Format a Hard Drive for Windows 7

What You Need to Format a Hard Drive for Windows 7

Let's go over the things you need to get this job done. First of all a computer running Windows 7 in my case it's a laptop, second of all, an external hard drive and of course you're also going to need a cable for connecting these two things.

Find Disk Management

First of all, in the Windows environment, it should show you that the drive is there. However, for what we're doing today we have to enter another realm of the computer. So follow along with me. We're going to go to the start menu, we're going to go over to computer, right click and click on Manage. That's going to bring up a dialog box that says computer management on top. Now what you want to do is click on "Storage" and now "Disk Management." And now the hard drive should appear right there on the list. You're going to select it and right click on it and select format. Once you select format, it's going to give you a few options. It's going to give you an option to name your drive, I'm going to name it Ron because that's my name. You can call it whatever you want.

Which Format to Choose

I always recommend with Windows to use the MTFS option. It's the best kind of disk encoding and it makes sure that these files will be available for you whatever kind of system you're using. Now perform or quick format- this is kind of your choice. It depends on how much you use this drive. A really thorough format is going to clean it off really well. A quick format is going to erase everything and make sure that it's clean enough to put more data on.

I'm going to go with A. not quick format. So I'm going to uncheck that box. Now it's going to give you a next, click that, it's going to ask you if you're sure you want to format, yes. If you want to double check, just click on start, then computer, you should see the hard drive there in the hard drive list. And I have 250 GB of available space that I'm going to put my vacation pictures on.

How to Install a Wireless Keyboard and Mouse

Empty Box of Supplies

First take everything out of the box. You may have a wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, wireless receiver, batteries, software and instructions. If batteries are not included you will have to provide them.

Install Batteries

Since the keyboard and mouse are wireless, they do not get power from the computer which is why they require batteries. Turn the keyboard and mouse over and remove the battery compartment covers. Insert the batteries as the directions show.
Place Keyboard and Mouse on Desktop
Now place the keyboard and mouse on your desk where you'd like them. If you have an existing keyboard and mouse move them out of the way.
 
Set Up Wireless Receiver

The wireless receiver is the part that physically connects to your computer and picks up the wireless signals from your keyboard and mouse which enables them to communicate with your computer. Some setups might have two receivers- one for the keyboard and one for the mouse. Keep the receiver at least 8 inches away from sources of interference like the computer monitor, fans, flourescent lights, or metal filing cabinets. The receiver should also be positioned somewhere between 8 inches and 6 feet from the keyboard and mouse.

Install the Software

Before connecting the receiver, let's install the software. Insert the CD into your CD drive and the software should start automatically installing. Read the on screen instructions.
Plug In Receiver to USB Connector
Now plug the USB connector at the end of the receiver into a free USB port on the back of your computer. After this your computer will configure the hardware your computer might use.

How to Disable Windows Startup Programs

First Step for Disabling Windows Startup Programs

The first thing you're going to have to do is to click on the Start button. You're going to simply type into the search "MSCONFIG". You're going to see MSConfig come up, you're just going to click on that.

Second Step for Disabling Windows Startup Programs

You're going to go into the Startup tab. After you've seen all of the programs that start up when you turn Windows on, you can now uncheck the programs that you don't want to start up. If your computer is running slow, you're probably going to want to uncheck as many of these programs as possible to make your computer run faster. But, when unchecking some of these boxes, you might want to check on Google first to see exactly what the program does. Make sure, before you uncheck anything, you know what it is.

Third Step for Disabling Windows Startup Programs

Once I've unchecked it, I'm going to click "Apply" and now I'm going to click "OK." You're going to need to restart before Windows recognizes the change. So I'm going to click that now. And now my computer is restarting. When it reboots, it will no longer open up with the programs that I just unselected.

How to Install a Second SATA Hard Drive

Supplies for Installing a Second SATA Hard Drive

Some of the tools you're going to need are a PC, your serial ATA plug and a hard drive.

Instructions for Installing a Second SATA Hard Drive

The first thing you want to do is turn off your PC and then unplug it. There are a few different ways to open up your PC. This computer happens to be tool-less so you can just open up the handle and it comes right off. There are a few other ways you can do that. Sometimes there will be small screws on the back of your door which you just have to unscrew.

