August 24, 2008

Mute your Windows XP Sound Fast

Many Windows PC users arent fortunate to have an instant off for the volume on the keyboard or laptop. Instead you have to either go to your speaker controls and turn it off or go into the sound settings and mute it there. To save time this Windows XP Tip allows you to mute your volume fast when you need it the most!

This tip shows you how to create a shortcut(script) that mutes the XP system volume instantly without having to install anything.


Video Notes:
You need to create a file in notepad called mute.vbs and paste the following text
set oShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
oShell.run"Sndvol32"
WScript.Sleep 1500
oShell.SendKeys"{TAB 2} "
oShell.SendKeys"%{F4}"
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August 19, 2008

Increase Hard Drive Performance in Windows

You can have lots of RAM and a fast CPU but if your hard drive is slow, it brings down your system. In windows when files get saved they are split up into pieces across the drive fragmenting them. The Disk Defragmenter puts them back together in one area which makes accessing them faster.

Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented files on your hard disk so that the PC performs better. Because disk fragmentation occurs over time it is common for you to start seeing slower response times when loading or accessing files in windows.




Note that there are instances that the Disk Defragmenter will not be able to completely do the entire drive because of the following:
- Disk Defragmenter does not defragment files in the Recycle Bin. Best to run Disk Cleaner first and then empty the Recycle Bin, before defragmenting. Also delete temp files so you dont waste time and space on the drive being degragmented.
- Disk Defragmenter will also not defragment files which are in use. Best to try and shut down as many processes as possible and then defragment. So end the task of as many programs running that you know about.
Disk Defragmenter does not defragment the following files:
Bootsect dos, Safeboot fs, Safeboot csv, Safeboot rsv, Hiberfil sys, Memory dmp and the Windows page file.
However using the -b parameter, as mentioned below, will optimize the boot files.
Command line parameters for defragmenting give you more advanced and power users flexibility.

-r
This is the default setting and defragments file fragments that less than 64 MB.

-a
Analyze the selected drive / volume & display a summary report, consisting of analysis and defragmentation reports.

-c
Defragments all volumes on the computer. Don't specify a drive letter while using this.

-w
Perform FULL defragmentation of files of ALL sizes.

-f
Forced defragmentation even when there is less amount of free space on the drive being defragmented. A volume must have at least 15 % free space before Disk Defragmenter can completely defragment it.

-i
This makes Defrag run in the background & operate only if the computer is idle, like when run as a scheduled task.

-v
Displays complete reports.

-b
It optimizes boot files and applications only.

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August 18, 2008

Windows Vista - Free Recovery Disc

Tweak Vista with TweakVI for Vista

If you have a new computer with an OEM preload of Vista already installed and have no recovery CD or backup to restore from you will probably get into trouble one day when you need to recover the OS or re-install system files. Your not alone many PC's don’t come with any kind of Windows Vista CD. Some may come with a recovery CD from the manufacturer (IBM, Dell, HP, Sony and so on) but most recovery CD's will delete all your files and restore your computer to the state it was in when you first purchased it which isnt necessarily what you want.

Similar to using the Vista System Restore feature, if you are unable to access your system to use it you can use the Windows Vista DVD’s which come with a recovery center to allow you to fix operating system related problems. Microsoft made a recovery disc for this purpose which you can download for free.

This "recovery center" on the this special recovery CD from Microsoft provides you with the option of recovering your system via automated recovery (searches for problems and attempts to fix them automatically), rolling-back to a system restore point, recovering a full PC backup, or accessing a command-line recovery console for advanced recovery purposes.

One thing I want to make clear, this special recovery cd for vista cannot be used to install or reinstall Windows Vista fully from scratch.

NeoSmart Technologies is hosting a special copy of the Windows Vista (32 or 64bit) Recovery Disc for your convenience. It is a 120 MiB download, and in the standard ISO format which you will need to burn the image to CD before you can use it. Once you created the CD you can boot with it and follow the screen instructions.

Windows Vista x86 Recovery Disc Torrent

Windows Vista x64 Recovery Disc Torrent

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August 16, 2008

Saving your Windows System from Disaster

You have deleted or overwritten system files and now your system or application doesnt want to work?

or maybe

You had the system corrupted by a 3rd party application or virus?
Its time to go back and restore a point in time when the system was stable and working fine.

On the Mac OS Leopard its the TimeMachine, in Windows XP and Vista its System Restore. Though both are not exactly the same they can serve the same purpose, to backup critical data, applications or system files only and create a restore point of these. Its up to you to control and decide what and when you want to backup your data.

