Discount Computers

Many people wonder why their computer seems to get slower and
slower as time passes. Just like a car, a computer needs routine
maintenance to continue running properly. Here are several steps
to get your system back in order.

Check Your Hard Drive for free space

If you are running out of storage space, your computer will
definitely slow down. You can simply double click My Computer,
right click your hard drive, and select properties to view your
used space and free space. If you are running low on space, now
is the time to delete any old programs you no longer need.

Uninstall Old Programs

Click your start button, then head to Control Panel- Add/Remove
Programs. Here you will see a list of programs that are
installed on your machine. Read through the list and uninstall
any programs you no longer need. If you aren\’t sure what
something is, it is best to leave it for now. You can use an
internet search engine to find out about it later.

Clean Out your Web Browser\’s Cache

Many people fail to realize their browser usually keeps a record
of the sites that they visit daily. You may want to get rid of
this for several reasons. For the purpose of this article, we
want to get rid of all the temporary files, history and cookies.
You need to know beforehand that a full clean-up may get rid of
some of your saved usernames for specific sites. Internet
Explorer users should click, Tools, Internet Options, and the
General Tab(Default). Here you can delete your cookies, delete
your temporary files, and clear your history.

Scan your computer for Spyware and Adware

This is by far the most common problem I encounter. If you
constantly get pop-up windows from sites you have never visited,
you may be infected. Spyware and Adware are programs installed
on your computer that track the sites you visit and send you
unsolicited ads related to your frequently visited sites. You
should download two programs to remove these programs; Spybot
Search and Destroy and Ad-Aware. You can find both of these
programs by visiting www.download.com and searching for their
names. After downloading and installing the programs, make sure
you run them. You may be surprised by what is installed on your
computer without your consent.

Update and Run Your Virus Scan Software

Make sure you have virus scan software on your computer. If you
don\’t, McAfee offers a free program you can use over the net.
Visit http://www.mcafee.com and click \”Home and Home Office\”. If
you already have virus scanning software, update it, and run a
full check periodically.

Run Scandisk

Double-click your My Computer icon on the desktop. From their,
right click your hard drive(c: is the default), select
Properties, then select the Tool tab. Now you need to select
Check Now in the error checking section. Once you click \”Check
Now\” a small window will pop-up. Check the \”Automatically fix
the system errors\” box and hit the Start button. Follow the
instructions your system gives you from this point.

Run Disk Defragmenter

This is by far the longest step in this article. I suggest you
perform this procedure last. It may be best for you to let this
program run overnight or while you are at work. Over time, the
information on your hard drive may become fragmented. Imagine
being assigned a file clerk position at your job. Would it be
faster and easier if the files you need to sort/retrieve are all
in one location and alphabetized? Or, would it be easier for you
to randomly look for the files all over the office?

Sometimes your computer needs to \”look for files all over the
office\”. Defragmenting your hard drive will correct this
problem. To run this program, double click My Computer, and
right click your hard drive (c: is the default) and select
Properties. From the Properties window, select the Tools tab and
click Defragment Now. You can also click the Start Button-
Programs- Accessories- System Tools. Make sure you run ScanDisk
before you run Disk Defragmenter.

There may be errors on your hard drive that need to be fixed
before you defragment. I would hate for you to run this program,
head to work, and find out the program stopped on its own once
you get home.

These are just a few things that you can do to boost your PC
performance. If you would like further tips and tricks, visit www.24-7computers.com.

About the author:
Willie Long is the webmaster at www.24-7computers.com. He has 8+
years experience working in the Information Technology field.

Service Now (CSN)

CSN Helps desk technicians know first hand that the phrase
\’there are no stupid questions\’ is untrue. It\’s understandable
that people are nervous about computer technology, but everyday
computer technicians are asked to help people out of problems
that leave them asking… …how do you get to work?

Here is some proof from the help desk stupid questions archives
at CSN:

A customer was enraged because his computer had told him he was
\”Bad and an invalid.\” The tech explained that the computer\’s
\”bad command\” and \”invalid\” responses shouldn\’t be taken
personally. Another customer called tech support to say her
brand new computer wouldn\’t work. She said she unpacked the
unit, plugged it in and sat there for 20 minutes waiting for
something to happen. When asked what happened when she pressed
the power switch, she asked, \”What power switch?\”

Computer companies have change the text to their manuals from
\”Press Any Key\” to \”Press Return Key\” because of the question
where is the \”Any Key\”?

