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RChase Computer Consulting
IT Consulting, PC repair, PC Training & Certification
Language: English
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PC vs Mac: The Fight is On!
2008-07-15 14:48:00
As most of you know, I am a big fan of Microsoft products. This includes Windows Vista and Virtual PC. Now granted, I do not know too much about Apple and its Macs but I am learning. (Watch for a future post on how I got a Mac on a Windows domain). Seeing these "I'm a PC, I'm a Mac" commercials, you think that Microsoft would retaliate with ads of their own......well, the wait is over!Check out this article on Channel Web. From what I've read, Windows Vista is clearly better than any OS Microsoft has designed so far. Not to mention more secure. Think about it, when Window XP first came out, everyone complained about it as well. I'd really like to see someone that knows nothing about Windows XP start using Vista and see if they don't love it. It all depends on what one is familiar with. Peo...
 
Error Code 0x80072F8F Windows Update
2008-07-02 19:26:00
The other day, a client of mine had a Windows XP machine that could not get its Windows Updates from Microsoft. The following error appeared:Error Code 0x80072F8FNot sure how it happens but apparently, the date and time on the PC is so different from the Windows Update site that the error appears. The solution is quite simple and is listed on Microsoft's website. Apparently, this must be a normal issue if there is an entire support page for it. It even happens on Windows Vista.I will be posting more of these type of problems/solutions in the next few days. It has been a busy few days at work and there have been lots of issues that I have not seen before. Stay tuned for some more Windows XP troubleshooting tips. ...
 
Shell32 DLL errors Windows XP
2008-06-26 08:38:00
Yesterday, I came across a PC at work that had a fault application error related to shell32.dll. This happened while the person was using the Windows Search Companion to search for a file. About half way through the search, the following error appeared:Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.3156, faulting module shell32.dll, version 6.0.2900.3241, fault address 0x00103537.I've looked through some Google searches and really can not find an answer to my problem so I guess its time to reimage the PC. The PC has only been running for about 3 weeks anyway but just not sure what caused this problem. I've tried all of the so called "Registry fix" programs out there including Regcure but nothing worked. I am assuming something got corrupt and sometimes reimaging a PC is much quicker than attempting to pull out our hair trying to solve an issue that seems to be unsolvable. I've even tested for possible spyware. If anyone has an answer....please comment below. ...
 
Free Image Editor for Windows Vista
2008-06-17 19:50:00
Many Windows users complain that unlike its Linux and Mac competitors, Vista doesn't have a very good "out of the box" image editor. Paint has been around for many years, with only small improvements. Windows Photo Gallery lets you do some basic image editing (adjusting brightness and color saturation, cropping, etc.) but it's pretty limited. Neither supports layers, lets you sharpen photos or contains much in the way of special effects. Sure, you can get PhotoShop or Paint Shop Pro but that will cost you from one to several hundred dollars. If you need more than you get with the built-in tools but not the complexity and sophistication of the expensive commercial ones, check out getPaint.net, a free image editor that works great on Vista. You can read about it here: http://www.getpaint.net/index.html ...
 
Symantec Endpoint causes BSOD in XP/Vista
2008-06-03 19:51:00
Apparently, the new Symantec product called Symantec Endpoint Protection may cause Blue screen errors in both Windows XP and Vista. Our Windows department at work recently begin upgrading individual workstations to this new version and Blue screen errors began almost immediately. Here is an example of the error message some of our PCs are getting:Faulting application Smc.exe, version 11.x.x.x time stamp XXXXXX, faulting module ntdll.dll, version 6.0.6000.16386, timestamp XXXXXXX, exception code 0xc0000005, fault offset 0x00061635, process id 0x694, application start time XXXXXXXXXBasically, the solution is to turn off some of the protection included in the software package....if you ask me, what's the point? If its going to cause errors, why even release...
 
