Merry Christmas, folks! I hope Santa (or those who usurped his seasonal duties) gave you what you wished for. If you found a few hundred bucks inside the sock that you’ve hanged on the wall, then you’re probably already headed to a nearby computer store to get the latest from Dell, HP, or Acer.

When buying a PC, consumers are often asked whether they want the unit bare or already preinstalled with Windows Vista. The choice may seem simple. As users would want to be able to use the unit immediately, he would definitely opt for the model that’s already bundled with the Microsoft OS. However, buyers might want to consider some things before making the choice.

If you have already bought a copy of Vista beforehand, then there’s definitely no need to buy a unit that’s bundled with one. A bare PC costs less than one which is preinstalled with Vista. You could use that few extra bucks you’ll save for something else, say a printer.

Not everybody wants the preinstalled version of Vista because of certain limitations. Being an OEM version, it’s inseparably chained to the unit to which it is installed. If you don’t see your marriage with that unit lasting for a year, then you’re probably better off buying a separate copy of Vista so that you could transfer it to a paramour laptop or other different units which you may buy later on.

Lastly, you may not want the bundled version that the shop offers. Many units come only with Vista Basic. If you need the more advanced features of Vista Ultimate, then go for a cheaper, bare PC and buy a separate copy of the Vista version of your choice.

Shop wisely!

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Microsoft has recently revealed that Windows XP is still the OS of choice among software pirates. Redmond says that this is due to Vista’s stringent anti-piracy features. However, company officials also concede that the preference may also be due to the fact that XP is still the most popular and most widely-used operating system in the world.

I think I’ve already devoted too many megabytes on this blog in highlighting the fact that XP still reigns supreme over its successor. XP fans can (at least those who don’t mind having an illegal copy) take comfort with the fact that their favorite OS will still be available in the (black) market long after Microsoft has already pulled the life support out of it.

While I’m a fan of XP, I do not suggest going against the law by buying and installing pirated software. Remember, unlicensed copies cannot access important updates. They might also be infected with malware. No amount of security suites would be able to protect your PC from an OS that mirrors a Swiss cheese due to the lack of patches and support.

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I was scouring the Web for new applications that could enhance Windows XP when I stumbled upon SaveXP.com. As the site’s name suggests, it is a group which is petitioning Microsoft to keep its most successful software in the market for a period longer than the one that Bill Gates has in mind.

While I have lamented that XP’s plotted demise is too early and still uncalled for, I have already resigned to the impending fact that PC users would eventually forget their old fling and fall in love with the new OS. I was wrong. More users are now realizing that Vista’s advantage over XP is just skin-deep. Problems that hound the new OS when it was first released, such as compatibility problems and speed issues, still hover above it at present.

Time has already perfected XP. It’s unfortunate that its maker decided to axe it when everybody has started hailing it as “the one.” I guess Microsoft should’ve just released a new Service Pack for XP and overhauled its exteriors instead of releasing a new version which everybody thinks is a poor upgrade (if it’s even an upgrade) of its predecessor.

I don’t know if Microsoft will give in to the pressure. To date, there are 208,461 who have signed the petition to save XP. It’s going to be 208,462 after I log out of the site. I’m all for efficiency, and it’s my opinion that optimization could be better performed at a tried and tested operating system rather than on a program that seems to be still half-baked.

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The tool that enables us to work at Speedy Gonzales’ pace and punch out at the bundy clock faster than our boss could say “overtime!” is ironically also the very thing that could sometimes keep us from catching the 5 p.m. bus.

I’m sure there have been times when Windows wasn’t so enthusiastic as you in rushing out of the office. Laggard shut down times puts a shame on dual or multiple core processors. If only we could simply press the power button to automatically shut down the system. We all know that this is a no no, though, as abruptly shutting down the computer could bring about catastrophic consequences, such as data loss and future system crashes.

