Posts in Computer
Uninstalling Windows Software

Well, first you have to know what OS you have. It can either be Windows 7, XP, Vista, or 2000. Windows 7

1. Click the Start Menu and click on the Control Panel.

2. Then click Programs and Features.

3. Select the program that you want to uninstall and then click uninstall.

Windows Vista

1. Select Control Panel from the Start Menu.

2. Double click Programs and Features.

3. Select the program you want to uninstall and click uninstall.

Windows XP

1. Press Control Panel from the Start Menu.

2. Click Add or Remove Programs.

3. Select the program that you want to uninstall and press uninstall.

Windows 2000

1. From the Start Menu, select settings.

2. Press Control Panel.

3. Double click the Add/Remove Programs icon.

4. Select the program needed to be removed and click add/remove.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Computer, WindowsJuan ZepedaComment
What can an update really do?

Well, in the first place what is an update? Well, an update  means to brings something up to date. Updates are really useful because it brings software and other programs to a newer version.  In addition to updating programs, it fixes and corrects problems within a certain piece of software. For Microsoft Windows OS, they release their update on the second Tuesday of every month. If you don't update your computer regularly, as in the summer of 2003, the Blaster worm harmed computers all over the world causing them to reboot themselves freely. If you don't want the job of having to check if updates are available for your computer, follow these steps. 1. Click start.

2. Scroll over to All Programs.

3. Click Windows Update.

4. Change the setting on the left pane.

Computer, Security, WindowsJuan ZepedaUpdateComment
Not a tech savvy but you want to have a easy home network!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH05NBDFFsg&feature=player_embedded] This new Cisco Router called, Valet, is the latest technology that Cisco has come out with. Not only is it easy to set up, it allows someone to be in charge, like a boss. With this new router, you can link computers, video systems, printers, mobile devices, and TV's that are capable for internet. With this new router, you can quickly add someone to your network from the main computer, by adding them as your guest. You would just give them a temporary password. To setup up this router is as easy as plug and play. Because the setup software is in the cisco usb device.  The Valet starts with the price of $99.99. However, for a better range, and better utilities, there is a better one, known as the Valet Plus, which costs $149.99.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Pic from this link

Computer, technology, WindowsJuan ZepedaComment
Soluto! Yes I can help make your computer start faster!

Overtime, Windows machines tend to slow down. They can take a long time to boot. For example, my boot originally was  2 minutes 2 seconds. Thankfully, an application cut it down to 1 minutes 22 seconds. It is very simple, the application  tells me  what programs I can turn off  on start-up, which would make my boot (computer start) faster. The software is called Soluto. It is a very elegant software that you can downloaded here.  You run it and on the next boot it analyzes how much it took and lets you know what you can turn off. As a recommendation, after you use it, uninstall Soluto. It is also a program that runs at boot and you only may need it for maybe 4 times.

More Info

[vimeo 11786742]

How to Install

[vimeo 11952424]

Computer, WindowsJuan Zepedaboot, soluto Comments
Sticky Side Down

Over time keyboards get really grudy and nasty. We eat next them,  shed our eye lashes on them and just in general stuff gets  in between.  If you have a keyboard not on a laptop but connected to a desktop. You can simply put in the dishwasher. Yes, you heard me right, most of the time if you wash it and let it dry completely before plugging  it back in, you should be fine. If not you can simply buy another one. They are reasonably cheap now a days. If you want to clean your laptop keyboard you can clean it with some alcohol and a rag. You may ask how do I clean in between the keys? Well, you can grab a sticky note and stick and slide down the sticky side in between the keys. Everything will stick and you will successfully take it out. I rarely recommended to detach the keys because you may break it and get some keys mixed up.  Happy cleaning.

