How To Stop the Conficker Computer Virus

Since 2003, the Conficker Computer virus has become the most massive computer worm infection. It is a computer application installed on computer hard drives through web pages programmed with malicious instructions. It can also pose as Spyware Protect 2009 in order to steal someone’s credit card details and identity. So far, it has caused damage to millions of hard drives and computers worldwide. Its damage becomes worse as it also installs another virus, the Waledac. The Conficker Computer virus has definitely made people cautious and vigilant. However, if you feel like you have not done enough to avoid it, you must check your computer as soon as possible and have the virus removed. You will be guided by the instructions below.  

• Research. Of course, you must find out more about this virus in order to protect your system from it. You will also want to make sure that this is the virus that has gone into your computer. Remember, there are other kinds of worms and viruses out there infecting computers.
• Check the Microsoft Support page. You may check out this particular link for more information about the virus. In this website, you are told that if you see whatever is on the page, chances are, you do not have the virus. However, this is not enough. Proceed to the next set of instructions to make sure that your computer is not infected. 
• Run your anti-virus software. You have to check if your anti-virus software is updated. If you are constantly checking for updates and installing them, your software must probably be up to date. Otherwise, you may check SpySweeper and Norton Antivirus in order to get available packages. From their websites, you can download the particular programs that are effective in stopping the Conficker virus.  
• Run tests. Once you have downloaded the software, you can begin running tests. Once you have run the sweep, the cookies, viruses, and bugs will be removed from your computer.
• Use Conficker Removal Tool. You can use this by navigating to the CNET
  website. You will see the tool on their page. Download it and take note
  where it will be saved. Launch it once it finishes downloading. Accept
  the terms and start scanning. When done, follow the instructions in
  removing the worm. When the scan is complete, you may click on “Finish”
  to finalize the process.

Once you have finished the procedures, you may visit the Microsoft website again to do the screen test. If you are still not confident with what you have done, you can always have your computer checked by IT technicians. Ask for their help and show them your computer. Even without the threat of any virus, make sure that you always have your computer checked out once in a while because you never know when viruses sneak in. Keeping your anti-virus software up to date is very important if you want to maintain your computer’s high performance. It is better to allot time in installing and updating anti-virus software rather than having to remove viruses later. Much more damage will be done to your hard drive once viruses do get in.
By Katherine Watson

