Which Vista is Right for You?

According to Mr. Gates of Microsoft, 90% of us computer users use Windows. Also according to him we should all be using or getting ready to use the latest operating system, Windows Vista, from Microsoft. Now the questions - who should really upgrade and which version is the right version for your use - Standard, Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise or Ultimate?

If you are using the latest version of Windows XP Professional, and are up to date on the patches, don't rush for an upgrade unless you are buying a new computer or are an IT professional developing technology based on the Vista platform.

You may not have noticed but Windows XP also has many versions - Standard, Home, Professional, Enterprise, Tablet PC and Windows Media Center. Very few people use the Standard Version and Enterprise is for the very large enterprises. So I will skip them in my review.

Windows Vista Basic is the upgrade over Windows XP Home with fewer crashes, a brand new interface and improved security. You will also get limited access to Windows Mobility Center and Meeting Place. What you do not get is Pluggable log-in authentication architecture, Aero, Rights Management Services (RMS) Client, Tablet PC, DVD Maker, Media Center, Movie Maker regular/HD, Domain join for Windows Small Business Server, Encrypting File System, Integrated Smart Card management, Group Policy support, Roaming user profiles, Virtual PC Express, BitLocker Drive Encryption, Fax and Scan or ShadowCopy.

Windows Vista Home Premium is the upgrade for previous Windows XP Media Center with fewer crashes, a brand new interface, improved security and graphics including DirectX for gaming. You will also get limited access to Windows Mobility Center. What you do not get is Domain join for Windows Small Business Server, Encrypting File System, Integrated Smart Card management, Group Policy support, Roaming user profiles, Virtual PC Express, BitLocker Drive Encryption, Fax and Scan or ShadowCopy.

Windows Vista Business is the upgrade for previous Windows XP Professional & Tablet PC with fewer crashes, brand new interface and improved security. This is the version I recommend to my customers. What you do not get is DVD Maker, Media Center or Movie Maker regular/HD, which are not really essential for a business professional.

Windows Ultimate has all the features of Basic, Home Premium, Business and some extras - but for a hefty price. Most systems sold by custom PC makers HP, Toshiba, Dell and Lenova do not come with Ultimate installed. Microsoft recommends a $199 upgrade Ultimate from Home Premium and Business.

Visit Microsoft Vista's website for an explanation of all features as well as comparisons between the different versions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shirona_Gunawardhana

Best Free Anti Virus Software

Determining the best free anti virus software to use on your home computer is a fairly daunting task especially for your average home user. Protecting your computer against virus threats is a critical part of your computer’s security. The 2 main issues selecting the best free anti virus software are determining whether you can trust the site you are downloading the software from and whether the software you download will actually be effective removing viruses.

The good news is that Google has provided an answer. In 2006 Google announced “Google Pack” which is a collection of over 10 free software programs including a number of Google’s own software products like Google Desktop and the excellent Picasa 2 Photo Editor. Also included within Google Pack was a free anti virus software program supplied by a world-class security software vendor.

Symantec originally provided a version of Norton AntiVirus 2005 for Google Pack. The Norton AntiVirus range of products has been recognised for a number of years as one of the leading anti virus solutions for the home. The scanning and removal capability continuously performs well in independent tests. There was however one major limitation. Symantec was only prepared to provide virus definition updates which are central to product for a limited 6 month period and then the user needed to upgrade to a paid version.

At the beginning of 2007 Google addressed this issue with Symantec. The result was that Norton AntiVirus 2005 replaced by a new product called “Norton Security Scan.” Whilst, the new product was missing some of the more advanced features, it still retained the powerful scanning and removal capabilities of the Norton AntiVirus products. More importantly, Symantec agreed to provide free virus updates which were not limited to 6 months.

Given the fact the Norton Security Scan is based on the Norton AntiVirus products and the download is from a trusted Google site, Norton Security Scan is the best free anti virus software available today.

