Mike's Window : software

Sticky networking

Mike Hall — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:00:25 GMT

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...(read more)

Capturing the imagination..

Mike Hall — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:04:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Windows XP to 7.. Is it time yet?

Mike Hall — Sun, 17 May 2009 15:55:28 GMT

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...(read more)

Reputable anti-Malware solutions..

Mike Hall — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:24:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Slow machines.. Software issues

Mike Hall — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:16:06 GMT

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...(read more)

Ultimate Windows Tweaker..

Mike Hall — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:56:00 GMT

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...(read more)

The Slippery Slope - Foxit..

Mike Hall — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:04:47 GMT

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...(read more)

One Man's treasure..

Mike Hall — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 14:25:52 GMT

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...(read more)

Defragmenting without the tears..

Mike Hall — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:47:03 GMT

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...(read more)

MSCONFIG is not an on/off switch..

Mike Hall — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:32:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Low Disk Space Warning After Backing Up..

Mike Hall — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 23:02:58 GMT

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...(read more)

'Why games don't play so well' Update..

Mike Hall — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 17:50:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Why some games may not play too well..

Mike Hall — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:05:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Office 2007 SP1..

Mike Hall — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:51:26 GMT

... 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...(read more)

EMERGENCY, EMERGENCY.. MACHINE DOWN!!!.. BREAK OUT THE BACKUPS..

Mike Hall — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 16:37:24 GMT

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...(read more)

Vista's 1st Birthday..

Mike Hall — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 17:58:01 GMT

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...(read more)

CD/DVD Burning - It should be easy..

Mike Hall — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 18:50:00 GMT

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...(read more)

Virus/Trojan or Hardware? A Few Tips...

Mike Hall — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:30:00 GMT

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...(read more)

An exciting night in with .....

Mike Hall — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:16:00 GMT

...... 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...(read more)

Compatibility and Updates..

Mike Hall — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:54:00 GMT

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...(read more)