How to Make Your Mac Run Faster

The MAC OS, which runs your Macbook, Imac, Mac Mini, and even your Iphone, is a great operating system. Mac OSX is far superior compared to Windows Vista in terms of reliability, speed, and security. In general, the Mac OS is one of the most user friendly yet sophisticated operating systems ever.

Your Mac is capable of helping you run your life more efficiently, so why not return the favor and help your Mac run faster and stronger.

Many reasons why your Mac might be beginning to slow down has to do with simple, resolvable issues. This article will give you basic steps to get your Mac running the same way that it did when you first took it out of the box.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Macbook, Imac, Macbook Pro, or any other Mac product running Mac OS

1. 
   

   First, let's check out your remaining disk space. Each model Mac comes with different size Harddrive options. The Macbook that I am currently using has a 160gb hard drive.
   
   If you have less than 50% disk space remaining, maybe it is time to clean up your hard drive. Search through your computer and find files that you might no longer use. Many people forget to delete the install programs from when they download software. These files have .dmg extensions, so look out for them. Look for programs that are no longer relevant to your life. Anything that you don't use on a regular basis, dump it.
   
   Now, you can either delete these programs/files, or you can move it to an external harddrive. Many people have hundreds of gbs of music and pictures on their internal drives. Why not move them and store them on an external hard drive, that way your internal drive has more space to breathe.
   
   If you are deleting the files, make sure that you empty your recycling bin when you are finished.

2. 
   

   Next, take a look at how many programs that you are running at once. Realize that many Macs only have 1 or 2 gb of ram, plus no dedicated video card. That means that your computer can only handle a few programs at a time.
   
   I noticed a huge improvement in performance when I closed just a few Mozilla tabs. You would not believe how much better your computer will run if you only keep a few programs/files open at a time.

3. 
   

   Use Mozilla Firefox instead of Safari. Firefox is an open source web browser which means that it is absolutely free. In addition to it being free, Firefox in general is a much faster and more secure web browser than Safari. You're paying for all of that bandwidth every month, why not use it all?

How to Make Windows Vista Run Faster and More Efficiently

Instructions

Change the Display settings. Running Windows Vista on Aero takes up far more RAM than necessary, and after a couple weeks, the novelty of Aero wears off quickly. Instead, switch your display to Windows Standard. To do this, go to Control Panel > Personalization > Window Color and Appearance. In the "Color Scheme" menu, click on "Windows Standard", and then click OK.

Disable the Windows Welcome Screen. Go to Control Panel > Welcome Center, and uncheck the box at the bottom of the window that reads "Run at startup".

Disable Windows Vista Features. Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features. Click "Turn Windows Features on or off," located on the left-hand side. Uncheck everything, unless there is anything in particular you need to keep enabled.

Uninstall any unused programs. New computers often come loaded with unnecessary programs that have little use and are never used. Go to Control Panel > Programs or Features and look through the list of programs. Uninstall anything that you do not use by right-clicking the program and selecting "Uninstall".

Remove unused items from the taskbar. Right-click the taskbar and click "Properties". Click the 'Notification Area' tab and then click "Customize". Go through the list of programs. On the right-hand side, you have the choice of selecting 'Show', 'Hide when Inactive' and 'Hide'. Click 'Hide' for anything you do not use. Click OK.

Clean up your desktop. The less icons you have on the desktop, the better. Delete as many as you don't use regularly, or, optimally, all of them.

Configure Windows startup. Click on the Start Menu and go to Accessories > Run. Type "msconfig" and hit enter. Select the 'Startup' tab. You can remove any programs here which you do not need to load at startup, but be careful -- some of these programs are necessary for Windows Vista to function properly. Do not disable anything unless you are sure that program or component is unnecessary.

Configure Windows Services. Click on the Start Menu and go to Accessories > Run. Type "services.msc" and hit enter. As with Step 7, you can disable services here that are not necessary, but don't reconfigure anything unless you're absolutely sure you know what you're doing. There are guides you can find online that will explain what services you can disable without affecting Windows functionality.

Clean out your Windows Registry. You can use a Freeware program such as Piriform CCleaner to clean out your registry and other unnecessary files. Make sure you backup your system before doing this, however.

How to make Vista run Flawlessly

This will show you how to set up Vista in the msconfig settings that is normally hidden in Vista.

Instructions

1. 
   

   step one make sure you already have service pack 1 installed into Vista, and have all the updates downloaded. Which you can probably find easily, just Google Service pack 1 For Vista and Vista updates.

2. 
   

   After when you have done all that, go to the start Menu and at the bottom, type msconfig. Make sure you type msconfig. Hit enter, wait for a brief second a box should come up, then click startup tab, uncheck every program except for the very first one which should be the operating system check box. You can leave maybe 1 or 2 program that you may just want to start at start up, I wouldn't do any more than that.

3. 
   

   After that click O.k. this should take a lot of load of the starting process of your computer, it really should if you have a lot of programs to begin with. The restart you computer, you should not lose any programs that you have unchecked because your just not having the programs start when the computer in turned on. Last step, go to boot tab>advance options> the click the box that says debug. This will allow Vista to debug every time at start up to help keep it clean. And running smooth. See Vista isn't that bad..

Tips & Warnings

• With Vista it really just about the proper set up to get it running just right.
• It is not that bad of an operating system. Microsoft just stood back and did nothing when it was getting a bad wrap, and not that geat of a company when it comes to Marketing it product.

How to Set Up a PC

Most manufacturers have made the task of setting up a new computer quite easy. Here are a few reminders about the safest way to get your new computer up and running.

Instructions

1. 
   

   Make sure your desk or table is near an electric outlet and a phone jack.

2. 
   

   Carefully remove equipment from cartons.

3. 
   

   Make sure you have everything that should have come in the boxes, including power cords for each piece of equipment. Each box should include a packing list.

4. 
   

   Position your equipment on your desk. If the computer is a mini-tower, it can go on the floor, as long as it has space behind it for ventilation.

5. 
   

   Plug the keyboard and mouse into the small, round PS-2 ports on the back of your computer. Plugs and ports are usually color-coded, so match colors on cables to colors on ports.

6. 
   

   Connect the monitor to the computer. The monitor port is unique; find the corresponding size and shape.

7. 
   

   Tighten hand-screws on the monitor plug.

8. 
   

   Connect a printer according to the manufacturer's instructions.

9. 
   

   Connect any other devices, such as speakers, a microphone, or an external modem or Zip drive.

10. 
    

    Plug in the modem cable that came with the computer.

11. 
    

    Plug the other end of the modem cable into the surge suppressor, if the suppressor has a connector for a modem cable, then plug second cable into wall jack.

12. 
    

    Connect power cords to each piece of equipment and plug them into surge suppressors.

13. 
    

    Turn on the surge suppressor.

14. 
    

    Turn on the monitor.

15. 
    

    Turn on all other powered devices connected to the computer.

16. 
    

    Turn on the computer last.

17. 
    

    Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the installation, or just start playing with your new toy.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid installing the system on a heavily used electrical circuit.
• Leave room for ventilation around vents on computer and monitor.
• Keep the computer system away from magnetic fields, such as unshielded speakers or microwave ovens.
• Make sure equipment is dry and at room temperature before installation.

How to Choose a Laptop

Instructions

1. 
   

   Think about how you want to use your laptop in order to decide on performance specifications. If you enjoy making home movies, for example, you should select a laptop that comes with a recordable DVD drive and a large memory to hold your films. But if you travel frequently, it is worthwhile to choose a laptop that comes with a built-in Wireless Internet card.

2. 
   

