Don't Blame Vista - Troubleshoot

I hear many complaints about Windows Vista. Vista is the new kid on the block, and has to prove itself. It is easy to blame Vista when it comes to installing a program or a new printer, does not work. It is so easily to forget that people with Windows XP has similar if not more issues.

I can not remember the last time I have had a Vista computer was so infected with malicious software that I had to wipe the hard drive and reinstall the operating system. However, it was just last week that I wiped the hard drive and reinstalled Windows XP on a computer.

Saturday, I was called out to clients home, who had bought a two Vista computer along with two Lexmark printer scanner All-in-One's. This couple was ready to take their computer's back to their old Windows XP computers.

After going though some basic troubleshooting steps, I found that the printer was unplugged from the back of the printer. They was embarrassed that all that was wrong was the printer was unplugged.

Desktop Security - Top 10

Periodically, I talked about keeping your computer secure. Mostly we are so easy forget how easy it is to become a victim of identity. I want to cover what does it take to be secure on your home computer. Security takes work and needs to be conscience effort no matter what electronic device we use, whether it is a Smart phone, laptop, or desktop computer.

1. All applications and drivers that are installed up to date
2. User Account Control is NOT turned off
3. A good antivirus and/or anti-spyware program, with the maleware definition are updated
4. Firewall is on along configured and tested, not letting unauthorized to access the internet.
   
5. Windows Security Center is on and configured properly
6. All needed internet websites are in Favorites - You don't need to be surfing the internet, this is a big way to open yourself to infection.
   
7. All passwords are put in a secure password manager
8. Strong administrative password is in place. Most people don't like to get into their home computer with a password. In Windows Vista have a strong administer password.
   
9. Wi-Fi is turned off and locked unless your home is on a wireless network. If your home is a wireless network, make sure that your on an encrypted signal from the wireless router or transmitter.
10. Only have programs and services running that you need and use. This tip is common sense. Unused programs just extends the about of time it take a computer to do an anti maleware scan.
    

Windows Vista Helps Olympic Fans

In my podcast Vista Is Here To Stay #23, I reported that you will be able to view the Olympics from China via streaming video.

Wavexpress has partnered with NBC to develop and support a free Internet video download service. This will allow Olympic fans with Windows Vista watch the Beijing 2008 Olympics, from August 8 to 24, 2008, in HD.

Before August it would be a good to idea to go to get your computer upgraded to Vista Home Premium, at least. Then start exploring Windows Media Center. That way you will be in shape to watch the Olympics.

Fun Stuff

Who says that your computer's wallpaper and icons should be dull and boring. All of Windows operating systems have had theme and customized icons.

Windows Vista comes with some basic theme and fantastic wallpaper photos. You can go online and find some really great graphics.

My favorite for icons and theme packages is Star Docks. There came out with the first task bar that resembles the Apples operating system task bar. Object Dock works great on Windows Vista. I am very impressed. I have download it and use it on my work computer.

Renaming files

There is nothing better to save time on processes you perform repeatedly than using a keyboard shortcut. If you are renaming documents or pictures, like I find myself doing frequently.

This keyboard shortcut is easy. Left click on the icon of the file or picture you want to rename. Then press the F2 key on your keyboard. The icon you have highlighted. Use the backspace key to delete the file label. All that is left is type the new file name you want.

Side note: You can even change the file format by typing the file name, a period and the desired file format code. Like .jpg, .pdf, or .doc

Balloon Pop Ups - Disable

Today's tip comes through JesusGeek.ifo and then The How To Geek. Yes this is a very geeky tip. If you are not comfortable when it comes to disable the pop balloon, then get your local computer geek to help you.

When balloon pop ups first were used in Windows XP everyone was looking to disable the annoying pop up. The pop up balloon is there as reminders that some portion of the computer maintenance needs your attention.

However, if you find the popup notifications annoying, you might be interested to know that you can completely disable them. You can even do this across the board with any balloon pop up.

