Small Computing for the Holidays

Wow, a plethora of small notebooks, netbooks, ultra-mobile PCs [umpc's] and mini-notebooks, holy smokes......are about to be dumped on the world...yes dumped...listen to the numbers. Some predicting over 5 million mini laptops this year to be sold and over 8 million next year sold. The prices are expectably honed to less tha $500. Wow, take a seat folks!

Microsoft's Urgent "Out-of-Band" Security Update

Earlier today Microsoft announced that it has released an urgent "out-of-band" security update. The update is considered "critical" for Windows XP and older operating systems and "important" for Windows Vista version.

Users should consider emergency patching procedures as Microsoft reports that although the vulnerability is limited it could be exploited by old-school techniques such as worm invasions that could attack and leave a system heavily damaged.

PCVDs' Dallas Computer Repair Boot CD

PC Virus Doctors' Dallas computer repair has built a Tech Boot CD that will test hardware, such as drives, motherboards, cpu's and other hardware to quickly diagnose problems. Then a folder on the CD contains hundreds of tools that are proven the best to remove trojans, viruses, spyware, adware and malware.

There are office programs, data recovery software, graphics tools and other programs that rival "paid for" programs that offer the same tools. This is a complete CD for any user whether a newbie or expert with included instructions. The CD is available packaged and delivered for a reasonable price of $24.99.

The tools have been grouped by category in specific folders for easy availability and installation:

(1) PC Virus Doctors instructions for the Tech BOOT CD, (2) Anti-Virus', (3) Firewalls, (4) Internet & Windows Cleaners, (5) Internet PopUp Controllers, (6) Anti-Spam, (7) Spy & Adware Removers or Blockers, (8) Security Tools, (9) Network & Internet Tools, (10) Disk Wipers, (11) Performance Tools, (12) Hardware & System Monitoring Tools, (13) Benchmark & Test Tools, (14) Registry Cleaners, (15) Office Utilities, (16) Graphics Tools, (17) Back Up Tools, (18) Password Recovery, (19) Lost/Deleted File Recovery, (20) Virus/Trojan/Worm Removers, (21) Activity Monitors, (22) PDA Freeware, (23) Audio Players & CD Burners, (24) Computer Tips and (25) Games.

New Windows and Apple Vulnerability Update

InformationWeek.com reports that Microsoft will fix 44 issues while Apple updated 11 vulnerabilities with Security Update 2008-007 . Microsoft will release its update tomorrow for "update Tuesday".

Apple addresses security issues in Postfix, PSNormalizer, QuickLook, Apache, Single Sign-On, Tomcat, Certificates, ClamAV, ColorSync, CUPS, Finder, launchd, libxslt, MySQL Server, Networking, PHP, rlogin, Script Editor, vim, and Weblog.

Microsoft reports that six fixes are "important" addressing privilege elevation and remote code execution while one is considered "moderate" having to address information disclosure. .

Registry Repair Company Targeted by Microsoft

Microsoft has recently pursued a registry cleaner/repair company that gives false messages through popups that warn computer users that it needs a critical repair that the "scareware" will correct. The alarm is false according to Microsoft in a InformationWeek article [http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=210604522]. The state of Washington has joined Microsoft who have filed several claims against the company claiming the software is a scare tactic and is in no way legitimate nor are the vulnerability claims the "scareware" warns against.

PCVDs Dallas computer repair has seen many of the false registry cleaners showing up in machines coming in to the repair shop for malware removal.

Temp File Dumping

It seems like today the common personal computer user has no idea about the number of temporary files that are stored in their computers much less the total size of those accumulative files. The files need to be dumped to avoid problems and to elliminate problem areas during troubleshooting , especially considering internet issues that occaisonally arise.

Bogus WinVir Returns

The malware, trojan, bribeware software package now commonly known as WinVir [2008 or 2009] is back in its obnoxious fashion. The obtrusive pest has been infiltrated many desktops in the Dallas area, specifically in offices and non-the-stranger to private personal computers.

