Another common question is "Why can't I connect to my friend's wireless network?"
But that question is too dependant on different variables, that it can't be answered here.
I'll give a little hint to what the answer is 90% of the time- TURN ON THE WIRELESS SWITCH!
- Where can I get solid reliable security software for free?
- Where can I find more free software from a reliable source?
- Why is my computer so much slower than when it was new?
- Why is my computer so slow EVEN though its brand new? (Plus Skype tips).
- I am buying a new computer, should I get XP or Vista?
- I permanently erased some files that I need, is it possible to get them back?
- What can I do to optimize my laptop battery life?
- What is the difference between ISPs here in Israel?
- Are surge protectors important, and other SP info.
See below for the answers to these common questions.
Q: Where can I get reliable security software for free? A: For the basic web user, there is alot of free software available that is sufficient for your security needs. Besides with many low end computers, even with 512 MB of RAM Norton and McAfee are too much for the system. Personally I havent had any luck with McAfee and wouldnt use it even for free. For anti-virus we used to always recommend AVG Free which was from the best basic anti-virus around, although the interface is confusing and is unneccessarily complicated. To download go to AVG. The free version doesnt let you change the scanning options much, as opposed to the Pro version. Recently though, we have found AVG 8.5 to be causing alot of hang ups and serious slows downs, even on decent computers. We have switched to Avast free for now. You must register to use it free for 14 months. Make sure to run scans weekly as the free version doesnt have a scheduler. You can run quick scans by sceduling through Task Scheduler in Windows but its a pain. Update Jan 2010: This past week a few computers running Avast have BSODed from it, be aware and dont be alarmed if the computer crashes again and again. For a firewall, ZoneAlarm is very good. With ZoneAlarm the free version is not just slightly less configurable, it is deliberately annoying for the first few weeks. You have to manually set up rules for things like Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and all such programs that a paid for version will be preconfigured to allow. To download go to ZoneAlarm. A note is necessary, there are many incompatibilities with ZoneAlarm, and any other firewall software out there, so check for known compatibility issues before installing. A bad firewall install will many times require a full reinstall ofthe OS, more than other software as TCP IP gets corrupted and is almost impossible to fix. All anti-virus software are very invasive, as they must have access to all the kishkes of the computer all the time, this makes them very intensive and intrusive. The real problem is with conflicts, both Norton and Zone Alarm have known conflicts with other programs, and McAfee is a massive resource hog, so always pay attention after installing such software to new problems or oddities that may arise. Making a restore point is a good idea, but from my experience usually worthless with serious OS corruptions. You may also want to try SiteAdvisor from McAfee, which has feedback on many sites, and it will generally warn you if a site has security issues. But, sometimes it pays to read the report before assuming a site is bad just from McAfee, I have found real mistakes in their ratings. Download McAfee SiteAdvisor. Yahoo store members are all too familier with this problem. If you want security software with all the bells and whistles, use one of the links below to buy a full internet security suite. |
Q: Where can I find more free software from a reliable source? A: My fellow friends at protonic.com, where I was a technician, have compiled a list of useful free software HERE. I dont take responsibility for anything there, but if its recommended by Protonic its got something going for it. www.download.com also has loads of software of every type and pupose, but a lot of it is just buggy junky software that will slow down your system.
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Q: Why is my computer so much slower than when it was new? A: The registry is a central database that stores all information required to make your operating system, hardware, and software work according to your requirements. Soon after a clean install, the registry of your operating system is fresh, compact, and free from any unwanted information. However, as you continue to work on your computer, information keeps getting added to the registry causing it to grow in size. In due course, a large amount of unwanted information gets accumulated in the registry causing registry bloating. The biggest cause of this are frequent program installing/uninstalling, from random surfing, and from general adding/deleting/moving files. This causes the computer to have to scan through much more junk to access program data. There are different configuration changes that can be made to delay this inevitable registry bloating, but at some point all computers need to be fixed over, or even reinstalled from the ground up. |
Q: Why is my computer so slow EVEN though it is brand new? A: There are a few reasons for this. Some computers come preloaded with pop-up ads and trial versions that clutter your computer, and run every time you start up the computer, these can be cleaned out to run smoother and faster. This is much less true with Dell business computers and Lenovo Thinkpads. Computer manufacturers make a lot of money off these ads and trials, the software cpompanies make money from the subscriptions from the people that actually buy someunnecessary software, and technicians make money cleaning it out. The average consumer will also spend more on the computer so it should run faster, not knowing that the computer is not the problem. So all in all this bloatware is a good thing for the economy, and is'nt going away too fast. Another reason is that the Windows OS was designed for every individual that walked the fast of earth. Needless to say every individual has different needs. The average fellow needs very little running on his computer to get through the day, but he also wouldnt know how to do anything new if he needed to, so Microsoft configures Windows to run all unneccessary services just in case you may need it. This slows down the computer considerabaly, even a new one, and may cause it to freeze on day one, making you think you bought a defective computer. This is not so easily fixed up by yourself, but a technician can configure your computer to utilize its hardware for what's necessary. Skype tips: We generally always believed that for the average user, you dont need a high end computer. This is still true as a rule, but there are exceptions. For big Skype users we recommend using a dual core CPU. Skype is a very buggy program that will jam alomost any single core CPU when it can. They keep updating it but millions of users have random unexplainable problems with Skype. We keep having people bring in computer s for tune ups, when in the end it runs out to be Skype jamming the CPU, or the Skype extra Manager tripping Internet Explorer and less frequently Skype video (even when disabled) illegally accessing the video driver, causing BSODs. To save yourself later heartache, follow these tips. Upon installing Skype pick "Options" and deselect Skype Extras Manager, this is very important. Because of the faulty programming in Skype, even its disabled later it continues to run and make problems, so not installing is the only real way to stop it from running. Also if you wont be using video try not to install any extra video plug-ins. Secondly after installing go to Tools>Options>Advanced and deselect Use port 80 and 443. These ports are used by some apps specifically and will jam them when Skype grabs them first. Thirdly, under the advanced options check the port number used and make an exception for it in whichever firewall you are using. You may want to check it with a port checker to make sure it being let through your router as its supposed to be, and not blocked by a hardware router somewhere up the line. The best way to do this is to go to http://portforward.com/help/portcheck.htm and follow the instructions there.
