jeremyfrombenton

If you have completed the ‘Speed up your computer‘ tutorial and you still need a faster rig, it is time to add more RAM. RAM (random access memory) is the short-term memory in your computer that allows your computer to go from ‘light speed’ to ‘ludicrous speed’. It will also allow your computer to go to ‘eleven’ (which is one faster).

1. Google your computer’s make and model to find out what kind of RAM your computer uses. This is pretty easy as there are only a couple of sizes now available. If you buy faster speed RAM, it will clock down to match the speed your computer runs at. (Note: If you have a custom built computer and can’t find what kind of RAM you need, download and install a program called Everest, run Everest, and go to the memory information section for your answer.)
2. Once you know what kind of RAM you need, click here to order it. Go with Kingston Value RAM (KVR). Get the largest capacity your computer supports and that you can afford. The more RAM you have, the faster your rig.
3. Once the fedex guy brings your package, you need to install that RAM. First, unplug the power cord from the wall or from the back of your case. Then, remove the side of the case so you can see the guts of your rig. Look for 2, 3, or 4 long slots with some of them already filled with RAM. Remove any old RAM to make room for the new RAM by flicking outward any restraining clips. There are notches in the RAM that only allow you to install the RAM one way. Make sure it fully seats and replace the clips by flicking them inward.
4. While your computer case is open, blow out all the dust with air duster or an air compressor. Be sure to pay close attention to all fans and the power supply fan on the back of the case. Be thorough because cleaning your case will extend the life of your computer. Replace the cover and power cord and start up your rig and prepare for ‘ludicrous speed.’

RAM installation on laptops is easier because you just have to unscrew one small panel on the bottom of the case. Make sure the tabs fit the snugly in the RAM slots. Good luck.

1. Empty your recycle bin.
2. Go to your control panel and then internet options. On that options page, delete your history, cookies, and temporary internet files (cache).
3. Run disk cleanup (usually in start, programs, accessories system tools, disk cleanup).
4. Run a defrag by going to start and run. In the run box, type in the following (only the stuff in bold): defrag c: -f. You can also defrag by selecting it from the aforementioned system tools directory.
5. Remove spyware by running a spyware scan with Windows Defender, Spybot, or many others listed on filehippo.com.
6. Remove unnecessary startup programs by going to start and run and typing msconfig in the run box. Once in msconfig, go to the startup options and uncheck any programs you don’t want to automatically startup (anti-virus and anti-spyware programs should be enabled). If you don’t know what something is, simply google it. Hit OK or accept or yes.
7. Restart.

Due to the recent drop in price for 1, 2, 4, or 8 gig cavernous usb flash drives (aka thumb drive, usb drive, jump drive, flash drive, etc.), there is no reason to keep using floppies. Many computers do not even come with floppy readers anymore, but every computer comes with at least 2 usb ports.

My suggestion is to throw away your floppies and your copies of Windows 95, 98, and ME. Next, click here and order you one or more usb flash drives. On your computer, you access usb flash drives the same as any other drive on your computer by double-clicking on ‘My Computer’ or by ‘exploring Windows’.

1. Get high-speed internets or go to someone’s house/business that has high-speed internets.
2. Download and install a torrent file-sharing program. I use uTorrent.
3. Download and install a video codec pack using default installation settings. I use K-Lite codec pack. This is necessary because Windows by default will not play this compressed avi video format, usually DivX or XviD, that these high-quality videos are in.
4. Explore all the options, settings, and/or preferences in your torrent program. Remember or change where your downloaded files will be stored.
5. Go to a website that shares TV show video torrents and download a torrent file. I use tvtorrents.com. You can also go to other sites that I will not mention here. If your torrent program doesn’t automatically perk up when you download the torrent file, open the torrent directly from your torrent program.
6. Once the torrent file reaches 100% downloaded, share it (more specifically called seeding it) for a little while. Common etiquette is if you download a typical 350 meg show, let it seed for 350 megs.
7. Browse to and open the downloaded video with your favorite media player. I use the Media Player Classic program that was installed in step 3 with the codec pack. If the video doesn’t play or if you just hear audio, you screwed up step 3 and must redo step 3.

Super optional bonus step: Go to your local store that is not wal-mart and purchase a DVD player that also plays DivX and XviD. Here is one from K-Mart. Here is one from Overstock. Once you own this player, burn your video(s) to DVD and play it on your console TV much like the one pictured above. If you must go to wal-mart, here’s what you do: find something that you still own, don’t use, and still have the box for. Box it up and take it back to wal-mart. They might take it back even without the receipt. Just don’t lie about it.

Based on products sold in stores specifically for cleaning LCD displays, here is what I suggest:

1. Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a clean spray bottle (no windex, etc. left in bottle).
2. Acquire a lint-free cloth made for cleaning eyeglasses and displays.
3. Spray, wipe, repeat (if necessary).

It has been suggested that eyeglasses cleaner works as well, however I have have not tested this.

DO NOT USE WINDEX ON YOUR SCREEN!

To burn a CD or DVD (using your computer to write files to a CD or DVD disk using a ‘laser’), you need:

1. electricity or a really big battery
2. a computer
3. a CD or DVD-burner (don’t waste your money on a CD burner, go for the DVD burner)
4. blank CDs or DVDs (CD burners only burn to CDs, DVD burners burn to DVDs and CDs)
5. software for burning
6. files to burn

Hopefully, you already have #1 and #2, but for the burner, click here. Blank DVD disks can be purchased locally or at K-Mart, Target, etc. or online. Nearly all the DVD burners sold now are multi-format, meaning they burn to all types of disks (+R, -R, +RW, -RW, DL, and CDs).

Installation directions can be found here.

Software should come with your burner, but if not, you can right-click on any file and click send-to, and then click on your CD or DVD drive. Windows will then prompt you to burn those files to disk. For CD and DVD software, go here.

You can surely handle accumulating the files needed to burn to a disk (family pictures, backup copies of your DVDs, TV shows you downloaded, etc.).

Re-installing Windows is not fun. It takes time to backup all your pictures, gather install disks, hit reboot a 79 times, etc. The following may help you, it’s an excerpt from http://diveintomark.org/archives/2003/08/04/xp.

How to install Windows XP in 5 hours or less

My Windows XP installation has reached its half-life. (You do know that Windows has a half-life, don’t you? Every installation of Windows naturally degrades along a logarithmic curve until it becomes annoying, then unbearable, then unusable. Each successive revision of Windows has featured a slightly longer half-life. Back in the day, Windows 95 would last me about 3 months, while my copy of Windows XP has lasted me almost 9. I’m not bitter; when you realize that you’re measuring on a logarithmic scale, a factor of 3 improvement is really quite impressive.)

Still, the fact remains that my Windows XP laptop can no longer (a) print, (b) sleep, or (c) change network settings without crashing. This is not multiple choice; it can’t do any of those things. It’s time for a clean re-install.

1. Back up entire d: drive to iMac upstairs. rsync rocks.
2. Find Windows XP install disc.
3. Reboot with Windows XP install disc.
4. Asked for product activation. Curse Microsoft.
5. Search my house in vain for my original, 100% legitimate, retail Windows XP box.
6. Reboot.

Continue original article here.

Gmail is Google’s internet-based email. In my opinion, Gmail is better than Hotmail, Yahoo! mail, or your internet service provider’s email (Verizon, Comcast, AOL, etc.). Gmail is free, has tons of storage, and Outlook can be setup for Gmail (called POP access). None of the other email services offer these features for free.

Signup for Gmail here.

Settings for Gmail in Outlook or Outlook Express.