Refurbished 30Gb Video iPod's For Sale

PC VD's Dallas iPod Repair is now selling refurbished iPods for $169.99. This includes a one year LABOR warranty on all parts EXCLUDING lcd screens and hard drives. This warranty described NEVER includes parts. THIS IS A ONE YEAR LABOR WARRANTY!

The front plate on the case is pristine along with the silver metallic back plate; absolutely pristine and covered in "protective" plastic 'peal-aways' on the front and back plate.

New iPhone Takes Off

The new 3G iPhone has taken off immensely with lines still lined up outside Dallas Apple Stores. The new price will obviously play to other cell phone manufacturers in their quality, speed and popularity in which the public will buy the best and most valuable portable phone available.

PC Virus Doctors' Dallas Computer Repair will quickly get into the iPhone repair business as reasonably priced parts become available. Our PC repair service is now searching diligently for reasonably priced iPhone screens that seem to hover at the $100 mark.

PC Virus Doctors will also continue to look at extra added services to give to consumers of the new 3G iPhone, including software and hardware repairs.

Microsoft Officially Ends XP

Microsoft will officially end the operating system XP to major computer manufacturers such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard but will still be available to smaller, independent pc makers until July of next year. This is a measure that may help prevent Linux from establishing a front in the PC market. As noted in Dallas Computer Repair's previous blog, the OS [XP] will be updated with security measures until 2014.

The current Microsoft OS, Vista, is not held in wide support by many PC users because of the huge amount of resources it demands along with the non-compatibility with older software and the cost of the OS. The next Microsoft OS due out in 2010 is going to be named Windows 7.

XP OS Extends Unprecedented Updates

Microsoft has announced in an unprecedented fashion that the operating system XP will have security updates extended into the year 2014 according to a June 24th, 2008 article on informationweek.com which will leave many Microsoft consumers elated.

An official Microsoft Officer confirmed that many XP owners would like to continue using the XP OS system versus the newer one eventually offered.

Laptop AC/DC Jack Repairs

PC Virus Doctors are now offering dc jack repairs for Dallas laptops. Our Dallas computer repair offers jack repairs on gateway, emachines, dell, hp, alienware and all other laptops. All repairs include brand new jacks and top of the line solder that is lead free.

Service turn-around is usually within 72 hours and is not repaired offsite but onsite with qualified technicians. Call PC Virus Doctors' Dallas DC Jack Repair for immediate service.

CPU Overheating Issues Solved

PC Virus Doctors have come across many desktops and laptops having overheating issues that may be resolved with a modification and upgrade to the (central processing unit) CPU. Many times computer users complain that their desktop or more often their laptops are overheating and are shutting down prematurely which can cause data loss or more importantly physical damage to motherboards.

Heat times the factor over a period of time may determine the lifespan of a laptop or desktop. The circuit board or motherboard as it is more commonly known is subject to heat as the conductors on these boards are thin strips of copper laid over a thin piece of plastic. These circuits and connections become sensitive to cold and heat and they contract and expand as heat and cold are applied. The results can be devastating as these circuits can become broken just like concrete sidewalks that are exposed to extreme cold and extreme heat.

PC Virus Doctors are able to get inside desktops and laptops to modify the existing environment around the CPU that may cool temperatures up to 20 degrees fahrenheit. The results are dramatic and the PC should last significantly longer saving hundreds of dollars without replacing hardware.

Tips to keep your CPU from overheating include:

1. Not overclocking the unit
2. Stop running unneeded processes
3. Not allowing unneeded startup items to run
4. Adding fans or cooling pads
5. Place the desktop or laptop in a well ventilated, open area
6. Make sure all fans are working and adjust speeds if necessary
7. Vacuum or blow away all dust and particles from around the CPU and all interior
8. Do not put too much thermal paste on the CPU
9. Make sure the CPU is properly seated
10. Install software to adjust speed fans manually or automatically to cool
    

802.11n Wireless is Here

Speeds are now up to 300 mb/sec. with the wireless protocol 802.11. The new wireless speeds offer wireless connectivity that will allow offices to not have to be wired for computer communication. The technology allows for a potentially easier setup for networks saving alot of copper that would be strung throughout an office setting, saving the high costs of copper and eliminating the labor of stringing up wires and cables.

