Magnets:
• Magnets and computers don't mix!  You know those clever 'refrigerator magnets' that everyone wants to send you in the mail?  They're great on a refrigerator, but... They're very bad for computers.  Keep them away from floppy disks, monitors and the computer itself.  The same goes for headphones, telephone receivers, speakers (not the shielded computer variety) or any other product that has magnetic characteristics (including magnetic screwdrivers).  Magnets will erase your floppies and cause your monitor to display strange colors -- perhaps permanently.

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Floppies:
• Never 'work' from a floppy disk.  If you need to work on a file that comes to you on a floppy, copy the file to your hard drive first, edit or update the file, then copy it back to the floppy.  Working directly from a floppy disk is one of the best ways to lose data -- forever.
• When using floppy disks for backup, periodically check the data on the disk to make sure it's readable by copying the data back to your hard drive and opening it.

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Cleaning:
• Your computer 'sucks' - literally.  In order for your computer to stay cool enough to operate properly, it must circulate a lot of air.  This means it must take IN cool air from outside the chassis and send OUT hot air.  

• As a result, it sucks in dust, dirt, animal hair,  cigarette ashes (you don't actually smoke AT your computer, do you?), carpet fibers and insects.  

• The dust and dirt work their way into the bearings of the motors that power your disk drives and cooling fans, ultimately wearing them out. 

• Over time, the animal hair and carpet fibers generally coat all the surfaces in the computer with the rough equivalent of an angora sweater - making it run too hot.  

• While it is relatively easy to get this debris Into your computer, it is not so easy to get it back Out.  It is necessary to open the case and blow out the build-up with compressed air to properly clean a computer.  At the same time it is a simple task to examine the various cooling fans for proper rotation speed and replace them if necessary.  This is a task best left to professionals and should be attended to at least annually -- more often in areas with high dust or dirt content.

• Your keyboard and mouse also need occasional cleaning.  The keyboard can simply be turned upside down and given a firm shaking to dislodge the various bits and pieces of crud that accumulate over time.  In cat-owned households, it will probably be necessary to vacuum out the keyboard.  A standard household vacuum with a soft brush attachment is ideal for this as long as there are no loose keys.  Otherwise it should be referred to a professional.

• The hand-held battery-operated 'computer vacuums' do not have enough vacuum power to pull all the dirt and dust out of a computer keyboard, so save your money and use your household vacuum with the collar around the nozzle opened slightly to reduce the pressure.  This will do a much better job - for free.

• Cleaning your mouse is relatively simple.  Most mice have a cover on the bottom, that when rotated 1/4 turn counter-clockwise releases the mouse ball.  After removing the ball, it can be cleaned in warm, soapy water if it is particularly sticky.  Careful inspection of the cavity inside the mouse will reveal 2-4 rollers around the perimeter  that the mouse ball contacts.  These frequently exhibit wads of fiber that can be easily dislodged with a fingernail or very small pocket knife blade - Be Gentle!

• If you have a cat that likes to sleep on your monitor, it will need to be cleaned out with compressed air from time to time to keep it running cool.

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Internet Security:
• Since there are an abundance of destructive adolescents with high-speed Internet access and lots of free time on their hands, you MUST take steps to protect yourself from hackers (and virus / trojan / malware activity) if you have a broadband Internet connection.

• If you have a single computer connected via broadband, you can achieve this by installing a software firewall. Windows XP with Service Pack 2 has a perfectly serviceable firewall built-in. Make sure it is activated and you will be fairly well protected against intruders. However, if an infection tries to "phone home" you're going to need much more security than the default Windows firewall to protect you. 
• A product we recommend if you are still using Windows 98 or 2000 is Tiny Personal Firewall from www.tinysoftware.com -- it's an excellent product for those astute enough to correctly respond to its questions.  It's not a set-it-and-forget-it firewall like the one built into Windows XP, but it's free -- and puts very little resource hit on your system.
For our money, the best security product at this time is AVG Internet Security, which combines AntiVirus, AntiSpyware, SPAM control and a full-featured Firewall in one, easy-to-administer package.

• You will sacrifice performance with any software-based firewall solution, but some are more resource-hungry than others, which is one of the main reasons we recommend the products above.

• If you have more than one computer connected to the Internet via a broadband connection, a simple router that does NAT (Network Address Translation) in the $60-$100 range will provide you with several ports (1-6) for connecting your computers and a serviceable amount of protection at the same time. Both D-Link and Netgear make good products at a reasonable price. Another advantage of a hardware router / firewall solution is improved performance over a software firewall.

• If you have crucial data to protect, use the computers for business, or simply prefer the hardware firewall solution, SoHo units can be had for as little as $449.00.  Ask us about these solutions.