10 Mobile Apps That Are Changing the Shopping Dynamics for Retailers and Consumers

1. AisleBuyer - AisleBuyer combines mobile self-checkout with intelligent shopper functionality such as product barcode scanning that returns information, customer reviews, and recommendations. AisleBuyer uses a consumer's shopping history to deliver individual coupons, offers, and discounts, and it also stores a user's receipts and shopper loyalty cards. AisleBuyer is one of the first mobile apps that enable consumers to use their smartphone as a self-checkout device, enabling consumers to pay for purchases on their iPhone or Android-based smartphone and completely bypass the checkout line.
2. BooYAH! MyTown - BooYAH! is a social web and mobile entertainment company that has taken a game-based approach to mobile marketing. Their app, BooYAH! MyTown, is a location-based social gaming platform with more than 2.8 million users in the United States. MyTown enables players to check in to real places, buy virtual properties, and collect rent. MyTown's product check-in allows players to scan barcodes of real-world products using the iPhones camera and unlock points and earn virtual MyTown items. BooYAH! MyTown's is geared toward a young, wired user with its integration of music and social media channels, making it a dynamic platform for youth-oriented retailers that are looking for ways to weave their brands into the app. Brands can also create real-life scavenger hunts to increase brand discovery and engagement. BooYAH!'s MyTown is currently available exclusively for iPhone and iPod touch users.
3. eBay Mobile (RedLaser and Milo.com)- eBay has become one of the biggest players in the mobile shopping space, and the company's global mobile sales exceeded $2 billion in 2010. eBay made several key acquisitions in the last couple of years that includes Critical Path Software, a leading mobile application developer, and RedLaser, a mobile barcode scanning application. They recently purchased Milo.com, which provides real-time product inventory. eBay has combined Milo's local shopping results with RedLaser's barcode-scanning capabilities into a single application for both iPhone and Android-based smartphones. With the integration of Milo, shoppers using RedLaser can immediately find out, through a single scan, which nearby retailers currently have a product in stock and who has the best local price. The combination of RedLaser and Milo provide shoppers with instant comparison-shopping on the go. eBay's RedLaser app is available for free download in the iTunes App Store and Android Market. Milo local shopping results are available immediately in both the iPhone and Android versions and online at Milo.com. The RedLaser Software Development Kit (SDK), which is already being used by more than 100 third-party iPhone developers and select retailers, will soon be available for the Android platform.
4. Google Shopper - Google's Shopper app enables users to use their smartphone's camera to locate product information. The app is capable of recognizing books, CDs, DVDs, and video game packaging and can also scan product barcodes to access Google's product database. The app also has voice recognition that allows users to speak the name of the product they're looking for. Google's Shopper app stores a user's history directly on a user's phone so product and price information are always available even if there's no cell service available. The app includes a browser that lets users visit a retailer's website and find the nearest location, and it includes social media access to Facebook, Twitter, GMail, and instant messaging. Google's Shopper app is available for Apple's iPhone and Android-based smartphones.
5. JiWire Compass - JiWire Compass is a location-based mobile advertising platform that combines real-time product information and availability with additional services such as a Concierge service that enables users to find the location of the nearest retailer and reserve a product for pick-up. JiWire's platform lets advertisers identify and deliver ads to audience segments based on a person's physical location while taking the venue type and brand into account. The Compass platform also allows retailers to integrate their product catalogues. Compass currently provides more than 3 million unique products across the U.S. from over 200,000 retailers and product manufacturers. Compass is currently available for Apple's iPhone and iPad platform.
6. Placecast - Placecast's ShopAlerts is an opt-in, location-based mobile marketing solution that delivers targeted information customized for each user based on their location, time, and user preferences. Placecast's services helps retailers by expanding their reach and increasing local foot traffic to physical stores. ShopAlerts is offered as a white-label mobile marketing solution that allows retailers to create custom-branded apps that connect with their customers via SMS messages and through social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Once a user's ShopAlerts is activated, the service automatically alerts customers about a brand's local sales, special events, or other relevant information based on their location.
7. Point Inside - Point Inside provides indoor destination maps for major malls and airports across the United States and Canada. Point Inside's maps lets users quickly find stores, gates, kiosks, restrooms, elevators, escalators, and other guest services in more than 800 malls and airports. The app is available for Apple's iPhone and Android-based smartphones. Point Inside's app enables retailers to drive additional foot traffic by providing special offers and discounts along with location information.
8. Shopkick - Shopkick's mobile app is available for Apple's iPhone and Android-based devices and provides consumers with rewards and offers simply for walking into stores, for scanning products, and for signing up their friends. Shopkick's concept combines social media sharing with on-the spot location-based rewards that help retailers build buzz and customer loyalty. Shopkick users collect "kickbucks" and bonus offers by checking in at participating retailers and by scanning product barcodes at major US retailers that include Macy's, Crate & Barrel, American Eagle Outfitters, Best Buy, Target, Simon Malls, Wet Seal, and The Sports Authority. Shopkick users can even donate their kickbucks reward points to charitable causes.
9. Sundrop Mobile's Reward Card Wallet - Sundrop Mobile's Reward Card Wallet enables consumers to store loyalty cards information on their Apple iPhone or Android-based mobile device. Sundrop Mobile's services include push notification that can increase foot traffic to participating retailers with the ability to broadcast special offers and deals to customers via SMS when they are nearby. Reward Card Wallet is location-aware and allows the consumer to check for deals near their location, which feature deals from merchants as well as Groupon, Living Social, and other services.
When consumers download Reward Card Wallet their existing loyalty memberships automatically appears in the application as part of their registration process. Adding additional loyalty cards such as grocery, convenience, motor club, etc. is easily accomplished using a smartphone's barcode scanner. When users make their next store visit, they simply show their phone's screen to a cashier. The cashier can then scan the on-screen barcode representation of their plastic loyalty card. Reward Card Wallet frees consumers from having to carry multiple reward cards and helps retailers to increase participation and effectiveness of loyalty card programs.
10. WHERE Deal Alerts - WHERE Deal Alerts is an opt-in, location-based mobile marketing solution that delivers personalized alerts for coupons and discount offers to a users' phone based on their preferences and location. Customers that opt-in to WHERE's service can set up a user profile that enables the service to send automated Deal Alerts via text message. Consumers simply select proximity, day of week, time of day, and content categories such as restaurants and shopping, and WHERE will automatically send coupons via SMS based on preferences. WHERE's services helps more than 4 million mobile users discover, save, and share local places on their mobile device by recommending the most relevant content and integrating money-saving special offers from local merchants.

By Neyaz Ashraf 

iPad 2 Review - Time for an Upgrade?

