PC Fear Factor
The Ultimate PC Disaster Prevention Guide
Your Home for Defensive Computing

7 Cool Facts About the Windows Task Manager
Almost everyone has come to know of the amazingly useful utility known as the Windows Task Manager. Many situations can be addressed with this tool, including a break or fix BSOD error, an unexpected reboot, or a missing driver, among others. It is indeed very easy to use this tool.
If you have ever encountered a BSOD error, you will know how frustrating it can be. In the case of missing drivers, this error can be the result of corrupted or missing drivers. There are unfortunately so many issues that cause this error, including outdated drivers and conflicting hardware or software conflicts. Because of all of the BSOD errors that are common, pc performance can be slower than usual.
Computers are very versatile systems, capable of performing almost anything we want or need. However, with very careful maintenance, the performance can be greatly enhanced.
The Windows Task Manager is a very helpful tool in order to fix a badly behaving PC. We can access this tool through the use of a shortcut called ‘taskmgr’ that is installed on your desktop. If you cannot find taskmgr on your desktop, you can simply utilize the search engines to locate this tool. Once you have utilized taskmgr.exe or the Windows Task Manager for some time, you will begin to see a variety of useful information appear on your screens such as the amount of memory utilized by your computer, processes running on your computer, and more.
Another issue that you may be facing with Windowstaskmgr.exe is spyware or virus infections. Sometimes, these infections will be posing as normal virus or spyware infections, and interfere with the performance of your computer in a very undesirable way. It’s also nice to use the Task Manager to verify if there are any malicious programs present on your computer. If you don’t want any programs running on your computer, you can short-cut to the Windows Task Manager and select ‘end task’. Prior to using the taskmgr.exe, it’s recommended that you scan your computer with a reliable antivirus program.
Be sure to conduct regular scans by downloading and installing a quality antivirus program.
Uninstall Unnecessary Programs
Unnecessary and unused programs often present a burden on your system resources which can lead to a long-lasting computer problem. Almost all programs on a PC build up a record of sorts on the hard drive, this is left behind as the computer is unused. The longer a computer is around, the greater the record is built up, which can become us if we don’t take action to correct it.
To correct this problem, you should take the time to get rid of unneeded programs on your PC. If you have lemons on your system, getting them off course is a great way to make your computer run better faster. There is Windows Software and Tools, which will do this for you. These programs will scan your computer and take away any unnecessary programs that are making the task of your computer take longer than it should.
Clean up the Junk
Junk files and programs are another source of a drain on the computer’s performance and speed. As you install and uninstall programs you will leave junk files behind. These will clutter up your hard drive and slow down your computer – or worse.
Luckily, Windows has a built-in tool to clean up these junk files and a registry cleaner which will sort these files out, so to speak. You can get these tools from the Internet and install them on your computer. Once you have them installed, you should run a scan of your computer to see if there are unwanted programs filing up on your hard drive. You can choose to remove some of these, but keep a few around just to be sure.
Defragment
One thing that you can do monthly or weekly is to defragment your computer. Defragmentation involves sorting and merging files so that the computer can find and use them better, putting them in order. This will require the computer to load a few programs and let them work to arrange the files so that it will be faster for the computer to access them. Getting rid of files that are “jumpy” can speed up your computer. This only takes once and you will see a difference.
Upgrade
Always think of updating your drivers before you go out and buy a new one. Updating drivers will allow your computer to identify the new version and download it quickly.
It is important to remember that if you have a lot of programs requiring the same version of a driver, you should probably go ahead and purchase the new driver. You would be surprised how many people get frustrated when they buy a new device and find out that their drivers don’t work with the new software.
Busy drivers will take up a lot of your computer’s resources, and it can cause some problems.

How To Do PC Maintenance
Centralized Backup System
We’ve all heard of widespread disaster recovery plans where things go wrong or data is lost and needs to be put right. How much money are you wasting on systems that do not have enterprise-class backup and how many systems do you have that do not have a backup? By following the Six Sigma approach to backup and data recovery you can protect your business and get more out of your existing technology. Each application is different and requires a unique set of backup and recovery solutions.