• You MUST have a properly configured AntiVirus product when connected to the Internet.  We use AVG 7 Professional-- however -- to be effective they MUST be properly configured when installed and you MUST have current virus definitions.
All AntiVirus products are not created equal. We do NOT recommend Norton (Symantec) or McAfee products, as we have found them to be increasingly less effective in catching all viruses -- AND -- they exhibit excessive resource usage, causing a substantial loss in overall performance. In other words, they can significantly slow down your computer.

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Utilities, Downloads and Add-Ons:
• There are a handful of companies that produce various utilities for your computer.  The important question is: 'Do you need them?'  Generally speaking, the answer is 'No'.  Utilities are useful on the test bench for diagnosing problems and effecting repairs.  For the typical computer user, all they do is contribute to confusion and use up valuable system resources, which negatively impacts performance.  Leave the utilities to the professionals.  Aside from AntiVirus software, if you only install the applications you will use on a daily basis, you will have a better-behaved and faster computer. 

• Additionally, there are numerous of 'cute' little downloads you will encounter on various websites.  The best rule-of-thumb is:  If you don't know for certain that you 'need' the application, don't install it.  The fewer add-ons installed on your computer, the better.

• The fewer applications you have installed and running on your computer, the happier it (and you) will be.  Each application that shows up in your System Tray (right-hand corner of your taskbar) uses up critical system resources.  The more applications you have running at one time, the slower your system is to respond.

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Reference Books
• We are frequently asked for recommendations on reference books on various computer-related topics.  There are 'Dummies' books, 'Complete Idiot's' books, 'Unleashed' books, and on, and on, and on ad nauseum.  The problem with finding the right book for you is not in finding one with the correct data -- they are all pretty much correct -- and complete.  

The problem is finding a book that you 'get' -- or understand quickly.  We've all experienced reading a book where we simply don't grasp what the author is trying to convey.  Does this mean you just aren't all that bright?  Probably not.  What it means is that the author is not writing the material in a manner that you can grasp quickly -- and that is crucial if you wish to improve your computing skills. 

There are dozens of computer-specific authors and they all present the information differently, based upon their assessment of what the 'average' person wants to learn.  More importantly, they also have different 'styles', which is what makes the crucial difference in absorbing the information - how it is presented.

• Our recommendation?  When you have a good two hours to kill, go to Borders or Barnes and Noble -- or any large bookstore that you like, with a large computer books section.  Get yourself a cup of coffee and a bagel -- or whatever appeals to you -- and settle in to the computer books section.  

Now, take out 5 or 6 books on the topic you need help with and open each one at random several times -- and start reading.  When you find one you 'get', set it aside and continue with the rest of the books.  In this manner, you will be able to separate the effective material from the ineffective books -- for you.

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Email:
• Mass-mailing for business solicitation: Don't!  No one likes SPAM, so don't be a spammer.
• Addressing hints: When sending mail to numerous recipients, as in an announcement or invitation, don't send the email TO everyone on the list.  This creates two problems:  

1. It creates an enormous header with everyone's email address at the top of the message that the recipients must wade through to get to the topic.

2. It gives away the addresses of everyone on the list to the entire recipient list.  Some people don't want their addresses to be given out to everyone.

Solution: Send the message TO yourself and BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) everyone on the list.  You can't do this in AOL, but in almost every other email program it's a snap.  When addressing In Outlook, for instance, click the little address book icon next to the TO: window, then find the recipients in the address book and add them to the BCC window on the right (you have 3 windows -- TO, CC, BCC).  Finish up by putting your own address in the TO field and you're done.

Email attachments:
Never open email attachments from an unknown source.  If in doubt as to the content of an email attachment from a known source, send an email to the sender verifying that they meant to send you the attachment prior to opening it.  In today's environment, most of the viruses you receive will come from someone you know (without their knowledge).

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Email virus warnings:
Don't 'stampede the herd' until you know for sure you have a good reason to do so.  Never forward one of these warnings on to your friends and family until you verify whether it is a real threat or simply a hoax.  99.999% of all email virus warnings are hoaxes.  To determine the veracity of an email virus warning, go to http://www.sarc.com (Symantec AntiVirus Research Center) and look for the subject of the email in their Hoax Page:
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/hoax.html

• Never follow 'virus removal instructions' in an email until you verify the legitimacy of the warning.  You can irreparably damage a computer if you delete a crucial file that the operating system needs!  Note the WARNING at the top of this page.

• There are virus HOAXES circulating via email that encourage you to remove crucial system files (e.g. sulfnbk.exe or jdbgmgr.exe). Doing so can be disastrous!

