Computer Tips Archives - Page 161 of 161

Beware of installing unwanted software and toolbars

Posted on December 21, 2012

toolbar-install

One of the great things about the Internet age is the availability of thousands of useful programs, tools and apps just waiting for you to download and use free of charge. I use a number of these freebies on a daily basis, and most of them work just as well (and in some cases better) than their commercial counterparts. If you aren’t careful however you can easily install “extras” such as browser toolbars and additional apps that can slow down your system or even steal your personal information.

These “extras” are usually downloaded with your permission whenever you install a “free” program. The reason many of these programs are free is because the companies behind the toolbars and “extra” apps pay the maker of the free software to help them distribute it. This is how it works… [Read more…]

Should you connect to your router via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet?

Posted on December 20, 2012

wifi-or-ethernet A friend asked me the other day whether it’s best to connect his computer to his router via Wi-Fi or over a wired Ethernet connection. My answer: It depends.

First of all, is the computer in question sitting near the router or is it located in another room in the house? If it’s located within 10 feet of the router, a wired connection offers a number of benefits. As far as connection speed is concerned, unless you are blessed with Fiber to the home both Wi-Fi and Ethernet are likely to be faster than the connection to your ISP so speed shouldn’t really be a factor in your decision. [Read more…]

How to capture a screenshot in Windows

Posted on December 19, 2012

sample-screenshot

From time to time we need to capture an image of the items currently being displayed on the computer screen. This is called a “screenshot”, and it can display the contents of the entire screen or just a portion of it. Windows makes it easy to create a screenshot of the entire screen. Here’s how: [Read more…]

How to create a System Repair Disc and Backup Image in Windows 7

Posted on December 14, 2012

backup If your PC came with Windows 7 pre-installed, chances are you didn’t receive a System Repair Disc or Windows installation DVD along with it.

The problem is you’re eventually going to need a way to repair or re-install Windows because your computer WILL fail to start up properly at some point due to a bad hard drive, a virus, or some other problem.

Trust me, a damaged file system or hard drive failure WILL happen sooner or later, and if you don’t have a System Repair Disc and a recent backup on hand your computer will become about as useful as a broken glass.

Luckily, the tasks of creating a System Repair Disc and backing up your hard drive are quite easy to accomplish with Windows 7. Here are step-by-step instructions: [Read more…]

Add a Start Menu to Windows 8

Posted on December 12, 2012

Well, leave it to Microsoft to get us used to using a feature in Windows, then take it away from us! That’s exactly what they’ve done with Windows 8 by removing the exceedingly useful “Start” button.

They seem to think all those pretty “tiles” wil make us forget about it, but not me. Do you agree? If so, a nifty free download called Classic Shell will give you back your Start Menu and a whole lot more!

First, download Classic Shell from http://classicshell.sourceforge.net and install it. When a screen pops up asking which features to remove, select Classic Explorer and Classic IE9 since their newer counterparts in Windows 8 are superior. [Read more…]