Another Day With My PC

Do you know what file extensions are? A friend of mine once asked me to help her search for a device driver. I asked her for the file extension, and she went blank on me. I was quite surprised that there are a good number of PC users who don’t know what the term means.

File extensions are indicators of the type of information that are stored therein. They are the last three characters forming the file after the dot. In case you’re still flipping the dictionary for the IT gobbledygook, just think of .COM or .EXE.

Descriptor

The letters after the dot tell us a lot about what the file is all about. We all know that .EXE and .COM files are executable ones, meaning they run a program. So whenever you’re thrown a bunch of files and you don’t know which one to click in order to activate the application, just look for the one which has a .EXE or .COM extension.

Recognizing file extensions was very important during the time when DOS still ruled over PCs. Before the advent of Windows, users had to find the right executable file in order to activate the program. This is a bit of a hassle, especially if the application has hundreds of files comprising it.

Still Important

Of course, rummaging through hundreds or thousands of files in different folders just to run a program is already a thing of the past. You could easily open up an application by simply looking for its icon. However, this doesn’t mean that file extension recognition is something that one doesn’t need anymore. On the contrary, the knowledge to identify file types is already being considered as indispensable.

We all know that malware attacks have increased exponentially over the past several years. While hackers are to blame for this, it is the users who are blamed for the fruit that the former have planted. It’s enraging that malware authors get international notoriety while we victims bear the brunt of their work. In a way, it is true that we are partly to blame for the misfortunes that we’re encountering on the Internet. We are simply too careless.

Jack in the Box

Many of us are just too eager to open files that are sent to us, even by persons who we don’t know. These files are usually given to us through e-mail. The files are cunningly or surreptitiously being presented as something that’s innocent or interesting, such as a picture of Angelina Jolie or an amorous love letter of a married celebrity to another woman. While these files may be damaging to the Hollywood stars in question, they are not exactly harmful to the ones opening them, that is, if the files are really what they purport to be.

For example, there are malicious e-mail attachments which claim to be image files. Image files usually bear the extensions .JPG, .GIF, or .PNG. The subject or heading of the mail indicates that it’s a graphic or image file. However, if you’ll look closely at the filename, you’ll notice that it’s .EXE or .COM. The attachment is obviously not a picture file, but an executable one. That file, however small, could definitely wreak havoc on your system, corrupting your Windows registry and other indispensable system files.

Be very careful when opening attachments. The file may look very innocent, but trouble is usually packaged in that way. Invest on an antivirus software and on a registry cleaner, such as RegCure. Don’t let yourself be surprised by the jack in your e-mail box.

Could YouTube videos be saved?

Some of you who already know how to may be surprised at the question, but there are many out there who still do not know how to keep YouTube videos for posterity. Of course, you could easily save the link and click on it whenever you want to view the video behind it, but what if you’re not connected to the Internet all the time?

There are many video-capturing or saving applications in cyberspace and you don’t need to punch credit numbers to have them. I could name several, but in order to save you from confusion, I’ll just feature one.

www.vixy.net is a free Web service which converts Flash/FLV files into other file formats which allows you to save them into your PC hard drive or other storage devices. Using the service is a no-brainer. All you have to do is paste the URL of the video that you want to save and presto! It’s that simple.

Be careful when downloading videos, though, especially if they come from unknown or dubious sources. There are some files which carry malware that could wipe your hard drive clean of all its files, or infiltrate your Windows registry and write malicious instructions therein. Be sure that you’re armed with antivirus software and a registry cleaner, such as RegCure, before you fish anything from the Net.

There used to be a time when installing software in a computer means going through lots of CDs that contain the installer program of various applications. The process is fairly easy and quite convenient. However, there are instances when after reformatting your hard drive, you realize that you’ve already lost some of the optical medias that house some of your favorite software.

All is not lost, though. In fact, losing those CDs might have done you a favor as far as de-clogging your computer table is concerned. There are many software makers that already allow complete downloads of their products over their Web site. This saves you from having to wait for a few days for the spare installer disk to be thrown at your doorstep.

If you weren’t able to keep a list of the previous apps that you’ve had, you might want to visit www.filehippo.com. The Web site contains a compilation of various must-have programs that may be downloaded for free. Of course, the site excludes software that needs to be purchased, such as Vista.