Danny Jones runs a number of computer related sites. He recommends Free Download Norton Anti Virus from Google Pack to protect your computer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Jones

Windows XP Tweaks to Speed Up a Slow Computer

Now that Vista has arrived with more of a thud than thunder, people are asking the question, “What can I do to speed up my slow computer?” A good answer is to customize your existing operating system for speed an performance. So, why not keep XP. It is Microsoft most stable operating system. Vista will not be stable until the first major service pack update is released. Until then, Vista is about as stable as a house of cards in a tornado. Also XP to Vista migration causes slow computer performance. If you are one of these people who rather kick XP up a notch than pay for a system that meets Vista outrageous specs for optimum performance, read on for some expert tips to speed up a slow computer using XP tweaks.

Windows XP’s stability makes it the most “tweakable”. There are more than a few areas that are specifically ripe with opportunities to improve slow computer performance and remedy a slow computer. Let’s start with getting your hard drive running smoothly.

XP Tweaks for Slow Computer Tip #1—Turn Off Windows Indexing Service

If you have ever wondered why your hard drive makes so much noise when idle, this is due to your files being indexed in order to help your CPU find these files easier. However, even the most insignificant files are indexed. This service puts a huge strain on your hard drive which ironically makes things easier for Windows. Because of this conundrum, most techs have deemed this Indexing Service insignificant and the cause of slow computer hard drive access. You can turn off service with the following steps.

1. Double-click My Computer, point to Explorer Bar on the View menu, and click Search.
2. Click Change preferences, and then click Without Indexing Service.
3. Click No, do not enable Indexing Service, and then click OK.


XP Tweaks for Slow Computer Tip #2— Speed Up Your Hard with NTFS.

Windows XP offers NTFS hard drive configuration. This offers better compression, security and encryption. However, this conversion from FAT to NTFS standard requires a bit more space on your hard drive nevertheless you will be reward with a faster drive. You can easily switch to this system by following directions below:
1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type cmd press Enter.
4. At the command prompt
Type convert X:/FS:NTFS(X is your hard drive letter)
5. Hit Enter


XP Tweaks for Slow Computer Tip #3—Disable Unnecessary Startups

Now let’s tweak Windows to run faster. A slow computer can be attributed to how well your monitor and manage your programs and processes. Windows XP gives you complete control over what programs and processes are loaded into your configuration. There are only six vital programs needed to run your computer. However, there are probably dozens running as soon as you startup your PC. No wonder you have a slow computer. You can manage your startup configuration by following these instructions.

1. Open your Start menu.
2. Click Run
3. In the command screen type: msconfig.exe
4. In the "system configuration utility", click either "service" or "startup" tab
5. Uncheck all programs that you don't want to use.
6. Click OK


XP Tweak for Slow Computer Tip #4—Increase Virtual Memory

Your computer uses physical memory, RAM, and virtual memory. Virtual memory is used to simulate more RAM when your computer is reaching its maximum CPU and RAM usage. It is very similar to a bucket filling up with water, in this analogy your RAM is the bucket and water being computer processes and programs. However, your bucket size is limited by your amount of RAM. The more programs and processes you use cause the bucket to become full. However, you can use a spare bucket to quickly help meet the demand; Virtual memory is that spare bucket.

You can change your virtual memory by altering amount of resources for reserved for it, in a sense making the spare bucket bigger. Virtual memory uses free space as a resource. So you can change the amount free space reserved for the Virtual memory Check out the "How to clean up a slow computer" for efficient ways to clean up your drive.

Increasing your Virtual Memory is easy. There are some important facts to remember. When you get to the Virtual Memory menu select the Custom Size check box, then choose the initial size and the max size. Depending on how much free space you have you can choose what amount of free space you want reserved for the paging file. Its better to keep the initial and maximum size the same to cut down on your CPU access. This will stop your CPU from constantly changing your Virtual memory paging file size. Also set the size at least 1.5 times higher than your physical memory. If you are still confused this link below for a visual step by step instructions.

