Boost System Performance On Windows 7 Machines

Hey Guys,

Recently I serviced a Windows 7 computer that surprisingly only had 2GB of RAM. In case you didn’t know, 4GB is the preferred comfort level for Windows 7 to run properly but I usually recommend 6GB. This made me think to post some easy do it yourself options to boost system performance on Windows 7 machines. Before you do any of this - make sure to backup your system and/or create a Restore Point. Windows 7, though a fantastically awesome OS, has a few features that not everyone needs. Here are a few steps that could help to boost system performance:

1. Remove Unnecesary Startup Items

Programs which have been installed over time often install various helper programs (such as iTunes Helper) which essentially just help the program to start faster. Other startup programs are meant for updates for their corresponding programs. These programs take up system resources such as RAM which could be freed up for more important tasks. 

Going through these start up programs is easy. Click the Start Orb and type MSCONFIG in the Search bar and hit ENTER. As soon as the RUN dialogue comes up, let go. Type in MSCONFIG and click on the START UP tab at the top. Run through these programs with caution - some of them are kind of important so if you are unsure on what one does, Google it. Anything that says iTunes or Adobe are usually safe to remove by simply clicking the tic box to remove the check mark. Skype is another item that loves to chill in the Systray which is totally unnecessary so you can kill that too.

2. Removing Bloatware

"Bloatware" is software installed by your vendor that isnt necessary at all. A great deal of it is free trials of stuff you never asked for. Usually the process is to click on the Start Orb, go to Control Panel, Programs And Features, and then just remove software you no longer plan to use. If you aren't sure what the program is for, Google it.
 

3. Infections

The most secure and guaranteed way to clean your system of infectious and/or malicious programs is to give us a call at 617-386-7044. Virus removal starts at $75 with a cap of $175 depending on the severity of the infection(s). If you would like a free alternative, then I would recommend Microsoft Security Essentials. I ran this on a few test computers and believe it or not, it did a pretty decent job, especially for a free software. I use to recommend AVG Free, but AVG has been doing more and more poorly as time goes on. If your computer is able to get online, we can even clean up your machine remotely. Visit www.MooreITHelp.com or give us a call at 617-386-7044 for more information.

4. Disable or Fine Tune Windows Search Indexing

Windows 7’s search is good, but it can also affect system performance. If you really need to run a tool at full tilt, you can disable indexing altogether. To access the search index, click the Start Orb and type Index in the Search box. From there, select INDEXING OPTIONS. Once the Indexing Options window pops up, you can modify all aspects of how Windows indexes your files and folders. You can pause the indexing process, omit specific file extensions, or even ignore entire hard drives. 

5. Windows Ready Boost
Without getting too detailed, basically a flash drive runs faster than a traditional hard drive (except for SSD). Windows Ready Boost takes advantage of this by replacing the system cache with a flash drive or solid state cards that are traditionally used with cameras such as SD cards and CF cards. On systems with low RAM such as 1GB, Ready Boost can boost system performance an average of about 10%. On machines with more than 1GB of RAM, the results are kind of random but certainly not harmful, so I would give it a shot.

I wont fill up this page with statistical data, but if you are interested in proof, this website does a good job:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/455/2/
There are a few ways to access Ready Boost. One usually occurs when you first plug in your flash media. An Autoplay dialogue box should pop up and one of the options should be Ready Boost. If you do not see this option, you should be able to right click on the drive within COMPUTER and select Ready Boost. Your flash media should be at least 256MB in size with at least 64KB of free space, have at least a 2.5MB/sec throughput for 4KB random reads, and have at least a 1.75MB/sec throughput for 1MB random writes. This information is usually available on the back of the box the device came in but there are also flash drives that say "Windows Ready Boost Enhanced" right on them. Once the Read Boost window comes up, the program will tell you if the device is compatible. If it is, you should select the "Dedicate This Device to ReadyBoost" option to enable ReadyBoost and specify how much space you want to make available to the disk cache.

