Windows XP SP3 has introduced a little bug with its service pack.  But, luckily for Microsoft, Windows can point the blame elsewhere. 

In the last month, some Windows users have experienced an issue after downloading Service Pack 3 for Windows XP.  Some folks noticed that the device manager didn’t show any devices.  Other PC users noticed that either the network adapter, wireless connection, or shared network drives didn’t work.

So, what caused this SP3 snafu? 

Symantec took responsbility by explaining that SP3 caused its Symantec product to load the Windows registry with corrupted keys.  These corrupted keys could cause intermittent or permanent non-functionality of a direct network connection or wireless connection.  In short, Symantec’s security feature wasn’t able to mesh well with SP3.

What can you do to prevent this?

1. Make sure to disable and stop Symantec from running in the background when you install Service Pack 3.  It is a good rule of thumb to do this for all anti-virus software when installing software.
2. If you’ve already installed SP3 and are experiencing issues with connecting on the Internet or with your network drives/connections, download the Microsoft fix.

Do not fear downloading SP3 in general as this is a necessary security safeguard and stability measure for your computer experience.  If you do not feel comfortable installing SP3 on your own, feel free to contact a Windows certified technician.

If you cannot burn (copy) a CD or DVD from your computer, don’t fret.  There are a few things to try before dumping your computer.  The following computer troubleshooting steps pertains to CD or DVD that stops recording in the middle of your burn session.  The error typically points to trying another media, cleaning your disc, or some other obscure error. 

Follow these steps to resolve your CD/DVD burning issue:

1. First try another CD or DVD, and possibly another manufacturer
2. Open your disc drive and wipe down the contacts 
3. Uninstall and reinstall your burning software (i.e. Roxio, Sonic, EasyMedia Creator)
4. Try burning directly from Windows by right-clicking your file and sending to the disc drive to copy
5. If all above don’t work, replace your optical drive.  They’re not too complicated to replace, but if not comfortable with this computer repair work, seek tech help.

If your laptop’s LCD screen is dim, you’re not out of luck.  When your computer monitor is dim on your laptop, you can still see Windows and your desktop icons, but the view is very dark and hardly legible.  If your laptop boots up and the picture is dim, there are 3 ways to troubleshoot this issue:

1. Hit the FN key and arrow up key.  You might have lucked out and your computer screen went dim by the dim key.
2. Hook up your laptop to an external monitor and press FN and the monitor F key (usually F8).  This will let you know if you have a screen or video problem.  If you see a good picture on an external monitor, then your LCD screen is the issue.  And you may work like this as a cost effective measure. 
3. If you can see your computer picture on an external monitor, then you’ll need to replace one of 2 computer parts: the inverter board or the LCD screen itself.  The inverter board controls the brightness of the screen while the LCD screen itself could have a bad bulb that is causing the dim view.

To determine if your computer needs a replacement interter board or LCD screen, you should see your nearest computer repair shop.

Google continues to expand its footprint.  Now, Google has opened up a multi-story technology office in the Chelsea Market.   The market hosts a large supermarket as well as NY1’s studio.  Marketing and Sales teams will mostly comprise Google’s Chelsea location. 

What’s cool in the Chelsea location?  Google touts the typical blackboards, whiteboards, and accessible meeting rooms for a creative environment.  Different rooms are named after New York City areas while conference rooms are after NJ towns.  No cafeteria exists, but plentiful food and drinks are stored in kitchens.  Best of all, they have a slide! 

Photographers couldn’t get too close during the opening as they were forced to sign non-disclosure agreements.  The Google secret sauce lives on!

There is a good software that will scan your computer network, whether home or office, and provide a thorough inventory list.  Advanced LAN Scanner will scan all of your computers, tell you the IP address, any shared folders, what services are running, usernames, and if any ports are open.