There are some people who automatically upgrade to the latest and greatest version of any product just for the sake of upgrading. Is that always a good thing to do? After reading through the upgrades made to the iPad 2, see for yourself if it is indeed time for an upgrade.
The Look
As for the upgraded look of the iPad 2, it is similar to the original device. However, the upgrade is more sleek, weighs less and the re-design of the body added a curve which gives it a different feel as you hold it in your hand.
Speedy
It is no surprise that the iPad 2 is about twice as fast as the original model, featuring a faster-working A5 dual core (1 GHz) processor (which most people like to see in their computers) and includes 512 MB of RAM. Faster working graphics are due to an engine upgrade, but the screen resolution is much the same as that of the original.
Cameras
The original iPad did not have any cameras, however, the iPad 2 has two of them. One camera is located on the front of the device and is used for video chatting. On the rear of the device is another camera used for capturing video and still shots.
Orientation
If you moved the original iPad too quickly in one direction or another, the device could not sense the quick change and would continue to display incorrect orientations of images. The iPad 2 can sense a change in direction and immediately reconfigures the images either vertically or horizontally.
Some disappointments with the upgrade include the continued grainy appearance of the video features. Whether or not it is something in the camera feature, the resolution is still not top-notch. A better choice would be to use the iPhone 4 for taking photos or videos.
The iPad 2 does not support an Adobe FLASH player, so anything requiring the use of FLASH will not be displayed properly, if at all.
Verdict
Overall, the iPad 2 is another excellent product from Apple. The smooth display, faster processing and nice playback features make this a successful upgrade. The Smart Cover was a very innovative accessory introduced along with this upgrade.
If you love your original iPad, then you will love this upgraded faster, slicker model. While the upgrade is not a complete overhaul, it just proves that you don't need to make a whole lot of changes to an already great product.

By Charlie Breans

Android Operating System is the Future of Mobile Computing and Smartphones

Android Phones
The new Android phones are phones that operate on the Linux Kernal mobile operating System. It was developed by Android Inc, and later purchased by Google. This system enables developers to write managed codes in the java language and control the device with Google developed Java libraries.
The Android Phones are the phones of the future because they combine the ultimate advances in mobile phones, video, cameras, PC's and Navigation systems with multiple applications. The Phase development of the Android Phones started with the first model that had bugs and poor documentation, this was first introduced with the Sake Game-Android Development Phone. Next came the Android SDK it had a debugger, libraries, documentation, and tutorials. The final droid was the Android OS-Donut which added supports like voice search, priced applications and Gmail freeze fixes.
The Android OS system is important in this new system because it allows third party developers to create their own screen widgets. This allows for more applications and more opportunities for the manufacturer. The new Android Phones are being made by Google, Motorola, and HTC, LG, Dell and others breaking into the Smartphone market. The technology that it promises is ground breaking. The Android system acts like a robot, the user tells it what to do and it does it with supposed lightening speed.
The new Android Phones are basically bringing the desktop to the mobile phones. It allows for emailing, instant messaging, and web browsing all at the same time. It can run applications in the background while the user goes to a social network site. It also allows the user to listen to music and write an email at the same time, while talking on the phone. The possibilities are endless; the Android system allows several applications to run at the same time, just as a computer with windows does.
There are thousand of applications available for the Android phones and more are becoming available everyday. With the apps and the ability to multitask without having to shut down one act to do another is the new age of the mobile phones thanks to Goggles Android system. The new Android 2.0 is the latest in the line of Android systems to hit the market. The capabilities and promises are coming true very quickly as 2.0.1 stands ready for release.
Many people enjoy using the Android Phones already and sales have been phenomenal. Everyone wants a system that acts like a PC but is really a phone with all of the capabilities. The technology has just begun and there is more to come.

By William Grant 

How to Deal With Virus and Spyware on Your PC

It's an annoying reality that you have to deal with - virus and spyware attacks on your PC. It slows down your computer and compromises your privacy and security. Did you know that you can remove these malicious software programs in your PC without having to spend much for it?

Quick Tips

Here are some quick tips on how to remove virus and spyware on your PC:

Use the free tools that are bundled with your windows operating system such as system restore. These free tools serve as a quick fix for malware attacks. Don't forget to turn your firewall on; that is one of your first line of defenses against malware.

