Articles that explain
Introduction BIOS is an acronym for Basic Input Output System definition n. – The set of routines stored in read-only memory that enable a computer to start the operating system and to communicate with the various devices in the system, such as disk drives, keyboard, […]
BIOS Basics – An Introduction Read More »
The Windows Reliability Monitor A seemingly forgotten but very useful tool that is bundled with the Windows 7 Operating System is the Reliability Monitor. Have you noticed that your computer has been failing lately in the ‘Snappy and Responsive’ Department? Let’s face it, Windows has
What is Windows Reliability Monitor? The Forgotten Gem Read More »
Last week I published a review of the excellent BitReplica backup software from Auslogics… Auslogics BitReplica: The backup software everyone should have? I was quite surprised by the number of responses to that article complaining that BitReplica does not create images or provide for disaster
Backup vs Imaging – what’s the difference? Read More »
Increasing numbers of links point to web pages, servers or other resources that have become permanently unavailable. The phrase also describes the effects of failing to update out-of-date web pages that clutter search engine results. A link that does not work any more is called
Last week I made mere mention of Portable Applications. Since then I have spent some time looking at the real deal. Looks like it is time to review some of the freeware offerings. Easy to complicated, there are many menu suites available today that integrate
Anyone for a Computer on a stick? Read More »
First let’s be clear, this topic is assuming that we are using the Windows Operating system. Although there is a growing community of portable apps for other platforms, I would like to start with Windows apps. We welcome comments on ANY platform’s portable apps but
PORTABLE APPLICATIONS 101 Read More »
Microsoft has included a system restore function in Windows since Windows ME as a way of providing protection to the important system files of the operating system. How successful this has been in the past is open to discussion, and many will say it has
Windows 7 system restore explained Read More »
Microsoft introduced an interesting feature in Windows 7 named Device Stage, or Devices and Printers. Their goal was to create a central interface to manage and interact with all devices attached to the computer. Back in 2009 Microsoft described Device Stage as: Think of Device
What is the Windows 7 device stage Read More »
Well it’s not your neighbor, Earl! Well, it could be if you spell as badly as I do. If you look in address bar of your browser you will see a URL. A URL is an acronym for Uniform Resource Locator, and is similar to
Random Access Memory is more commonly referred to as RAM, and no it isn’t an animal! RAM is used by the CPU as short term data storage for your computer. RAM is also the fastest storage location available to the CPU, due to this adding
What is RAM (Random Access Memory)? Read More »
If you have spent any time at all reading or talking about computers this term might have been mentioned, but do you know what it is? Do you know what it does? You will in a few minutes! A little basic motherboard information In a
What is a motherboard? Read More »
You hear people talk about them. You read specs when you buy a computer. You may have seen one. You may have actually installed one. They are both the bane and blessing of computing, but what are they and how do they work? I bet
What is a hard drive? Read More »
Depending on the settings you have set in Windows you may see files with the file extension of “dll” in program directories and the Windows Folder. Others, who have not enabled the “Show hidden files and folders” setting won’t see them, but rest assured they
What is a dll file? Read More »