This type of business capable wireless connectivity will allow offices to more easily move, make additions and allow for changes to the network. Phones can be attached to the wireless network along with printers and other hardware that proves that wires may be a thing of the past.

Dallas Computer Repair- Upgrading RAM

Computer upgrades that prove worthwhile include increasing RAM capacity. Both desktops and laptops may be available for significant RAM upgrades that are quiet affordable and offer a noticeable increase in computer efficiency.

Most name brand machines allow at least a 2 gigabyte RAM load. This can be significant if the current load is 526Mb while allowing 4 times times the output load when upgraded[both modules].

Computer Repair Tips- Replacing Power Supplies

After the previous blog about basic PC maintenance and you find your desktop computer is still just shutting off after a few minutes then you may want to consider if the power supply is going out. Changing the power supply is not that difficult but safety should be number one in concern.

Dallas' PC Virus Doctors Recommendations:

1. ALWAYS, disconnect the power cord from the computer along with all other USB plugs, monitors, keyboards, the mouse, modem, etc.
2. Remove the one side of the computer that allows you to unscrew it from the back or has a lever for the user to lift and remove the designated panel.
3. Now view the power supply located on the rear computer panel and located against the upper case; the supply is connected by about four phillips screws on the rear panel.
4. If the power supply is rectangular, almost square, then most certainly it follows the 'form factor' and any good power supply with the same wattage rating should work well and fit 'true to form'. If you find two power supplies with similar rating see which one is heavier and choose it.
5. Before removing the old power supply the next step becomes obvious to the most novice computer repair tech: documenting where the plugs go from the old power supply into the mother board, hard drive and other removable drives like a floppy-drive or cd-rom.
6. After documenting the plugs' whereabouts then remove the old supply and replace it with the new power supply.
7. Attach the plugs from the new supply into the motherboard and drives.
8. Replace the cover and plug in all the peripherals.
9. Turn it on.
10. If the computer does not shut down and reboot then one knows it was a faulty power supply shutting the PC down, not software problems.

Another PC tip from PC Virus Doctors' Dallas Computer Repair.

Computer Repair Tips- Temp File Cleaners

#1 PC Repair Tip- Dumping Temp Files

An often overlooked aspect to keeping personal computers running like they should is dumping temporary files. File extensions that may be dumped include:

1. .bak
2. .chk
3. .gid
4. .log
5. .old
6. .syd
7. .tmp

***PLEASE NOTE: PC Virus Doctors will NOT be responsible if you dump these files and things go bad, KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING!

There are many freeware programs that are from good to decent cleaners. Just as always, be aware of freeware programs and malware that may be included. Some good cleaners include CCleaner from Piriform, HDCleaner available from MajorGeeks and other temp file cleaners can be found at SnapFiles in the freeware category. These cleaners are worth the time learning and evaluating how well each cleaner does by running them in different orders every day or every other day.

Temp Files Cleaners and Their Advantages

CCleaner is nice as it has a mild registry cleaner to delete bad registry entries. Users are given the option to backup the registry which is always a good idea before beginning a computer repair. After a few weeks if everything seems like it is opening and executing then the old registry backup can be deleted. CCleaner or Crap Cleaner can be operated with just one touch for temp file deletion and one touch for the registry cleaning minus options provided like backup.

HDCleaner is nice and allows users to add file masks such as .log, once again caution to readers about dumping files. HDCleaner also allows the most recent opened documents to be dumped with a DOD erasing method. This utility also has other great tools such as duplicate file finder where one duplicate may be deleted, the utility has a tool to wipe free space, users can check disk and perform other maintenance/repair from one interface.

Built-in Programs for File Deletion

Also do not forget to [1] dump files by going to start> all programs> accessories> system tools> disk cleanup. Many megabytes or even gigabytes can be deleted/dumped from there. [2] Firefox and Internet Explorer users should go to "Tools" on the upper toolbar on the browser and find where the temp file deltion is located, very important.

