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Sharing a Computer

May 6th, 2010 | Posted by Support in Computer Hardware - (0 Comments)

Personal computers (PCs), whether laptops or desktops, allow for more than one user to have their own profile and settings. This feature allows people to share a computer while not necessarily sharing all of their personal information with the other users. Setting up multiple users, especially on a computer with a Windows operating system such as Windows XP or Windows Vista, is not difficult.

  • Access the computer’s Control Panel. You will find this by clicking “Start” button on the left side of the tool bar and selecting “Control Panel” on menu that appears.
  • Click “User Accounts” and then select “Create a new a new account.” A pop-up window will then appear. This is a wizard that will take you through steps for creating a new account for a different user. Type in the new user’s name and then select “Next.”
  • Select the type of account you want the new user to have. Your choice is between computer administrator, meaning the new user will have as much power to make changes to the computer as you do, or limited, meaning that the new user will not be able to make changes to the computer other than personal settings, without your permission. Select “Create Account” once you’ve selected the account type.
  • Make changes to your own account, such as adding a password so that the new user cannot access your profile, by clicking “Change an account,” selecting your account, and making whatever changes you deem necessary. At the moment, your account will be something like “System Administrator” or “HP Owner,” you can change the name of your account, password, picture used on the account and account type. Note that only system administrator accounts can change the account type.
  • Click “Start” and then “Log Off” in order to log off of your profile and allow the new user to login to his new profile. The new user can add a password to his profile by following the steps you followed to make changes to your own account.

If you need Onsite Computer Repair, Computer maintenance services, Virus and Spyware removal, Data Recovery in Sydney and suburbs  – call PCSoft now or send an email to support@pcsoft.com.au

Understand Computer Hardware

April 26th, 2010 | Posted by Support in Computer Hardware | Computer Repairs - (0 Comments)

Computers are machines that are almost necessary for survival in today’s society. Many jobs and schools require some basic computer skills, like typing or internet skills so you can print out documents or research for a project. That’s not all computers can do, though. Computers can be used for a number of things, such as playing games for entertainment, or serving as an alternate stereo. But how does it all work? Well, to be simple, computers follow instructions on programs, which are stored in 0′s and 1′s on your computer’s hard/floppy/CD ROM drives. Not only programs, but everything on your computer is in binary code. This binary code is instructions for the hardware, all of the parts that make up the physical portion of your computer. Understanding computer hardware can be useful for computer repairs, computer upgrades, and building computers.

1. Know the difference between computer hardware and software. Before you learn anything, you must first know what computer hardware is for itself, and how it is different from computer software. A key difference between hardware and software is that hardware can be touched physically. Right now, you are using your mouse or keyboard to scroll the page, and your monitor is showing you the information. These are hardware. However, software is what cannot be physically touched, the programs currently loaded into your memory, your operating system, for example.

2. Know about input devices. Input devices are used to enter information into a computer. This information could be instructions to move the cursor of the mouse, or could be an image. Whatever the input device, it gives the computer some type of information. They are sorted into categories with basic hardware underneath:

  • Text Input Devices
    • Keyboard
  • Pointing Devices
    • Mouse
    • Trackball
  • Audio Input Devices
    • Microphone
  • Gaming Devices
    • Joystick
    • Game Controller
  • Image and Video Input Devices
    • Scanner
    • Web-cam

3. Know the main output devices. Output is how the computer responds to what the user (you) does to it. For example, when you move the mouse, the cursor on the screen moves in response to that movement. When you press the spacebar in notepad, the cursor moves according to how many times you pressed it. Output devices are also sorted into categories with the hardware underneath:

  • Video
    • Monitor
  • Image
    • Printer
  • Audio
    • Speakers (standard or headset)

4. Learn Internal Bus Devices. Don’t worry too much about internal bus controllers just yet, but about what types of devices are controlled by them. In general, internal bus controllers control the specific output devices, internet access, and, on most older systems, specific input devices. Other types of internal bus devices might control disk drives, such as IDE or Serial ATA, Floppy, etc.