1.Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2.Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click System.
3.On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
4.Under Virtual memory, click Change.
5.Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file that you want to change. In most computers its C:
6.Under Paging file size for selected drive, click to Custom size check box. You can enter the amount of memory you would like to reserve for Virtual memory by entering the initial and maximum size.
7.Click Set


In addition to these tweaks. You can take it one step further in you quest to make your slow computer a distant memory. This requires you to perform some registry editing. I suggest you clean your registry before attempt any editing. After your registry is clean, you can perform several tweaks to speed up your slow computer. The site below provides more tips and tutorials to increase PC performance. http://www.delete-computer-history.com/general-pc-performance-tips.html

There is no doubt that many of the program and services names are foreign to most. Check out http://www.delete-computer-history.com for a list of unnecessary programs that can cause a slow computer syndrome.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gaelim_Holland

Approaches To Data Recovery After Formatting

The first thing you need to do after a system crash has forced you to reformat your hard drive is to test your PC to make sure whatever caused the crash is still not around to destabilize your system. Once you know your PC is stable, you can begin the process of data recovery after formatting.

Do-It-Yourself Data Recovery After Formatting
The easiest way to get proof of your system’s stability is to upload some non-critical files, so that if they become corrupted you will not have lost anything. Try opening and closing the files, and as long as you do not get a message saying they have been corrupted, you can be fairly certain that your system is functioning normally and storing ant retrieving your data properly. You can move now move on to the data recovery after formatting process.

During the data recovery after formatting process you’ll upload all your recovered data, and for some systems this can take a considerable amount of time. You’ll need to monitor the data recovery after formatting process in case your system flashes messages with question or pinpointing errors on specific files. You’ll need to make a record of every file mentioned in a message, and when the data recovery after formatting upload is complete, do individual checks on each of them. Often an error in one file can compromise the performance of an entire program.

When your data has been completely uploaded, you can go through the key files in each of your programs one at a time, and open them to see if all their data is intact. In some cases, you may have to delete and reinstall some of your software.

Software For Data Recovery After Formatting
Another approach to data recovery after formatting is to purchase Windows data recovery software. The data recovery after formatting software can give you step-by step guidance in retrieving data lost sue to formatting, deletion, or partition damage as long as your hard drive has not been physically damaged.

Formatting your hard drive will change your data partitions, and data recovery after formatting software can retrieve data from the previous partitions or even from corrupted sectors. It is designed to support data recovery after formatting for both older file allocation table (FAT) and new technology file systems (NTFS). That covers all Windows operating systems as far back as Windows 98.

Data recovery

after formatting can be both challenging and time-consuming. But being able to restore all you key files, either through your own efforts of with the help of user-friendly software, can save you a tremendous amount when compared to the fees of a data recovery specialist.

You can also find more info on Data Recovery After Formatting and Data Recovery Freeware. Pcdatarecoveryhelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Data Recovery.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

Around The Clock Working Free Anti Spyware Download

In simple terms, spyware and adware are nothing but software programs that are made with the objective of allowing all sorts of PC users and companies to spy on internet browsing activities.

Some people think that adware are same as spyware, but adware is not necessarily spyware. Adware in specific is usually a freeware displaying advertising banners. The programmer gets revenue by selling advertising space in the software product. Intermittently, some adware will also act as spyware which includes information gathering code to send non-sensitive information back to unauthorized third parties.

Spyware programs attack the PC with illegal download files, running other programs in the background, and changing your PC default settings. The web browsing activities are constantly monitored causing identity theft like stealing credit card numbers and various passwords etc which may also lead to serious financial loss.

All your favorite bookmarks and the default homepage settings can be hijacked which finally result in PC slow down and annoying pop-ads. In other words, spyware attack include deceptive software installation, taking control of computers to send spam and malware, modifying browser and other settings, and hiding or otherwise becoming difficult to remove.

Each and every day, hundreds of thousands of Internet users are infected with Spyware and adware programs.

There is a definite need to run an anti spyware software program to combat the issues of security threat. There are many free anti spyware download programs but one must make sure that the anti spyware works around the clock and protect the PC and secure your privacy.

The most effective anti spyware download programs are NoAdware, Spy Sweeper and Spyware Doctor that offer real time protection around the clock. It is recommended to run multiple (two or even three) anti spyware software’s to get the most efficiency because each uses different rulesets, definitions and algorithms to detect spyware and adware.

