As of July 13, 2010, Microsoft will officially end its support for Windows XP SP2. What does this mean? If you are still running Windows XP SP2, Microsoft will no longer provide any more updates for Internet Explorer.

This results in a possible security threat getting into your computer as time goes on.  How so? In a month or a couple months down the road, if some virus compromises the Windows XP SP2 Internet Explorer, Microsoft will not put out any updates or patches to resolve this vulnerability.  Thus, there’s a chance you’ll be infected with a virus via Internet Explorer.

What should you do if you still are running Windows XP, version SP2?

1. Check your computer to see what version you’re running.  Right-click My Computer->Properties and see if you’re running Windows XP, SP1, SP2, or SP3
2. If you’re running Windows XP SP1 or SP2, upgrade to Windows XP SP3

Once you upgrade or make sure you’re running Windows XP SP3, you’ll be safe since Microsoft is still supporting this version.  With Microsoft support, you’ll still receive security updates to defend against Internet Explorer viruses.  If you need technical support for the Windows Service Pack upgrade, you can contact a local New York computer repair company.

Setting up sleep mode in your computer is a good way to conserve power.  It also can protect your files if you’re away from your computer for some time.  This protective or deterrent  feature works well if you’re in the library or another public place and the stranger sees a blank screen or landscape instead of looking directly at your files.

To set up your computer to use sleep mode in Windows Vista, you may follow the below steps:

1. Go to:  Control Panel->Power Options
2. Click on Change plan settings, then Change advanced power settings
3. Change the amount of time desired to put the computer to sleep

If you experience a Windows Vista issue when the computer is put to sleep, you should first run Windows updates to make sure your computer is up to date.  To wake the computer from sleep mode,  just tap any key or the mouse.

PC Maintenance

The regular computer user doesn’t have time for thorough computer tune-up or PC maintenance.  But, it is important to clean up your computer from time to time to remove viruses and speed up your PC.  Further, a quick tune-up can prevent future computer issues and keep your computer running afloat nicely.  We’ve come up with a quick 3-minute PC tune-up which you can run monthly, quarterly, or the next time you can remember.

Here is the quick 3-minute, 3-step PC tune-up:

1. Go to Internet Explorer -> Tools -> Internet Options and click Delete under Browsing History and click Delete
   

   PC tune-up

   again on the next prompted screen.

2. Click Start -> right-click My Computer and select Properties ->Advanced System Settings or System Properties -> System Protection and uncheck or remove the restore point.  This restore point saves settings and files in memory that could be malicious.  After you uncheck it and it processes to remove it, then recreate the restore point.  This might sound silly, but this process of removing wipes the slate clean of any saved files that may be viruses, and then re-creating the restore point allows you to turn back the clock on your computer to a good start-up point if you run into computer start-up issues.
3. Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs or Programs and Features and remove any programs, toolbars, or utilities that you don’t use any longer.

Following these 3 steps will tune-up your system while keeping it well-maintained.

Blue screens of death are the worst to come by in the PC world.  It is pretty archaic – you will be working on a spreadsheet or surfing the Internet, and BAM!, you get a blue screen with cryptic white lettering on it.  A windows blue screen means you have a Windows stop error that Windows cannot resolve on its own and will, thus, prevent starting up your computer due to viruses, bad driver, corrupted Windows, or bad file.  What do you do? 

Here are a few computer solutions to resolve a blue screen of death:

1. Restart your computer with no extra peripherals, such as external hard drive, connected.  There might be a failing external device that’s not working.
2. Read the error message and Google it to see what the resolution may be.
3. Boot up into safe mode by tapping F8 when booting up.  Then, perform a scan for viruses.
4. Perform a system repair by booting up to your Windows operating system CD.

If you need further assistance with your blue screen issue, you may contact a computer repair specialist.

If your Windows 7 computer doesn’t start, don’t fret.  It’s one of the easiest operating systems to fix.  If you have a Windows 7 boot problem, here are the steps to fix is:

1. Insert your Windows 7 DVD and boot up to it by pressing any key when prompted.
2. Press Next when the Windows 7 process reaches the language screen.
3. Click on Repair your computer.
4. The Repair option will then look for your Windows operating system.
5. Choose the Windows 7 operating system that is not booting up.  Most likely, there will just be one listed.
6. Then, choose  Startup Repair from the list.
7. Afterwards, the Startup Repair will look for issues and provide a solution.
8. Follow the solution provided by accepting the default prompts to fix.
9. The Windows 7 Startup Repair utility will look to fix the issue and restart if necessary.
10. Perform System Restore if the above didn’t work, and if you have already backed up your files.

If all else fails, bring your Windows 7 issue to a computer technician.

Formatting a computer is an important step prior to donating or disposing of your Windows computer.  If you just hand over your computer to someone else, your files may be at risk.  Even if you delete your files before moving on to another one, your files may be retrieved by data recovery.  So, you should format your computer first.

How do you format your computer?

The easiest way, or the most accessible way, is to get your Windows disk and boot up to it, and just install Windows like you normally would.  This will install the Windows files which will delete all of your current files, settings, and programs.

The second way is to buy a utility, such as Wipe Drive, which will take you through the steps of formatting the drive.  At only $40, this could set you at ease that you are performing the formatting step correctly.

The last way is to bring your computer to a professional computer repair shop so that they may format your computer for you.  Many of them will perform this step for free if you recycle your computer with them.

