What to do About Screen Freeze

It may happen at random, or it may happen whenever you use a certain program. You'll be doing your thing, then out of the blue, you have screen freeze. There are a number of things that can cause this problem, and now I'm going to go over some fixes with you.

Some common Fixes for Screen Freeze

I'm sure by now you are tired of rebooting your computer every time you have a slow computer. If this only happens when using a certain program, try uninstalling and reinstalling the software. Otherwise, it's best to start with general maintenance. Clear out your temporary folders and perform Scan Disk and Disk Defragmenter steps.

To do a Disk Cleanup follow these steps:

1. Go to Start.
2. In the Start search bar type in “Disk Cleanup” and press Enter.
3. Select your main hard drive and press OK.
4. Select as many folders as you feel comfortable with and Click OK.
5. Disk Cleanup may ask for confirmation at this point. Tell it to go ahead and delete the files.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

To do a Scan Disk and Disk Defragmenter follow these steps:

1. Go to Start.
2. Type “Disk Defragmenter” in the Search box and press Enter.
3. Choose your C: drive and click on “Defragment Disk” this will do both Scan Disk and Disk Defragmentation. The process can take a while, so I suggest you start it right before bed and let it run over night.
   
   
   
   
   
   

Do you still get screen freeze?

If you just defragmented and cleaned up your hard drive and still have issues, you may need to update some drivers. The first step in updating your drivers is to know what hardware you have. If you don't know, that means you need to go into Device Manager to find out.

To get to Device Manager follow these steps:

1. Go to Start.
2. In the Search box type in “Device Manager” and press Enter.

Here you have a listing of all your hardware listed by manufacturer and model. Write down the hardware you are going to get drivers for and exit Device Manager. Now you need to go online and find the manufacturer's web page.

On the web page will be a “support” or “Downloads” section. That's where you will find the drivers for your hardware. These days, manufacturers are putting their drivers in exe files. Therefore, all you have to do is open the file and maybe give a couple confirmations to install them.

What if All Those Steps Don't Work?

Your Windows registry is the core programming language of your Windows operating system. If there are errors in it, then you will experience some far-reaching effects.

While it's true you could repair your registry yourself, there are issues. First you have to know what you are looking for, the process is time consuming, and you could make a mistake.

Be careful what you do because you run the risk of turning your computer into nothing but a paper weight. Luckily, there are programs called registry cleaners you can use to detect and fix registry errors automatically.

Using a registry cleaner is safe and takes considerably less time to repair your registry than if you were to try to do it manually. Try a registry cleaner for yourself today and fix screen freeze.

How to Deal With Windows Installer Errors

We depend on Windows Installer to get new programs installed on our computers. Be they games or programs, you need it. If you are having Windows Installer errors when installing new programs, you will find yourself unable to install anything.

It doesn't matter if you are getting a “The Windows Installer service failed to start” error or a “This update package could not be opened” error.

The nuts and bolts of the meaning is this: You can't install any programs. So what can you do about Windows Installer errors? I have a few steps you can take to try and resolve the issue yourself. Let’s get to them shall we?

Steps You Can Take to Get Windows Installer Working

We're going to start with the easiest thing you can do to get Windows Installer working. The first step should always be to restart Windows. Sometimes that's all that's needed. Then, if that doesn't work, try making some room on your hard drive. If you use Windows Disk Cleanup Tool to clean out your temporary folders and Recyclable Bin, you may resolve the issue.

You may also want to take time to make sure your hard drive has enough space for the program you are installing. If neither of these fixes work, then the best course of action is to do a System Restore. This takes your computer's operating system and settings back to a previous date -- hopefully one when Windows Installer was working.

To do a System Restore follow these steps:

1. Go to Start
2. Go to “All Programs” 
3. Select “Accessories”
4. Select “System Tools”
5. Click on the “System Restore” icon
6. Now you will have a list of dates and times. Choose one when Windows Installer was working. Don't be afraid to check the “Show more restore points” check box.
7. Click “Next”
8. Click “Finish.” It will ask you to confirm your restore point before it begins. Windows will have to restart to complete the process. One thing to know about this is that any programs you installed between the System Restore date and now will need to be reinstalled. This process is like taking your computer back in time.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

What if the System Restore Doesn't Work?

If the System Restore doesn't fix your problems, you are dealing with Windows registry errors. Since the registry is the core programing of Windows, any errors there can have far reaching effects. While it's true you can repair the registry manually I strongly advise against it. Any mistakes you make have the possibility of turning your computer into nothing but an expensive paper weight.

