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| Issue 11 - Autumn Newsletter 2010 |
Well, here at long last is Issue 11 of the Hillside Computer Services Newsletter. I've been waiting for any major news to emerge before putting fingers to keyboard. However, there is very little to report on things happening in the big wide computer world, so this newsletter is a little shorter than ususal.
Just to give you a taster, there's a piece on changing Internet suppliers and the ramifications of doing so, some news on Windows and Mac OS and the usual hints and tips. There's something here for everyone.
You can print this newsletter off to read at your leisure. Just press the print button on your web browser.
Please feel free to pass this newsletter onto anyone you know who might benefit from reading it (friends, family,a bloke at work etc.).
| Hints N Tips | News | Changing your Internet Provider | For Sale | Jokes | Endpiece |
Hints N Tips
Windows XP / Vista or 7
Display the Quick Launch bar
The Quick Launch bar is a list of shortcuts to your favourite programs. You can use the Quick Launch bar to open programs with a single click, without having to go through the Start menu. Microsoft Windows XP displays the Quick Launch bar by default, so it might already be part of your taskbar. Look for the Quick Launch bar directly to the right of your Start button.
If you have disabled your Quick Launch bar, you can display it by right-clicking your taskbar (by the Start menu - bottom left hand corner), clicking Toolbars, and then clicking Quick Launch.
Windows XP displays the Quick Launch bar, which by default shows shortcuts for opening Microsoft Internet Explorer and Show Desktop for displaying your desktop. Other programs might add a shortcut to the Quick Launch bar, too.
To start a program, just click the shortcut.
With the Quick Launch bar displayed on your taskbar, your favourite programs are just a click away.
Apple Mac
6 Steps to take when your Mac stops responding - crashing / freezing or misbehaving
If your Mac starts acting strangely, here are some steps you can take to help properly recover it.
1) Log out of your current session
Try to restart your session. You can log out of your current session from the Apple menu or with the Cmd+Shift+Q keyboard shortcut.
2) Reboot
Attempting to restart your system may resolve more important issues such as improper hardware recognition. From the Apple menu, select Restart.
3) Disconnect all peripherals
If problems persist, you may want to unplug all peripherals before rebooting. They may be responsible for certain system crashes.
4) Reset the PMU
If you use a laptop, resetting the Power Management Unit may resolve some common problems. To reset the PMU, shut down your Mac, unplug the power adapter and remove the battery. Next, hold the power button for at least 5 seconds. You may now reinstall your battery, reconnect the unit to a power source and restart it.
Keep in mind that resetting the PMU puts certain settings such as sleep time and backlight parameters back to default.
5) Run Software Update
Installing Apple Software Updates may resolve bugs that are causing your system to crash. To check that you have the most current version of Mac OS, select Software Update from the Apple menu.
6) Call me
News
PC healthcheck
Don't forget that Hillside Computer Services is offering an on-site PC healthcheck service for both Windows PCs and Apple macs. The check will identify any problems you have with your computer, remove any superflous applications and general clutter and will speed up your computer. Further details can be found here.
Support for XP and Vista ends
Microsoft Support for Windows Vista (with no service packs installed) ended on April 13, while support for Windows XP (without Service Pack 3 installed) ended on July 13. Windows 2000 support ended on July 13, 2010 as well.
There is no Service Pack 3 for the 64-bit version of Windows XP. If you're running the 64-bit version of Windows XP with SP2, you have the latest service pack and will continue to be eligible for support and receive updates until April 8, 2014.
What Does It Mean When Support for My Operating System Ends?
If you are still running a version of Windows where support has ended, it means that version of Windows will no longer receive any updates from the Windows Update or Microsoft Update site. These updates are generally provided for security reasons to help protect the PC from harmful viruses, spyware, malware, and other malicious software. Windows Update also provides new drivers for your hardware that can improve the reliability of Windows.
Hackers love to take a security vulnerability in Windows and exploit it to their advantage. So, if a vulnerability is found in Windows XP or Windows Vista and you are not running the latest service pack, you will not be protected and will be at risk.
How Can I Tell What Service Pack is Installed?
Follow these steps to discover what Service Pack is installed:
1) Click on the Start Button
2) Right-click on either My Computer or Computer (depending on your Windows version)
3) Click on Properties
In this window, it should tell you which version of Windows along with which service pack is installed. It should also tell you whether you are running a 32 bit or 64 bit version of Windows.
Where can I get these Service Packs?
Give me a call or drop me an email and I can come and do the necessary for you.
New Apple App Store
Apple has announced the opening of an App Store for people to download and install Apps onto their Apple computer (iBook, iMac etc.) These will be similar to those already available on the iPhone and iPad.
To quoute from the Apple web site, "Introducing the best place to discover and buy new apps made just for Mac, right on a Mac. Just like shopping at the App Store on iPad, the Mac App Store offers endless possibilities to browse and purchase apps. And it simplifies the way you install apps on the Mac. Just click once, and your new app is downloaded, installed and ready to go. Learn more about the Mac App Store."