Compare Plans: Road Runner High Speed Online
2008-05-27 16:14:00
Recently, I found out that Road Runner High Speed Online from Bright House Networks has more than one service plan for their customers to sign up for. I have been using RR for the past 5 yrs and all this time, I've been paying $44.95 per month. Now while I love my high speed connection, $44.95 a month was starting to seem a little bit silly. (I do have the option to use my work laptop with a sprint card for free while at home). So I decided to call Bright House to see if they offered any cheaper options for high speed connections.Sure enough, they do.....and after comparing plans, I decided to go with Road Runner Lite for $29.95 per month. Actually, I am not sure if this is a special or not, but the Sales Rep informed me that for the first 6 months, I would only be paying $19.95, then the ...
 
MemoryDeal.net assures quality RAM upgrades.
2008-05-19 09:51:00
Today during my usual search of product pricing, I came across a website that deals with PC memory upgrades. I've been searching for some new RAM for my PC at home and since its important to make sure you purchase the correct RAM that matches what is already installed, I figured I would search online for a website that will have compatible RAM for my Dell E521 desktop.I already discussed earlier the benefits of adding RAM to your PC so I figured I would take my own advice. I have Windows Vista and although my PC came with 2GB of RAM, I decided to upgrade to 3GB for now since that is all I can afford at the moment. Upon looking at the PC3200 DDR400 SDRAM Upgrade prices at Memory Deal, it looks as though I found the correct RAM module for my PC. I will hav...
 
svchost.exe 99% CPU usage
2008-05-13 07:16:00
I did not think I would have the same issues with Windows Vista. But apparently, I am...There are tons of searches for svchost.exe 99% CPU usage in Google and most are related to Windows XP. But not too many, if any at all are related to Vista. Well, maybe I am the first person to come across this issue so I am posting about it. I submitted a comment to the Windows Vista Blog this morning related to my issue. All of the searching I have done has come up with 2 yr old issues that were related to XP and not Vista.For now, I've disabled Windows Updates because this seems to be the problem. Svchost.exe is a Windows process that is used multiple times within the Operating System. Its not possible to completely disable svchost but there are ways to disable certain services that use it.Stay tuned for any updates. I know I am not the only person with this issue. ...
 
Is my hard drive going bad?
2008-05-08 06:05:00
A PC hard drive is probably one of the most important parts of a computer. Basically, it is responsible for the physical storage of information which it does by way of magnetic disks. Here are 3 ways hard drives fail:1) Normal wear and tear are possible due to the moving parts needed to retrieve the data on the hard drive. Data is constantly being transferred to and from locations so eventually, disk parts are bound to die.2) Power surges among other electrical related issues can cause a hard drive to fail.3) Logical disk errors such as software corruption, unexpected OS failures or computer viruses. This could also include the accidental formatting of a drive or deleting files without a current backup.Usually, physical drive errors can not be fixed a...
 
Can Windows XP be Saved?
2008-05-07 09:30:00
Infoworld is still trying to save Windows XP from its apparent removal from store shelves on June 30th. I personally do not care if Microsoft extends the deadline to support Windows XP but if enough people actually sign the petition, they just might do so. Windows XP is almost 8 yrs old which makes it most likely the longest operating system (from what I can tell) that Microsoft has had in existence to date. There is not much more that can be done to XP to make it any better than it already is. Even though Microsoft just released SP3 for XP, this does not seem to matter as they are sticking to their June 30th deadline.Let's face it folks, Windows Vista is the future or something else will be. We will just have to embrace this and move forward. Technology is always changing, which requires people to change with it, good or bad. ...
 
HP Officejet 7680 Installation Issues
2008-05-02 14:32:00
Let me give you a warning, if you want to spend all of your time trying to reinstall this printer, then feel free to purchase an HP Officejet 7680 All-in-One device. I am absolutely convinced that HP could care less if this printer ever installs correctly. I've read every HP related forum, talked to multiple techs for hours on end and nobody can help. Their solution, re-image the PC......are they serious!!!! That is the easy way out...this is their product and it should be fixed by an HP Technician.Here is the issue:Installing the device is OK the first time around. Printer/Scanner/Copier works great on Windows XP/Vista. Problems beginning if the device needs to be reinstalled or drivers need updating. Recently, I had an issue where Microsoft Word 2007 was closing unexpectedly and I discov...
 