That's why I recommend using a registry cleaner like PC Health Boost. It's a program designed to go into the registry, and find and repair registry errors. It takes considerably less time to complete the process, and it is risk free.

Take Advantage of Your Last Chance at Using XP – New Security Patches

In four months, you will no longer receive any Microsoft Updates for Windows XP. Therefore, you should obtain all the security patches now while you can.

Furthermore, keep in mind that you choose to put your computer at risk of vulnerability if you use an outdated operating system for too long. The exception of this is when you never use your PC to connect to the Internet and don’t use any removable disks for frequent file transferring. Other than that, you open yourself up to possible attack every time you go online. Take caution, and do what you need to do to protect yourself while using XP or any other OS.

How Recent Exploits Affect PC Users

This past November (2013), hackers found a way to change code within the NDProxy.sys Windows driver file. This result in the attacker’s ability to install new programs, delete necessary file and create new administrative accounts. In fact, this may even have affected some Windows 7 users; although one report dated the 28^th of November says it wouldn’t (http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9244428/Attackers_exploit_unpatched_flaw_to_hit_Windows_XP_Server_2003).

No matter what Windows version you use, if you ever suddenly found that you were locked out of your laptop or desktop computer when trying to sign into your administrative account, someone most likely exploited you. It actually happens more often than you would think – even to some of the most computer-savvy people. If this happens to you on Windows 7 or 8, it might be because the XP exploit is too far under the spotlight right now.

Upcoming Windows XP Updates

If you still use Windows Server 2003, watch out for new security patches that will address hacking issues that took place this past November. This new update will help combat exploits that infected older versions of Adobe Reader, making this common plug-in a pawn for attack.

The patches will not be marked “critical,” but still hold priority for people who want to stay protected. Receiving these new security patches could stop an attacker from having access to a guest account, or another with low privileges. This will in turn stop them from somehow infiltrating their exploits into the administrative user account by finding a small vulnerability that allows them to do so. Do not give hackers an inch, or they will invade you before you realize what happened.

The Future of XP Users

Windows XP has become the operating system used for the most number of years. Think about it. What other version of this OS remained relevant for over 13 years? Not one has served individuals and companies for that long.

It may be this reason alone that may stop a fourth of PC users from making the switch to Windows 7 or 8. People can become attached to something they like, even if that something is no longer as good for them as it was in the past.

This kind of loyalty might seem admirable, but in the end, the computer users still running on XP could become the doormat. It could leave them wide open for attack when they could otherwise remain safe when using the Internet and transferring files from one device to another.

Eventually, XP user will have to let go. On the other hand, this may require that Microsoft improves the security of their newer operating systems as well.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9245301/Patch_Tuesday_preview_Get_your_Windows_XP_patches_while_they_last

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9244428/Attackers_exploit_unpatched_flaw_to_hit_Windows_XP_Server_2003

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9245114/Windows_8_regains_uptake_mojo_XP_restarts_death_slide

How to Update Your Driver: Toshiba Satellite Info

In this piece I'm going to go over what to do when your computer says (in that awkward computer way) that it needs “driver Toshiba Satellite”. Now you may need a driver because you have no sound, are getting a USB “Device not recognized” error, a blank screen when trying to use video intensive programs like games or Netflix, or maybe you are dealing with a slow computer. 

How to Manually Update Your Toshiba Satellite Drivers

The first step in updating your Toshiba Satellite drivers is knowing which drivers need updated. In the case of no sound or blank screen it's pretty obvious, but if you have a slow computer it may not be so obvious. You may want to check Device Manager and look for errors to clue you in to which drivers need updated. 

To check Device Manager for errors follow these steps: 

1.    Go to Start

2.    In the Search box type in “Device Manager”

3.    Press Enter

4.      Now look for yellow “!” next to devices. Those are the drivers that definitely have issues and need updated. Make a note of them and then we'll go to Toshiba's web site and get the latest drivers. 

Now that you know which drivers you need you need to go to Toshiba's web site and get the latest drivers. Follow these steps: 

1.    Go to: http://support.toshiba.com/

2.    There will be a box where you put in your model or serial number. If you don't know that information there's a link right below the box with instructions on how to get that information. Put your serial or model in the box and press OK.

3.    Now you will find yourself on a page with a picture of your Toshiba Satellite and some tabs below the picture. Under “Support Highlights” will be “Drivers.” If the drivers you need aren't immediately listed you may need to click “All Drivers & Updates”

4.    If you clicked “All Drivers & Updates” you will see a list of device types that the drivers are listed under. Find the drivers you need from this list.

