Browse by Tags

Mike's Window

Syndication

News

A message to all who view this blog:
I have been looking at viewing stats for the entries I make, and can see that the graph looks similar to the side elevation of a mountain range. Some topics are way more popular than others, but I am not running a popularity contest here.
My main aim is appeal to a wide experience/knowledge base. I cannot, therefore, apologise if each or any of the entries do not appeal to you.
If you have an issue, complaint, or would just like to make a general comment, please feel free to contact me.
---------------------------------------------
Click on the graphics for more information

Mike's Twitters..
Twitter Updates
follow me on Twitter

Archives

Sticky networking

If you don’t know what a ‘Sticky’ is, you should maybe click on this link: http://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/stickies/ OK, having read the blurb, you will now be aware of how useful ‘Stickies’ can be. I use them for sending info to other computers, an example...

Published Fri, Sep 25 2009 12:00 by Mike Hall

Filed under: networks, software, Utilities
Capturing the imagination..

I have mentioned the need for a killer application which will revitalize Windows. Well, back in 1992, there was just such an animal, and it was one of the first Windows programs which captured the imagination of home computer users. I am talking about...

Published Tue, May 26 2009 15:04 by Mike Hall

Filed under: software, Windows, General
Windows XP to 7.. Is it time yet?

I have been preparing an older XP machine for Windows 7 recently, and it brings back memories from 2006/7. In fairness, the machine in question is a good performer running XP, but is in the bottom 20% of desktops according to PCPitsop. The processor is...

Published Sun, May 17 2009 11:55 by Mike Hall

Filed under: XP, Hardware, software, Windows 7, Upgrading
Reputable anti-Malware solutions..

Antivirus Avira – AVG – Avast – Kapersky – ESET NOD32 Antispyware Spybot S&D – Malwarebytes – SuperAntiSpyware OK, there are others BUT The decent ones never produce unsolicited popups which warn of multiple infections...

Published Sun, Mar 22 2009 10:24 by Mike Hall

Filed under: software, Security
Slow machines.. Software issues

When you first get your new computer home, assuming that it is reasonably specified, it should almost burst into life. A computer with only Windows installed should see the ‘blue torpedo’ pass maybe three times before releasing the Welcome screen. The...

Published Wed, Feb 25 2009 16:16 by Mike Hall

Filed under: software, General
Ultimate Windows Tweaker..

Whenever I installed Windows onto a computer, the first thing I would install was TweakUI. I wasn't too fussed about the other items in the original Windows 95 Powertoys collection other than 'Send to any folder', but I hated the shortcut...

Published Thu, Nov 27 2008 10:56 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, software, Utilities, General
The Slippery Slope - Foxit..

If you were tired of waiting for Adobe Reader to respond, there were alternatives, and Foxit was one of them. It still is but there is a catch with version 3. The free version of Foxit is now sponsored by ASK.COM, and you can't install Foxit 3.0 unless...

Published Tue, Nov 25 2008 16:04 by Mike Hall

Filed under: software, Review, Utilities, General
One Man's treasure..

I hear a considerable amount of talk about how good CCleaner is. Some computer users have a 'thing' about crap, going into each folder looking for stuff which they think that they no longer or never did need. It can become an obsession. So I downloaded...

Published Sun, Aug 10 2008 10:25 by Mike Hall

Filed under: software, Windows, Review, General
Defragmenting without the tears..

For those of you who are suffering withdrawal since the Vista backroom boys took away the visual part of defragmentation, you can come out now. The nice people at Diskeeper Corporation have just what you need, and prices start from only $29.95 for the...

Published Thu, Feb 7 2008 15:47 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, XP, software, Windows, Utilities
MSCONFIG is not an on/off switch..

You don't believe me? So go take a look for yourself.. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560 It is a DIAGNOSTIC tool. It has never been officially designated an on/off switch, but it became common among Windows 9x users to use it as one. The problem...

Published Wed, Jan 23 2008 10:32 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, XP, software, general tip, Windows, Utilities
Low Disk Space Warning After Backing Up..

Preface The general idea behind backups is to create usable retrievable copies of data onto media that is then kept isolated from the computer system until such time as there is a necessity to retrieve any of them. The term 'backup' is also synonymous...

Published Sat, Jan 19 2008 18:02 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, XP, Hardware, software, Windows, Utilities, System Recovery, Backup
'Why games don't play so well' Update..

Since writing the first part, I have reloaded Halo for PC, Combat Flight Simulator 3 and Fable Lost Chapters. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the DirectX 9 'pack' has improved the way the games play now. I can set detail in each game...

Published Sat, Jan 5 2008 12:50 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, software, compatibility, general tip, Games
Why some games may not play too well..

When I first started to use Vista, I was surprised at what would run. Virtually everything I had was ok, games included. However, while games in general would run, some didn't run particularly well. The high end games like Fable, CFS3, Halo and Age...

Published Mon, Dec 24 2007 14:05 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, software, compatibility, general tip, Games
Office 2007 SP1..

... is now ready for download. You can also get Visio 2007 and Project 2007 service packs too. Office 2007 SP1 may require a reboot, presumably dependant upon version is installed, but Visio and project do not. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads...

Published Tue, Dec 11 2007 16:51 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Office, software, SP1
EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY.. MACHINE DOWN!!!.. BREAK OUT THE BACKUPS..

Prologue Wait up. I hear voices in the wind. ".... I didn't know how to work the program... nobody told me I had to do it... I didn't have any blank CD/DVDs... my friend who is a computer expert told me that it was unnecessary.. I never read...

Published Sat, Nov 24 2007 11:37 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, XP, Hardware, software, general tip, Windows, System Recovery
Vista's 1st Birthday..

The Delivery From the point where I knew that Vista RTM was on its way, I had a nerve wracking time in MS Connect. I had already downloaded Office 2007 earlier in the day, and was now pacing the floor, continually stopping at the screen to see if Vista...

Published Wed, Nov 21 2007 12:58 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, XP, drivers, Hardware, software, compatibility, SP1, Windows
CD/DVD Burning - It should be easy..

Windows Vista and XP burning facilities don't tell you much. It is good to be able to see what is happening, how much space is being used, whether it will all fit, organizing the CD/DVD creation structure. There are free utilities that will do this...

Published Mon, Nov 5 2007 13:50 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, XP, software, Review, Utilities
Virus/Trojan or Hardware? A Few Tips...

Your computer is acting up, and it's not always easy to tell. Some of the symptoms of a virus and/or Trojan are similar to what is seen as a hard drive sings its swan song. Question #1.. Was it always that way? Most computers when first supplied work...

Published Tue, Oct 16 2007 13:30 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, XP, Spyware, Hardware, software, general tip, Windows
An exciting night in with .....

...... XTREE Gold!! Hello? What was wrong with Win 3.1 File manager? People said that it didn't do much. No kidding! It was a file manager. What did anybody expect? To see it move around the screen like the Windows screensaver clock? I could never...

Published Mon, Sep 24 2007 16:16 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, software
Compatibility and Updates..

Microsoft Office 2003 SP3 update has been released recently so, if you are running this version of Office, now is a good time to get it. The easiest way is to open Word 2003, click on HELP and then select 'Check for Updates'. Having arrived at...

Published Thu, Sep 20 2007 9:54 by Mike Hall

Filed under: Vista, XP, Office, drivers, Hardware, software, compatibility, general tip

1 2 Next >

Browse by Tags

Syndication

Recent Posts

Tags

News

Twitter Updates

Archives