If all fails, then consider reformatting your computer. This would require you to wipe everything from your computer and restore it to how it was when you first got it. Before you do this, however, make sure you back up any file that you don’t want to lose, because after you do this, there isn’t anyway to get those files back. You should burn it into a disk or save it into another hard drive. Unless you built your own computer from scratch, most computers come with installation CDs just for this. They will reinstall Windows and any program it had when you first got it. Unless there is a problem with one of your computer hardware, your computer will run just like new, or as close as you can get to it.
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Reformatting Your Computer
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009Maintain Your Computer
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009There are many ways to make your computer running like new again or at least almost like new. These tactics can involve deleting specific files, uninstalling programs that you no longer use, installing other programs to “fix” or speed up your computer, or even wiping out your computer entirely. Like a car, computers need constant maintenance. Without it, they will start to slow down and decrease in performance until suddenly it just crashes. Taking a little bit of time to learn to maintain your computer can help make it last a lot longer.
Google Chrome OS (GCos)
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
Google is making a noise in announcing a new project – the Google Chrome Operating System in its effort to venture into the world of operating systems alongside the giant Microsoft, Mac OSX from Apple, Fedora and Ubuntu from the open-source community. The new operating system attempts to challenge the dominance of Microsoft’s Windows system.
The Google Chrome OS (GCos) is now under development and will be an open-source, lightweight operating system that will be targeted toward netbooks – the smaller, no-frills, low-cost version of laptops. Netbooks are Atom- powered mini-computers such as ASUS EEEPC, MSI Wind and so on.
The new Google Chrome Operating System will be running on top of a Linux kernel and as Google announced it will be absolutely free as it will be open-source like Fedora and Ubuntu.
Google already has an existing operating system with a moniker “Android” which was designed to work across a variety of devices from phones, to set-top boxes to netbooks. If you want to give Google Android a try without buying a T-Mobile G1/G2/G3 or netbook, you can download a LiveCD disc image of the “Android” from the internet. Just burn the image to a disc, insert it in your CD or DVD ROM drive, reboot your computer and let it boot from the CD or DVD ROM drive so that you can check out Android without installing it or affecting any files on your PC. The image was also tested working on Virtual Machine, VirtualBox and VMware platforms.
The Google Chrome Operating System is targeted for people who spend most of their time on the internet, and is being designed to power computers ranging from netbooks to full-size desktop systems.
Speed, simplicity and security are the key factors of the new Google Chrome OS. The new OS will be designed to be fast and lightweight and to startup and get you on the web in a few seconds. The user interface will be minimal and as what they did in Google Chrome browser, they will be going back to the basics and completely redesigning underlying security of the new Operating System so that users don’t have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates.
I was able to test and use different distributions of open-source operating systems that are already available. Each one has its weaknesses and strong points. Google has a lot of work to do and will definitely need a lot of help from the open-source community to realize their vision.
This will create a lot of hype, but it will surely take some time before we see the new Google Chrome OS running on netbooks. Let’s wait and see what Google has to offer with this new Operating System. It’s going to be a tough job for Google, but let’s see if they will keep their word.
Google has plans to release their free open-source operating system during the second half of 2010.
Windows 7
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009Windows Vista and Windows 7 have much in common. They are based on the same architecture and share similar features, functions and programs. However, in Windows 7 Microsoft has fixed many of the issues found in Windows Vista that made many Windows XP users hesitant to upgrade. That means we shouldn’t see the compatibility hassles we saw with Vista. Microsoft has certainly addressed many of the complaints surrounding Vista, such as the lack of backward compatibility, the lengthy start-up and install times, the large disk and memory footprint. Microsoft has also added a number of new interface helpers that will make the new OS more pleasurable and efficient to use.
Windows 7 is the latest offering from Microsoft as its new operating system. It contains much of the functionality and features of Vista, but also is streamlined to run faster and avoid some of Vista’s problems. For those considering upgrading to Windows 7, it is important to understand what’s new with Windows 7 as well as what are the minimum requirements in order to have a successful upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7.