   Decide on the screen size you prefer based on your usage. Gamers should choose a screen that's wide enough to capture all the exciting graphics while students should opt for something smaller and easier on the eyes. There are many sizes out there so pay close attention to what works for you.

3. 
   

   Visit an electronics store that carries a wide range of laptops. Take some time to get familiar with the size, price and weight of several different models. Just because an expensive laptop is smaller than the cheaper ones does not necessarily mean it is lighter or better.

4. 
   

   Inquire with the manufacturer or salesperson about upgrade options. Technology changes rapidly and your laptop should be able to last many years if you have the option to upgrade memory or disk drives.

5. 
   

   Ask about about details that are often overlooked such as battery life, connectivity ports and networking capabilities. These factors can seriously impact the way you use your machine, so choose a laptop with a nice balance of all three.

6. 
   

   Go online to check if any competitors are offering the same computer for a discount. If so, you may be able to bargain with another retailer and get the price you want.

7. 
   

   Consider an extended warranty. Due to their size, laptops contain parts that are crammed into a tight space with many complex connections and, unlike desktop computers, their delicate parts do not come apart easily. If something goes wrong, you can look to your extended warranty to cover unexpected costs.

Tips & Warnings

• A salesperson will invariably try to make you purchase a laptop that is loaded with extra features you will never use. Stay conscious of your needs and be firm about the price you are willing to pay.

How to Make a Computer Program Faster

A faster computer is a good thing--it's a happy thing. But sometimes it's hard to get a computer to go fast. Learn how to speed up just a single computer program instead.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer running Windows Vista

1. 
   

   This procedure could lock up your computer. Save everything before continuing.

2. 
   

   Start the program you want to speed up.

3. 
   

   Hit the key combination Ctrl+Shift+Esc to instantly appear at the Windows Task Manager.

4. 
   

   Click on the "Applications" tab.

5. 
   

   Right click on the application you're running. Select "Go To Process."

6. 
   

   Right-click the highlighted app. Select "Set Priority." When the menu expands, select an option higher than what it is currently set to. "High" is a good starting point.

7. 
   

   Click "Change priority" at the dialogue box that pops up.

Tips & Warnings

• The higher the priority you set a program to, the faster it will run.
• If you set the priority too high, it may lock up your system. This happens because so many resources are being dedicated to the program you want to run faster, while other more essential programs are given the shaft--what, did you expect them to work for free?

How to Instantly Lock Down Your Computer

If you're worried about people snooping through your documents while away from your computer, worry no more. Locking down your computer is easier than you may think.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Windows XP or Vista
• Keyboard with a Windows button on it.

1. 
   

   Hit the key with the Windows logo on it, and hold it down. (It should be two keys to the left of the spacebar, or near the left "Alt" key.)

2. 
   

   Hit "L." Windows locks the computer and requires a password to unlock it.

3. 
   

   Feel safe about leaving your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your password isn't a word that can be guessed. This is easiest to do by making it a rule that all your passwords are preceded by an "!" sign, or the third character is always a "(" sign.
• Make sure you know your password before doing this, or you could get locked out.

How to Speed Up Your Computer Right Now

Take control of your computer. If you're running Windows XP, learn the easiest way to speed it up.

Instructions

1. 
   

   Switch to Classic Mode:
   a. Right-click the desktop
   b. Select "Properties"
   c. Find where it says "Theme:" Underneath this, click the drop-down arrow, and select "Windows Classic"
   d. Click "OK"
   
   Reason: Takes less CPU power and RAM

2. 
   

   Disable Visual Effects:
   a. Click "Start"
   b. Click "Control Panel"
   c. Double-click the "System" icon
   d. Click the "Advanced" tab
   e. Under "Performance," click "Settings"
   f. Click the "Adjust for best performance" option
   g. Click "OK"
   h. Click "OK"
   
   Reason: Takes less CPU power and RAM

3. 
   

   Defragment the Hard Drive:
   a. Double-click "My Computer"
   b. Find the "C" drive, and right click on it
   c. Select "Properties"
   d. Click the "Tools" tab
   e. Click the "Defragment Now" button
   f. At the top, the "C" drive should be highlighted
   g. Click the "Defragment" button
   
   Reason: Increases speed at which files are accessed

4. 
   

   If you have one Hard Drive installed, perform this step. If you have two hard drives installed, skip this step and go to Step 5.
   
   Make Sure Virtual Memory is Set to "System managed size:"
   a. Click "Start"
   b. Click "Control Panel"
   c. Double-click the "System" icon
   d. Click the "Advanced" tab
   e. Under "Performance," click "Settings"
   f. Click the "Advanced" tab
   g. Under "Virtual Memory," click "Change"
   h. Make sure the "System managed size" option is selected
   i. Click "Set"
   j. Click "OK"
   k. Click "OK"
   l. Click "OK"
   
   Reason: Gives the OS as much virtual RAM as it needs

5. 
   

   If you have two Hard Drive installed on your system, move the paging file to the second hard drive:
   a. Follow steps "a" through "g" of Step 4
   b. Make sure the "C" drive is highlighted at the top
   c. Click the "No paging file" option
   d. Click "Set"
   e. Click "OK"
   f. Click "Change"
   g. Make sure the second hard drive is highlighted at the top (The "C" drive shouldn't be the one highlighted. It might be called "D" or "E")
   h. Select the "System managed size" button
   i. Click "Set"
   j. Click "OK"
   k. Click "OK"
   l. Click "OK"
   m. Restart your computer so the changes can take effect
   
   Reason: Offloads the virtual memory onto the other hard drive, allowing the main hard drive to work faster.

6. 
   

   Disable Hard Disk Indexing:
   a. Double-click "My Computer"
   b. Right click on the "C" drive
   c. Select "Properties"
   d. Uncheck the box that says "Allow Indexing Service to index for fast file searching"
   e. Click "OK"
   
   Reason: Hard drive is accessed less often, making it faster (note this comes with the price of making file searches slower. If you use the search box frequently, you may want to leave this checked. Otherwise, uncheck it.)

7. 
   

   Determine What Version of Internet Explorer You Have:
   a. Open Internet Explorer
   b. Select "Help," and then "About"
   c. The version number is listed under the IE logo. If you have version six, go to Step 8. If you have version seven, go to Step 9.

8. 
   

   Delete Useless Files in IE 6:
   a. Click "OK"
   b. Select "Tools," and then select "Internet Options..."
   c. Click "Delete Cookies"
   d. Click "OK"
   e. Click "Delete Files"
   f. Click "OK"
   g. Click "Settings"
   h. Click "View Files..."
   i. Highlight and delete all the files
   j. Close the window, and click "OK"
   k. Click "Clear History"
   l. Click "Yes"
   m. Click "OK"
   
   Reason: Time isn't wasted loading old, unwanted files

9. 
   

   Delete Useless Files in IE 7:
   a. Click "OK"
   b. Select "Tools," and then select "Internet Options"
   c. Select "Delete..." under the "Browsing History" section
   d. Click "Delete All"
   e. Click "Yes"
   f. Click "OK"
   
   Reason: Time isn't wasted loading old, unwanted files

10. 
    

    Delete Useless Files in Firefox:
    a. Open Firefox
    b. Select "Tools"
    c. Select "Clear Private Data..."
    d. Check Everything but "Offline Website Data" and "Saved Passwords"
    e. Click "Clear Private Data Now"
    
    Reason: Time isn't wasted loading old, unwanted files

Tips & Warnings

• If none of this improves your computer's speed, download free anti-spyware and anti-virus software to scan your computer for malware. If even this doesn't help, reinstall the operating system for a fresh start. Simply reinstalling the OS is the best thing you can do next to upgrading your hardware or buying a new computer.
• For more computer tips, check the resources below.
• Defragmenting your hard drive may take several hours or more. If you decide to do this at night, wait until your computer gets done "analyzing" the drive before leaving the computer. A dialog box will appear that tells you how badly fragmented your computer is. Click to continue with the defragmentation. The process won't be interrupted again until it's done.