However, Windows Vista allows us to jump over this rule by giving users the option to reprogram the power button. To do this, click Start, type power options, then press the enter key. Click on Choose what the power button does, then select Shut down. Save the changes and presto! It’s as easy and simple as that

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Even before Vista was released, experts have already warned about the operating system’s appetite for RAM. Indeed, it’s the most demanding program as far as system resources are concerned. 2GB would usually already suffice for Microsoft’s latest OS. However, you might be in for a surprise when you take a peek at your system’s gauges.

Being the OC that I am with regard to system performance, I usually check on the meters as to how my PC is doing. Upon checking my RAM, I was surprised to discover that only a tiny fraction of it was left available. I nearly panicked, thinking that one or both my SIMM modules are either defective or totally went dead on me.

Before rushing to the phone to call my RAM maker’s customer service hotline, I decided to pour ice-cold water on my simmering fear and anxiety first by researching on the problem. I was only a few pages on Vista’s guidebook when I discovered that the OS has a unique way of handling Alzheimer’s. A lot of RAM was still left in my PC after all. What happened was Vista just placed the unused memory space in a cache labeled as SuperFetch.

SuperFetch allocates memory space to programs or processes as they need them. This ensures that each kilobyte is used to its fullest. This is definitely better than leaving memory to rot in idleness.

So the next time you check on your RAM meter, don’t be surprised if you see that you only have a few megabytes left to burn even if you’re not running any program at all. But this doesn’t mean that you can be complacent when your system slows down. Don’t just blame it on the possibility that SuperFetch might be conking out on you. Consider every possible problem. Who knows, your PC’s slowdown might really be caused by a bad memory module.

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The thing that I really hate about malware attack or OS malfunction is data loss. I could deal with having to reinstall applications or even reformat my hard drive. While they may be time-consuming, they’re nothing compared to the time that you’ll spend in rewriting or recreating the files that have been damaged or deleted.

Antivirus

There are many ways by which one could prevent data loss, first and foremost of which is by installing security suites. The saying that “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” also holds true with regard to PC health. Indeed, why flirt or invite disaster when you could rid yourself of the worries from the start by making sure that no unwanted programs would be able to access your system. True, antivirus programs could cure and treat infected files. However, there are cases where files get corrupted beyond repair.

Backup

While antivirus programs are very effective in keeping your PC secured from unwanted intrusions, they are not 100% fool-proof. There will come a time when malware would be able to break through the wall and infect your system. When this happens, there’s pretty much nothing that you could do about it other than to resort and to restore the second or third copies of the files that got destroyed.

Since security suites are not a hundred percent reliable, you have to take another precautionary measure in order to ensure that you won’t lose the precious files in your hard drive. A very simple but efficient and practical solution to possible data loss is by backing up. This task or procedure is not complicated. Backing up data simply means making second copies thereof and saving them in another media.

Brainless Task

You don’t need a program in order to perform this task. However, doing it manually can be quite tedious, especially if you have thousands of files saved in your hard disk and scattered in different folders. This is the reason why there are several back up programs in the market despite the fact that the task simply involves dragging folders into the disk where you intend to save your data.

You don’t need a third party software if you’re using Windows Vista, though. Backing up in Vista is an effortless task. Its back up feature takes care of everything from file selection to file destination. All you have to do in the process is to change the disks or drives whenever they’re already full. It’s as simple as that.

Save Often

Back up regularly. Take note that you’re adding new files or modifying existing ones everyday. The file that you’ve saved a month ago might already be entirely different from the one that you have right now. Make sure that the media where you’re going to save the file is reliable. DVD disks, as well as external hard drives, are among the dependable storage devices. Flash drives could also be viable alternatives. However, data could be easily erased therein.

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While Microsoft is highlighting the technological advances of Vista as its main selling point, a considerable number of PC users don’t actually pay attention to the litany of new functions and features of the new operating system. This is especially true for those who are not tech-savvy.

Beauty is sometimes skin-deep. Such is also true for software. When Vista was first introduced almost a year ago, the first thing that many checked out was its new interface. It is only after they’ve scrutinized the program’s shell that they started to take notice of the flesh.