Free Support for Vista SP1
2008-04-29 11:51:00
For those of you still worrying about upgrading to Vista SP1, Microsoft is offering unlimited installation and compatibility support at no charge until March 18, 2009. Offering a service such as this will help home users and those not familiar with installing upgrades to Windows Vista. And I am very surprised that its actually being offered for a year! Maybe Microsoft is beginning to realize how difficult things like upgrading their operating systems can be for home users or PC beginners.Click here for the Microsoft Help and Support Page ...
 
Is Firefox More Secure than Internet Explorer?
2008-04-24 13:43:00
Firefox or Internet Explorer....which browser is more secure?I never thought I would be "promoting" another web browser besides Internet Explorer, but I am beginning to enjoy using the Firefox Browser from Mozilla. Reading some of the details related to the browser, I've decided to post about the main security features available for Firefox. I've been using the Mozilla browser now for the past few weeks and I absolutely love it.Besides the following security features, this browser seems to be must faster loading pages over Internet Explorer.At the end of this post, there will be a section available to download and install Firefox if you cho...
 
Slow Browsing of Network Drives in Vista
2008-04-22 20:47:00
I've been noticing lately that when open my network folder connections, there is about a 5-6 second delay when browsing as it seems Windows Vista is searching the entire computer to "find" the already present network drive data. Attempting to click on folders or files that show up while its seaching seem to be delayed as well. Eventually, you may even get the "Windows is not responding" message. Our network domain is made up of mostly Windows 2003 servers so this may have something to do with it but I am not sure and I do not have access permissions to be able to troubleshoot this myself. So, is there a workaround for this slowness?Of course there is......and yes I found it by using Google. Here is the answer, complimen...
 
1 Reason to use Microsoft Virtual PC 2007
2008-04-18 16:01:00
Background: Our office uses Microsoft SMS 2003 to remote to other PCs in the office. We also use it to distribute software to the PCs like most companies do. The majority of our PCs are Windows XP and SMS works great on XP. I love having the ability to remote to a user's PC and helping them (yes, I do whatever I can not to have to leave my desk!). I fix probably 95% of my PC troubleshooting issues this way. Its awesome!Situation: Our office just upgraded our PCs and now some of the brave Support Techs have the option to use Windows Vista if we want to. Of course, I chose that option. I love Windows Vista (keep your tomatoes in your pocket). I love learning new technology and although I think Microsoft has enough money, I would still promote them.Problem...
 
MySpace says Your account has been phished
2008-04-10 11:30:00
Yup, it happened to my wife last night. I proceeded to calm her down as we discussed what happened and realized that it could actually happen to anyone at any time. Even though it does happen often we tend to think, “Really? This happened to me?” Another way to let you know your account was probably phished is that you start receiving very upsetting emails from your friends on MySpace asking why the @#$% are you sending them crazy pictures or weird messages. Well, if its phishing from MySpace, probably not too big of a deal, just follow the directions from Tom (the MySpace guy) to change your password and move on. It will probably happen again since these days, there are more “spammers” then “friends” on MySp...
 
Windows Vista SP1 now available from Amazon
2008-04-08 13:59:00
Amazon.com is now shipping Windows Vista with SP1. All 6 editions are available. Before you decide to upgrade to Windows Vista, be sure that your PC supports it.Read the system requirements for Windows Vista I recently posted on installing Windows Vista SP1 and I recommend it for anyone looking to purchase a new PC or someone who has recently purchased a new PC but it came with Windows XP. Vista is very stable and my PC has not crashed since its been online (4 months and counting now).Post your comments if you do upgrade...I would like to start building some feedback on Vista. ...
 
Degree vs Certification
2008-04-07 20:20:00
When I first thought about going into the IT field back in the late 90's, everyone was telling me that all I need to do is get certified and I will make at least $60,000 a year. And the top 3 certifications I thought about were Microsoft MSCE, Cisco CCNA and Comptia A+. So, I listened and began going to Seminole Community College to study the current (at the time) Microsoft track because they offered 2 year degrees working toward certifications. No way did I have the money to pay for an MCSE bootcamp.So technically, I was doing both, getting a degree and studying for a certification within the degree itself. I continued for the next 4 yrs taking basically every MCSE related course and 6 semesters of Cisco course content as well. And while I did mana...
 