If you use Windows Vista right now, but are thinking of upgrading to Windows 7, you need to make sure that your current system has what it takes to run the new operating system. Depending on your hardware and current edition of Vista, you can make use of the Upgrade option during Windows 7 installation to upgrade from Windows Vista to a corresponding version of Windows 7.
Upgrading is the most convenient way to get Windows 7 up and running on our computer, because it keeps your files, settings and programs intact from where Vista is in place. Windows 7 offers a compelling combination of faster boot times, improved responsiveness, and several fun and practical user interface enhancements.
If your current edition of Windows Vista can’t be upgraded to the edition of Windows 7 that you want to use, you can still install Windows 7 by using the custom installation instead. Take note however, that the Custom installation doesn’t preserve your files, programs and settings. For the step-by-step guide on how to perform a custom installation by visiting Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 (custom installation).
Systems running Microsoft Windows Vista OS, particularly the Home Premium most likely meet the current requirements of Windows 7.
Here are some installation options to upgrade to Windows 7.
Most desktops or laptops bought in 2006 or later should be able to run Windows 7 fine. If you want to make sure that your current system can run Windows 7 or if your desktop or laptops is on the borderline in terms of age and/or does not run Vista, you should first download and run Microsoft’s Upgrade Advisor. This tool will scan you current hardware, devices, and installed programs for known compatibility issues, gives you guidance on how to resolve potential issues found, and recommends what to do before you upgrade or if it’s a lost cause for your current system.
Also, visit the Windows 7 Compatibility Center to see what works with Windows 7 and find direct links to drivers, updates, and downloads.
Getting started with Windows Sidebar and Gadgets
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009Windows Sidebar is a long, vertical
bar that is displayed on the side of your desktop. It contains mini-programs called gadgets, which offer information at a glance and provide easy access to frequently used tools. For example, you can use gadgets to display a picture slide show, view continuously updated headlines, or look up contacts.
Why use Sidebar?
Sidebar can keep information and tools readily available for you to use. For example, you can display news headlines right next to your open programs. This way, if you want to keep track of what’s happening in the news while you work, you don’t have to stop what you’re doing to switch to a news website.
With Sidebar, you can use the Feed Headlines gadget to show the latest news headlines from sources you choose. You don’t have to stop working on your document, because the headlines are always visible. If you peripherally see a headline that interests you, you can click that headline, and your web browser will open directly to the story.
To open Sidebar, click on Start -> Accessories -> Windows Sidebar.
Getting started with gadgets
Windows comes with a small collection of gadgets, but only some of them appear on Sidebar by default. To understand how to use gadgets, let’s explore three gadgets that you’ll see on Sidebar when you first start Windows: the Clock, Slide Show, and Feed Headlines.
How does the Clock work?
When you point to the Clock gadget, two buttons will appear near its upper-right corner: the Close button—which is the top button—and the Options button.
Clicking the Close button removes the Clock from Sidebar. The button below the close button displays options for naming the clock, changing its time zone, and showing its second hand.
How does Slide Show work?
Next try resting the pointer on the Slide Show gadget, which displays a continuous slide show of pictures on your computer.
When you point to Slide Show, the Close and Options buttons will appear near the upper-right corner of the gadget.
Clicking the Options button allows you to choose which pictures appear in your slide show, control the speed at which your slide show plays, and change the transition effect between pictures.
How does Feed Headlines work?
Feed Headlines can display frequently updated headlines
from a website that supplies feeds, also known as RSS feeds, XML feeds, syndicated content, or web feeds. Websites often use feeds to distribute news and blogs. By default, Feed Headlines won’t display any headlines. To start displaying a small set of preselected headlines, click View headlines.
When you point to Feed Headlines, the Close and Options buttons will appear near the upper-right corner of the gadget. Clicking the Options button allows you to choose from a list of available feeds. You can add to the list by choosing your own feeds from the web.