Be careful when downloading anything from the Internet. Trojan-like malware which infiltrates registries abound in cyberspace. If your computer seemed to have slowed down after installing an application you’ve downloaded from the Net, then you might want to have your registry scanned and checked by a cleaner, such as RegCure. Many cases of PC slowdowns are attributed to faulty or compromised Windows registry.

New Year’s fast approaching. In fact, I could already see fireworks challenging the moon outside my window at this very instance. The sight is a treat. It’s not everyday that I see something new or spectacular whenever I peek out on the window.

Speaking of windows, do you expect to see something new and exciting on your desktop this coming New Year? If you’re using an operating system other than Vista, then chances are, you couldn’t or shouldn’t expect much. I still haven’t discarded XP on my old PC, and honestly I’m starting to get tired of looking at the same old desktop themes and menus.

Vista for Less

Of course, there’s a quick fix to that eyesore. I think I’ve already provided a solution to this problem on my December 26 post (Skin-Deep). There are many available Windows themes on the Web. The one that I’ve featured in the said article is a freeware by OrdinarySoft. Like most freebies on the Net, it doesn’t pack all the features of the program. You have to buy the full version. But the limited/trial version doesn’t expire. And if you’re just after the skin, then you don’t have to skin your wallet to get what you want from the program.

If you’re not a Vista fan though, or if you think that the new Microsoft OS is still aesthetically challenged, then OrdinarySoft’s mimicry of Vista would obviously just spoil your New Year. So let’s check on another alternative in cyberspace.

Willingly Deceived

Stardock provides a library of Windows themes that would surely make you look forward to opening your PC (except if you’re doing the same at the office and you’re up against a deadline). The program, called WindowBlinds, changes every perceivable detail of your desktop, be it the start menu, task bars, and even the buttons. I tried installing the trial version and it was great. My old PC suddenly seemed to have been rejuvenated. Well, not really. I mean it’s still slow, but the new theme makes the wait quite bearable.

WindowBlinds makes you feel and think that your PC is running on an entirely new OS. You may argue that the program is just a foolish superficial deception. Maybe. But the fact that many purchased Vista just for its skin makes theme programs very good alternatives. Nobody’s complaining about XP’s performance. In fact, it’s more reliable than Vista. The only complain that XP owners have about their OS is that it looks old.

Camouflaged

Installing programs like WindowsBlind may seem harmless, especially since it’s only skin deep. But be very careful when introducing any application that you’ve downloaded on the Internet, especially if the author of the same is unknown. Spyware are sometimes disguised as legitimate programs, and in most cases, they do seem to be genuine apps since they look like and perform the functions of the application that they purport to be. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye because the spyware is running simultaneously with the installed application and is camouflaged by the latter.

Make sure that you’re security suite is updated whenever you download and install programs from the Net, especially if the source is unknown or dubious. Many spyware focus on system files, including the operating system’s registry. So be sure you have a registry cleaner installed in order to protect your PC from veiled intruders. Start your New Year right by keeping your life (I mean your PC) safe and secured. Install RegCure and make 2008 a trouble-free and efficient year for you Happy New Year!

It’s Christmas Eve. The last thing that I should be doing is discussing PC problems with you guys. However, I can’t contain my excitement in sharing with you the gifts that I think I would be receiving.

On top of my list is a Mac notebook. Although many consider a Mac as a novelty rather than as a real functioning computer, I’m still excited with the thought of owning one. I’ve never had a Mac desktop or notebook before. My first PC was a 386SX clone. My mom almost bought me a Mac, but unfortunately (or fortunately), it was the Intel-based unit that was on sale.

While the PC and the Mac are starting to blend or morph into something that could seamlessly work together, differences still abound. This makes file sharing very difficult. And since 95% of the computers in the office are PC-based, the chances of successfully or productively using a Mac at the office are as slim as the latter’s new notebook.

Another present that I think I would be getting is a copy of Vista Ultimate. What I have in my new notebook is just a registered copy of Vista Home Basic. While the copy has already satisfied my curiosity as to how the new Microsoft OS looks and feels, it hasn’t allayed my fears with regard to dependability. If just for my peace of mind, I want the full (licensed, of course) copy Vista.

The license of my other system and security suites are already expiring, so I guess a good present for myself would be a new set of PC defenders. I’m thinking of trying a new antivirus for a change. Norton has already been my companion for almost a decade. While many regard it as the most reliable antivirus in the market, many are complaining that it’s making their system slow. I might try McAfee’s. Hmm maybe I’ll even try the freeware available in www.cnet.com or www.pcworld.com.