5. Learn the External Bus Devices. You’re probably familiar with the USB, or Universal Serial Bus. This is an external bus, as well as some others, including the eSATA, or external version of Serial ATA devices.

6. Learn the internal and removable storage devices. Obviously you don’t need to know all of them, but you need to know the basics. You need to know the difference between IDE and Serial ATA drives and floppy drives, you need to know which drives will go in each, what the cables look like, which types of drives should be master and slave, etc. You should know the difference between Compact Disk Drives and Digital Video Disk Drives, what is W and RW, what hard disks are, what kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, and possibly terabytes are. If you’re interested, learn the basics of how each disk stores information. Also, learn about USB devices. These aren’t as important as learning internal storage and internal removable storage devices, since you can just plug them in and install them for use, but it’s nice to have some knowledge.

7. Learn about motherboard hardware. Learn about the Central Processing Unit (probably more about which ones are best and compatibility), the Random-Access Memory (learn about the types, like DRAM, DDR2, etc.) Learn about the Basic Input/Output System, and how to configure it. Finally, if you’re interested, learn about the CMOS battery and the chipset. Knowing about input and output and buses is important with computer motherboards, as your knowledge will determine whether or not the computer parts you by will actually fit.

If you need Onsite Computer Repair, Computer maintenance services, Virus and Spyware removal, Data Recovery in Sydney and suburbs  – call PCSoft now or send an email to support@pcsoft.com.au


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Restoring Your Computer Using Recovery Discs

April 14th, 2010 | Posted by Support in Computer Repairs - (0 Comments)

A recovery disk is a disk containing operating system files along with the other programs that were installed to your computer at the factory. Restoring your computer with a recovery disk can be necessary after major system problems such as viruses have left your file system in shambles. This process can generally be completed in around 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the speed of your computer.

  • Insert the recovery CD into the computer.
  • Restart the computer and press any key to boot from CD.
  • Select the “Restore my computer” option.
  • Click on the option to perform a clean restoration (removing your personal files) or an in-place restoration (leaving your personal files) as desired.
  • Restart your computer when the automated recovery is complete.

If you need Data Recovery, onsite Computer Repair, Computer maintenance services, Virus and Spyware removal in Sydney and suburbs  – call PCSoft now or send an email to support@pcsoft.com.au

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Replacing a PCI Video Card

April 10th, 2010 | Posted by Support in Computer Repairs - (0 Comments)

A PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) card is a piece of hardware on your motherboard that connects external devices and interfaces them with your computer. PCI provides three main types of video cards: the PCI card, AGP card and PCI express card. Each offers varying degrees of video-output quality, but all have one thing in common: They are easy to install.

  • Turn off your computer and disconnect the power cable and any miscellaneous cables. Disconnect any peripheral device, such as keyboards, mice, external hard drives and modems.
  • Place the computer on its side and remove the two protruding Phillips-head screws from the rear. Slide the side panel away from the computer and set it to the side. That will give you access to all of your computer’s interior components.
  • Remove the single Phillips-head screw securing your PCI video card in place. Lift up on the video card carefully until it is completely free of its connector. Lift it out of the computer and carefully set it aside.
  • Line up the notches on the new PCI card with the notches on the video card slot inside your computer. Slide the card into the slot until it fits tightly inside the connector. Make sure the video card is flush with the rear panel and the single screw hole.
  • Replace the single Phillips-head screw to the video card.
  • Slide the side panel back onto the computer tower and replace two Phillips-head screws to the rear of your computer tower. Connect the power cable, miscellaneous cables and peripheral devices.
  • Turn on your computer, and then insert the driver disk that was included with your video card into your CD-ROM drive. Wait for the disk to load and follow the on-screen installation instructions.