Starting from the start Orb in Windows Vista you will need to left click in the Search box. Then type in regedit.exe. This will open the registry editing window. Then all you have to do is go down to the following location.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Right-click on the right-hand pane, and create a new 32-bit DWORD with the following values:

• Name: EnableBalloonTips
• Value: 0

You'll have to logoff and back on in order to see the change… or to be more correct, you won't see any popup balloons anymore.

Secure and Mobile

Last Tuesday, I record the podcast Vista Is Here To Stay. In that podcast I talked about the 10 things that should be done to any laptop before it is taken on the road.

I have put that list below because it is so important to put in place extra protection. This is especially true when you take your laptop outside your home or office.

1. All applications and drivers are installed.
2. User Account Control is in place
3. Good antivirus is install and all virus definition are updated
4. Firewall is configured and tested
5. Windows Security Center is on and configured properly
6. All needed internet websites are in Favorites
   
7. Needed external passwords are put in a secure password manager
8. Strong administrative password is in place
9. All broadband card is tested and working
10. WiFi is turned off and lock
    

Permissions To Edit Or Move

If you’ve ever tried to tinker with something in Vista and received a “you need permission to perform this action” message. I have gotten frustrated because I have to go through extra steps before I could move or delete a file.

After getting the message window that you do not have permission, you will need to go through some extra steps. This is done by;

1. Right-click the file and select Properties.
2. Click on the Security tab.
3. Click Advanced in the lower right.
4. In the Advanced Security Settings window that pops up, click on the Owner tab.
5. Click Edit.
6. Click Other users or groups.
7. Click Advanced in the lower left corner.
8. Click Find Now.
9. Scroll through the results and double-click on your current user account.
10. Click OK to all of the remaining windows except the first Properties window.
11. Select your user account from the list up top and click Edit.
12. Select your user account from the list up top again and then in the pane below, check Full control under Allow, or as much control as you need.
13. You’ll get a security warning, click Yes.
14. On some files that are essential to Windows, you’ll get a “Unable to save permission changes… access is denied” warning and there’s nothing that you can do about it to the best of my knowledge.
15. Reconsider why you’re using Windows.

Firefox 3 - Revisited

I am revisiting Firefox3 on this beautiful Monday morning, because I realized it is not fully released. I am set to get updates early so I can comment on them. Well, I was mistaken that Firefox3 has not been released to the general public yet. In fact it should be so in a manner of a week or two.

I know this blog about Windows Vista, however I find myself using Firefox just as much if not more than Internet Explorer. Now that Firefox3 does not pull down my resources as much I love it all the move.

Over the weekend I found a neat website with a Field Guide for Firefox 3. I wish I had wrote because it is well put together and out lines all of the features and tools. To view this great little guide go to driag.org

Troubleshooting - Slow Vista Computer

The main criticism about Windows Vista is the amount of computer resources need to perform everyday tasks. Even with a high powered computer there are certain things that will slow a computer down regardlesss what you have in your case. Built into Vista is a few tools and utilities that you can you troubleshoot slow boot times/start up along with performance issues.

Slow boot time/start up can be caused for various reasons such as Windows still trying to obtain an internet or network connection. In this case, there is four basic tools that will help you diagnose such problems in Vista:

Performance Self-Tuning and Diagnostics: Provides instrumentation and services that support user-driven and tool-driven diagnoses of performance problems, such as media glitching, slow application startup, slow system startup, and network-related delays.

This tool is built into Vista and can be run from

• Left click on the Start Orb
• Then go to the Control Panel, System Maintenance
• Performance Information, and Tools
• In the left window click on Advanced tools
  

External Hardware Devices

Last year when Windows Vista was first released to the public, there was a lot of complaints about Vista is not compatible to certain hardware especially older hardware. When I first heard these reports, I went out to test and see what older hardware would work or not work. To my surprise I found more printers, scanners, and other external hardware devices that actually worked.

