Software

CPU Running at 100 Percent

By terry Leave a Comment

Reader Scott Adler wrote about a problem he was having with his computer getting stuck at 100% CPU Usage…

to correct a problem I’m having with Adobe Updater I need to get to change the preferences

Start the AdobeUpdater.exe application from …”\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Updater 5″

How do I get to this application??

The symptoms are that the updater runs and uses 100% of the processing capability of my CPU thereby making use of PC virtually impossible. I found an Adobe tech note that suggests changing the preferences by unchecking the “automatically Check for updates”

Scott has very good question. The problem is that Adobe removed that feature in Adobe Reader 8…

Continue reading CPU Running at 100 Percent

Filed Under: HowTo, Optimize, PC Repairs, Software, Speed-up, Stability, System Control, Terry's Computer Tips, Troubleshooting, Updates

Coupon Code – Acronis True Image Home 11

By terry Leave a Comment

Acronis is running a 20% OFF coupon code special on their backup program Acronis True Image Home 11 during September 2008.

Just go to http://www.pcrepairsite.info/go/acronis20 and use Coupon Code ATIH20 .

If you want, you can order their “extended download time” (normal is 30 days) and/or a CD with Acronis True Image Home 11 on it (dialup users probably want to do this). Both of those are extra cost options.

If you already have an older version of Acronis True Image, you can upgrade at 40% off using this link http://www.pcrepairsite.info/go/acronisupe

Filed Under: Backup, Coupon Codes, Sales, Software

Antivirus for Gamers

By terry Leave a Comment

VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware
Tired of old antivirus software that makes your PC slow down to a crawl?
Try High-Performance VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware
Multi-computer and multi-year discounts
Unlimited Home Site License available, too.

When I began my evaluation period of Sunbelt Software’s new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware program, I was promptly shocked.

I had read several reviews about VIPRE and had read phrases like "high performance" and "low resources." I had even read comments that where the writer said that VIPRE was virtually unnoticeable on their computer and that their computer suddenly had more speed that it had in a long time.

Naturally, I discounted those comments and claims, thinking that they were advertising exaggeration and hyperbole. They usually compare the computer’s performance to when it had been running one of the big-name suites, so that wasn’t too surprising any way.

I was shocked when I installed VIPRE on my notebook computer. I saw for myself that VIPRE didn’t interfere with my activities. My computer really was faster with VIPRE, even faster than the speedy combination of CounterSpy and NOD32.

One evening I even ran a deep scan of my whole hard drive while I continued to do other things on my computer — like web browsing, email, Excel, web page editing, Usenet news reading, and other of my typical evening computer activities. I had no desire to stop VIPRE and let it run later — and that’s amazing!

Why does this mean this is the best antivirus for gamers?

The combination of antispyware and antivirus in VIPRE is fast and unobtrusive!

What does every gamer want for their computer? Speed — faster. Memory — less memory consumed by system-critical apps — so the gaming is faster. Small footprint — low resources — so better gaming speed.

VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware has a free, fully-functional 15-day trial. Download it and see for yourself…

Filed Under: Anti-Spyware, Anti-virus, Gaming, Software, Vista, Windows XP

Optimize 2.0 Review – Five Months Later Review

By terry Leave a Comment

Optimize 2.0 Review Number 2

Back in February, 2008, I bought a license for Optimize 2.0 and was very impressed with its cleanup and speedup changes it made on my computer.

Now, five months later, is it still a worthwhile tool?

As I ran the program on Friday night, it had been several weeks since I had used it to check the optimization and for cleanup.

Continue reading Optimize 2.0 Review – Five Months Later Review or get more information

Filed Under: Free Trials, Optimize, Other, PC Repairs, Registry Repair, Software, Speed-up, Stability, System Control, Terry's Computer Tips, Troubleshooting, Vista, Windows XP

Unable to Delete Email in Outlook Express

By terry Leave a Comment

Sherrill Kerbaugh wrote about a major problemm she and her husband were having on both of their computers:

Hi, Terry… We have a major problem…. My husband has been unable to delete daily e-mails for a few weeks now….we can’t figure out what in the world is wrong!?!?!?! Now, all of a sudden I can’t delete e-mails on my computer (same local area network and e-mail…Outlook Express)! HELP!!!!!!!!! Also, John can’t download or use Adobe Reader on his computer, but I can!?!?!?
We are going crazy here!

What are your thoughts? We just found your website this morning….hope you are our “computer angel”! : )
Thank you!

Continue reading Unable to Delete Email in Outlook Express

VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware
Tired of old antivirus software that makes your PC slow down to a crawl?
Try High-Performance VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware
Multi-computer discounts
Unlimited Home Site License available, too.

Filed Under: Email, Outlook Express, PC Repairs, Software, Stability, Storage, System Control, Terry's Computer Tips, Usability, Windows Repair

Passwords, Password Lists and Keeping Passwords Secure

By terry Leave a Comment

I’m often asked about how I handle passwords for all the different sites that require passwords.