A confused caller was having trouble printing documents. He told
the technician that the computer had said it \”couldn\’t find the
printer.\” The user had also tried turning the computer screen to
face the printer-but that his computer still couldn\’t \”see\” the
printer.

A woman called with a problem with her printer. The tech asked
her if she was \”running it under windows.\” The woman responded,
\”No, my desk is next to the door. But that is a good point. The
man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window and his
printer is working fine.\”

And last but not least: TECH SUPPORT: \”O.K. Bob, let\’s press the
control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task
list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter \”P\” to
bring up the Program Manager.\”

CUSTOMER: \”I don\’t have a \’P\’\”. TECH SUPPORT: \”On your keyboard,
Bob.\” CUSTOMER: \”What do you mean?\” TECH SUPPORT: \” \’P\’ on your
keyboard, Bob.\” CUSTOMER: \”I\’m not going to do that! About CSN:
A nationwide business to business computer service company,
Computer Service Now, the CSN website can be found at Computer Service
Now and can be reached toll free at 877-422-1907.

CSN specializes in nationwide multi-location computer support.

About the author:
President of Xponex Web and Media Services
Website:www.Xponex.com

Rentals

Going wireless is easy with a Tech Travel Agent© from
Rentacomputer.com. Just tell them what you want to do
wirelessly. Your Tech Travel Agent© will provide you with a
quotation for everything you need without all the technical
jargon.

You probably knew you could rent wireless notebooks, but did you
know you can also rent wireless projectors, routers and printer
servers?

Consider the convenience and added benefits of renting today\’s
wireless technology. Wireless rentals have a huge advantage over
wired networks, especially for short term projects where the
internet and rental computers, printers and projectors are
deployed. Wireless networks are easier and faster to setup than
wired networks. Wireless devices add flexibility and save time.
With wireless you can move your laptops, projectors and printers
around and still maintain connectivity. Best of all, you don\’t
have to run cat5 wires to routers, computers, printers and
switches.

Here are some of the wireless products that are commonly rented
for company projects:

Wireless Router Rentals A wireless router is a networking device
that connects computers to the internet. With a router you can
share an internet connection between multiple computers on the
network. Note: The internet cable needs to be connected directly
into the wireless router.

Wireless Access Point (WAP) Rentals A wireless access point is a
networking device that allows wireless-equipped computers and
other devices to communicate with a wired network. A WAP may
also be used to expand the range of an existing wireless network.

Wireless Adapter Rentals A wireless adapter is a device that
adds wireless network functionality to a computer or laptop.
There are three types of wireless adapters. PCI Adapters are for
desktop computers. As the name suggests, they can be installed
in an available PCI slot. PCMCIA Adapters, also known as PC
Cards , are for notebooks. Installation is as simple as pushing
the card into an available PCMCIA slot. Lastly, there are USB
Adapters. These adapters are compatible with desktop and
notebook computers.

Wireless Print Server Rentals A wireless print server connects a
printer to the wireless network, allowing any computer on the
network to wirelessly access the printer at any time.

Wireless Projector Rentals A wireless projector allows a
computer user to wirelessly connect and display the computer
video on a screen. All you need is a wireless adapter in your
computer or notebook and the software that comes with the
projector. Today\’s advanced wireless projectors allow one
computer to connect to multiple projectors AND multiple
computers to connect to a single projector.

If you want to have a really impressive presentation, consider
renting two or more wireless projectors. Bring your multimedia
presentation to the next level by putting on multiple unique
screens of your data and video presentation. For example: have
animation on one screen and data on another!

Another benefit of wireless projectors is having the ability to
have multiple presenters displaying their presentations right
from their own wireless laptop or computer. Consider a corporate
meeting with presentations from finance, operations, sales and
marketing managers. Wireless projectors from Rentacomputer.com
are available from 1800 Lumen and 800×600 resolution to 3000
Lumen and 1024×768 resolution.

For more information on the current wireless projector rentals:
ctors.asp\">Wireless Projector Rentals For information on
Wi-Fi wireless Intel Centrino laptop rentals: W
ireless Laptop Rentals For a quotation on routers, switches,
printer servers or other wireless devices: W
ireless Rental Info

When you are planning your next project, consider renting
wireless devices from your Tech Travel Agent at Rentacomputer.com. Call
800-736-8772! That\’s 1-800-Rent-R-PC!

About the author:
John Beagle is the President of Xponex Web and Media Services.

Featuring: Writing and distributing internet-based press
releases, news stories, search engine optimization services,
blogging, discussion threading, directory submission services,
banner, PPC (pay-per-click) and other internet advertising
services. For more information call 513-422-1907×222