For those of you who want the touch and feel of Vista’s hide but are not yet ready to chew its meat, a freeware that replicates the new operating system’s interface could be the best temporary solution to your curiosity. It mimics Vista’s Start menu quite convincingly, as well as the program’s other artwork. It’s perfectly safe and it won’t affect system performance. Try it on. It might actually convince you to shift to Vista. But, then again, maybe not.

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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.

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Are you receiving patches and other updates from Microsoft automatically?

I used to be irked at this option when I was still using a dial-up connection because the download slows up everything. I even played with the thought of deactivating the auto-download option of Windows Update. Luckily my DSL subscription got approved immediately so I shelved off the ill-advised plan of just manually downloading the updates whenever I deem it convenient.

Those who turned off the auto-update feature of Windows to save themselves from the bothersome process might have ended up getting more annoyed by intrusive pop ups. In case you don’t know, many of the patches are security-related. Malware authors have been very creative these past few years. Although I’m sure you’re anti-virus software could off ward most of the unwanted applications circulating around the Internet, some could easily bypass it.

The most recent patch that Microsoft issued plugged a hole in many of its operating systems, including Windows Vista. The update was branded as a critical one since hackers could easily access computers without the patch.

The malicious program works by modifying “.ani” files. Files bearing such extension are used in managing cursor processes and appearances. Once installed, the malicious software can record every keystroke that the user makes on his computer. You could just imagine how dangerous this type of malware is. Hackers would be able to know the log in details of your e-mail account, or worse, your bank account.

Security experts did not confirm if the authors of the unwanted program intended to use it to access bank accounts. What they do know is that the hackers are targeting the log-in details of the user’s World of Warcraft account. The log-ins of this popular multiplayer PC game will then be sold to interested buyers.

In case you don’t know, developing online game characters or accounts is a lucrative undertaking. Players spend countless hours trying to improve their account in order to play in the higher levels. Since not all are talented enough to play at the higher stages or to obtain the gadgets or features that are only available to accounts or characters that have surpassed certain tests, some have opted to just buy them off from the skillful players.

Ken Dunham of VeriSign’s iDefense has disclosed that the authors of the malicious software come from China. Microsoft was so worried about the vulnerability that it released the patch ahead of schedule.

The release of the update doesn’t ensure that the Chinese hackers won’t be able to obtain the data that they’re looking for. As I’ve lamented earlier, there are users who turned off the automatic update feature of their operating system. As a result, their units might have already been infected by the unwanted application. Many weren’t aware of this danger. I admit that I wasn’t either. This is quite surprising and alarming though, considering that Microsoft already new of the threat as early as December of last year.

For those of you who don’t receive critical updates automatically, visit Microsoft’s site immediately and install the patch.

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Is your computer suffering from memory loss?

If I’m not mistaken, the minimum memory requirement for Windows XP is 128MB. That was quite big during the time when Vista’s predecessor was first released. Those who upgraded from 64MB to 128MB even thought that any application would run seamlessly in their unit considering that the amount of their RAM could virtually hold almost any application regardless of their size.

Unfortunately for us, software developers created programs which are RAM-gluttons. 128MB of RAM now seems to be inadequate. Despite the limitation, Windows could still keep things going through its ability to create virtual memory by using available space in the hard drive. While this solution saves users from having to purchase additional memory modules, it creates another problem – laggardness.

Accessing information in the hard drive is not as fast as when it is done in your system’s RAM. As a result, pages freeze for a few seconds whenever it is being written and accessed in the virtual memory.

Thanks to the development of flash drives, the new Microsoft OS does not have to rely on the old technique of expanding limited RAM. Windows Vista can now use flash drives as alternative RAMs to boost system performance. All that has to be done is to activate the OS’ ReadyBoost feature to utilize the flash drive as an additional memory module.

While Vista is a performance-hogger, it does make up for its gluttonous tendencies by utilizing peripherals as means or tools by which it could optimize the performance of the PC. I’m glad the guys who made Vista came up with this idea. It’s quite hard and expensive to add a few memory modules. This goes double for those who use laptops like I do. With ReadyBoost, all I have to do to spare my hard drive from being overworked is to stick a flash drive in my USB port. It’s that simple.

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