Clean Up Your Computer and Enhance Its Speed.
The speed in which a computer performs its tasks is very important to computer users. In fact, speed is probably one of the deciding factors when purchasing a computer unit. However, typical usage may eventually slow down a computer’s performance. Downloading of numerous files, performance of several upgrades, and piling up of needless and superfluous data can clog up a computer’s system and cause it to perform at a glacial pace. You can usually note the slow down in your computer when it takes a longer time for programs to load, when the system doesn’t start as quickly as before, or when Internet access is unusually sluggish. To restore your computer to its optimum performance, there is a need to remove the useless data that have heaped up. There are several ways of doing this.
Discard outdated data in the registry. A windows registry contains all installed system software and hardware’s essential configuration information. Some of these configuration information are added or removed whenever any software or hardware is installed or uninstalled. And when a software or hardware is not uninstalled properly, there is a surplus of leftover information which distends the size of the registry and slows down the computer performance. Thus, it is important to discard these leftover data. This can be done through the use of a superior registry cleaner tool which will remove all unnecessary data, consolidate scattered files, and repair erroneous entries.
Discard outdated data in the hard disk. A computer’s hard disk is where all essential information, such as the operating system and devices are stored. Regardless of size, a hard disk can get loaded in no time forcing the computer’s system to work within an insufficient space. It is important, therefore, to regularly clean up your hard disk. This can be done in several ways.
You can make a habit out of clearing out the Recycle Bin. This might be the most effortless action to do, but it can free up the most space in the hard disk in no time. You can also perform a disk cleanup. Access the Disk Cleanup tool by clicking on Start, Programs, Accessories, System, Tools, and then Disk Cleanup. From the Disk Cleanup screen, click on the file or files you want permanently removed. Using the Disk Defragmenter can also free up space in your hard disk by reorganizing files so that are contained in adjacent storage sites in the hard disk. You can access the Disk Defragmenter by clicking Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and Disk Defragmenter. You should also uninstall old programs or those that have not been used for ages. You can do this by using your system’s Add/Remove Programs or an effective uninstaller. For Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows XP, you can access the Add/Remove Program tool by choosing the More Options tab of the Disk Cleanup function. Or, you can also choose to access the tool from the Control Panel.
Ridding a computer of useless data and files should be a routine activity for serious computer users as it can help a lot in ensuring that you have a faster computer.
Do-It-Yourself Guide To Solving DLL Errors
In this article we will explain what a DLL file is and what causes different DLL errors. We will also discuss the steps you can perform to fix DLL errors.
What is a DLL file?
A DLL file is a collection of commands or codes that can be used by different programs to perform specific functions. Each Windows computer contains thousands of DLL files, so DLL errors are not uncommon.
DLL error messages and simple steps to fix them
Listed below are some common DLL error messages that you may come across and the reasons for their occurrence. Also discussed are the steps you can use to fix DLL errors:
Missing DLL error
The most common DLL error message is the missing DLL error message. A message similar to the one listed below may appear on your screen:
“Error Starting Program – A Required .Dll File, Machinist2.dll, Was Not Found”
“Machinist2.dll file was not found”
As these error messages point out, the missing DLL error is caused by the removal of the corresponding DLL file.
The first step in fixing such errors is to check to see if you have deleted the DLL file by mistake. This usually happens when you are trying to delete a similarly named file. Check the contents of your Recycle Bin and see if you find your missing DLL file there. If this is not the case, try to recall if you have recently uninstalled any program from your system or not. Incorrect uninstallation may lead to deletion of a shared DLL file and cause missing DLL error messages. In such cases, you will need to install the application again to restore the DLL file to your system.
In case the above steps fail to restore the missing DLL file, you can download a copy of the DLL file from a free and legitimate DLL download website. You must ensure that you save the downloaded DLL file in its original location on your computer.
Rundll Errors
Another common DLL error message that you may encounter is Rundll error messages. An example of a rundll error is listed below:
“RUNDLL: Error loading d3dx9_27.dll. The specified module could not be found”
The most common reason behind such errors is malware infection. If you see a rundll error message appearing on your screen, immediately run a full system antimalware scan on your system. To prevent such errors from occurring in the future, ensure that your antivirus software is always running in the background and keep it updated with the latest virus definitions and security updates.
Registry Issues
DLL errors may also occur due to incorrect or damaged registry entries. This is the reason why it is important that you regularly scan your registry using an advanced registry cleaning tool.
Performing the steps mentioned above helps you keep DLL errors at bay and fix them whenever they appear on your screen.
DLL Error Repair Basics
It is important for all computer users to have a basic understanding of how computers work, which will help in solving computer errors when they occur. Most computer errors are related to software issues, and can be easily resolved if you know the basics of computer errors. This article is dedicated to helping computer users understand how to solve one of the most common software errors, known as DLL errors.