Laptop vs Desktop
2008-04-04 10:36:00
"Ray, I need a new computer, what do you think I should get?"I hear that question....often. The answer may be simple for some, but most people do not realize how cheap they can get a decent computer or laptop...which brings me to another question I often hear: "Should I get a laptop or desktop?"There are many websites out there that compare computers and most are just trying to get people to purchase their brand. In my opinion, all manufacturers are better than they were 5 yrs ago. I personally have 2 Dell desktop computers. One is about 4 months old, the other is 7 yrs old. I am not promoting Dell, but I never....not at all....had to call someone at Dell about my computers. They just "work".In saying that....most people ...
 
Troubleshooting PC applications
2008-04-01 21:35:00
Troubleshooting a PC application can be very frustrating sometimes. I know, I have been doing it now for the past 6 yrs. Each application is different and usually the issues are different as well. Recently, I had the pleasure of troubleshooting a financial application known as Peoplesoft (or JD Edwards now...the name keeps changing). Basically, JDE support could not figure out what the issue was (I will not go in depth due to it may take all night) so they advised us of our last resort option....."reformat the PC and call us back if you still have a problem."Honestly, I hate that answer. This "fix" is only available when there is absolutely no other solution. In this case, there was. I never reformat (or reimage as some call it) a PC without first...
 
Do I really need Windows Vista 64-bit
2008-03-31 09:26:00
If you don’t know already, Windows Vista comes in about 6 different versions ranging from Starter up until one called Ultimate. What most users may not know is that all but the Starter edition of Windows Vista supports a 32-bit or 64-bit version of the OS. Since I really did not have any idea of how a 64-bit Operating System was different than the 32-bit version, I decided to look into it. Here is what I found:The difference between a 32-bit and 64-bit OS actually depends on if the computer’s CPU is 32 or 64-bit. The CPU (or Central Processing Unit) handles the information given to it. Its job is to perform most of the calculations of the computer. In order for you to use a 64-bit OS, your computer must also us...
 
How Not to Get a Virus on Your PC
2008-03-27 14:10:00
The following is a list of tips on how NOT to get a virus on your PC. These are just tips that I have learned over the past few years from helping family and friends with computer troubleshooting.1)Do not go to adult sites: This is, in my opinion, one of the easiest and quickest ways to get a virus or spyware.2) Do not use P2P sites (like Kazaa or Limewire): For 2 reasons, its illegal and it’s the easiest way for some idiot to post a file called music.wma which may actually be a virus after you download it. Don’t take any chances, stay away from P2P sites.3) Install a browser toolbar with a pop-up blocker: Although some web browsers have built-in pop blockers, its an added benefit to install a 2nd one because somehow, some pop-ups still get through.4) I...
 
DOWNLOAD: "Switcher 2.0" for Windows Vista
2008-03-25 16:13:00
If you've got Windows Vista & you have Aero turned on, you really ought to get this utility. It's free and it's a helluva little app for Vista that frankly does a better job of the the MacOS's Expose function.read more ...
 
Do you still use Microsoft Office?
2008-03-24 14:52:00
There are many versions of Microsoft Office that date back to the old times. I just posted a new poll to see which version people are currently using. And although I love Microsoft products...I don't like how much they cost. There are some Office suites out there that are in fact free....yes, I said free!!!Openoffice.org is probably the most widely known in the world of office suites. It is compatible with most other suites and is free to use and distribute.Another free program is one by IBM called Lotus Symphony. I have not used this yet....but I am going to try it out since it is free.So why pay $300 for an office suite? Whether we like it or not...people will still help Bill Gates be the 2ND richest man in the world because most of us fear change. Word, Excel, PowerPoint....these applications are so familiar to us, why change? Well, now that there are options to choose from......think about it before you purchase your next computer. ...
 
TBD Consulting Launches Virtual Classroom
2008-03-21 10:48:00
I just finished reading an article from eMediawire about a virtual classroom. This is an awesome concept that looks like it will become a more widely used way for employers to purchase training. Save money on the travel and just learn from your desk!Read the rest of the article here: Virtual Classroom ...
 