Backups are done on-site and this can be an expensive way of implementing a backup solution. I recommend checking with your NS backup are and using an and off approach. The easiest way to provide remote backups and emergency copies are with an offsite monitored server. The server sends regular reports to an offsite location. The location can be the optimum place to store the logs. The server burns the logs to a CD or DVD on a scheduled basis.
One of the great things about offsite monitoring is the fact that because the server is designed to be available online it is secured against malware and spyware. This means that your data is safe and protected.
Stop paying for expensive firewalls or anti-virus software.
Computers are constantly changing and with the blink of an eye switching from one technology to another can occur with the ease of a button. In the past, one of the necessary steps in computer maintenance was shutting down the old technology and installing a new one. However, with the help of automated tools, this process can be simplified and in a matter of minutes instead of days.
There are also a lot of free pre-installed network monitoring tools that will provide you with a basic analysis of your connection record. Disk utility, Windows cleaner, and utilities for internet bandwidth monitoring are among the tools that you should be using.
There are also a few steps you can take to simplify your computer maintenance. For starters, remove the bottom panel of the computer and the drawing of the cables used to connect it to the computer. This makes access to the cables easier and reduces the chance of encountering electrical shorts. It is important to remember that the goal is to remove all possibility of dangerous accidents. Keep the computer away from radiation and keep the cabinet clean.
Cleaning the computer’s bottom provides additional benefits. It ensures that the machine’s interior is free from dust and provides protection against fluids that might enter the machine. Clean the keyboard and the outer shell of the computer. The outsides can be cleaned using vinegar or a mild cleaning agent. For areas requiring a deeper cleaning, the side panels can be removed and the delicate parts of the system removed and saved for cleaning with mild detergent.
All the connections that are in the computer should be coated with some type of protection.

How to Create Corrupt DVD Drivers
The problem with most audio and video devices is that they sometimes don’t work correctly at the times when you need them most. This is because of the fact that your computer may not have the most up-to-date and suitable drivers to power your device; universally speaking, your audio and video device will not work properly if you connect two devices of type ‘s’. Imagine the situation when you play a video file that is on a certain type of your iPod, but on another type of your Xbox. The ‘ sundry’ devices will not work properly because your computer does not recognize the particular files. Any hardware that you connect or attach to your PC will also need proper drivers to power it and execute the commands you give it.
Windows needs a wide range of drivers to fully functional, and its deployment is a fairly lengthy and tiresome process. The typical problem that users face is that Windows does not have the ideal way to automatically deploy the necessary and latest drivers to your system. This means that you will have to spend a lot of time searching for the most recent drivers for your hardware. Moreover, as you constantly install and uninstall programs and hardware, the Windows Operating System likewise ends up with differing drivers for your devices, and its functionality degrades gradually as a result. There are a number of causes behind the poor performance of your PC, and one of the most common is the corrupted driver.
Imagine the following scenario: you are using a printer, and suddenly you notice that the driver of your device is not working properly. You immediately jump online, search for the manufacturer’s website, download the latest version of that driver and re-install it. You reboot your PC and attempt to print the document again. But again, the printer spooler error continues to pop out, preventing you fromigaingPrint to pdf file.
All this highlights the importance of having up-to-date drivers for your hardware. But keeping drivers up-to-date is not always that simple, and you may download the incorrect drivers or some products may even have viruses in spite of the latest upgrades. Moreover, hardware manufacturers are always looking for ways to improve and enhance their device’s capabilities, and with this, comes the frequent need for corresponding drivers. Driver scanners are usually used to help in this regard. They have a database from where they automatically download the latest drivers to your PC, and all you need to do is execute commands and the scanner does the rest.
So, how do you download the latest drivers for your hardware? The first thing you need to do is to find a driver scanner. This is actually a very effective and simple way to utilize, whereby you also manage to enhance your PC’s capabilities. As the technology is nowadays, these devices are already installed with very friendly front panels that even novice users can execute. There are also scanner applications that you can buy where you can scan your hardware for free, and the results are shown after each scan.
Free driver scans can be found everywhere on the Web, and these either come as part of a complete driver package or as separate files. These ‘drive’ driver scanners are also accessible as a stand-alone program, either in the form of a CD or in the form of online updates. The benefits of downloading from the Internet are many: the main benefit is that you don’t have to wait until your package arrives to try it out. This is because it is fast and efficient to deliver the latest driver updates, as these are regularly released by the manufacturers of the hardware concerned. The updates can thus be obtained and installed in no time at all.