Hope this helps,
Let us know if you have any questions by emailing us at Help@MooreITHelp.com

Syncing Firefox and IE Favorites

Hey friends,
quick thing I wanted to share. For quite some time I have recommended that my clients use Firefox instead of IE due to its numerous security vulnerabilities. Firefox was so much faster and more stable than IE6 and 7. But IE has really cleaned up its act with IE 8 and 9. However with so many great apps available for Firefox, i find myself jumping between browsers and it can be frustrating to search both favorites and bookmarks in an attempt to find something that I KNOW i saved before. In my never ending quest to sync everything under the sun, i found this nifty solution:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/plainoldfavorites/
Plain Old Favories. Another neat Firefox Add-on that syncs your bookmarks and favorites automatically. Give it a try and see if it's what you've been looking for!

MyCleanPC.com - Scam or Legit?

Many of you have probably seen the various ads on TV about DoubleMySpeed.com and MaxMySpeed.com and all these other free to use softwares that claim to speed up your machine in minutes. As a technician, I am skeptical of any service that claims to solve all of your computer problems. Before I get into whether the program does as it claims, allow me to address the fact that the issues these ads describe, such as slow performance and Blue Screens, are NOT "tell tale signs of a virus" as the ad claims. Many times this is the result of hardware failure, incorrect/out of date drivers, and even reputable programs that simply aren't compatible with your machine or were improperly installed. Sometimes it can even be as simple as installing a Windows Update to correct the problem. Allow me to also briefly address their categorization of "taking more than three seconds for email to load". First of all - that question is so vague it becomes inapplicable. The question doesn't take into consideration how the user is accessing their email - through a program such as Outlook or if they are using a web based email. Let's put aside for the moment your PC's specs and current versions of programs such as Outlook and take into consideration the speed of the user's Internet connection.

Now, being that I prefer to support my claims rather than go on a blind, rage-fueled rant, i downloaded and ran the MyCleanPC.com program on a new computer which was just purchased today. After running the scan, MyCleanPC found over 4000 problems with my brand new computer. How is this possible? Well - let's take a look at what MyCleanPC considers to be critical issues which can "cause permanent damage to your computer."

What the - My web history? How is this a problem? Okay, clearing your web history IS a basic step in boosting system performance, but 1. this isn't worth $39.98, and 2. this would be more useful in 1997 than for current systems with decent hard drives.

Okay, a fragmented drive. This is probably a result of the data I transferred over and the number of bloatware programs I removed from the manufacturer. This is mildly useful, but again, any user can do this themselves and definitely shouldn't pay $39.98 for it. And look at this - it's counting every single fragmented file individually. This is clearly to boost the number of "problems" with your computer. A basic marketing tactic to scare you into purchasing their software. And here's something interesting:

All these ads you're seeing are all from the same guy. That's a little disturbing.

I could go on with these bogus results, but I haven't seen a single thing about a virus. These are all basic steps in speeding up a machine. Just as you bring your car to a mechanic for simple oil changes, computer maintenance and tune ups should always be performed by a trained specialist as they can tell if there is something else wrong with your computer. Kinda like the time my mechanic found a wrench stuck in my serpentine belt. Good times....Good times...

IN SHORT:

I would not call this a scam - but i would call it a waist of money. If you are experiencing Blue Screens, slow performance,  and repetitive and odd error messages - call a tech. Call 617-396-7044 or visit us at www.MooreITHelp.com

The Future Comes In Cloud Form

Many of you may have been hearing the term "cloud" being thrown around as of late. For those of you unfamiliar with this technology, it would behoove you to read this article and get up to speed! As described in my article First Look At Windows 8, Microsoft is making big changes to shape the future and the cloud is a big part of those changes.