Newer computers have what's known as serial ATA hard drives which are smaller and faster and any kind of new computer will probably have it. What we're going to do is install a second internal hard drive right above the internal hard drive. There are a few different ways you can also put a hard drive into your computer. This computer system happens to be tool-less so this little green plastic tray actually pulls right out and allows you to put the hard drive right in. But yours will probably have a small Phillips head screw that is screwed directly into your serial ATA hard drive.

So, once we remove the tray from the computer case, there will be four pegs inside of it that go into the serial ATA hard drive. I'm going to put those in right now. Once they're in, slide those back into place.

Once we have our serial ATA drive installed, there are two things we need to do. One, we need to get power to the hard drive and two, we need to get the information on the hard drive to the computer. We need to use a serial ATA cable to plug directly into the back of the hard drive and plug it into the motherboard. On the bottom part of the motherboard, you will see several serial ATA ports. So, I'm going to plug one into my motherboard and plug the other end directly into the back of my internal hard drive.

The next thing we need to do is get power to the hard drive. The components of your computer are powered by your power supply. From your power supply, there should be a cable coming out specifically to power your internal hard drives. There are two different kinds of cables through which your power supply powers internal hard drives. First is an older style cable that it generally used for IDE hard drives. Newer plugs look like this and are designed for serial ATA hard drives. And those will plug directly into the back like that.

Next thing you want to do is get the front cover. Ours is a tool-less case, so we don't need any of the screws but you may, at this point, need to find the screws that you took off on the back of your computer case and screw those back in.

After you're done closing up your computer, just plug it back in, turn it on an Windows will automatically recognize your new serial ATA hard drive.

The new Android 4.0-powered Transformer Pad TF300T is a plastic-bodied tablet with a 10.1" 1280x800  IPS display aimed squarely at mainstream mobile enthusiasts on a budget. Inheriting the overall design of its predecessor, the more expensive aluminum-bodied Transformer Prime TF201, Asus' Transformer Pad TF300T is probably best described as a version of the company's original Transformer TF101, updated with Nvidia’s Tegra 3 SoC (hence the T at the end of model number).

Transformer Pad TF300T

Case construction of the cost-reduced Asus Transformer Pad TF300T consists of a sturdy ABS plastic shell (similar to the original Transformer TF101 tablet) available in red, white, and blue color options. In keeping with its mainstream-oriented design, the Transformer Pad features a slightly lower-clocked version of Nividia's Tegra 3, the platform used to power Asus' flagship Transformer Prime TF201.

Transformer Pad TF300T

Physically, the Transformer Pad TF300T resembles Asus' Transformer Prime TF201, featuring nearly identical attributes aside from its weight and thickness. At 1.39 pounds, the new ABS-cased TF300T is about one-tenth of a pound heavier than the aluminum TF201, but it also weighs about one-tenth of a pound less than the TF101 it replaces.
The Transformer Pad's heft puts it in the middle of the pack, based on the table above. After spending significant time with Apple's iPad 3, we're convinced that 1.4 pounds is a meaningful threshold. Tablets that cross it are noticeably less comfortable to hold for extended periods of time. Although the plastic TF300T is lighter than the iPad 3, we still feel spoiled after having just reviewed Asus' lighter flagship tablet last week.
Employing a plastic shell introduces certain dimensional changes compared to the TF201 we liked so much, though. Additional curvature in the ABS frame makes the TF300T slightly thicker than the TF201, but a fraction of an inch thinner than the original Transformer TF101. This extra thickness translates to a tablet that's easier to grasp, even if it imparts a chunkier profile compared to the svelte Transformer Prime TF201.

Transformer Prime

The Transformer Pad TF300T’s layout is similar to its predecessors, employing ports and buttons located in the same places, which facilitate a smooth transition for users familiar with other Asus Tablets.

Transformer Prime Tf300T

While it's true that Asus' Transformer family shares a common design heritage, the TF300T takes a number of cues from the higher-end TF201. Trace your fingers over the TF300T’s micro-texture outer case finish, for instance, and you discover the same circular weave pattern we pointed out in last week's story, except that it's molded in plastic instead of etched into aluminum.
Aside from utilizing ABS plastic instead of aluminum, the Transformer Pad TF300T has several other features worth highlighting, including:

• Nvidia's Tegra 3 SoC with LPDDR3
• Android ICS 4.0 operating system
• An improved rear-facing 8 MP camera with a fast F2.2 lens aperture
• Asus SonicMaster audio
• 8 GB of Asus WebStorage (for life)
• Polaris Office 3.0, SuperNote 1.5, App Locker, App Backup, MyLibrary, MyNet, and MyCloud

Bundled software is an important part of a tablet's user experience. However, the brief time we had with the Transformer Pad TF300T before the launch forces our focus on the hardware at the expense of the bundled software, which we might cover at a later date.

