FIVE Ways to Boost Internet Speed

Your web surfing experience can suffer a big hit whether you use Internet Explorer or FireFox. However, if your PC is in decent shape and has a high speed internet connection, there is no need for you to endure such a sluggish performance online. Before getting frustrated and complaining to your service provider, see if these five tips can help you restore your internet connection speed.

1.) Utilize a Firewall

Firewalls are useful applications that should be installed on any computer connected to the internet. Other than protecting you against intruders, it can also help you increase internet speed. Though you might not realize it, many of the programs installed on your computer will try to make contact with the internet behind your back. This could be a multimedia program like iTunes or a peer-to-peer application you downloaded. These communications take up precious resources your system needs to maintain internet connection speed. By utilizing a firewall, you can set determine which, if any of your programs have access to the web and free up the resources needed to speed up internet.

2.) Disable Images When Possible

Configuring your web browser to not automatically download or display image when browsing will result in pages that open much faster. This will allow you to view content such as blog posts and articles on a website without having to wait all day for the page to load up. To perform these actions in Microsoft Internet Explorer, go to “Tools”, “Internet Options”, click the “Advanced” tab and scroll down to “Show Pictures.” Simply uncheck this option and you should instantly notice a difference in your internet connection speed.

3.) Use an Ethernet Connection

A simple way to increase your internet speed is to ditch wireless in favor of a connection that goes directly to your modem via an Ethernet cable. Wireless technology has its benefits but the signal still isn’t the most reliable. While this will probably leave you with less flexibility, it is almost guaranteed to optimize and boost your internet connection speed.

4.) Eliminate Troublesome Third-Party Devices

If you are making a connection via a wireless router, your internet speed might be impacted by a nearby electrical device. Common household devices such as microwaves, set top boxes and video game consoles are notoriously known for interfering with wireless networks. A satellite TV receiver could have a faulty power supply that doesn’t cause the device to completely fail, but still affects your internet connection speed. Pinpointing this troublesome device might be time consuming but it can be done. Turn off all equipment with the exception of your PC and router and then turn them back one by one to determine which is responsible for the connectivity problems.

5.) Stay Up to Date

The last step you can try to speed up internet before contacting your ISP is making sure your PC is equipped with the latest technologies needed to provide a reliable connection. This goes for your operating system, web browser and router firmware. An up to date router is the most important as it must be kept current to support the new technologies incorporated by your service provider.

Try the above tips and see if they help. Good luck!

Tips on How to Keep Your Hard Drive in Good Form

As with all things in life, those that cost less tend to be taken for granted. Indeed, why spend countless days in maintaining something that can easily be bought by a day’s wage?

Hard drives are fast spinning out of the PC users’ orbit of attention. As of this month, a terabyte (yes, we’re already past the gigabyte era) of storage costs around $100, and it’s expected to slide further. That’s extremely cheap, considering that about a decade ago, a gigabyte of the said accessory would’ve easily out-priced its principal.

Just because a hard disk could easily or cheaply be bought like an ordinary item in a 7-Eleven store doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give much attention to it. While the peripheral itself can be replaced anytime at one’s whim, the contents thereof aren’t exactly disposable. For the prudent and the wise, a hard drive is like a gold mine or a vault; its contents are undeniably precious.

So before you eventually blow up your mine by your continuous inaction and lack of care, I suggest that you take into heart (and into action!) the following tips:

1.  Kick Out Idle Files

If you’re going to take a long and careful look at the contents of your hard drive, you’ll discover that about a third of it is either unused or unwanted. You may contend, though, that that shouldn’t be a problem since there’s lot of bytes to spare. However, space isn’t the problem in stuffed disks.

PC speed and performance dips when the disks are spinning with a full load. The more data that the drive carries, the longer it takes for it to locate and load a particular file. You should therefore do a little spring cleaning inside your hard drive from time to time, preferably at least once a month. Delete files or applications that you no longer need. If you’ve installed a new version of a program, make sure that you delete the old one. If you’re testing demo versions of programs that you mindlessly download over the Internet, make it a point to uninstall them if you later realize that it doesn’t suit your needs.

2.  Run Check Disk

If you haven’t experienced a sudden shut down or a system crash, then you probably haven’t seen this program in action yet. Check Disk is a Windows utility that scans hard disks for bad sectors caused by damaged platters. It marks unusable portions of the drive so that no data would be written on them.

While Check Disk runs automatically after every crash, you should make it a point to run it manually from time to time, especially if you’re disks seem to be making unusual noises whenever it is retrieving data or running applications.