Cher K Markov is an Internet Marketer. In her quest to protect her own PC, she has researched into PC security resources including antispyware. To ensure high protection for your PC, you can get the details about the most suitable Free Anti Spyware Download at http://antispyware.onlinedownloads.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cher_K_Markov

Tips on Buying Cheap Laptops

We all love discussing about the latest gizmos with our fellow friends and colleagues. And, amidst our conversion, there always comes the irrevocable question as to how to buy the best technology at the price of peanuts. The laptops are the most talked about gadgets in the recent times, owing to its convenience, usability and popularity. In a developed country like UK, laptops are seeing an unprecedented growth in the recent times. So whenever you are being consulted by a fellow mate about buying a cheap laptop, you can give the following suggestions to him/her that would surely be helpful in meeting his/her requirements to buy a cheap laptop.

There are several brands of laptops that are available in the market that look equally alluring to an ordinary user. However, there are many distinctions in the different versions of laptops that are made available by different manufactures. There is no need to buy the latest model as that would most definitely come with a heavy price tag. And surely, its price would crash down within one or two years. So the suggestion is to buy a relatively stable and older model, depending upon your suitability. If you can't afford to shell money on a brand new and older version laptop, then you can as well go for second hand or refurbished laptop that would also come relatively cheaper price than the former.

There is also a tip for all of those who have just got interested in buying second hand laptops. You could buy this gadget from the gamers or power users as they install the latest and the most powerful technology in order to run their systems. Also, they are eager to dispose of their present laptop in lieu of the latest version in a laptop. So, you can search for all of your friends who are gamers and ask them if they are interested in selling their laptop.

Whenever you are searching for a cheap laptop, try to stick on to a reputed manufacturer as you would at least be assured about its credibility and life. Also, you might need to get it serviced and you can easily locate service centers of these manufactures, which can save a lot on your time. Remember, that the memory is an integral part of any computer and it is directly proportional to the speed of your laptop. So make sure that you get a laptop that has at least a memory worth 512MB in it.

Thus cheap laptops can easily be made available if you keep in mind some of these tips. And surely, you would be able to strike the best deal.

Fletcher Mak is an author, write various articles on different themes to expand information. You can get information about cheap laptops and other price comparison.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fletcher_Mak

Laptops Vs Desktops - What Everyone Should Know

OK so the question has been set :

Laptops vs Desktops. I'm not here to sell you either so i have no vested interest. If your interested in this question then read on as i've listed the basic pro's and cons with a little opinion at the bottom.

The basic pro's and cons : Laptop Pros ( 3 ) 1 - Portable 2 - Relatively cheap when compared completely ( include the screen , keyboard etc ) 3 - Built in battery - ( ever had a power cut and lost some work ? )

Laptop Cons ( 5 ) 1 - Small screen 2 - Uncomfortable for long periods of work without desktop keyboard and screen ( suddenly not so portable ) 3 - Can be expensive / impossible to repair 4 - Laptop hard disks are a major bottleneck : Laptop hard disk are much slower and do not work well when filled up with data. 5 - Laptop processors at the same Ghz ( measure of speed on chips ) do not perform the same ( 30% more in favor of the desktop ).

Desktop Pros ( 5 ) 1 - Powerful 2 - Easy to upgrade 3 - Easy to repair 4 - Desktops last longer ( they don't break as easily as laptops ) 5 - If you need lots of Power the desktops are significantly cheaper.

Desktop Cons ( 2) 1- Not portable ( try carrying one of these to work and back everyday ). 2 - No built in battery ( external batteries called UPS can be purchased as an extra).

Final Point Score :

Desktop Pros / Cons: 5 / 2 Laptop Pros / Cons :: 3 / 5

Conclusion : Desktops win convincingly ! If your planning to buy a computer and your planning to leave it on a dedicated table then you should definitely buy a desktop. Its cheaper more powerful , easy to upgrade etc.