ASUS Transformer TF101 to get fix for ICS bugs

While a lot of people waited patiently for the ASUS Transformer TF101 to receive its Ice Cream Sandwich update, quite a lot of people were unhappy when it finally arrived. In addition to updating the tablet’s operating system, it introduced quite a number of bugs such as random reboots, lock-ups while rebooting and more.

ASUS Transformer TF101

Well, it looks like salvation is on its way as ASUS has announced that a fix is on its way and should be arriving next week or so.

There was no explanation to what caused the problems, but here’s to hoping it’s not a serious issue. In the meantime, Transformer TF101 users will just have to bear with the aforementioned problems until the solution arrives. We’ll keep you posted when it does. How many of you have been having problems since the Ice Cream Sandwich update?

ASUS Rolling Out Bug Fix For The Transformer TF101

When ASUS released the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for the original Transformer TF101 tablet, you’d expect TF101 owners to celebrate and rejoice, but unfortunately that was not the case. As we had reported earlier, there have been many reports where TF101 owners experienced a variety of bugs and issues post-update, such as random reboots, lockups while rebooting and more.

Transformer TF101

Well the good news for TF101 owners out there is that ASUS has finally issued an update that should take care of the issues. The update is rolling out now so make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the update notification when it arrives! While we can’t confirm if this update will address those issues, we’d like to hear from TF101 owners who have received the update and if it has managed to resolve their problems.

Asus Transformer Prime (TF201) Owners to Receive GPS Dongle as a Solution

The Asus Transformer Prime might seem pretty decent on paper, but when you chip away at it, you would realize by now that this tablet comes with a flawed GPS as well as in select cases, Wi-Fi that does not work as intended. Well, Asus has decided that the best course of action at this point in time would be to give away a free GPS dongle for existing Transformer Prime owners. This GPS dongle will fit in nicely against the bottom of the Transformer Prime via the proprietary charger port, making it look as though it is part of the dock hinge.

Transformer Prime TF201

This bit of news came about after a leaked email appeared on XDA, and it has also been “confirmed” by an alleged tester of the GPS dongle. According to the email, “We will be releasing a dongle shortly that will address the GPS function and be a fully usable GPS that will lock onto many satellites and keep their lock with Wi-Fi active. GPS dongle will be provided for free when it arrives. ETA is mid April for this and we are setting up a process for it. We will inform you once the process is complete and the dongles here. It will look similar to the hinge from the dock. Where it will be a flush fit on the bottom of the unit if held in landscape matching the color of your Prime chassis.”

While the grammar is rather questionable, the whole idea of a GPS fix via a dongle might just upset Transformer Prime users even more, since it would mean the lack of a plugging dock when you need it, and it adds more overall bulk to boot. What do you think?

Ultimate X79? Five $320+ LGA 2011 Motherboards, Reviewed

Value seekers are definitely appreciating the fact that Intel launched its most advanced desktop CPU technology in the mainstream space first. Meanwhile, enthusiasts with more exacting platform needs can breathe a sigh of relief now that X79 Express supports the same architecture at the high-end. If you haven't yet read about it, check out Intel Core i7-3960X Review: Sandy Bridge-E And X79 Express.

Perhaps we should replace the word “high” with “extreme,” however, since the cheapest LGA 2011-based CPU currently sells for about $600 bucks. It only stands, then, that exorbitant CPU Prices would give way to expensive platforms. Fortunately, the connectivity enabled by Sandy Bridge-E and X79 Express is also more expansive than anything ever seen before from Intel.