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Email Spam Filtering in Outlook Express:
If you're tired of receiving junk mail, you can have it deleted before you even have an 'opportunity' go read it in Outlook Express.  Simply proceed as follows:
1: Open Outlook Express
2: Select Tools from the menu bar
3: Select Message Rules... then Blocked Senders List
4: In the resulting dialog box you will find 3 tabs: Mail Rules, News Rules and Blocked Senders (the default).  If you select Mail Rules, you can setup rules based upon subject matter, sender name or message content and have mail that meets your criteria moved to the folder of your choice - or deleted.  We recommend setting up rules that delete any mail containing the following:
a: a blank 'sender' field (put "" in the rules field)
b: subject that contains !, $, XX, offer, cheerleaders, etc.
c: exclude the addresses from known offending countries such as .cn, .ch,.ru, .es, .jp, .dk
5: You can selectively block certain senders by bringing up their message, right-clicking on the senders address and selecting Block Sender... from the resulting menu.
In addition, to permanently get rid of this debris, you need to empty your Deleted Items folder periodically.  To do this automatically, select Tools... Options, then click the Maintenance tab and check the Empty messages from the 'Deleted Items' folder on exit box, then click OK

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Virus Protection:
You've heard the adage 'An ounce of prevention is worth a  pound of cure', yes?  Along the same lines of reasoning, it's much easier to keep viruses out of your computer than it is to remove them (and the damage they cause) after they've gotten past your defenses.

It's very simple: You cannot afford to be without CURRENT virus protection in today's environment.  Adequate virus protection means your virus scanner MUST be configured to scan ALL files, not just Program Files.  Your virus scanner MUST have current definitions.  If your definitions are more than a month old, you're 'working without a net'.  

We only recommend AVG Professional.  It is the product we have found to be the most effective.  90% of the computers we've rebuilt due to severe virus damage have had either Norton or McAfee products installed and properly configured -- and they either did not catch the viruses -- or found them and couldn't figure out what to do with them.  Don't work without a net!

 

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VBS - Disabling Windows Scripting Host

There are some extremely dangerous viruses loose in the world lately and many of these (including Love Letter) rely on the Windows Scripting Host to operate.  You can disable this function by following these instructions:

Windows 95
Note: Not all users of Windows 95 will have Windows Scripting Host installed. It is available on editions of Windows 95 SR-2 and later. It might also have been installed separately or along with Internet Explorer 5.0 or later.

• Open "My Computer"
• Select "View/Options"
• Click on File Types tab
• Find VBScript Script File
• Select Remove
• Click OK

Windows 98

• Click on Start (the button on lower left of your Windows desktop).
• Click on Settings
• Choose Control Panel
• Click on Add/Remove
• Choose the Windows Setup tab
• Click on Accessories to obtain details
• Uncheck Windows Scripting Host if it is checked.
• Click on OK to save any changes

Windows NT

• Open "My Computer"
• Select "View/Options"
• Click on File Types tab
• Find VBScript Script File
• Select Remove
• Click OK

Windows 2000

• Open "My Computer"
• Select "Tools/Folder Options"
• Click on File Types tab
• Find VBScript Script File
• Select Delete
• Click OK

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Online Security Check

Go to Gibson Research.com (www.grc.com) and follow the Shields Up links to test your ports for security holes - Click on the Shields Up logo to go directly to the port probe page:

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Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows

While the Mouse is certainly a useful input device in computing, there are numerous keyboard shortcuts that can dramatically improve your efficiency using all versions of Windows. In many cases, the keyboard shortcuts are faster and easier to use than the mouse equivalents. These tips apply to most versions of Windows since Windows 95.

Most people aren't even aware of the Windows Logo key on their keyboard. This is standard for the last several years and you will find it between the CTRL and ALT keys (either side of the SPACEBAR). Try these combinations:

Windows Logo Key Shortcuts

• Windows Logo: Start menu
• Windows Logo+R: Run dialog box
• Windows Logo+M: Minimize all
• SHIFT+Windows Logo+M: Undo minimize all
• Windows Logo+F1: Help
• Windows Logo+E: Windows Explorer
• Windows Logo+F: Find files or folders
• Windows Logo+D: Minimizes all open windows and displays the desktop
• CTRL+Windows Logo+F: Find computer
• CTRL+Windows Logo+TAB: Moves focus from Start, to the Quick Launch toolbar, to the system tray
• Windows Logo+TAB: Cycle through taskbar buttons
• Windows Logo+Break: System Properties dialog box
  
  

Windows System Key Combinations - use these from anywhere in Windows

• F1: Help
• CTRL+ESC: Open Start menu
• ALT+TAB: Switch between open programs
• ALT+F4: Quit program
• SHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanently
  

Windows Program Key Combinations - use these within running applications

• CTRL+C: Copy
• CTRL+X: Cut
• CTRL+V: Paste
• CTRL+Z: Undo
• CTRL+B: Bold
• CTRL+U: Underline
• CTRL+I: Italic