Photo by [Zniper]

ComputerJuan Zepedaclean Comment
Keep Your Computer Running Safe

Some things you should have to keep your computer safe are as follows: use a firewall, have a good virus protection, and a spyware protector. You should also consider on keeping up to date your computer.  By doing this, computers will start to run faster and will be in better condition. There are a lot of programs out there in the internet that you can download to keep your computer safe. A good virus protection program out there is Microsoft Security Essentials. It is recommended on using Threatfire because it co-works with your virus protector and makes sure everything is safe. The way Threatfire works that it makes sure that each program is doing what it's supposed to be doing. If it notices that it's doing something its not supposed to be doing then it will quarantine it. You should also run Spyware Doctor and PC Tools Firewall Plus 6.

Difficulty Level: Easy

ComputerJuan Zepeda Comments
Online TV with HULU? or Have you heard of Clicker.tv

Our lives are transitioning online and are becoming more connected. I personally do not watch TV.  I early discovered HULU. HULU is a service that has TV shows online. I no longer sit on a couch and watch TV. I sit in front of a computer to watch shows.  If you are familiar with HULU  a competitor has emerged. Clicker.tv has launched and is a pretty nifty service. Take advantage as out technology advances.

Computer, TV, WebJuan Zepedaclicker, google, hulu, tvComment
Are You Living in a Rural Area?

Well, satellite internet offers high internet speeds where ever you are at. You don't need to have cable or DSL to have high speed internet. The top two best satellite internet sellers are HughesNet and Wildblue. These two companies have been serving people for many years and have satisfied them with high speed internet in places where DSL or Cable don't reach. HughesNet prices start from 60 dollars a month receiving 1 MB/s. On the other hand, Wildblue's prices start from 40 dollars a month but only receive 512 KB/s. So if there is no internet service yet where you live, check Hughesnet and Wildblue.

Computer, technologyJuan ZepedaHughesNet, internet, isp, satellite, WildblueComment
The Safest Cheapest Way to Back Up Your Files

Have you been paying monthly money to make sure your files are safe? Well here is the solution. Western Digital offers a wide variety of ways to store your files safe. There are 4 different types of hard drives available for you. The types available are for Mac, Desktop, Laptop, and for Network. Each one has a different function. The sizes vary from 500 MB to 2 TB. Check them out here.

Computer, technologyJuan ZepedaComment
Ever Wanted to Control Your Hardware?

This program is called Notebook Hardware Control. It controls the power management of your computer, it cools down your computer when not in use and makes your notebook quieter.   It is an easy to use program that can be download on this page here. So try it now and save the battery life of your notebook.

ComputerJuan ZepedaComment
Tired of Spell Checking or Just to Lazy to do it?

Well this program is just the solution for you. It is called tinySpell. This is a program that can be used when the software you are using does not have a spelling check option. There are two types of variants available.  There is a tinySpell and a tinySpell+. The tinySpell is a free software and if you want to have more than that with the extra features, then there is the tinySpell+. The price of this one starts from 10 dollars and then keeps on going up. It works on Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP, and Vista.  Give it a try know here.

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Computer, technology, WindowsJuan ZepedaComment
Have you ever wanted everything in Caps Lock?

I don't know if you have pressed the Caps Lock button accidentally. It has happened to me and it has been a pain in the back to have to go back and type everything again. You don't have to do that any more. Follow the steps below to discover the magic of the F3 button. 1. Highlight all the words you want to change.

2. Then click SHIFT and F3 at the same time and it will magically switch into lower case.

If you press it a second time it will switch into sentence case form.

If you press it a third time it will switch it into upper case form.

SO GIVE IT A TRY AND SAVE YOURSELF SOME TIME FROM RETYPING SOMETHING!!!!!!!