If you need Data Recovery, onsite Computer Repair, Computer maintenance services, Virus and Spyware removal in Sydney and suburbs  – call PCSoft now or send an email to support@pcsoft.com.au

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Connecting to WiFi on a Router

April 9th, 2010 | Posted by Support in Wireless Networks - (0 Comments)

Many modern electronic devices come with WiFi capabilities. From computers to cell phones or game consoles, many of them can connect to the Internet or other devices wirelessly as long as they have a way to access a WiFi network. A wireless LAN router enables any wireless device in your home to use WiFi. According to Wi-Fi Planet, wireless LAN creates a WiFi access point for all of the wireless devices in your home. All you have to do to use the wireless LAN router is set it up with a DSL or cable modem.

  • Plug your wireless LAN router into a wall socket.
  • Plug the router into your DSL or cable modem using the Ethernet cord. Be sure to plug the Ethernet cord into the port that says “WLAN” on the router.
  • Move the wireless LAN router’s antenna into the upright position.
  • Turn on your computer or other wireless device’s WiFi capabilities.
  • Open your Internet browser or connect to other devices using the newly created WiFi network.

If you need assistance with Wireless Networking in your home or Office, or setting up home networks, office networks, Data Recovery, onsite Computer Repair, Computer maintenance services, Virus and Spyware removal in Sydney and suburbs  – call PCSoft now or send an email to support@pcsoft.com.au

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Changing a Processor Fan in a Toshiba Laptop A55

April 7th, 2010 | Posted by Support in Toshiba Laptop - (0 Comments)

The internal processor in your Toshiba Satellite A55 laptop is constantly creating heat as it processes information. While the processor itself will likely never fail, the cooling fan may, causing the processor overheating and shutting down. If your A55 is frequently shutting itself off, the culprit may be a bad cooling fan. The malfunctioning fan can be reached through a port on the bottom side of the laptop and changed out with a new component.

  • Shut down the Toshiba Satellite A55 laptop’s operating system. Unplug any cables connected to the laptop’s ports and then close the display screen lid.
  • Flip the A55 laptop over. Locate the slide bar to the right of the battery bay. Move the bar to the right to unlock the battery and then lift the battery out of the laptop’s case.
  • Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the two screws located at the far right side of the A55 case below the battery slide bar. Lift off the backwards L-shaped plastic cover that hides the processor fan.
  • Remove the three screws connected to the heat sink and cooling fan assembly. Lift off the metal bracket holding the assembly in place.
  • Unplug the cable connected to the fan. Lift the heat sink and fan assembly off the A55′s processor. Position the new fan on top of the processor and then put the metal bracket back in place.
  • Replace the three screws and then set the plastic cover back onto the A55′s case. Replace the cover’s screws and then insert the battery back into the battery bay.

If you need Toshiba Laptop Service, Data Recovery, onsite Computer Repair, Computer maintenance services, Virus and Spyware removal in Sydney and suburbs  – call PCSoft now or send an email to support@pcsoft.com.au

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Installing RAM Memory on XP

April 6th, 2010 | Posted by Support in Computer Repairs - (0 Comments)

Installing RAM on a computer gives the system more virtual memory. This helps programs to load and run faster, and improves overall system performance. When a program is loaded and run, it uses a chunk of RAM, so having more is always better–especially when running system-intensive programs such as video editing, animation or gaming. With Windows XP, the 32-bit version can only recognize and use up to 4GB of RAM. With the 64-bit version, you can use as much RAM as the motherboard can handle.

  • Unplug the computer to reduce the chances of electric shock.
  • Remove the side panel of the computer to access the inside.
  • Insert the RAM into the motherboard. The RAM slots are vertically aligned to the motherboard and are often in the upper right-hand side, to the right of the heatsink/fan unit. The RAM can only be inserted one way. Push the top and bottom simultaneously to clip it into place, then push the clips at the top and bottom toward the RAM to secure it.
  • Close the case.