Dynamic Link Library or DLL files are used on a Windows system to perform certain specific tasks. These files can be shared among multiple applications and need to be loaded in the system registry only when needed.
Although DLL files are quite useful, DLL errors may cause a lot of problems on your computer and prevent you from getting any work done on the system. Here are some basics that you can use to not only fix DLL errors, but also prevent them.
The first task that you must perform as soon as a DLL error appears is to restart your PC. Quite often, the errors are generated due to a temporary conflict, which is resolved when the system is restarted.
Next, you must be careful while deleting files and folders from your PC. If you are not careful, you might delete an essential DLL file and the next time you try to use the application to which this DLL file belongs, a DLL error, such as the missing icfgnt.dll file, may be displayed. In case you delete a required DLL file, check for it in the Recycle Bin. If you find it there, restore it to resolve your error. You may also try to search for the DLL file in a legitimate online DLL directory or on another PC with a configuration similar to your system.
It is essential that you stay vigilant while installing and uninstalling programs. Overwriting or deleting essential DLL files during these processes may also result in DLL errors, such as the missing px.dll error. In case DLL errors start appearing soon after you perform any of these two tasks, reverse your action to see if the error goes away. You may also try to perform a system restore to revert your system settings and files back to the time when your PC was free from DLL errors.
You must keep your PC free from malware infections. To do this you need to have efficient virus and spyware scanner tools on your computer. You need to keep these tools updated with the latest definitions and schedule them to scan and clean your PC on a regular basis.
Finally, to prevent and fix DLL errors it is essential that you maintain a healthy and error free registry. This is vital because all DLL files need to register themselves in the registry in order to function. So, if the registry is not at its best, DLL errors may occur. One simple way of effectively detecting and fixing the registry is by using a reliable registry tool.
My aching back…it’s all my chairs fault!
Ergonomics, the definition of that word must be the ability to contort oneself while remaining completely still in front of backlit screen for hours while tapping just your fingertips on plastic buttons in an orderly fashion to conduct business. Actually to correct definition goes something like the science of man relating to his work and applying efficient usage of human energy.
Up until about a month or so ago I never really paid too much attention to office, or more specifically computer usage ergonomics. I would read about it here and there in magazine articles and hear it on the news but always thought, I sit up straight when I type I’m fine. That was until one recent morning when my neck and back had other ideas and decided to notify me by waking me up so pleasantly with a surprise in the form of neck stiffness combined with a massive migraine headache.
Taking the advice of “mom” I decided to call my local chiropractor and make an appointment for the next day. There I learned all about the proper form when sitting at a computer desk. How to stretch and exercise to relieve built up stiffness and tension.
The importance of proper ergonomics cannot be overemphasized enough. Millions of office workers spend endless hours in front of computers and do not pay proper attention to their posture and positioning relative to the work space. Just as a welder wears the proper mask to protect their eyes, and a surgeon wears the proper mask and gloves to protect themselves from pathogens, the “office” worker should have the proper chair, arm rests and correct computer monitor height.
It’s amazing how we’ll spend thousands of dollars on a computer system and technology and then sit on a fifty dollar chair for hours on end and wonder why our backs are sore?
Do your homework, go online and search for the proper way to sit at a computer. Pay attention to the height of your monitor, the distance you are away from hit. How do you have your keyboard and mouse placed? What’s the angle of your wrists when you type? Are you getting proper back support from your chair? Does it have arm-rests? Are your feet on the floor as they should be? These are questions that you should be asking yourself. During the day when your working be sure to take breaks often. It’s advisable to stand every 30 to 40 minutes. This gets you out of the seated position reliving pressure on your spine. Take time to learn simple stretches that you can do at your desk to relief tension and muscle fatigue. You would be surprised that just taking a few simple steps can greatly improve your “ergonomics” and help alleviate the dreaded “pretzel” shoulder feeling.
Telecommuting, it’s not just for the beach!
Not all that long ago, it wasn’t all that common to hear someone say that they worked from home via their computer and phone. As a matter of fact, the term “telecommuting” is a rather new catchphrase. Now you hear it everywhere, from news channels to online communities, telecommuting is all the rage. Other terms you’ll hear are e-commuting, or e-work.
Of course there’s the rare individual that sits in their beachside villa, catching rays and fresh ocean breezes while checking in on the office. But for the majority it’s a matter of avoiding a daily two hour commute in smog filled traffic or for others, being able to raise their children at home, and not rely on outside care.
The way in which business is conducted is changing at lightening speed. Even more and more emails and texts are being sent in lieu of verbal phone communication. Both for speed but email and text provides another layer of documenting a conversation for future reference. With the increase in telecommuting the need for additional office space will be decreased with the majority of telecommuters carving out an existing home space to serve the purpose.