Difficulty Level: Beginner

ComputerJuan Zepeda Comments
Bluetooth and Security

Blue tooth has become standard on many devices, ranging from cell phones to laptops and when we receive a device Blue tooth is usually on. Did you know that if you have Blue tooth on "discovery mode" and have it always on, there is a security risk that somebody can pair up with your device and view all you information? So check you device and if you have it in "discovery mode" turn that off and just have it pair with the device you want. In general if you do not use it, just simply turn of Blue tooth. It can save you battery. :-)

Difficult Level: Beginner

Photo by [ thms.nl]

Cell Phones, ComputerJuan ZepedaComment
Using the Windows Defragmenter

In the first place, what is file fragmentation? Well, it is when pieces of a program are scattered throughout your hard drive.  When you want to use a program that has files scattered out, loading that program is going to load much slower that if the files were bunched together. Microsoft Windows has a program that can fix that problem, it is called Windows Disk Defragmenter. This program's purpose is to optimize your computers speed by rearranging common  files together in the hard drive. By doing this it speeds up the transfer rate in which you transfer files from one place to another place.

Difficult Level: Beginner

ComputerJuan Zepeda Comment
Want a window to be always on top? One to dominate all windows?

Have you ever wanted to have a one window above all the rest. Even when you were switching between several other windows? Let's say you wanted to have a video playing with Windows Media Player and you wanted to surf the web at the same time. Well, you can download  a piece of software called Always On Top.  This handy utility would keep Windows Media Player  on top. Just select the window and press CTRL+SPACE to activate. To dis-activate press the same key combo  CTRL+SPACE. Have fun.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Photo by[Qole Tech]

Computer, WindowsJuan ZepedaComment
The Easiest and Simplest Way to Clean The Inside of Your Tower

Cleaning the inside of your computer is a thing you got to do in routine. It keeps the fans clean and makes them work not as hard as if it were clean. Follow the directions below. 1. Turn of the computer

2. Leave the computer connected to the surge protector.

3. Unplug any other cables except the power cord.

4. Remove the computer cover.

5. Place your body in a grounded area for electricity.

6. Air compress the inside of the computer like fans and circuit boards.

7. Brush off any stuff that wasn't blown away with the compressed air.

8. Replace the cover and connect all the cables to where they belong to.

You have finished cleaning the inside of the computer.

Stay tuned for more tips on how cleaning parts of the computer.

ComputerJuan ZepedaComment
Clone your drive sector by sector

Few of us wipe and format and start fresh every few months with a new OS. We have to start from scratch and install again all the apps and updates. What if you only had to do this once. EASUS has two free software applications that clone/image  the drive.  Also an amazing feature is that it can make them bootable.

Difficulty Level: Advanced

Photo by [trekkyandy]

Computer, technologyJuan Zepeda Comments
How to clean your keyboard properly

Cleaning your keyboard is very essential. It is essential because it is easier for your fingers in the touch so they can't press as much on the keys. Follow the steps below. 1st Remove the keyboard connection from the computer.

2nd Hold the keyboard over a table or something and then tap the bottom of the keyboard to knock off any filth in the keys.

3rd Place it on your table again

4th Use compressed air between the keys to clean stuff you couldn't get to.

5th Rub the top of your keys with isopropyl rubbing alcohol with a piece of cloth.

6th Reconnect your keyboard to your computer.

Stay tuned for our next computer cleaning tips.

ComputerJuan ZepedaComment
Staying Secure online. IMPORTANT!

Many of us forget how vulnerable we are online. Our cyber life is as important as our daily physical life. I will post some important points to be protected online.

1.) You are the first line of the defense. You have control on where you click. So, do not click on links or attachments from people you do not know. Do not visit any website that might look suspicious.

2.) Be aware of social engineering. "Social engineering is the act of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information, rather than by breaking in or using technical hacking techniques (essentially a fancier, more technical way of lying)". The famous Koobface virus has been roaming on Facebook. If you receive a message from anybody saying " hey i saw you yesterday and took these pics of you. click here." This is probably not true and are trying to make you click on the link.

3.) Run windows update! Keep it up to date. This is essential to patch any holes where hackers might get in.

4.) Have a anti-virus running in the background. We recommended Microsoft security essentials. Check one of our last posts.

5.) Have long complicated passwords. Refer to one of our past posts.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Photo by[Bala]

Computer, technology, WebJuan ZepedaComment