If you’re looking to purchase a new computer with Microsoft Vista, make sure you also get the downgrade license to Windows XP.  What does this mean?  This means if you don’t like Vista, you can easily downgrade, or install, XP.  The “easy” part means that your computer will also contain an operating system CD that includes Windows XP with all of the hardware device drivers.  The key point to take from this is that the downgrade license includes the drivers.  Without the drivers, you might find yourself looking all over the Internet for the relevant XP drivers.  This could take a certified Windows expert 3-4 hours and take the layperson 7-10 hours.  Whether you think Vista is for you or not, it is in your best interest to get the downgrade version.  Many times, this added version is free or a few extra bucks.

This downgrade license is available for a reason.  There have been continued complaints from Vista users and in order to accomodate the public, manufacturers are offering this XP Operating System CD along with Vista to provide an option for any future Vista complainer or unhappy camper.  Make sure you protect yourself and get this downgrade option also.

If you want to max out your computer to 4GB, but only 3GB shows up, did you get ripped off?  Not necessarily.  There are 2 types of operating systems, x32 and x64; otherwise knows as 32 bit and 64 bit.  If your computer doesn’t specify which one, then it is x32.  Only when it specifically reads x64 near the Windows sticker is when you know it is x64.  You cannot buy either one, your computer’s architecture is inherently either x32 or x64.  So, you inherit these types.

Now, that we’ve covered the bits, let’s talk about the bytes.  Here’s the graph the each type can handle:

• Windows XP:  32bit: up to 4GB; 64bit: up to 128GB
• Windows Vista: 32bit: up to 4GB, except 1GB for Vista Starter; 64 bit: up to 128GB
• -exceptions Vista 64-bit: Home Premium 16GB; Home Starter: 8GB

Now, that we’ve gotten the limitations out of the way, we can talk about what to do if your RAM only shows up with a total of 3GB when you’ve installed 4GB.  First of all, your computer needs to allocate this RAM to your video adapter and overall hardware.  Then, the rest of the RAM is allocated to applications and the operating system.  So, although you’re not getting all of your 4GB of RAM to your software and Windows, the rest of the RAM is being used well.

The hacker fix:  If your computer doesn’t seem to recognize 4GB, there may be a trick you can do.  Open your boot.ini files and remove the Read-Only and Hidden attributes.  And then delete the 3GB switch.  Then, add the /PAE switch and reboot your computer. 

Keep in mind that the hacker fix maxes out your RAM expectations above Windows expectations.  So, your results may be short-lived and so may be your computer’s life.  So, it’s recommended to just leave your computer alone and let Windows be the judge of what memory, whether 3GB or 3.5G, may be the total amount allocated to the operating system and applications.

There is currently an ongoing class action suit against Microsoft.  The suit contends that Microsoft Vista has not been “Vista capable” on its computers.  Specifically, users have complained that Microsoft Vista has not been compatible with printers, processors were unable to process video well, and computers did not contain enough RAM for adequate speed.  Also, users contend that current Windows XP computers are not easily upgradeable to Vista as Microsoft offered. 

A year ago, Microsoft promised that existing computers that met Vista minimum requirements will work seamlessly.  Also, Microsoft put out labels on new computers saying “Vista capable” or “Vista ready.”  This class action suit disagrees with these promises.  The big revealing fact is not what we’ve found with Vista, but what the court was able to find by ordering Microsoft to allow open access to over 200 internal e-mails.  A former CEO said that he used Vista and didn’t find that the video-powered processor didn’t play well with his videos.  Another executive complained to another staff member of the slow Vista speed.  Further, one board member mentioned his inability to connect to his printer that worked fine for Vista.  These points all point to the favor of the class action suit.  The last revealing and most poignant point is one of the Microsoft execs relaying to another internal member that they should do what’s right for the consumers instead of re-doing Vista.  We don’t know what that exactly means, but it doesn’t sound too consumer-friendly.  The court has reviewed these e-mails and will probably have the final say on how Microsoft reveals the Vista struggle.

We feel it is telling when Microsoft’s own complaints about its product.  These complaints were not when Vista was in beta mode.  These complaints were when Vista was produced and being used in the mainstream public.  So, what’s telling is Microsoft’s execs knowingly saw defects while the public was using Vista and really did nothing actively to resolve it.

This question is asked several times a day:  What is the best PC to buy?  Or should I buy a mac?  This inquiry usually is asked after a computer dies.  Our answer, which is entirely subjective, is: We like Dells, Lenovos, Sonys, and Macs.  And it depends what you’re using it for.  Our favorite laptops are the Dell Latitude series, Lenovo x series, and Sony Vaio.  On the Mac end, we like the new Macbook duo Core series and are not sold to highly on the Air Book.

For PCs, we still opt for Windows XP Professional, not Vista, and recommend 2GB of RAM and at least 80GB of hard drive space on a laptop and 120GB of space, if not 250GB, on a desktop.  The rest are “nice to have” options.  We’re not big fans of Gateway, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, and Samsung.  We are ambivalent about HP as they are good laptops, but loaded with unnecessary games and do-dads.  When buying your PC, make sure the operating system CD or DVD comes with it in case any computer repairs or re-installs are needed.

The blue screen of death can be a shocking and miserable situation.  All of sudden, you are writing a document or reading the news online, and.. BAM!!.. you have a blue screen with white cryptic writing.  The writing will typically start with “0×000000…”  What do you do?