Run an anti-virus as well as spyware removal program on your computer. Here, you will find overwhelming resources from the internet. There are free software programs that you can easily download as well as the proprietary programs.
The problem with the free anti-virus program and spyware removal software is that if you are not careful in choosing your software programs to download, most likely you will end up downloading malicious software programs instead. It is very important to know where you can download these free tools reliably.
You have to be aware that these malicious software (malware) programs love to disguise themselves as legitimate anti-virus download and spyware removal tool. This way they can easily lure their victims to download them online.

Once you have removed the virus and spyware from your computer, the best protection you can have is to prevent your PC from malware attacks. Make sure that you are running the latest anti-virus protection and spyware removal program on your PC to protect you as you surf the internet.
Why You Need to Protect Your PC
You need essential protection for your PC to prevent malicious attacks on your computer. You wouldn't want to experience a multitude of problems arising from these attacks or compromise your own security and privacy.

If you think that it will cost you a lot to protect your computer from malware, you will be comforted to find out that there are actually free anti-virus protection and spyware removal programs that are legitimate and proven to be effective.

To minimize the risks of encountering malicious software programs disguised as legitimate programs, go and find online the resources that will empower you to download all free legitimate anti-malware tools that are guaranteed to work best.

Look for something that will provide you with computer tune up videos showing you several proven ways to protect your pc using the free anti-virus protection and spyware removal programs.

By Lindsey Jenkins

Buying the Perfect Computer

So you've finally decided it's time for a change. No matter
what advice you follow that old work horse of a desktop
computer you have has outlived its usefulness with slow
loading applications and a continuous rise in operation
noise.

Searching for that Perfect Computer can be about as much fun
as purchasing a new car and about as frustrating also when
sorting through the various brands while trying to decide
which "bells and whistles" best fit your needs. Besides all
that trying to return something that is so large can be both
inconvenient and very difficult to do. So making the right
decision the FIRST time is the wise path of choice.

For starters you'll need to decide what you want to do with
your computer. Are you into the video game scene or are you
someone who likes to just surf the internet and occasionally
do some book keeping with simple word processing software?

If you're into video games you're going to want a machine
that can handle the high level of graphics and superior
sound quality. On the other hand if you're not into all
that high adrenalin stuff you can probably get by with a
less expensive system. Although, if you want to stay on the
safe side I would recommend going with something more
"high-end" so you don't have to spend another large chunk of
change to upgrade the system you just bought.

There are two basic routes you can take when purchasing a
new computer.

1) Purchase a "Brand Name" Computer
2) Purchase a "Clone" Computer

A "BRAND-NAME" computer is one that is manufactured by a
company that is recognizable by name.

Some Advantages/Disadvantages of "Brand-Name" computers
include:

Advantages:

Customer Support- If you are experiencing problems with your
computer you will have the option to contact a
representative of the company that you purchased the PC from
to get help in solving your problem.

Customer support is probably the best reason to buy a
brand-name computer.

Warranty- Having a warranty is always nice since it acts as
a type of security blanket for you.

In case a part on your computer should fail you should be
able to get the item fixed at no charge just as long as the
warranty has not expired.

Read and understand a company's warranty policy BEFORE you
purchase a computer from them.

This way you'll have a good understanding of the procedures
to follow in case a problem should arise.

Pre-installed Software- Many companies will include software
packages that are all set up and ready to go for you on your
computer.

Although, a disadvantage of buying a brand-name computer
with software pre-installed is that you usually end up with
more than fits your needs and usually just results with the
wasting of space on your storage device.

Additional Support- Most brand-name computer companies are
also able to provide you with web sites that may provide you
with current software updates, user manuals, or basic
troubleshooting help.

Disadvantages

The use of Proprietary parts- the term Proprietary refers to
products that are unique to an individual company and that
company only.

So if a part was to malfunction on your computer after
warranty and you needed to replace it you could not just go
to your local computer store and purchase any old part even
if it was intended for the same function as the item that
failed.

You would be forced to buy the exact same item that came out
of the computer or else the computer would more than likely
cease to function correctly.

Having to buy proprietary parts usually involves the need to
place an order which means you'll have to wait for the part
to arrive or you'll have to send your computer into the
company or an authorized dealer of that company for
repairs.

People with a home based business would probably not be too
happy with that situation at all.

Integrated/On-board parts- In the computer world when you
hear the word integrated or on-board it means that a
particular part such as the modem or sound port where you
plug in your speakers, is built-in or part of the computer
main board (Also known as the Motherboard).

This means that if any of these items should fail, you can't
just remove them from the computer and replace them with a
new part. They are usually soldered directly to the main
board and are stuck there.

