Easy Computer

running check disk

2011-11-10T20:11:00.000-08:00

Start/Run...type chkdsk /r and hit Enter.

Type Y in new screen and hit Enter.

Reboot...the command will execute...the system will then boot into Windows.

I had a problem with indexing service I permanently disabled it in run > services.msc

then I ran chkdsk

How to remove ParetoLogic UUS.DLL error message

2011-11-10T19:15:00.000-08:00

I recently got a .... ParetoLogic UUS.DLL error message

message:

RUNDLL Error loading

C:\Program Files\Common Files\ParetoLogic\UUS2\UUS.DLL

The specified module could not be found.

If you’ve uninstalled ParetoLogic’s Data Recovery or Data Recovery, you may get this error

It’s a Windows Scheduled Task entry that isn’t removed when Data Recovery is uninstalled.

To get rid of it simply,

Go to Start » All Programs » Accessories » System Tools » Scheduled Tasks.

In the Scheduled Tasks window, click on ParetoLogic Registration to select it. Then click "Delete item" to remove the scheduled task.

And that’s it.

Facebook changes

2011-11-10T19:01:00.000-08:00

Facebook changes, the good the bad the ugly!
They are now deciding what's important for you to see.

How, you ask ? Stuff like changes about your employer, school, relationship status or city, as well as lots of likes or comments. If a friend's post gets 20 comments or likes, it’s likely to be a top story.”Of course, users can control what becomes a top story by using their own feeds.

Meanwhile, Google is pointing people to its social network Google+

from its main search page. ( With a big, blue arrow.)

A major barrier to switching to Google+ has been its invite-only system. But the search engine opened up the network to all users with Google profiles. With discontent growing over Facebook, could there come a mass exodus from the older site?

The question will you be Facebook faithful?

Info on securing facebook pages

2011-03-11T13:30:00.001-08:00

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/igeneration/january-2011-the-definitive-facebook-lockdown-guide/7439?tag=footer

4 steps to use your ipod hard drive

2011-03-11T12:21:00.000-08:00

1 Plug in the iPod to your computer.
4. Click on device in iTunes
3. Go to summary or setting
4. check enable hard drive

ipod tip

2011-03-11T12:16:00.001-08:00

If you enable your hard drive you can use your iPod to backup your documents.Apps like life2go can make it even easier.

Repairing a notebook screen

2011-03-09T13:50:00.000-08:00

I found this link helpful
The screen was just barely showing with a bright light on it. Back light most not be functioning

http://www.tech-faq.com/how-to-repair-a-laptop-screen.html

Lost your internet connection

2011-01-25T01:33:00.000-08:00

Lost you cable or DSL connect? Power-cycle the modem it usually solves the problem. Unplug it then plug it back in.
If you have networking wireless router not working , power-cycle that, after power-cycling the modem.
Comcast was doing major work and my internet and email kept going down. Many times I did not even know it. I was testing an exchange server I was installing and emailing my Comcast account. It took me hours to discover that the server was working, it was my Comcast email that was down!
The first call to then they denied any problems. The second call they said there was major issues, since they were updating the entire east coast!
They also said they would credit your account for downtime!

Radio Free Lunch: Apple Recycling Redux

2011-01-25T00:16:00.000-08:00

Radio Free Lunch: Apple Recycling Redux: "I decided to upgrade my iPad to a model with 3G wireless (so I could access maps in the car if need be), so I was once again able to avail m..."

Fake antivirus on twitter

2011-01-24T23:56:00.000-08:00

Twitter has been hit by fast-spreading spam using Google's (Nasdaq: GOOG) goo.gl URL shortening service.

The attack sends malicious links that take recipients clicking on them to a website hosting the "Security Shield" antivirus software program.

When users land on that site, they are essentially tricked into downloading and paying for the Security Shield application.

Twitter is resetting the passwords of accounts that are spreading the malicious link, to stop it.

The attackers send out tweets containing a link from the goo.gl shortened link service. This service and others like it compress long URLs into shorter ones, making them easier to fit into services like Twitter, which places a strict limit on the number of characters each tweet may contain. However, the services can also disguise the true nature of a link by hiding its actual URL.

Anyone clicking on the link is taken through two bounces to a website hosting the "Security Shield" fake antivirus program. Visitors are told they have suspicious applications running on their PCs and are urged to run a scan.

The scan shows the victim's PC is infected, and the website then asks the user to download and pay for the Security Shield application. This is fake and a scare tactic.

to get out of this fake screen stating you have a virus press alt "F4" and scan you r computer with your own virus program.