Getting Started with the Basics of Vista
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009One of the many possible reasons why you are reading this article is that you decided to upgrade your Windows Operating System from Windows XP to Vista. Another reason could be that you purchased a new computer desktop PC or a laptop and it comes with pre-installed Windows Vista. For whatever reason or purpose you may have to learn how Windows Vista works, this tutorial is intended to make your learning experience worthy of your time.
The Start Menu
Use the Start menu to do these common activities:
- Start Programs
- Open commonly used folders
- Search for files, folders and programs
- Adjust computer settings
- Get help
- Turn off the computer
- Log off from Windows or switch to a different user account
Getting started with the Start menu
To open the Start menu, click the Start button in the lower left-hand corner of your screen or press the Window logo key on your keyboard.
The Start menu is divided into three basic parts:
1. The large left pane shows a short list of programs on your computer. Your computer manufacturer can customize this list. Therefore, its exact appearance will vary. Clicking All Programs displays a complete list of programs (more on this later).
2. In the lower left-hand corner is the search box, which allows you to look for programs and files on your computer by typing in search terms.
3. The right pane provides access to commonly used folders, files, settings and features. It’s also where you go to log off from Windows or turn off your computer.
Opening programs from the Start menu 
One of the most common uses of the Start menu is opening programs installed on your computer. To open a program shown in the left pane of the Start menu, click it. The program opens and the Start menu closes.
If you don’t see the program you want to open, click All Programs at the bottom of the left pane. Instantly, the left pane displays a long list of programs in alphabetical order, followed by a list of folders:
Clicking one of the program icons launches the program, and the Start menu closes. So what’s inside the folders? More programs.
Click Accessories (see screenshot below), for example, and a list of programs that are stored in that folder appears. Click any program to open it. To get back to the programs you saw when you first opened the Start menu, click Back near the bottom of the menu.
If you’re ever unsure what a program does, move the pointer over its icon or name. A box appears that often contains a description of the program.
For example, pointing to Calculator displays this message: “Performs basic arithmetic tasks with an on-screen calculator.” This trick works for items in the right pane of the Start menu, too.
You might notice that over time, the lists of programs in your Start menu change. This happens 
for two reasons. First, when you install new programs, they get added to the All Programs list. Second, the Start menu detects which programs you use the most, and it places them in the left pane for quick access.
The Search box
The Search box is one of the most convenient ways to find things on your computer. The exact location of the items doesn’t matter—the Search box will scour your programs and all of the folders in your personal folder (which includes Documents, Pictures, Music, Desktop, and other common locations). It will also search your e mail messages, saved instant messages, appointments, and contacts.
To use the Search box, open the Start menu and start typing. You don’t need to click inside the box first. As you type, the search results appear above the Search box in the left pane of the Start menu.
Click any search result to open it. Or, click the Clear button to clear the search results and return to the main programs list. You can also click Search Everywhere to search your entire computer, or click Search the Internet to open your web browser and search the Internet for your term.
Besides programs, files and folders, and communications, the Search box also looks through your Internet favorites and the history of websites you’ve visited. If any of these web pages include the search term, they appear under a heading called “Favorites and History.”
What’s in the right pane?
The right pane of the Start menu contains links to parts of Windows that you’re likely to use frequently. Here they are, from top to bottom:
• Personal folder. Opens your personal folder, which is named for whoever is currently logged on to Windows. For example, if the current user is Molly Clark, the folder will be named Molly Clark. This folder, in turn, contains user-specific files, including the Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders.
• Documents. Opens the Documents folder, where you can store and open text files, spreadsheets, presentations, and other kinds of documents.
• Pictures. Opens the Pictures folder, where you can store and view digital pictures and graphics files.
• Music. Opens the Music folder, where you can store and play music and other audio files.
• Games. Opens the Games folder, where you can access all of the games on your computer.
• Recent Items. Opens a list of files you’ve opened recently. Click one of the files in the list to open it.