Although, some computers do provide a way to disable a
malfunctioning device which will allow you to install your
own store bought device to take the place of the broken
part.

From a computer technicians point of view this is not always
easy to do.

It just depends on what brand of computer you currently
have. Meaning some are easier to work on than others.

A "CLONE" computer is a clone or a copy of its brand-name
counterpart with the exception that instead of company
specific or proprietary parts, the items used to make a
clone computer are from several different companies instead
of only one.

Let's say that if you were to go to a local company that
builds "clone" computers, and you tell them what you need,
chances are they don't use parts that are specific to only
that type of computer like the brand-name computer companies
do.

This is a good thing because it means that they will
probably use components that are interchangeable with many
different brands and are easy to come by if needed.

Some Advantages/Disadvantages of "Clone" computers include:

Advantages:

Cost- compared to brand-name computers the clone will
generally be easier on your pocket book when purchasing one
with similar features as its brand-name counterpart.

This is most likely due to the money that is saved by not
offering the high-end customer service. Although, that may
not be the only reason for the lower prices.

Easily Accessible Replacement Parts- Since the clone
computer was built with parts that are not any one company
specific, you can buy parts for the clone computer that can
be used even if the brand is different from the one that was
in the computer when you originally bought it.

NOTE: Before you buy any parts, it is necessary to make sure
that the replacement parts are compatible with your
particular computers system requirements.

Either consult the manual that should have came with your
computer or get help from a knowledgeable friend or repair
person.

Disadvantages:

Warranties- Unless you purchase a service plan you will
typically not have as an attractive warranty as you would
with a brand-name computer company.

Whatever you do just make sure you understand how long the
warranty is for and as to what kind of repairs the warranty
covers before you make the purchase.

Customer Support- With brand-name computer companies you are
usually provided with a 24-hour toll free number that you
can call if you have questions or concerns with your
computer.

Clone computers are more than likely not going to have a
24-hour help service, but rather you will be forced to only
be able to call during regular business hours.

Also, it is more than likely that there will not be any one
website that you can go to in order to find out information
concerning troubleshooting questions you may have.

For service it may be necessary to take the computer back to
the store that you bought it at or you may have to do some
research on the individual parts that went into the computer
and visit the manufacturer's website for troubleshooting
tips.

Finally, if all else fails you can certainly take what you
have learned from this article and being that you know what
you need now, but don't know where to go and get that
"Perfect Computer", the best resource at your disposal are
the very men and woman that work at your local electronics
shop.

It is their duty to help you get hold of that "Perfect
Computer" that best fits your needs. All you need to do is
tell them what you plan on using that computer for and they
should be more than happy to help you from there.

By Dan Preston

Choosing the Best Desktop Computer For You Choosing the Best Desktop Computer For You

Like a lot of people in the world today, you probably have a specific budget in mind when you buy a desktop computer. You may wonder, though, how to pick out the computer. What size and shape you need and with all the new technology out there, you may be unsure what to get. We are here to help you with this most difficult decision. Read on for some great insight into what to look for when purchasing a great desktop computer.

There are four different types of a PC user. Read below to find out which one you are. This will help you choose the best computer for you and your family.

General purpose user: a general purpose use desktop computer is perfect for those who like to make pictures, edit pictures, play games and surf the net. Depending on what you need a general purpose computer can range in price from $500 to $1500.

Power User: a power user computer is a computer that can be used to make and edit movies and videos. These types of computers also allow you to make digital designs and play mega games. With these computers you will typically need 2 or more hard drives and a great graphics card. These computers typically run higher in price due to the power behind the computer and the different running systems that it will include. A power user computer can range in price from $2500 to $3500 depending on what you will need to perform the types of work that you want to do on this computer.

Home Theater Enthusiast: Do you love movies and television? Why not get a computer that can handle all of your home theater needs? This type of computer is great for people who love to watch movies and television. Windows Media Center is on all of the windows programs including the new Windows 7. When considering this type of computer always keep in mind what type of media you will be playing. This will help you to decide the video card and how much memory and output you will need. You can also find surround sound for your home theater computer, which will make your home theater even more special. When purchasing this computer make sure that is has the proper DVD drive or if you desire you can get a computer with a blue ray player allowing you the maximum high definition display. This type computer can range in price from $500 to $1500 depending on what you need included with the great entertainment model computer.