Mouse Click / Keyboard Modifier Combinations for Shell Objects

• SHIFT+right click: Displays a shortcut menu containing alternative commands
• SHIFT+double click: Runs the alternate default command (the second item on the menu)
• ALT+double click: Displays properties
• SHIFT+DELETE: Deletes an item immediately without placing it in the Recycle Bin
  

General Keyboard-Only Commands

• F1: Starts Windows Help
• F10: Activates menu bar options
• SHIFT+F10 Opens a shortcut menu for the selected item (same as right-clicking an object
• CTRL+ESC: Opens the Start menu
• CTRL+ESC or ESC: Selects the Start button (press TAB to select the taskbar, or press SHIFT+F10 for a context menu)
• ALT+DOWN ARROW: Opens a drop-down list box
• ALT+TAB: Switch to another running program (hold down the ALT key and then press the TAB key to view the task-switching window)
• SHIFT: Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert a CD-ROM to bypass the automatic-run feature
• ALT+SPACE: Displays the main window's System menu (from the System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the window)
• ALT+- (ALT+hyphen): Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child window's System menu (from the MDI child window's System menu, you can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the child window)
• CTRL+TAB: Switch to the next child window of a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) program
• ALT+: Opens the menu
• ALT+F4: Closes the current window
• CTRL+F4: Closes the current Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window
• ALT+F6: Switch between multiple windows in the same program (for example, when the Notepad Find dialog box is displayed, ALT+F6 switches between the Find dialog box and the main Notepad window)

General Folder / Windows Explorer Shortcuts
For a selected object:

• F2: Rename object
• F3: Find all files
• F4: Selects the Go To A Different Folder box and moves down the entries in the box (if the toolbar is active in Windows Explorer)
• F5: Refreshes the current window.
• F6: Moves among panes in Windows Explorer
• CTRL+X: Cut
• CTRL+C: Copy
• CTRL+V: Paste
• SHIFT+DELETE: Delete selection immediately, without moving the item to the Recycle Bin
• ALT+ENTER: Open the properties for the selected object
• CTRL+G: Opens the Go To Folder tool (in Windows 95 Windows Explorer only)
• CTRL+Z: Undo the last command
• CTRL+A: Select all the items in the current window
• BACKSPACE: Switch to the parent folder
• SHIFT+click+ Close button: For folders, close the current folder plus all parent folders

To Copy a File
Press and hold down the CTRL key while you drag the file to another folder.
Also, try right-clicking and dragging the object. When you release the mouse button, you will be presented with options for copying or moving the file.
To Create a Shortcut
Press and hold down CTRL+SHIFT while you drag a file to the desktop or a folder.

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File Storage, Document Storage
(best practices)

The worst place to store files and folders you actually care about is on your Windows Desktop. Why? Because when Windows crashes (notice I did not say IF Windows crashes), the Deskop and everything on it will most likely be history. The solution? Create folders inside your My Documents folder, which is readily accessible from your desktop or Start Menu. You can always create a shortcut from the folders you use most and put it on your desktop if necessary.

On a similar note, never just dump the documents you create into the root directory (C:\). Aside from the fact that this is a difficult place to search for documents (littered among critical system files) -- the Windows file system supports a limited number of files in the root directory and if you exceed this number, you run the risk of losing all your data when the FAT (File Allocation Table) is corrupted.

The more consistent your filing system is, the easier it is to back up your data, as well -- and this should be a regular part of your computer maintenance. It is much easier to back up the data in One directory than it is to back up data in numerous directories scattered about your hard drive.

Probably the best rule-of-thumb is to file documents in your computer in the same way you would file documents in a physical filing cabinet. If you organize your files the way You want them instead of the default Windows filing scheme it will be much easier to locate the files you need. Start by creating Project or Client folders in your My Documents folder and then categorize subfolders by subproject, month, year, etc. inside these folders. This way all your documents will be accessible from your My Documents folder on your desktop and will be more easily backed-up.

You can create new folders inside the My Documents folder by simply right-clicking with your mouse on any blank space in the folder and then selecting New > Folder from the resulting menu. If you prefer, you can create your own document directory off the root of the C: or D: drive and place a shortcut to it on your desktop instead of using My Documents with the same results.