If you really need to move with your computer then you have no choice but to go with a laptop. ( Do ask if you really need to move with it - not the old fantasy of " I'm going to work in the garden with my laptop - its just not going to happen ; glare on screen when its sunny and sparks from your laptop when it rains, bad wifi connecting , battery running out , etc).

Example : 3Ghz desktop chip vs a 3Ghz laptop chip the laptop chip is approximately 30% slower ( this is due to a number of factors - heat , voltage and general punching power - ghz are about speed but just because a boxer punches 3000 times doesn't make him a powerful boxer as a boxer who weighs twice as much can punch 2000 times and produce more power than the boxer who punches faster -- Speed X Weight = Power

Rob Barrett
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rob_Barret

This Is An Exciting Time To Consider Mp3 Portable Players

Today you can purchase Mp3 portable players in many different styles that can play many hours of music all stored in a small compact package much smaller and more portable than the Walkman. These portable players use digital technology to shrink down the size of the music file so you can store more songs in less space. When you own an Mp3 portable player you can literally carry around your entire music collection wherever you go. A modern day portable Mp3 player continues its evolution from being a plain audio player into a fantastic modern day device.

It is still somewhat amazing that you can take all of your music everywhere you go in something so small. Some Mp3 players are about the size of a matchbook while the larger sizes may be about the size of a pack of cigarettes. With so many songs stored in something so small you may think you will have a hard time finding the music you want to play. Most of the players have a very simple clear way to find your song you want to play and as a bonus some of the popular brands include FM radio and a voice recorder.

The development of tiny hard-disk drives allows these Mp3 portable players to store a lot of music making it possible to save entire music collections onto a digital audio player at a reasonable cost. The other type of storage is flash memory, which is usually smaller and often does have as much storage capacity as the models with hard drives. For the more active type of person often a flash type storage device is a better fit because it is smaller and sometimes more robust.

Deciding which type of Mp3 player to purchase is often a hard choice because there are so many different makes and models. You need to do your homework before making a decision on the right model for you. It would be wise to read as many different reviews as you can. Compare prices and features and get in your head what features you want and need. Check out as many web sites as you can and possibly read something like Consumer Reports to get information you can rely on. . The simple Mp3 portable players continue to grow every month. It has gone from something to listen to music on into a full-blown media center. As time goes on you can expect this evolution to thrive. With modern technology growing every day the compression rates of audio and video is sure to improve. This is an exciting time to make the move into digital technology.

For more information on how to find the MP3 player that is right for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Douglas_Taylor

How To Set Up A Wireless Connection Without ICS

Setting up a shared internet connection

Abstract If you have one computer connected to the internet (from now on called the "server"), and another connected to that computer (from now on called the "client") via a wireless connection you may wish to have the client access the internet through the server. The normal way of doing this is to use Windows built in ICS, however if you don't wish to use this (eg it doesnt work or doesnt provide you with enough control over the connection) you may wish to manually set up a proxy server. This tutorial tells you how.

You will need..

One computer connected to the internet, with a Wireless card
One (or more) computers with wireless cards
FreeProxy (see below) installed on the server pc
Windows XP

Note: You do not need a router for this configuration, meaning you can just get two ten pound wireless cards for this to work. The down side of not using a router is that the server pc has to be running whenever you want to access the internet through a client.

Also note that the following screenshots and instructions are for Windows XP SP2, though the instructions should be simliar for any version of Windows XP.

Implementation Firstly you need to make sure that the two computers have their wireless cards installed, and that they are connected to each other. When they are both connected there should have a small icon visible on the taskbar like so:
If they dont seem to be connected to each other then see the troubleshooting section below.

Setting up the server Instead of using Windows built in ICS, you can set up a proxy server manually on the server. To do this we're going to use a proxy server called "FreeProxy" - you can download it for free here or here.

Install FreeProxy then choose "Free Proxy Control Centre" from the start menu. Once FreeProxy is running click the ports option, then fill in the protocol as "HTTP Proxy", any name and the local binding as "Wireless" (you may wish to save setting the local binding until later to make sure the connection works). You should also select "Any Ip Address"
http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/freeproxy.png
Now click "Done" then Start/Stop. Now press start for Console Mode to test whats happening, and Start under service mode so the service shold run automatically.

