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5 Tips

Why is My Computer Running Slow?

Today I am going to cover 5 tips to help you better maintain your computer—things you should do to keep your computer in tip top shape and make for a better computing experience.   A lot of people ask this question. While there is more than one answer, the number one reason is because too many applications have been loaded into the computer’s memory when it is first booted up.
  1. Backup your data: All your data is valuable to you. You don’t want to lose any of it. Your bank statements, your music, your contacts, your pictures; it’s all important to you. So the biggest question in the computer world is why don’t people backup their data? I think the answer to that is that people just don’t have the time. Besttech Computing can help. We do a complete backup of all your data for a very low price.

  2. Show File Extensions: (Windows 7 Tip) Are you using Windows 7 and miss the file extensions on all the filenames in Windows Explorer? I know I did. File extensions quickly tell you what type of file you’re seeing. Well, you can fix this problem by forcing Windows 7 to show them. Press and hold down the Windows key and then press E. This brings up Windows Explorer. Click on the “Organize” button at the top left of the window, then folder and search options. This will bring up a smaller window called “Folder Options”. From here click on the View tab and remove the checkmark next to “Hide extensions for known file types”.  Lastly, click OK and you’re done. From now on you will see file extensions for all your filenames.
  3. Use file encryption: Everyone has important files, bank documents, bills, medical documents, and more. How do you keep this information secure? I recommend encrypting all your important documents so no one but you can access them. The best encryption application available today is True Crypt. You can get a copy by going to http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads and downloading a copy for your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. This software is free, open source software that will never cost you a penny. Once you have downloaded the application, install it on your computer. You can encrypt an entire hard drive or you can create a single encrypted file on the disk. The application allows you to create whatever size file you wish. I started with a 1 Gigabyte file. Once you have created the file, every time it opens, Windows thinks it is another drive and treats it as such, allowing you to cut, copy, and paste files to it as if it is your external hard drive. Once you dismount it, you will not see it anymore as a drive, but as a file on your hard drive. So in reality it is quite hidden from prying eyes. As suggested in Tip 1 be sure you add this file to your backup or you will lose all those valuable files. Also use a strong password, but one you won’t forget. Which reminds me…

  4. Always use strong passwords: Among of the first things a person will use when attempting to figure out your password is your name, your birth date, your child’s name or birth date, or just some random dictionary word. Never use a dictionary word for your password. The strongest passwords are passwords that have a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. For example: Hi8i80K0l@& is a very strong password. While it may be difficult for you to type in this password or to remember it each time you want to enter it online, it is also hard for a spy to type in or to figure out. Weak passwords are probably the easiest way for someone to steal your personal information and possibly steal all your hard earned money. So for the sake of your sanity and financial stability, always use a strong password.

  5. (Windows 7 Tip) How would you like it if you clicked on the Windows Explorer icon (the folder icon) on the task bar and it took you directly to your documents folder instead of the “Libraries” folder? Well, you can fix Windows 7 to do just that. Right click on the Windows Explorer icon, right click on the Windows Explorer in the context menu that appears and click on properties. This will bring up a dialog box. In the box marked “Target”, enter %windir%\explorer.exe ::{450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103}. Copy the text exactly as I have written it or it won’t work. And use capital letters only. Be sure to use back slashes “\” not forward slashes “/”.There are other folders that this icon can point to, but that’s for another day.

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These applications, such as AIM, Skype, and Yahoo Messenger—in fact, most applications people use today—want to load themselves into memory. This causes the RAM (What is RAM?) to become so full that other applications you are trying to run must compete with the small amount of space that is left in RAM. Think of it as twenty large men trying to enter an elevator at the same time.

While this is the most common reason a computer runs slowly, there may be other reasons. For example, your amount of memory could be too low (a really small elevator). When you purchase new software you should be sure to check the package (or online description) to determine if you have the proper amount of RAM and other requirements. Most times this information is listed as “System Requirements” by the software manufacturer. In any event, I recommend having a complete system optimization completed on your computer.

Besttech Computing can do a complete optimization of your computer to make it work just like new. We clean your computer of all spyware, viruses, and malware so your computer will run properly.

As much as we would like to ignore our computers, they are delicate pieces of machinery and, just like your car, can’t be neglected. Some care and maintenance needs to be performed. Let us help. Besttech Computing offers special pricing on optimization, virus scanning, and much more for readers of this Blog. Besttech is offering a special discount to readers of this Blog! Learn more about our special system optimization price

The Next Big Thing in Technology

The Wi-Fi Alliance has announced a new technology to make wirelessly connecting devices effortless. Wi-Fi Direct is a new wireless networking specification that will allow devices to connect without a wireless router or hotspot.

Wi-Fi Direct has so many uses it may make Bluetooth technology obsolete. Bluetooth uses less power, but the range and transfer speed is much lower than Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi Direct has much higher speed and range, thus making it more useful than Bluetooth in many applications.

Using a camera enabled with Wi-Fi Direct technology, a person could take a picture and then transmit the image immediately to their cellphone, computer, or any other device. Several devices could be used to play a multi-player video game anywhere without the need for a wireless router or hotspot.

One of the best things about this new technology is the fact that only one of the devices needs to be Wi-Fi Direct enabled to work. Your Wi-Fi Direct compliant camera could connect to your non-Wi-Fi Direct computer to transfer files.

Wi-Fi Direct is also a secure technology; all Wi-Fi Direct connections will be secured with WPA2 technology, often used today on most standard Wi-Fi connections. This is currently the strongest form of encryption available for Wi-Fi and it is turned on by default with Wi-Fi Direct.

There will be no complicated settings to hassle with to get a connection. All you have to do is enter a password and the Wi-Fi Direct enabled device will automatically complete the setup and connection for you.

Learn more about Wi-Fi Direct at Wi-Fi.org.
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