Thanks Vets From Littleton Computers

I just want take a brief break from our normal discussions of computers and thank all our veterans for their service this Veterans Day.

Today is Veterans Day in the US and in Canada it is Remembrance Day. 

I got the idea to post a thank you to all our Veterans from my Canadian friend Colin McDougall who dedicated postings on his website today to Veterans.

He gave the opportunity for me and others who wanted to post remembrances of veterans they know on his blog.

You can share thanks to our vets on his site as well.

And please… if you would like to share those same thoughts of your veterans here at Littleton Computer as well please do in the comments below.

Today I would like to acknowledge my late father for his service to his county.

My Dad was a Sargent in the US Army during WWII and he is the one that got me into this crazy computer business when he was tinkering around with the earliest versions of the PC back in the late 70's and early 80's.

This is my post on Constant Conversation about my Dad's service:  

I would like to acknowledge my late father’s service in WWII as a Sargent in the US Army.

My dad was a brilliant man who after leaving the Army, ran a barber shop with his brother while earning a bachelors degree in fine arts and starting a family.

He then went on to receive a master degree and finally after 21 years of study while he worked he received his PhD.

During WWII he served on an army hospital ship as a pharmacy technician, but was often pressed into service as surgical assistant as casualties were brought aboard from the battle fields of Europe.

He volunteered for service as soon as he could, but had been warned that his eyesight was so bad he could be classified 4F and rejected.

After completing a physical at the recruiting center, Dad was told to move to shorter line near the exit. He figured he was out.

His disappointment did not last long as he soon found all the men standing in the short line were being expedited to basic training and then would be assigned to the medical corps.

I never heard my dad tell many stories about the war. My uncle would only tell me he saw a lot. Not many men of his generation did have much to say. They just did their jobs, severed their country and came home to live in the freedom they helped secure.

Thanks Dad!

Obama and McCain had their campaign computers hacked into and files stolen this summer.

US Government Cyber geeks say the attacks originated from China.

According to Newsweek, Government agents told both campaigns a "serious amount of files" were copied from their systems.

Both campaigns were told the attacks were happening earlier this year.

Both campaigns had to hire private security companies to deal with the hacking attacks after the White House told the Obama campaign they had a serious problem that had to be dealt with.

Neither campaign had much to say.

I just think it is not unusual to see any kind of high profile company or organization to have to deal with these kind of cyber attacks.

I'm just amazed that both campaigns were not more vigilant with their computer security.

You would have to think that both campaigns would at least be concerned with the other campaign attempting to access information.

Maybe the only reason they were so lax is that both organizations, although large, are also temporary and there was just no computer security plans in place.

It can take large companies years to develop network and computer security procedures.

I would be curious to know how all the IT functions of these campaigns are run.

I would thing it would be best that the job would be outsourced to someone rather than setting up an internal IT operation for such a temporary organization.

While the rest of us will get to experience greater access to Wi-Fi connections, could rock bands like Gun’s N’ Roses find themselves tangled in wires?

The Federal Communications Commission has announced that it is opening up pubic access to white space signals for use by devices such as cell phones and laptops or just about anything that can be connected to the Internet.

White spaces are the unused parts of the broadcast spectrum.  You may want to call them the in between TV channel signals.

The only users of the white space signals today are preachers, salad shooter pitchmen, and musicians who use wireless microphones.

All these folks, including the likes of Dolly Parton, told the FCC that if public access to the white space spectrum were granted, then interference will occur with their wireless microphones and instrument connections.

Fortunately for the public, the FCC decided that the public interest would be better served with increased Wi-Fi access over the need for rock bands to go wireless.

I don’t know a lot about how TV broadcast signals are engineered, but I do know that it is very possible to separate network traffic over those connections.

This should prevent signal interference issues.

Plus, new technology that will be created may possibly prevent the signal bleed through they already get.

I was at a concert once where trucker Bob and Trucker Betty’s CB conversation bled through a guitar solo.

It was hilarious!