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How to Properly Use Ad-Aware

You downloaded the file and it went somewhere.
Go find it and double-click on it. This will start the installation process.
When it's done installing, you will have an icon on your desktop that looks like a red circle with a line through it and a blue SE superimposed on the circle.
Double-click this.
You will see a blue dialog box for Ad-Aware sel.
In the lower right-hand section of this box will be a link that says Check for Updates Now. Click the link.
Click the Connect button
Click OK to downloading the Updates.
Click the Finish button
Click the Start button
Click the link that says Customize
On the Scan Settings tab, make sure Scan Within Archives has a Green check mark.
Select the General tab and make sure the Automatically quarantine button is Red
Click the Proceed button
Click the Next button

When it's done scanning (several minutes) you will hear the characteristic Spyware Fart sound, accompanied by a flashing bug that tells you Ad-Aware found lots of nasty things on your computer. Write down how many it said it found.

Click on the Next button

You will be on the Critical Objects tab.

There will be a long list of Bad Things found on your computer - with check boxes to the left of each one.
Right-click over any of the check boxes and left-click on Select all Objects
Click the Next button
Click the OK button
This will Delete all of the selected items from your computer.

If Ad-Aware says it needs to re-scan after you reboot, say OK to this and reboot your computer.

You're done

Reboot your computer and it will be much happier.

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We found this while surfing for AOL solutions on the Internet and thought you all might benefit from this information:

AOL is force installing unwanted software
Most people will agree that AOL's internet service software is bloated garbage. Certainly I never would want something like that installed on my computer. It is invasive and unnecessary to install that sort of software to connect to the internet. For that matter, no ISP software at all should be necessary for an internet connection.

Recently, however, AOL has sunk to a new low. Both AOL's internet software and the AOL Instant Messenger program (AIM) are force installing unwanted software called Viewpoint Media Player on people's computers.

There is no option to not install Viewpoint. In fact, if you remove Viewpoint, it will be reinstalled the next time you load AOL! I could hardly believe it when the first person reported this at the message board. Then a dozen more people showed up to report the same thing.

Viewpoint Media Player displays certain multimedia content over the internet. I discovered this software on my own machine last April and I DID NOT AT ALL like finding it there. The reason for that can be found in their privacy policy:

The software creates a unique tracking number ("Customer Unique Identifier" is their term). This number and other information is transmitted, without asking, to Viewpoint servers. The software downloads updates and installs them on the computer, also without asking.

The privacy policy states that "The Viewpoint Media Player will soon be capable of tracking information about the content it displays and how the user interacts with it. When the Viewpoint Media Player displays Viewpoint content, it tracks the URL it is served from, as well as Viewpoint file data tagged by the author in XML. This data can include, but is not limited to: the names of objects and textures displayed, and the names of animations invoked."

Combine all that with the fact that it is installed without permission or proper disclosure. I'm sorry, but you do not install software on my computer that transmits data across the internet without my permission. For that matter, you don't install any software on my computer without my permission, period.

After finding this thing on my computer last year, I sent Viewpoint a letter asking how it is distributed. From their reply, I determined that AIM had installed it. I then downloaded a fresh copy of AIM from AOL's web site and installed it again (I had removed it months earlier). There was absolutely no disclosure whatsoever that it was going to bundle Viewpoint.

There are other things that AOL software does. For instance, some software such as Netscape and ICQ 2000b will insert free.aol.com into Internet Explorer's "Trusted" security zone. When you put a web site in the "Trusted" zone, Internet Explorer will allow that site to download, install and execute any piece of software completely without interaction with the user.

The reason for AOL inserting that entry became clear when we started spotting ActiveX files from free.aol.com in people's HijackThis log files at the message board. AOL is inserting their web site into the "Trusted" zone so that they can install software without the user knowing they are doing it!

AIM is adware. That is, it displays a small banner ad in the program and it also pops up an advertisement window when you launch it. Recently, AIM has even started to download movie trailers and play them at random intervals. You heard me, AOL is using peoples' internet connection to download huge video files in order to play movie trailers.

Both AOL's internet service software and AIM also install a piece of software called Wild Tangent, again without asking. Wild Tangent is used to play games and other multimedia. Some Winamp plugins also use it. The problem with Wild Tangent is that it installs an autoupdater and turns it on by default.

Wild Tangent's updater will transmit data about the computer on which it is installed. That data includes hardware specs, some information about installed software and how the user is interacting with the software. The company says this is done to see how their software is used and that they might share it with third parties. Several antispyware products detect and remove Wild Tangent.

When are software developers going to understand that they cannot transmit data from a person's machine without their permission? There are laws forbidding data theft, so why are they allowed to do this? When are they going to understand that they cannot download and install software without permission?

There are better and cheaper Internet Service Providers. Go to BroadBandReports and find one. There are other instant messenger programs that will let you use the AIM network as well as several other networks such as Yahoo and ICQ. Two very good multi network instant messengers are Trillian and GAIM.

AOL has been losing more subscribers over the past couple of years than they have gained. They are going to lose far more if they don't change this behavior.