Home Office Worker: this is a great computer for those who work from home. With this type of computer you do not need the massive graphics power as other computers unless you design graphics for your home office work and then you would want a computer with a higher graphics count. You will want a system with a dual power core so that you can multitask and get the work done that you need done. Windows has a great operating system in Windows 7 that is great for being able to multitask. The newest feature on Windows 7 allows you to have different windows open at one time and you are also allowed to have them up side by side. This will save you time and you will not have to worry about your computer crashing. Mac also has a great operating system for home office as well. A home computer can run in price from $500 to $2,000 depending on what you need and how you plan on using it.

There are many different features to consider when wanting to purchase any of the before mentioned computers. The main great features that you will want to consider are:

* Processor: The two most common type of processor is AMD Athlon 64 X2, or Intel Core 2 Duo processor. You will want a Duo processor if you will be doing a lot of work or something that calls for a high speed processor such as burning or making videos and DVD's. A processor is at the most basic form the brains of your computer. The faster your processor is the better performance you will receive out of your computer.

* Memory: The memory in a desktop computer can vary due to the upcoming technology. Depending on what you need you can find a desktop that has 1G to 4G's of memory. Memory is changing due to different technology every day. When considering the memory take into consideration what you will be using your computer for. The more pictures and videos you need to make will increase the gigabyte count. Having the maximum amount of memory allows you to have plenty of room for all those important things that you want to install on your computer.

* Hard Drive: Depending on what you will need to store on your computer, you can find the perfect hard drive. A hard drive for this type of desktop can range from 250 G to 500 G. When choosing the hard drive, keep in mind what kind of programs you want to install. If you are wanting to install games or photo editing software, it would be best to have a higher gigabyte count. This allows you to have plenty of space for these programs as well as other programs including music and videos.

* Running system: When choosing your computer you will want to pick out a operating system that will work great for you. You can choose Windows or Mac. Both are very reliable brands and will give you a great computer experience. The latest version of Windows is Windows 7 and the latest version of Mac is the Apple OS X Leopard. The feedback on both of these programs are great. You can also ask friends and family that have these running systems how they feel about them and this will help you to pick out the perfect running system for you.

* Video Card: the video card helps to control different graphics and video. The most typical video card is 128 mb and comes from NVIDIA and ATI. With ever changing technology the video card will increase in megabyte size and quality. Most computers come with this feature already installed for quality graphics.

* Keyboard: Your computer would be basically useless without a keyboard. There are several different choices of keyboard. If you have trouble with your wrists, you can find a keyboard that is ergonomic and has a wrist wrest built into the keyboard. If you do not want the headache of wires all over the place, you can purchase a wireless keyboard. A wireless keyboard gives you access to your computer without the clutter of wire.

* Mouse: The mouse is a key component in the running of your desktop computer. The mouse helps you click on links and scroll down throughout pages. A wireless mouse is the latest invention. You can move your mouse around without the constraint of wire. This is a great way to perform your task. A computer can function without a mouse but it would be very difficult to use.

* Monitor: The monitor is the most important part of the computer besides the hard drive. The monitor allows you to see images and what is on your computer. You can find average size monitors, wide screened monitors and flat screened monitors. You can even find HD monitors that deliver a even clearer pictures. The size of the monitor depends on what size you need for what you will be doing with your desktop computer. With larger screens you will have the ability to watch many different movies in television size.

* Web Camera: a web camera can be hooked up to your computer allowing you to take images and videos and save them directly to your computer. You can also video chat with people online using it with Yahoo, Skype or even Facebook. It is a great way to stay in contact with friends and family. When considering a web cam purchase, check and see what pixels that it has. The higher the pixel, the greater the image will be and less pixilated.

* Size: Desktop computers have changed in size drastically over the years and each year it seems like a smaller more compact model is being released. That is great for those of you that do not have a lot of space to store a large computer. You can find a desktop in the size you need including compact. Every year smaller and more compact computers are being released. When looking for the size, take into consideration, where you will set up your computer and how much room you will have. It would not hurt to take measurements and have these with you when you purchase your computer.

* DVD/Blue Ray: If you like to watch movies you can purchase a desktop computer that has a DVD player. This is a great way to watch your movies. When purchasing the computer make sure you check and see what regions that the DVD player can handle. This way you can enjoy movies from many different regions from around the world. Region 1 is the United States and Region 2 is the United Kingdom. So if you want a movie from across the pond you can purchase it and watch it with your desktop. If you desire high quality and high definition you can purchase a computer that is equipped with a blue ray player. This is great for watching high definition movies.

* Warranty: When purchasing a computer, you may consider purchasing an extended warranty. This will give you ease of mind in case of something happening to your computer. Always remember to register for your warranty and it will make you and your computer feel safer.

