Why You Have to Regularly Install Updates on your PC?

What is an update?
Generally updates are those patches and hot fix which are provided by software manufacturer. New technologies, hardwares and viruses are coming day by day and people do not know when viruses infect their computer while browsing Internet. Updates protect your computer against latest viruses and other kind of security threats. New updates increases the software functionality, enhanced security and performance. Windows often release critical update and Service Packs, computer user's should installe the update on regularly basis whenever its available.

Some user ask is it safe to download update form net? answer is “yes” because it is noticeable thing when you download any update that winnows updating process does not send any information about your computer and its configuration to Microsoft. Before downloading any updatesyou you should be damn sure that you have a original software , Otherwise your Operating System might get corrupted.

Below are the updates which Microsoft support.

Advanced Security updates: When a new security problem face by Microsoft, they released instantly new hot pix and patches. This patch protect you computer against viruses. If you does not update this patch then you will need to use virus removal software.

Service Packs: service packs contains lost of critical updates. windows XP service pack 3 is latest update bundle of Microsoft. Service packs help your system reliability, Program compatibility, security and drivers upgradation and more.

Recommended Updates: Some type of updates are recommended by Microsoft for windows operating system. These type of update are generally give you pop-ups for downloading.

Device Drivers Update: This kind of update to computer hardware such as sound or video card. They updates hardware, firmware and makes your device perform better.

How to Schedule Windows Update:

If you are ready to download windows update either you can download it manually , or schedule it automatically. You can install updates manually from windows web site. There are four option for Windows Update. You can select within this option according to your needs.

1) Automatic: It is a recommended Option, if you are select this option, windows finds and downloads updates in the background process and you are not interrupted during this process.
2) Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them : It is gives you a notified alert pop-ups when windows search any updates, and download them.
3) Notify me but don't automatically download or install updates: It give you a notified alert pop-up and ask you to download or not update.
4) Turn off Automatic Updates: Some time your hardware requisiteness is not meet for new coming software, and you do not need to latest update then you can select this option for turn off the windows update.

To turn on the Automatic Updates feature

Step 1. Click Start, and go to Control Panel.
Step 2. Click here Performance and Maintenance tab.
Step 3. Now click on system and after click the Automatic Updates Tab.

Source
http://www.articlesbase.com/software-articles/why-you-have-to-regularly-install-updates-on-your-pc-974305.html

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Enhance Your Knowledge about Computer Virus

Computer viruses have the ability to copy itself and spread infection to all computers connected through a common network. And it targets its aim like a terrorist i.e. without any prior information or knowledge of the computer users. The term "computer virus" is nowadays widely used. This is why; it is at times baffled with other malware like spyware, Trojan, and adware.

Computer virus are loaded with another kind of capability virus which is that it can change its behavior according to the data you are working on or have on your system. This is actually one of the properties of a metamorphic virus. As such, a computer virus can only copy itself and spread infection when its host is taken to an uninfected computer, for example by a user sending it over network or the Internet, or by carrying it on a removable mode such as a floppy disk, tape, CD, VCD or USB drive.

As opposed to a computer virus, a computer worm does not call for a need to be transferred through any host, and a Trojan horse is a file that appears safe to computer users. Worms and Trojans can definitely spoil the functionality of your computer and hamper its performance, or networking throughput, when executed.

Generally, most computers are connected to the Internet as well as local area networks, which push the growth and spread of malicious code. Computer viruses may use network services such as the e-mail, Instant Messaging and file sharing systems as a mode to reproduce and spread. Moreover, there are numerous other resources which use alternative terminology in which a computer virus is represented in any form of self-replicating malware , you can use virus removal software to protect yourself.

Computer malware is always deliberately designed to damage your computer programs, deleting files, and reformatting the hard disk. In case, you are looking for solutions to fix your virus infected computers, you must immediately call a computer professional to free your precious system of the virus slings before it actually proves to be harmful for you. Moreover, online computer support resources run their services for 24x7. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about their availability.

http://www.articlesbase.com/security-articles/enhance-your-knowledge-about-computer-virus-830007.html

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Remote Computer Repair Services are Rising in Popularity

Remote computer repair is fast rising in popularity and emerging as one of the most preferred choice of customers looking for repairing their desktop PCs, laptops, hardware and peripherals. The technicians offering remote support can fix most of your PC errors as long as you have Internet facility.

As far as service charges are concerned, these resources usually charge according to the service plan you choose. There are some remote computer repair vendors who can send the technicians at your premises. You can search for any remote computer repair shop through a simple search on the Web. They have their websites which give you an idea about these technicians and the services they offer.

A remote support technician can watch everything going on your PC screen while fixing your computer errors. However, there is no thing like security threats in remote computer support. You can control the actions taken on your system if you feel suspicious about the on-going diagnosis. The technicians disconnect the connection program once their repair work is done. Although the entire method is gaining in popularity; it is always preferable that you narrow down on a reputable remote repair company. This way you will able to verify their credentials better and ensure the safety of your data.

You can avail remote computer support for any of your PC problems and errors related to computers. Some common services that are easily available with these resources are antivirus installation, virus & spyware removal, software installation, up gradation, cleaning up of disk, and pc optimization. The success rate is also soaring like anything when it comes to availing computer support services. One of the best advantages with such services is their ability to save money in long run, since the technicians are working from their own location.