If you need Data Recovery, onsite Computer Repair, Computer maintenance services, Virus and Spyware removal in Sydney and suburbs  – call PCSoft now or send an email to support@pcsoft.com.au


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Data Recovery

April 3rd, 2010 | Posted by Support in Data Recovery - (0 Comments)

Data Recovery is not something you think about until you have to. A hard drive crash or deleted file can send you into a panic. All you care about is how to obtain data recovery to get back your missing information. There are a few important steps you can follow to help you recover lost data.

  • Do not restart your computer. As soon as you realized you’ve lost important data on your computer, your first instinct may be to restart your system. This could actually make the situation worse.
  • Do not restart your computer. As soon as you realized you’ve lost important data on your computer, your first instinct may be to restart your system. This could actually make the situation worse.

Mac users can use similar steps to recover lost data.

If you don’t find your missing file in the Recycle Bin, click the “Start”   button in the left corner of the computer screen. Click “Search.” You’ll need to answer the question “What Are You Searching For?” located in the left margin window.

  • Understand the problem. If checking the Recycle Bin and performing a system search don’t work, it may be time to consider using a software utility to recover your file. Understanding the problem will make it easier to choose the right recovery tool. Recovery software can help computer users reclaim information lost because of an accidental format, damaged partition, file or directory deletion, a virus crash and more.
  • Hundreds of hard drive recovery tools are available. Some are free and those for sale range from $20 to $500 or more. According to the experts at ATL-DataRecovery.com, the more a utility costs, the more powerful it is. Of course, you can always start by using the free file recovery software online. Most of these are undelete tools. If they don’t work, you can try purchasing a recovery software according to your budget instead.
  • You can recover lost or deleted files immediately after they disappear and for a period of time later; but the longer you wait, you risk losing your data for good. There is a chance that you could accidentally overwrite the file, or if the hard drive is full, the system will automatically make what is now recognized as free space available for new files.
  • Avoid overwriting the disk. An important rule of file recovery is never write to the disk that has the files you need recovered. If anything is written to the file, it could write over the space that contains the data you need. When you retrieve your data from a damaged or corrupt file, you will need to transfer and save the information onto a different hard drive, network share or USB drive.
  • Know when to call an expert. Sometimes a crashed hard drive is more than software tools can handle. A crisis like this is best handled by a professional. It’s important to make sure you’re dealing with a qualified service. The best way to do this is by asking the company to provide a quote for installing a backup system instead of asking for a service quote. If the company rep asks you for more information about your data loss, you need to move on to the next company.

A company that requests more information is probably going to charge you for it to run an expensive software utility that is unlikely to work at this point. You need an expert at recovering files manually. These firms recover data from drives that have been exposed to water or fire damage. The prices are considerably more than other data recover services. You have to decide whether your lost data is worth it.

If you need Data Recovery, onsite Computer Repair, Computer maintenance services, Virus and Spyware removal in Sydney and suburbs  – call PCSoft now or send an email to support@pcsoft.com.au

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Block Spyware and Protect your Data

April 2nd, 2010 | Posted by Support in Computer Protection - (0 Comments)

Spyware refers to software that is installed on a computer, without knowledge of the user. It can be used to track and monitor computer use to send to third parties for marketing purposes. Spyware programs can be a nuisance, as they can take up computer processing capacity, collect personal information and send pop up advertisements without permission. Through key loggers or taking screen captures or scanning hard drives, spyware can maliciously take personal information for criminal gain. There are several steps you can take to block spyware from your computer.

