installation

Thu
30
Aug
Dennis Faas's picture

GPS Get Lost, Say Cabbies

It seems just about every week our lovable Bill Lindner discovers a new "Big Brother" plan in the tech universe. Most of the time, it has something to do with Microsoft or Windows Vista, but in this case the culprit is rather unexpected. Global ... Positioning Systems, or GPS, have been devised to help people, not hurt them. Right? Not according to New York City's abundant taxi driver population. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA), comprising some 10,000 cabbies, alleges that GPS allows management to spy on drivers. They're threatening to strike unless GPS technology is removed forever ... (view more)

Wed
08
Nov
Dennis Faas's picture

Block and Remove / Uninstall Internet Explorer 7 (IE7)

Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) has been released as of November 1, 2006. If you're not ready for it yet, there are a few options to prevent its installation through Automatic Updates. Personally, I update my computer manually, so I can see what's being ... installed before it's installed. Reports say that IE7 is more secure and has more functionality than Internet Explorer 6 (some improvements include tabbed browsing and a built-in RSS reader) -- but I prefer to wait until they get a few more bugs worked out and some patches for the flaws that still exist before I'll agree to install it myself. Many ... (view more)

Tue
24
Jan
Dennis Faas's picture

'Disk Idle Optimizer', and '10 Things You Should Know About Every Linux Installation'

Disk Idle Optimizer Defrag your hard drive with your spare CPU cycles! Optimize all files, or just your boot files, or both. Using the built in disk defragger in Windows XP (SP2 Required), this program senses when your computer is at an idle state ... and defrags your hard drive. As soon as you begin using your computer again, Disk Idle Optimizer will stop defragging within 20 ms, allowing you to use your PC to its fullest. Does not require the creation of any new services or use of any more resources - uses the API that is already in place. No memory hogs or slowdowns. http://www.unitypro.com/ ... (view more)

Wed
28
Dec
Dennis Faas's picture

Linux for the Human Race

As a long time UNIX Systems Administrator, I enjoyed the ebb and flow of data processing in a rather intense world of Commercial UNIX. Working with operating systems with names like AIX, Solaris, HP/UX and Irix, I was surrounded with a complex but ... orderly set of environments that although similar at first glance, were fascinating in their strengths and differences. Each was UNIX at the very basic core, but the different philosophy and approach of each vendor made working with each one an interesting experience. And I mean that in a good way! When I discovered Linux in 1994, I had no problem ... (view more)

Sat
04
Dec
Dennis Faas's picture

Key benefits of Microsoft SP2 CD vs SP2 download?

Infopackets Reader Deanna K. writes: " Dear Dennis, Thank you for your wonderful newsletter and relentless dedication and support for computer newbies (like myself)! I have been carefully following your recent discussions concerning SP2; however, I ... have a question that I cannot seem to find the answer to. I understand that I can get Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD for free from Microsoft. Subsequently, a number of tech articles that I've read recommend that I get the Service Pack 2 CD instead of downloading SP2 from the Internet. Can you explain why this is so? " My response: I've ... (view more)

Tue
23
Nov
Dennis Faas's picture

Major Announcement: XP Service Pack 2 eBook release

I have finally finished my latest eBook, entitled, "Windows XP Service Pack 2 Install Guide: A fail-safe guide for new and intermediate computer users." Reminder: What is Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)? Service Pack 2 is Microsoft's latest -- major ... -- update to Windows XP. It's not just a collection of security patches; it is also a significant upgrade to the operating system itself and contains elements which cannot be obtained as separate downloads via the Windows Update web site. The Buzz surrounding the Release of XP Service Pack 2: Do or Don't? Service Pack 2 (SP2) began ... (view more)

Thu
18
Nov
Dennis Faas's picture

3421 Users Surveyed: Is XP Service Pack 2 safe to install?

Infopackets Reader 'Dak59' asks, " I've read quite a few different things about Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), but some of the comments I read are varying. Is it safe to install? Would you advise to download SP2, or not? " My response: I would ... recommend installing SP2, as it offers many new security features that are not otherwise available as a "patch" or "hot fix" using the Windows Update web site. I am not alone in this opinion, as they are countless reputable web sites that are promoting the usefulness of SP2 (including: updateXP.com , winSuperSite.com , ... (view more)

Wed
22
Sep
Dennis Faas's picture

XP Service Pack 2: do or don't?

I spent much of this weekend going over the emails that I've received from Readers concerning a new eBook that I'm working on, a Windows XP Service Pack 2 'failsafe' installation Guide. The consensus from the majority of Readers is that XP Service ... Pack 2 has caused some confusion (with respect to new security features), problems connecting to the Internet (related to the new Windows Firewall) and in some cases, failed to install properly (requiring the user to erase the C drive and reinstall Windows). As I mentioned earlier, the pros of Service Pack 2 outweigh the cons (in my opinion), even ... (view more)

Wed
08
Sep
Dennis Faas's picture

System Crash

It's been a rough couple of weeks: it seems like every time I try to take a step forward, I end up taking 3 steps backward. After I got home from visiting Frank in Toronto, my main computer (the one that I use to write the newsletters) kept crashing ... with repeated Blue Screens of Death (BSOD). The BSOD's gave me some clue as to why my system was crashing, as the .DLL file responsible for the crash appeared to be related to my video card driver. Strange, I thought. I didn't upgrade my video card driver recently, but opted to do so as I hadn't upgraded my driver in over a year. Video card ... (view more)

Wed
11
Jun
Dennis Faas's picture

Modify Program Files Path?, Part 3

Ikara from Australia writes: " Thanks, Dennis! I have been reading your [recent] descriptions and explanations [about disk imaging, partitioning, and installing to another drive letter] with interest. I can understand [the reason for wanting to ... install an application to another drive letter, especially in the case of disk imaging] ... but some installation procedures ... [won't let] me to decide [where to install my files]. The last [program I tried installing] ... was MusicMatch Media Player, [and] it gave me absolutely no choice at all [as to where the files were to be installed], ... (view more)

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