12/20/2007  After working with Vista since it showed up on the computing scene, I have decided to switch back to XP as my default system.  (I have a dual boot system which allows me to change from one system to the other.)   I stayed with Vista in the hope that the hardware manufacturers would catch up with software fixes which would be compatible with the new operating system.  While some have posted new ‘drivers’, even many of those have provided me with limited utility with their hardware.  In addition, I’ve experienced serious problems in other areas of the operating system.  My hope is that the long awaited Vista Service Pack will resolve these issues... Until then, my strong recommendation, even to those purchasing a new computer, is to stay with XP.

 

10/25/2007  Adobe issues version 8.1.1 of their Reader Software.  If you have Adobe on your computer (and most do), Open the program, click on Help and then ‘Check for Updates’ to see if you need this security update.

 

10/23/2007  Mozilla Firefox versus Internet Explorer... I’m now ready to recommend Mozilla Firefox as the replacement for your Internet Explorer browser for security and operational reasons.  My experience has been that Firefox is more secure and provides a faster on line experience.  These are the steps needed to make the change.  Go to www.firefox.com and click on the windows download link.  Follow the prompts... at one point you will be asked if you want Firefox to import your Internet Explorer settings... say ‘yes’.  When asked if Firefox should be your default browser say ‘yes’.  Now you have two browsers on your desktop... Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox (the default).  Should a web site not open correctly in Firefox, you can always use I.E. to surf the site.  WAIT... you aren’t done... now we want to install a couple of additional safety features.  One is called “Safe Cache” and the other is “Safe History”.  To read about them click HERE.  Now, to install Safe Cache click HERE and then click on ‘Install’.  To install Safe History click HERE and then click on ‘install’.  There are other add-ons available but they are somewhat complicated and, at this point, are geared more for advanced users.  Any questions?? as always just contact me at info@thesumneradvantage.com

 

(8/5/-07)  ReadyBoost and VISTA....There is a feature in VISTA called ReadyBoost.  We all know that adding memory to a computer will help ‘speed things up’.  But, if you’re not a geek like me, that may not be something you are willing to try on your own.  The solution is to use Vista’s ReadyBoost feature.  All that’s involved is to insert a ‘ReadBoost’ compatible Flash Drive into one of your USB 2 ports on your computer (I bought a 4GB drive from Memorex for $39.95 on sale at Best Buy).  The computer uses that as supplemental memory rather than creating and using a portion of the hard drive for virtual memory (much slower).  The install is very easy (if interested let me know and I’ll explain it to you).  I already had 3BG of memory in my old Pentium 4 computer so I didn’t expect much of a boost... I was wrong, the increase in performance was noticeable.

 

(8/4/07) STARTUP ISSUE... I’ve had 4 clients call in the past few days who are experiencing a startup issue.  When they start up the computer they get a text type message which give choices... Safe Mode, etc.  The default choice is ‘Start Windows Normally’.  When that is selected or times out, the client is brought right back to the same initial screen.  The temporary fix is to use the up arrow key, select ‘Last Known Good Configuration’ and then press ‘enter’.  In a couple of cases I traced the problem to AOL... perhaps an update they have put in... watch this site for further information.

 

(4/14/07) MICROSOFT UPDATE CAUSING PROBLEMS... There are two problems being experienced by many of my clients who recently updated their ‘Microsoft Updates’.  Some are getting a ‘Realtek... ‘ message on boot-up.  Closing the message allows the client to continue operating.  To fix this, go to Windows Updates and install the latest offered patches.  The other, which I’ve experienced, includes ‘svchost.exe’ in the message.  This presents a more critical problem.  If you click on either of the choices (OK or Debug) or close the message, your computer will immediately slow down and you will be unable to open any programs.  Microsoft now has a ‘patch’ for this ‘patch’... contact me if you experience this issue and I’ll give you instructions.  Apparently Microsoft was aware of the first problem but decided to issue the patch anyway because it corrects a serious vulnerability in the Realtek program.

