Clear Disk Space
A great way to clear up disk space on your hard drive is by using the Disk Cleanup tool. The tool allows you to choose which files you want to delete, such as:

• Temporary Internet files
• Downloaded program files (such as Microsoft ActiveX controls and Java applets)
• The Recycle Bin
• Windows temporary files
• Optional Windows components you don’t use
• Installed programs that you no longer use

To use the Disk Cleanup Tool, simply click Start, select All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup. In the Disk Cleanup box, select each of the files you want to delete. It is safe to delete all items in the list, but read the description of each file type before doing so to double check. The process only takes a few moments to remove the files and replace disk space.

The process is the same for XP, Vista and Windows 7, but in Vista and Windows 7 you can simply type “disk cleanup” in the search bar to pull it up faster.

Disk Defrag
Another easy way to improve performance is to do a disk defragmentation.  A disk fragment happens when the data of a file is spread across several sectors of the disk, which requires your computer to search longer to piece the data together. By performing a disk defragmentation, your computer will rearrange the files on the disk so that they are stored closer together – thus, speeding up your access to the data.

To complete a disk defragmentation, click Start, select All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter. In the box that opens, click on the drives you want to defragment, and then click on the Analyze button. The Analyze option will let you know whether or not you should defragment the selected drive.

Once complete, Disk Defragmenter will display the results. You can see detailed information about the defrag by clicking on View Report.

Fix Disk Errors
Find and fix disk errors by using the Error Checking utility. Your computer can obtain bad sectors, which basically slows down its performance. One of the main attributes of a bad sector is that it makes file saving difficult, if not impossible. The Error Checking utility can scan your computer for bad sectors and file system errors, and can determine if you have files or folders out of place.

Microsoft recommends running this once a week to prevent data loss (for people who use their computers daily).

Before you run this program, be sure to close all open files. Click Start, and then My Computer. In the My Computer window, right-click on the hard disk you want to search for bad sectors, and then click Properties.  In the Properties box, click on the Tools tab, and click on the Check Now button.

In the Check Disk box that opens, you’ll want to select the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check box, and then click Start.  (This is called Error-Checking in Windows 7). If any bad sectors are found, choose to fix them.

We hope this information has been helpful. And remember, if you have any computer repair or computer support questions, call your Technology Helpline experts!

While every printer brand and model will differ slightly in their capabilities, there are some common printer repair tips that can be applied across the board. We’ve compiled a list of common printer issues and have provided steps on how to resolve them.

Toner
If your documents are not printing properly (i.e., blank pages, smudges, horizontal or vertical lines, or barely visible ink), it’s probably a problem with the toner or toner cartridge. Try cleaning the printer with a lint-free cloth or compressed air. You may want to purchase a cleaning kit to keep handy, which would include items to clean the printer regularly. After cleaning it, print a test page (click Start > Control Panel > Printer and Faxes > right click Properties > Print Test Page).

If the problem still remains, try installing a new toner cartridge. Print another test page to see if that corrects the issue. If you still have problems after adding a new toner cartridge, check the printer’s display window to see if it provides any error messages. If so, you may need to check your owner’s manual for further instructions.

Power and PC Connection
While this sounds very simple, many times it can be the culprit of a non responsive printer. Ensure the printer’s main power cord is plugged into a functioning outlet or power strip. If it connects to a power strip, make sure the light is switched on. Also, check to see if the printer is turned on, especially if your error happens in the morning. Someone could have turned it off the previous evening.  

The problem could also be a bad connection to your computer. Trace the cable from the back of the printer to the back of your computer to make sure it hasn’t come loose.  

Print Queue
An issue that often happens regardless of the manufacturer is that the print job errors out and gets stuck in the printer queue. The printer queue can be located on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen, and it shows you all current print jobs. By hovering the cursor over the image, you can tell if you have any pending print jobs. If the print job is not printing, try to remove it from the print queue. Look for the printer icon in your taskbar, right click on it to open all active printers and faxes, and highlight the print job to cancel. If it doesn’t allow you to cancel the print job, browse to the following location and delete all files located in this folder: (C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\PRINTERS).

Usually there are two files for every one print job that is stuck in the queue. Sometimes a restart of the computer is necessary after deleting the files.  

Drivers
Another common problem is printer drivers. Drivers are simply software created especially for your printer to function with your computer. It is very important that you have the appropriate drivers for your particular printer manufacturer and model. The easiest way to find the drivers is by going to the manufacturer’s website, where you can download updated drivers at no charge.   