We will see an even greater need for fast, accurate wireless data transmission as even more signals compete with available air space as well as satellite locations in outer space. Handheld devices have also increased triple fold and we’ll see even more in the future.
Companies from small business to large global corporations are exploring ways to allow employees the telecommuting option. A low cost “perk” that draws valuable and talented workers to companies. More and more paper files are disappearing and the electronic record is becoming the norm. The great news it we’re saving trees and lowering our carbon footprint in the process.
With telecommuting however comes the need for computer repair resources when computer glitches arise. Thankfully with the advent of telecommuting came the business of remote computer repair. Knowing that you have a repair technician available virtually anytime, anywhere there’s an internet connection is reassuring.
Hopefully in the near future we’ll see an even greater amount of telecommuters. Perhaps reducing highway traffic, saving trees with less printed paper, and giving folks more free time to enjoy their livelihood.
Newbie to the internet , I remember the day!
Do you remember the very first time that you sat at a computer and could “search” the internet?
I can remember it like it was yesterday, and in some sense it really was. It was in the early 90’s and I was visiting a friend and they were in the process of setting up a Chicago branch office for their company. There in the corner of the room was a brand new computer and it was hooked up and online. I sat down in front of it and my friend opened a new “window” for me and said, here use this “search engine”, it’s the best.
That was one of the first times that I had ever heard the phrase “search engine” and I remember just how odd the term sounded. Until then when I thought of search I thought of physically looking for something, like a lost sock or favorite book. The word engine just confused matters all the more as engines belonged in lawnmowers and cars didn’t they? Not in a metal box on the desk?
Before me on the screen was an empty white box where I was to type something to “search”. I suddenly remember feeling completely overwhelmed. I was staring at a tiny box on a screen but I may as well be looking at an endless ocean. What should I type? What should I search? I took me a minute or so to even think of one thing that I wanted to learn more about. The concept of being able to change my mind and search on something else wasn’t present at the moment. I almost felt that I had only “one chance” to pick something so I better make it good. My friend said, “go ahead, search something”. So I took the leap and typed into the little box and have never looked back…
What did we do before the internet? For most of my young adult life I didn’t own a computer, surf the web or even have a cell phone. Homework was completed using an old fashioned typewriter and notes to friends weren’t via text but rather folded up pieces of paper that you had to somehow pass across a room, entrusting other classmates to pass along the note without reading all while trying to avoid the sharp eyes of the teacher.
Who would have thought years ago that a prized domain name would be millions of dollars or that the search engines stock would rise so high that you could afford to retire on the proceeds from their sale. The past twenty years were amazing in terms of technology and I can only imagine what the next twenty years of advancements will bring!
The Computer Virus!
dont get a virus
Backup Your Data, Files
Nobody likes backing up, but one day it may save you. Many don’t relize that the following can actually happen to them.
1.Hard drivecrash.
2.Someone stealing your laptop at a café.
3.You might realize on Friday that you desperately need the now-departed Wednesday version of an important document that you significantly altered on Thursday.
By having a secure, up-to-date backup of your hard drive any of the above issues can be fixed simply.
A few practical strategies to back-up your data
1.USB storage,
2.Back- up via the Internet or through your local network
3.Back- up Windows itself in addition huge media files like songs and videos.
How do you know what to back-up ?
Your hard drive may contain hundreds of thousands of files. So what should be backed up every day and what occasionlly ?
You must look at each filesindividually.
Documents: You should back up the following everyday
1.word processing files
2.spreadsheets and similar documents
Many basic backup program can perform incremental backups, in which the program copies only the files that have changed since the most recent previous backup.
Application data: Apps create and maintain data files such as e-mail messages, browser favorites, calendar entries, and contacts that require daily backing up. Most programs store them in a hidden folder inside your user folder (in XP, C:Documents and Settingsyour nameApplication Data; in Vista, C:Usersyour nameAppData). Also, in XP, Microsoft stores Outlook and Outlook Express data in C:Documents and Settingsyour nameLocal SettingsApplication Data). Fortunately, any well-designed backup program intended for everyday, nonexpert users (as opposed to IT departments) knows where to look for Outlook data.
Media: If your backup medium is sufficiently roomy and fast, you can back up your photo, music, and video files every day. But these large files may require a separate backup strategy.
Heirlooms: Files that you want to keep forever–family photos, the special anniversary card you made for your parents, and so on–need backing up and extra protection.
Your system: You can always reinstall Windows and your apps, if you have the original discs or can download the programs. But if Windows becomes unusable or your hard drive crashes, switching to a system backup (also called a disaster recovery backup) that you create a couple of times a year can get your machine up and running smoothly without much effort.
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