3.  Don’t Ignore Disk Cleanup

Some users confuse Disk Cleanup with Check Disk. While both Windows utilities care for your hard drive, they do so in different ways. The latter examines the physical integrity of the peripheral, while the former checks its contents. Disk Cleanup scans for files that are no longer needed or should’ve already been deleted along with the program that it was associated with. You would be surprised at the amount of disk place that could be freed up after the cleanup.

How to Secure a Brand New Computer

Don’t you just love the look and the smell of a brand new PC? My eyes and my heart always jump whenever I bring home a box that has an Acer, Lenovo, HP, or Asus mark on it.

The first thing that I usually do after pulling a brand new PC out of its cardboard shell is to run a diagnostic program to check if the specs indicated in the manual are true. Most computers are already pre-loaded with the basic stuff, the first and foremost of which is the operating system. If your unit’s hard drive is completely bare, then you have to install a fresh copy of your preferred OS first before you could run a diagnostic software.

Check Hardware Components

Many do not verify the accuracy of their units’ specs as claimed by the dealer, though, either because they treat the information indicated in the box as already gospel truths, or because they don’t have the necessary tools or software to do so. While it rarely happens that a unit which bears an “Intel Inside” logo to actually have an AMD chip for a brain, it’s still important to check if everything is as they should be.

Verification is all the more important when you buy a clone or ask the seller to modify some of the peripherals originally included in the package. It’s not unusual for buyers to ask the seller to make some changes in the package as they may not like the bundled peripherals or software in the unit. Components sometimes get mixed up during the assembly or modification phase. It’s imperative, then, that you ascertain if they threw in everything that you bought or ordered.

Verify Software

Hardware shouldn’t only be your concern when it comes to ascertaining if the specifications are indeed correct. As I’ve already intimated above, computers are usually bundled with software already. You should therefore check if all the promised programs are indeed installed. If the programs didn’t come for free and you paid for them, then it’s all the more reason for you to ascertain if they’ve indeed been installed and if they’re really the programs that you bought. Check the version and the license number and see if they match the ones indicated in the box or installation disk.

Download Updates

After you’ve already verified that every promised or indicated component and program is included in the unit, the next thing that you should do is to update them. Components need to be updated through their drivers. Months may have already passed since your PC came out from the assembly line. It’s possible, then, that the drivers that came with it are already outdated.

Programs need to be updated, too, especially operating systems. Microsoft issues updates or patches frequently, so it’s highly probable that the OS installed in your PC needs some patching up. Your PC may run without the needed hardware and software updates, but they’re vulnerable to crashes and attacks. You should therefore make sure that every component and program is updated before you start performing tasks.

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Motherboard

One of the things that I like about most in a desktop computer is that I could easily upgrade it into a slicker and faster machine. The improvements could range from the mundane to the imaginative. Simple upgrades usually just mean an additional hard drive or the replacement of a rickety cooling fan with one that practically brews a hurricane inside the casing. Real upgrades, though, involve much more than adding weight and heft to the CPU.

An upgrade that really matters involves “transplants.” Changing the processor is a major procedure that comes under the category. Replacing the motherboard is also considered a major operation. Of the two, the latter is usually the one which allows you to effect real change or upgrade into your system. Every peripheral is connected to the motherboard. This means that every attempt to introduce improvements to a PC would depend if the main board allows it or could handle the same.

Having or choosing the best board, then, should be a paramount concern whenever you’re buying or upgrading a computer. Here are some of the things that you should consider when shopping for a new motherboard:

1. Processor

Different types of processors have different board requirements. If you’re using an Intel chip, then you certainly won’t be able to plug in an AMD processor to the motherboard that you currently have. There are also times when chips manufactured by the same company need different types of wafers. So before you go to the cash register with the first board that tickled your eyes, ask if it can host the processor that you currently have or plan to have.

2. Expansion Slots

If you’re the type that introduces peripherals to your PC on a monthly basis, then you should definitely choose a board that could accommodate your expansion whims. Make sure that the motherboard you choose is generous with slots and connectors. Entry-level boards often tempt you to ditch your expansion plans by integrating video, LAN, and other cards into the board. If you’re budget-conscious, then these all-in-one boards should already satisfy your needs. But if you want a comfortable elbow room, then choose the more expensive ones which could give you the discretion as to the type of cards and peripherals that you may want to use.

3. Winding the Clock

If you’re going to use your PC for some serious RPG action, then you should choose a motherboard that could stand the heat. Most PC games nowadays demand a lot of processing power. While you may have a spanking new processor, your board’s old and narrow data avenues might create bottlenecks that could put to waste whatever extra energy that your chip has.

Gamers usually resort to overclocking in order to prep up their motherboards. While this may give your system an added boost, it may also put your machine at risk from being fried from the heat that the extra speed would create. You should therefore make sure that your main board supports bus speed and CPU voltage adjustments.