Intel X79 Express Chipset Block Diagram

A CPU-based quad-channel Memory Controller and 40 CPU-based third-gen PCIe lanes with built-in four-way SLI/CrossFireX support make X79 platforms stand above their Z68 siblings in the desktop segment, and we believe that anyone with the money for either a $600 or $1000 processor will also have the cash to spend on the best possible platform to support it. And yet, our announcement that the first X79 motherboard round-up would focus on flagship models to match Intel's introduction was met with a collective “What?!” by most manufacturers.
How could we expect the best products so soon after launch? With a little more time, a lot of vendors expected they could deliver a true masterpiece. But we were just as baffled by their responses, since most companies we talked to earlier in the year started X79-based motherboard development efforts last spring.
Most companies let us know that their flagship models were not finished, and that claim stood even after we announced a one-week grace period for late submissions. Imagine our surprise when several of those supposedly unfinished motherboards landed on Newegg before their manufacturers were willing to let them compete! What we ended up with was an interesting collection of premium (albeit non-flagship) models with high-end feature sets that help justify decidedly enthusiast-oriented prices.

X79-based motherboard

X79 Feature

Mas Storage Controllers

Internal Interfaces

Intel Core i7-3960X Review: Sandy Bridge-E And X79 Express

According to Mick Jagger, it’s lonely at the top. Intel might agree. After all, for the past five years, the company has put an increasingly large gap between its fastest desktop processors and AMD’s own best efforts. Enthusiasts tend to lament the fact that a lack of intense competition means they pay more for high-end hardware. But, if you’ve been around long enough, you know that Intel’s Extreme Edition CPUs were always thousand-dollar affairs and, once upon a time, AMD’s vaunted FX-series chips used to be worth their $700+ asking prices.

The fact that the $1000 price point persists today, eight years later, means Intel recognizes the extremely limited market for these flagship desktop processors and isn’t about to push one of its crown jewels even further out of reach.

Intel Sandy Bridge-E

It comes as little surprise, then, to see yet another Extreme Edition processor hovering around $1000. But this behemoth is very different than what came before.

The prior generation of flagship parts based on Gulftown came armed with six physical cores and up to 12 MB of shared L3 cache. They boasted LGA 1366 compatibility, extending the useful lives of pricey X58 Express motherboards, helping soften the blow of $500+ processor upgrades. No such luck this time; you’re facing a pricier investment.

Sandy Bridge-E, Gulftown’s successor, employs an LGA 2011 interface, requiring new motherboards based on Intel’s X79 Express Platform Controller Hub. It also comes armed with an integrated quad-channel memory controller, necessitating four-module memory kits. Oh, and then there’s the fact that Intel isn’t planning to bundle its new chips with coolers, requiring a separate purchase there, too.

Meet Sandy Bridge-E

Intel is announcing three Sandy Bridge-E-based models today, but only two will be available through the end of 2011: Core i7-3960X and Core i7-3930K. The third, Core i7-3820, is slated for a Q1 2012 introduction.

Gulftown is big; Sandy Bridge-E is much bigger

2011 pins require a lot of space

All three employ the same die, which is composed of 2.27 billion transistors and measures 434 square millimeters (making it a very big chip). In comparison, quad-core Sandy Bridge parts are made up of 995 million transistors and measure 216 square millimeters, while six-core Gulftown CPUs incorporate more than 1.1 billion transistors in a 248 square millimeter die.

Of course, Sandy Bridge-E was never intended to be a desktop processor exclusively. Rather, it’s going to emerge in the first part of next year as Xeon E5 for single- and dual-socket servers/workstations. In that context, the CPU’s size and complexity makes more sense. After all, Westmere-EX (at the heart of Intel’s more enterprise-oriented Xeon E7 family) is a 2.6 billion-transistor die occupying 513 square millimeters of space.

Core i7-3960X, with two cores and 5 MB L3 cache disabled

When Sandy Bridge-E surfaces as Xeon, it’ll offer up to eight processing cores and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. As a desktop CPU, however, it’s limited to as many as six cores and up to 15 MB of shared L3. Intel achieves this by disabling two cores and four of the die’s 16 slices of shared L3 cache.

Of course, that configuration only applies to Core i7-3960X. Core i7-3930K, which also features six cores, dips down to 12 MB of cache, revealing Intel’s ability to very granularly disable pieces of the shared L3 to suit its needs. The upcoming Core i7-3820 will employ four cores and 10 MB of shared L3 cache—essentially half of a Sandy Bridge-E die. Each core includes 32 KB of L1 instruction and L1 data cache, plus a dedicated 256 KB L2 cache.

Sandy Bridge-E Family

The clocks on all three SKUs range up and down as well. The -3960X starts at 3.3 GHz and, through the same second-gen Turbo Boost technology introduced with Sandy Bridge, speeds up to 3.9 GHz. The -3930K starts at 3.2 GHz and hits a peak of 3.8 GHz in lightly-threaded workloads. Finally, the -3820 will start at 3.6 GHz and reach frequencies of up to 3.9 GHz with Turbo Boost.