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| Q: I am buying a new computer, should I get XP or Vista? A: Thats a hard question to answer, and depends on each persons usage. Random Vista bashing is stupid, and usually untrue. Vista has many great user features, that will make a lot of average users not need a technician everytime they turn on their computers. Its crazy security features can be shut off if they annoy you too much. (If they do not annnoy you, you are in the minority). Vista may be slow for now, but its here to stay, so if you are buying a computer to last you at least three years you probably want to get Vista, and also spend more on the computer so it holds up to the rigors of new programs coming out. If you use hebrew programs alot, you probably want to keep away from Vista, and for sure Vista Basic for a little while until the Israeli market catches up. In general XP is twice as fast as Vista, after SP3 (Service Pack Three). So for the technically advanced XP is usually the choice, as you can upgrade later if necessary, and manage XP yourself. Businesses are also sticking to XP until after SP1 of Vista, so as not to lose productivity with bugs and such in the new Vista. Here is an interesting article about Vista. Update: Now that SP1 of Vista has come out, it has become clear that many businesses are not transfering to Vista at all. Intel with 80,000 users is amongst them. SP1 has caused a load of headache for system administrators, but for the home user updateing through www.update.microsoft.com will alleviate most problems, as only compatible components will be updated. The problems with Vista in a corporate environment with a central administration is much worse than any home users will have. Update: As of now it pretty hard to find new computers with XP anymore, besides for direct OEMs and in Israel, so the question becomes less relevant. Either way the topic brings out some of the issues Vista users should be aware of. Update Jan 2010: Although XP is still available in Israel, Windows 7 is doing well right now. A month into its widespeard use and complaints are nominal, but we havent used it much to give a good opinion. |
| Q: I permanently erased some files that I need, is it possible to get them back? A: The first thing you should do after losing files is shutdown. Every moment of continued computer use makes it more likely to be permanently lost. How much is recoverable depends on what happened since they were deleted. If you did a reformat than it is much more difficult to restore the files. It's not impossible, the FBI does it all the time, but harder and more expensive. If you used the computer a lot, its also possible to be permanently lost, as the computer continuously writes temporary files on your hard drive during normal usage. These temporary files can overwrite your deleted files, making them much more difficult, if not impossible to recover. We can do basic recovery, but for advanced recovery you may need a professional recovery service. The hard drive is opened up in lab sterile environment and recovered directly. This is also very expensive, ranging up to $10,000. So you must always decide how valuable your files are. Prevention is the best medicine, any important files should be backed up elsewhere. We have a stack of dead hard drives here, and keep having people lose all their info. |
Q: What is the difference between ISPs here in Israel? A: The main difference are the different packages available, which keep changing so we cant give any advice on that now. There are other points to consider, depending on your needs. Firstly, for the basic, or casual user we highly recommend using RIMON, which although its not perfect, has filtering at the source. This is the best type of filtering to use, a server based filter as opposed to a client-software based filter. Client based filters are usually easily by-passed. A very popular software used is Safe Eyes. I have totally eradicated Safe Eyes without a trace in less than 25 minutes. This inherent difference leads to a problem though. By filtering access at the source, this means the internet is going through another proxy before reaching you. This leads to minute gaps in connectivity. To the average user there is no difference. Even for downloading any problems should be overcome by using a download manager. The problem is for business users. We have found that Netvision and Rimon do not have stable connections for Citrix (remote server) and for Yahoo Small Business web editing. Mosesnet and Bezeq are seeemingly stable. Other providers we cant comment on as we havent tried them. |
Q: Are surge protectors important, and other SP info. A: Surge protectors are very important, and this can not be over emphasized. At best they may save you $35 for a new adapter, at worst they save you hundreds on a new motherboard and huge hassles. And no, you cant get a $5 one from the US and use it here, only Israeli ones work and they cost a bit, ranging from 75NIS for a double to 90 for a triple. Use it for all sensitive electronic peripherals also, like hard drives printers etc. Anything with a PCB (Printed Circuit Board, the green electronic board) in it is susceptible to damage. Or dont get a surge protector and give us lots of extra business. |
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