It is also an advantage of using free driver scanners that these programs can be easily found on many websites that focus exclusively on driver updates. You will only have to find one that offers a comprehensive collection of free driver updates and click on the link to download. This will explain how the system works, download and install the latest available drivers, and perform a complete driver scan. You can also choose from the lists of categories and sizes of driver updates if you are more tech-savvy or prefer. The important thing is that you can download the driver you require and have it installed effectively.
The Scanner will run a driver scan on your computer and display the result of the driver’s absence or presence. Every driver that is outdated or a corrupted driver will be displayed, and you can either decide whether to update the driver or already have it and click Next to install it. If the driver is not found in the driver database, you will be notified and prompted to search for it. Besides, if your driver is not found, you can contact the manufacturer of the driver and ask for it. So you see, the scanning of your computer is only the beginning of your driver update experience.

3 Simple Solutions to Resolving Missing Sound Audio Files Issues
Missing sound files is pretty much a common problem amongst computer users. This issue is even something that many users themselves notice within the first few months of the purchase of their new computer. This is something that is not that easy to avoid and is often one of the first things that need to be fixed, once a few months have passed. Those who have had these issues would understand just how frustrating it is to not have your entire system working well, right out of the box.
One of the most common sound file issues is the loss of a microphone or sound card when you install a new program. This is something that is a lot simpler to fix than you might think. One of the solutions is to restart the computer into safe mode and then switch to the Safe Mode. This is a mode of Windows that Microsoft built for its advanced users so that they can access their computer without having to deal with the normal everyday functions and activities that happen on a daily basis. Sometimes, problems that seem to be pertaining to your sound card might just be a result of a corrupted audio driver.
If you are still experiencing driver issues, you might want to try to conduct a driver scan. The thing about driver issues is that you can often easily identify the issue when you are having it in your system. However, the great thing about this is that you can gain access to this scan for free. This way, you can try to determine the driver issues by yourself and you will also be able to see if further changes are necessary to your system. If the issue turns out to be something that you can fix, then you might have to change your whole system in order to make it work once again. While having this tool will be helpful, you will need to get some data driver updates in order to make it work all the better.
The first thing that you have to do to fix this issue is to just go online and perform a search for your sound card’s manufacturer’s brand of sound drivers. It doesn’t matter if you are using a built-in or an external sound card; it is the same thing. The manufacturer’s site should be the best place for you to search for these driver updates. Once you have found the necessary updates, you will have to download them to your computer.
This is the easiest way to get these driver updates, and in most cases, you won’t have to do anything else. When your computer needs the files, it will automatically update them. However, in some cases, when you are actually trying to figure out what is causing the problem, manual updates can be a necessity. It is also important for you to know the driver’s manufacturer. You need to know the brand name of the sound card you have on your computer so that you will know which updates to get. You can also download the latest updates from the manufacturer’s website, but the manufacturer may have made it unavailable for online download. If this is the case, you will need to check with the manufacturer first.
Sometimes, the manufacturer makes the update available for a week or even a few days, so that it is easier for him to fix the problem. There are also instances that the manufacturer makes the update available immediately upon request from the user. When this happens, the user will have to contact the Sound Card Device’s Customer Service and ask for the procedure for a new sound card driver download. If the manufacturer does not provide these updates immediately, the user can check with the sound card he/she is using. This might be a little difficult if the department he/she is in charge of overseeing the computer has its own internal sound card issues.
Another thing you can do to resolve your driver issues is to determine the make and model of your sound card. You can do this by opening your “Device Manager.” Once the computer has started this utility, it will straightaway tell you what type of sound card you are using. This will also help you determine which driver is the issue. If your system reports that your sound card is faulty, then all you have to do is install a new one. If it reports that your existing driver is faulty, then he/she should try to update it.
Sometimes, your system doesn’t report errors; it reports that it doesn’t find any errors, or that it has found none. This could be because your hardware is working properly or because of the Windows Registry; however, as your system begins to run poorly, it could result in your PC having Registry errors. Registry errors can be caused by a lot of things, and they usually stem from the fact that your computer system has become unstable due to a number of issues that it is currently faced with. While you may not know about these issues, their effects can bring your system down so that it won’t function properly.