Have this guide with you when you go to purchase your new desktop. This guide will help you make a choice on what you need for your new desktop computer. Remember take into consideration all of these features and what you will be using the computer for.

By Beth Mccall

Top 3 reasons for Black Screen

When you see a black screen on your computer you must stand back and not try and do a repair job straight away. It is important that you take time to consider what might have caused this on your computer. If you jump straight in to repairing this problem without thinking about what you are doing, you may make the problem escalate.
There are some basic troubleshooting steps you can take that might help when you have a black screen on your computer. But first you need to ask yourself a few questions and then you might find the answers:

Did you do something to cause this error? Maybe you shutdown your computer incorrectly or too fast. You would think that a computer can handle being shut down the wrong way however, this is often the cause of a black screen. It's what you do next that counts the most. When the computer starts up again and it shows you a screen where it says it had an hour error, most people choose to start the computer normally. I highly suggest you start your computer in safe mode first, let it fully load, and then choose to restart it normally.

Did you install any Windows updates or any type of software prior to getting this on your computer? This is another common cause and in this instance my number one troubleshooting tip is to try and use a system restore. For Windows Vista and Windows 7 you can access the system restore option if you insert the operating system DVD into the drive. For older computers it is a little bit more difficult than that. But what system restore will do, is turn back time.

Do you suspect that a virus has caused this? This is a big problem because it really depends on how bad the virus is and how far it has spread. In some cases when you have a black screen caused by a virus, it is as simple as signing into another user account that has not been affected by the virus. You are very lucky if you can do this as that is an easy solution but you still need to get rid of the virus.

I would say at all these three basic troubleshooting tips, and the black screen that is caused by the virus is the worst one to get. There are so many reasons why a computer can get a black screen and therefore there are so many different troubleshooting methods to try.
I personally have dealt with black screens on computers are over 25 years. Sometimes the problem is solved by simply removing a USB flash drive that has been left plugged in. I hope that is how you're your problem is solved; however this is not always the case.

by Tushar Dave

Useful Tips To Choose PC Motherboard

Whether you want to by a computer or planning to buy PC components and build the computer, there are a number of things you need to take into consideration. And the motherboard is the most crucial component among them. In this article we will discuss some important tips to buy the right Motherboard for your computer. To pick the best motherboard you can also get in touch with a computer repair company.
Motherboard is the main part of a PC and it is regarded as the heart of the whole computer system. All the other parts of the PC such as the CPU, RAM as well as other computer hardware devices like mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, and standard peripheral devices, such as the display screen, keyboard, mouse and disk drive are connected to the motherboard.
You should note that choosing the right motherboard plays a crucial role to ensure stability and the best performance of your PC. You should consider your requirements, budget and buy the motherboard accordingly.
The first thing that you should consider to choose a motherboard is the CPU. Intel and AMD are the major processor brand available in the market. Both of these processors use different motherboards. There are different socket types and the CPUs use this socket to communicate with other components through the chipset.
The next thing is the chipset and memory. Positioned on the motherboard, chipset is the most important integrated component. Communication between interfaces with various components of the PC is controlled by this. While buying motherboard you should choose a chipset that supports high speed memory for better performance.
It might require upgrading your PC in future. Due to this reason, you should ensure that the motherboard has extra PCI and memory slot for future expansion. Latest motherboards come with onboard video chipset and an AGP slot. At the time of buying, check for such feature. It is also important to confirm whether AGP slot supports latest transfer rate or not. You should also check the motherboard for onboard sound and integrated Ethernet.
Another important thing that you should consider when selecting the PC motherboard is the memory slot. Most motherboards boast at least 2 memory slots and there are many with 4. If you are planning to use the motherboard for a couple of years then it is better to go for a motherboard with four memory slots. If you are serious gamer then too more memory slots will be better.
These are some important things that you need to consider for buying a motherboard. It is always recommended not to spend hefty amount for the additional features if you don't require them. You should choose a motherboard by assessing its utility value.

