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Tips to Preventing Errors in Windows Vista

Lo Kia San — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 01:25:00 +0000

Microsoft Windows Vista operating system, introduced early this year (2007), boasts of several enhancements and user-friendly features. Despite of all these features, your Windows Vista PC is quite prone to computer errors. Therefore, it is important for you to perform regular preventive maintenance to speed up your PC and keep it free from troublesome errors.
In this article, we are going to discuss some of the common maintenance activities you can perform to maintain a healthy, high-performance Windows Vista system.
Run Antivirus and Antispyware Scans
Even before Windows Vista was formally launched in the market, there were virus and spyware programs ready to pose security threats for it. For this reason, it is important for you to invest in Windows Vista compatible antivirus and antispyware tools. You must keep these tools updated with the latest definitions released by their manufacturers to ensure that your computer is ready to fight the latest security threats. It is recommended that you opt for tools that provide you with real-time protection against all viruses. Lastly, you must schedule the tools to regularly perform full system scans to remove any infections that would have infiltrated your system.
Update Your PC
Operating system, software and device driver manufacturers release regular security updates, service packs, and hotfixes to patch up any security lapses in their products. You must keep your Windows Vista PC updated with these patches because most of the malware programs are based around these vulnerabilities. Additionally, many updates install product enhancements that enable you to enhance the performance of your PC.
Scan and Repair Registry Errors
The registry is one of the main sources of several computer errors. All software programs and hardware devices have to access the registry to operate on your system. This is the reason why the registry easily attracts a lot of unnecessary information. Over time, the accumulation of this unwanted information causes unwarranted registry growth and eventually corrupts, damages, and fragments the registry. To fix these Windows Vista registry problems, you need a reliable Windows Vista registry cleaner tool. Using this tool, you can perform several registry maintenance tasks, such as scan and repair registry errors, defrag the registry, and create regular registry backups.
Use Windows Vista Maintenance Utilities
There are three important tools available in the Windows Vista operating system that you can use to perform regular computer maintenance�??Disk Cleanup, Disk Defragmenter, and System Restore.
The Disk Cleanup tool enables you to get rid of unwanted files and programs from your hard disk and compress old files to free up disk space. You can use the Disk Defragmenter tool after cleaning up the hard disk to consolidate files and folders stored on the disk to make them contagious and optimize the performance of the disk. In Vista, you can schedule the Disk Defragmenter tool to run at regular intervals and ensure that your hard disk is always at its best performance.
The System Restore tool regularly monitors your Vista system and application files for changes and creates automatic restore points or snapshots. In case your system fails or an irrecoverable error occurs, you can use these restore points to revert your system to an earlier time. The tool creates these restore points on a daily basis and before any major changes are done to the system. It is also recommended that you create manual System Restore points before you install any large applications or perform any significant changes to the system configuration.

original source: http://www.vistablogsite.com/2007/11/23/tips-to-preventing-errors-in-windows-vista/
More computer tips or software download visit: http://www.best-system-solution.com

Guide for choosing the right computer

Lo Kia San — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:58:00 +0000

To make the best choice, it is important to take the following items into account:

Processor - The processor is the heart of the system and affects how fast the computer will run, as well as what software it can run. Intel processors include the Core 2 Duo, Core Duo and the lower-end Pentium and Celeron. AMD processors include the Athlon and the lower end Sempron. Processor speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz; billion cycles per second).

Memory - RAM (Random Access Memory) chips provide a temporary storage area where the computer loads and retrieves the instructions it needs to run a program as well as the data on which the program will work. The larger this storage space, the faster and better your computer will perform. The amount of RAM also affects how large a program you can run and how many programs you can run simultaneously. For a minimum, don't go below 1 gigbyte (GB).
Types of RAM include DDR-SDRAM (Double Data Rate-SDRAM) and RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic RAM).

Hard drive - The amount of hard disk space determines how much room you have to store your files and programs. At a minimum, it is best to get at least 80 GB (gigabytes) for a desktop model and 40GB for a laptop. Hard drive space is relatively inexpensive and it is better initially to buy more than you think you might need. Upgrading a hard drive is a relatively big job, so it is better to avoid this, if possible.

DVD/CD-RW drive - A DVD-ROM/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive is essential for installing software and backing up your files. CD-RW drives enable you to both play and record CDs. DVD-ROM drives enable you to play DVDs but not record them, while DVD-RW drives enable to both play and record DVDs.
CD-RW and DVD-RW drives are usually listed as having three speeds, such as 16X/10X/40X. The first number indicates how fast the drive writes data when creating a CD-R or DVD-R disk. A CD-R or DVD-R disc can be written to only once. The second number indicates how fast it writes data using a CD-RW or DVD-RW disk. A CD-RW disc can be written to and erased multiple times. The last number indicates how fast the drive reads a CD or DVD.
Video card - The video card provides the interface between the computer and the monitor. In order to make the most of Micorsoft Vista, the video card should have at least 128MB of memory.

