862021261
Company registration number: 05132476
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