Monthly Archives: August 2009

Is There A Way To Get Good Internet Security Software For 5 Comps W/o Breaking The Bank?


Posted by benny

I have 5 computers in the household. I want to know if there is a way to have all of them running reputable anti-virus software without spending hundreds of dollars thanks to the Internet Security mafia.

Popularity: 1% [?]


Vista To Windows 7 Upgrade?


Posted by benny

I know the release of Windows 7 is not going to be until late 2009 early 2010 but I’m starting my research now so that I’m prepared when the time comes.
I’ve recently got a Dell xps running vista Home premium. I don’t see the problem with Vista that people complain about aside from the original compatibility issues which don’t really affect me at this stage in Vista’s life cycle.
I’d be happy to stay with Vista but I think I shall upgrade to Windows 7 depending on the cost. So firstly, when is the best time to upgrade? I was thinking waiting a few months or so for the reviews etc before doing so but some people recommend waiting for sp1 which is going to be an extra year on top and I’d rather not do that.
Also, clean install or upgrade? As my computer is pretty new and I have all the Dell software loaded on it I’d rather not have to reinstall all that but I know that in the year or so before Windows 7 arrives my computer is likely to bloat with junk files etc so is a clean install better?
Finally, my computer came preloaded with a recovery partition, would a clean install wipe this? how would i update this recovery partition so that it would recover windows 7 and not try to revert back to vista?

Popularity: 1% [?]


Antivirus / Computer Security Program — Which One Is The Best?


Posted by benny

My McAfee subscription is coming to an end, (no thanks to them, they re-billed me after 2 years for $90 for a subscription continuation without asking, underhanded toolbags).
I’ve been quite unhappy with McAfee, I went through the Hijackthis forums a while back and found out that McAfee has missed A LOT over the years.
So now I’m on the prowl for a new anti-virus, firewall, scanner deal, you know – a security package of some sort. What should I get? There is a plethora of free software out there, what is the best? (or the best combination?) or is it better to pay for one of the major brands?
ps I’m running XP-SP2
Thanks a bunch,
~Sam V

Popularity: 1% [?]


Computer Experts I Need Urgent Help!!!!?


Posted by benny

Hello, trying to find a a place to get help with vista. how do you use gparted if it works
Heres the situation on my laptop. I did something you shouldn’t do earlier
today. I was in a hurry and held the Power Button until the pc shut off.
Instead of shutting down properly, i know.
Now hours later i tried to boot up and now i get this error. I have windows
vista home premium 32bit.
“WINDOWS FAILED TO START. A RECENT HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE CHANGE MIGHT BE THE
CAUSE…”
Then it lists options like “last good configuration or safe mode” Ive tried
them all. Also, as the computer attempts to restart with the green vista bar
moving back and forth. i get a blue flash before that error. But the flash is
so fast i have no idea what Blue screen error it is.
I’ve tried entering system recovery by pressing f11 like gateway says right
before startup. Not working.
I’ve also tried booting my Windows vista upgrade CD. The computer tells me
its loading windows files, and the bar loads. I get no options after the
loading ends. computer screen just stays BLACK but lit up. And it stays like
that.
I am lost, confused and SCARED. this is a gateway laptop more than a year old (since july 2007)
old. how on earth does this happen by turning it off wrong. and if things
wern’t worse, all my attempts to start fresh and reinstal windows or repair
windows has failed. and it wont enter system recovery.
need a miracle.
If you cannot help me with the problem at hand, please please suggest a
place i should go online for help.

Popularity: 1% [?]


Need Help Deciding On A Laptop. Help!!!?


Posted by benny

Hello, this fall am going to be a freshman in collage i was looking to buy laptop, i have almost no knowledge how to pick a decent computer.
I have built this computer from hp website, i would like to get some advice from people who have more experience in this area than i do, to help me make the right choice. Also if any one would like to suggest if i need to add or remove something that i need or don’t need please do so. IF there are any better deals out there please share. As for many students out there i have a tight budget.
HP Pavilion Entertainment dv6t customizable Notebook PC
EPP_00_NS690AV
* Espresso Black
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T6500 (2.1GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* FREE Upgrade to 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
* 16.0″ diagonal High Definition HP Brightview Display (1366×768)
* LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
* Webcam Only
* Wireless-G Card
* No TV Tuner w/remote control
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* HP Long Life Battery
* No Modem
* System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
Estimated build date: August 14, 2009
This ships free Free standard shipping on this item
« Save for re-order
Remove »
Qty. Update »
Price: $817.99
Discount: -$65.44
APP Price: $752.55
Notebook instant rebate: –$150.00
Price after rebate: 602.55
I’m looking for something that will handle software like photoshop, not a big gamer so that dose not matter, and good performance or at least decent
There is a 14.1 inch version of this for 548 $
HP Pavilion Entertainment dv4t customizable Notebook PC
EPP_00_NS270AV
* Espresso Black
* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* Intel(R) Pentium(R) Processor T4200 (2.0 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (1 Dimm)
* FREE Upgrade to 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M – For Pentium Processors
* 14.1″ diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
* LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
* Webcam Only
* Wireless-G Card
* No TV Tuner w/remote control
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* FREE Upgrade to High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* Integrated 56K Modem
* System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
Thank you for your time. :)

Popularity: 1% [?]


Computer Issues! Will You Help, Please?!!?


Posted by benny

Operating System: Vista Home Premium
Computer Make: Gateway
Computer Model: GT5438
Computer Age: 2 years
Issue: I went to turn my computer on after it had been off for 1 week. I logged into my desktop, and the desktop froze. I manually shut the computer down, and when I turned it back on, it went to an automatic check screen. After a few minutes, the computer showed the “Blue Screen of Death” so I manually shut it down.
I tried turning the computer back on, and it gave me the option to start in safe mode. I chose the safe mode option, but instead of loading to my desktop, the screen went blank and it looked as though my monitor had shut off, even though it was still on…
I kept trying to load it but I either got the blank screen or the Blue Screen of Death.
I tried loading my Fix-It Utilities recovery disk, which allowed me in to use the recovery options, but when I tried to get to my desktop, it was either the blank screen or blue screen again.
I tried reinstalling Vista, but either got the blue screen of death during the installation process. I tried reinstalling twice after that with the same end results.
I tried installing XP (I had the disc from my previous computer), and it began to install, but during the installation process, I had once again got the blue screen of death.
I’m not sure where to go from here. I’m more than okay with losing all of the files on my computer since everything important has already been backed up. However, I’m not sure how much that would cost, or if it would even work at this point.
Also, I was curious about how computer repair places wipe the hard drive. How do they do it? And are they able to save or view the files?
NOTE: A registry fixer was already used- Didn’t work.
I am UNABLE to get to my desktop, so DO NOT recommend downloadable software.
And please, only valid answers.
Thank you, kindly.

Popularity: 1% [?]


I Would Like Convert My Old Audio Cassettes To Cds In Mp3 Format. Which Is The Best Software To Do This?


Posted by benny

I have old audio tapes. I have triedusing widows media player to record these tapes while running on walkman/ cassettes player. But media playr can record for not more tan 9 mintes, is there some good software available for this?

Popularity: 1% [?]