computer

Thu
03
Jan
Dennis Faas's picture

Windows 8: Fix Incorrect System Time

Joe in Arizona, for many years a subscriber to Infopackets, recently sent us this question about Windows 8: "Hi there, I recently signed on to my Windows 8 computer and found the system time to be off by an hour. I'm based in Arizona, where we use ... Mountain Time but not daylight saving time. How can I get my system to properly update the time? Thanks for your help, Joe G." My Response: Thanks for bringing this issue to our attention, Joe. It turns out many users are having much the same kind of problem. Synchronizing with a Time Server Windows 8 is set up to get its time from an Internet- ... (view more)

Wed
02
Jan
Dennis Faas's picture

Windows 8: How to Adjust Automatic Update Settings

In recent days, Infopackets.com has received several inquires like this one: "Dear Infopackets team: I recently made the switch to Windows 8 and love most of the new features. I understand that Microsoft occasionally releases patches and updates as ... part of their continued improvement to the operating system. Are these updates even important? Is there any way I can stop these updates from automatically downloading and appearing on my system without my knowledge? Love your site! Christopher D." My reply: You might be able to stop the patches, but you really don't want to. Regularly updating ... (view more)

Tue
01
Jan
Dennis Faas's picture

Major Internet Explorer Security Flaw Discovered

A newly-discovered flaw in Microsoft's popular Internet Explorer (IE) web browser could allow hackers to take control of a Windows-based computer. The Redmond, Washington-based firm has acknowledged that the problem exists and that it affects older ... versions of IE. The firm has also released a temporary fix for the problem. Microsoft Advises: Avoid Suspicious Links "Microsoft is aware of targeted attacks that attempt to exploit this vulnerability through Internet Explorer 8," Microsoft said in a security advisory issued on Sunday, December 30, 2012. Microsoft says the remote code ... (view more)

Tue
01
Jan
Dennis Faas's picture

Fujitsu Boss Blames Windows 8 for Slow PC Sales

The president of Fujitsu, a major PC manufacturer, has now blamed Windows 8 for the company missing its most recent sales targets. Some reports indicate Fujitsu computer sales are less than 80% of what they were a year ago, when the highly popular ... Windows 7 was the operating system of choice. PC makers like Fujitsu often count on new versions of Windows to boost hardware sales. This is because many consumers wait until the release of a new operating system (OS) to purchase a long-desired computer. Fujitsu Sales Take a Plunge However, at least one report says that sales of Fujitsu PCs running ... (view more)

Fri
28
Dec
Dennis Faas's picture

Windows 8: How to Move Files From a Windows 7 PC

This question recently came to us from several readers, including one in Colorado: "Hello Infopackets team, I recently purchased a Windows 8 PC and want to move my files from my old computer -- a Windows 7 machine -- to the new one. Since you seem ... to know so much about Windows, I thought I'd ask you for the best way to do that. Thanks very much, Mona S." My Response: When buying a new PC, transferring files from our old computer is one of the first things we think to do. Thankfully, the process has now become really straightforward. Using Windows Easy Transfer Begin by going to the desktop on ... (view more)

Fri
21
Dec
Dennis Faas's picture

'No Compelling Reason' to Upgrade to Windows 8: Report

A leading consumer magazine has told its readers there is "no compelling reason" to switch to Windows 8. Consumer Reports opines that in most cases only touchscreen users will benefit from an upgrade. The magazine made those comments in a new issue ... filled with computer reviews, among which PCs equipped with Windows 7 received some of the highest ratings. Consumer Reports is not a computer software magazine. However, it is widely read and its reports have a significant impact on the technology industry. In fact, a couple of years ago Consumer Reports recommended users avoid buying Apple's ... (view more)

Fri
14
Dec
Dennis Faas's picture

Windows 8: How to Remove the Log-In Prompt

We recently received this question from a regular Infopackets reader: "Hi there, Thanks for all the great information you've been supplying me. Now I have a question: I'm a Windows 8 user who has never really appreciated the log-in prompt. Is there ... a way to disable it on my computer? Thanks! John C." My answer: Yes, John, there is. Windows 8 users who don't like the log-in screen can bypass this part of the normal process when starting up their PCs. Ending Log-In Prompts in a Few Easy Steps To get rid of the usual Windows 8 log-in, first boot up your computer and enter your log-in ... (view more)

Mon
10
Dec
Dennis Faas's picture

Ransomware Schemes Expanding, Intensifying: Report

According to recent reports, the number of 'ransomware' scams being used to scare computer users into giving up some of their money is increasing. Security experts believe at least sixteen different organizations are using sophisticated schemes like ... this to extort money from people in Europe. The number of groups trying the same basic scam stateside also appears to be growing. A ransomware scam involves installing malicious software on a targeted computer and then blocking access to that computer until the victim agrees to pay a substantial sum of money. In many cases, victimized PC users ... (view more)

Mon
10
Dec
Dennis Faas's picture

Windows 8: New Security Features Explained

Let's get this out of the way: Microsoft's decision to drastically change the Windows interface for Windows 8 remains highly controversial. But there are benefits for users who make the switch to the new operating system (OS). Number one on that ... list: the all-new security features that Windows 8 offers. For one, Windows 8 includes Windows Defender (otherwise know as Security Essentials). This free antivirus and antimalware security program takes over and protects a user's computer automatically, and remains in operation until some other antivirus program is installed. While recent tests have ... (view more)

Wed
21
Nov
Dennis Faas's picture

4 Days Only: Amazon Black Friday Deals: up to 70% Off

Note from Dennis: further down this article you'll find a quick-and-dirty list of items of the best Black Friday deals I've found online. The list is conveniently presented in ascending order according to discount markup. Proceeds help to support ... our website, staff and writers. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated! You can go straight to the discount list by clicking here , or continue reading below. Happy Thanksgiving! -- Thanksgiving is officially upon us, which means there's going to be a ton of great deals being offered online as a result of the Holiday season -- deals like ... (view more)

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - computer