(3/23/07) VISTA EXPERIENCE - WOW... I’ve installed VISTA as a dual boot system on my computer.  That means that when I start up the computer I have a choice of either going to XP or VISTA.  I have to tell you that setting that up was extremely difficult, as well as expensive,  and, for those of you rooted in XP, the VISTA experience is quite a learning curve.  It is a good thing that I decided to keep XP as several of my critical programs will not run on VISTA... and almost all of the others required special patches to be able to operate.  Also, some of the current HP printer drivers are causing ‘icon movement’ problems whenever activated.  But... for someone like me who likes to live on the ‘technology edge’ I have to say that VISTA is a magnificent program.  I’m still learning, but everything I’ve seen thus far indicates that this program will eventually be the gold standard of computing.  If you have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

(3/7/07)  DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME - With the change in the start of Daylight Savings from April to March 11th the automatic time change on Windows Operating Systems will not update correctly without the installation of a patch from Microsoft.  If you have Windows ME or 98 you are out of luck and will have to make the adjustment manually yourself.  (on March 11th click on the time on your taskbar and manually adjust the time.... You’ll have to do that again when the time system changes again.) For XP and Vista systems go to http://support.microsoft.com/gp/dst_hu1 , select your operating system and follow the prompts.  If you use a calendar program you may have to contact the software supplier to check if the Microsoft fix will take care of the problem for you.

(3/7/07 update)  Microsoft has finally introduced Vista (their newest operating system).  While the program will be a must for ‘gamers’, and it promises enhanced security, it is not an upgrade without problems.  Professional reviewers have indicated that the majority of users should stick with Windows XP.  If you are purchasing a new computer, that is another story... you should get it with Vista and be prepared for a ‘learning experience’.  I’ve installed it as a dual boot system on my computer and have encountered a number of issues.

(12/31/07)  Microsoft has just introduced their final version of Windows Defender (their spyware diagnostic program).  Unfortunately, the Beta (test) version ran out on 12/31... But they didn’t provide an alert or an update to the new version.  To fix the startup error and install the final program version do the following:

Click START>SETTINGS>CONTROL PANEL>ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS>WINDOWS DEFENDER and click on Remove. Once it is removed close the window and get back to the desktop.

Now, go to www.microsoft.com Then click on 'Downloads and Trials' on the right side. Then click on 'Download Center'... Now click on 'Windows Defender' and follow the prompts to install the final version of the product.

(11/4/06)  Microsoft has introduced a free update to Internet Explorer for Windows XP.  It is version 7 and can be downloaded into your computer by clicking on START>Windows Update or START>Programs>Windows Update.  Once at the Windows Update page follow the links to the new Microsoft Update.  Once Microsoft Update is installed; if you search for updates, IE7 install should come up.  If you want to go to the install directly, click on the following link:  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx?mg_ID=10010  The install takes around 15 - 20 minutes.  There have been some reported problems with the compatibility of IE7 with some programs, but patches have been provided in most cases.  Should you have an issue, let me know and I’ll research it for you.  IE7 has a number of new features such as tabbed browsing, etc.  But the strongest strength is in its added security features.  I recommend the update.

(11/3/06)  Those of you who have the Free version of AVG Anti-virus in your computer will be getting (if you already haven’t) a notice indicating that your version 7.1 is being discontinued as of January, 1, 2007.  They urge you to update to version 7.5.  The notice seems to indicate that there isn’t a free 7.5.  There is... when you accept their offer to ‘update’, make sure you select the Free Version.  If you would like to do it manually, simply click on the following link  http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5  .  Once there, scroll down and click on ‘download free version’.  Scroll down and click on the link to ‘AVG Free for Windows...’  Click on Run and follow the prompts.  Remember, you can only have one Anti-virus and Firewall program running, but you can have multiple Spyware detection programs.