Assigning IPs Manually Whilst technically you dont have to manually assign IP addresses to get this to work , unless you set them for both computers the Wireless connection may be unreliable. To do so:

Open up "Network Connections" either from the start menu (As below) or from the control panel.
http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/start_connections.png

Click internet TCP/IP then properties.
http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/wireles_connection_properties.png

You can choose the IP you want, though the IP range 169.x.x.x is reserved for local networks, and the IPs should be unique. For example, choose 169.254.1.1 for the server and 169.254.1.2 for the client. If you are also using ICS (internet connection sharing) then you should select something in the range 192.168.x.x

Setting the proxy Now you need to tell Internet Explorer/Firefox to use the proxy server. Set the ip as the of the server pc, and the port as 8080 (unless you set it differently). To do this:

Under internet explorer
Press Tools,Internet Options, Connections,Lan Settings.
http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/iexplore_settings.png

Under firerfox
Click Tools,Internet Options,Connection Settings, then select manual configuration and fill in the details (for HTTP proxy).

http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/firefox_settings.png

Troubleshooting

Checking the connection using ping

If you want, you can check that the connection between the two computers is now working using the ping command.

Open the command prompt by opening the start menu, clicking run, typing "command", then clicking ok.
Now type "ping IP" -where IP is the ip of the other computer
If you get some kind of reply, then the connection works. If you get "Destination Host Unreachable" then the connection isnt working and you should see the troubleshooting section below.

http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/ping.png

Checking and repairing the connection Open up the wireless connection, either by double clicking the wireless icon on the bottom right of the taskbar, or by going to "Network Connections" (on the start menu/ under My Computer) then double clicking.
You should be presented with something like the image below:
http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/wireless_status.png
If the amount of bytes received is zero then there is a problem. Try moving the two computers closer together, and make sure that you have manually set the ips (see above).
Click support, and the following should come up:
http://www.rustyspigot.com/img/windows/wireless_repair.png
The ip should be visisble, and there is a repair button. Clicking it can solve some problems.

Creating a wireless connection

If the above dont seem to work then the wireless connection may not be set up correctly. See step 4 on the tutorial here for more information. Essentially, you can either create a new connection through the built in windows software of the software that came with your wireless card. Create a wireless connection on one computer, and connect to it on the other. Try without using encryption to get the connection working, then go back and enable it once it is.

Firewalls
Firewalls can get in the way of proxy servers. If you are having trouble try turning them off whilst setting up the network, then re-enabling them once it is working.

By Chris Doman, RustySpigot.com, UnregisteredNews.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Doman

A DVD Burner - What is That?

A DVD burner is an optical storage device that comes as standard equipment on most PC computers and all Macintoshes made in the last four years. DVD burners write to 5.25" optical media called DVD-ROMs, which can store up to 4.7 gigabytes on one disk.

There are also stand-alone DVD burners that can connect to Digital Video Recorders, like the TiVo, but for the purposes of this article, we're going to assume that your DVD-Burner is hooked up to your computer.

Most modern DVD burners connect to their computer's motherboard through an E-IDE interface, or rarely, Serial ATA (or SATA) cable, allowing 160 Megabits per second (MBps) of data transfer rate; earlier connection protocols, such as SCSI and ATAPI, aren't fast enough to handle full read/write operations at DVD data rates.

While DVD-Burners used to be high end computer hardware peripherals, like all computer hardware, they've been relegated to commodity pricing. Internal DVD-Rs cost around $30 at online computer parts vendors like NewEgg.com, and the price is relative stable.

DVD burners come in a variety of formats - the big choice is whether or not you want one that can only burn to DVDs, or one that can perform read-write operations, allowing you to cumulatively add video (or other files) to the media over time. Read-write burners are called DVD-RW or DVD+RW, while those that are write only, are called DVD+R. You can blame the confusing alphabet soup of acronyms on the consortium that specified the read and write formats - as has become more and more common, the standards body split over whose proprietary hardware would get the sanction and license, and two mildly incompatible standards were proposed. Most DVD-RW burners can now handle both formats, but it does make a difference in buying the blank disks, as the +RW ones are higher quality, last longer, and cost more. This process is repeating itself with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.