• Computer. Opens a window where you can access disk drives, cameras, printers, scanners, and other hardware connected to your computer.
• Network. Opens a window where you can access the computers and devices on your network.
• Connect To. Opens a window where you can connect to a new network.
• Control Panel. Opens Control Panel, where you can customize the appearance and functionality of your computer, add or remove programs, set up network connections, and manage user accounts.
• Default Programs. Opens a window where you can choose which program you want Windows to use for activities like web browsing, editing pictures, sending e mail, and playing music and videos.
• Help and Support. Opens Windows Help and Support, where you can browse and search Help topics about using Windows and your computer.
Power button (left); Lock button (right)
At the bottom of the right pane are two buttons: the Power button 
and the Lock button. Click the Power button to turn off your computer, or click the Lock button to lock your computer without turning it off. Once locked, your computer cannot be used until you unlock it with your password.
Clicking the arrow next to the lock button displays a menu with additional options for switching users, logging off, restarting, or shutting down.
Desktop Fundamentals
The desktop is the main screen area that you see after you turn on your computer and log on to Windows. Like the top of an actual desk, it serves as a surface for your work. When you open your programs or folders, they appear on the desktop. You can also put things on the desktop, such as files and folders, and arrange them however you want.
The taskbar is the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen. Unlike the desktop, which can get obscured by the windows on top of it, the taskbar is visible almost all the time. It has four main sections:
1. The Start button , which opens the Start menu.
2. The Quick Launch toolbar, which lets you start programs with one click.
3. The middle section, which shows you which programs and documents you have open and allows you to quickly switch between them.
4. The notification area, which includes a clock and icons (small pictures) that communicate the status of certain programs and computer settings.
Why Choose ACTS?
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009ACTS is a Microsoft Certified Partner and offers expert application support for a wide variety of business applications. ACTS can help clients in Florida find comprehensive IT solutions that maximize the business value of your network. As a Registered Partner for Cisco Systems, ACTS offers the services of Certified Professionals and Specialists with expertise in designing, implementing and troubleshooting networking solutions based on Cisco technology. The depth and breadth of ACTS technical experience and ACTS familiarity with the needs of small businesses make ACTS the ideal partner for creating and maintaining an affordable, high-availability fault-tolerant network.
Slow Connection While Streaming?
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009If you share your Internet with other computers, you may notice that the connection may seem slower at times when you or another person are watching a video online. Sites like YouTube and Hulu offer streaming video to view at anytime. Though this is quick and convenient, their server tries to push the data as fast as it can into your computer so you can view it non-stop and that takes a lot from your bandwidth, which leaving less for everyone else. As soon as you close the program that is streaming the bandwidth returns to normal. If you are streaming a short video, it probably doesn’t use a lot of bandwidth unless it is HD video, so you will not notice a slowdown on basic broadband until you stream multiple things.
Should I Upgrade My Computer Hardware?
Monday, August 3rd, 2009Before you upgrade your computer’s hardware you need to determine that it will be a cost effective endeavor. You can measure the effectiveness in a few ways. Can you buy a better new or used PC for the same amount of money it would cost to upgrade? Will an upgrade really provide a significant improvement to your current system? If you want to upgrade just to have the newest technology, don’t. Your money is more wisely spent elsewhere. Remember that it is not just them money you spend on the upgrade but also the time and energy. Just be certain it is the upgrade is what you want and what your PC really needs before taking any action.
The Difference between a Software Upgrade and a Software Update
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009The difference between a software upgrade and a software update can be a little confusing but it is important to know when trying to maintain your PC. A software update provides bug fixes and minor software enhancements. They are available as a free download. Updates sometimes include new drivers to support the latest hardware like a printer or CD drive. Software updates are sometimes called software patches because it is applied to software you already have installed. Now, a software upgrade is a newer version of the software you are currently using that you have to purchase. For example, if you use Quicken 2005 and purchase and install Quicken 2009 you are upgrading your software.