Your computer is probably overheating. When computer’s brain (officially called the CPU) gets to hot, the computer automatically shuts down. This can be caused by blocked vents near the computer’s fan or can be caused by failure of the fan itself. Vents can be blocked by dust and pet hair — or the air circulation around the computer can be insufficient if it is in an enclosure. The computer’s...

To help you with that question I have found a website that might assist you. That website is www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/optimize.mspx#EKB . I you can type all that, you will receive detailed instructions, including screen shots, for making your computer go faster. Included are instructions for checking your disk for errors, removing unneeded files, defragmenting your hard disk, speeding up...

Throwing them in the trash can is not a good way to protect the environment.  If you disassemble the computer and remove the components you can throw away the empty case, but most of the other parts contain metals that should not be in the landfill.  The circuit boards inside electronic equipment contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals that are bad for the environment.. The chips can...

The term “3G”, now being used in many cell phone advertisements, refers to the 3rd Generation of wireless technology.  To put a frame of reference around that, 1G was developed back in the 1970’s.  That technology — the first version of the mobile radio phone — was at a level not much higher than that used by amateur radio operators.  2G Wireless followed in the 1990’s, bringing...

Websites that use extra security measures maintain certificates to help you verify that the website is safe to use.   The error message to which you are referring says something like “This security certificate has expired or is not yet valid”.   Even though this sounds complicated it may actually be quite simple to solve. If you are always getting that message on every secure website, check...

For several months now, some AT&T customers have been experiencing difficulty when trying to use their email programs.  The cause — AT&T’s merger with Yahoo.   As a result of the merger, AT&T is moving its email services to the Yahoo mail system.   You will keep your current email address but will be using a different mail server. For customers using Microsoft’s Outlook or...

First, let’s make sure that we are talking about the memory chips and not the hard disk.  The hard disk is the device where all of your personal data and the Windows software are permanently stored.  Increasing the capacity of the primary hard disk means that you have to replace it.  Then you have to re-install all of your Windows software and your personal programs on the new disk. The random-access...

Not unless your main computer disk is nearly full. Otherwise, having data on your computer has no significant impact on its speed. Things that affect how well your computer performs include having too many programs in use at the same time, having more than one person logged onto your computer, spyware or virus programs stealthily using up your computer’s resources, and needing a memory upgrade. Your...

If you are running it on a regular schedule then you are probably wasting your time. The purpose of the Disk Defragmenter program is to keep your data files organized. The program only needs to be used after significant changes have been made to your computer. For example, when you have added or removed a large number of files, upgraded to a new version of Windows, or installed new programs. It...

Of course the most effective method is to make a backup copy of your data on a media that is separate from your computer.   Do that as often a necessary to prevent the loss of your newest files.  Here are some other tips. Invest in a UPS (Uniterruptible Power Supply).  That will prevent your computer from crashing during a power failure.  If you hear unusual noises coming from your computer, turn...