The Early Signs of PC Hardware Problems
Are you having problems with your PC hardware? Do you need to replace your PC hardware because it is broken or damaged? Many people like myself have had problems with their PC hardware. Fortunately, most PC hardware problems can be fixed. In this article, I will list some common PC hardware problems that you can fix yourself.
When you experience problems with your PC hardware it is very important that you clean the area first. If you don’t then you risk shorting out the circuits inside. The wires and the components inside should always be clean before you use them for another purpose. If the wires are dirty then clean them with a wire brush or a piece of plastic. If you have a dead computer then it is very possible that it has a fried motherboard – in this case, you should replace computer parts.
Another PC hardware problem that most people have is that they think that their computer has just stopped working when it actually just needs to restart. This is a sign of more serious problems. Make sure you get your PC checked out by a certified technician before you try to restart it. If you are able to restart the system without further damaging it then the problem is likely a hardware issue. If the problem cannot be solved then the only option is to replace computer parts.
One PC problem that can cause serious difficulties is the system not booting up at all. For this problem, you will need to boot into Windows and make sure that your hard drive is not full. By pressing F8 several times you should be able to see Windows booting. If this does not work, then the problem is almost certainly on your boot disk.
Another very common problem is the inability to install the software on your system. Almost any software can have issues installing on a slow PC. Many of the new games for consoles and computers have not been designed to run on a slow processor. The best way to install these games is to download them directly from the Internet. Once you have downloaded them, you should install them immediately. Do not try to install software that you are not sure about.
Other PC hardware problems can be with the hardware itself. Sometimes your computer will start to freeze or crash. If this occurs, you should take note of what software you are using and remove it. This will help eliminate the possibility of a hardware problem causing the freezing or crashing. Try reinstalling the software.
The problem may also be with the software. Sometimes a software conflict will cause a computer to act up. To determine if this is the problem, remove all programs from your computer and perform a system scan.
A couple of other signs of hardware issues include malfunctioning speakers and joysticks. If you are playing a game and suddenly find that you are having trouble holding onto the triggers, then it could be due to hardware failure. If your video is choppy or distorted then this could be an issue with the video card. Many times these issues will only occur while the computer is powered on. This means that you can easily fix the problem by restarting your computer.
There are times when a problem with a specific component could be related to software. For instance, if you are getting error messages about missing drivers then it could be due to problems with device drivers. Re-installing the drivers should solve the problem. If you still receive error messages, you should replace the part.
Other signs of PC hardware problems can be software related. For instance, if your system requires you to have updated antivirus software then it could indicate a problem with your anti-virus program. Sometimes there are updates available for free on the antivirus website, but they are rarely made specifically for your specific software. You may want to look into updating to the newest version. If this doesn’t solve the problem, then it could be due to a software conflict and is probably a software issue.
It is important to stay calm and don’t panic. PC hardware issues are nothing to be embarrassed about and there are usually good explanations for the problems you are having. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is advisable to take care of the problem as soon as possible so you don’t end up damaging your PC.

Why My Computer Won’t Boot Windows 8
When you encounter a computer that won’t boot Windows, you will be confused as to what to do. This can be very frustrating as it means that your system could not complete the boot processor that the entire system might be in error. However, there is a simple solution that can help you fix Windows problems. It’s also safe mode which can be undone if you need to return to the normal operating environment. Here’s what you need to do.
One of the most common and annoying things that Windows may face is the inability to load Windows. The reasons for this are many but if you have one it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible to ensure that the problem doesn’t come back. The first thing that you should do is to check your Windows advanced options. There are a lot of different settings here that can be tweaked. If these settings are broken then Windows won’t be able to boot properly, which means that you will have to start again.
Booting Windows in safe mode is easy to do. First, you will need to access your computer’s hardware. There should be two different options on your computer; an external hard drive or memory stick. You will want to use the hard drive if you are able to. To do this, simply close all programs that are currently running. Press and hold the keys on the keyboard and the mouse and you will see a recovery drive icon.
Click this and then continue to hold the keys until you bring up the boot menu. If you have trouble seeing this, then you will need to reboot your pc. After that, you should see an option for Safe Mode with Windows 8. Choose this and press enter to bring up the boot menu. This will allow you to select your computer’s basic configuration, which includes the boot menu.
