الاثنين، 13 يوليو 2009
السبت، 11 يوليو 2009
18 Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Car
The upkeep of your vehicle can be quite an expense - from initial purchase to insurance to maintenance. And sometimes we get the sinking feeling that every time we need a car repair, we�re going to get taken for a ride. (pardon the pun!) Actually there are some ways to make sure you don�t get a raw deal when dealing with a local body shop.
After you get recommendations for honest mechanics, call around to check out the prices for certain jobs. It�s always smart to get a second opinion.
How about some preventative medicine? Keep your gas tank filled. This will help you avoid the gas line freezing up in cold weather. Also, driving on �fumes� allows little pieces of dirt at the bottom of your gas tank to run through the fuel lines with the last drops of gas. This debris clogs up the fuel filter and can cause carburetor damage as well.
Discover more about How to save money on your car here
After you get recommendations for honest mechanics, call around to check out the prices for certain jobs. It�s always smart to get a second opinion.
How about some preventative medicine? Keep your gas tank filled. This will help you avoid the gas line freezing up in cold weather. Also, driving on �fumes� allows little pieces of dirt at the bottom of your gas tank to run through the fuel lines with the last drops of gas. This debris clogs up the fuel filter and can cause carburetor damage as well.
Discover more about How to save money on your car here
السبت، 27 يونيو 2009
Get control of your finances
When it comes to money we tend to fall into three main categories: spend less than we earn, spend what we earn, spend more than we earn. If you�d like to have more money each month or want to get control of your finances read on.
Create some good financial habits by taking a look at where you are now. Where do you want to be? Follow these tips to help you get there.
- Keep a money diary for a week. If you don�t know where you spend your money, you can�t start making changes. Carry a notebook with you and write down every single penny you spend as soon as you spend it, every day for a week � every bill, standing order, newspaper, snack, bus fare, coffee � At the end of the week look at where it all went. Can you see any areas where you could make changes?
- What is your minimum survival income? How much do you need to pay for the basics like mortgage, rent, insurance, bills, food and car each month? Aim to save at least three times your monthly survival income with easy access in case of emergency.
- Your monthly expenditure. Work out what you spend monthly on everything else: meals out, entertaining, clothes, holidays, presents, credit card repayments etc. etc. Including the basics, compare your total outgoings with your income. Where�s the fit? Are you overspending?
- What are any debts costing you each month? How much do you pay in interest? What would you rather be spending that money on? If you can create some spare income each month can you put it towards �busting� some of your debt. Contact me for a specific debt-busting exercise.
- Save 10% of your income. As a minimum put aside at least 10% of your monthly salary. You never know when you might need it. Place it somewhere with easy access, preferably earning interest � not under the mattress!
- Search around for the best deals. How often do you check out the best deals available for insurance, mortgage, fuel, credit cards? I�ve just saved myself almost �200 on my car insurance renewal. Check out all the brokers and online insurance companies for the best quote. Use cost comparison sites such as www.kelkoo.com and www.dealtime.com. You can also save money by switching to a different energy supplier via sites such as www.uswitch.com.
- Talk to a Financial Advisor. While you can learn a certain amount from newspapers, magazines and the Internet, it�s always worth discussing your financial requirements with a good IFA. Your bank may be a place to start � they may not be independent but will be able to advise you on your financial needs for your situation depending on age, family, income and future plans. The sooner you start the better off you�ll be.
If you�d like some more information on getting your finances under control then contact me directly.
About the Author
I work with individuals and small businesses wanting to grow. I provide the tools, techniques and strategies to help them improve their time management and planning skills to increase their productivity and effectiveness.
Create some good financial habits by taking a look at where you are now. Where do you want to be? Follow these tips to help you get there.
- Keep a money diary for a week. If you don�t know where you spend your money, you can�t start making changes. Carry a notebook with you and write down every single penny you spend as soon as you spend it, every day for a week � every bill, standing order, newspaper, snack, bus fare, coffee � At the end of the week look at where it all went. Can you see any areas where you could make changes?