There are plenty of brilliant engineers out there that will figure out how to assign network addresses to each microphone, instrument and headsets and let the public have greater access to the Internet from anywhere.

Even without any new technology developments, testing has already shown there is no significant interference from Wi-Fi devices.

So, don’t worry Gun N’ Roses, you will still be able to jump off a stack of speakers without worry of being hung by a microphone cord.

Microsoft has been awfully quiet about Windows Vista lately.  We hardly ever hear them talking about the operating system by its name; in fact, they seem to only refer to it as Windows right now.

There were a lot of high expectations and hype for the new Windows Vista back in early 2007 when it was released.

Vista has not lived up to its expectations and it has been hammered by bloggers and of course those now famous Apple ads which belittle the Microsoft operating system.

Most of the companies I deal with are holding off on upgrading to Vista and continue to hold on to XP.

And Manufactures like Dell offer their computers with the option to purchase the Vista license and for a fee they will deliver your computer with a “downgrade” install of Windows XP.

This allows you to easily upgrade to Vista with the same license whenever you feel you are ready.

I purchased a Dell Ispiron1420 laptop several months ago and it came with the Vista operating system installed and I had quite a few problems in the beginning including the blue screen of death.

That is to say it crashed frequently.

However, I have found the operating system to be quite stable once I reinstalled the operating system and upgraded it from Vista Business to the Vista Ultimate and then installed service pack 1.

Of course there are still some of the annoyances with the extra security features that you have to deal with, but overall I have very few complaints.

But because Vista has now gained such a bad reputation, Microsoft is pushing forward with its new OS Windows 7.

I have found it interesting however that they're not killing off Vista just yet. They're already releasing Vista service pack 2 to beta testers.

The word is out that the new Window 7 will be ready sometime in October of 2009, but if it's like previous Microsoft Windows releases I'm sure that date will be delayed into some time in 2010.

Hackers around the world have to continually get more clever in order to plant viruses and Trojans on your computers.

Now that security has started to improve on our computer systems computer hackers have found that it necessary to also be con men.

I have recently noticed an increase the number of emails that I have been receiving with attachments where the SPAMMER is tying to either entice me into giving them personal financial information (a technique called phishing) or tick me into downloading a virus onto my computer.

Most anti-virus software, firewalls and ad-ware programs do a good job of keeping the nefarious software invaders away, but if a computer con can convince you to launch the virus yourself it has a chance of getting past the security you have set up.

In this Help File Video I explain a bit more about phishing, viruses and Trojans.

I have an old Dell Latitude D600 laptop and I realized that there were some digital photos still on its hard drive that I would like to keep.

Now the laptop is in pretty bad shape and won’t even start up anymore but I’m pretty sure the hard drive still works.

You may find yourself in the same situation where you want to recover information off a hard drive as well. Most of us will eventually experience this problem.

The simplest solution I have found is to get a 3 in 1 adapter drive. The one I have is manufactured by iConnect. There may be other manufactures but I'm not familiar with any of them. I bought my adapter at my local computer store.

You can attach both laptop and PC hard drives to this device. And you can also connect a SATA drive which is used by both laptops and PCs.

In the case of my hard drive from my old Dell D600 I used the 2.5” IDE connection to recover my photos.

Once you attach your hard drive to the adapter, you will plug it into its power supply and then connect it to your PC or laptop with the adapter’s USB cable.

I recommend that you connect the drive to a PC or laptop that is running Windows XP or Vista.

If the old hard drive is working then the laptop or PC you connect it to will recognize the drive once you connect the  USB cable to your computer and you can begin exploring the drive for the data you would like to copy.

To recover the data you simple drag and drop the files and folder from old hard drive to your computer.

According to Microsoft these days it looks like they are making some progress in the war against security problems on home computers and computers and businesses.
 
At least they are in the US anyway.
 
One thing they have found that I find interesting is that China has the most exploited computer browsers on the planet. Almost 46% of the attacks on computers China compared to the US with 23%. 