Of course, the X- and K-series chips are also multiplier-unlocked, making those stock clocks pretty much meaningless for most enthusiasts planning to tweak their systems. Intel calls the -3820 “partially unlocked.” In all actuality, it gets six 100 MHz bins above its maximum Turbo Boost setting of 3.9 GHz, translating to a ceiling of 45x.

iTunes 10.4.1.10

Lame Per Clock

Intel is using the same cores found in its Sandy Bridge-based CPUs. Turning off Turbo Boost, setting similar base clocks, and running a couple of single-threaded apps demonstrates the efficient execution Sandy Bridge brings to the table compared to Thuban or Zambezi.

itunes turbo boost

7-zip turbo boost

Switching Turbo Boost back on and running Core i7-3960X in parallelized and single-threaded titles gives us a better impression of what that technology does for performance.
In an application like iTunes, which is only able to utilize one core, Turbo Boost improves performance by 12.8%. In 7-Zip (well-optimized to use available cores), it increases performance by 10.8%. The second number is surprisingly high because Turbo pushes an additional three 100 MHz bins when five or six cores are active and none of the technology’s triggers are tripped. As a result, it's tackling our compression workload at 3.6 GHz instead of 3.3.

Upgrade an Intel CPU

Let's begin by taking a step-by-step walk through the process of upgrading an Intel CPU. You should be aware of two general points before we start. First, Intel CPUs have no pins; instead, the pins are in the socket. It's very easy to accidentally bend a pin in the CPU socket when you're installing or re­­moving an Intel processor, so you need to handle the CPU very carefully. Second, we'll be using the Intel reference cooler that ships in­­side Intel CPU retail packages. The sizes of the relevant parts may vary for different socket formats, but the in­­stallation and removal procedures are the same for each.

1. Rotate all four mounting pushpin caps to the left.

Soket LGA775

2. Gently pull one of the pushpins straight up until you feel it release. Use minimal force to accomplish this. Repeat the operation for all four pushpin latches.

3. The CPU is often stuck to the heat sink with thermal compound, which helps transmit accumulated heat from the CPU heat spreader surface to the heat sink. Gently rotate the processor back and forth (you're rocking it around the vertical axis). As you do this, the CPU will gradually loosen. Eventually the heat sink will come free, and you can lift it up.

4. You'll see a latching lever on the side of the CPU. Push down on the lever, pull it slightly to the outside, and release it upward.

Lever On The Side of The CPU

5. The socket cover will now lift up. Note that the socket cover for LGA775 swings in a different direction than it does for other Intel CPU sockets.

Soket LGA775

6. Once the latch cover is open, gently grasp the CPU by the edges. Lift it straight up. Do not slide it to one side. You may have to angle it a bit to get it out from under the latch cover, but try not to do this until the CPU is clear of all the pins in the socket.

7. Place the CPU in an anti­static container for storage.

8. Handling the new CPU only by the edges, align the notches on the two op­­posing edges of the CPU with the tabs on the socket. Gently lower the processor straight down into the socket. Do not press it.

Upgrade Your CPU

Upgrading your CPU can be a frustrating experience, even though the physical acts of removing an old processor and installing the new one are pretty easy. The more difficult questions to answer are these: When is the right time for me to upgrade a CPU? What processor will give me the best bang for the buck? Complicating the matter for Intel CPU users is the plethora of socket formats that may be involved. At last count, Intel had four active socket formats for desktop PCs: LGA775, LGA1366, LGA1155, and LGA1156. While LGA1156 will probably be superseded soon, the other three are likely to be with us for some time--though LGA775 will probably be relegated to budget-oriented machines and, over time, phased out as well. Even if you're dealing with a current-generation system, you have two possibilities: LGA1155 and LGA1366. This means that if you're contemplating a significant, generational upgrade for an Intel CPU it likely involves a motherboard upgrade.

Intel CPU LGA1366

AMD users are in a little better situation, but they, too, need to be careful. AMD has been using variants of its socket AM3 since 2009. Older socket AM2/AM2+ motherboards can use some of the newer AMD CPUs, but at the cost of losing key power-management capabilities. Socket AM3 users can upgrade to all Athlon II, Phenom, and Phenom II processors.
If you've been looking forward to dropping in one of AMD's upcoming eight-core Bulldozer processors, however, the news is disappointing. Bulldozer will require a new socket, dubbed "socket AM3+," and it won't be compatible with older motherboard versions.

