Important Security updates:
Adobe Flash Player previous versions have security flaws
that could allow an attacker to gain access to your computer
WinAmp info1   info2   download latest version

Some Computer Tech Tips:
Inside The PC (nice slide show on hardware basics)
Burning CDs in Windows XP

Free Antivirus:
AntiVir
AVAST
AVG

Free Firewall:
ZoneAlarm

Free Anti-Spyware:
Threatfire
A-squared Free
AdAware
IE-SpyAd   /   ZonedOut
Windows Defender (2000/xp only)

see also: Spyware Warrior

Windows clean-up utilities:
Ccleaner

Microsoft:
Knowledge base
Windows update
Downloads
Word, Excel, PowerPoint viewers

Popular Computer Magazines /Web Sites:
PC World
Maximum PC
Smart Computing
PC Magazine / Computer Shopper / ZDNet

Computer Security Threat Status websites:
Symantec Security Threat Meter
Computer Associates Security Advisor
SANS Internet Storm Center

"How To Correctly Protect your Windows computer from viruses"

Synchronize your computer's clock to the National Institute of Standards and Technology

Article Archives:

October 2008: Dealing with HP/Compaq - email transcript of representative tech "support."

HP doesn't know (or admit) to the adware they have preinstalled ("tech support" transcript)

Windows 98/ME Daylight Saving Time Fix
and other neat fixes

"Craputers" - Why you shouldn't buy a typical mass-market computer.

Understanding CD-R and RW

Internet Use By Children column-program ratings

Dealing With Dell - Chat Session Transcripts

REMOTE SUPPORT NOW AVAILABLE Let Affordable Technical Solutions clear up those nagging computer problems quickly and efficiently without the need for an on-site visit or shop service. Try it today.

New LCD Monitor - Widescreen or Standard?

Monitors are measured diagonally. For a given diagonal measure, a square has the most area, but computer screens are not square.

The standard TV and computer aspect ratio is 4:3. A 19" standard aspect ratio monitor has a width of 15.2" and height of 11.4" - about 86.6 square inches of image area.

Widescreen ratio is 16:9. A 19" widescreen has a width of 16.6" and a height of 9.9" - about 77.1" of image area.

The same diagonal measure widescreen has 11% less area than a standard screen. The extra horizontal space might be worth losing 11% overall and significant height, if you want to put two windows side by side, but the windows can't be nearly as high.

Upgrade to Windows 7?

If you are buying a new computer, you will get Windows 7.

If you have a relatively new computer with Vista, upgrading to Windows 7 may be a good idea. You will probably see an increase in performance. However, there are a number of considerations. Can you do a clean install or do you have to do an upgrade install to preserve existing programs? A clean install is just that. Nothing is carried over. Advantage-no junk software, no malware, etc. Disadvantage-you may lose some programs you actually want. Call me for details.

If you have XP, there is no particular reason to upgrade. Older computer hardware may not be up to running Windows 7 and your older peripherals (printers, cameras, etc.) might not work.

If your older computer sems to be slowing down or acting erratically, it is probably due to software problems. these can be resolved witha complete tune-up at a fraction of the cost of a good new computer.

Call me today!

      Pete Newell   Affordable Technical Solutions   376-8879

Click here for an updated list of streaming audio (Internet Radio) web sites.

Advertise on LewisFirst.com