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We found this article on the web while searching for data on SBC/Yahoo:

Yahoo/SBC hijacks customers' computers
While looking for a replacement for AOL, you might come across the Yahoo/SBC internet service. A friend of a friend signed up for this service and the software they gave him took over his entire computer.

There were 8 running processes all associated with the Yahoo/SBC software. It changed his Internet Explorer settings for the Search Bar, Search Page, Start Page, Default Page URL, Default Search URL, and the SearchAssistant. It installed a BHO, a toolbar, 2 context menu items and 3 MSIE buttons. It registered 6 different files to load at Windows startup, including IP Insight, which usually is regarded as spyware.

It also disabled his ability to save bookmarks on his computer. The software forced him to save his bookmarks on Yahoo's web site. It wouldn't let him change his home page either.

Be warned: Installing ANY ISPs software is a gamble. Research their product before putting that CD in your computer.

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The Computer Wizard Advisory on XPSP2

We feel the advantages of Windows XP Service Pack 2 XPSP2) definitely merit its installation -- but only under certain conditions. We have found the 'downloaded' installation of XPSP2 (75MB) fails more often (1 out of 10) than an installation directly from the Microsoft-issued CD (266MB) and, therefore, we only recommend installing from CD.

When XPSP2 installations fail, the result is a computer that will not boot. While some can be 'rolled back' to a pre-XPSP2 state, the majority of these cases will require reinstallation of Windows XP.

We routinely install XPSP2 in our shop, under carefully controlled conditions with no problems whatsoever.

Prior to installation, the following MUST be done:

• ALL AntiVirus applications must be disabled and removed from memory.
• All viruses must be removed.
• All spyware must be removed.
• Any non-windows applications must be disabled and removed from memory

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Windows Performance Tweaks

The default settings in Windows are designed for aesthetics - not performance. There are several settings that have a dramatic effect on performance:

Single-click. Turned off by default on most computers, this setting can dramatically slow down your computers response time and cause some major inconveniences when trying to select multiple files for copying, CD burning, email attachments, etc. To turn off this feature, open Windows Explorer and select Tools > Folder Options. Click the bottom Radio Button "Double-click to open an item" and click OK.

For an overall performance boost In Windows XP you can go to the Advanced > Settings page (Right-click on My Computer and select "Properties") and under Performance settings select the "Adjust for best performance" box. Your system will look more like Windows 2000 than XP and will be much more responsive. As much as a 25% performance boost is not unusual.

Getting rid of those cute screensavers that display a slideshow of your favorite pictures or art can also speed things up quite a bit. A large number of 'free' screensavers contain spyware, which causes substantial speed degradation. Use one of the default Windows screensavers if you have an LCD screen (flat-panel). If you're still using a conventional CRT monitor you don' really need the screensaver at all. Simply turn off the monitor when your'e not at the computer, saving energy and keeping your computer running at peak performance.

Defragging your hard drive is largely a waste of time unless you've recently deleted a lot of files or uninstalled several programs. THEN it's helpful to fully defrag your hard drive.

Using the Disk Cleanup feature is NOT recommended. Every time someone mentions to us they've used it, they're in the process of explaining the sequence of events that led up to their computer no longer booting. Manually delete temp files if you're intimately familiar with the inner workings of Windows. If not, leave it to a professional.

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Windows Vista

We don't like it and you probably won't either!

Time-Warner Cable was at the top of our list until Windows Vista came out and kicked it out of the #1 spot.
Windows Vista looks like a Mac - but without the immunity to viruses and spyware. While Mac's OSX is fast and efficient -- and gets better and faster with each new version, Windows Vista is quite the resource hog. Many current PCs lack the hardware requirements to run the advanced features (the Mac-like look and feel functions) of Windows Vista.

It's interface is unfamiliar to existing Windows XP users and the security features are just plain irritating. If you like being nagged to death over everything you want to do, then you will definitely want Vista. If not, we advise you to stick with Windows XP.

Numerous compatibility issues with AntiVirus products, iTunes, existing software, printers, scanners, wireless adaptors and the need for massive computing and memory power make Windows Vista highly undesirable for most current PC users.

Apple has issued an advisory for iPod users regarding loss of data and permanent damage to iPods connected to Windows Vista-based computers.

If you absolutely must purchase a new notebook computer, ask us about our Vista to XP conversion. It's quick, painless and reasonably priced -- and you can have a new computer with a tried-and-true, stable Operating System you're comfortable with. If you need a new desktop computer, ask about our new XP-based systems, hand-assembled in our shop from only the finest components.

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AVG Internet Security 8 Installation / Configuration

Download file to specific folder (not desktop) - write down location.