In short, "the cloud" is internet storage. Various softwares have been coming out such as iCloud, Drop Box, and Sugarsync that give users simplified access to their data via the internet. The user's data is thus accessible from anywhere and protected with a username and password. For awhile now, I personally have been using Windows Live Mesh to sync my data with all my devices, and I must say, I dont think i can live without it! Windows Live Mesh is a free service that comes with a Windows Live account and even comes with most new computers in Windows Live Essentials. With a few easy steps, you can upload up to 5GB of data to what Microsoft calls "SkyDrive" (cloud storage), and sync an amount of data only limited to the size of your hard drive across Windows devices using Vista and up. If you are not using Windows Live products, I really recommend playing around with this free service.

As mentioned in previous articles, it is clear that Microsoft is making some changes for the modern world. Microsoft recently released a separate version of Skydrive with a 7GB limit, putting all other popular cloud storage apps to shame. Windows Live users who use the cloud services have always had the ability to not only remotely control their computers via their personal Live.com page, but to access ALL data on their hard drive - not just the data in synced folders or skydrive. With remote options enabled, a user can download files from their computer to the computer they are using via the web. Microsoft, with the unveiling of their Windows 8 Preview, have taken this many steps further, integrating SkyDrive into windows. There are new storage options, apps that connect your devices to SkyDrive, and a more powerful device cloud that lets you “fetch” any file from a Windows PC.  Taken together with access from popular mobile phones and a browser, you can now take your SkyDrive with you anywhere, connect it to any app that works with files and folders, and get all the storage you need—making SkyDrive the most powerful personal cloud storage service available.

It is said that in the near future, this form of integration will be terminated and the Windows Live name removed. Instead, these technologies will be part of Windows. Once a user logs on to Windows, they will also be logging into the cloud. This is intended to remedy branding confusion and to simplify and clean house. rather than Zune for your music, XBox Live for gaming, and having to hop on to these various programs to sync all your data and/or access it elsewhere, Microsoft is to combine all of these features somehow. We'll see how they pull that off.

CARBONITE - Hit or Miss Service

I have many clients who use Carboite along with other backup solutions such as Mozy. Most of my clients are pleased with Carbonite's service, however a select few (including yours truly) have had the worst experience known to man. Though I am more than sure others have a completely different experience, I can tell you that I would be very leery to use Carbonite.

I'll spare you the long story, but looking through my emails, it looks like my client and I have been trying to get a resolution from Carbonite Support since at least March of this year. When trying to access/download files in a specific folder (only this folder was affected) the file access website would return the message "An internal error has occurred please try again later." Though I was confident the files were being backed up and that in the event of an emergency, my client would be able to recover his data via a Carbonite ordered hard drive, this was still a feature that he had paid for which was not working. As a side note, my client evidently wanted this feature so that he may access his data from anywhere. Being that my top priority is to have SOME KIND of solution until the immediate problem can be resolved, I set him up with a Windows Live Mesh account and he couldn't be happier. Also, as another backup, Windows SBS 2007 (the edition my client has) has a rather nifty and easy to use web interface allowing him to access his files from anywhere and even remotely control computers on his network. But I digress.

I went back and forth between one Eric Raymond for months. Eventually, Eric stopped emailing me. We were left hanging until the other day when a new, more serious issue arose. Behold the following screenshots:

Website claims that a backup is passed due.

Carbonite client says otherwise.

At this point, both my client and I were reaching our limits of patience. I mean, this was a paid account, mind you. Now, here is what started me writing this particular blog entry - I emailed Eric (the individual with whom we had been dealing with for months) regarding this issue and explained that I would be in a conference call all day and would only be able to talk via email. I received a call the day of the conference call from Robert W. (no last name given). I told him I was in the middle of a conference call and to please speak with me via email. Robert said it was no problem and sent the following email:

Response Via Email (Robert W. - Boston, MA)	06/25/2012 10:39 AM
Hello, I am a member of Carbonite’s Escalation Team and have been assigned to personally handle your case until it’s resolved. Please respond to this email so that we can set up a remote session. I am in the Boston office from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Sincerely, Carbonite Escalation Team www.carbonite.com The Better Backup Plan.
Question Reference #120625-000464 Date Created: 06/25/2012 10:39 AM