Not only will you get a good inventory of who is logged onto which computers, you’ll see which ports are open.  Finding an open port is crucial so you can close it up with a firewall for security purposes.  You should use the scanner for a good easy way to scan your network and shore up any computer vulnerabilities.  Plus, it’s free!

Many customers ask us the common question: Should I replace my laptop motherboard?  If your motherboard fails, should you replace it?  Typically, laptop motherboards range from $350 - $650 for the part alone.  Then, it takes 2-3 hours of labor to replace it.  So, is it worth it?

We feel it is worth it if the cost of your computer was at least double the cost of the motherboard replacement.  Additionally, if your installed software on the computer is expensive, and you cannot find the original disks or cannot reinstall them, then, replacing your motherboard might make sense.  However, if your computer is an entry level laptop that you paid less than $900 for, a new laptop would be a better bet instead of replacing your dead board.

So, if you happen to be an unlucky laptop motherboard victim, you should weigh the following questions:

1. Did you pay much for your laptop versus the motherboard replacement cost?
2. Can you replicate your software?
3. Is your computer 3+ years old and is worth the fix?
4. Will putting the computer repair cost into a new computer a better option?

Baseball season is in full gear.  How are you going to keep track of your favorite team?

SportsCast is the ultimate way to keep track of scores, who’s pitching the next game, how your team is doing in the standings, and to get the score in real-time.

How does it work?  It picks up a wireless signal and presents all of the information in real-time…well, there’s up to a 15 minute delay.  For $99 at Brookstone, this is a cool way to stay on top of your baseball without having to look it up on your computer ever minute.  The device provides a generous screen viewing area so it makes it easy to just have it sitting on your desk and you can glance over at it periodically. 

No computer setup support or technical repair help is necessary.  Please note though that it could take up to 4 or 5 hours for it to download all of the baseball information.  Don’t let that scare you away - it is really easy to set it up.  You just press power, arrow over to your favorite screen and division, and that’s it.  It takes care of the rest.

The date has come: Windows XP is nearing its end of life.  Microsoft has decided to stop the mainstream production of its Windows XP operating system at the end of the month.

Are there any exceptions?  Yes, you can still purchase a new computer with Windows XP until June 30, 2010 for the following conditions:

1. for low-cost production PCs
2. for the low-end Windows XP starter edition in emerging markets
3. if purchasing Windows Vista Ultimate or Business, which have downgrade rights to XP
4. for smaller computer manufacturers, aka system builders (until January 31, 2009)

Microsoft will still be supporting XP until 2009 and 2014 for extended warranty support.  Get your XP operating system while you still can!

Converting DVDs to MPEG-4s is handy for many reasons.  One, for instance, is to play your music or videos on your iPod, iPhone, or iTunes.  Also, it is easy to store all of your DVDs on your computer versus lugging your DVDs discs around with you.  Further, the conversion is usually compressed which will save you storage space on your computer. 

Whether you’re a Windows or Mac user, Handbrake is a great, free conversion software to make your DVDs MPEGs instantly.  It will allow you easily organize your DVDs on your mac, PC, iPod, iPhone, iTouch, Apple TV, Playstation, or Xbox.

The interface is a bit clunky, but it’s free and it works.  It works on converting all DVDs except write-protected ones.  It’s worth checking out to consolidate and better organize your DVD collection.

If your laptop won’t turn on, it is not the end of the world.  There are a few easy things you can try to get your computer back on track.  Here’s what you can do:

1. Replace your AC Adapter.  You might have a bad one.
2. Replace your RAM.  Bad memory can prevent your computer from starting up.
3. Take out your battery and plug in your AC adapter.  Your laptop might have been in a power cycle that will be resolved by doing this.
4. Plug your laptop’s AC Adapter into another power plug or surge protector.  NYC apartments are known for bad power switches.

If the above doesn’t work, you could have a bad motherboard, hard drive, or other hardware failure.  Then, you’ll need to get your laptop repaired by an NYC computer repair company.