Choosing a motherboard is not a simple task that you could take for granted. Your PC’s performance would greatly depend on the type of board that it’s running on. Consider all your present and future needs before you decide which board to use.

Give Your Netbook an Extra Boost

Do you watch movies or play online games on your netbook? I bet you don’t. Unless you’re content with circa 1980 games like Pacman or Donkey Kong, you can’t expect anything exciting from your diminutive machine.

The netbook’s limitation is largely due to its size. The hard drive alone already occupies about 30% of the device. The rest is taken up by the motherboard to which the processor and the graphics engine are already embedded. There’s clearly no space left for any peripheral which could help the main chip to pump more blood into the system.

Soldered Organs

A solution that many would want to consider is to replace the innards of their netbook. This would seem logical. Indeed, if you can’t add new parts into your machine, then just replace the existing ones. This is easy when you’re replacing peripherals in desktops. However, doing the same in netbooks is something that even brain surgeons would probably shy away from.

The main components of the mini PC are soldered in the motherboard, such as the processor. This means that you cannot replace the chip without cutting it off from the board. Obviously, any upgrade involving the processor alone is impossible. If you really want to replace the engine, you would have to throw out the whole chassis along with it. This would already be impractical considering the costs. You’re probably better off buying a new netbook altogether.

Brain Power

This doesn’t mean, though, that you can’t enlarge the biceps of your machine. One upgrade that you could definitely do is increase the RAM size of your mini PC. This would definitely take away a few pounds of burden from your processor and hard drive as applications can be loaded and ran in the memory.

While adding a few gigabytes of RAM into your machine may be simple, the consequent licensing issues may somewhat be complicated. As you may have noticed, most netbooks run on Windows XP. This OEM version has a limitation – it cannot be installed on PCs that have more than 1GB of RAM in it. You would therefore virtually forfeit your OS, or the legal use thereof, if you decide to inject more memory into your computer.

The policy does seem to be absurd, but analysts think that Microsoft introduced this restriction so that users would be forced to use Vista instead of XP in more powerful machines. Unless you’re willing to use an OS with a defective license, you should consider other methods of upgrade. Better yet, just consider using a different operating system which does not have RAM restrictions.

Trim Down Features

If you can’t add a few pounds to your netbook, then try putting the programs that it’s carrying on a diet. There might be some features in Windows XP that you can live without. Disabling them would mean freeing more resources for more important tasks.

One resource hog that you don’t probably need or even want is XP’s visual effects. To disable this, go to Control Panel and double click on System. Select the Advance tab then click on the Settings button in the Performance section. Revise the settings to Adjust for Best Performance.

Injecting steroids into your netbook may be difficult. However, a few simple tweaks in your OS or system’s settings may already give your netbook that extra boost it needs to perform tasks snappily.

What Does the Vista Logo on Your PC Mean?

Is your PC coughing out blood lately? If you bought your computer during LeBron James’ rookie year, then you shouldn’t be surprised that it’s already asking for a respirator.

As with cars, computers need to be retired and replaced every five years from the date of purchase or from the date when it was first introduced by its maker to the market. Some even contend that PCs should be replaced every three years as programs demand for more processing power with each new version.

At present, it would seem that your computer should at least be powered by a dual core processor with RAM numbers not falling below the 4GB mark. However, many still end up buying a slower machine due to budget constraints or because they don’t know what specs suit them best.

OS as a Barometer

Many buyers are more preoccupied as to what’s installed in the PC that’s being offered to them rather than on the components that powers the machine. They couldn’t be faulted for just focusing on the “Vista” logo, though, as people generally estimate a computer’s age and capability through the operating system that it’s running on. This is not a bad barometer in determining a PC’s youth and vigor. Indeed, logically, only the latest computers would be able to meet the demands of Windows Vista.

Bare Minimum

However, measuring a PC’s strength and capabilities by the OS that comes with it is not always sensible. It should be noted that Vista comes in different flavors, with each having different processing demands. A machine that’s stamped with a “Vista Capable” or “Vista Basic” mark probably has specs that won’t even impress somebody whose last PC was powered by a Pentium III chip. Upgrading the pre-installed Vista Basic OS to Vista Premium or Ultimate with this type of computer will most likely result in countless nightmares during the start up phase alone as it’s processor will definitely find itself out of breath most of the time. Unless your wallet is on a diet or you just intend to use the PC for word-processing tasks, you should avoid machines bearing “basic” stickers.

Future-Proof

If you really want a computer that can compete with your dog in terms of longevity, then choose the one bearing a “Vista Premium Ready” or “Vista Ultimate” sticker. These logos assure you that the PC hosting such OS has the best processor and peripherals as only competent and dependable machines can handle the complete Vista package. It would also be safe to say that such a machine is also Windows 7-capable as the much awaited Microsoft program promises to be more efficient in utilizing system resources.