All of these might just be wishful thinking, though. I haven’t seen any box under our tree yet. Who knows, I might just be receiving gift checks or coffee mugs (again). I guess I’ll just be getting software license renewals (from me!!). While I may be contemplating on changing my antivirus, I will definitely be retaining my registry cleaner. RegCure has effectively kept my PC free from unwanted instructions brought about by malware attack or incomplete uninstall procedures.

My friends at the office usually wonder as to why their unit runs slower than mine considering that we’re using the same type of laptop. Even the applications that we have are also the same, except for the registry cleaner. The antivirus came in free when our boss gave the laptops to us. However, that was the only sentinel that came with the unit. My officemates were already contented in having a lone antivirus to protect their unit. I wasn’t. Judging by the way our units are running, I could definitely conclude that an antivirus is not enough in keeping and protecting a computer from things that could slow it down.

Many hesitate to invest in antivirus and system tool programs because they cost money. They contend and complain that they have already spent a fortune on important and indispensable applications, such as the operating system, spreadsheet, and word-processing software. However, the misconception as to the dispensability of security suites and other applications that keep your PC in tip top shape has rudely awakened many who fell victim to malware.

Sure, some may contend that they could easily reformat their hard drive and just reinstall all their applications. This would save you from spending a few bucks on security apps, but it will definitely not save you from headaches and from wasting precious time in bringing back everything you’ve previously got in your PC. You might be able to install the programs back, but what about the more important ones – the paper that that you’ve worked on for weeks, or those pictures of your family that you cherish.

Sooner or later, you’ll forget to back up your important files. And when lady luck turns on you, you might end up facing a malware attack without any kind of protection during that time when you forgot to make a copy of all the valuables that you have inside your hard drive. Don’t wait for this to happen. What’s a few bucks for an antivirus or for a registry cleaner. Those few dollars could go a very long way in securing your priceless possessions that are stored inside your computer.

It has been a month since my blog went live. In almost all of my entries, I have emphasized the importance of optimizing your computer in order to fully enjoy its potentials or capabilities. However, is the task of making your PC a lean, mean office (or gaming;) machine that simple?

If you’ve read an ad by an optimization tool-maker, you might think that cleaning Window’s registry is as easy as cleaning your room. I did. So instead of relying on such an application, I decided to do it myself. Reckless? Maybe. But peeking through the registry file is not that difficult. In fact, it’s just like opening a Microsoft Word file. It doesn’t contain binary codes or any other esoteric number combinations. You could even actually read the lines written therein.

I went through the contents of the file and tried to find out which lines were unnecessary. My computer was really a slowpoke back then and a free online scan revealed that my registry was indeed clogged by needless instructions. In case you don’t know, a registry contains information or directives that the computer frequently refers to in order to function properly. So what would happen if your unit follows pointless instructions? Well, I’m sure you’ve already guessed it right. Your PC would be busy doing loops instead of running the applications that you want. Worse, it may even execute instructions that could lead to the destruction of your files.

I realized quite belatedly that an unaided examination or repair of one’s registry is a dangerous and suicidal act:( It nearly killed my PC since I removed the wrong set of instructions. As a consequence, it refused to boot properly anymore. Luckily, I had a back up of the file that I modified. Despite the fact that I’m quite knowledgeable with computers, the complexity of the registry overwhelmed me. The seemingly simple task turned out to be a complicated undertaking.

Moral lesson here? Don’t tinker with your registry if you don’t know anything about it. Even programmers like me rarely dare do so. There are many registry cleaners that are available in the market that can spare you the trouble of having to go at it with your bare hands. These cleaners will basically browse through the registry and rid it of redundant lines, and more importantly, of malicious instructions.

As each computer is unique, so is its registry. It’s not your average .dll or .exe file where you could just easily replace it if it gets erroneously modified or corrupted. It’s definitely not an inconsequential file. Remember that this is the file that the computer frequently refers to when running applications. Needless to say, your PC will become a lame, paralytic duck if this file gets damaged.

Registries are the favorite targets of hackers since they can easily take over your system through these files. Invest in a good registry cleaner and check it frequently for unauthorized modifications. You won’t be able to fully enjoy or appreciate the power of your system if it’s busy executing erroneous instructions.