How to Choose a Laptop Computer

If you're looking for a laptop, but don't know what you're looking for, learn what you need to know.

Instructions

1. 
   

   Screen Size: Screen sizes range from as small as 11.1" to as large as 18.4", and bigger isn't always better. Laptops with smaller screens are more portable (smaller and weigh a lot less), and can more easily fit in low-space areas, like on a small desk. If the laptop you're getting will also serve as your desktop, a larger screen might be more comfortable.

2. 
   

   CPU and Video Card: Get at least a dual-core CPU. If you've got high-end software or recent games you want to run, a high-speed CPU and/or video card will be necessary. For basic use, an integrated video card should be enough. And for occasional 3D gaming or Blu Ray drive, a low-end or maybe even medium-end separate video card will work.

3. 
   

   Networking: There's Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. For Wi-Fi, make sure both the network you want to connect to and laptop wireless card support the same version. Most are backwards compatible.

4. 
   

   RAM: 2GB to 4GB is common. While 2GB should be plenty for basic tasks, if you'll be running a lot of programs simultaneously or running advanced software/games, 4GB would be the better choice.

5. 
   

   Battery Life: Varies widely depending on how fast you run the processor, if you're using the DVD drive, whether your network card is enabled, and how bright the screen is set to. If estimated battery life is given, realize it could turn out to be much different in real life.

6. 
   

   DVD Drive/Burner: The choice here is between a laptop with a standard DVD drive/burner, and a laptop with a Blu-ray drive. Pay close attention to the read and/or burn speeds if you're getting a Blu-ray drive. Compare these speeds to what you would find in a desktop Blu-ray drive to decide if it's worth it.

7. 
   

   Card Reader: Do you have any specific media you want your laptop to read? If so, make sure the laptop can read it.

8. 
   

   Hard Drive: With laptops, hard drive sizes are typically smaller than with desktops. This is even more true if you buy a laptop with a solid state disk. The benefits of a SSD are increased speed, and a slightly cooler laptop.

Tips & Warnings

• The best deals are usually found online. Good luck!
• see amazon.com or ebay.com they have 2nd hand and brand new of laptops.
  
• If you have the option to buy anti-virus and anti-spyware with your laptop, don't buy it. Why? No program (not even commercial) can protect against 100% of viruses and spyware. Individual freeware programs are almost as good as commercial programs. But if you combine multiple freeware anti-virus/spyware, you can get better protection--for free--than if you had bought a commercial product.
• Service plans and warranties are usually just a waste of money. The only plan that might be worth buying is one that covers accidental breakage if you're afraid you'll drop it.

How to Fix a Toshiba Laptop Screen

A malfunctioning laptop screen can be bad news to any Toshiba laptop. owner, as the cost of repair can be moderately high due to LCD display replacement prices. Fortunately, by following a few easy steps, you can replace your own Toshiba laptop screen, and this route can save money compared with relying on a professional repairman or sending your Toshiba unit off. With a Phillips screwdriver in hand and a replacement screen, you can do the repairs in under an hour and with little headache.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phillips screwdriver Replacement LCD display Small plastic bag

1. 
   

   Power off your Toshiba computer. Examine the bezel of your Toshiba laptop, which is the perimeter surrounding the LCD Display. There will be screws around the edges of the bezel, likely with screw covers on them, depending on your exact Toshiba model. Pop off these screw covers using a knife tip, for example, and then remove all the bezel screws using a Phillips screwdriver. Put these screws in a safe place, such as a small plastic bag, because you will need them later.

2. 
   

   Remove the bezel from the display. Pop it off by isolating a corner and peeling it off from there. Be careful not to bend or warp the bezel in the process.

3. 
   

   Disconnect the inverter cable. The inverter cable plugs into the inverter, which is located directly beside it. The inverter can be found beneath the bezel after it is removed, and directly below the center of the LCD display.

4. 
   

   Remove the remaining screws. These screws are located in the metal brackets on either side of the laptop screen. These metal brackets are only visible once the bezel is removed. There should be two screws on each bracket, but this varies by model. Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove these screws, and put them in safe place, such as your plastic bag.

5. 
   

   Pull the LCD display from the back plastic of the computer carefully, then remove the old display altogether. Slide the new display in and reconnect the inverter cable.

6. 
   

   Replace the screws into each metal bracket, making sure to hold the new LCD display in place. Then, put the bezel into place over the LCD display. Replace all the screws and make sure they are tightly screwed into the bezel. Power the Toshiba laptop back on and enjoy your newly fixed hardware. Save any documentation that shipped with your replacement LCD display for later perusal or warranty purposes.

How to Replace a Toshiba A75 Laptop Motherboard

Motherboards are the internal component of the laptop that is responsible for the things you see on the screen. If a motherboard is damaged or becomes nonfunctional, your laptop is not going to work properly. You can choose to buy another laptop, or if the rest of your laptop's internal functions are in good working order, you can save money by simply installing a replacement motherboard yourself.

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Purchase the replacement motherboard online or at any store where Toshiba Laptops are sold. Make sure the motherboard is compatible for use on a Toshiba A75 laptop--not every motherboard will fit properly.

2. Step 2

   Flip the laptop over and use a Phillips-head screwdriver to unscrew all of the screws that hold the body together. Make sure to unscrew any screws located on the back of the laptop near the power outlet that hold the screen in place.

3. Step 3

   Locate and remove the Hard drive from its port. There will be a small hard drive symbol engraved on the laptop body where the hard drive is located. This is in the middle of the laptop directly in front. Remove the hard drive's plastic housing and unscrew the screw from each corner. Slide the hard drive out of the laptop and set it aside.

4. Step 4

   Lift up on the laptop screen until both silver pegs that keep the screen upright are removed from the circular holes in which they are located. Make sure not to pull up so hard that you disconnect the two wires that lead from the screen to the laptop body. After the screen is set aside, carefully separate the two plastic halves of the laptop's body to expose the internal components.

5. Step 5

   Unscrew the silver metal plate that protects the motherboard. Once you are looking at the flat, green structure that is the motherboard, unscrew any screws that hold it in place. Make a special note of where everything is connected to the motherboard before disconnecting it. It is recommended that you take a picture of the motherboard so you have something to refer back to when reconnecting the new motherboard.

6. Step 6

   Disconnect the motherboard from all of its connections and replace it with the new motherboard. There should be a white telephone-like jack that needs to be disconnected from the motherboard before the new one is installed. Once the new motherboard is in place, reconnect everything in exactly the same way that you disconnected it by going back through the steps in reverse order.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to remove all power sources from the laptop before working inside or it. This includes the wall outlet and the internal battery pack.

How to Choose a Hard Drive for Your Computer

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer

1. 
   

   Size: How long have you had your old drive, and how much space did you use? If you're getting a 7,200 RPM mechanical drive, 500GB through 1TB drives provide a good amount of storage for a good price. If getting a 10,000 RPM mechanical drive, you'll have a bit less storage, and if getting a solid state, you'll probably only have room for the operating system. and important programs/files.

2. 
   

   Internal vs. External: Internal drives are less expensive and faster, while external can be more readily moved from place to place. Most external drives connect via USB.

3. 
   

   Connector: Look inside your computer to find out what type of connector you need. SATA cables are smooth and about a half-inch wide. ATA (also called IDE) cables are ribbon-like and about 2 inches wide. If you have both kinds of cables, buy a SATA drive.