I responded to his email and sat and waited.....for four hours. I then emailed Eric to inform him of the situation only to just now be told that he was in Sales and could not help me. Here's the kicker - Eric informed me that Robert could only repair the issue by obtaining remote connection to the server (something I had requested in the first place). We went back and forth for about an hour about continuing via email while Eric insisted that the technician must call me in order to obtain remote access. Finally, I told Eric that I would leave the conference call for 10 minutes and to tell Robert to call me. I sat for 20 minutes. I emailed Eric asking him what was going on. Upon informing him that my client wants to cancel his service, Eric responded with "Sounds Good, Chris." About 5 minutes later I got a call from Robert and the critical conversation went as follows:

Robert: "Could you go to support.carbonite.com for me, please?"

(i go to the website in question)

(Robert provides me with a code)

Robert: "Okay! I'll take it from here!"

REALLY? THAT'S IT? And this couldn't have been done via email!?

Long story short, our backup issue APPEARS to have been solved - for now. However our web file access issue still remains.

Take a look here as well:

http://www.customerservicescoreboard.com/Carbonite

http://www.ripoffreport.com/internet-services/carbonite-inc/carbonite-inc-carbonite-i-p-7f692.htm

http://www.ripoffreport.com/computer-service-repair/carbonite-inc/carbonite-inc-do-not-purchas-bee2b.htm

http://www.ripoffreport.com/computer-service-repair/carbonite/carbonite-doesn-t-always-work-1b3db.htm

For more help and tips, check out www.MooreITHelp.com

First Look At Windows 8

Most of you have probably seen the recent changes in technology and its impact on our daily lives. Kindle’s and iPad’s are now more common on the train than newspapers and books. Pretty much everyone has a pair of iPod ear buds in their ears, and almost all new devices run on a touch screen interface. Well Microsoft has been well aware of these changes and has been making revolutionary changes in their latest OS – Windows 8. As your technician, I am here to keep you in the loop. Technology has truly found its way into our daily lives, and I for one couldn’t be happier. Windows 8 is taking a leap into this new generation, “the most radical overhaul of Microsoft’s premiere software since Windows 95” says Microsoft’s Sam Moreau and Windows president Steven Sinofsky calls the new OS a “generational change”. Microsoft recently released Windows 8 Release Preview, which I installed on one of my spare units the other day. So let’s deal with the first thing you will see and no doubt have a lot of questions about: Windows Metro. Those of you with Windows phones may have an easier time adjusting than others.

This… is Metro – the new interface Microsoft is attempting to accommodate the new generation of touch screens, netbooks, and tablets. Now, many of you may have a panic attach when your new computer turns on and shows you this, but don’t worry – your desktop is still there. Metro is a sort of replacement for the Start button. It’s no secret that Windows 7 wasn’t exactly the best match for netbooks and works best on a desktop machine. Windows 8 is sort of working to remedy that, removing Windows 7’s tiny sweet spots and buttons. Instead, we are given a very swoopy interface designed with large tiles and fast and simplistic options. Metro’s “main page”, if you will, presents the user with the most common tasks right at the fingertips – literally. Though it is a step into the touch screen generation, one can still use the mouse to interact with the system.

 

Metro uses a series of downloadable apps, similar to your phone. It is here that you can see another bit of where technology is headed. Touch and voice interface systems all working to interconnect each and every one of us. The methods of sharing files and office meetings of early 2000 will be a joke compared to what is in store for the next 10 – 20 years, I’d say. At the risk of this becoming a dull read, ill cut it off here for now. Don’t worry, my favorite thing is to find work around to interfaces I hate so the next thing to come will more than likely be a few tips and tricks to removing features you don’t like. To get the best customization of your new machine, and all your questions answered, visit us at www.MooreITHelp.com or call 617-396-7044.

