How fast is my Connection speed and how can I check it?
What is defragmenting and how do I do it?
My mouse doesn't move as well as it used to, what do I do?
My computer won't read from a CD-ROM, now what?
My Computer seems to be getting slower and slower...WHY?
How do I reset my computer if it is completely locked up?
I changed my monitor settings, now Windows is all garbled. How do I fix this?
How do I delete cookies and clear viewed WebPages?
How do I adjust the time and date on my computer?
How can I find out how much RAM I have on my PC?
How do I change my desktop picture (wallpaper)?
How can I add a shortcut to a program on my desktop?
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What is a Virus?
Online Speed - Your online connection depends on several variables, the speed of your processor, the amount of available RAM, etc. Most importantly the speed of your internet connection. You can check your Connection speed by clicking on this link...
A virus is a program – a piece of executable code – that has the unique ability to replicate. Like biological viruses, computer viruses can spread quickly and are often difficult to eradicate. They can attach themselves to just about any type of file and are spread as files that are copied and sent from individual to individual. In addition to replication, some computer viruses share another commonality: a damage routine that delivers the virus payload. While payloads may only display messages or images, they can also destroy files, reformat your hard drive, or cause other damage. If the virus does not contain a damage routine, it can cause trouble by consuming storage space and memory, and degrading the overall performance of your computer.
Several years ago most viruses spread primarily via floppy disk, but the Internet has introduced new virus distribution mechanisms. With email now used as an essential business communication tool, viruses are spreading faster than ever. Viruses attached to email messages can infect an entire enterprise in a matter of minutes, costing companies millions of dollars annually in lost productivity and clean-up expenses.Viruses won't go away anytime soon: More than 60,000 have been identified, and 400 new ones are created every month, according to the International Computer Security Association (ICSA). With numbers like this, it's safe to say that most organizations will regularly encounter virus outbreaks. No one who uses computers is immune to viruses
Malware – short for malicious software – refers to any malicious or unexpected program or code such as viruses, Trojans, and droppers. Not all malicious programs or codes are viruses. Viruses, however, occupy a majority of all known malware to date including worms. The other major types of malware are Trojans, droppers, and kits.Due to the many facets of malicious code or a malicious program, referring to it as malware helps to avoid confusion. For example, a virus that also has Trojan-like capabilities can be called malware.
A Trojan is malware that performs unexpected or unauthorized, often malicious, actions. The main difference between a Trojan and a virus is the inability to replicate. Trojans cause damage, unexpected system behavior, and compromise the security of systems, but do not replicate. If it replicates, then it should be classified as a virus.A Trojan, coined from Greek mythology's Trojan horse, typically comes in good packaging but has some hidden malicious intent within its code. When a Trojan is executed users will likely experience unwanted system problems in operation, and sometimes loss of valuable data.
Spyware (aka Adware)... Advertising companies install additional tracking software on your system without your knowledge, which is continuously "calling home", using your Internet connection and reports statistical data to their server. While according to the privacy policies of the companies, there will be no sensitive or identifying data collected from your system and you shall remain anonymous, it still remains the fact, that you have a "live" server sitting on your PC that is sending information about you and your surfing habits to a remote location.
Once enough Adware is on your system, it slows down because it's resources are being used up by these processes. Spyware or Adware can be removed and prevented.
Drivers are small programs that allow your operating system, such as Windows® 98,or Windows XP® to communicate with the hardware in your computer. Think of drivers as translators. If your operating system speaks English and your video card speaks German, they might not correctly communicate with each other. A driver speaks both the language of your video card and the language of your operating system, so it can help them communicate. Beyond acting as a translator, drivers can also enhance the operation of a particular piece of hardware, like a video card or a sound card.
Defragmenting organizes your hard disk for quicker access. Imagine your hard drive as a large pile of random papers. Defragmenting stacks those papers in one nice pile. You can defragment as often as you like, but you only need to do it once every few months. In the start menu, go to "Programs", then "Accessories", "System Tools", and "Disk Defragmenter." The process could take from 15 minutes to a couple hours. It's a good thing to do when you'll be away from your desk for a while. Remember close all other programs before you start.
Cleaning a Mouse...The wheels/rollers in the inside of your mouse are probably dirty. To clean them, remove the door that covers the mouse ball and remove the mouse ball Inside the mouse should be two rollers and a pressure wheel. You can usually clean these wheels with a small piece of clean cloth. If that doesn't do the trick, you may use some denatured alcohol. To keep the inside of your mouse clean, you might try cleaning your mouse pad periodically with mild soap and water.
CD won't work...There could be a variety of reasons why a CD won't work. Start simple: clean off the back of the CD. Use the "fog a mirror" technique and a soft cloth. Inspect the back for scratches. If there are deep scratches, sometimes they may be fixed by using a small amount of car wax. If the CD is in good condition, but still seems not to work, try it in another machine. If the CD still will not work, there is probably a problem with the media. If it is a professionally made CD, venders will usually send you a new copy. If it is a burned CD, it may have been burned incorrectly or burned on bad media.
PC is "frozen"...First, try pressing Crtl+Alt+Del. That should give you a menu with a "Shut Down" selection. If that doesn't work, look for the reset button on the front of your computer. If there isn't a reset button, you can usually reset your computer by holding the power button in for 5 seconds.
Fix video settings...Restart your computer. As the computer is booting up, press the "F8" key. Windows will present you with a menu. Select "Start in Safe Mode." This will boot Windows in a low-resolution mode. Once the computer boots, go to your display properties (right-click on the desktop) and change the resolution to one that you know should work (you may have to reboot before Windows will allow you to change these settings). Best bets are 800x600 and 1024x768.
To Delete Cookies in Internet Explorer 6:
1) Start Internet Explorer.2) On the Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the General tab.
3) In the Temporary Internet Files section, click Delete Cookies , click OK , and then click OK again.
To Clear History:
1) In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the View (or Tools ) menu.
2) On the General tab, click Clear History .
3) Click Yes , and then click OK .
To empty cache of viewed websites and pictures:
1) In Internet Explorer, click Internet Options on the View (or Tools ) menu.
2) On the General tab, click "Delete Files..."
3) Select "Delete All Off-line Content"
4) Click Yes , and then click OK
1. Right-click the time located in the lower right corner of the screen.
2. Select Adjust Date/Time from the shortcut menu.
3. At the Date/Time Properties dialog box, insert the correct time and date.
4. Click Apply.
5. Click OK to close the Date/Time Properties dialog box.
To find how much RAM you have
1. Right-click the My Computer icon.
2. Choose Properties from the shortcut menu.
3. At the System Properties dialog box, select the General tab.
4. The amount of RAM that your computer has is located
at the very bottom of the dialog box.5. Click OK to close the System Properties dialog box
1. Right-click on the desktop.
2. Choose Properties from the shortcut menu.
3. At the Display Properties dialog box, select the Background tab.
4. Under the Wallpaper heading choose the desired background by clicking on it.
5. Click Apply.
6. Click OK to close the Display Properties dialog box
How to make a Desktop Shortcut
1. Find the icon you want to place on your desktop.
2. Right-click on the icon and drag it to your desktop.
3. Release the right mouse button.
4. Click Create Shortcut(s) here from the submenu
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