What You Should Do After Installing Windows XP or Vista

Don’t you just love the look and the smell of a brand new PC? Nothing excites me more than tearing up its packaging and spending time with the manual for a preview of the things to come.  As with anything new, you would normally want everything that concerns it to be perfect, be it the table that it would be resting on or the software that will bring it to life.

If your new PC didn’t come with a bundled OS, then you will have the pleasant (sometimes) privilege of experiencing how Windows is conceived and born inside your computer. The task is not that daunting. Most of the time, you’ll just be reduced to a mere spectator as almost everything is done in autopilot.

Once the installation of your operating system has been done, the next thing that you’ll most probably do is connect a modem to your PC and immediately surf the net. While Windows XP and Vista already have a built-in firewall that could ward off attacks from cyberspace, it only provides a thin line of defense. Just like every newborn, it must be protected from external threats for a period of time first before letting it venture outside.

Before you try your new surfboard on the Internet, you might want to do the following first, unless you’re eager to experience installing your operating system again:

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Things to Do Before Reformatting Your Hard Drive

Every once in a while, Windows grumbles about aches and pains that you think are just trivial. Crashes occur a few times in a month, and the blue screen of death makes its appearance once in a while.

While these symptoms may not alarm you, especially if your system is guarded by the best security and utility suites that a wad of Benjamin Franklin notes has to offer, you may want to take some insurance measures just in case. Serious PC problems often manifest themselves with mundane coughs and hiccups. By the time you seriously pay attention to the problem though, it might already be too late as the data corruption has already metastasized.

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How to Optimize Firefox and IE 8’s Performance

At the rate Internet connection speeds are climbing, tips on how to speed up or optimize your Web browser may already be pointless. Dial-up subscriptions have been experiencing a free-fall during the past several months, and it won’t be long when the Smithsonian might allocate a few feet of space for 56K V.90 modems.

While broadband connections have built virtual expressways for data to run on in cyberspace, clogged browsers have created bottlenecks that made “mbps” look no better or different than “kbps.” Bugs and viruses are often blamed for slow browsing speed, but there are cases where faulty settings and unnecessary add-ons have made Web surfing a patience-testing activity.

If your browser is having a hard time painting the page that you want to see in less than 10 seconds, then you might want to consider the following tips:

1.  Deactivate Internet Explorer’s SmartScreen/Phishing Filter. 

While this IE 8 feature is commendable, it also brings down browsing speed. SmartScreen Filter provides protection from phishing sites. It checks each and every Website that you visit and analyzes them for any suspicious features or activities. This gumshoe task is done in the background, so you won’t see IE 8 snooping around on the pages that you’re viewing. However, you’ll definitely notice that it’s busy with something as page or site-flipping becomes slower.

IE 8’s SmartScreen Filter may be a handy booby trap finder, but it can be a drag especially if you know that the Websites you’re visiting are landmine-free. If you’re sure that the pages you’re flipping on are clean and legit, then you might want to deactivate this phishing filter. You can do this by clicking on Tools * SmartScreen Filter, then select Turn Off SmartScreen Filter.

2.  Disable or Deactivate Plugins

Plugins add color and flavor to Firefox and IE. They can make your browsing experience very pleasant. However, installing too many plugins may put extra stress or pressure on your browser’s engine. Extra features mean extra tasks, so don’t go on blaming bugs and viruses for your browser’s laggard performance if ten or more plugins are saddled on its back.

Plugin malfunction is also a common occurrence. Fixing them can be tricky, especially if that particular add-on isn’t very well supported. Your best or only option in this situation is to disable the plugin. You can do this in Firefox by choosing Tools * Add-ons, then Disable. To open Internet Explorer without the extras, choose Start * All Programs * Accessories * Internet Explorer (No Add-ons).

3.  Check for Updates

Some browser issues are caused by faulty design. The makers of IE and Firefox try to make up for their shortcomings by releasing occasional patches and updates. Finding and installing patches on Internet Explorer is already unnecessary as updates are done automatically. However, you may have to do this task manually in Firefox. Scouring for updates is easy, though. Just click on Help * Check for Updates.

How to Keep Your Online Habits Private

Is your office cubicle rivaling the restroom as the most frequented area in your workplace? If it is, then I bet my last penny that your PC is the very thing that draws them to that little piece of real estate that you have in the building.

There’s an unwritten rule in the office that you have to open up your PC to others that need one, especially if those persons outrank you in the corporate hierarchy even by just a hairline. Needless to say, your constitutional right to privacy isz virtually suspended when you’re at work.

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