I wonder why?

I think what may be happening is that in the Chinese market has older operating systems running older versions of Microsoft Windows.

The US may have fewer problems because we are running more instances of XP Service Pack 3 and Vista Service Pack 1 that protect against more vulnerabilities.

I believe the other reason you may see fewer security problems in the US over China is the fact that the US has regular updates and patches pushed down to our computers.

I can only speculate that China’s older operating systems, power systems and communication systems may be not up to the same standards as they are in the US.

With less attention to security updates and software patches there is a greater vulnerability for Chinese computers.

Another thing to consider is the fact that American companies are doing a better job of training or employees about how spyware, viruses and scareware make their way to their computers.

A huge defense that companies and individuals can provide against having their computers security compromised is education and knowledge about how these particular attacks occur.

Another thing I find interesting is that Macs or Linux operating systems do not suffer the same type of vulnerability to attack from malicious software and viruses.

Part of the reason a Mac PC or Linux does not experience the same level of vulnerabilities is that it is much more difficult to attack these systems and they don't have the same level of popularity which attract those who want to spend the time attacking them.

Just as a crook looks to attack the most vulnerable so does the computer hacker.

I was trying to play some marketing training videos the other night and ran into some trouble with the avi video files that I had download from my friend Colin McDougal’s website www.veo20.com.

The problem I was having was the TechSmith codec was missing.

Codec stands for compressor/decompressor. It is a bit of software that is installed on your computer and is used when with your video, audio or image software.

Many videos for your computer are produced as screen captures with Camtasia screen capturing software.

But you may find, as I did, that when you play an avi file that you will only hear the audio and not be able to see the video images.

There are many different types of codecs and not every computer has them installed. So you may have to go out and search for the one’s you may need. 

Unfortunately, it is not always so easy.

You might get lucky and get an error message when you start the avi in Windows Media player or some other software. And hopefully the error message will give you a clue as to which one you may need.

If you are not getting an error message search in Google on terms like “video won’t play on avi file.”

I would start with the TechSmith site and look for their codec in under the downloads tab.

Below is a video that you may find helpful or you may just want to download the TechSmith Codec for avi files from this site.

You may not know scareware by its name, but you have probably encountered it at some point while you have been working online.

Reports out of Silicone Valley say a shadowy Russian firm called Bakasoftware has made nearly 5-million dollars scaring unsophisticated computer users.

Millions of American computers are targeted with fake anti-virus software though SPAM email campaigns or links on websites.

The receiver of the email is tricked into opening up an attachment in their email or a link on a web page  that installs the scareware program on their computer.

The scareware programs have been known by the names Anitivirus XP 2008 or Anitvirus 2009.

The scareware then is triggered to run pop up messages on your computer that your computer is infected by a virus.

You are then enticed by these pop up message to purchase their software to clear the virus off your computer.

Apparently the scareware only targets computers using the English language. If the program called a bot checks out a computer and determines that it uses Russian language the scareware will not be installed on the computer.

This type of software is a virus of sorts. So never never open an attachment in an email if you didn't know who sent it too you. And do not respond to any pop up web page message that is telling you your computer is infected by a virus.

You just finally upgraded your computer to Windows XP and you've heard about Windows Vista but have not had the time for the Vista upgrade.

Windows 7 Beta - Microsoft

Before anyone can hardly take a breath, Microsoft told us early this week they will soon release the beta Version of their new Windows 7 the successor to Vista.

Do you need to rush out and get a get this newest release of Windows.

No not yet.

As these releases go, the beta version will be released to computer programing developers for their feedback and then there will additional beta releases before the official release of Windows 7.

The word is there may not be a catchy name like Vista or XP it will just simply be know as Windows.

I kind of like the catchy names, so hopefully they will come up with something by the time it is release to the public.

Who knows maybe I'll be a Mac user by then.

Now you may not be ready to deal with preparing for Windows 7, but you may you should consider at least an upgrade to Vista as the Support for Windows XP is coming to an end.