Vista SP1 installed
2008-03-20 08:17:00
I installed SP1 for Windows Vista last night and I did not have any issues after the installation. The entire process took about an hour....just like the instructions from Microsoft advised. I did have to upgrade my sound card driver because Windows Update did not show SP1 available.Steps I took to upgrade to SP1:1) Downloaded stand-alone Vista SP1.2) Upgraded sound card driver from Dell Support.3) Installed Vista SP1This is a great forum for Windows Vista, click here: Vistababble.com ...
 
Windows Vista SP1 Released to Windows Update
2008-03-19 19:26:00
As of March 18th, Windows Vista SP1 was released to Windows Update. I have been waiting for this so my PC will maybe be faster after the update. I've installed the Beta SP1 at work a few weeks ago and it actually does seem dramatically faster. Here are a few things to know before upgrading to Windows Vista SP1:1) You have not yet installed all the prerequisite packages you need for Windows Vista SP1.To install them, visit the Windows Update control panel and click on "check for updates." Just so you know....this may take up to 1 hour to complete so do it at time when you are not busy.2) You have a pre-release (or beta) version of SP1 and need to uninstall it before installing SP1.If for some reason Windows Update does not show SP1, check out this list from Microsoft about Windows Vista SP1 ...
 
Main reasons for Windows XP system crashes
2008-03-18 17:38:00
If you are seeing random system crashes or periodical restarts, it may help you to know what the most common reasons for Windows XP to become unstable and usually lead to what we affectionately call the BSOD (blue screen of death). They are listed in random order off the top of my head:Bad Memory Module: Having a bad memory (RAM) chip will cause these issues. To troubleshoot this, you will need to either swap out a module for a known good module one at a time until you find the bad module. Or, remove one module at a time and reboot your system. Repeat this process as necessary until you find the bad module. I can not begin to tell you how many times I've fixed an issue just by removing the bad RAM chip.Sound Card Driver: ...
 
Testing different blog templates
2008-03-17 21:21:00
Hey everybody...I am still trying to find the best template that will work for me. So over the next few days...this blog maybe redesigned multiple times. Please excuse the mess!!! ...
 
Upgrading VS Purchasing a new PC
2008-03-16 20:00:00
Often I get asked the question, "Should I upgrade my computer or just buy a new one?" The answer, in my opinion, depends on a few different factors. Here are some of the questions I ask customers who are looking to upgrade/purchase:1) How old is your current PC?2) Is it a laptop or desktop?3) Why do you think you need to upgrade?4) How much are you willing to spend?Now, I'll start with the last question because everything comes down to the money anyway. If someone has a PC older than 5 yrs....its definitely time to purchase a new one. The technology has changed so much in 5 yrs that it would just make sense to buy instead of attempting to upgrade the current PC. Actually, a 5 yr old PC make cost more to upgrade due to the fact that some of the parts needed (IE...more RAM, video card upgr...
 
If you can fix it yourself, why not?
2008-03-13 15:47:00
Today I had the lovely experience of replacing a system board for a Toshiba M200 Portege tablet PC....it was not pretty.....but I got it done. First time I've ever replaced one on a Toshiba. Replacing parts on a laptop/tablet can be very difficult if you are not careful. The system board part cost was $285 which was paid for by the client.Funny thing.....that was not even the problem........After replacing the system board, which by the way took 3 hours, the original issue was still present: No power LEDs were working.Luckily, we had a couple of other M200s available so I removed the keyboard from one of the others and guess what.....there is a little cable that runs from one side of the system board straight to the LED module. Of course, this cable was MISSING on the one I was attempting to repair. So I "borrowed" the cable from the spare Toshiba for now.My very long day is over now.....another issue solved. ...
 
Benefits of adding more RAM to your PC
2008-03-11 15:25:00
RAM or Random Access Memory is a critical component for a computer to run properly. Having not enough RAM can render a computer useless over time due to too many programs or applications being used at the same time. The more applications a person opens, the more RAM is needed to run those applications. Today, most computer manufacturers sell new computers with at least 512MB of RAM. Compared to a few years ago, the minimum amount was 256MB. And before that, the minimum amount was 128MB or even 64MB. The increase is due to the complexity of the software and Operating systems that are being installed on the computer. For example, Windows XP has a bare minimum RAM requirement of 64MB to operate. But according to Microsoft, it is recommended to have 128MB to "increase performance". As for myse...
 