Before downloading any new drivers, check to see if you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit machine.  The reason for this is because drivers are created for each, and if you install a 64-bit driver on a 32-bit machine you may encounter problems. Go here to find out if you’re running a 32-bit or 64-bit.

If you still have trouble after updating your drivers, it might be a problem with the printer software.  Sometimes the information becomes corrupted or deleted. In this case, you can try reinstalling the software that came with the printer when you purchased it.

Multi Function Printers
Multi function printers often include printing, faxing, copying and scanning capabilities all in one. While they can be great tools, they can also cause much stress when not working properly. The reason they can be so troublesome is because you have to determine which part of the product is not working. You should follow the same approach as we mentioned earlier, checking the power supply, toner, cleanliness of the machine, and making sure you have updated drivers. If none of these items seem to be the problem, check the manufacturer’s website. If the problem is a known issue, they will have troubleshooting tips on their website.

A good tip to keep in mind when using a multi function printer is to make sure you are using the appropriate mode for your activities. For example, if you frequently fax signed documents to clients or financial institutions, you’ll notice that the quality of the document lessens the more times you fax it. But there’s another option – if you have a multi function machine, use the scanner option to save your signed document as a PDF file. Then you have an electronic copy that can be e-mailed, faxed or printed with the same high quality as the original document.  

We hope you’ve found some of this information helpful. And remember, if you need computer or printer advice call Technology Helpline. Our tech support analysts are here to help.

What’s new?
There are plenty of reviews about the new operating system, and they all share an underlying theme. While Vista was not the XP successor users were hoping for, Windows 7 has real promise of filling the gap. With its revamped user interface, yet low-key, minimalist approach, it offers a much altered experience to that of Vista.  

Enjoy new user interface enhancements like the reorganized Taskbar, which gives the Mac OS X dock a run for its money. Experience features like Jump Lists that keep the most recent things you’ve used close by for fast access; or the Pin feature which lets you “pin” programs or files to your Taskbar or Jump Lists. 

Keep your desktop organized with Aero Peek, a new management tool that provides thumbnails of all open windows. Scroll over thumbnails to get a peek of the full view window. Or use the desktop peek feature to view your desktop by making all windows transparent with a simple click of the mouse. This might be one to get used to because Windows 7 has omitted the Sidebar, the portion of the screen that Vista reserved for gadgets. Now you’ll find your gadgets such as your calendar, pictures, weather or games directly on the desktop.

A few other changes worth mentioning are enhanced security with less annoying UAC (User Access Controls), easier network sharing with HomeGroup, and XP Mode for programs that require a PC running XP. 

Which edition is right for you?
Windows 7 comes with six different editions to choose from – Starter, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, OEM, and Enterprise. However, the three editions that will be most marketed are Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate.

For most users, Professional will be the appropriate choice. While Home Premium has all the cool user interface enhancements and updated Windows Media Center, it lacks the tools needed for working in XP mode, backing up to a network, and joining a network domain – all of which are activities many professionals may require. For an additional $20 you can get the Ultimate edition that includes BitLocker, a security enhancement that encrypts all computer drives, including USB flash drives and portable hard drives to protect your data and passwords.

Upgrading options: 
You also need to determine if you’ll be doing a clean install or an upgrade. This may be decided for you, depending on the operating system you’re currently running.

Windows XP users: Unfortunately, XP users only have the option of doing a clean install to Windows 7. In fact, most experts suggest a clean install because not only does it provide a fresh start, it also removes old files and registry entries that could slow down your machine. The only down side to a clean install is that you lose all your programs and data. However, that can be remedied by backing up your data and transferring it over once you’ve completed the installation.

Should you upgrade? The choice is yours. If you currently own a strong operating XP machine, there’s no need to upgrade just because it’s available. XP will continue to be a primary operating system for the foreseeable future.

Windows Vista users: Depending on the Vista edition you currently have installed, you may be able to do an upgrade to Windows 7 rather than a clean install. The benefit of doing an upgrade is that it requires less free space for installation and transfers over your existing programs and user data. View the chart below to see if you qualify for an upgrade.

Should you upgrade? For those who have recently purchased a computer running Vista, the decision is a bit tougher. A Vista machine running Service Pack 2 is a stable, efficient operating system. However there are some Vista computers that would benefit from the upgrade, such as laptops with a single core processor or computers with less than 2 GB of memory because of the built-in memory management that Windows 7 provides.   

Check your requirements
Before you start your installation, please make sure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements. These will vary slightly depending if your machine is a 32 or 64 bit. If you’re not sure which version you’re running, go here for instructions to find out.