Have you receive the error message, “Your copy of Windows is not genuine?”  Your Windows 7 Ultimate operating system might show this message due to spyware, viruses, bad Windows update, or if the operating system is a hacked version.  However, most likely, Windows 7 Ultimate has been recently showing this error message due to a botched Windows update.

To resolve this error, our computer experts have been able to search high and low to find the Windows 7 Ultimate not genuine fix.  Just run it and hit the button to remove the activation when prompted.  Then, the program will take care of the rest.  This program essentially removes the activation key display in the Computer Properties area, and allows the computer to download/install Windows updates again.

Hopefully, you will not have to come across this computer issue, but if you do, you’ll now how to resolve the PC problem.

This nasty Windows XP Professional blue screen can pop up randomly to frustrate you when you’re working in a document or surfing the Internet.  Here’s how to resolve the Windows blue screen of death, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL:

1. Find out the exact error message.  You can do so by: Right-Click My Computer and Properties.  Select Advanced Tab->Startup and Recovery and turn off Automatically restart under System Failure.  Click OK from the 2 boxes.
2. Re-create the issue and document the error code.  Reboot and re-create that nasty blue screen of death so this time your computer will give you enough time to read the error message.  Look for the name of a file that is causing the issue (i.e. usbport.sys) that is located on the bottom of your screen. 
3. Reinstall the problematic driver.  Since this error refers to a driver issue (software installed for hardware component (i.e. wireless card, sound, video, etc.), we now have to find which driver is associated with the file (i.e. usbport.sys) indicated on your blue screen.  Go to My Computer->Properties->Hardware->Device Manager and from here select the problematic device.  If you see any yellow ! exclamation marks, this device might be the problematic one.  If you’re not sure, you can search the file / driver issue by clicking the device, select Properties->Driver->Driver Details and you’ll find all the files that make up the driver.  Go through each driver until locating the same file listed in your blue screen.  Once you found the same file name, reinstall the driver by right-clicking the driver and select Update Driver.  This will allow you to reinstall it or search on the Internet for a newer one.

If you need further technical support for this computer repair, be sure to contact your local NYC computer repair shop.

It is tempting to take your Windows XP or Vista computer, and just upgrade it to Windows 7.  No questions asked, just to do it.  Windows 7 is the best operating system yet, according to our Windows tech team, and so why not upgrade?

Before blindly upgrading your computer to Windows 7, check your computer manufacturer’s website to ensure all of the drivers are available for Windows 7.  You might be finished with your Windows 7 upgrade, and then realize you don’t have sound or wireless capable.  Not a good upgrade, eh?

Also, you’ll want to make sure to get the right version of Windows, either a manufacturer-based one for your computer, or a regular Windows 7 one from the store.  Basically, make sure you don’t put in a Dell Windows CD if you have a Sony!

Overall, you can upgrade directly from Windows Vista to 7.  But, with Windows XP, you’ll need to perform a full installation of Windows 7 so back up your files first.  Also, make sure your computer meets the minimum Windows 7 system requirements.

If you need help with your Windows 7 upgrade, feel free to call an NYC Windows 7 expert. 

Windows 7 – The real info you want. 

• Release Date - Expected October 22, 2009.In reality, it will probably be officially released in the first quarter of 2010 to finalize tweaks and positioning within retail stores. 
• Can you upgrade to Windows 7?  Windows XP users cannot directly upgrade to Windows 7.  Instead, they’ll need to back up their files and install Windows 7 fresh.  Windows Vista users may make the upgrade jump, especially since Windows 7 only requires only 1GB of RAM as its main requirement.   
• Will your software be compatible?  Yes, Vista software will be compatible and XP software will be compatible with 7′s “Windows XP mode,” providing a revolutionary virtualization feature to run Windows XP software.  
• Should you upgrade to Windows 7?  No.  Unless you are a computer enthusiast, you should not upgrade from Windows Vista to Windows 7.  Why?  Windows 7 is so new and doesn’t validate an upgrade on an existing computer due to possible upgrade quirks and issues.  That being said, buying a new computer with Windows 7 preloaded is a good option since the operating system is backwards-compatible with Windows Vista and XP and you’ll enjoy the cool tricks and features. 
• What new features are in Windows 7?
• Multi-touch: Use your fingers to click and drag instead of your mouse.
• Taskbar: Hover over an application icon and get a screenshot of the window.
• Music Library: Set up music on your hard drive and external hard drives while appearing only in one Music library folder.
• Windows Media Center: Send video and music to your stereo or other PCs; and play Internet TV.
• Device Stage: Assembles all of your hardware specs in one page and provides helpful vendor guides and support. 
• What do the experts think of Windows 7?

We have tested the beta version of Windows 7 and like the speedy startup and shutdown as well as overall stability.  Microsoft 2003 Word, an XP operating system software, actually works in this operating system which is two thumbs up right there.  Further, we find the screenshot feature to be very helpful for checking out what info is behind an application window without actually opening up the window.  Further, the Device Stage feature worked well when installing a new printer.  It provided the latest driver software to install.  Overall, we like Windows 7, but as with all new operating systems, feel that it is a good solution when buying a new computer for enthusiasts or home users.  But, offices and businesses should wait awhile before standardizing their network with a new operating system since networking and business systems have yet to be tested on this new platform.