The problem that you are having can be caused by an issue with the Windows 8 boot up. It will be giving you error messages such as “Cannot load Windows 8. There are missing programs and files.” The most common reason why this happens is that your computer has been corrupted. There are many reasons why this problem occurs, but the most likely one is related to an issue with the hard drive.
When this happens, you will need to boot into safe mode. This can be done by pressing F8 before you hit the F8 key on your keyboard. This will bring up your boot menu, which should be fine. Simply select the options that you have previously chosen and hit enter. Your PC should now be in safe mode and it will start the Windows 8 operating system.
The reason why your computer won’t boot windows 10 properly may also be due to a virus infection. If your virus program has corrupted the files that are required for the PC to boot, then this will also cause the problem. You will need to use an antivirus program to get this fixed. Make sure that you always keep the latest version of this installed on your computer. Viruses can come and go over time so it is important that you always have the most up-to-date version of it.
If you want to be sure that your PC will be working correctly after an unsuccessful BIOS update, then you need to get a free virus scanner and find out whether or not there are any errors. If there are, then you should remove them immediately. Sometimes, these errors will cause more problems than they fix. This is why you should always scan for potential virus threats before downloading anything. After you do that, you should boot your computer into safe mode and then perform a BIOS update. It is highly unlikely that your computer won’t boot Windows 10 properly if you follow these steps.

Pc Parts and Equipment
Computer systems are made of various elements or elements, collectively generally known as PC. A number of the essential PC items embrace CPU, mouse, show display screen monitor, laborious disk, keyboard, CD drive, and so on. You should purchase a pc from a branded firm or buy an assembled mannequin via a knowledgeable laptop software program for a particular person. On many occasions, when some elements of a pc get corrupted, you may also purchase separate elements from any online or offline laptop sellers.
Likewise, laptop elements additionally do embrace novel objects comparable to scanners, sound playing cards, web modems, and even digital cameras. However, each laptop has particular personal properties like RAM reminiscence, CPU mannequin particulars, and so on which can range from different computer systems.
Allow us to research a number of the most vital laptop elements:
CPU – This half is the mind of the pc. It is named the Central Processing Unit and works as a processor. The most well-liked processors are manufactured by Intel common because of the Pentium Chip mannequin. Intel processors are extensively used all around the world by many laptop manufacturing firms.
Mouse – This is crucial for desktop fashions as a navigational object, to click on various choices, choosing totally different objects, and accessing obligatory data on the pc display screen. There are two essential buttons within the mouse, for use to enter data. These days, you’ll find fascinating varieties of mouse available in the market compared to a laser mouse or ball mouse. However, all of them serve the identical function to assist the entry of computerized data from the CPU.
Onerous Disk – This can be a machine that helps in storing knowledge. The all-around efficiency of any laptop truly is dependent upon the velocity of its laborious disk. The increased rotational velocity of the laborious disk permits quick and excessive velocity efficiency by that individual laptop.
RAM – Additionally it is generally known as Random Entry Reminiscence, which aids in storing short-term data within the CPU. Whenever you swap off the pc, such short-term data information is erased. The optimum efficiency of the pc additionally is dependent upon the dimensions of its RAM.
Keyboard – This is likely one of the most vital halves in a laptop. The keyboard helps customers to enter particular instructions by punching alphabets, numbers, or indicators. There are different perform keys like Management, Alter, delete, F keys, Web page up, Web page down, and so on within the keyboard. There are a complete of 101 keys in any commonplace keyboard and designed in such a manner in order to make typing quicker and simpler.
The different extra laptop contains a scanner, joystick, exterior drive, printer, and servers. Shopping for particular person laptop elements could be a tedious activity as there are a number of choice fashions, kinds, and designs to select from. It’s best to assemble some primary first-hand data concerning the particular laptop half that you just intend to purchase.
You possibly can select to purchase from online laptop retail retailers and different sellers. Online directories may help you type a listing of potential producers or retailers who’re real and reliable.

Solid Desktop Computer Advice For The Masses
Given how fast technology evolves, there is always new information available to help you learn about desktop computers. Start with these tips to become more acquainted with computers. Read this article for excellent great tips!
If you are going to be doing some upgrades to your desktop computer be sure to ground yourself before you begin working on your computer. A simple jolt of static electricity can be more than enough to fry your motherboard. If you do not ground yourself, you will be putting your whole system at risk.