Downloading files from the free geocities

2009-09-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

Geocities free is closing in October. Many folks have asked me how do they copy their html pages to their computer to save them before they are deleted.

Well.... here is the instructions.

File Manager
You can also manually download or copy your page code with File Manager. This option allows you to back up the code used to create your web pages; it will not, however, enable you to copy your images and other site assets, and the process will take significantly more time than downloading your pages with FTP.

In the Create & Update, Manage, or Index tab of your GeoCities Control Panel, click the "File Manager" link.
Select the file you wish to back up.
Click on the "Edit" button at the top of your File Manager.
Locate the file you wish to download or back up.
Click the box to the left of the file you wish to edit, and click the "Edit" button at the top or bottom of the File Manager.
Note: If you have GeoCities Plus, click the "Edit" icon next to the file name:
This will open the HTML editor. Highlight all of the code on the page, then select "Copy" from the "Edit" menu of your browser's toolbar.
Now open a text editor on your computer (such as Notepad, Wordpad, or Simple Text).
Select "Paste" from the "Edit" menu of your text editor toolbar. All of the code from your file in your File Manager should appear in this file.
Select "File," and then "Save as," in your text editor toolbar.
Use the "Save in" or "Look in" field to navigate to the folder on your computer in which you want to save the file.
In the "File Name" field , enter a name for your file with the extension .html (for example, yourfile.html). We recommend giving the file the same name as its mirror in your File Manager.
If you're using Notepad, next to "Save as type," select "All file types."
Click "Save."

How do you reset a Palm?

2009-09-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

push the reset button on the back. This will un-freeze it but will not delete info on it.
If you press the on button and the reset till the logo shows up...then press the up arrow it will reformat it, and all the data will be wiped clean.

You can then sync it to you data on your computer.

new hotmail settings

2009-09-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

Hotmail changed its mail...now to check in outlook express:
use these settings

POP server: pop3.live.com (Port 995)

POP SSL required? Yes

User name: Your Windows Live ID, for example yourname@hotmail.com

Password: The password you usually use to sign in to Hotmail or Windows Live

SMTP server: smtp.live.com (Port 25 or 587)

Authentication required? Yes (this matches your POP username and password)

TLS/SSL required? Yes

False Facebook Apps

2009-09-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

Avira warns against fraud using falsified Facebook applications

Virus protection experts explain the risks entailed in using Facebook widgets and offer tips to help users protect their privacy

All Facebook users are familiar by now with the applications that encourage them to take part in games or quizzes. However, these applications can harm users, according to security specialists from Avira.

The harmful applications are cleverly disguised advertising banners that perfectly mimic the appearance and function of the familiar and ever-changing Facebook applications (widgets). If a web surfer clicks one of these, rather than being taken to a trustworthy Facebook application, he will find himself diverted to another server on the Internet without even noticing. The fake widgets are so cleverly programmed and designed that the user’s suspicions are not aroused as he uses them. At the end of the activity, the fraudulent web application will ask for additional information, such as a mobile phone number, to deliver the result of the game. However, the text message sent will prove expensive, because it is the confirmation that the user has agreed to a subscription with the fraudsters. The details are usually only found in the small print, which is easy to overlook: the damage can reach considerable amounts of money, which are debited with the next phone bill.

The risk of giving away too much personal information exists with every application on offer within the social web. Anyone using Facebook applications should only install those from a trusted source and should think carefully about the data they reveal on the platform. It takes just a few easy setting changes to secure your privacy. The right checkmarks can be set in Facebook under Settings/ Privacy Settings. The safest approach is to set all the fields in your Profile to “Only Friends”. Remember that here too, not every person behind a friendship invitation is a real friend.

It is also possible to change the settings for advertisements. The Facebook Ads tab can be found under Settings/ Privacy Settings/ News Feed and Wall. Here, you should select “No One” in the box. It is also possible to set the access rights for the applications: Individual rights can be assigned for all applications under Settings/ Application Settings / Edit Settings. Here it is also advisable to at least set the settings for your private domain to “Only Friends” and to take a close look at the settings for additional approvals.

vista search - short cut windows key

2009-08-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

You don't have to open up a special window to find the files or programs you're looking for, Just hit the Windows key or click the Start button and start typing—Vista will show you organized lists of the top files and programs that match the text you've entered. ( full findings, click "See all results" at the bottom of the window.)

Need Multiple Clocks

2009-08-27T07:51:00.000-07:00

you can set up Vista to display multiple clocks . Click on the clock in the Start bar, then click "Change date and time settings", then the Additional Clocks tab. Check the box next to "Show this clock" for each additional clock you want to add, then specify the time zone and display name for each clock. Clicking OK, clicking on the clock in the Start bar will show you the clocks for every time zone you've selected.