  • Be careful when you download. Knowing what you are downloading and from what site is an important measure when it comes to blocking spyware. Many spyware programs are downloaded unknowingly when you download other software. You should always read the End User License Agreement as sometimes spyware programs are allowed access through third party advertisements when you click to accept the software you are downloading.
  • Avoid peer-to-peer file sharing. This is another common way for spyware to enter your computer. Peer-to-peer file sharing is risky, as the content of the other person’s computer is unknown and viruses and spyware can be spread this way. The best way to block spyware is to prevent possibilities for it to get on your computer.
  • Use add-ons on your Internet browser. Internet browsers such as Firefox, Opera or Internet Explorer have add-ons that block pop up ads from appearing while you surf. This is also another important measure in preventing spyware, as clicking on pop up ads can inadvertently lead to spyware downloads on your computer.
  • Install anti-spyware software.
  • Read reviews on anti-spyware software. Descriptions and user reviews are posted on many consumer reviews sites. One of the things you will want to consider in your search for an anti-spyware software is the scanning speed, which is how quickly it can scan through your entire hard drive to detect spyware and viruses. You will want to compare accuracy, which is the software’s ability to filter out legitimate programs versus actual spyware sites or programs. You will also want to know how frequently the software updates their software when there are known new spyware and virus attacks and consider the technical support offered with your anti-spyware software.
  • Find freeware or shareware. There are a number of freeware and shareware sites that offer free anti-spyware. These will be more limited than commercial software programs, but can provide you with adequate protection from spyware. Make sure that the site that you downloading from is reputable.
  • Buy commercial software. Alternatively, you can buy commercial anti-spyware software. Most commercial anti-spyware software is bundled with anti-virus software programs.
  • Check for updates frequently. Even with anti-spyware software installed on your computer, you will want to check periodically for updates from the software manufacturer as new spyware and adware viruses are developed. These updates will protect you from the latest spyware programs.
  • Keep your operating system up to date. Keeping your computer’s operating system up-to-date is important in preventing spyware or viruses from your computer. Operating system security patches are released often from the manufacturers that can fix holes in your system that hackers and spyware can break through. Make sure that your operating system is the latest version released from the manufacturer. Most operating systems will automatically check for updates periodically.

If you need onsite Computer Repair, Computer maintenance services, Virus and Spyware removal in Sydney and suburbs  – call PCSoft now or send an email to support@pcsoft.com.au

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Protect Your Computer Against a Virus

April 1st, 2010 | Posted by Support in Computer Protection - (0 Comments)
  • Install a good Anti-Virus with Firewall and an Anti-Spyware program.Keep the programs updated and perform a full scan weekly.
  • Set up Windows OS Update to automatically download upgrades and patches. This ensures that your computer automatically downloads updates and patches to both the operating system (i.e. Windows) and Internet Explorer. The updates fix security issues in the OS and IE.

You can also install and use another web browser such as Google chrome or Firefox, which usually pose a lesser security risk.

This is the basic minimum that should help protect your computer but cannot guarantee 100% protection. To reduce possibilities of getting a spyware, malware, or virus, please follow the suggestions:

  • An email is a very common way of a PC getting infected with a virus or spyware. While an Email can be opened safely, you should NEVER click links within the email or open attachments that are not from a trusted source.

If you have doubts about the email, delete it.

  • Visiting Free game or Adult and gambling sites also pose very high risks of infection. Do not download Add-ons or software from web sites that are not familiar. This also includes known sites such as Facebook and MySpace.
  • Clicking on pop-up windows while browsing should be avoided.
  • Avoid using Floppy disks, CDs, DVDs, or USB drives that people give you as hey may be infected with a spyware or virus. You can of course run a virus and spyware scan on it first, but an Anti-Virus program is not 100% effective.
  • Many sites distributing illegal music, software, and movies are known to be virus infectors too. This includes P2P activities (Limewire for example) or torrents. Stay away from these programs and sites and ensure that your PC is in good health.

This advice is general and a good practice to follow, but it is not 100% guarantee that your PC will not be infected again in future. Following the tips, however, you can minimize the possibility of infection greatly.

If you need onsite Computer Repair, Computer maintenance services, Virus and Spyware removal in Sydney and suburbs  – call PCSoft now or send an email to support@pcsoft.com.au

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