One last step you might want to consider before installation is running the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. The advisor tool will scan your hardware, devices, and installed programs for known compatibility issues and will advise you how to resolve potential issues. 

Final thought…
The choice to upgrade to Windows 7 is completely up to you, but if you’re in the market for a new computer then Windows 7 is definitely a great choice. Windows 7 is simply the operating system Vista should have been. And while your current computer may function fine, if it meets the requirements to upgrade, most likely you’ll enjoy the benefits the new system has to offer. 

We hope that this information has been helpful and remember if you have any questions or need computer repair or remote tech support, call Technology Helpline.

RAM versus hard drive memory
The hard drive memory is the long term, permanent memory. It is where all files, photos, music, and other permanent files are stored. This memory is measured in Gigabytes (GB) and is usually much higher than RAM because it is the storage capacity for the entire machine.

RAM is the short term memory which helps increase the speed of the computer.  When you open a file, the computer must store the data somewhere temporarily to access it. So it writes the data to RAM temporarily for quick access. The more RAM your computer has, the faster you can access files and programs. RAM is typically measured in Megabytes (MB) or (GB) Gigabytes depending on the size of the computer chip.

How much RAM does your computer need? 512 MB is typically the standard for XP machines. If you’re on a Vista machine then 2 GB is the minimum. Unless you’re a gamer, then these amounts should be sufficient for your needs. Be sure you look at the requirements before installing any new program or game to ensure you have enough RAM.

How do you know if you need more RAM?
There are some common signs you should be aware of, for example, slower than normal speed when accessing normal programs or files. This could be a gradual process or it could happen overnight. 

Another closely related sign that your RAM is running low is if you’re experiencing display problems. These can range from Internet pages that only load partially or nothing at all, and can even affect your own saved files. For example, if you try to open a document and see blank spaces where text or images should be displayed, this might tell you it’s a RAM problem.

One of the most obvious signs is notifications that pop up in your computer saying “low memory” or “out of memory.” If this happens, you definitely need to add more RAM soon or delete old programs.  

Use the Task Manager
A better way to find out if you need more RAM is to compare your Total Physical Memory (memory installed) and your Total Commit Charge (total memory being used), you can determine whether or not you need to add more RAM. Find these details by opening your Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete), select Task Manager, and click the Performance tab.

If your peak is lower than Total Physical Memory, then you don’t need more RAM. If your peak is higher than Total Physical Memory, then you do need more RAM. If the Total Commit Charge is higher than the Total Physical Memory, more memory would give you a significant performance boost.

Also note that the measurements are in (K) Kilobytes. Since most RAM is measured in (MB) Megabytes, you’ll want to convert the measurements. To convert (K) Kilobytes to (MB) Megabytes, simply divide the Kilobytes by 1024. 

Use an online memory advisor
For those who don’t want to mess with the math, you should consult an online memory advisor tool who will do the work for you. Crucial Technology will tell you what type of RAM you need and how much.

If you determine you need more RAM, you can do it yourself, or take it to a professional, where you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to 100 for time and labor. But there are reputable websites that can help you do it yourself. You can find step-by-step instructions here.  

Remember if you have any questions; please call our Technology Helpline to speak with one of our knowledgeable experts.

Keybr.com incorporates instructional lessons with fun, short typing exercises. Lessons start simple with home row keys and gradually add upper and lower rows into the exercises. Rather than typing random characters or letter combinations that you’d never use in real life, this program keeps it realistic by providing common words that follow phonetic rules of your native language. Currently, you can choose from seven different languages to practice with, including English, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French and Russian.

This typing tool is free, easy to access, and doesn’t require any special computer software or add-ons. Simply type in the website address, www.keybr.com, create an account, and in minutes you’re on your way to becoming the world’s fastest typist! For those serious about such a claim, you’ll be excited to see you can compete with other visitors by reviewing the week’s high scores. After every exercise, you’ll have access to your own mini performance review which includes your top speed, average speed, number of errors and even gives you graphical data to show how you’ve progressed over time.

Its most unique feature, which helps it standout from others, is the customization aspect. Enjoy typing topics of interest by uploading your own text. Keep up to date on the latest entertainment news or technology reviews by adding website articles or blogs directly to your account. Learning made fun and easy, finally!

Technology Helpline’s goal is to provide superior technology support services, including: online technical support, computer repair, spyware removal, virus protection, helpdesk outsourcing, business it support, pc support, remote support, data recovery services and desktop support. We’ve been in operation for ten years and currently support more than 250,000 individuals. Our offices and staff are located in the USA, in Orlando, Florida. http://www.TechnologyHelpline.com