If you're a traveler you will like this!

7-8-09

2009-07-08T20:38:00.001-07:00

today is a lucky day

Tech tip #992

2009-06-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

I am often told that a user cannot shut off their computer.....
When nothing else works, if you press in the computer's off button long enough, it will eventually stop resisting and turn off.

Last day of april

2009-04-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

Spring cleaning!

Your fan it pulls in air for cooling and then blows it out.

And, along with that air comes dust.

To clean:

Unplug the case and open it up
Using a can of compressed air (available at your local office supply store), blow the dust out of the computer
Or use your vacuum cleaner in the blow out mode

New computers watch the CPU's temperature and have thermal cutoffs — if the CPU gets too hot, the computer will shut down without warning!

Blow the dust out of the power supply, too.

Hint: take the computer outside to blow it out.

Do not touch the componets with the vacuum cleaner, just blow out the dust!

today

2009-04-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

today I went to the beach...day off

Slow Internet?

2009-04-26T12:27:00.001-07:00

Test your internet connection speed at
http://www.speakeasy.net/

Now closing: GeoCities

2009-04-26T12:26:00.000-07:00

April 23, 2009 1:37 PM PDT
Now closing: GeoCities, a relic of Web's early days
by Stephen Shankland
comments
webware155:http%3A%2F%2Fnews.cnet.com%2F8301-17939_109-10226255-2.html
Yahoo! Buzz
Yahoo is closing its GeoCities personal home page service, and with it will go an era of self-expression on the Web that's largely been replaced by social networks and blogs.
GeoCities rose to power during an era when publishing on the Internet meant setting up your own Web site. GeoCities simplified the process by helping people sidestep the complications of registering a domain and learning how to program HTML, the language that describes Web pages.

Yahoo is closing it GeoCities site this year.
Yahoo bought GeoCities for more than $2.9 billion in dot-com-priced stock in 1999, when GeoCities had more than 1.1 million users. However, while the idea of having a personal presence on the Internet has caught on, GeoCities turned out to be a backwater, not the mainstream.
"We will be closing GeoCities later this year.
" Goodbye Geocities, hello FacebookToday, the way people choose to express themselves on the Internet is shifting away from isolated Web pages. Instead they use social-networking sites such as Facebook, with built-in features for creating a profile, staying in touch with contacts, and maintaining at least a little privacy; WordPress, where it's easy to post updates to a blog; or Flickr, where the photographically inclined can meet, share, and comment.
What these services and others including Twitter, YouTube, MySpace, and Blogger possess is a mechanism to notify interested parties of new activity, helping to keep social links pulsing with new information in a way that just can't be replicated by depending on a person to swing by a personal Web site.
GeoCities' vanishing sites?Still unclear is what exactly will become of GeoCities pages. New sign-ups are already no longer permitted, but what about existing sites?
Here's how Yahoo put it: "You can continue to enjoy your Web site and GeoCities services until later this year. You don't need to change a thing right now--we just wanted you to let you know about the closure as soon as possible. We'll provide more details about closing GeoCities and how to save your site data this summer, and we will update the help center with more details at that time."
That leaves open the possibility that Yahoo will make it possible to move a site to another service, as it did when shutting down Yahoo Photos, but in the current climate, it's probably best not to expect such a graceful transition option. Yahoo wouldn't comment on its plans.
Another option is to upgrade to a separate paid Yahoo service: "You don't need to change your service today, but we encourage anyone interested in a full-featured Web hosting plan to consider upgrading to our award-winning Yahoo Web Hosting service."
But given how many GeoCities users weren't technical experts, it seems likely that a lot of amateur Web sites soon will vanish without a trace, a casualty of business priorities and the Internet's rapid changes.
Stephen Shankland covers Google, Yahoo, search, online advertising, portals, digital photography, and related subjects. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered servers, supercomputing, open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank.

Advanced tips using run command

2009-04-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Run Commands that I use

Old dos commands that still are useful

XP start >> Run:

Vista on Start type:

appwiz.cpl -- Used to run Add/Remove wizard
Calc --Calculator
Chkdisk --Repair damaged files
Cleanmgr --Cleans up hard drives
Control --Displays Control Panel
Cmd --Opens a new Command Window

Firewall.cpl -- Used to configure windows firewall

Ftp -ftp.exe program

Hostname --Returns Computer's name

Ipconfig --Displays IP configuration for all network adapters

Logoff -- Used to logoff the computer

MMC --Microsoft Management Console

Msconfig --Configuration to edit startup files

Mstsc -- Used to access remote desktop

Mrc -- Malicious Software Removal Tool

Msinfo32 --Microsoft System Information Utility

Netstat --Displays all active network connections

Nslookup--Returns your local DNS server

Osk ---Used to access on screen keyboard

Perfmon.msc -- Used to configure the performance of Monitor.