After download completes, select "Open Folder"

Double-click installation file

"Welcome to the AVG Setup Program" [Next]

"...License agreement..." [Accept]

"Select Installation Type"

select Custom Installation radio button [Next]

 

"Activate your AVG License"

paste your License number into the form [Next]

"Destination Folder" keep default [Next]

"Directory does not exist" [Yes]

"Module Selection" keep defaults [Next]

"E-mail Scanning" keep default [Next]

"AVG Security Toolbar" This is the Yahoo (CRAP) Toolbar. UNCHECK the "Yes, I would like to install the AVG Security Toolbar" box! If you do NOT do this you cannot get rid of the infernal thing later without removing AVG and reinstalling! [Next]

"Setup Summary" [Finish]

"Applications Termination" [Next]

Installation completes now.

"Installation is complete!" [OK]

"Configuring your AVG protection" [Next]

"Schedule regular scans" - set for scan time you prefer [Next]

"Help us to identify..." - UNCHECK this box! [Next]

"Update AVG protection" [next]

All modules are updated during this phase. Update finishes [Next]

First part of AVG configuration is finished...[Next]

"Network connection options"

UNCHECK Standalone computer

CHECK Computer in domain (regardless of your setup)

If you don't do this you will not be able to access files or printers on this computer from other systems - EVER. [Next]

"Scan for Internet applications" keep default [Next]

Allow scan to complete.

"Select profile to activate" UNCHECK Select automatic profile.

Highlight "Computer in domain" [Next]

select "Open review" button.

Highlight "Areas and Adapters profiles".

UNCHECK "Disable area detection... box.

 

Highlight "Adapters connected to safe..." [Edit Area]

Highlight "Computer in domain" [OK]

{repeat for all adapters / network areas you can edit.

Click [Apply]

Re-CHECK "Disable area detection..." box.

Click [Apply]

 

FOR ADVANCED USERS ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the left pane under "Profiles" is where you assign firewall configuration for gaming or custom settings.

 

When finished with firewall customization, click [OK]

Click [Finish] in Configuration Review

"AVG configuration finished" [Finish]

 

Double-click the AVG icon (blue, red, green, yellow square) on your desktop or in the system tray.

The AVG Internet Security window appears.

Select Tools / Advanced Settings

Highlight "Web Shield" (make sure it is enabled)

Click the + next to "Scans"

Hightlight "Scan whole computer"

Make sure ALL boxes are checked.

Highlight "Shell extension scan"

Make sure ALL boxes are checked, EXCEPT ..cookies..., ...system environment... & .. infectable files only.

Highlight "Scan specific files or folders"

Make sure ALL boxes are checked, EXCEPT ..cookies..., ...system environment... & .. infectable files only.

 

Highlight "E-mail Scanner" CHECK "Check outgoing e-mail"

 

Highlight "Resident Shield"

Make sure ALL boxes are checked, EXCEPT "Scan cookies" & "Scan files on close" - now highlight "Advanced Settings" and click the radio button for "Scan all files"

Click [OK]

AVG Internet Security is properly configured now.

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AVG 8.5 Installation / Configuration

Note:

We do not recommend using AVG's (or any) 3rd party firewall, due to performance problems and confusion in replying to the myriad questions posed by many firewalls. Therefore we disable the firewall during installation process.

We also disable ID Protection" during the installation process as this feature renders most computers unusable.

Download file to specific folder (not desktop) - write down location.

After download completes, select "Open Folder"

Double-click installation file

• "Welcome to the AVG Setup Program" [Next]
• "...License agreement..." [Accept]
• "Select Installation Type"
• select "Custom Installation" radio button [Next]
• "Activate your AVG License"
• paste your License number into the form [Next]
• "Destination Folder" keep default [Next]
• "Directory does not exist" [Yes]

"Component Selection"

• UNCHECK ID Protection
• UNCHECK AVG Firewall
• UNCHECK ... Additional Languages (unless English is not the only language spoken in your environment)
• If you ONLY use webmail in your environment you may UNCHECK "Email Scanner", otherwise keep defaults [Next]

"AVG Security Toolbar" This is the Yahoo (CRAP) Toolbar. UNCHECK the "Yes, I would like to install the AVG Security Toolbar" box! If you do NOT do this you cannot get rid of the infernal thing later without removing AVG and reinstalling! [Next]

"Setup Summary" [Finish]

"Windows Firewall"
(make sure this box is checked to enable your Windows Firewall if you see this page)

"Applications Termination" (close any windows associated with any applications you see in this dialog) [Next]

Installation completes now (This may take a few minutes).

"Installation is complete!" [OK]

"AVG First Run Wizard" [Next]

"Enable Daily Scanning" - UNCHECK this box! [YES] to confirm [Next]

"yes I agree to provide..." - UNCHECK this box! [Next]

"Update AVG protection" [next] (You may see a message that says your computer needs to be restarted. If so, click [Yes]

All modules are updated during this phase. Update finishes [Next]

First part of AVG configuration is finished...[Next]

"AVG configuration finished" [Finish]

Double-click the AVG icon (blue, red, green, yellow square) on your desktop or in the system tray.