AMD K6-166ALR

Socket AM3+

One rule of thumb is to upgrade to a faster CPU within an existing socket format if doing so moves your computer two or three speed grades higher without overclocking. For example, if your PC runs an Intel-based LGA775 setup with a Core 2 Duo E6400 CPU, swapping in a Core 2 Quad Q9650 will boost your performance substantially--you'll get both a clock-rate boost and two more cores.
On the other hand, you need to pay attention to expenses, too: The aforementioned Q9650 costs around $340, whereas a much newer, faster Core i7-2600K CPU costs $330. The $10 price difference between the Q9650 and the 2600K could help pay for a brand-new motherboard to accommodate the 2600K.
Whether the processor you're upgrading is from Intel or AMD, keep these tips in mind before you start the installation process.

Disconnect all cabling and wiring that may be in your way: Make sure that you detach the connector powering the CPU cooling fan.
Carefully remove the CPU cooler: If you have an exotic or high-performance CPU cooler, read the directions or check the manufacturer's Website to ensure that you know how to reattach it. Some high-performance coolers have special mounting plates that mount under the motherboard. Take precautions to prevent the plate from falling away, or you may have to remove the motherboard to retrieve it.

Why do Windows programs stop responding?

Additional information

A computer, operating system, software program or driver may stop responding or cause other programs to stop responding because of several possible reasons, such as a confliction of software or hardware resources between two programs, lack of system resources, or a bug in the software or drivers.
Solution

To recover from a program that has stopped responding, a user can generally press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys on his or her keyboards to open the "Close Program" window or open the "Task Manager" window and click the "End Task" button to terminate the program. If another window opens, click the "End Task" button again to confirm stopping that program.

It is important to realize that when a program stops responding any work that has not been saved will more than likely be lost when end tasking a program. Unfortunately, there is no alternative.

If you continue to experience programs locking the computer or stop responding we recommend you review our General Troubleshooting page for recommendations on steps that can be performed to help stop this issue from occurring.

Computer is Running Slow

Slow computerThis issue can be caused by any of the below possibilities.

    Not enough hard disk space.
    Left over programs and bad files.
    Data Corruption.
    Missing Windows updates / Outdated drivers.
    Computer is overheating.
    Corrupt OS.
    Bad Hardware.

Solution

Tip This page only cover an overall slow computer and not a computer that has a slow boot up.

Below are steps for Microsoft Windows users that should help speed up the computer or determine why the computer is running slow.

Reboot

If your computer has not been reboot recently make sure to reboot it before following any of the below steps.

Not enough hard disk drive space

Verify that there is at least 200-500MB of free hard disk drive space. This available space allows the computer to have room for the swap file to increase in size as well as room for temporary files.

    Determining available hard drive space.
    Regaining computer hard disk drive space.

Hard drive corrupted or fragmented
    Run ScanDisk or something equivalent to verify there is nothing physically wrong with the computer hard disk drive.
    Run Defrag to help ensure that data is arranged in the best possible order.

Background programs

Remove or disable any TSRs and startup programs that automatically start each time the computer boots.

Tip To see what programs are running in the background and how much memory and CPU they are using open Task Manager.  If you are running Windows 7 run Resmon to get a better understanding of how your computer is being used.

If you've got an anti-virus scanner on the computer, spyware protection program, or other security utility make sure it's not scanning your computer in the background. Often when these programs begin to scan the computer it can decrease the overall performance of your computer.

Scan for malware

Today, spyware and other malware is a big cause of many computer problems including a slow computer. Even if an anti-virus scanner is installed on the computer we recommend running a malware scan on the computer. Use the free version of Malwarebytes to scan your computer for malware.

Hardware conflicts

    Verify that the Device Manager has no conflicts. If any exist resolve these issues as they could be the cause of your problem.

Update Windows

    Make sure you have all the latest Windows updates installed in the computer.
    If you are on the Internet when your computer is slow also make sure all browser plugins are up-to-date.

Update your drivers

Make sure you've got the latest drivers for your computer. Especially the latest video drivers. Having out-of-date drivers can cause an assortment of issues.