By Eve Wilson

Tips To Fix Computer Monitor Related Problems

How many times did you come across a non-responsive monitor? I am sure; it must be more than once. Well, there are several reasons that contribute to computer monitor problems. It may be due to an electrical fault, loose cable connection, interferences, and defected computer's video adapter or monitor's problem itself.
While there are a number of factors that bring premature death to your monitor, you are always with the options to rejuvenate your monitor. Here we'll discuss about some of the options you can try to retrieve your monitor from a dead state.
Firstly, make sure that all the connections are okay. Remove the electrical cord and VGA cable from your computer and monitor and then put them back to their original place. Check out whether the connection is tight. In case you are using a cable extender you have to remove it.
Use a different outlet to plug the monitor's electric cord. For a UPS or surge protector you need to plug it directly into a wall outlet.
Whether your monitor has gotten a severe problem or it's just a result of loose connection, can be determined by attaching it to a different computer. If it's still not working you can assume that it needs replacement or repair work. On the other hand, if it works perfectly, troubleshoot your video card.
Another way you can try is to unplug your computer from the monitor and power outlet. Remove the cover and take the video card out of the slot. Then again push it back to place after ensuring a secure connection.
If you can't make out whether your video card is the main culprit, go for reinstalling the video card drivers. Put the video card CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive. Then follow the instructions to reinstall it. You may opt for downloading a new version from the manufacturer's website.
Very often we overlook the simple issue that might be associated with our monitor's problem. Yes, you are right; I am talking about 'Screen Resolution'. To resolve the problem Right click on a blank area of your desktop, choose 'Properties' from display menu and click on the "Setting" tab. Now try different resolutions for your screen.
Are you aware of electrical interference? This causes your monitor appear jumpy or wavy. Take radios, speakers or fans away from your monitor lest they cause electrical interference.
These are some handy ways you can try to fix your monitor. If you face more critical problems you can take support from Online Computer Repair. Computer services companies offer various tech support plans to fix all sorts of PC problems. You can subscribe any of their plans and enjoy hassle-free computing.

By Eve Wilson

A Short History of Computers

One of the greatest inventions of the time is obviously the computer. Billions of people use computers in their daily life throughout the world. Throughout decades, computer has evolved from a very expensive and slow device to today's extremely smart machines with unbelievable processing power.
No single person was credited with the invention of computer, many believe that Konrad Zuse and his Z1 machine was the first in a long line of innovations that gave us the computer of today. Konrad Zuse was a German who was famous for the creation of the first freely programmable mechanical computing device in 1936. Zuse's Z1 was created with a focus on 3 basic elements that are still necessary in today's calculators. Later, Konrad Zuse created Z2 and the Z3.
The first of the MARK series computers were being built at Harvard. The MARK I began in 1944 and this computer was huge filling in a room having a size of 55 feet long by 8 feet high. The MARK I could perform a wide variety of calculations. It became a success and was utilized by the US Navy. It was in service till 1959.
The ENIAC computer was one of most important achievements in computing. It was commissioned during World War II and used by the US military. Vacuum tubes were used by this computer instead of electric motors and levers for fast calculations. Its speed was about thousand times faster than any other calculating device during that time. This computer was enormous and had a total cost of $500,000. The ENIAC was in operation till 1955.
RAM or Random Access Memory was first introduced in 1964. The first RAM was a metal detector plate positioned close to a vacuum tube which detected the difference in electrical charges. It was an easy way of storing computer instructions.
There were plenty of innovations in the 1940s. The Manchester Baby was developed by Telecommunications Research Establishment. It was the first computer to use a stored program and it went live in 1948. The Manchester MARK I went live in 1951 and showed tremendous progress against computers. Researchers had found that there was a huge chance of development for the computer.
The UNIVAC which stands for Universal Automatic Computer was built by the creators of ENIAC. It was the fastest and most innovative computer capable of handling many computations. It was a masterpiece of its time and was praised by public.
IBM is known for creating the first personal computer widely affordable and available to the people. IBM 701 was the first general purpose computer developed by IBM. The new computer language called FORTRAN was used in the new 701. Other IBM computers also followed like the 704. The IBM 7090 also was a big success and it dominated business computers for the next 20 years. In the late 1970's and into 1980 IBM developed a personal computer known as the PC. IBM has had a huge influence on the computers used today.
In 1984, the Apple Macintosh was released and Apple computers dominated the market. It was not a quick success. It went into production from January of 1984 to October of 1985.
With the growth of personal computer market in the early and mid 1980s, many companies realized that GUI or Graphical User Interface was user friendly. This led to the development of an operating system called Windows by Microsoft. The first version was called Windows 1.0 and later came Windows 2.0 and 3.0 editions. Microsoft is increasingly popular today.
Today, computers are extremely powerful and more affordable than ever. They have practically infiltrated into every aspect of our lives. It is used as a powerful tool of communication and commerce. The future is computer is tremendous.

By Tauqeer Ul Hassan