Consider the disk burning capabilities of any desktop computers that you are looking at. Consider whether you plan to just watch media or to make your own CDs and DVDs. If you plan on doing the latter, make sure the computer that you want supports it. Not all desktops come with these capabilities.
Try building your own computer. Instead of buying a computer ready-made from a big company, try building your own computer. This sounds complicated, but you can get help online. You’ll find that building your own computer helps you save money, and allows you to create something in line with your needs.
Keep your desktop computer’s tower away from places where you set your drinks or other things that could spill. It’s really hard to fix a computer if the parts were to get wet. If you must set a drink on your desk, make sure it’s on a side of the desk away from the tower so if you do spill something it doesn’t get on the main part of the computer.
Be very careful to check on the versions of software in any new desktop you buy, unless you want to be constantly updating it or replacing the operating system completely. Many good deals can be had on desktops that contain nearly obsolete software, which can complicate use later on. Make sure what you buy will be compatible online and for other purposes.
If you have a home office or a small business, a laptop computer probably will not meet all your needs. While a portable computer is great when you are out and about, a desktop model is better if you need a printer, copier, fax, and scanner. Also, many people find typing on a regular keyboard is easier than working on a laptop.
As you select your desktop computer, pay attention to the sorts of software that are included, particularly if you need a word processing package. You need to be aware of whether or not you will receive a complete version of such software, or if you will just get a trial version that will require you to spend additional money later on.
Since technology is evolving and changing, it can be hard to stay up-to-date with the changes. Articles like this can help simplify the topic and break down new information. If you are stuck and want to know more, remember this article about desktop computers, and keep searching for others.

Ideas To Maintain In Thoughts When Shopping for a Computer
Some folks have a better time when buying a pc than others and appear to know what they need. Most of us have no idea what we should always search for and what constitutes a superb computer buy. This determination is necessary as a result of we don’t make this buy usually and we’re on the lookout for a pc that may final for a very long time. Listed below are some suggestions to remember when shopping for a pc to cut back your confusion or insecurities in regards to the buy.
What makes this determination much more troublesome is that there are such a lot of decisions out there by many laptop producers. Who do you go along with and why, when shopping for a pc? Which is perfect? The responses to those questions are subjective however you want to carry out a little bit of analysis and due diligence.
Selecting the Proper Computer
1. Price range
Step one is to create finance and attempt to keep on with it until it is sensible to extend or cut back your finances after wanting on the choices on supply and your computer wants. With the present financial system, we’re all making an attempt to save lots of a buck or two and most consumers don’t normally find themselves paying the full retail worth. There are numerous reductions and promos supplied by retailers. You additionally want to incorporate the upkeep prices, service prices in addition to insurance coverage in your finances.
2. Peripherals.
You might want to purchase a pc that features the essential peripherals which embody the CPU (central processing unit), monitor, keyboard, and mouse. In case you are a novice, it’s most likely greatest to purchase all 4 parts. In case you are getting a laptop computer, you could not embody a mouse buy.
3. Computer Use
Decide what you want the pc for and make a pc buy accordingly. In case you merely want a pc for on-line net shopping, sending an email, fundamental phrase processing, a pc with the fundamentals mentioned above might be adequate.
When you’ve got extra sophisticated or subtle computing wants you could want so as to add a scanner/copier/printer, pill, digicam, microphone, audio system, and many others.
4. Comparability Procuring
A wise purchaser comparability outlets for the pc that has the perfect options similar to a quick processor, portability, quickest modem, reminiscence dimension, and functionality, greatest exhausting drive capability, and many others. There are newer fashions in the marketplace on a regular basis encompassing the most recent technological advances which can be sure that you’ll be able to use the pc for a few years to return that meets your computing wants.
5. Properly Identified Manufacturers
Frequent or well-known manufacturers are most likely one of the simplest ways to go since they normally have the perfect help that you simply want if you happen to expertise any issues with the pc. Additionally, they are extra technologically superior to little-known manufacturers.
Additionally, they may have an extended confirmed historical past with computer systems which you could faucet into when or if wanted. In case you ever resolve to promote the pc, you’ll have a lot simpler time with a well-known model than a little-known model.