Sunday, May 6, 2012
Further articles discontinued due to lack of support
Bye
Next article: None
If you found this article helpful please ignore this and don't leave a comment as you haven't for the last 6 months. Have a computer problem or question? Figure it out for yourself. If you need additional computer assistance in the future it will cost you $250 dollar flat fee not matter how long it takes me. There will be an additional $100.00 non refundable "pain in the butt" Fee.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Building your own PC
Why build your own PC ? First, of all it's cost effective. You can customize your pc for what YOU need it for. And overall it's a fun learning experience. It's also easier than you think! In the following articles I'll build a virtual pc to help you understand computer anatomy and help you to learn what hardware to choose for your needs.
The first decision you need to consider is what will you be using the machine for? You can build for the future and put a 8-core processor in your rig but, do you really need that much processing power? It's something to consider. There's no point in building a powerhouse if you are just going to email, surf the net, and watch youtube.
Second you need to to decide what processor your computer will be built around an AMD or Intel processor. I'm an AMD fanboy. They give me enough power to complete any task or any game I throw at it. I've bent the prongs, kicked them across the room, burned them, (greatly overheated) and they just keep on going. And you don't have to spend exorbitant prices to get a good chip. Intel makes good processors, but, their prices simply do not add up to the performance you get IMO.
Operating system. Most of us use Microsoft Windows and it dominates the market share at 86% so for these articles that's what I'll be using. However, Linux deserves some recognition. It's an open source software that doesn't cost you a dime. It's very stable and easy to install. Comes with many features and has lots of support. The biggest reason for it's small market share is very poor software support. If you're a gamer forget about it. Netflix? Nope sorry. Most things are possible on Linux if you're a code monkey. But for the vast majority of us it's not worth the hassle for a free OS.
Next article: Selecting your CPU and Motherboard.
If you found this article helpful please follow and subscribe to my blog and refer your family and friends. Have a computer problem or question? Please leave a comment and describe. Any donations and ad clicks are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading :)
The first decision you need to consider is what will you be using the machine for? You can build for the future and put a 8-core processor in your rig but, do you really need that much processing power? It's something to consider. There's no point in building a powerhouse if you are just going to email, surf the net, and watch youtube.
Second you need to to decide what processor your computer will be built around an AMD or Intel processor. I'm an AMD fanboy. They give me enough power to complete any task or any game I throw at it. I've bent the prongs, kicked them across the room, burned them, (greatly overheated) and they just keep on going. And you don't have to spend exorbitant prices to get a good chip. Intel makes good processors, but, their prices simply do not add up to the performance you get IMO.
Operating system. Most of us use Microsoft Windows and it dominates the market share at 86% so for these articles that's what I'll be using. However, Linux deserves some recognition. It's an open source software that doesn't cost you a dime. It's very stable and easy to install. Comes with many features and has lots of support. The biggest reason for it's small market share is very poor software support. If you're a gamer forget about it. Netflix? Nope sorry. Most things are possible on Linux if you're a code monkey. But for the vast majority of us it's not worth the hassle for a free OS.
Next article: Selecting your CPU and Motherboard.
If you found this article helpful please follow and subscribe to my blog and refer your family and friends. Have a computer problem or question? Please leave a comment and describe. Any donations and ad clicks are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading :)
Printer Sharing on Microsoft Systems #2
Much delayed and possibly anticipated conclusion to my previous article. My back has been giving me trouble so sitting at the computer hasn't been an option.
Installing a printer from a host computer is really quite simple if you haven't figured it out for yourself already. Windows 7 or XP pretty much follow the same pattern. Hit your start menu and click "devices and printers" > Add a printer > add a network, or wireless... If my instructions on sharing a printer were somewhat tangible you should see your printer in the window. Select your printer and it will automatically install the proper drivers. You're all set. :)
Installing a printer from a host computer is really quite simple if you haven't figured it out for yourself already. Windows 7 or XP pretty much follow the same pattern. Hit your start menu and click "devices and printers" > Add a printer > add a network, or wireless... If my instructions on sharing a printer were somewhat tangible you should see your printer in the window. Select your printer and it will automatically install the proper drivers. You're all set. :)
Friday, March 2, 2012
More keyboard shortcuts
Did you know that: 'CTRL +' increases the layout and font size of any website you are browsing? 'CTRL -' reduces it :)
Anti-virus for your Android smart phone.
Something most of us don't think of, including myself. Until I got an, Android, I didn't even think of threats on mobile phones. However, it makes sense. It's simply a portable computer. Some of these portables give modern laptops remarkable competition when compared side by side! Any device that is plugged into the net is at risk of being compromised in one way or another. The mobility of these devices increases the threat a great deal.
Did you know you can get anti-virus protection for your smart phone? Yes, you can! And I highly recommend it! Once again, AVG is the leader in this department for Android.
Benefits:
1. Find and protect your phone if lost or stolen (phone locator, phone locker, remote wipe)
2. Enhance performance
3. Complete anti-virus, spyware, and malware protection.
http://www.avg.com/us-en/antivirus-for-android
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.antivirus&hl=en
Questions and comments are strongly encouraged. If you found this article helpful please follow and subscribe to my blog and refer your family and friends. Have a computer problem or question? Please leave a comment and describe. Any donations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading :)
Koby
Did you know you can get anti-virus protection for your smart phone? Yes, you can! And I highly recommend it! Once again, AVG is the leader in this department for Android.
Benefits:
1. Find and protect your phone if lost or stolen (phone locator, phone locker, remote wipe)
2. Enhance performance
3. Complete anti-virus, spyware, and malware protection.
http://www.avg.com/us-en/antivirus-for-android
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.antivirus&hl=en
Questions and comments are strongly encouraged. If you found this article helpful please follow and subscribe to my blog and refer your family and friends. Have a computer problem or question? Please leave a comment and describe. Any donations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading :)
Koby
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Printer Sharing on Microsoft Systems #1
There are multiple ways to accomplish this task. Assuming you have a router in your home, you're already set to go. You just need to make a few changes.