This is an annoying problem many home computer users and small business face… old computers.

Don't toss your old PC or laptop in there trash as happens thousands a times a day.

First lets talk about what can be done with an old computer:

1. You can throw it away. (Not recommended)
2. You can rebuild or renew it
3. You can donate it
4. You can raid it for parts
5. You can recycle it
6. You can sell it on eBay

We'll start with number 2 as number one is obvious.

Lets rebuild and reuse an old computer.

Often, if a computer is just a few years old, this is the best option.

All you need to update the old PC is some additional memory and a larger hard drive.

If your are one of those folks that still has a computer running windows 2000, you can usually add to a least 1 Gigabyte of new memory and a new 250 Gigabyte hard drive.

This will allow you to upgrade the computer(s) to Windows XP and possibly Vista.

Now if the computer is a bit older and additional memory can't be added and you have a small biz or home office; consider using the computer for a print server, file storage or some other very specific use that doesn't require much computing power.

OK now if you are like most of us the old computer is just taking up space and collecting dust and you just want it gone.

In this case the best option is donating.

Locate a church, school or other community organization that would be more than happy to take it or them off your hands.

However, I have found that when you are donating to these types of organizations you need to donate the system with the monitor, keyboard and the mouse.

And the equipment should also be working.

I always try to help out by fixing them up or find out if they have a volunteer in their organization with some computer skills that would be willing to fix non-working computer systems.

I also raid old computers for parts.

I take out the hard drive, power supply, memory, cables, etc and store them away for emergencies.

Try not to keep too much of this stuff because it is rarely need.

If you have a small business you just don't need 10 extra hard drives when one or two is enough to get you trough an emergency until you can get a new one.

Most of us will actually use the recycling option. 

You can find lots of local recyclers that will take your old computer equipment. There is usually no charge to recycle most equipment if you deliver it to the recycling company yourself.

You may also want to locate a recycler that can shred your hard drive so that all data is completely destroyed.

However, you will almost always be charged for monitors whether you deliver it or they pick it up. I usually pay around 20 to 25 dollars to recycle computer monitors.

And the last option is to sell the computer.

Either put it in your local shopper paper or try Craigslist or eBay. You can even sell it on eBay if it is not working if you describe the condition of the computer accurately.

Can you run widows on a Mac?

I was driving down the street the other day when I answered my cell phone and a friend asked me if he could run Windows on Macintosh.

He said he had a Windows XP CD and he could not get it to install on his Apple Macbook.

My first thought was I shouldn't answer my cell phone when I am driving, then I proceed to answer his question.

“Sure you can,” I answered, “but you just can't put in a Windows XP CD in your Mac and expect it to install. The CD you have is intended to be installed only on computers designed to run Microsoft Windows operating Systems. However, there is a way to install Windows XP or Vista on Mac using the windows installation disk that you have.”

On any Mac that has an Intel processor you will need to download a copy of Apple's Boot Camp software. This software divides up areas of your hard drive allowing you to keep your Mac operating system and software on one part, also called a partition, and then install and run a windows operating system and software on the other partition.

The process of running two Operating Systems on one hard drive is called dual booting. In my friends situation, he will be dual booting Windows XP and Mac OS X.

I do not own a Mac or use one very often, but those I have assisted with installing Windows Vista on their Mac tell me that they find Vista actually runs better on their Mac computer than their computer designed for Windows. I have no evidence for whether this is the case, but I have heard this several times.

I may have to try this out myself one day and do a Video podcast series on this when I get my own Mac.

Touch screen cell phones and now touch screen computer screens are seeing explosive growth.

HP has just released its new TouchSmart PC which uses the monitor as the primary input device. The release of the TouchSmart PC comes just as Apple announces record profits driven mostly by the sales of its iPhone.

We can expect to see more and more PDA, MP3 players and computers incorporating touch screen technology into there products.

Yeah they are the latest, coolest must have thing, but once you have one for awhile you may not fall head over heels for the technology.