4. 
   

   Speed: Nearly all drives spin at 7,200 RPM. A 10,000 RPM drive (see last link in Resources section below) offers a significant speed boost (mathematically, almost 39%), but is more expensive, has less space, and is louder. The speed of solid state disks vary on how much you're willing to pay. The most expensive SSDs are faster than 10,000 RPM drives.

5. 
   

   Mechanical vs. Solid State: Mechanical drives have been around for decades, while solid state are the future. With mechanical, you get more disk space. a consistent speed, and a lower price. With solid state, you get more speed, less heat, and no noise. The bad thing about solid state is that with cheaper disks, writing to the disk can cause the system to hesitate or freeze, and some disks have compatibility issues.

Tips & Warnings

• The more expensive SSDs have nearly eliminated the hesitation and freezing that cheaper drives give you.
• Before buying a SSD, search online for reviews so you'll be aware of problems others have had.
• If you get a drive that's too small, you can always add another one later.
• For more detailed info on how to know if you have a SATA or ATA (IDE) connector, see the resources.
• For a listing of some of the best hard drives, check the resources.
• Backup your data every now and then--especially if you're running a 10,000 RPM drive, as these are more likely to fail. A clicking sound coming from your hard drive means it's going to fail--backup immediately.

How to Choose Memory (RAM) for Your Computer

You need memory for your computer. But how should you choose the right kind? Whether you're upgrading your computer or building a new one, learn now.

Instructions:

1. 
   

   If you bought your computer from a manufacturer, use a searc engine. or go to the manufacturer's site to find the specs on your model. The max RAM found in the specs is likely the max RAM the whole system supports. To find the largest size module the system supports, divide the max supported RAM by the number of slots. Also listed in the specs should be the max speed supported and DDR type (listed as DDR, DDR2, or DDR3). Alternatively, instead of max speed and DDR type, the specs may list something like PC# ####, where the "#" is some number. This is just a different way of representing speed and DDR type, and works equally well in finding the right RAM. If you know the largest supported module, max supported speed, and DDR type, skip to the Tips and Warnings section.

2. 
   

   If you're building a new computer, follow the above step, except search for motherboard model specs rather than computer model specs. If you don't know the model, look for it printed on the board.

3. 
   

   If you couldn't find your computer's specs, the info wasn't detailed enough, or you have a custom-built computer, go to http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html (also in the resources below) and download the freeware SIW. Install and run it. On the left side, under the "Hardware" section, select "Memory."

4. 
   

   The "Memory Summary" section on the right side shows the maximum amount of memory that can be installed in the system (listed as "Maximum Capacity"), and below that is the number of memory slots (listed as "Memory Slots"). The "Device Locator" sections tell whether or not memory is installed in that slot. To get the largest size module the motherboard supports, divide the "Maximum Capacity" by "Memory Slots." To get the speed and type, look under the "Device Locator" section, for the listing "Memory Type." Write down the PC#-#### part, where "#" is some number. Also for the listing "Speed," write down the value in parenthesis. For example, in 333 MHz (DDR2 667), write down only the (DDR2 667). You now have the largest supported module, RAM speed, and DDR type. You can use either the PC#-#### or the speed and type when searching for RAM.

5. 
   

   In Step 4, you found a supported RAM speed, but it may not be the fastest supported. Just to make sure, look to the left side in SIW. Under the "Hardware" section, select "Motherboard." Using this info, go to the manufacturer's site or do a web search, and see if you can find what maximum RAM speed the motherboard supports.

6. 
   

   If you're building a new computer and need to buy RAM, look up the specs on your motherboard to find out what kind of memory it supports.

7. 
   

   The RAM you buy should be no larger than the max supported module size, and should match the type and speed supported by the motherboard.

Tips & Warnings:

• Modules should be as identical as possible, including size, speed, and manufacturer.
• If building a computer, buy at least the largest and fastest memory module you can for just one slot. When you later upgrade, you won't have to waste money replacing the one that's already there, as it's already the largest and fastest possible.
• 32-bit versions of Windows XP and Vista only support 3.2GB of total RAM. If you want more, you'll have to upgrade to the 64-bit version.
• If you have a desktop, the memory you need is called a DIMM. If you have a laptop, it's called a SO-DIMM.
• Once you've got the RAM, see the resources below to learn how to install it.
• Using a module that's larger or faster than what the motherboard supports will damage the system.
• Watch out for tools that automatically choose the right memory for you, as they aren't always right. If you use a scanner, compare your results with other scanners as well as with what you got with SIW above.

How to Choose a Solid State Disk (SSD) Hard Drive for Your Computer

Instructions

1. 
   

   Interface: Most drives are designed for SATA, though there are some IDE (also called ATA and PATA) drives out there. To know which one you need, look inside your computer. If you have a smooth cable about a half-inch wide, you need a SATA drive. If you have a ribbon-like cable about 2 inches wide, you need an IDE drive.

2. 
   

   Internal vs. External: External drives are little more than Flash Drives right now, so an internal drive is the way to go.

3. 
   

   Capacity: The most common are 32, 64, and 128GB. There will be just enough room for an OS and important programs and files.

4. 
   

   Form Factor: Most drives are 2.5", though some are only 1.8". To mount these drives in the same way as a mechanical, you'll need a drive enclosure or adapter.

5. 
   

   Reviews: These drives are too new to just look at specs. Read as many reviews as you can before buying.

Tips & Warnings:

Cheaper drives tend to cause the system to hesitate or freeze while writing to the disk, and some may have compatibility issues. The most expensive drives have nearly eliminated these problems, resulting in speeds faster than 10,000 RPM mechanical drives in addition to no sound, and less heat.

How to Choose a CPU for Your Computer

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Quadcore vs. Dual Core: Quad core's are faster if the application you're using is designed to take advantage of the cores, but it won't show any advantage in apps that aren't. If you're using your computer for things like AutoCAD, video, and some games, quad core is best. If you're using your computer for more basic tasks, dual core is more than good enough.

2. 
   

   Price Range: For a good balance between price and performance, get a CPU that's about a year old. You'll still get a powerful CPU, but at a much lower price than it sold for a year ago.

3. 
   

   Intel vs. AMD: Either one.

4. 
   

   Cache: This is where data is stored for super-fast retrieval. Level 2 is faster than Level 3, but they're both faster than regular system memory. The more level 2 and 3 cache, the the faster your computer will run.

5. 
   

   Motherboard: Look up the specs on your motherboard to get a list of CPUs it supports. If you haven't chosen a motherboard yet, any CPU will work.

Tips & Warnings:

If you're going to overclock, you'll need a higher quality fan than the one provided.

How to Choose a Motherboard for Your Computer

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Round 1: Before selecting a motherboard, you should know what kind of CPU you're getting, what kind of video card or cards you want, the kind of RAM you want, and if you want to install any extra cards, such as a network card.

2. 
   

   Memory: Make sure the type of memory you've chosen is supported by the motherboard. This means the speed, type (which could be DDR, DDR2, DDR3, etc.), number of pins, and size of the module.

3. 
   

   Onboard Audio: Get this if you don't want to buy a sound card. Buying a motherboard with onboard audio is usually a good idea.

4. 
   

   Onboard Video: This is if you don't want to buy a video card. Buying a motherboard with onboard video is usually a bad idea.

5. 
   

   Rear Panel Ports: These include PS/2 (used by some mice and keyboards), USB, IEEE Firewire (used by some devices, similar to USB), S/PDIF Out (a type of audio port), and other audio ports. In most cases, everything you need is included. Just make sure the motherboard has enough USB ports.

6. 
   