The easiest way to share a printer in your home is to get a Wi-Fi printer and get it linked up to the network. If this is not an option, your second best is through a host computer and your homegroup. Your host computer must have the printer installed, shared, and networked through your router. The kicker is the host computer must remain powered on at all times for the printer to be accessible. Some routers have USB connectivity to share a printer or other hardware. See your documentation for instructions with that.
Homegroup / Workgroup:
The MS homegroup is new to windows 7 and not compatible with XP. So, make sure all of your windows XP computers are on the same workgroup. By default it's named "workgroup". Check your windows 7 machine by going to control panel > system and security > system > advanced system settings > computer name tab. Whatever your workgroup name is, make it the same on XP and W7 computers alike. In XP go to start menu > control panel > performance and maintenance > system > computer name tab.
Homegroup is usually setup when you first power up your new windows 7 machine. But chances are, like myself you didn't write down the password. To find it go to your task bar on the bottom right. Find either your wired, or wireless connection and right click the icon and open network and sharing center > homegroup > view or print the homegroup password. Write it down or print it as you prefer. The password IS case sensitive. To join a homegroup > choose homegroup and sharing options. All of your W7 computers should be on the same homegroup. Make sure your host computer has printer checked as shared in the homegroup window. Under Network and Sharing Center, on the host computer, advanced sharing settings, network discovery, file and printer sharing, and public folder sharing must be turned on. (See pic above) You can password protect this in the same window. If it's not visible check the public ^ arrow to locate. Note: Homegroup is difficult to access if your home (router) network is properly password protected. Unless you are worried about ur kids accessing sensitive files, it's easiest to keep this unencrypted
Sharing the printer
Windows 7:
Now that your sharing options are correctly set it's time to share the printer itself. Go to "devices and printers" under your start menu. Locate the printer you wish to share. Double click it then customize your printer > the sharing tab > change sharing options and make sure "share this printer and "render print jobs on client computers" are both checked.
It's a good idea to click "additional drivers" and make sure x86 and x64 are both selected. Itanium is optional based on specific Intel processors. It doesn't take very much additional space so check it if your unsure.
Windows XP
Start menu > control panel > printers and other hardware > printers and faxes > sharing tab > On the sharing tab check "share this printer" This time additional drivers is up to you depending on how backwards compatible you need it to be. Check all that apply.
My apologies I don't have a working XP machine to take screen shots from. I'm sure a quick google search will help you if your stuck.
At this point you are going to want to shut down all computers on your network for a full power cycle. Though I recommend a full 3 minutes not 30 seconds.
Questions and comments are strongly encouraged. If you found this article helpful please follow and subscribe to my blog and refer your family and friends. Have a computer problem or question? Please leave a comment and describe. Any donations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading :)
Koby
The easiest way to share a printer in your home is to get a Wi-Fi printer and get it linked up to the network. If this is not an option, your second best is through a host computer and your homegroup. Your host computer must have the printer installed, shared, and networked through your router. The kicker is the host computer must remain powered on at all times for the printer to be accessible. Some routers have USB connectivity to share a printer or other hardware. See your documentation for instructions with that.
Homegroup / Workgroup:
The MS homegroup is new to windows 7 and not compatible with XP. So, make sure all of your windows XP computers are on the same workgroup. By default it's named "workgroup". Check your windows 7 machine by going to control panel > system and security > system > advanced system settings > computer name tab. Whatever your workgroup name is, make it the same on XP and W7 computers alike. In XP go to start menu > control panel > performance and maintenance > system > computer name tab.
Homegroup is usually setup when you first power up your new windows 7 machine. But chances are, like myself you didn't write down the password. To find it go to your task bar on the bottom right. Find either your wired, or wireless connection and right click the icon and open network and sharing center > homegroup > view or print the homegroup password. Write it down or print it as you prefer. The password IS case sensitive. To join a homegroup > choose homegroup and sharing options. All of your W7 computers should be on the same homegroup. Make sure your host computer has printer checked as shared in the homegroup window. Under Network and Sharing Center, on the host computer, advanced sharing settings, network discovery, file and printer sharing, and public folder sharing must be turned on. (See pic above) You can password protect this in the same window. If it's not visible check the public ^ arrow to locate. Note: Homegroup is difficult to access if your home (router) network is properly password protected. Unless you are worried about ur kids accessing sensitive files, it's easiest to keep this unencrypted
Sharing the printer
Windows 7:
Now that your sharing options are correctly set it's time to share the printer itself. Go to "devices and printers" under your start menu. Locate the printer you wish to share. Double click it then customize your printer > the sharing tab > change sharing options and make sure "share this printer and "render print jobs on client computers" are both checked.
It's a good idea to click "additional drivers" and make sure x86 and x64 are both selected. Itanium is optional based on specific Intel processors. It doesn't take very much additional space so check it if your unsure.
Windows XP
Start menu > control panel > printers and other hardware > printers and faxes > sharing tab > On the sharing tab check "share this printer" This time additional drivers is up to you depending on how backwards compatible you need it to be. Check all that apply.
My apologies I don't have a working XP machine to take screen shots from. I'm sure a quick google search will help you if your stuck.
At this point you are going to want to shut down all computers on your network for a full power cycle. Though I recommend a full 3 minutes not 30 seconds.
Questions and comments are strongly encouraged. If you found this article helpful please follow and subscribe to my blog and refer your family and friends. Have a computer problem or question? Please leave a comment and describe. Any donations are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading :)
Koby
Sunday, February 19, 2012
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