I bought a Verizon Glide cell phone recently and I am beginning to realize I’m just not a very touchy feely person. The Glide is a sort of a hybrid with a touch pad and keypad input options.

But the problem I have with the phone is that the touch screen is not as responsive as would like or does not respond at all. In order to answer the phone you either need a Bluetooth ear piece or you must use the touch screen.

Here are my issues with touch screen technology:  For example with my Glide phone even when the phone has the screen lock turned on, the phone will answer itself when it is in my pants pocket. The heat of my leg through my pocket unlocks the phone from the screen's lock icon. The screen responds incorrectly to my touch because my fingers may be too sweaty or too cold.  The screen just won’t respond at all or my finger touch triggers delete voice mail when I wanted it saved, and on and on.

I just want to go back to my blackberry which has a screen but you don’t have to use it to launch applications like email or answer the phone. The Glide which is a hybrid type doesn’t allow you shut off the touch screen and use it in the same way as a blackberry.

Now I could use the bluetooth head set to allow me to answer the phone without the touch pad but I find that too uncomfortable.

We are starting to see a lot more competitors come into the market. T-mobile has release the new Google G1 phone.

Touch screen devices will hopefully improve over time to adjust to some of the issues with touch sensitivity, greasy fingers, ear prints and scratches that leave them looking pretty nasty.

But for now we should look at all the fun we can with this new TouchSmart PC. I can’t wait for the first YouTube video of someone’s dog sending emails with his nose.

How much coffee can you drink?

I may be able to answer that question after I finish my “Ten Things You Need to Know About Computers Report.”

I've been spending lots of late nights and weekends creating the most useful report I can for anyone wanting to know more about their computers.

This Report is a free Computer Self Help Guide that visitors to Littleton Computers.com will receive when they sign up for the newsletter.

What I am working the hardest on is keeping all the geek speak out of this report.

The last thing I want is to increase any computer users confusion and anxiety about fixing and maintaining their computer.

This report is not for IT professionals or computer geeks.

It is for you Joe or Jane Average Computer User.

As of today the Ten Tips Report is nearly 50 percent complete.

I encourage you to sign up right now for the newsletter so you won't miss out on this report.

At some point I will not offer it as a free bonus.

Look up in the upper right hand corner of the website enter you name and email address which we keep to ourselves and will not share with anyone.

Be forewarned, you will not get the Ten Things report on computers and pc repair until the Grand Opening of LitttletonComputers.com.

The Grand Opening should occur sometime before the end of November 2008.

I haven't quite decided on when the first newsletter will be published.

But, I'm think it may happen before I complete the Report I will keep you updated. I still trying to come up with a catchy name for the newsletter.

Any ideas?

Post them in the comments.

I am shopping for a new backpack. The one I have is completely worn out and the right side shoulder strap has lost all of its padding.

So the question is: where to buy laptop backpacks? I really don’t want to go to the mall or big box stores.

Online is where I’m headed to shop for my new laptop bag.

What has really got me thinking about a new backpack was my friend Brad who was showing me his new backpack that he could use to carry all of his professional camera equipment, tripod and his notebook computer.

More Space and Protection with a Laptop Backpack

I prefer a backpack over a traditional laptop bag as there is a lot more room for books and additional equipment like your power supply and extra batteries.

Make sure the pack you pick has a least an inch and a half of padding that will surround the outside edge of your portable computer to protect it when it is tossed in the back of your car or stuff under an airplane seat. And there should be plenty of padding for the top and bottom of you laptop as well.

With a backpack you also get all the extra compartments for things like your cell phone, pda, digital camera and other tech gear.

Shopping Tips: Shop by Brand and Look for Free Shipping

You can find any to the big name brand names online like Targus or Case Logic but just like with other equipment you may have to pay for shipping.  So the 20 percent discount my not be as good of a deal for you’re the new notebook backpack if you have to pay 50 bucks in shipping charges.

Plenty of online merchants will ship for free if you have a large enough order.