After my big move, I had lost my drawing pad for my computer. So in a desperate search through Boise Idaho, I had found one. It plugged into the USB port of my work computer. I installed the drivers and it was good to go.

The new one was named Bambo. Because it had several new features I had to sit through the tutorial just to use it. I was pleasantly surprise that Windows Vista came with many new feature which allow me to personally sign my Outlook email.

Bambo pad has built in many regular mouse features. I could almost not use my trackball mouse. In the past 24 hours I have begun to enjoy my Windows Vista computer even more.

Saved Search

Did you know in Windows Vista you can save your search results. A list of files that match specific search or filter information is saved in a search folder for future reference.

For example, I searched mp3 in the Documents folder. In the right viewing pane is a folder that has all my past searches in the Document folder.

This is nice when you are constantly looking for certain pictures or songs that you know are saved on the hard drive but cannot remember when you have put those files.

I am constant trying to remember where I have put a neat little utility that I have download and cannot where I put it.

Free Is Good

I really believe that for the average person there is several good free applications. There may be some adjustments along with a small learning curve.

I found a good website that lists the application that I use on my Vista work computer. Check out Freeapps.co.uk .

If you find any other feel free add them to the comments.

Network Setup - After the move

Setting up a network with Windows Vista is easy. The term plug and play is the best way to describe setting up a home network.

As many of you who follow me on Twitter, this past week we moved. Yesterday, I plugged in all the computer, turned on the router. Instantly all but two computer was hooked up the to network and ready to go. Two of the four computers were to be split off from the wired network, by a wireless Linksys router.

To make wireless transfer secure, I chose to use WEP encryption. This meant that I have to go into the setup utility of the router. There I configured for broadcast and WEP encryption.

All I had to the computer on the other end of the wireless network and enter the encryption key. Then all that was left was to check the box to remember the connection.

Networking working for the home with Windows Vista is easy and just a matter some basic planning and going through the steps.

Look for Monday

Taking computers down until Monday. Starting the move, today. Look for and exciting new posts about Windows Vista.

Navigating Through Explorer

When I first got my hands on a beta version of Windows Vista, I felt like an awkward child. The file path window or address at the top of Explorer was not like what I was use to using. In fact it took me a while to figure out the redesign of Window Explorer navigation bar.

Now I look at it and think the navigation bar is simple and quite helpful. All you have to do is left click on the downward arrow. Then a dropdown window appears with folders in that specific folder. All that is left is select the folder you want to look inside.
Navigating Through Explorer

Firefox 3 - Don't just take my word

I know I have gotten side track from Vista to Firefox3. However, I am using Firefox3 on Windows vista to write this blog. I use Window's Internet Explorer for some of my work, but the vast major if my internet stuff is done on Firefox.

In this last post of this seris about Firefox3, I want to give you links about other people who use Firefox3 and what they are saying.

My intention is not to make you leave Internet Explorer and go to Firefox3, but to give you a good alternative that will a benefit to you.

• What Mozilla (Firefox makers) has to say about Firefox3 - read more
• Znet see Firefox3 to be in the Guinness Book of Records - read more
• Ars Technica look at Firefox - their review
• Mac World has their look - read more
  

Firefox 3 - Security Features

The latest of upgrade Firefox has given some nice new features. However, the annoying things, I think are the most important. That is the security aspect of Firefox 3. I welcome the security additions especially in light of the higher gas prices which mean more people will be doing more stuff on the internet.

Left click on the favicon in the address of Firefox3. A box will show up that will give infomaton about the website.

Malware Protection: malware protection warns users when they arrive at sites which are known to install viruses, spyware, and other programs that see to take your personal information unwillingly.

Firefox now automatically checks add-on and plugin versions and will disable older, insecure versions. Secure add-on updates: to improve add-on update security, add-ons that provide updates in an insecure manner will be disabled. Anti-virus integration: Firefox will inform anti-virus software when downloading executables.