Computer or processor is overheating

Make sure your computer and processor is not overheating, excessive heat can cause a significant decrease in computer performance some processors will even lower the speed of the processor automatically to help compensate for the heat related issues.

    What temperature should my processor be running at?
Dust, dirt, and hair can also constrict a proper air flow on your computer, which can also cause a computer to overheat. Make sure your computer case is clean and fans are not obstructed.

    Steps on cleaning your computer.

Memory upgrade

If you've had your computer for more than one year it's likely you're computer is not meeting the memory requirements for today. Today, we suggest at a minimum the computer have 1GB of memory.

    Determining how much RAM is installed and available.

Specific operating system basic troubleshooting

Basic Microsoft Windows XP troubleshooting.
Basic Microsoft Windows 2000 troubleshooting.
Basic Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 troubleshooting.
Basic Microsoft Windows ME troubleshooting.
Basic Microsoft Windows 98 troubleshooting.
Basic Microsoft Windows 95 troubleshooting.
Basic Microsoft Windows 3.x troubleshooting.

Or go through the other basic troubleshooting steps.

Run registry cleaner

We normally do not recommend registry cleaners. However, if you have followed all of the above steps and your computer is still slow try running a registry cleaner on the computer.

Erase computer and start over

If none of the above solutions resolve your issues, it is recommended that you either reinstall Windows or erase everything and then start over.

Old computer

If your computer is older than five years come to terms that it is likely the age of the computer that is causing it to be slow. Computers progress at an alarming rate as new programs and updates for programs come out their minimum requirements increase and will cause older computers to slow down. If your computer is older than five years we suggest purchasing a new computer or just realize it is going to run slow because it is old.

    How often should I buy a new computer?

Hardware issues

Finally, if your computer continues to be slow after going over each of the above recommendations it's possible that your computer is experiencing a more serious hardware related issue such as a failing component in the computer. This could be a failing or bad hard drive, CPU, RAM, motherboard, or other component.

Windows 7 Tips and Tricks

In this 46 page guide you will be introduced to Windows 7 and what it has to offer. This guide will go over the software compatible issues, you will learn about the new task bar, how to use and customize Windows Aero, what Windows 7 Libraries are all about, what software is included in Windows 7, and how easy networking is with Windows 7 along with other topics.

There is no disputing that Vista was poorly received. Vista made changes to the file system, user interface and other critical components of the operating system that were essential. Unfortunately, such changes meant that Vista had compatibility problems. The early days of Vista were plagued with complaints about peripherals that no longer worked because there were no Vista drivers available. Windows 7 has been released to address all of the above and more.

The advice within this guide will help new users become acquainted with Windows 7 and can also help those who are on the fence about purchasing Windows 7 decide if it would be a good idea. Also with this free guide you will also receive daily updates on new cool websites and programs in your email for free courtesy of MakeUseOf.

Computer Inside Your Computer: How To Use VirtualBox

You've heard a lot about Linux and you'd love to try it out, but you don't know enough to take the plunge and install it alongside Windows - maybe you're worried you'll wipe all your files off in the process. Besides, you'd like to have another computer handy so that you can look something up if you get stuck, but you don't have another computer. This is it.

Or maybe it's the opposite. Perhaps you've taken a step out of your comfort zone and ditched Windows - maybe for Ubuntu, or maybe for Mac OS X. You feel liberated! No more Blue Screens of Death! You're living life on the edge, getting on with your work… and then you come to a screeching halt. You discover that a piece of software crucial to your workflow runs on Windows… and only Windows.

Whatever shall you do? Then somebody introduces you to VirtualBox. Suddenly you gain the power to conjure virtual computers out of thin air. They don't take up space on your desk, yet they work just like a real computer does. They can be conjured up and removed with little more than a few clicks. Intrigued? Also with this free guide you will also receive daily updates on new cool websites and programs in your email for free courtesy of MakeUseOf.

