The Microsoft System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG) is a program that comes free with Windows XP and Vista. This tool allows you to select which items you do or do not want to load when your computer boots up. This can be very handy when trying to diagnose boot problems or software conflicts.
To access this program [...]

Posted in PC Maintenance No Comments »

AVG from Grisoft is a good anti-virus program we mention on the show quite frequently. You can pick up the free version at free.grisoft.com. Licensing allows for the free use of this software on one computer per household.
You should also check out their anti-spyware tool which is also available for download from their site.

Posted in PC Maintenance No Comments »

For Windows users, the CHKDSK command is a useful utility for verifying the integrity of a hard drive as well as the data it contains.
To run CHKDSK simply open a command prompt and type chkdsk /f and hit enter.
If you are using Windows Vista you will need to execute the command prompt as an administrator.
Click [...]

Posted in PC Maintenance No Comments »

We recently had a call where the caller asked about laptop battery life. Here’s an article I found on Digg about ways to extend your battery life. Lots of good advice including, defrag regularly, dim your screen and adding more RAM.
Here’s to longer laptop battery life! Sláinte!
–groovehouse

Posted in General, PC Maintenance No Comments »

Microsoft has issued an alert warning of a potential security threat to the Windows operating system.
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS07-017
Who Should Read this Document: Customers who use Microsoft Windows
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution
Maximum Severity Rating: Critical
Recommendation: Customers should apply the update immediately
Apparently there are an increasing number of criminal groups targeting the vulnerabilities [...]

Posted in News, PC Maintenance 1 Comment »

One of the readers of my Helpline column sent me this email which describes a novel solution to an age old problem:
14 year old computer “geniuses” and the problems they cause
I have a 14 year old son who believes he is a computer whiz. He is constantly downloading programs from the Internet [...]

Posted in PC Maintenance No Comments »

I have been talking to a lot of computer users who tell me their Windows computer clock will not stay set to the correct time since the time change this weekend.
If your system clock keeps reverting to the incorrect time, here is what I have found will fix it.
First, go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com and make sure [...]

Posted in General, PC Maintenance No Comments »

A comprehensive “how to” based on the experiences of Jay Lee, host of Technology Bytes Radio

Posted in PC Maintenance, Spyware 19 Comments »