- What is your minimum survival income? How much do you need to pay for the basics like mortgage, rent, insurance, bills, food and car each month? Aim to save at least three times your monthly survival income with easy access in case of emergency.
- Your monthly expenditure. Work out what you spend monthly on everything else: meals out, entertaining, clothes, holidays, presents, credit card repayments etc. etc. Including the basics, compare your total outgoings with your income. Where�s the fit? Are you overspending?
- What are any debts costing you each month? How much do you pay in interest? What would you rather be spending that money on? If you can create some spare income each month can you put it towards �busting� some of your debt. Contact me for a specific debt-busting exercise.
- Save 10% of your income. As a minimum put aside at least 10% of your monthly salary. You never know when you might need it. Place it somewhere with easy access, preferably earning interest � not under the mattress!
- Search around for the best deals. How often do you check out the best deals available for insurance, mortgage, fuel, credit cards? I�ve just saved myself almost �200 on my car insurance renewal. Check out all the brokers and online insurance companies for the best quote. Use cost comparison sites such as www.kelkoo.com and www.dealtime.com. You can also save money by switching to a different energy supplier via sites such as www.uswitch.com.
- Talk to a Financial Advisor. While you can learn a certain amount from newspapers, magazines and the Internet, it�s always worth discussing your financial requirements with a good IFA. Your bank may be a place to start � they may not be independent but will be able to advise you on your financial needs for your situation depending on age, family, income and future plans. The sooner you start the better off you�ll be.
If you�d like some more information on getting your finances under control then contact me directly.
About the Author
I work with individuals and small businesses wanting to grow. I provide the tools, techniques and strategies to help them improve their time management and planning skills to increase their productivity and effectiveness.
Money Saving Travel Tips
Have you seen the T.V. commercial where they show that one passenger paid only a few hundred for his plane ticket while the person sitting next to him paid over a thousand?
This is only one example of a truth that becomes all to
apparent every summer.
You can SERIOUSLY over-pay for travel if you aren't careful.
If you are wanting to travel this summer, or anytime, use these four money saving tips to your advantage. You might just save 50% or more on your next trip.
1.Plan Ahead
The reason airlines love business travellers is that they travel on short notice. A cursory look at airline fares shows you that you will pay more, often twice as much, if you travel on short notice or don't include a weekend in your travel plans.
Even if you can't plan many weeks in advance, take full
advantage of the time you can plan ahead. Check with
airlines, hotels, car rental agencies and more to find out when the optimum time is to book their services.
This is only one example of a truth that becomes all to
apparent every summer.
You can SERIOUSLY over-pay for travel if you aren't careful.
If you are wanting to travel this summer, or anytime, use these four money saving tips to your advantage. You might just save 50% or more on your next trip.
1.Plan Ahead
The reason airlines love business travellers is that they travel on short notice. A cursory look at airline fares shows you that you will pay more, often twice as much, if you travel on short notice or don't include a weekend in your travel plans.
Even if you can't plan many weeks in advance, take full
advantage of the time you can plan ahead. Check with
airlines, hotels, car rental agencies and more to find out when the optimum time is to book their services.
It's amazing how much you can learn with just a few phone calls ahead of time.
2. Use The Web
If the Internet has one great feature it's that you can find a lot of information fast. The Web allows us to do what is perhaps the most money-saving activity of all .... comparison shopping.
Take full advantage of the Internet using sites like Google or Yahoo as well as travel-specific sites. Companies like AAA (the folks who rescue you on the side of the road) give away tons of useful information just to interest you in their memberships.
Make a simple spreadsheet sorted by category as you shop online. When you find a great price on a car rental, hide-away cabin in the woods or direct flight, add that information to your spreadsheet. Soon you will have compiled a powerful database of savings.
When you surf don't forget sites like eBay and Priceline. The 'bidding' model has become a very popular way to shop. As always, do your homework to ensure you have chosen a reputable vendor.