The AVG 8.5 window appears.

Click "Update Now"
You will see a list of updates. Click [Update]
(repeat untli no further updates are found)

Select Tools / Advanced Settings

• Highlight "Web Shield" (make sure it is enabled)
• Click the + next to "Scans"
• Hightlight "Scan whole computer"
• UNCHECK "Scan Infectable Files Only"
• CHECK "Scan for rootkits"
• Highlight "Shell extension scan"
• CHECK "Scan for rootkits"
• CHECK "Automatically heal..."
• Highlight "Scan specific files or folders"
• CHECK "Scan for rootkits"
• UNCHECK "Scan Infectable Files Only"
• Highlight "Removable Device Scan" and CHECK the checkbox
• UNCHECK "Scan Infectable Files Only"
• Highlight "E-mail Scanner" CHECK "Check outgoing e-mail"
• Highlight "Resident Shield"
• CHECK "Scan files on close"
• CHECK "Auto heal"
• Click [APPLY]
• Click [OK]

AVG 8.5 is properly configured now.

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AVG Antivirus 9 Installation and Configuration

Start the AVG installation.

• Select your language (assuming English as the default)
• Click [Next]
• Click the checkbox indicating you have read the agreement
• [Accept]
• Select [Custom Installation]
• [Next]
• Activate your AVG License
• Paste or type in your license number in the bottom field
• [Next]
• Destination Folder: [keep the default]
• [Next]
• [Yes] to popup asking permission to create the directory
• Component Selection:
• Keep all selections + MS Office options if you are using Microsoft’s Office products
• AVG Security Toolbar:
• UNCHECK the infernal toolbar and send AVG an email about what a crappy thing it is to try and trick you into installing this nasty bit of Yahoo adware!
• UNCHECK the Yahoo Search Engine sneakyware as well
• [Next]
• Installing supplementary files: Just wait until this completes…
• Schedule regular scans and updates:
• Keep updates at 4 hours
• Daily scans: [Never]
• [Check] Enable automatic scan of removable devices
• [Next]
• [Yes] to the nagware box about disabling daily scans (this just takes too blasted long)
  Feel free to [Uncheck] the box regarding sending anonymous information to AVG - it’s not your job.
• [Finish]
• AVG Optimization Scan:
• [Click] Optimize Scanning Now (wait for scan optimization to complete)
  When scan completes, double-click the AVG icon on your desktop or system tray.
• [Click] Update Now
• Process all updates
• Repeat until no new updates are found

Select [Tools] > [Advanced Settings] from the menu bar

• Click the + next to [Scans]
• Highlight [Scan whole computer]
• Select “All file types”
• Select "Scan inside Archives"
• Select "Report Enhanced set..."
• Highlight [Shell extension scan]
• Select “Scan system environment”
• Select “Automatically heal…”
• Select "Scan inside Archives"
• Highlight [Scan specific files or folders]
• Select “All file types”
• Select "Scan inside Archives"
• Highlight [Removable device scan]
• Select “All file types”
• Select "Scan inside Archives"
• Select "Report Enhanced set..."
• Highlight [E-mail scanner]
• Select “Check outgoing mail”
• Select "Report Enhanced set..."
• Highlight [Resident shield]
• Select “Auto heal” and “Scan files on close”
• Select "Report Enhanced set..."
• Highlight [Advanced Settings] under Resident Shield
• Select “Scan all files”
• [Apply]
  You’re finished. AVG is properly configured for optimum protection.

We have disabled daily scanning, as this process takes over 2 hours and slows your computer to a crawl during scanning.

We recommend you manually perform a full scan once a week when the computer will not be used for 2-3 hours, but will be turned on.

 

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The Computer Wizard Advisory on XPSP3 (Service Pack 3)

We feel the advantages of Windows XP Service Pack 3 XPSP3) to be virtually non-existent. We have found the 'downloaded' installation of XPSP3 causes most computers to slow to a fraction of their original speed and, in some cases, refuse to boot. Therefore, we only recommend installing from CD on a virgin installation of Windows.

We routinely install XPSP3 in our shop, under carefully controlled conditions with no problems whatsoever.

Prior to installation, the following MUST be done:

• ALL AntiVirus applications must be disabled and removed from memory.
• All viruses must be removed.
• All spyware must be removed.
• Any non-windows applications must be disabled and removed from memory

If you find you have SP3 installed, DO NOT attempt removal on your own, as a percent of uninstalls cause Windows to become corrupt and unbootable. We will be happy to resolve this issue for you under controlled conditions.