More Computer Hints and Tips

March 16, 2009

Introduction

 

This document covers in a little more detail the topics introduced at the Carefree Computer Club meeting held on 16 Mar 2009.   The principal subjects included:

 

 

 

 

New Products

Google Voice

Just go to Google Search and type “Google Voice”.  This is a new free technology offered by Google.  It is described as awesome.  It will convert cell phone calls or Internet conversations to text.  Not perfected completely yet it will covert text to speech.

The speech to text will improve; example Steve and Mary was converted to Steven Mary.  Check it out for yourself.

 

Google 411

 

Dial 1-800-GOOG-411

State location and business name and Google will connect you to the business free.

Check the following link:     http://www.google.com/goog411/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-bk&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=google%20411

New Lithium Battery:

A new lithium battery technology might mean rapid charging and discharging times that take just seconds instead of the minutes or hours we're used to.  This will certainly affect lithium batteries used in electronic equipment such as camera, computers etc.  It may even be a stepping-stone to electric cars.   Read the story on the link shown above.

 

Essential computer accessories when you travel

 

When you travel and bring your computer we recommend that you pack all the software you have installed on your machine.  This, of course, includes the operating system.  You never know when a recovery will be necessary on your computer and this software will be needed.  This has happened to many members and has resulted in unnecessary expense when restoring the machine to factory condition.

 

Vista Problems

We have experienced many problems in the community with Blue Tooth mice not connecting on Vista.  Upon checking with Google search it shows this to be a big problem. We recommend you stick with Logitech or Microsoft wireless mice for the time being.

 

Make sure your “System Restore” feature is enabled and working.  Restoring the operating system back a day or so can solve many problems.  This is only possible if a restore point has been established.

 

Most of the problems that existed when Vista was released a couple of years ago have been resolved.  The most important issue was the ability to install old software that worked on earlier systems.

 

Running your computer in Safe Mode

What is Safe Mode?

Safe Mode has been a component of the Windows operating system since the days of Windows 95.  The basic idea is to allow the user to access to the windows interface without loading any unnecessary drivers or software.

 

Many times in order to remove a piece of spyware or for troubleshooting and diagnostic purposes, you'll have to start Windows in Safe Mode.  While in Safe Mode, only specific programs and files needed to run the operating system are loaded.  Some functions, such as connecting to the Internet, will not be active in Safe Mode and a standard video driver will be loaded causing a washed out look and a possible change in resolution.

The thinking is that if device drivers or auto loading software (browser hijackers for example) are causing problems with your Windows installation, the easiest way to fix things is to load a version of Windows that bypasses all but the most basic drivers and will not run any additional software.  Windows Safe Mode provides you with a basic graphics driver (enough to display the user interface), access to your drives and windows configuration, and very little else.

How do I get into Safe Mode?

 

Boot into Safe Mode with these instructions:

Why should you remember all this?

Safe Mode is the single best thing to try if you are experiencing problems booting your system or if running certain software causes issues with your PC.  Using Safe Mode can let you determine if the problems you are experiencing are hardware malfunctions or software issues.

Safe Mode works by providing the minimal set of software needed to start your computer.  So, if you can boot in Safe Mode but cannot boot properly into the normal Windows environment, you have a problem with some of the software or drivers installed on your system.  Safe Mode also provides you with access to the tools you need to resolve these kinds of problems.  Now let's explore some of the uses that Safe Mode has in Windows.  There's a reason why attempting to boot in Safe Mode is the first thing you should do when confronted with a PC that will not boot ‘normally’ into Windows.

Removing viruses/spyware

Often the only way to correctly remove certain persistent virus and spyware programs is to run your system in Safe Mode.  Many forms of malicious software will protect or reinstall themselves constantly if they are allowed to start in the first place.  These programs will start automatically, so when Windows is started normally, so is the offending software, running as a process in the background.

When you start the PC in Safe Mode, these autorun locations are not used, and no software is started automatically.  This can allow virus and spyware removal programs the opportunity they need to correctly and completely remove the malicious software.  If you are having virus or spyware problems on your PC, it’s a good idea to run antivirus and anti-spyware programs in Safe Mode to ensure that they have maximum effect.

Running System Restore in Safe Mode

If you have system restore enabled on your system, you may still run into problems with software or bad drivers.  If your Windows installation will not boot normally, how do you get to your restore points? You can go to the most recent one by using the 'last known good configuration (your most recent settings that worked)' option in the Windows advanced options menu, but if that doesn't fix your problem, how do you get at earlier restore points? I think you can guess the answer...  Safe Mode!

The system restore utility can be accessed in Safe Mode and used to restore any previous restore point.  Simply restart Windows in Safe Mode and go to 'Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore' then follow the instructions to restore your system to the point of your choice.

Note that you cannot create restore points in Safe Mode, only load them.

For more information on Safe Mode, go to this website:

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1643

Reminders

As this was the last Computer Group meeting at Carefree before the end of the year, I would just like to remind you all that help will still be available for those in need!  Click here to read about Remote Assistance on this website.

The dates for the fall and winter Computer Group meetings are as follows:

Finally, if you want to e-mail Bill Roach or me about computer problems, please use this e-mail address:

computergroup@carefreecountryclub.org

Good computing!

Dave Clark and Bill Roach