3. Join The Club
In the last few years some very interesting specialty clubs have formed for the sole purpose of helping you save money when you travel. Sponsored by hotels, car rental companies and more who understand how competitive the market is, these niche clubs can save you a boatload of money.
Membership in these clubs often consists of buying a coupon book of savings. These clubs are often the salvation for the traveller who can't plan ahead since their deep discounts don't rely on advanced bookings.
Don't overlook the savings these small 'discount clubs' can bring. You will often save 50% or more on brand-name accommodations.
4. Ask Around
Here's the oldest savings trick in the book. Ask an
experienced traveller what they do when they travel.
People who travel often love to share 'insider secrets' with their friends who travel less often. It makes them feel good to help a friend and might just open up a deep discount you might have otherwise overlooked.
The bottom line when you travel is this. With a small amount of effort, and a little education, you can chop up to half off your travel expenses. These savings can go straight to your pocket or you might use them to upgrade from a 2 star hotel to a four-star hotel.
Either way, you will find the effort more than worthwhile.
Learn more how to save money while traveling here
2. Use The Web
If the Internet has one great feature it's that you can find a lot of information fast. The Web allows us to do what is perhaps the most money-saving activity of all .... comparison shopping.
Take full advantage of the Internet using sites like Google or Yahoo as well as travel-specific sites. Companies like AAA (the folks who rescue you on the side of the road) give away tons of useful information just to interest you in their memberships.
Make a simple spreadsheet sorted by category as you shop online. When you find a great price on a car rental, hide-away cabin in the woods or direct flight, add that information to your spreadsheet. Soon you will have compiled a powerful database of savings.
When you surf don't forget sites like eBay and Priceline. The 'bidding' model has become a very popular way to shop. As always, do your homework to ensure you have chosen a reputable vendor.
3. Join The Club
In the last few years some very interesting specialty clubs have formed for the sole purpose of helping you save money when you travel. Sponsored by hotels, car rental companies and more who understand how competitive the market is, these niche clubs can save you a boatload of money.
Membership in these clubs often consists of buying a coupon book of savings. These clubs are often the salvation for the traveller who can't plan ahead since their deep discounts don't rely on advanced bookings.
Don't overlook the savings these small 'discount clubs' can bring. You will often save 50% or more on brand-name accommodations.
4. Ask Around
Here's the oldest savings trick in the book. Ask an
experienced traveller what they do when they travel.
People who travel often love to share 'insider secrets' with their friends who travel less often. It makes them feel good to help a friend and might just open up a deep discount you might have otherwise overlooked.
The bottom line when you travel is this. With a small amount of effort, and a little education, you can chop up to half off your travel expenses. These savings can go straight to your pocket or you might use them to upgrade from a 2 star hotel to a four-star hotel.
Either way, you will find the effort more than worthwhile.
Learn more how to save money while traveling here
10Easy Steps to Speed Up Your Computer - Without Upgrading
10 Easy Steps to Speed Up Your Computer - Without Upgrading
By Jim Shutes
Lapeer Tech Group
It seems that the longer you own your computer, the slower it gets! A lot of people will keep their computer until it gets so slow that they feel they need a newer, faster model. Some feel like the reason it is getting slower is because it is getting older, when that is just not the case. Your computer should run just as fast as the day you brought it home if you follow these 10 Easy Steps to Speed Up Your Computer.
1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. After a short while, the temp directory fills up with hundreds of temp files that always get scanned over when Windows starts up and when programs launch. This slows everything down immensely.
Rule of thumb for Temp Files: If you dont have any programs open (and nothing minimized in the bar below), then you shouldnt have ANY temp files in your temp directory. If you do, delete them.