The most common use for DVD burners is backing up important (or not so important) data files. Like all backup media, it only works if you're religious about doing it. It does make it possible to duplicate your children's favorite DVDs, hand them copies and keep the originals safe, so that when the inevitable oops happens, they haven't lost their favorite movie.

All in all, DVD burners have metamorphosed into standard items of hardware for most computers, and justifiably so. The next computer you buy should have one; whether or not it's worth it to buy one for your existing machine is more a question of how quickly you'll be replacing your current computer. After factoring in your time and the cost of the hardware, it may be worth it to buy a new machine!

For information on a Free 1 Click DVD Copy 10 Day Trial, visit our website where you can watch a short video and see how easy it is to copy and backup your DVDs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Smith

How to Install and Run Microsoft Vista

All of a sudden, nearly everyone wants to install and run Microsoft Vista. Installing alone however, may not be such an easy task. There are several things that you may need to look into before actually buying a Windows Vista version and installing it. These concerns are, of course, related to the Vista version you decide to get and the kind of installation procedure you decide to take.

Your first step should be to check if our hardware fits the requirements for the Vista system. You can only look into your installation options once you are certain that you have met the hardware requirements for whatever Vista version you have.

Upgrade Installation

Upgrading from a previous Windows edition has both been a popular and a controversial issue. Some may advice an upgrade while others think it’s a bad idea. Those against it believe that an upgrade version provides less quality. The choice is ultimately yours. Before you upgrade, take a look at your operating system edition. The following non-clean installation upgrades will apply except for 64-bit versions:

· A Windows XP Home Edition can be upgraded to Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate versions.

· Thirty-two bit Windows XP Professional can be upgraded to Vista Business and Ultimate versions.

· Windows XP Tablet PC Edition can be upgraded to Vista Business and Ultimate.

· Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition can be upgraded to Windows Home Premium and Ultimate versions.

To upgrade, run Windows XP and simply put in your installation disc. With an upgrade you can still generally have your programs, files and settings after installation.

Clean Installation

If you do not qualify for an upgrade then you have to go for clean installation. This means, of course, that you need to create a back up copy of all your files first since you will loose all files and personal settings after installation.

Install by first inserting your Vista disc and then booting your computer. Make sure that the interactive setup is in running mode and then format your hard drive.

Dual-boot Installation

You may want to test Vista first if it will work for you or you may simply just want to keep your XP system around. In this case, you may go for a dual-boot installation. For dual booting, you need at least two partitions, one for XP and the other for Vista. Both partitions can only accommodate one system. If you only have one partition, you need a partitioning tool to help you out.

A dual boot installation will let you choose between your two operating systems every time you open your computer.

Virtual Computer Installation

You can also have access to both XP and Vista if you have a virtual window running Vista. This will be very convenient for you but it can also get complicated. You do need a very high end computer with a RAM capacity of 2 GB. You also need to download and install both a utility for a virtual set up and Vista beta.

Get free tips and news on Microsoft Windows Vista at http://www.Vista-Windows.info.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marko_Hammond

Five Most Significant Features in Microsoft Vista

So many people are getting all worked up and excited over the new Windows Vista. As expected, most new users are interested to know what is new with Vista and what makes it better to use than previous editions. Will it be easier to use? Will there be better safety and security features? Will technical and management aspects be given fair attention? It may not be possible to completely detail all of Vista’s new or improved features. Among its many notable features are the following:

Windows Shell

The appearance of the operating system is the first marketing strategy to use on non-technical individuals. Many home users understandably get attracted with basic aesthetic features and easy to use functions. In operating systems, the appearance and ease of use can best be associated with the shell which presents the user interface. With Windows, their shell is Explorer. In Windows Vista, the shell is associated with Aero.