Modem - A modem enables you to access the Internet over a phone line and is included with most new computer systems. The fastest modem you can buy transfers data at a rate of up to 56K (Kilobits per second). To access the Internet, you will also need an account with an Internet Service Provider. Note: Temple recommends using a high-speed DSL or cable modem connection. This requires a network card or cable modem, instead of a standard modem, as described below.

Network card - If you live in a Temple residence hall, you can access the Internet through a high-speed Ethernet connection. To use the connection, you will need a 10/100 Base-T Ethernet card, which is usually built-in the computer. Recommended brands include 3Com, SMC, Realtek, or D-link. You would also need an Ethernet card if you plan to use a high-speed DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection from your home. Note that DSL also requires a specialized DSL modem, which you can usually obtain through your DSL provider.
Also check if your Ethernet card or adaptor comes with a 10/100 Base-T Category 5 (RJ45) cable. If not, you will need to purchase one separately. Make sure to bring this cable to school with you if you plan to use the high-speed network connection available in Temple's residence halls.

Cable Modem - You can also obtain a high-speed Internet connection through your local cable company. This requires a specialized cable modem, which you can usually purchase or rent through your cable company.

Sound card - A sound card and speakers enable you to listen to music and other audio files. Most computers come equipped with a standard "SoundBlaster compatible" sound card that should be adequate. SoundBlaster is an industry standard developed by Creative Labs. Speakers are also often included with a new computer system. If not, you can purchase an inexpensive pair, or alternatively, a set of headphones.

Monitor - A 17" LCD monitor provides a good compromise between size and cost. The monitor should have a dot pitch of .28mm or lower (the lower the better). Make sure to try the LCD monitor before buying it, as some people find certain models difficult to view.

Software - Most computers come preloaded with the operating system (such as Windows XP Professional/Home Edition or Mac OS X) and a web browser (such as Internet Explorer). Starting January 30, 2007, new computers will come preinstalled with Microsoft Vista.
Additional software is often bundled in as well, such as a basic office program and a virus protection program. Check that the original software CDs are included, as you may need them to reinstall a program at some point.Also, some manufacturers enable you to select optional software to be preinstalled with the computer.

Printer - An ink-jet printer is a good choice because of low-cost and versatility (black & white as well as color printing) and is often included with a new computer system. Printer manufacturers include Dell, Epson, HP, and Lexmark. Temple does not endorse a particular printer brand.

Other considerations - You might also want to purchase a surge protector to protect the computer's circuitry in the event of an electrical spike. In addition, you may want to purchase CD-Rs or CD-RWs to back up your files.

More computer tips, visit : http://www.best-system-solution.com

Top Antivirus - Kaspersky Antivirus

Lo Kia San — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 02:37:00 +0000

Kaspersky Anti-Virus Products also receives a perfect score on our review, passes nearly all of the major virus tests, has hourly definition updates and offers an extensive feature set.

Kaspersky has a very clean and easy-to-use interface. The program is divided with three tabs- protection, settings and support. Within each tab, you can choose from several other functions.
This software is perfect for the average home user and advanced users. For home users, who don't want to get too technical, there is recommended settings and an easy-to-find scan button that will instantly start to scan your computer based on these settings. More advanced users can go into the settings tab and completely customize what they would like the program to do.

Kaspersky comes with three types of scan levels:

Maximum - thoroughly scans all files, self-extracting archives, startup objects, disk boot sectors, system memory and email format files.
Normal - covers everything the maximum setting covers minus email format files. High Speed - scans everything minus the email format files, archives and startup objects.

Effectiveness:

Like the #1 product, Kaspersky passed the ICSA 2007 and the West Coast Labs Checkmark level 1 and 2 as well as the VB100% in the August of 2007 awards. These awards mean the software detected all of the �??in the wild�?? viruses, generated no false positives, prevented virus replication and disinfected all of the viruses that could be disinfected.
Besides being very thorough and reliable, it only took eight minutes for us to scan an 80 GB hard drive. This anti-virus software is so fast you won't have to set aside hours to scan your computer or set it up to run at night. Updates:
By default, Kaspersky updates their definitions on an hourly basis, which blows away the competition. This leaves a very small window for a virus to be created and infect your machine. Alternatively, you can configure the program so you can receive automatic updates or you can manually update your program.
Furthermore, the updates will resume if your Internet connection is interrupted, and the cumulative updates, the ones that contain the entire virus database, are only half the size they used to be. The latest version employs a special technology so the program will use already existing anti-virus database for a cumulative update.

Summary:

Kaspersky is an easy-to-use program for the average person with plenty of customizable options for an advanced user. Just install and set up this software and you'll never have to worry about a virus or worm infecting your computer.

More about top antivirus, visit : http://www.best-system-solution.com