Mashed Articles

Writen by Joe Duchesne

There are many computer repairs that the average person can perform without much problem. Things like installing CD-ROM drives, sound cards and other expansion cards don’t take much computer knowledge. How can you know though when you are over your head and need professional computer help?

Some computer repairs are difficult for the average person to do without causing damage to their computer or a peripheral. There are some repairs I’d classify as beginner level, some as intermediate and others as advanced. I’ve already mentioned some repairs I would call beginner level. Some intermediate repairs include replacing your hard drive and installing an operating system. There was a time when something like this was advanced but with modern Microsoft operating systems like Windows XP and Windows Vista, operating system installations are not as advanced as they used to be.

So what repairs should a beginner not attempt? I would suggest some things like replacing your motherboard. The need to replace your motherboard can come either when you are ready to upgrade your motherboard to something newer or when your computer case power supply kicks the bucket.

Another repair I would caution against is based in software. That’s when you need to clean out a nasty virus or spyware program. It is very easy to cause you much grief if you don’t do it right. You could lose access to the data on your hard drive if you mess up your operating system. Now if you don’t care about the data on your hard drive, simply re-installing your operating system while making sure to format your hard drive can usually solve a software problem. Kind of like killing a fly with a large shovel. It works but it is overkill. A professional computer repair technician can help you keep your data while ridding you of a virus infection.

Joe Duchesne is webmaster of GreatComputerInfo.com which specializes in computer repair related topics. Reprint freely as long as you maintain the live keyword rich link in this resource box with this article.

Writen by Todd Jirecek

Within windows, you can use a feature that is pretty powerful to increase your productivity. This is the windows multiple monitor feature. Imagine having a document on your computer that you need to see while you type another document. This is what the double monitor feature allows you to do.

This feature is supported nicely in Windows XP. You can have a smaller monitor off to the right while you type your document on your main monitor.

To use this feature, you will need to buy a video card that supports multiple monitors. ATI manufactures a great video card called the VGA All In Wonder. You can pick this card up at your local computer super store for around $100.00.

If all you want to do is use the two monitor feature and are not big into games or multi tasking many programs at once, then this is all you will need. However, if you like to play high graphic games, then you will want to get a video card with a good amount of memory. Just ask the sales person at the store to help you. Make sure they understand what it is exactly, you are trying to do.

Once you purchase the video card, if you can install it yourself then great. If not, then see if the store can do it for you or find a knowledgeable friend to help you out. Just having a friend install the card, can save you anywhere from $50.00 to $100.00.

After the video card is installed, it’s time to hook up your second monitor to number two VGA output of the video card.

All you will really need is a cheap monitor for your 2nd monitor. Look in your local phone book for used computer dealers or on the internet. Just go to Google and type in “used computer monitors” and your location. This should allow you to find somewhere close to your home.

Using the multiple monitor feature in Windows.

Once you have everything set up with both monitors in place. Turn on the other monitor in Windows. You do this by clicking on your main desktop and selecting properties from the pop up menu. Next you need to click on the setting tab. Here you will see the numbers 1 and 2 in bold white letters. Click the number 2 and you should see two little check boxes off to the left. Click on the one that reads, extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor. If you other monitor was off and the light was just blinking, then doing this should turn it on.

Once the 2nd monitor is turned on, all you have to do is open whatever application you want and resize it to half screen. Then, just drag it all the way to the other screen. You should now be able to move your mouse and applications freely between both monitors.

Todd Jirecek knows how to keep a computer virus free. He has been doing so for the last 15 years and he wants you to Learn how to keep your computer Virus Hacker and Spyware Free for good once and for all. http://www.virushackerfreeinanhour.com

Writen by Azhar Iqbal

1. You must download and install Spyware program as it helps your PC perform better and better, some stupid viruses can cause a huge damage to your performing PC. Download the Beta Spyware from Microsoft, this utility from Microsoft has produced brilliant results, it runs in the back drop and helps to destroy and keep your PC free of Spyware.

2. Buy or Download an Antivirus utility such as NORTON or MACCAFE, You are connected to the internet you may get a Virus through Junk E-mail, website etc and you will unknowingly be scattering them to others. AVG by Grisoft has a free antivirus download. Get it right now, and as I’ve told you I’ve always loved the commercial program Norton Antivirus by Symantec.

3. Running broadband connection can cause some further dilemmas, run a software firewall. I like Zonealarm by Zonelabs. They provide a free version. If you are fractional to Microsoft, then go ahead and exploit the one included with XP.

4. Study has shown Mozilla Firefox works better than Internet Explorer, Opera and Netscape when it is about scanning the internet viruses, run the Firefox web browser; it’s a lot better than Internet Explorer with some great features. And even if you like Explorer better, it doesn’t hurt to have two browsers at same time.

5. Defrag once every three months—sooner if you run anything moreover Windows 2000/XP.

6. Do run WPA (rather preferred) or WEP encryption on router and wireless network. It’s easy and simple additionally would protect your data from snoops that can snatch it out of thin air.

7. Always keep the backup of your precious data. There’s no worse feeling in the world than losing everything. Utilize another hard drive—internal or external. If your data is not huge then you may also keep it in multiple CDs and USB drives. Network PCs and transfer backups from one to the other. But what if your house burns down? Ponder keeping the data off site as well; keep the disk at a family member’s home.

8. Press CTRL + D on our homepage http://www.arbico.co.uk we are computer retailers in London and never mind providing technical help on sophisticated issues.

Don’ts….. Always applied Don’ts…

1. Be extra cautious when opening the Email attachments since you are not sure with that—even if they come from a known family member or friend’s Email account. Viruses broadcast by infecting a PC and emailing themselves to everyone in the infected computer’s address book. Ponder a code word to exploit in the subject line of Emails. Your friends and family would know the particular keyword (maybe mango etc.) and would comprise this in the subject when attaching a file. A bad keyword may be Viagra.

2. Never provide your REAL email address when signing up for anything online until that site gets trusted through some sort of scan. It will fall it into enemy hands and you would spend most of your time sifting through trash when looking for real email. Ponder using the service at (www dot dodgeit dot com). You can create fake Email addresses here for free.