However, since not everyone has terabytes of free space to have their system completly backed up incrementally every day, the average user really needs to pick and choose exactly what matters most. In other words make sure you are backing up your system files only at a minimum. Applications can always be re-installed with less hassle, but the operating system, well thats another story.

In Windows we want to backup the registery files primarily and a few other default files which the Windows system Restore takes care of automatically. System Restore enables you to restore your computer to an earlier state without losing data. This is ideal if your computer is not operating well because of a configuration change, a problem with an application, or the introduction of viruses or other unwanted software. By restoring to an earlier point in time before your computer began to have problems you may be able to get to stable or normal state.

On the Mac, OSX the Time Machine keeps a continual chain of backups over time, allowing you to turn the clock back in time to find the file you’re looking for. However needs to be told in the advanced settings not to backup all applications for example, all you want are your main user system profile files primarily, those are the ones that contain your system preferences amongst many other things which can be the cause of many system corruption issues.

In my years of experience with Windows and users it seems to have the most issues with system file corruption, so lets focus on that in this article. In the case that your system has become unstable, no longer functions properly or your getting the blue screen of death. Don't despair , and definitely don't re-install the entire operating system with the Recovery CD you might have, there is a good chance that if you have enabled System Restore and done a regular restore point every so often you will be able to get your system back.

The key here is that before you do a major update, upgrade or do a change to your operating system you need to do the System Restore checkpoint. Most problems tend to occur after you install something new which didn agree with your system. We have seen this in Windows when you install drivers, applications or get a computer virus. We have seen this on the Mac with a simple upgrade of QuickTime which the OSX system depends on for much of its multimedia playback compatability.

Windows Vista Users should use - Windows Vista Backup and Restore Center
Follow Microsoft's step by step instructions here in using the Backup and Restore Feature in Windows Vista. Then follow these step by step instructions for using System Restore. Since Windows XP the System Restore feature has been carried forward in Windows Vista and
slightly improved, but are basically the same.

You can watch PCWizKid's video tutorial for using the Backup and System Restore (see below).

Windows XP Users should use - Windows XP Backup and System Restore
PCWizKid has put together a video tutorial for using the Backup and System Restore (which is similar in Vista).


Use System Restore to create checkpoints in case your system gets corrupted or has problems because of a recent change you might of done to Windows.

August 15, 2008

Windows Vista and XP Tweaks, Hacks and Tutorials

PCWizKid's Tech Tips relating to Windows have been featured recently in PCWorld Magazine and PCPlus Magazine. Below is a collection of video tutorial's created by PCWizKid. They are a variety of Windows Vista and XP tips, tweaks and hacks . Select the tip you want by clicking on the "menu" button below in the video window and play it.

17 of PCWizkid Tutorials have been included in the PCPlus Magazine 2008 Issue 272 on Supercharge Windows on the SuperDisc included with the magazine.

If you would like to partner with PCWizKid, please send your request here explaining what your requirements and / or offers are.

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August 11, 2008

Windows Vista - Free Image Resizer

Tweak Vista with TweakVI for Vista

There is a new PowerToy type add-on for Windows Vista users. The Image Resizer PowerToy Clone. It is a free open source Windows Shell Extension that enables you to resize one or more image files on the fly by simply right-clicking on them.

This enables easy image resizing on virtually any version of Windows. So far I have tested all common image types (png,jpg,gif,bmp) and it resized them without issues. Download it from here for free.

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Time to Go Green with your IT lifestyle

If you're one of the millions trying to live an eco-conscious life, you might be changing your light bulbs to energy saving, you can walk to work, but what are you doing about reducing your carbon footprint when on your PC and electronics and all the related daily activity you do around it?

Here are some suggestions on how to become more IT eco-friendly with the use of technology these days. We only live once, lets make the best of it.

Here are various ways you can contribute:

Hosting on "greener pastures"
If you are looking for a hosting environment for that new website of yours, you might want to look into a eco-friendly environment. HostPapa is one example, they use a 100% renewable energy green web hosting environment for their data centers.

HostPapa has taken the initiative of going green by purchasing 100% green renewable energy to power their data center, web servers, office computers, laptops and office space. These energy sources supply HostPapa's entire equivalent energy consumption into the power-grid with certified 100% renewable green energy sources, such as wind and solar-powered energy.