Ping --Sends data to a specified host/IP

Powercfg.cpl -- Used to configure power option

Regedit --Registry Edit

Sfc /scannow -- System File Checker

Shutdown -- Used to shutdown the windows

Sfc / scannow -- Used to run system file checker utility.

Sndvol32 --Volume control for soundcard

Sysedit -- Edit system startup files

Taskmgr --Task manager

Tracert --Traces and displays all paths required to reach an internet host

Winipcfg --Displays IP configuration

Winver -- Used to check Windows Version

Wupdmgr --Takes you to Microsoft Windows Update

Write -- Used to open WordPad

New tip Speed up Vista

2009-04-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

1.right click on My Computer icon then select the option Manage.

2. Computer Management window opens, now select the Device Manager option, then locate the Disk under the Disk Drives.

3. select the enable advanced performance sittings on the disk.

4. click on Ok button to apply the setting

5. restart your computer after any changes to go into effect.

Rid your computer of the Conficker virus Link

2009-04-05T05:39:00.000-07:00

http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10208734-12.html?tag=mncol;txt

Eye chart can help diagnose Conficker

2009-04-05T05:26:00.000-07:00

Eye chart can help diagnose Conficker

by Seth Rosenblatt

April Fools' Day passed with much angst over and little action from the Conficker worm, but that doesn't mean it's not a threat.

(Credit: Screenshot by Seth Rosenblatt/CNET)

Joe Stewart from SecureWorks has put together an effective "eye chart" that sources its graphics from sites that Conficker would block. If you can't see one or more of the images, you're either infected, or image loading in your browser has been disabled.

Firefox users can check if image loading has been disabled under Tools/Options and the Content tab. Load Images Automatically should be checked. Internet Explorer users will find it under Tools/Internet Options, then the Advanced tab. Scroll down to Multimedia, and Show Pictures should be checked.

It's a test based on the fact that Conficker blocks legitimate security Web sites. The logos are sourced remotely, so if they can't load, the sites are also likely to be blocked. If you're seeing blocked images, you should check out the CNET guide to removing Conficker--just because the botnet hasn't done much that's demonstrably malicious yet doesn't mean it can't or won't in the future.

NEWS Comcast e-mail access suffers outage

2009-04-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

Comcast e-mail access suffers outage

16 hours, 39 minutes ago

The company's Comcastcares Twitter stream says "there is an e-mail server outage" affecting its customers. A fix expected at 11 a.m. apparently arrives at about 2:45 p.m.

(Posted in Wireless by Zoë Slocum)

Advanced short cut keys

2008-11-18T06:49:00.000-08:00

F7	Spell and grammar check selected text and/or document.
Shift + F7	Runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
F12	Save as.
Shift + F12	Save.
Ctrl + Shift + F12	Prints the document.
Alt + Shift + D	Insert the current date.
Alt + Shift + T	Insert the current time.

Short Cuts in Word

2008-11-18T06:43:00.000-08:00

Ctrl + A	Select all contents of the page.
Ctrl + B	Bold highlighted selection.
Ctrl + C	Copy selected text.
Ctrl + X	Cut selected text.
Ctrl + P	Open the print window.
Ctrl + F	Open find box.
Ctrl + I	Italic highlighted selection.
Ctrl + K	Insert link.
Ctrl + U	Underline highlighted selection.
Ctrl + V	Paste.
Ctrl + Y	Redo the last action performed.
Ctrl + Z	Undo last action.

Mouse short cuts in Word

2008-11-18T06:41:00.000-08:00

Click, hold, and drag	Selects text from where you click and hold to the point you drag and let go.
Double-click	If double-click a word, selects the complete word.
Double-click	Double-clicking on the left, center, or right of a blank line will make the alignment of the text left, center, or right aligned.
Double-click	Double-clicking anywhere after text on a line will set a tab stop.
Triple-click	Selects the line or paragraph of the text the mouse triple-clicked.
Ctrl + Mouse wheel	Zooms in and out of document.