The questioner’s eyes get pretty big when I mention that I use random mixtures of letters and numbers for my passwords, and even bigger when I say that I use a different password on every site.

The immediate question is “How can you keep track of them all?”

The answer is one of the reasons that I use a PDA, a Personal Digital Assistant. In my case, it is the PalmOS v4 based Sony Clié SJ-33, which I’ve used for a couple years.

The program that lets me keep track of these is called Secret! (yes, there’s an exclamation mark as part of the name). Secret! has long been available for PalmOS. I didn’t realize it, but it is also available for Pocket PC handhelds, too. According to the publisher’s web site (http://linkesoft.com/secret/index.html), Secret! runs on all Pocket PC handhelds with Windows Mobile 2003, 2003 SE, and the current Windows Mobile 5.0.

Continue reading Passwords, Password Lists and Keeping Passwords Secure

Filed Under: HowTo, Security, Software, Storage, Terry's Computer Tips, Wireless Security

Converting Vinyl LP Records to Digital

By terry Leave a Comment

Subscriber Cary wrote with questions about project common to many people:

I’m starting a little project to record about 100 vinyl LPs to mp3s on my hard drive. I\’m looking for free software that will let me record a line-in source. I\’ve heard that Audacity is very good, but one critical feature I want is for the software to recognize a few seconds of silence as the end/beginning of a song and stop/re-start recording a new song. Otherwise, I\’ll end up with one very long mp3 that is basically the contents of the entire album. Do you have any recommendations? Cary

Cary

Having dreamed the same dream, let me say that you just wish you could do it in one step. Remember that your digitizing process is the most fixed in real time — a 45 minute album will take 45 minutes plus startup and shutdown of the record process.

I discovered very quickly that the idea of digitizing and immediately breaking into cuts made me do the recording over and over.

Continue reading Converting Vinyl LP Records to Digital

Filed Under: Hardware, HowTo, Software, Terry's Computer Tips, Usability

OpenOffice to the Rescue

By terry Leave a Comment

Subscriber Helen wrote about a software problem:

Terry, while my computer was being worked on I was told I had word pad but needed the code to be able to open it. Can you help me open it in order that I might be able to use it. I do not like notepad which I am able to open. Helen

I responded to Helen, hoping to clarify the problem.

The computer repair person probably told her that she had Word installed, meaning Microsoft Word, rather than saying Wordpad. Wordpad is included in Windows at no extra cost.

Continue reading OpenOffice to the Rescue

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Filed Under: Free, Office, Office Suites, Software, Terry's Computer Tips

A Look Inside PCPitstop Optimize 2.0

By terry Leave a Comment

Like many of the other downloadable programs that are designed to scan and fix computer problems, Optimize 2.0 from PC Pitstop is a program that can be run on schedule to routinely check for and fix problems, or can be run on request to fix and find problems.

Of course, the most significant value will be in the optimizations and repairs it makes on its very first running — optimizing your Internet access settings, checking startup programs, cleaning and repairing the Windows registry, and cleanup of junk files.

While some types of programs like antispyware and antivirus let you have fully-functional trial versions, programs that make repairs to your computer can’t afford to give free trials. Whether you are considering Spinrite 6 from Gibson Research (a hard drive recovery utility) or a Windows registry cleaner program, if there was a free fully-functional trial — no one would ever buy a copy — they’d just download a trial if they had a problem!

The solution for many of these products is to provide a scanner program that will scan your computer, tell you that it found a bunch of things to change, but will only make the repairs if you buy a license.

Does that sound unreasonable? If so, compare it to buying software in a retail box — most retailers will not accept returns of opened software, so you have no way to see it work. I wish I’d been able to see some of the games I’ve bought before spending my money.

Optimize 2.0 goes the extra mile — in the unregistered scanner mode, Optimize 2.0 shows you the changes it would make! It does not just show you the categories of changes that it would make, if you buy a license. This way, if you know what you’re doing and want to take the time, you can make the changes manually.

In the first screen shot below, we see the display after Optimize has done its first scan of my notebook computer (my main computer). The blue “Next” button at the bottom right is the next step…

Continue reading A Look Inside PCPitstop Optimize 2.0

Download the Optimize 2.0 Scanner

Filed Under: Networking, Optimize, PC Repairs, Software, System Control, Terry's Computer Tips, Troubleshooting, Vista, Windows Repair, Windows XP

Speeding Up the Windows Boot Process

By terry Leave a Comment

I recently made some boot changes to a notebook computer that resulted in a remarkable increase in the boot speed. The notebook was running Windows XP Home.

It was a small, light Sony — one of the 12-inch monitor models.

Tech Humor
With notebooks, you can get small, light, fast and cheap.
Pick any two…

In this particular case, the notebook took 4.5 minutes to boot, and it’s owner wanted it to be much faster.

I referred to my favorite tool to get his boot process under control …

Continue reading Speeding Up the Windows Boot Process

Filed Under: Anti-Spyware, Internet Explorer, Office Suites, Printing, Software, Updates, Upgrades, Web Browsers