5.      When you get to the driver download page go ahead and download the driver, make a note of where the file saves. 

Now that you have the latest drivers for your devices it is time to install your new drivers. Go to the file(s) you saved and open the file. It will automatically install the latest drivers with just a little prompting on your part. You may need to restart your computer after installing the drivers to fully install it.

 

How to Automatically Update Your Toshiba Satellite Drivers 

I walked you through the manual way to update your Toshiba Satellite drivers, now I'm going to tell you there's an automatic way to do it. If you use driver update software the program will detect which drivers are corrupt or out of date, search out the latest drivers for those devices, download the drivers, then install the drivers for you. All with a few clicks of the mouse in a matter of a few moments time. As you can see from the manual updating of drivers, it's a much simpler way to update drivers. Try driver update software today for your Toshiba Satellite drivers.

Why is my PC so slow?

Many things can cause a once speedy PC to become slow and inefficient.  Age and the quality of the PC definitely have an effect on speed.  However, there are other more serious issues that could be the cause of your PC’s sluggish movement.

1. Viruses and Malware: 

Viruses and Malware are programs that are used to purposely harm your computer.  Some of these programs simply take up space on your PC while others can corrupt or change your files.  Removing these malicious programs from your PC is vital in order to secure your personal information and speed up your PC.

2. Out-of-date programs or drivers: 

When you first install a program, it is new and runs smoothly.  However, after some time, it becomes old and easily corruptible.  Corrupted files cause your computer to run inefficiently.  It is a good idea to scan your PC every now and then and deal with these types of programs. 

3.  Cookies and Temp files: 

Cookies (not the delicious kind) store information about the websites you visit.  Cookies help the websites to load up faster.  While convenient, cookies and temp files can take up too much space on your computer.  Deleting them every now and then can help speed up your PC. 

 

4. Disk fragmentation:

This happens when your computer stores different pieces of information in different places on your hard drive.  This occurs frequently on older computers that use Windows XP or Vista.  By finding the source of the fragmentation and fixing it, your computer should show increasing speed and performance. 

5. Other Issues: 

If your PC is only slow when you are on the Internet, there may be nothing seriously wrong with your PC.   Sometimes your Internet service or old wireless router is to blame for your PC’s slow speed.  So if you use an older router or have dial-up (or something similar), maybe it is time for an upgrade.  You will be able to see a difference in your PC’s speed after you take the time to upgrade your systems. 

How can I fix these problems?  I’m not exactly familiar with computers… 

If you are not computer savvy, I recommend investing in some computer maintenance software.  Most of the programs on the web are pretty straightforward on what their program actually does.  Some even have easy to follow steps on how to use the programs effectively.  Read the program information and customer reviews before making any serious purchases.  But after you install one of these programs, it will find the errors in your PC and fix them so you don’t have to.

Dealing With Windows XP Driver Errors

If your Windows XP drivers are corrupt or out of date you could experience a wide variety of errors. You could get a black screen when playing games or weird textures in games; you could experience no sound; your printer could start printing gibberish; or your USB devices could stop being recognized. The fix for corrupt or out of date drivers is to update the drivers. In this piece I will take you through the steps needed to update your Windows XP drivers.

How to Manually Update Your Windows XP Drivers

The first thing you need to do is figure out what drivers you need: sound? video? USB? Then you need to go into Device Manager and write down the make and model so you can get the right drivers.

 

To get to Device Manager follow these steps:

1. Go to Start
2. Click Settings
3. Click on Control Panel
4. Now double click Systems
5. Now click on the Hardware tab
6. Now click on the Device Manager button

Now that you are in Device Manager, go to the device you are having issue with and get the make and model info. The next step is to go to the manufacturer's web page and find the drivers matching your device. Download the drivers, making a note of where you saved them, and then if the file isn't an exe file then you can update the driver through Device Manager. If it is an exe file, just double click to begin the update. 

Follow these steps to update the device through Device Manager: 

1. Open the drop down to get to the device you are updating the drivers for
2. Right click on the device and click Properties
3. Select the Driver tab
4. Click Update Driver
5. A window will pop up asking “Can Windows connect to Windows Update to search for software?” choose “No, not this time” then click Next
6. Next you'll get a “What do you want Wizard to do?” question. You want to choose “Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)” then click Next
7. Now you should have a “Please choose your search and installation options” window. Choose “Don't search. I will choose the driver to install,” then click Next
8. Click Have Disk
9. Click Browse
10. Navigate to where you saved the drivers and select the file the drivers are in
11. Click OK
12. You should be back at the “Select the device driver you want to install for this hardware” window. Click Next.