Apple haven't reported when the new App Store is opening, but rumour has it that it'll happen in the next 8-10 weeks.
Hopefully it will be a lot better than Dashboard, which frankly I cannot get on with - i forget it's there half of the time.
Changing Internet Supplier
Over the past few weeks it has become apparent whilst talking to customers many of them are not happy with their Internet Service Provider (ISP). They have experienced problems with unreliable email sending / receiving, problems with slow connection speed or problems with the level of support their ISP offers.
I too am not happy with my Internet supplier and am in the process of investigating business broadband packages as the level of support I have had from my ISP has been abysmal, so I thought that I'd pass on my findings.
When you sign up for broadband initially, you are under contract to that ISP for a set period of time, usually 12 months, but sometimes as long as 2 years depending on the package you signed up for. With some you are only under contact for a month. The only normal way of breaking the contact without financial hardship (paying for the remaining duration of the contract time) is if for "technical reasons" your ISP cannot deliver a reliable broadband signal to your home or place of work. If they can't, then you can normally cancel your contract.
However, if your ISP cannot deliver a reliable broadband signal to you, then the problem may not be down to your ISP but to British Telecom. Look at it this way. Virgin make cars as do AOL, TalkTalk and Pipex, to name but a few. However, BT provides the petrol. So, your ISP may contact BT to see whether they can resolve the problem. If they can't then the problem may be geographical i.e. you live too far from the petrol station and changing ISP won't make any difference - the problem will still exist even if you change ISP; remember BT supplies the petrol.
How do I change ISP then? It's very easy. You need to find an alternative ISP and telephone them (telephoning them is better as you have opportunity to discuss your needs and often negotiate a deal) and to tell them that you'd like to start using them instead. You will be told by your new ISP that before you can change over to them, to contact your current ISP and obtain what's known as a MAC code and to let them what it is. You use your MAC code to switch broadband providers without downtime on your internet connection (MAC is an abbreviation for Migration Access Code and is 17-18 digit alphanumeric code). This means that the transfer from your old ISP to your new one is as seamless as possible. Please note that the MAC code you are given by your existing ISP is only valid for a short period of time. So you really do need to have made your mind up that you are moving from ISP A to ISP B.
What happens next? You will choose a new email address and password and then a paper moving excercise takes place between your new ISP and BT. You will receive a number of emails from your old ISP and your new ISP letting you know what's happening etc. You will also be sent an email telling you of your new account settings which will need inputting into your router once the change over is complete.
Once the change over has been completed (usually 5-8 working days), you will need to set up your new email account with the details provided by your new ISP. You will also need to let all your contacts know that you've changed email address from something@isp.co.uk to something.else@internet.co.uk for example. It would help me greatly that if you do change your email address, let me know what it is so we can keep in touch.
This is a simplified run down of the process. ISP's practice does vary quite considerably, if you do decide you'd like to change ISP, give me a call and I can point you in the right direction.
For Sale
I am selling my beloved Sony GDM-F520 21" CRT Monitor.
This is a superb CRT monitor which, since changing over to using an Apple Mac computer I no longer use.
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The monitor is in excellent condition and the clarity of the display is superb and has 4 built in USB ports.
In view that this isn't a lightweight flat screen TFT monitor and the size of it may be of limited appeal, I am looking of offers in excess of £50.00. If you are interested, then please contact me.
Jokes
Etch-A- Sketch
Q: How do I create a New Document on my Etch-A-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I delete a Document on my Etch-A-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: What’s the shortcut for Undo?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: How do I turn my Etch-A-Sketch off?
A: Pick it up and shake it.
Q: My Etch-A-Sketch has all of these funny little lines all over the screen.
A: Pick it up and shake it
Q: How do I save my Etch-A-Sketch Document?
A: Don’t shake it.
| Dilbert by Scott Adams |
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I know there was a Dilbert cartoon in the last issue, but I like Dilbert and the Editor's decision is final.
Endpiece
Well that's about it for this year. The next issue will be out early next year. As it is only the beginning of November I'm not going to be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year, but I'll wish you all Compliments of the Season instead.
Remember:
Scan your PC for viruses / trojans and nasties once a week.
Keep your software updated.
Do regular backups - weekly or more if needs be.
If you have any computer problems, call me sooner rather than later.
Don’t forget that back issues of the Newsletters are from www.hillsidecomputers.co.uk
For more information and details on any of the issues mentioned in this missive or any computing problems / queries, please contact me, and don’t forget to send me your email address if you’d like to be kept in touch with what’s happening in the computer world. Your details will not be passed on to any third party.
Happy and safe computing.
Mike Hamilton Hillside Computer Services (01284) 830830 Hillside Computer Services |
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