   Expansion Slots: These include PCI and PCI-E slots, which are used for things like video cards and network cards. Make sure there's an open slot on the motherboard for the card you want to install. Consider what cards you may add in the future, and whether or not the motherboard has enough extra slots.

7. 
   

   Onboard LAN: If you don't want to spend money and time looking for a network card, this is a good idea.

8. 
   

   Socket Type: This is the type of CPU the motherboard supports. This needs to match the socket type of the CPU.

Tips & Warnings:

Search online for as many motherboards as possible to get the best deal.

How to Choose a Hard Drive for Backing up Your Files

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Choose a size. Find the size of the files you want to back up, and estimate how much they'll grow in the future. To find the size of a drive, double-click on "My Computer," and right-click on the drive you want to know the size of. Select "Properties," and look under "Used Space." To find the size of a file or folder, right-click it, and select "Properties." Look under "Size." Ask yourself how many backups you'll be storing on the drive, how long you want to keep the drive, and what size backups you'll be making at that point--to choose the right size.

2. 
   

   Decide between mechanical and a solid state disk. Mechanical is really the only option here. SSDs aren't nearly large enough or cost-efficient to use for backup purposes.

3. 
   

   Decide on an internal or external Hard Drive. Internal drives are slightly cheaper, and installed inside your computer. If you get this kind of drive, you'll need to know whether you need an IDE or SATA drive. For info on finding out, see the resources below. External drives are best if you'll be backing up data from multiple computers, or if you want to store your backup data in a location away from your computer. For help in choosing an external hard drive, check the resources.

4. 
   

   Consider what speed you want. Backup hard drives don't need to be fast, so the standard 7200RPM drive will work perfectly.

5. 
   

   Choose your style. If you're getting an internal drive, style isn't an issue, but if you're going with an external drive, it could be. You'll probably be looking at the drive every day, so choose one that you don't just like, but love.

How to Clone IDE Hard Drive to New SATA Drive With XP

If you are replacing your Hard Drive cloning the old drive can offer an easy way to transfer all your data, programs and settings without the hassle of a reinstall. Since disk cloning is such a useful capability for large enterprises, it is unusual to find free utilities for the operation--but they do exist. Miray's HDClone is a popular free disk cloning utility. This guide will walk you through cloning an old drive to a new one. The process is the same whether the drives are IDE, SATA, or both.



Instructions:

1. 
   

   Start your computer and enter BIOS immediately. If your BIOS has an option to run your SATA drive in IDE mode, enable it. Save and exit your BIOS.

2. 
   

   Download the free edition of Miray HDClone from the link in the "Resources" section below. Right click on the Hdclone20fe file you just downloaded, then click "Extract All Files." This will create a new folder called "Hdclone20fe."

3. 
   

   Open the Hdclone20fe folder, and double-click "Install." Insert your blank floppy disk into the drive, and hit "Start Installation" to create a boot disk. Alternately, use your CD burning software to copy the contents of "hdclone.img" to a CD and create a boot CD.

4. 
   

   Reboot your computer with the floppy or CD in the drive to boot from the hdcopy media. If your computer starts Windows instead, enter your BIOS and set your boot order so that your floppy or CD drive has priority over your hard drive.

5. 
   

   Select the "Source" and "Target" drives. Double-check which is which choosing the wrong one will erase all your data. If the target drive has any information on it, hdclone will ask you for confirmation to continue.

6. 
   

   Begin the cloning process. It is normal for this to take a long time, even several hours for large drives.

How Long Does it Take to Clone a Hard Drive?

Time Estimating Factors

1. Establish how much data is on the hard Drive to be cloned. This is the single most critical factor in estimating the time to clone a hard drive. It is also to crucial to determine the method that will be used to clone the drive. For example, in a scenario where one drive will be cloned to multiple systems, as in the case of an OEM system builder, this initially becomes a two step process. The original drive will be cloned to a data repository where it will be saved as an image, and then it will be cloned onto the bare drive from there. Alternately, in a computer upgrade scenario, where the two hard drives are located in the same computer, the cloning process will be direct, where the first drive will be cloned directly to the second drive, with no intermediate step being required. The third consideration is the type of hard drives themselves, and to lesser extent, the computer system's specifications. Remember, in situations where an older drive technology is being used to clone to a newer drive, in a direct, drive to drive transfer, the speed of the older drive will be the determining factor.

Drive Transfer Specifications

2. When reviewing drive transfer rates, keep in mind that the rates quoted are "burst" rates, and not sustained transfer rates. An ATA-100 IDE drive might claim that it can transfer data at 100MBps (Megabytes per second) but it will not be able to move a gigabyte's worth of data at this speed in the real world. This reality holds true for the newer high speed SATA drives which claim to be able to transfer 300MBps (Megabytes per second), but the real transfer rates that should be used to calculate a clone process should be lowered to roughly one half of that speed.

Calculating Cloning Time

3. Calculating Cloning Time:
   
   For this example, we will use an ATA-100 drive which has 100GB of data stored on it to be cloned. To estimate the time to clone this drive, the calculations would look like this:
   
   100 Gigabytes = 100,000 Megabytes
   100,000 Megabytes/100 MBps = 1,000 seconds
   1,000 seconds/60 = 17 minutes
   (Please note -- this time needs to be doubled to arrive at an optimistic number based on the fact that the ATA-100 drive will not be able to deliver 100MBps transfer rates.)
   
   The calculations provided above will require the drive transfer rates that the drives you are cloning to be substituted in place of the values provided.

How to Use Norton Ghost

Instructions:

Creating a Backup Image

1. 
   

   Start Norton Ghost. From the main program screen, select "Ghost Boot Wizard." Follow the instructions to create a floppy boot disk. Label the disk and keep it in a safe place when not in use.

2. 
   

   Place the Ghost Backup Floppy Disk in the floppy drive and turn on the computer. You may see some error messages. Ignore them. After a few minutes, you'll see the Ghost program display.

3. 
   

   Click on "OK" to start the program. Be sure to record the license number since you need it to restore from Ghost backups. Choose the menu item "Backup/Restore."

4. 
   

   Choose "Local," and then "Partition." Click "To Image." Select the source drive that you want to back up, which is normally drive 1. If you have more than 1 drive and are unsure which one is your source drive, determine the right drive based on the size and volume label. Choose the "C" partition.

5. 
   

   Scroll down to choose the location where the backup image will be copied. This could be a second drive in your computer or a CD drive.

6. 
   

   Type in a simple name for the file name. Click "Save."

7. 
   

   Select "Fast" or "High" for compression. Choose "Yes" to proceed with the partition dump. Wait for the image to be saved. Once the image is created, click "Continue," "Quit" and "Yes."

Restoring From a Backup Image

8. 
   

   Start the Norton Ghost program. Choose the menu item "Backup/Restore." Select "Local" and then "Partition."

9. 
   

   Scroll down to the location where you saved the backup ghost image and select it for the "From Image" entry. Enter your license key.

10. 
    

    Select local destination drive "1", "1" for the destination partition, and click "OK." Check the details carefully and click "Yes." This will restore your backup image.

How to Ghost an Image

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Connect the two hard drives that you need to use. The first contains the image of the files you want to ghost and the second is the destination drive, where the clone of those files will be placed. They need to be able to see each other across a network or other connection for the ghosting software to work.

2. 
   

   Turn the hard drives on and make sure that they are both running as they should.

3. 
   

   Install the software you will need to ghost the image. Symantec's Norton Ghost is a popular brand, while freeware like DriveImage XML and Carbon Copy Cloner are available online.

4. 
   

   Open the ghosting software and select the local drive. On Symantec's Ghost, it will prompt you to select a partition as well, and the option "From Image" will appear when you do. Click on it, and maneuver to the place where your files are stored.