You can carry out a quick search on the Internet regarding these services with the help of keywords like remote support, remote computer support, computer support services etc.

Source
http://www.articlesbase.com/computers-articles/remote-computer-repair-services-are-rising-in-popularity-918877.html

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Top 3 Free Hard Disk Testing Tools

There are many paid and free hard disk testing tools available in market which is very useful for checking the health of hard disk, these tools can tell where is the problem in your hard disk below are the top three testing tools for testing the hard disk.

Seagate SeaTools
Seagate SeaTools is free hard drive testing software that comes in two forms for home users:
• SeaTools for DOS supports Seagate or Maxtor drives and runs independent from your operating system on its own CD or disk, making it highly reliable.

• SeaTools for Windows is a program that installs on your Windows system. You can do basic and advanced testing of any kind of drive - internal or external - from any manufacturer.

Hitachi Drive Fitness Test
Hitachi Drive Fitness Test is free hard drive diagnostic software available for use on most drives available today.

The Hitachi Drive Fitness Test software is available as an ISO file which can be burned to a CD and then used to boot the computer. See the installation instructions from Hitachi in the link below for details.

Microsoft Windows Built-In Error Checking
Error Checking, sometimes referred to as scandisk, is a hard drive testing tool that comes with Microsoft Windows that can scan your hard drive in search of a wide range of errors.
This tool can also attempt to correct a number of hard drive problems.

See Also
windows technical support
Email Help Center
Printing to Public Computers
Folder Options in Windows Explorer
Installation steps of Microsoft Exchange server

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Printing to Public Computers from a MAC Computer

Mac users can see only those printers located on their particulur subnet. They must manually add any printer that is not. To add a remote printer, the printer should be configured as an LPR printer (printing directly to the printer rather than going through a print queue). The printer domain name and printer model informataion are required for setting up a Mac for printing to a public printer.

The public printers are found in the public computing labs as well as a small other public’s areas. Users with a Mac operating system computer can set it up to print to any of the public printers from a position of work. A list of public printers for Mac users can be found in the link belowe. Also below are instructions for setting up a Mac OS 9 and OS X computer to print to a public printer.

• Printer display menu says "paper tray empty" or "low toner."
• If it is a public printer, one of the HelpLine staff can be dispatched to replenish the paper or toner if non is available at the lab site.
• If it is a departmental printer, the secretary who manages the printer must be contacted.

See Also
multifunctional printer support
Email Help Center
Folder Options in Windows Explorer
Installation steps of Microsoft Exchange server
Cache Timer Brower History Sniffing in Firefox

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Folder Options in Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer is a program that provides detailed information about your files, folders, and drives. You can use it to see how your files are planned and to copy, move, and rename files, as well as perform other tasks pertaining to files, folders, and drives.

1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type REGEDIT
4. Click OK
The Registry Editor will now open
5. Browse to the following key:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Note: HKCU stands for HKEY_CURRENT_USER
6. In the right pane, look for the value: NoFolderOptions
7. Right click NoFolderOptions and select Delete. (When prompted with "Are you sure you want to delete this value", select Yes.
8. Now browse to the following key:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Note: HKLM stands for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
9. In the right pane, look for the value: NoFolderOptions
10. Right click NoFolderOptions and select Delete. (When prompted with "Are you sure you want to delete this value", select Yes.
11. Close the Registry by choosing File | Exit
12. You should now be able to access the Folder Options menu. If not, reboot into Safe Mode and repeat the steps outlined above.

See Also
computer technical support
Email Help Center
Installation steps of Microsoft Exchange server
Cache Timer Brower History Sniffing in Firefox

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Email Help Center

Securing your mail client is just one of the lessons necessary to achieve optimum security against email threats. If you have not already done so, visit the Email Help Center for tips on spotting malicious attachments and the do's and dont's of email security. Merk W. from Denmark provides the following tips for securing Eudora:

Qualcomm has virtually no information on their website about how to protect from email viruses and Eudora users are very much left to their own devices. The latest help file also offers little help.

All Qualcomm has recommended on their website is:
a. that you disable "Allow executables in HTML content" in Tools: Options: Viewing mail,
b. that you rename the Attach directory/folder to something of your own choice and reconfigure the program to know this (http://www.eudora.com/techsupport/kb/2020hq.html tells you how to do this). The reason for doing this is that malicious persons may use the default location when creating viruses.

c. that you turn off the Microsoft Viewer under Tools: Options: Viewing mail. This is an extreme solution as it will mean that ∑many emails will not display correctly. Instead I suggest that the "Show message preview pane" (also in Tools: Options: Viewing mail) be disabled so that the user always has complete control of what he wants to open and can delete suspect files without opening them.

d. Eudora warns you if you attempt to launch many file extensions as attachments. To change this setting (I would recommend this) so that you are warned every time you launch an attachment, regardless of the extension:

See Also
printer support
What is boot disk , and how to create it
Installation steps of Microsoft Exchange server
Cache Timer Brower History Sniffing in Firefox

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