Daylight savings may still affect some PCs.
2008-03-08 20:22:00
Its time to spring forward again. Daylight savings time begins this evening (or morning depending on how you see it)Read all of the information from here at Microsoft's Daylight Savings page. ...
 
Windows Vista delayed media player files fixed
2008-03-07 22:12:00
For those of you that have Windows Vista....I just fixed something that has been bugging me since I bought my new Dell PC a few months ago....When you play an audio file (MP3, WMA, WAV) through a link on the web or maybe an email....there is a 5-10 second delay in the file playing.To fix this do the following:Go to the Control Panel and open the Sound properties:Click the box that says: "Disable all Enhancements"Press OK twice and.....there you go...no more delay in Media player.(this should work for Vista...not sure if there is an issue in XP) ...
 
UPS guy conclusion
2008-03-07 19:47:00
The UPS guy brought his PC to me today and I was able to reinstall Windows XP & Office 2000....yeah, I know, Office 2000 is like 7 years old. But so is his PC....at least I got it back up and running. He is happy now and I am pretty sure he will be purchasing a new PC soon anyway just to keep up with this century. Windows XP is basically at its end for free support so its time to get to know Windows Vista. My next article will be one about the basics of Windows Vista and some of its new features. ...
 
Update on UPS guy
2008-03-06 22:06:00
Our local UPS guy decided to go ahead and have me upgrade his PC. I am going to see what kind of custom-built PC he has already and then determine if its worth upgrading before I even attempt to do so. At least now he has legal copies of Windows XP & Office.More to come soon..... ...
 
IE 8 beta is here
2008-03-06 13:57:00
Internet Explorer 8 has been released by Microsoft.Of course its "beta" software so that means Microsoft will not help you if your PC crashes.....My suggestion, do not even bother downloading it, ever......well maybe 3 yrs from now when they announce the next version. By then they will have fixed IE8 for the most part."IT humor.....you gotta love it" ...
 
Studying again for Cisco CCNA
2008-03-05 19:19:00
A few years ago...I took some semesters (actually 6 semesters) of the Cisco Network Academy at Seminole Community College. The first 4 semesters are for the CCNA (or Cisco Certified Network Associate) course. I finished all 4 and did very well so I decided to take the CCNA certification test right away before I forgot everything. I missed the passing mark by only 2 questions.....oh well.Now....roughly 5 years later, I am thinking about re-taking the test. Yeah, I know, the test format has changed and it will probably be must harder too. But you know what? I love technology and I love challenges so bring it on!To study, I will probably use the Cisco routing lab tool called Packet Tracer that is available to all Cisco Academy students & Alumni. This tool ...
 
UPS guy needs my help
2008-03-03 21:49:00
Yup.....the possibilities are endless. Everyone needs PC help, including UPS. Today, our usual UPS guy was asking around our IT office for some help with his computer. I answered most of his questions, which were the usual questions one may ask a computer guy/girl. "I can't get to this website....I get an error". "How can I get rid of the spyware that got installed?" And my favorite..."My computer is running extremely slow, what can I do?"Well...here are basically his only options:1)I can probably get rid of the spyware, make sure he has an up-to-date anti-virus program that includes spyware protection, and run a complete scan on the PC to rule out any possible viruses that may be deep down inside the hard drive or registry. 2)Or, I could just back up his important files to a CD (which wou...
 
Windows Vista hacks---don't do it!
2008-02-28 21:58:00
(From Computer World)If you've been using one of two common hacks to run Windows Vista without going through activation, Microsoft has you in its cross-hairs. It's rolling out patches, through Vista SP1 and Windows Update, that will recognize those hacks on your PC. That's the bad news. The good news is that the much-reviled Windows Geniune Advantage continues to get weaker, as I'll show you in a series of screenshots.Read more here: Continue reading ...
 
 
 
 
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