5. 
   

   Pick where you want the image of the files to go, which is usually the second hard drive. The specifics for doing this will depend on the software you are using, but the program should provide prompts that will let you navigate to the hard drive where you want to ghost the image.

6. 
   

   Click "Proceed" or otherwise enable the computer to begin ghosting the image. Wait until it is completed, then check to ensure that the operation was completed successfully and the ghosted image appears where it should.

Tips & Warnings:

• You may need to vary any steps you take depending on the software you are using. Each has different particulars on how it runs, which will require a slightly different approach.
• Note that the hard drives you use should be compatible with the same overall operating system, and that you cannot typically ghost an image between a Mac and a PC hard drive.

How to Restore Norton Ghost Without a CD

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Reboot your computer and select the "Use Norton Recovery Environment" menu option.

2. 
   

   Attach any desired portable memory storage devices to your computer and continue the recovery.

3. 
   

   Select "Accept" when asked to accept the end user's license agreement.

4. 
   

   Choose the "Time Zone" for your location from the drop-down list on the next menu and choose the "OK" menu button.The recovery tool will use the time zone to help determine the appropriate recovery point for Norton Ghost.

5. 
   

   Exit Norton recovery, and Norton Ghost will be restored without having to use the Ghost CD.

How to Clone a Hard Drive Using Norton Ghost

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Plug an External Harddrive into any open USB port on the computer, or power the computer down if you will be cloning your first hard drive to a secondary internal hard drive.

2. 
   

   Remove the cables from the back of the computer case. Set the case on its side with the left panel facing up. Use the screwdriver to pull out the case screws on the top and bottom ends of the panel. Push down on the panel and slide it entirely off the case.

3. 
   

   Slide the internal hard drive into an open drive bay inside the computer. Connect one of the SATA cables running from the original hard drive into the new hard drive and then attach the screws that hold the drive into the bay. Press the plastic jumper clip on the back of the hard drive into the "Slave" setting.

4. 
   

   Put the panel back on the case and reattach the screws. Plug the cables back into the case and turn the computer on. Wait for the operating system to finish loading, and then close down every program you have running, including any anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall programs.

5. 
   

   Open the Norton Ghost program by double clicking on its desktop icon. Click on the "Advanced" tab and then click on the button labeled as "Clone."

6. 
   

   Choose the location of the first hard drive you want to clone from the drop-down menu at the left. Choose the location of the new hard drive from the drop-down menu at the right.

7. 
   

   Click on "Next" and then click on "Run" to clone the first hard drive's contents onto the second hard drive.

Acronis True Image Home 2009 v12.0.0.9709

Acronis True Image Home 2009 complete PC protection: back up your entire PC, including the OS plus your data, applications, pictures, video, financial documents, settings and everything!. Acronis True Image Home 2009 is an award-winning backup and recovery solution for a good reason: it protects your PC after just one click and allows you to recover from viruses, unstable software downloads, and failed hard drives. Create an exact copy of your PC and restore it from a major failure in minutes, or back up important files and recover them even faster.

Features:
New! One-click protection
Initially, you decide what, where and when to back up. After that, backups occur automatically or with just one click.
New! Full text search
Search for file name and/or content within an archive, using Windows or Google desktop search.
Making reserve copies of your backups
You can make reserve copies of your backups and save them on a network drive, or a USB storage device. You have a choice of making a reserve copy as regular (flat) files, a zip compressed file, and a tib file.
New! Zip archive format support available
In addition to Acronis powerful TIB data compression backup format, one of the most densely compressed backup file types available to consumers, Acronis True Image Home 2009 also supports the popular ZIP format.
Consolidation
You can define rules for consolidating your archives to reduce storage space. Merge an older full backup with several incremental backups to quickly create a new full backup; subsequent backups are based on the newly-created full backup.
New! Windows Vista -style Interface
The new, sleek interface of this product works on Microsoft Windows XP and Vista operating systems.

http://rapidshare.com/files/216005336/Acronis.True.Image.Home.2009.v12.0.0.9709.rar

How to Clone One Hard Drive to Another Hard Drive

Instructions:

Use XXCLone or Acronis True Image


1. Step 1

   Download and install XXClone. (But i suggest Acronis True Image.)

2. Step 2

   In the "Source volume" menu, select the drive you would like to clone.

3. Step 3

   In the "Target volume" menu, select the drive to which you would like to copy.

4. Step 4

   Check "Back up the entire volume by copying all the files from scratch," then click "Start."

How to Back Up a Hard Drive

Instructions

1. 
   

   Insert your Windows XP CD into the drive and double click it when it pops up on your desktop.

2. 
   

   In Windows Explorer double-click the ValueAdd folder, then Msft, and then Ntbackup.

3. 
   

   Double-click Ntbackup.msi to install the Backup utility.

4. 
   

   Click Backup to run Microsoft's Backup program.

How to Run the Backup Utility

5. 
   

   Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools and then click Backup to start the wizard.

6. 
   

   Click “Next” to skip past the opening page, choose Back up files and settings from the second page, and then click Next.

7. 
   

   Decide whether you want to back up everything or just certain things.

8. 
   

   Decide where you want the backups saved to.

9. 
   

   Set a schedule for regular backups.

Tips & Warnings:

• CD-RW drives are great for backups, but they usually come with their own backup programs.
• To restore a disk from a backup, open the Tools menu in the Backup utility and select Restore Wizard.

How to Remove Programs From the Registry

Instructions:

Removing a Program From the Registry

1. 
   

   If a program does not have an Uninstall option and is not listed on the Remove Programs list, you can find it in the Registry. From the Start Menu, select "Run."

2. 

   In the "Run" dialog box, type the word "regedit" and click "OK." This will open the Registry Editor program.

3. 

   In the "Find" box, keep the boxes labeled "Keys, Values, and Data" selected. However, make sure that the "Match whole string box" is unselected. Enter the name of the program you are searching for, such as "Example Program," and click "Find Next."

4. 

   Right-click the key found in the results, and click "Delete." Only delete registry keys that you know are associated with the program to be removed. Press "F3" on your keyboard to repeat the search, and remove the resulting keys as needed. You will have to restart your computer when finished.Right-click the key found in the results, and click "Delete." Only delete registry keys that you know are associated with the program to be removed. Press "F3" on your keyboard to repeat the search, and remove the resulting keys as needed. You will have to restart your computer when finished.

5. Right-click the key found in the results, and click "Delete." Only delete registry keys that you know are associated with the program to be removed. Press "F3" on your keyboard to repeat the search, and remove the resulting keys as needed. You will have to restart your computer when finished.

Tips & Warnings:

• Editing the Registry can cause problems if not done carefully. You can create a backup from the Registry Editor under "File" and "Export." Keep this backup on your computer to restore if needed.
• Keys in the Registry should be removed only as a last option. Always be sure that you are removing the correct keys, as mistakes can affect the performance of your computer.

How to Buy a Laser Printer

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Decide what types of documents you will be printing (text, graphics, odd paper sizes, etc.).

2. 
   

   Make a list of specific features you need, such as the ability to handle large files, the ability to print on various media (labels, envelopes) with-out jamming, a size to fit a particular desk space, two or more paper trays, and compatibility with specific software.

3. 
   

   Compare the print quality of different printers. Compare the resolution, or dpi (dots per inch). Use a magnifying glass if print quality is critical.

4. 
   

   Compare speed specifications. Although you probably won't get the rated speed at home, the ratings are useful for comparing printers.

5. 
   

   Learn how much RAM the printers have, and whether it's expandable.

6. 
   

