Which Internet Browser To Use??

TRY ALL OF THEM...

Today almost all public & work environment computers have all 4 of the major browsers installed on them.  This gives the individual users the choice of which browser they want to use...  Why?? Think of it as having multiple salad dressing choices in your fridge... No particular reason, they all do the same thing, it's just a matter of taste..

You will also find that certain websites you visit "work better" if and when you use the browser that they've built their platform on... so for example if you are visiting any website from Google - Gmail, blogger, YouTube, Google drive, Google maps etc. then you might consider opening your CHROME browser to access those websites.

Computers and other devices with Windows Operating Systems come with Internet Explorer pre-installed, those with Android Operating Systems have Google Chrome installed, and Apple Operating Systems have Safari pre-installed, but you can use any of these browsers on your devices - simply download them: 

• Google Chrome ~ go to www.google.com
• Firefox by Mozilla ~ go to www.mozilla.com
• Safari  by Apple ~ go to http://support.apple.com/downloads/#internet

Easily copy files/folders from one pc to another

We are always being asked how to transfer data "easily" from one computer to another.. Here are several options - all of which are quite easy:

USING AN EXTERNAL OR PORTABLE HARD DRIVE

You can "copy" all of your folders/files from one computer to either an External Hard Drive or Portable Hard Drive for temporary storage.  When you are ready, simply "paste" them to the correct main locations on your new computer...

WINDOWS EASY TRANSFER (Microsoft) - You will need an easy transfer cable to use this option..

P  Click "Start."

P  Click "All Programs."

P  Click "Accessories."

P  Click "System Tools."

P  Click "Windows Easy Transfer."

P  Follow the onscreen prompts to transfer the files you want.

MOUSE WITHOUT BORDERS (Microsoft) This is a free software download from Microsoft that was designed for people who use many computers in the same room. For example, a laptop or tablet that you take to meetings might sit right alongside the desktop PC in your office and allows you to control up to four computers from a single mouse and keyboard.

I have to tell you that I've used it many times now since the fall of 2012 and have no hesitation introducing it to all of you...  I find it easy to download and use, so that I can copy folders and files from on computer to another - whether PC to laptop or vice versa.. Also very easy when you are moving folders or files from one pc to another (as long as they are both up and running at the same time...and it works very well between Windows XP, Vista 7 & 8 operating systems, but I haven't been able to use it yet on Macs (assume the software isn't approved yet by Apple)...but I've also just downloaded it to my Smartphone and love it...

Link to download: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35460

No matter which way you choose, be sure the data transfer is complete before deleting the information on the disk or old computer.

Should I upgrade to Windows 7, and if so which version/edition?

Q: Common question – should I upgrade to Windows 7, and if so which one of the versions/editions: Home Premium OR Professional OR Ultimate?

A: Windows 7 was introduced October 22, 2009 and personally I feel if you are happy with the way your computer is performing – then there's no reason to rush out and either upgrade your operating system or purchase a new computer which has Windows 7 on it… .

FYI - Windows XP was introduced in October 2001; Windows Vista was introduced January 20th, 2007 and there are already rumors that the next new Windows Operating System, most likely to be called Windows 8, may be out later this year (2012!!) 

If you choose to upgrade to Windows 7, your current computer may not be compatible or have enough memory to do so – so you want to confirm that first prior to purchasing the upgrade…
If you aren’t sure, visit this website at Microsoft and it will run a check on your computer and let you know if your computer is compatible and if not, what you might need to upgrade the hardware, memory etc..

www.windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/system-requirements

If you decide to purchase a new computer, laptop, notebook whatever – almost guaranteed it will have Windows 7 Operating System on it – and if it has the “Home Premium” which in standard at most retailers – it is fine – don’t let them talk you into upgrading to a more expensive version (which by the way will require more memory on the computer also)..

Most technicians I’ve spoken to seem to agree that “Windows 7 Home Premium” is the best option for most of us. They also seem to agree that you should go professional if you want remote desktop and you go ultimate if you want those language packs.

To compare the differences between operating systems – Windows XP, Vista or the new Windows 7 – visit the following link at Microsoft…
www.windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare?T1=tab04

What is the Computer Control Panel?

The CONTROL PANEL is where we can change many ways in which our computer and the peripheral hardware work, including your printer, keyboard, mouse, monitor – your audio & video functions and add or remove software just to name a few..

To access the control panel – you can go to Start and when the Start Menu appears – choose control panel (in older versions of Windows – you need to go to Settings to find the control panel).

The look of the Control Panel has changed considerably with with Windows Vista & Windows 7 Operating Systems. Both of these newer Operating Systems offer two different views of the Control Panel: Classic View and Category View, and it is possible to switch between these views through an option that appears on the left side of the window

Many of the individual Control Panel “commands” can be accessed in other often quicker ways – a favorite is when you want to make changes to the Display Properties – instead of going to the Control Panel and choosing Display, when you are on the Desktop – simply Right Click on any emptry area of the Desktop, choose Properties and the same Display Properties Dialog box will appear for you to work with.

WHAT DO THE TERMS 32-BIT AND 64 BIT MEAN?

The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit system. To see if your computer is running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows, do the following:

1. Open System by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System
2. Under System, you can view the system type

To run a 64-bit version of Windows, your computer must have a 64-bit-capable processor. If you are unsure whether your processor is 64-bit-capable, do the following:

1. Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Performance Information and Tools
2. Click View and print details
3. In the System section, you can see what type of operating system you're currently running under System type, and, under 64-bit capable, whether you can run a 64-bit version of Windows. (If your computer is already running a 64-bit version of Windows, you won't see the 64-bit capable listing.)
4. Most programs designed for a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows will work on a computer running 64-bit versions of Windows. Notable exceptions are many antivirus programs, and some hardware drivers
5. Drivers designed for 32-bit versions of Windows do not work on computers running a 64-bit version of Windows. If you're trying to install a printer or other device that only has 32-bit drivers available, it won't work correctly on a 64-bit version of Windows. If you are unsure whether there is a 64-bit driver available for your device, go online to www.microsoft.com and search for the Windows Vista Compatibility Center

ELIMINATE PROGRAMS AT START UP

You can often help speed up your computer, by eliminating unnecessary programs from running when you start your windows operating system. The following steps may vary slightly depending on the OS (Operating System version - Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista or 7) that you are using on your computer

• Open Your Start Menu (from the Task Bar)
• Left Click Programs
• Left Click Accessories
• Left Click system information
• Left Click tools
• Then click system configuration
• Then click the tab “start up”
• You will now see everything that starts up with your computer with a check mark next to it. To the right of the item, it tells what program it is associated with.
• You can check and un-check any of these items and see if it makes the computer run faster or not. If it's something you want, then you just go back to the same place and check it again.
• Sometimes if a program has been reinstalled you will see the same program listed/checked twice.

Basically, the only two things that need to be running when you get your task manager (by holding down the CTRL, ALT, DEL keys together) and the Task Manager Dialog Box Appears is explorer and systray. You should find the rest of the "ghosts" listed under the start up tab in system configuration.