Use Energy Star Certified PC Hardware
Newer PC hardware in most cases uses less energy, and there’s a good chance it will also come with energy-management tools that shut off the power automatically after lengthy idle periods. Many computer components and electronics from a motherboard to an external hardrive have the Energy Star Logo on it. These green friendly products help fight global warming by meeting strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency all without sacrificing quality or performance. So, just look for this logo to save energy, money, and the environment the next time you shop for green electronics.

However there are other technologies like AMD's chip maker's PowerNow! which optimizes battery life and provides performance on demand when required by an application. PowerNow! also allows the AMD CPU to dissipate less heat under normal operating conditions, providing a cooler and quieter-running notebook.

Here are a list of the latest popular hardware you can get that are energy saving compliant:

Laptops examples
- HP Pavilion DV6785SE 15.4" Entertainment Laptop (Core 2 Duo)
- All the new Apple Laptops for example are Energy Star Qualified, the Apple MacBook MB403LL/A 13.3" Laptop 2.4 GHz (Core 2 Duo) is the bestseller of the bunch.
- Sony VAIO VGN-FW139E/H 16.4"(2.26 GHz Core 2 Duo 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Laptop
- Asus Eee PC (with Solid State Hardrive)

Note:
If you looking for the energy-efficient hard drivesthe new Toshiba hard disk drives is something to look at. Among the list of models announced is the new 400GB 2.5-inch MK4058GSX HDD. Designed for notebooks and laptops, this HDD uses only two platters which apparently display the highest density data among all Toshiba HDDs. The MK4058GSX's operation is almost inaudible and it even uses 20 percent less energy than what the current 320GB MK3252GSX HDD model does.

Here are some LCD Monitors that are worthy of a look at:

Did you know a 42-inch plasma TV could consume more power than a large fridge? To put it into perspective with other TV technologies; a 28-inch CRT TV consumes 100W, a 42-inch LCD consumes twice that amount, while a plasma could use as much as five times that consumption. In short, if you really have to get a TV set, it would be best to go for LCD TVs, although it's obviously the wisest choice to continue using your old CRT TVs if they still work. If you want you want to make sure of what you're buying, wait until November 2008 when Energy Star starts rating energy efficient TVs.

- Acer AL2216Wbd 22" LCD Monitor
- HP W2207H 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor
- Samsung SyncMaster 920NW 19" LCD Monitor

Printers
- Canon Pixma MP610 Photo All-On-One Inkjet Printer
- Brother HL-2170w 23ppm Laser Printer with Wireless
- Epson Stylus Photo 1400 Photo Printer

If your curious on your enery consumption today for ordinary electronics

Calculate Your Energy Consumption

calculator
Use the Energy Calculator to see what your electronics' use means for your wallet by the minute, day, month and year.

August 7, 2008

Windows XP Service Pack 3 - To install or not?

There is a common rule of thumb when it comes to updating or upgrading your PC operating system, "If it works don't fix it" or at least if your keen on upgrading to the latest service pack 3 for Windows XP, give it a few months to iron out the software incompatibilities. Its no secret that with any major release of a service pack comes some form of pain, hence the saying "no pain no gain". But enough with the puns, what should you do at this point in time you ask?
SP3 has been out for a few months now, it is more of a traditional service pack rolling up previous hot-fixes than about new functionality. So the overall claim that it adds 10% Performance Boost is a nice bonus.

Lets start with some precautions before you do the install of SP3.

  • Exit all Spyware and Ad-Aware programs temporarily.
  • Disable temporarily all Antivirus Softwares
  • Exit any programs that hav estarted automatically in your startup that are running in the system tray.
  • Exit all DVD related softwares in order to avoid .dll crash
The not so good stories about SP3:
- System Keeps Rebooting after Installing Windows Service Pack 3
- XP SP3 triggers false positives in security apps
- Windows Update got corrupted or broke.

The final shipping version of Windows XP SP3 is available for download from Microsoft here:

XP SP3 standalone version
XP SP3 CD Image

More information about XP SP3 downloads is available on the Microsoft TechNet Web site.

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August 5, 2008

Getting and Customizing Free Mouse Cursors

Running Windows or Ubuntu (Linux)? Well tell me you arent using the same old mouse cursor theme still are you?

Many have asked PCWizKid where to get the cursor set seen in the video tutorials. I have included it here for you to download.

Sure there is nothing wrong with a plain white mouse pointer, but your really missing out. Lets change it for free to something you will like with these easy steps:

For Windows Users



For Ubuntu users

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