New York court rules against dell in deceptive business practices

2008-05-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

New York Court Rules Against Dell in Fraud, False Advertising Case

Source: Reuters | Priority: Managing Compliance Standards | Topic: Litigation
Date Published: 5/27/2008 | Date Reviewed: 5/28/2008

TAKEAWAY: A New York judge this week ruled against Dell, saying the computer maker was guilty of fraud, false advertising, deceptive business practices and abusive debt collection. Further proceedings will determine any restitution Dell must pay its customers.
see more here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/COMSRV/idUSN2731586420080527

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-05-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

Ah another summer is arriving!
Here is a view from the Fenway behind the MFA

Jan

Easy Computer steps to clean a virus

2008-05-24T15:34:00.000-07:00

Use a good free virus scanner and cleaner like AVG. It is free for home use, and inexpensive for office use.

They just came out with a new version which I have used several times and it is great!
It combines virus scanning and all the other junk like spyware, malware, and ad ware.
Get it here

http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition

more on upgrading later...

They don't tell you about the free tech support

2008-05-24T15:20:00.001-07:00

till they know you are not going to pay.
I told them that they did not solve my problem the 2 or more times I called before, why would I PAY for this service. If they could get rid of the error message then maybe I would get an extended warranty. Right now they lost all my records, and they wouldn't even look up the error message which has been sitting on my screen for hours now!
So, Malcolm, with no last name, says tech support on-line is total different company and he can not tell me what they will do. But that is the only free support I could get.
I told him I want to make a formal complaint. He said he could not give me any company phone numbers...I would have to go in through HP.com

I said he would hear from me again...and hung up more frustrated then I have been in a long time.
Now I can't sell the computer and I wasted all afternoon and I got worked up in a frenzy.

I wonder if they still give tech support like Dell does?

2008-05-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

So I call .... I get by the first screener who tells me I am 100 days out of tech support, because I tell her that it is an open case....
Second screener tells me sorry we cant find any information on your computer there is no record that you called before.
I say that is impossible because it was several calls and the tech support person even called me fpr follow-up.....
they said no no no like I was asking them to go to rehab!

Meanwhile, 30 - 40 min later of the run around and giving me the choice of one question for $50 or 1 year extended warranty for $99, I found my documentation. I had several call numbers written down but they told me they we valid numbers but under someone elses name!!! Now I am getting angry at them.
I ask to speak to a supervisor....after getting a no 3 0r 4 times, and waiting on hold I get Malcom, who wont give me his last name , or phone number, or his supervisors name. It is clear he is there to sell an extended warranty, he is not a technical person. He tells me they did not lose my records and basically implies that I am lying. He tells me if there was a record of my prior calls he would help me , but there is none. He tells me if it was a month over warranty he would help, but 100 days ....thats too much.... even though I told him I only burned 3 DVDs on this computer. He keeps repeating the same thing about buying tech support over and over, and refers me to the HP.com for free chat support, which they don't tell you about till they know you are not going to pay....

Tech Support Hell or 100 days out of warrenty

2008-05-24T14:42:00.000-07:00

OK I have a new HP computer, well it isn't so new It is 100 days out of warrenty.

I don't use the computer. I bought it for a spare and to sell to one of my clients who needs a nice inexpensive computer fast.

Well. I kinda liked it so I never sold it, and use it every now and then to burn DVDs. Wel,l the firat Time I used it [to burn a copy of my restoration disks] which everyone should do as soon as they get a new computer with no disks...... I got an error message. It did burn [make] a DVD and I clicked OK and there were no problems so I ignored it.

Several months later I made another DVD and ...same error message ...this time I called HP support 877-801-7183. They talked me through changing some settings and I hung up without testing it since the call took sooo much time. I could stay on the phone any longer.

Well, the next time I burned [made] a cd .. same error .... I called Again ...again ..it took forever, and they made a few more changes in the settings. Right click on the cd/dvd icon, property, share folder etc.

I again couldn't stay on the phone any longer and did not test it. I will say they were very good and called me several times to follow-up, but I never called back until I burned a DVD the next time and got the same error message.....then I thought, darn it...I am out of warrenty.

I wonder if they still give tech support like Dell does????

Easy computer tech support help

2008-05-24T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hi,
I get so many computer questions in the course of a day I thought I would share some of the questions and answers with all of my clients, and future clients.

Sometimes I even forget the answers to problems that I haven't thought about for years!

So for the record, I am going to share my thoughts, write down my tips, and give you all a place to come an ask those questions that you have in your head!

When I was learning how to use and fix a computer I worked for the Comonwealth of Massachusetts. We had the computer that we shared lined up in a row, not in our own office or cubicle like now. The main advantage of that set-up is, if you had a question you could just shout out to the person next to you and get an answer.

This blog is my attempt at creating a social network of computer users who need a quick answer.

Lets see what happens...and if it works......