VirtualBox is a free, open source, cross-platform application for creating, managing and running Virtual Machines (VMs).
Publisher: Makeuseof.com

How to Choosing Mobile Computers

Top 5 Tips for Choosing Mobile Computers

Dozens of manufacturers offer hundreds of devices in thousands of configurations, but only one may be best suited for your particular environment and workforce. Rather than trying to stay on top of all the products that are being introduced and discontinued, the technologies and features being added, plus available peripherals and software, enterprises can quickly cut down to a few viable options by following five basic tips:

1. Consider the environment and the user
2. Stick to industry standards & certifications
3. Simplify support
4. Require flexibility
5. Pay attention to power

This white paper explains these tips and how they can be applied to assist the enterprise mobile computer selection process. Download FREE white paper from Intermec :

  

How To Fix Error 800B0100 on Windows Update

Windows Update Error 800B0100

If you receive the Windows Update error 800b0100, it means that a file needed by Windows Update is not registered with Windows correctly. The System Update Readiness Tool can correct some conditions that cause this error. To use the tool, follow these steps:

1. Go to the System Update Readiness Tool webpage. In the Information for advanced users section, find the version of Windows and system type of your computer, and then click the link to download the System Update Readiness Tool. If you don't know which version of Windows you have, see View your computer information.
2. Run Windows Update again.
   

   Note

   Typically, the scan takes 15 minutes or less, but it can take longer on some computers. The Windows Update progress bar is not updated during the scan, and progress seems to stop at 60% complete for some time. This behavior is expected. The scan is still running and you should not cancel the update.

If the problem persists after you take these steps, go to the Microsoft Update Solution Center website to find more information about the error code or to request support by e‑mail.

Error codes this applies to:

• WindowsUpdate_800B0100
• 0x800B0100

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How to Fix : Can Not Watch, Record, Download From Youtube

You can't watch a youtube video - the screen says "You either have javascript turned off or your Adobe Flash is too old" or such like. First, go to Tools at top of page, then scroll down to Internet Options, click Security heading and go to Custom Level. In there, scroll down til you come to the section for Active Script. Make sure your setting for running script is Enabled. If this is the problem, you enable it, restart your computer and away you go!
BUT!
This info is all over the net when you type in this question. What if your script is already set at Enable and it still won't work? You need to go to Adobe on your computer - remember I'm writing this as a geek for other geeks to understand - click start, your menu appears, go to Programmes contained on your pc, look for all the programmes you have on your computer. There will be a long list of programmes like Internet Explorer, Games, Java, Media Player all in alphabetical order. Go to Java and make sure it is Enabled. If not, then enable it and you are sorted!
BUT!
You do this and still can't watch youtube ? So What you need is youtube plugin......You can download it for free....Download Here :

 

• Support popular video sites
• Support download pasue and resume
• Built in converter to all format
• (Mp4, Iphone, IPod, cell phone, avi, wmv, mp3 and more)
• Auto rename video with advanced perfix
• Proxy support
• Multithread downloader and convertor
• 100% clean. No spyware or malware
• Free full functional for ever

How to Overcome Bluescreen on Laptop

On a PC, unlike a laptop or notebook, you can easily perform an analysis of recent changes to your PC, especially in hardware. Unfortunately, the users who use a laptop it is very difficult to do, other than the stuff still under warranty, not everyone can easily understand the hardware, the hardware inside the laptop. But do not be discouraged in advance ... there are a few tips to overcome the blue screen ...

First, make sure the first menu you do not have safe mode crashes (this is if the latest drivers from the hardware that is not also loaded by windows). To be on safe mode, when the initial boot continuous press F5, then select safe mode in the options that appear, at the beginning of the display, you will be asked if you need to activate the menu system restore, select No to turn on system restore. Do a restore on your windows, how: Start> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> System Restore. Choose a restore point is the closest. If you do not want to use the system restore on windows,

Addition to the above, the most appropriate way is to disable your hardware's drivers up to date. How: press Windows + Pause Break simultaneously to display your windows system properties, select the Hardware tab, select Device Manager to display the device manager. Disable hardware drivers that you install before the blue screen. Or do a driver rollback to restore the previous driver.

In some cases the BSOD, we absolutely can not use the laptop. To overcome this required a software such as Acronis True Image (can be downloaded for free on the internet) or similar back-up software. To make sure that before you have back-up your system first. Make a bootable CD media on your PC or laptop is your friend, then do the boot with the CD. Then do you restore the backup system.

In addition due to driver error, blue screen can also be caused by a virus / trojan disguised as the services file on the system, including smss.exe, winlogon.exe, services.exe and Isass.exe. To fix this try to track the virus / trojan by antivirus programs portable, run the antivirus program, but this time not from a removable storage such as hard drives or flash. Perform a virus scan through unremovable storage such as CDs or DVDs. This is why you need an antivirus portable, so you do not need to perform the installation process prior to your system that may have been infected by a virus / trojan first.