Users would be surprised at the difference of performance after this simple 'computer repair' which is not really a repair but a maintenance issue. Temp file deletion is one of the first items that PC Virus Doctors' Dallas computer repair performs before malware removal. This eliminates other issues that can complicate a diagnosis that may not be malware but just temp files all over the drive that number in the thousands if not hundreds of thousands with volumes in the gigabyte range.

The easiest computer repair/maintenance/tuneup tip: dump temp files!

Dallas PC Repair- Help for Laptop Heat Issues

PC Virus Doctors have observed for years how heat affects desktops and laptops over time. Heat is electronic circuitry's worst enemy along with water exposure. Humidity is a complete different issue to tackle than heat; here is where heat issues can be ameliorated.

Cooling laptops is not easy as it sounds where the environment is enclosed around the motherboard and only a cpu fan and possibly a fan blowing out a ventilated area on the case enclosure. The only way to efficiently deliver cooling is through external means. Even a small oscillating fan on a desk or support alongside the laptop would be of some beneficial help but not enough. A better delivery system of "forced air" is the 'cooling pad'.

Cooling pads are just a few inches tall or shorter, the width and length of the laptop with a varied numbered of fans that force air around the machine. The cooling units are available from large local electronic suppliers and the price ranges from around $25 on up to about $65. Check out the coolers and note how many fans they have or support. The more fans the better the entire laptop will stay cool. There are many components to heat installed all under the motherboard; such components as modems, ram, optical drives, usb ports, ac/dc jack, pci slots, hard drives, and other components that can individually collect heat quickly.

PCVD's Dallas Laptop Repair recommends the most fans a cooling pad system supports. It is much easier and cost-to-self-insurance to supply the cooling system. This in our opinion is better than any warranty issued as far as naturally occurring issues versus 'user abuse' protection, such as dropping the unit.

The bottom line is: the more fans distributed across the cooling pad platform the better.

Dallas Computer Repair- Virus Removal Tip

PC Virus Doctors' Dallas Computer Repair consistently receives machines, whether desktops or laptops, that owners do not know how to effectively remove malware. Anti-virus software installed on owners machines often will not detect the most recently released viruses, trojans, adware and spyware. Other defects of anti-virus programs are that they become corrupt with malicious software installed surreptitiously by websites or downloaded programs.

A very effective alternative to installed anti-virus programs are online scanners from well-known anti-malware vendors such as Trend Micro that specialize in malware removal. These online scans eliminate the need to question whether the installed malware removal tools are corrupt and unable to remove unwanted issues. The online scans will scan portions of the computer or the whole system and will allow users to choose to delete the items from the drive.

The advantages also include the fact that the online scanners are the latest up-to-date virus signatures, uncorrupted scanners and the ability to accurately detect malicious items on the computer. If the online scanners cannot remove the unwanted items at least they will have identified the malware and possibly the location where the software resides on the drive.

An important note for virus removal is that each tool or scan that can eliminate just one piece of malware brings the machine one step closer to becoming a virus-free machine. Contact PC Virus Doctors' Dallas Computer Repair for a thorough hard drive cleaning.

Dallas Laptop Repair Tips

PC Virus Doctors' Dallas Laptop Repair has encountered numerous physical breakdowns of laptops lately where heat is the suspected culprit. Laptop users should always use a cooling pad when the laptop is turned on so the fans within the cooling pad continue to blow air onto the bottom of the machine. The fans blow across the cpu units on the laptop which moves air much more efficiently than the laptop can do on its own. These laptop cooling pads are only around $20-$60 but can save hundreds of dollars in the short run of a few years.

Dallas Data Recovery Dilemmas

Dallas Data Recovery is responsible for moving data from a nonreliable source, generally a hard drive or laptop drive, to other media where the data may be accessed. Many times customers want to move the data to their own drives they bring and that is where some confusion exists for the average user.

Problems may occur when the media arrives from from customers who have purchased proprietary backup drives that may also encrypt or provide their own software for backing up data. Many of these drives are not easy to learn the software solutions and may come with no documentation, online documentation that is not laid out well, support that is not easily available or guide books included that could comprise a full 3 hour college credited class.

