Chilley's Computer Box

I Ran Checkdisk...Uh Oh!

2012-10-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

Last summer, I ran checkdesk on my HP dv5000 laptop. I watched the progress on the screen. What I saw caused me to break into a cold sweat. I lost 100 system files, due to corruption. Thank goodness I had the recovery partition available. However, by activating the recovery procedure, I had to reinstall my applications. My personal documents were okay. the whole procedure basically took about a day to restore and get everything back in order. Now, I have an Iomega external usb drive, and have backed up all my data. I have also created a set of four DVD recovery disks, and therefore I'm okay. What caused this? I'm running Windows XP Media Edition SP3, and I had some applications that required Net Framework version 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0. Apparently, there were some issues with these versions and the OS. I'm now running Net Framework 2.0, and have uninstalled those applications that required the updates. So far, no more issues. Note, I still run Norton, and use Malwarebytes to scan for junk. I do this once a week, at a minimum. Til then, happy computing! Chas

Computer Running Like a Snail?

2011-02-13T12:06:00.000-08:00

Is your machine running like a snail?

When was the last time Checkdisk was run? If it has been a while, go to My Computer, from the start button, and right click on the C drive.
Choose Properties, and click the "Check Now" under the "Error Checking" section of the Tools tab. Select both options (5 processes), click OK and reboot.
Let Checkdisk run through all 5 steps, and afterwards Windows will report that the disk is clean. I usually run this when the computer runs real slow.
Also, get a copy of "C-Cleaner". Download, and install. Run the app, and it will cleanup any temp files, and the "trashcan". Click on the registry option as well, and chose Analyze. Select Run, and choose "Fix All".

One last item, defrag the hard drive, and run Norton, or McAfee.

That should do it,

Chas

When was the last time you backed up your computer?

2010-10-11T18:16:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you backed up your computer?

Don't run the risk of loosing your files, data, or photos. I had this happen on my wife's laptop, and the hard drive was making strange noises. Before I knew it, I reacted too late to recover. I took the laptop to a local repair shop, and the tech told me that it would cost $1,000 to recover the data. Why so much, the shop told me that the hard drive would be placed in an off site clean room facility.

So, I learn by doing. All my computers have a Iomega backup hard drive, with Norton recovery tools available. Just set everything to automatic, and then rest easy. I would recommend in making this a habit, for peace of mind sake.

Happy Computing

Chas

Laptops

2010-09-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

Laptops

So, you need a laptop. Right now, I'm typing this blog on an HP dv5000 which has a 100 gig hard drive and 2 gigs of ram. I've yet to have any issues with this.
This is a two year old reconditioned machine,and its still going strong. I'm currently using Windows XP Media Edition since I have additional I/O ports for
different SD cards. I purposely bought this with flexibility in mind, what do I want to do with it, and can I grow with the rig?

I currently use this to teach contractors license law classes online in CA, using WebEx software, a Logitech video camera, and Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 (it still works). In my humble opinion,
this is where the classroom is headed.

By the way, my wife has an HP G71 64 bit laptop with Windows 7, and she loves it. She is currently using it to perform financial calculations and performance analysis.

What about kids going to college?

Get in touch with the college's IT department and ask for the system requirements. Is the campus set up for Windows Vista, or version 7? Hey, like I said, I'm still using XP (still works).

Also, disable any current anti virus software, and install the campus version. My daughter is at Cal Poly SLO, and is currently using Norton's campus version of their anti virus program. Be vigilant, and run the scan weekly to avoid any issues.

What can I say, HP makes great laptops!

Happy Computing,

Chas

Can an Ebook Really Make Your PC Run Faster?

2010-08-19T13:59:00.001-07:00

The odds are that you have a computer running less than spectacularly right now. The computer game is such
that you’re never really getting 100% from your machine, especially if you don’t have the necessary protective
software in place – the firewalls, anti-virus, and anti-malware software that every PC should have in place.
So, when you hear about a book like PC Secrets that claims it can help your computer to run faster, you wonder
if it’s really possible.
I know I did. Which is why I picked up the much talked about new eBook and decided to give it a spin and see
if those outrageous claims could possibly be true.
What Happened
Turns out, they were true, and then some. In fact, despite all my misgivings, Penn Chan, the book’s author,
might actually be a bit modest in his assessment of how well this guide works. I bought the guide last week,
and today I’ve run through the regular maintenance it outlines three times.
It feels like I’m using a brand new computer. This thing is lightning fast now, at least as fast as it’s
processor and memory are capable of letting it run. Which, to be honest, I had completely forgotten about over
the years.
When I bought this computer it was top of the line and it was only 2 years ago. But, you know how computers
can go down hill pretty quickly in a short time so I just assumed that the technology had outgrown me. I was
actually getting ready to buy a new machine. That was until I downloaded and tried out PC Secrets.
Now, I don’t see why I’d need to buy a new computer for at least another two years. This thing runs so
smoothly, so fast now, that I can’t honestly believe it’s the same machine. From loading web pages instantly
to letting me run games like Crysis at 60 FPS with ease (something I never managed to do before – my previous
high was 21...blech), this guide did everything it promised and then some.
The bottom line is this. PC Secrets is an amazing product. It works even better than advertised and you can
bet that you’re getting 10 times your money’s worth at least, especially if you consider how much less you’ll
need to replace your old machine.
Check it out today by visiting the site at PCSecrets.com.