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.

Common signs of an infected computer:

• Computer runs more slowly than normal.
• Computer stops responding or locks up often.
• Computer crashes and restarts every few minutes.
• Computer restarts on its own, fails to run normally.
• Applications on your computer don’t work properly.
• Disks or disk drives are inaccessible.
• Printing problems.
• Unusual error messages.
• Distorted menus and dialog boxes.

Keep in mind that these could also be signs that you have hardware or software issues on your PC.  Without having antivirus software installed, there’s no definite way to determine this. For this reason, it’s a good idea to make sure you have an antivirus tool for protection. Our tech support team recommends the following antivirus programs. And they don’t cost a dime.

AVG

AVG 8.5 is a complimentary antivirus and antispyware protection for Windows. Currently, it’s compatible with MS Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7. AVG offers a user-friendly interface which is easy to download, install and use. It is the number one “most popular download” on CNET’s download.com.

You can purchase the paid versions of AVG for protection against identity theft, hacker attacks, infected downloads and infected instant-messaging. However, our technical support team typically recommends downloading the complimentary version to start with, especially if you don’t currently have any viruses. Download AVG software.
This is another powerful and complimentary antivirus, antispyware, and antiroot kit package. Avast Home Edition allows users to customize their installation.  

Avast

Avast Home Edition does support some of the older Operating Systems that other programs do not, such as Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, and Windows NT. Install Avast Home Edition.  Again, both AVG and Avast will help prevent viruses and spyware. However, if you have already contracted a virus on your PC, try one of the cleaning tools our tech support analysts recommend.
This is a high performance tool used to remove even the most advanced malware and spyware. It’s one of the fastest and most effective tools on the market and is nicely organized and very easy to use. Download the Malware and Spyware removal tool at no charge.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.41

And remember, if you have any questions, call Technology Helpline to speak with one of our knowledgeable computer repair tech support analysts.