PC Virus Doctors have reviewed several "easy to backup drive(s)" and it is trying and frustrating for us to easily figure out how to back the data up without going through hours of research and training by the manufacturers when there is a much easier solution that will allow us to continue working without training for manufacturers that may only be used on a one-time basis.

The solution is to buy a blank drive and an external drive case. This simple method allows easy data migration for PC Virus Doctors and smooth data retrieval for customers whose time is valuable to our company. Folders may be created for specific files to be recovered that customers find useful and customers may use the external drives after data recovery to organize their data for future use. Individual folders may be created for pictures, itunes, outlook, movies, etc.

The rule for data recovery, storage and retrieval should be the simpler, the better.

Dell Extends Windows XP

Reports are emerging that Dell will extend its Windows XP installation to 2010. This would allow, all according to InformationWeek.com, a user to skip Vista and upgrade new Microsoft's next OS call Windows 7.

The new operating system will supposedly be ready by then. Customers for the next 20 months will be shipped a "bonus" Vista machine that can be downgraded to the XP version by contacting Microsoft where the user would be given an activation code.

Did not Microsoft have a longer than expected roll out of XP? The track knowledge of Microsoft's rolling out new OS has not been the greatest in the past years.

US Air Force Readies for Cyber Attacks

PCVD's Dallas Computer Repair has long warned the civilian population about cyber attacks against individuals and citizens in the United States. The U.S. Air Force is taking measures that not only will protect the internet infrastructure but will be able to deliver attacks to foes that attempt to disrupt individuals, businesses, corporations and the U.S. military installations.

Rogue Anti-Spyware Continually Predominant

PCVD's Dallas Computer Repair still receives personal computers of all sizes that have one or more rogue anti-spyware installed (please see the "rogue anti-spyware list" published by one site). The 'pest applications' are nothing but trojan downloaders that user's download unknowing that this is a huge piece of fully functionable malware generally occompanied by other independent, heavily stealth mode and hard to remove trojans.

There are a number of attributes that lend to this behavior; [1] the User, [2] those entities that publish their bogus goods. The User is not trained to spot such surreptitious software heaped upon the masses. The entities promoting the products may well not understand that they are contributing to the promotion of not only fake products but harmful products.

There are many possible ramifications that may come about. Some search engines are refusing to post known rogue software as results in their queries. Users need to become trained to question software and training materials must be presented through public education avenues or private avenues.

The key is to be aware of fake anti-malware programs.

Anti-spyware Company Accused of Deception

InformationWeek reports that a Harvard professor accuses C-NetMedia of using deceptive marketing and an inefficient product to dupe users into buying its product. The professor, Ben Edelman, says the company name is very similar to CNET Networks and also has similarities to other companies that make it seem as if it is part of other companies, including Spybot S&D.

Edelman anticipates that C-NetMedia will place blame on affiliates that market its products although the professor says that the company also has logos that assimilate an association with Windows through design similarities.

Dallas computer repair has seen a big increase in the amount of either deceptive anti-spyware on customer's computers or anti-spyware that is just not worth taking the time to install such useless malware programs.

Dallas Laptop Repair

PCVD's Dallas laptop repair has seen an increase in bogus attempts to install anti-malware in PC systems that are just illegitimate pieces of software designed for hacking, trojan activity, popups, etc. Malware removal is never more challenging than ever as the malware authors design the program to remain stealth while trying to be removed.

Some of the latest, virus/trojans/malware can take hours and days to resolve as worldwide solutions are awaiting the latest variation in malwares. The solutions are hard to achieve quickly as the largest anti-virus companies remain behind PC Virus Doctors in resolving malware issues. PC Virus Doctors struggle often and long to resolve the very latest of malware downloaded by our customers due to the "Contemporary/New" state the written malware is presently in.

Many times the computer/laptop hard drive must be removed, scanned with anti-virus/malware removers such as ad removers and popup removers, then scanned again when rebooted in the original Laptop/PC case. The process has become laborous and PC Virus Doctors have made external drives that are more current with e-sata speeds.

The results with dual-core technology and quicker drive access speed dramatically increaseses service delivery overall that is needed for quality control checks and time taken.