   Realize that the printer's paper path needs to be no sharper than 90 degrees to consistently handle envelopes, labels, transparencies or card stock. If you plan to use special media often, avoid printers with 180- degree U-turn paper paths.

7. 
   

   Compare prices of consumable items such as toner cartridges and replacement drums.

8. 
   

   Compare warranties and service contracts.

Tips & Warnings:

• Look for at least 600-by-600 dpi (dots per inch) resolution.
• If you want to print PostScript fonts or PostScript graphics, you'll need a PostScript printer. Many, but not all, laser printers can handle PostScript; most ink-jet printers can't.
• Printer RAM will affect the printer's speed and ability to handle large files. If the printer includes many built-in fonts, that may also
• improve speed.
• You may need to purchase the printer cable separately.
• Be wary of terms such as "laser class printer." These inexpensive printers use toner cartridges, but use LEDs instead of lasers, and produce an inferior text quality.

How to Buy an Ink-Jet Printer

Investigating Capabilities and Prices

1. 
   

   Prioritize among price, versatility, print quality, speed and reliability.

2. 
   

   Add specific capabilities such as photo printing, compatibility with operating system other than Windows, ease of use, cost of use, ability to handle large files quickly, USB connectivity and ability to print on various media without jamming.

3. 
   

   Choose a specialty photo printer if you plan to print a lot of photos.

4. 
   

   Choose a higher-end model with a small dot size (and thus higher reso-lution) if printing presentation-quality text, graphics and photos.

5. 
   

   Choose a printer whose paper path is no sharper than 90 degrees if you want to print on envelopes, labels, transparencies or card stock.

6. 
   

   Spend P10,000 (it defend on stores price) or less unless speed is the most important consideration.

Comparing Printers

7. 
   

   Limit your search to models made by Canon, Epson and Hewlett-Packard, which offer a wide selection of consumer models.
   

8. 
   

   Compare resolution, expressed in dots per inch (dpi), and print quality of display models.

9. 
   

   Compare speed specifications. Although you will not experience the rated speed at home, the ratings are useful for comparing printers.

10. 
    

    Look for an Epson printer with unparalleled 1440-by-720 dpi resolution if print quality for text, graphics or photo reproduction is most important.

11. 
    

    Look for a Hewlett-Packard printer if speed is critical and you want to spend P10,000 or less.

12. 
    

    Consider a Canon printer if primarily younger children will use it, if you plan to print challenging media often, or if space is very limited.

13. 
    

    Consider a higher-end Epson printer for the best combination of speed, quality and reliability.

14. 
    

    Compare bundled software packages and service contracts.

Tips & Warnings:

• The speed at which a printer prints a test page or demo is not the same as the speed it will print at when connected to your computer. File size and computer RAM have more to do with actual speed than the printer does.
• Canon printers produce a lighter, less impressive black than other brands.
• Epson printers are noisier than others.
• Lower-end Hewlett-Packard printers lack quick-drying inks.
• A service contract should cover annual cleaning and alignment.
• Most ink-jet printers are not PostScript-compatible. If you need to print PostScript graphics or fonts, you'll need to find one of the few that understands PostScript, or else consider a laser printer.

How to Remove Clutter From a Hard Drive

Instructions:

Applications and Documents

1. 
   

   Open your document and applications folders.

2. 
   

   Drag the icons for unneeded documents to the Recycle Bin.

3. 
   

   Copy documents you want to keep but don't expect to use often to floppy disks or other backup media.

4. 
   

   Move these documents to the Recycle Bin or the Trash after you've copied them.

5. 
   

   Empty your Recycle Bin or the Trash after completing the above steps.

6. 
   

   Remove unwanted application programs by using an uninstaller program. In Windows, use the Add/Remove control panel. On the Mac, many program installers include a Remove option; you need to run the installer again and choose Remove.

Backup and Temporary Files

7. 
   

   Your programs should clean up their temporary files by themselves, but sometimes they don't. Check your folders for file names that begin with a tilde (~) or end with TMP. Drag them to the Recycle Bin or the Trash.

8. 
   

   Check your work and application folders for backup files whose names end with BAK. Remove these if you don't need them.

9. 
   

   Don't empty the Recycle Bin or the Trash after completing the above steps.

10. 
    

    Reboot your computer to make sure you haven't deleted a necessary system file.

11. 
    

    Open applications to make sure they boot properly if you deleted files from their folders.

12. 
    

    If you have no problems, empty the Recycle Bin or the Trash. Otherwise, return files to their original places.

Tips & Warnings:

• Programs use temporary files to store the version of a document you're currently working on. When you save changes, the changes made to the temporary file are saved to your disk.
• Don't make changes to your system unless you know exactly what you're doing.
• Only delete files that you recognize and files that you don't need.

How to Perform a Clean Install of Windows Vista

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Install Windows Vista. Boot your PC using the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD, then click "Install Now" to commence Vista setup.

2. 
   

   Leave the "Product Key" field blank when you are asked to enter the software's Product Key. Instead, skip this stage and disable the option that says “Automatically activate Windows when I'm online," and click "No" when asked if you would like to enter the Product Key before continuing.

3. 
   

   Choose the Windows product that you own when you are provided with a list of Windows Vista product editions.

4. 
   

   Choose "Custom (Advanced)" instead of "Upgrade" when asked which installation method you prefer. Format your hard disk if necessary by selecting the Drive options.

5. 
   

   Enter your name and password together with the computer name when prompted by the Vista Setup (after the computer reboots itself). You will be asked to enter the current time zone, date and exact time later on.

6. 
   

   Run the Windows Vista Setup DVD, but this time you will be running it within the Windows Vista platform. Click "Install Now," and choose the “Do not get the latest updates for installation” in the following screen.

7. 
   

   Enter the product key on the next screen, accept the Windows EULA, and then select the "Upgrade" option.

8. 
   

   Activate Windows Vista. Open the Start Menu found on the toolbar, right-click "Computer," and go to "Properties." Click the link labeled “Activate Windows Now.”

Tips & Warnings:

• Before upgrading to Windows Vista, make sure that you have an older version of a Windows operating system. A clean installation won't work without this.
• You only have 30 days to use an inactivated Windows Vista operating system. Activate your Windows Vista operating system as soon as possible so you don't forget.
• More information can be found on the official Microsoft Web site.
• Lots of Vista Activator available around the net but if you want lega call Microsoft for more information on how to purchase an authentic copy of Windows Vista or License for it.
  

How to do a Clean Install of Windows OS

Instructions:

1. 
   

   Begin by backing up all information that you cannot re-obtain through download. (This includes pictures and personal documents). Do not worry about your email, as you will be able to access it anytime.

2. 
   

   Next, with the windows disc in your drive, restart your computer and press F12 before Windows starts. This will bring you to the Boot Device menu. Choose "Boot from disc." This will bring up the Windows disc.

1. Step 3

   Allow the Windows disc to load all the files and prompt you to install or repair Windows. Follow the onscreen instructions to install Windows. Tell the system that you want to install on the C: partition. Follow the onscreen instructions to format the haddrive This will wipe the drive clean, erasing all data.

2. 
   

   From there, Windows will re-install. Follow the onscreen instructions.

3. 
   

   After the new installation of Windows is complete, you will need to reinstall all drivers, software and anything from your backup disc that you created before you began the clean install.

Tips & Warnings:

• If you are having problems and have more than 2GB of system memory, go into your System Information and disable it down to 256MB before installing the OS.
• Do not install Windows without first formatting the partition. This will confuse your system and likely crash it.
• Do not format and reinstall without the driver to connect to the internet, or else you will not be able to get your other drivers.

How to Customize AM and PM Symbols in System Tray in Windows?