Congratulations you have just updated your Windows XP drivers. 

Updating Your Windows XP Drivers Automatically

 

There is software, called driver update software, which will determine if any of your drivers are out of date or corrupt, then go to the manufacturer's web page, download the drivers, and install the drivers for you. All with only a few clicks of the mouse. It only takes a couple minutes to complete the process and it greatly decreases the hassle of updating your Windows XP drivers. Update your Windows XP drivers today.

PC HealthBoost: Is It a Scam or Does It Really Work?

I have been having a lot of problems with my PC lately.  It keeps freezing up and sending me weird error messages.  It will sometimes close my programs (MS Word, the Internet, etc.) without warning.  It takes forever for my PC to start up which is frustrating, especially if I am in a hurry.  And I don’t want to even get started on how long it takes for me to access the Internet or open large files.  I’m not asking for my computer to be perfect, I just want it to work like it did when I first bought it.

 

I’m not exactly computer savvy.  I just use my PC for surfing the web, reading the news, charging my electronic stuff, creative writing, and occasionally preparing for a presentation at work.  I searched online for a way to speed up my computer and found many sites that show you how to fix these problems on your own.  But to be honest, I don’t have the time to clean up my registry, fix my driver issues, solve my DLL problems, or do computer maintenance.  I want to find a software package that will do most if not all of those things.

 

I came across a product called PC Health Boost.  I was a little wary of the program at first.  It just seemed too good to be true.  On their website, it says that PC Health Boost does routine computer maintenance, fixes registry problems, solves difficult problems with the DLL’s, removes startup problems, and more.  It sounds pretty good, but I want to know if it really works or if it is a scam.  To figure out the answer, I decided to do a little experiment.  I bought PC HealthBoost and tried it out.  Here is what I did.

 

 

First, I downloaded the free version of the program that would do a free scan of my computer.  I saved the application to my desktop and began the free scan.  It checked my shared DLLs, application paths, file associations, uninstall entries, COM and Active X controls. MRU list, help files, and fonts.

 

It seems like the program did a pretty thorough job in searching my computer for errors.  After having my PC for at least 4 or 5 years, I knew that there were a lot of issues with it.  My mom, dad, brother, and I had all used this computer at some point.  Between the four of us, I’m surprised that the PC is still in one piece.  The scan took about a minute and a half to find all of the errors.  I was surprised to see how many my PC had.

 

After the scan was complete, I clicked the continue button to fix the errors.  I expected the program to automatically fix the errors without my input, but it did not.  It compiled a list of errors for me to personally review before any changes to my PC were made.  This made me feel good, like I had some control over what was being done to my computer.  I’m glad they included my input in the process rather than just changing things without my consent.  

 

When the list of errors was compiled, I had the option to control what this program fixed.  If I didn’t want it to fix something, all I had to do was uncheck the particular box.  It was user friendly and easy to use.   

 

After I looked over the errors it found, I clicked the fix errors button.  It then told me that the unregistered (free) version only fixed half of the errors on my PC.  If I wanted it to fix the rest of the errors, I would need to register (or buy) the full package.   

 

I liked the program so far, so I decided that I would invest in the full software package.  I went back to their website and got my own personal license key.

 

 

After entering my license key, I was able to continue with the software.  Once registered, PC HealthBoost fixed all of the other problems my PC had.  It recommended that I run scans on a regular basis to keep my PC running at peak performance.  I decided that the moment of truth was here.  Would my PC really work better after installing PC HealthBoost?  Would it run faster or more efficiently?  I closed the program and shut down my PC.  I waited a few moments before turning it on again. 

 

In all honesty, my PC started up much faster than usual.  I was pretty happy about that.  It took some time (being a 4-5 year old PC) to start up, but it was faster that normal.  I then logged onto my account and decided to try surfing the web.  I was delighted when I clicked on my Google chrome icon and it didn’t take 800 years for me to get on the web.  I was even happier when I was able to open up files and folders on my PC quickly and without freezes.  Since I installed PC HealthBoost, I have not had any error messages, crashes, or freezes.  My computer is running much better than before.  If you are still skeptical, give it a try and see how it works for your PC.  I can see a difference on mine and I couldn’t be happier with the product.