Here are 7 steps to follow for resolving your blue screen of death:

1. The first thing you should do is jot down the error code (i.e. 0×000000de IRQ less than or equal)
2. Unplug any unncecessary peripherals (i.e. printer, iPod, laptop mouse) that could be causing the issue
3. Think of any recent software or hardware you installed.  If reasonably recent enough to cause this issue, remove them if possible.
4. Type your error code into a Google search and look for answers
5. Follow the Internet’s instructions if the source looks reliable.  Please note if the solution worked for others as shown in forums
6. If the solution didn’t work, update your device drivers by going on your manufacturer’s website.
7. If all else fails, bring in your computer for a repair to NYC’s favorite computer repair shop.

The new all-in-one iMac is definitely turning heads.  But, what if you are a die-hard PC user?  You may opt to go with Dell’s new XPS One.  This computer also packs eveything into the pack of the LCD monitor.  Dell’s 20″ desktop computer has everything the Mac has and a few more tricks.  It has a built-in TV tuner so can you watch television from your computer.  You may also throw in your memory cards for quick viewing in the integrated picture card slot.  Wave your hand near the screen and quick media controls are available.  Further, USB slots are easily accessible from the front of your system instead of reaching far into the back like the iMac. 

So, which one should you go with?  The default configurations are $300 cheaper with the iMac, but you’ll get more hard drive space and RAM with this factory-configuration on the XPS One.  As always, you’ll need to bulk up with anti-virus and anti-spyware software for the PC which could slow down Windows users.  As per the operating systems, Windows Vista is coming out with Service Pack 1 shortly so the Vista vs. Leopard showdown should be a wash post SP1.  In the end, it comes down to which operating system you are more comfortable with:  Windows or Mac.

If your computer is slow, do you think about defragging it?  Do you even know what defragging means?  Defragging or putting your computer through the defragmentation process allows your computer to access your most-used files faster.  Essentially, the computer will put your everyday files and applications, such as e-mail and Microsoft Word. physically to the front of your hard drive where it is faster for the CPU to read and access that store info.  Those programs and data, i.e. scheduled tasks and control panel, that you hardly use will be re-allocated to the back of your hard drive.  In sum, the defrag utility that Windows contains by default allows your computer read your files faster.

Please note that if your computer is running slowly, chances are defragging might not help.  A slow computer could mean possible viruses, spyware, or a failing hard drive among other things.  If your hard drive is failing, defragging could only further exacerbate this damage and should be avoided.  The best way to find out what to do with your computer is to get it diagnosed by a computer service technician.

With all of the hype of Vista’s buggyness, Windows XP is looked at as the dependable operating system.  Thus, Microsoft went a step above to ensure all of the latest patches and updates are built into its new service pack 3. 

What’s in SP3?  All of the current updates after SP2 plus the following:

• compatibility with Windows Server 2008
• detailed error reporting to fix issues
• ability to network with routers better
• enhanced security and stability

You may view the full white paper for SP3’s details.   Please note that SP3 does not include the newest Internet Explorer 7.  This is nice since you are not forced in having this latest version as some do not like the interface or bloated security.  Instead, the service pack simply updates the latest version you have whether Internet Explorer 6 or 7. 

Early beta tests have shown this SP3 will increase Windows performance by 10%.  Further, a lot of users will enjoy just having to download 1 service pack versus 100+ updates individually that have been released since Windows SP2.  This will save a lot of time.

Microsoft has produced the Home Server called Windows Home Server.  It is similar to the Windows Small Business Server version that is touted for small businesses, but other than that really doesn’t pose too many differences or unique features about it. 

Microsoft drives one characteristic home with this product - pun intended.  Microsoft Home Server does not need to use RAID, but instead used RAID-like drive pooling with redundancy so speed and data safeguarding are there.   What does this mean?  Typical servers have expensive RAID setups that means that 3-5 drives can be set up to all carry bits of data so any read/write access or running programs are faster.  Further, at least 1 drive is used to ensure that the rest of the drives will carry on operations if 1 drive fails.  So, the home server will do the same thing without the expensive overhead of the RAID card, software, and SCSI hard drives.  You may run regular IDE or SATA drives with this setup.

The Home Server, similar to any other server manages backups, supports disk images for easy restores, and monitors PC health.  You may network PCs, use client-base software for PC interaction, and get all of this for a reasonable cost.   Ultimately, this home server is for computer users who have a little knowledge of networking and have the patience to read a lot of manuals…if you’d like to do it yourselves.  The home server is a good way to what Microsoft says easily set up a server for home to share pictures and make backups.  That being said, we still feel going with a small business server or a simple external hard drive is the better solution due to more features, options, and flexibility.

Windows Vista is now improved with its Service Pack 1 Release.  For more stability and reliability, you may download and install Microsoft’s Service Pack 1 for Vista.  This service pack contains numerous patchs to resolve current bugs and issues.  

Mainly, it is focused on resolving computer performance and reliability issues as well as supporting new types of hardware.  Without Service Pack 1, there was a problem with recognizing many types of printers, scanners, and usb devices.  Without being able to have Vista support, such peripherals forced Windows users to have paperweights instead of useful equipment.  The Service Pack 1 is supposed to support more of these devices. 

Further, IT administration for rolling out Vista is supposed to be easier.  No specific mention of how IT administration would be easier, but we imagine this deals with being able to easily migrate a Vista computer into a current Windows environment.  Also, we will be beta testing this Service Pack 1 to see if Windows VPN / remote support will be more reliable.

Additional features and add-ons will be coming out separately in future releases.  For now, hopefully this SP1 will make Vista more of a reliable stable Windows operating system.