Old, but still useful

An experienced technician can immediately tell which course of action to take on a problem machine and begin running diagnostics. Unfortunately, if said machine is running Windows XP or lower, it’s probably more cost effective to just replace the machine than to repair it. It can be frustrating (both for me and the client) that a seemingly simple repair can cost more than the computer is worth. Well here are a few tips for both preventative maintenance and simple repairs that you may be able to do yourself. Note that most of these repairs are for older computers and not for virus removal. Some of these steps are intended as a sort of last resort before buying a new computer. Backup your data before doing anything!

Option 1:

Before getting into possible fixes, you may want to stop and think about what is really important on this computer. If you don’t rely on any third party programs such as Quickbooks or Turbotax or Outlook, then you could just wipe the drive and start over. Most old computers come with a reinstallation CD. If you do not want to use this option (as it IS risky), move on to step 2.

***If you proceed with this step, it is CRITICAL to backup ALL DATA***

            Pop the reinstallation CD in the drive and turn on the computer. If the BIOS is configured

            properly, then you should soon see the prompt “Press any key to boot from CD…”. Press

            a key quickly and simply follow the prompts. Once your install is done, make sure to run

            all the Windows Updates, install your Internet Security Solution (Antivirus), and then

            you can transfer all your data back (pictures, music, documents).

            If after this entire process is completed and your problems return after a short time, it

may be the computer itself that is the problem. Call 617-396-7044 or visit MooreITHelp.com to see how much it may cost to get your computer running like new again. We can also help you pick out a new computer and transfer all your old data from your old computer to your new one.

Option 2:

If you are lucky, there is a chance that your computer’s poor performance is due to simple “wear and tear”. Fragmentation, filled caches, and registry errors can cause computers to act flaky or even stop working all together. Here are a few simple steps that can be used for both repair and preventative maintenance.

·         System Cache:

Clearing the system cache and temporary files can be an easy way to clear up hard drive space. It can even solve problems you may be experiencing on websites that use to run just fine. When you visit a website, your browser downloads many files from that website so that it may load faster the next time you visit it. That’s all well and good, but soon those files are going to add up and take up a good deal of space. In the event that said website has been updated, these old files can interfere with the download and execution of the updated files. A good program to automate this process, along with obtaining other bonuses such as registry cleaning, I recommend CCleaner: http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

Instructions for clearing cache in Internet Explorer

If you have the latest version of Internet Explorer, IE9, click the gear icon in the top right.

o   Go to Safety > Clear Browsing History.

o   Select "Delete Files."

o   Delete Temporary Internet Files.

In Internet Explorer 7 or 8:

o   Go to Tools > Internet Options.

o   On the General Tab under Browsing History, select "Delete Files."

o   Delete Temporary Internet Files.

·         Defragment your hard drive:

I’m sure you have all heard the broken record “Defragment! Defragment!” Well in case you are wondering why techs (and self proclaimed techs) keep telling you this, here is a good article you can read: http://www.geekgirls.com/2010/03/why-defrag/

To defrag, you can either use the Windows defragmenting tool or download Defraggler from http://www.piriform.com/defraggler. Defraggler has been reported to do a better job than the Windows defragmenting tool and also gives you some more options.

·         Run any applicable Windows Updates:

I don’t know who started this rumor, but I have had several clients try to tell me that Windows Updates are “bad”. Windows Updates are latest bug fixes for Microsoft Windows, including fixes for some possible DoS attacks and even applicable driver updates. They are critical and can solve many common issues. Either use the built in application in the Control Panel or go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and follow the prompts.

If these steps do not seem to solve your issue, feel free to give us a call at 617-396-7044 or visit MooreITHelp.com to see how much it may cost to get your computer running like new again. We can also help you pick out a new computer and transfer all your old data from your old computer to your new one.

Changing the Default Apps on your Android Device

If you, for example, install multiple media player applications on your Android device, you’ll find that Android will give you the choice of which application to launch by default when you open a media file or document. However, you may later want to change this default setting.

To do so, go to Settings > Applications > Manage applications and then press the “All” tab. Choose the application that you previously selected as default, and scroll to the section “Launch by default” and press the “Clear defaults” button. Next time you open that particular type of file in the future, Android will prompt you again to choose a new default app.