PC Memoirs

Today I’m offering an interesting resource that every computer user should be aware of – a list of best computer forums.

I’m sure many of us have experienced computer problem(s), be it software or hardware related, and usually we try to find the solution through Google first, before we call the technician. Often, those searches will lead us to a computer forum, where users from all over the world connect and share problems, frustrations, ideas and solutions. I solved many software and hardware related issues by researching topics on forums and asking fellow PC users for help.

A computer forum is a very useful thing, especially when you’re looking for troubleshooting tips or simply wish to learn more about computers, or maybe research the latest software and hardware. You can also get guidance and tips on buying a new desktop or laptop computer and of course, share your own knowledge!

I found the Top 10 Computer Repair Forums and Message Boards at the Computer Technician Web site.

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Apple users beware: Hackers are trying to trick Apple computer users into infecting Macintosh machines with malicious code pretending to be legitimate security software. Apple has warned that there is a phishing scam that directs Mac users to fake websites which pop-up fake virus infection warnings. Hackers then trick Apple users into installing programs that pretend to be virus blockers, but are actually dangerous viruses/malware. The aim of the scam is obviously to steal the user’s credit card information.

How times are changing: Apple computers used to be safe from viruses, but it looks like they are not any more. The rising popularity of the Apple computers and their presence on the Internet must have caught the attention of hackers, and consequently, viruses designed just for Apple are spreading. It was only a matter of time.

To find out how you can avoid and remove the virus, please visit Apple’s support Web site. Also, you should stay away from fake anti-virus programs such as MacDefender, MacProtector and MacSecurity.

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After more than 10 years of using PC and Windows, I’m getting close to buying my first Apple product. Now that I need a new laptop, I’m really thinking about upgrading to an Apple MacBook Pro. It seems that Apple has finally managed to sell their product to me – and their flagship laptop model ticked most of the boxes:

1. The thin and sleek design that everyone loves so much – I like it too, no surprise .

2. It doesn’t overheat. Even after several hours, the case doesn’t get very hot – now that’s a major tick!

3. The battery lasts up to 8 hours – another plus!

4. I can finally learn a little bit more about Macs and their operating systems.

5. I can install Windows 7 and use both systems on a dual boot setup – this is very important. I need to be able to use Windows, because, let’s face it, some programs simply don’t work on Mac(s).

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Having dealt with Windows operating systems (OS) all my life, I got into the habit of running a clean install of Windows every so often. I tended to try out new software quite a bit, and that, combined with little spyware and other memory-eating applications, usually rendered my computer to a slow piece of junk sitting next to my desk (though it always served as a good footstool).

Even the process of purging a virus, spyware, or just too many programs that you installed but don’t use, can be a huge pain and doesn’t guarantee your computer to work they way it did when you first installed Windows. You still may need to run troubleshooter, defragment your hard disk, clean up your hard disk, and limit programs that run automatically on startup.

Rather than doing all of these things, I would just run a clean install of Windows 7. The benefit is that my computer will feel like it’s brand new again (unless there was somehow hardware damage). The cons, however, are numerous due to essentially one huge cause:

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My friend Mitch just bought a new Dell Inspiron laptop and he encountered a small problem. The screen turned off after about a minute and a half every time he left it unattended. He asked me for help. I thought, that’s an easy fix, it must have something to do with the power settings. I went into Windows 7 Power Options and adjusted all settings so the screen never turns off. To my surprise, the laptop screen still did the same thing after a few minutes. It just went blank.

What I didn’t know then, and only found about later, is that Dell has an additional setting called Power Smart Energy Saving. It was set to dim the screen 90 seconds after you stop using the laptop. This is where you can find this setting:

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