Type intl.cpl in Run or startmenu searchbox and press Enter. It'll open Regional Settings window.
You can also open it from Control Panel.

Now click on "Customize" or "Customize this format" button. It'll open another window. Go to "Time" tab:

Now you can change the text for AM and PM symbols to your desired string. You can also completely remove the AM, PM symbols by removing "tt" from "Time format" text box. Even you can interchange between 12 hour and 24 hour time format by using "h" and "H" respectively.

Click on "Apply" button to apply the changes, then again click on "Apply" button to close the main Regional Settings window. Now the system tray will show your desired text instead of default AM and PM symbols:

There is a limitation in this method. You can only type 12 characters in the AM and PM symbol text boxes. What if you want to set longer string? Then you'll need to edit Registry.

Open regedit and go to:
look for this

"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\International"

Now look for "s1159" and "s2359" string values. Both represent AM and PM symbols respectively.

Double-click on each string value and change its value to your desired text. Now you can use longer string without any problem:
Exit registry editor. Your changes will be saved immediately. If you don't see the new text in system tray, then you might need to log off or restart your system.

How to encrease Low Virtual Memory Problem

Normally this warning message shows when you run many programs same time than the RAM installed on your computer is designed to support. Your can solve this problem by increasing the system paging file size also called as virtual memory. Using this virtual memory windows moving information to and from the paging file for fast processing. This will free up enough RAM for other programs to run properly.

To increase the system page file follow the give path:



Control Panel > System > Advanced > Click on Settings (Under Performance) > Advanced > Change



Here under Drive (Volume label), you have option to select any of your hard disk drive, but the best choice is, select any drive other than C drive for virtual memory.



Set the double Initial & Maximum Size of your Virtual Memory. Here set initial size 700 MB and maximum size up to 1000MB; you can change this size according to the free space available on your hard drive.

Folder Trick

Make A Folder With Out Name

right click->make new folder->use backspace to remove the name
->press alt+255 or its alt+0160.-->press enter.
use number keys which are on right side of keyboard.

Hide your IP 2009EDITION

This is a Hide IP software which will change your real Internet address while browsing the World Wide Web. The software will deliver you fresh anonymous proxy servers every time you activate the program. The main benefit of this software is that you can’t be traced while browsing websites. If a website is restricted for users from specified country the program can bypass that protection. By hiding your IP, you will be invisible for marketers, thus, you will prevent any spam mails. You can use web based e-mail to send anonymous e-mail. Post on bulletin boards without displaying your real IP address.

The program is Compatible with Windows XP/2000/2003/NT/Vista, and with support for Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera.

INSTALL
============
1. install app
2. run patch , select program directory , patch file
3. enjoy platinum

http://rapidshare.com/files/256426862/Hide.The.IP.2009.www.pinoyrepublic.org.rar

ESET NOD32 precracked 24000 Days License

ESET Smart Security AV & SS x86/x64 Editions 3.0.669
Size: 18.8Mb | OS: Windows 32bit
FULLY ACTIVATE
UNLIMITED UPDATES

1. Note: Disable UAC first if you’re using Vista!
2. Uninstall NOD32 completely! That includes previous fixes and everything related!. I recommend using Your Uninstaller! to remove it. If you didn’t get this pre-cracked version working on the first try then uninstall it!
3. If it asks you to restart after uninstalling do not restart yet! Let Your Uninstaller! remove the registry keys and everything. After that restart manually from the start menu!
4. Install this version. When asked check set update parameters later.
5. If the setup asks you to restart after installing DO NOT RESTART! Click No instead!
6. Restart manually from the start menu
7. After restarting click Update in NOD32. After it updates it should say you have got 24XXX Days remaining! If it doesn’t then you have not followed this guide correctly!

http://rapidshare.com/files/255736812/ESENOD32_27_Years.www.pinoyrepublic.org.rar

USB Disk Security 5.0

The USB Disk Security application will provide protection against any malicious programs trying to attack via USB drive. Compare USB Disk Security against other antivirus solutions, you will find out its highlights: USB Disk Security provides 100% protection against any threats via USB drive, however, the majority of other products are unable even to guarantee 90% protection.

USB Disk Security is the best antivirus software
to permanently protect offline computer without the need for signature updates, but other antivirus software should update signature database regularly, and they cannot effectively protect offline computer.

This light and easy to use solution is 100% compatible with all software and doesn't slow down your computer at all. You pay USB Disk Security once and get it all, however, other antivirus products should be paid for updates every year.

http://rapidshare.com/files/210606252/USB_Disk_Security_5.0.0.66.under.rar

Avira AntiVir Premium 9.0.0.430

Avira AntiVir Premium 9.0.0.430 | 32MB
Avira AntiVir Premium AntiVir stops all types of viruses AntiAd/Spyware eliminates ad/spyware AntiPhishing proactive protection against phising AntiRootkit against hidden rootkit threats
AntiDrive


by prevents against downloading viruses when surfing EmailScanner enhanced email protection WebGuard protection against malicious websites RescueSystem create a bootable rescue CD QuickRemoval eliminate viruses at the push of a button NEW!NetbookSupport for laptops with low resolution NEW!

http://hotfile.com/dl/8968405/dcf4204/Avira_AntiVir_Premium_9.0.0.430.rar.html

Windows XP Hidden Applications

To run any of these apps go to Start > Run and type the executable name (ie charmap).

WINDOWS XP HIDDEN APPS:

1) Character Map = charmap.exe (very useful for finding unusual characters)

2) Disk Cleanup = cleanmgr.exe

3) Clipboard Viewer = clipbrd.exe (views contents of Windows clipboard)

4) Dr Watson = drwtsn32.exe (Troubleshooting tool)

5) DirectX diagnosis = dxdiag.exe (Diagnose & test DirectX, video & sound cards)

6) Private character editor = eudcedit.exe (allows creation or modification of characters)

7) IExpress Wizard = iexpress.exe (Create self-extracting / self-installing package)

8) Microsoft Synchronization Manager = mobsync.exe (appears to allow synchronization of

files on the network for when working offline. Apparently undocumented).

9) Windows Media Player 5.1 = mplay32.exe (Retro version of Media Player, very basic).

10) ODBC Data Source Administrator = odbcad32.exe (something to do with databases)

11) Object Packager = packager.exe (to do with packaging objects for insertion in files,

appears to have comprehensive help files).

12) System Monitor = perfmon.exe (very useful, highly configurable tool, tells you

everything you ever wanted to know about any aspect of PC performance, for uber-geeks only )

13) Program Manager = progman.exe (Legacy Windows 3.x desktop shell).

14) Remote Access phone book = rasphone.exe (documentation is virtually non-existant).

15) Registry Editor = regedt32.exe [also regedit.exe] (for hacking the Windows Registry).

16) Network shared folder wizard = shrpubw.exe (creates shared folders on network).

17) File signature verification tool = sigverif.exe

18) Volume Control = sndvol32.exe (I've included this for those people that lose it from the

System Notification area).

19) System Configuration Editor = sysedit.exe (modify System.ini & Win.ini just like in

Win98! ).

20) Syskey = syskey.exe (Secures XP Account database - use with care, it's virtually

undocumented but it appears to encrypt all passwords, I'm not sure of the full

implications).

21) Microsoft Telnet Client = telnet.exe

22) Driver Verifier Manager = verifier.exe (seems to be a utility for monitoring the actions

of drivers, might be useful for people having driver problems. Undocumented).

23) Windows for Workgroups Chat = winchat.exe (appears to be an old NT utility to allow chat

sessions over a LAN, help files available).

24) System configuration = msconfig.exe (can use to control starup programs)