The translucent glass look of Aero alone is an image of elegance and lends an added illusion of depth. Users also have the choice to use the appearance of previous Windows versions. Aside from a change in look, Vista also addresses aspects in organization, filtering and storing. The “Stacks” function for example will allow users to filter files or group files according to user criteria.

Multimedia Applications

Movie, photo and music enthusiasts and experts will be happy to know that Vista has added features for them too. The Windows Movie Maker for example will allow editing of DVR-MS videos. The new Windows DVD Maker on the other hand will allow DVD creation and burning. For photo enthusiasts, the Windows Photo Gallery will still allow basic editing plus metadata additions to photos. Windows Paint also now has unlimited undo functions.

Windows Defender

On the aspect of security, Vista now includes Windows Defender which can be used against spyware. Aside from the usual function of scanning for spyware, Windows Defender can also perform real time monitoring for changes in Windows that have been caused by spyware. With Windows Defender, users can now easily keep in touch with Microsoft to inquire about suitable applications and spyware.

Wireless Networking

Wireless networking is not a very new concept. There are however, some improvements in Vista. With Vista, wireless connections do not mimic wired connections. The network stack now holds the support for wireless networks. New features can then be implemented. These include easily finding and identifying open and closed networks.

Speech Recognition

With this feature, users can use voice commands on their computer unit. The difference between Vista voice recognition and other versions is that voice recognition in Vista boasts full integration. Certain applications therefore can be manipulated by dictation. A mousegrid may be used for applications that require mouse functions. A user simply needs to dictate a series of numbers to zero in on the particular area that has to be clicked. This feature is easy to use even without the tutorial provided. Voice recognition is fairly high and exact.

Get free tips and news on Microsoft Windows Vista at http://www.Vista-Windows.info.

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HP Laser Printers versus HP Inkjet Printers

These two different types of printers achieve the same thing. They both print, but they go about it in a very different manner. There are major differences in the engines that drive them and the work they are required to do.

Laser printers are designed to be used in a heavy work load environment. The cost per print is much less expensive compared to Inkjet models. Laser printers use a dry mono-component toner cartridge and a laser that shoots the image onto a drum inside the toner cartridge.

Inkjet printers are designed for a different work load. They are designed more for a work station such as an individual’s desk or for low volume type work. The toner or ink is quite expensive. Most are slow, so using them in a high volume application would drive a person crazy waiting for a hundred page report. Let me say something about the cost of Inkjet cartridges. I read an article that said that Inkjet cartridges are more expensive per weight than imported Russian Caviar. Inkjets use a liquid ink that is sprayed onto the paper. They all have a scanner rail that goes back and forth, carrying the Ink cartridges distributing the ink.

I read a post that several people commented on. They said that Hewlett Packard has really gone down hill lately with the quality of their printers. They were commenting on the HP LaserJet 4, a very popular laser printer of the past. It is about ten to years old, but it is a very dependable printer. I still use one in my office!

They were comparing it to several new HP Inkjet Printers. These are completely different machines for completely different applications. If you want to compare this machine to another HP product use the HP laser jet 4250. You really can’t compare these either. The memory, speed and options are made for the latest printing applications. Remember that the HP LJ- 4 was built around 386 computers. By the way, my HP LJ-4 works great with XP.

The price of Inkjet printers is driven by consumers that want something cheap. You get what you pay for. It is the market that creates cheap Inkjet printers. They do work well, but if they break they are not designed to repair. They are known as disposable printers. Not all Inkjet printers are disposable printers. The Inkjet is really progressing and will continue to fill more of the market place. Speed has been an issue but now they have designed some that keep up with the speed of laser printers. HP color Inkjets also make terrific color prints. Even a person with a limited budget can make great presentations, photos and flyers.

When you purchase a printer, you should always consider the type of application that it will be used for. Don’t buy an Inkjet when you’re going to be printing hundreds of reports. Don’t buy a laser printer if you print two or three jobs a day. If you look at cost per print and monthly volume you can’t go wrong. Hewlett Packard printers are some of the best you can buy, but you need to use them in the proper application.

Bill Tucker has been in the office equipment and supply industry for over 20 years and has several published industry related articles that help the end-user as well as the technician.

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