To delete Temp files, make sure NO programs are open, and
a. In Windows 95, 98 or Me, go to C:WindowsTemp and delete everything inside the Temp folder.
b. In Windows 2000 or XP, it is a little trickier. First, make sure that you can see hidden folders. Double-click My Computer. Click on the Tools pull-down menu, and then on Folder Options. Click on the View tab. Scroll down and click on Show Hidden Files and Folders. Click Ok. Now you can go to the C:Documents and SettingsAdministratorLocal SettingsTemp folder. Delete everything here.
2. Empty the Temporary Internet Files regularly. To empty Temporary Internet Files, go to your Control Panel and double-click the Internet Options icon. Choose to Delete Cookies, and to Delete Files. This will clear all of your Temporary Internet Files.
3. Check your hard disks for problems.
a. For Windows 95, 98, or Me, double-click My Computer. Right-click the C-drive and click on Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to check the computer for problems. If you choose to do a Thorough Scan, this will do the hardware check for physical disk damage or sector damage. Choose to fix any errors it finds.
b. For Windows 2000 and XP, double-click My Computer. Right-click the C-drive and click Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to check the computer for problems. Click on Check Now. You will then have two check boxes. The top option is for the file check, and the second option is for the hardware (physical disk) check. Check either one, or both. At least check the top one. Hit ok, and reboot. This may take some time, but let it run.
4. An even more thorough disk check, would be to use a 3rd party utility. One of my favorites is TuneUp Utilities 2004. It does cost $39.99, but they do offer a FREE download trial of 15 days. This program does a really good job of fixing software and physical hard drive problems. It also tunes up your system for increased speed, and streamlines your operating system for peak performance. Download it HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp
5. Or, you can do a few of the performance tweaks yourself, if you have Windows XP. By default, EVERYTHING is turned on in Windows XP. It isnt very streamlined for performance, but rather for appearance. You can turn off a few of the unnecessary features, and Windows will still work just fine, and maybe a little faster.
To do this, right-click on My Computer and click on Properties. Click on the Advanced tab. Under the Performance section, click on the Settings button. On the Visual Effects tab, you will see a list of check boxes. By default, these are all on. You really dont need any of them for Windows to run. Go through the check boxes one by one, and determine which ones you can and cant live without.
6. Turn off Active Desktop. Active Desktop turns your desktop into a web page, and allows you to have things like a real-time calendar, and up-to-the-minute weather or stocks. These are nice, but really slow down your computer. And even if you dont use Active Desktop for anything, just having it active can cause a performance decrease. Turn it off.
a. In Windows 95, 98 and Me, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Active Desktop. If there is no check next to it, then it isnt on. Dont choose it. Instead, just click the desktop again to get out of the menu.
b. In Windows 2000, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Show Web Content. Again, if there is no check next to it, then it is not on. Do not check it.
c. In Windows XP, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Properties. On the Desktop tab, choose Customize Desktop. Now, on the Web tab, make sure that there are no websites chosen here. If there arent any, then Active Desktop is not on. Cancel and go back to the desktop.
7. Install and run a good AntiVirus program to keep out viruses that can take over your system. One of my favorites is AVG. It is not only a really good AntiVirus program, but it is also FREE! If you dont have any AntiVirus software on your computer, get AVG AntiVirus NOW by downloading HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp
8. Get rid of Spyware. A lot of computer users have Spyware and dont even know they have it, much less how to get rid of it. If your computer has been taking you to websites that you dont want to go to, or if you get pop-ups when you arent even on the Internet, or if your computer has been running extremely slowly lately, for no reason, you probably have Spyware.
On all of the computers that I setup, I install two different AntiSpyware programs: AdAware SE and SpyBot. These two programs are highly recommended by TechTV (G4) and other computer authorities (including my own research on Spyware) and work very well together. They compliment each other and catch Spyware that the other misses, but together, do a very good job.
Get SpyBot HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp. Download all updates and run the Immunize option a couple of times.
AdAware SE does a good job when you keep up on the updates and manually scan your system with AdAware. Get it HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp
In some cases, when the Spyware has become too entwined into your system, even a computer repair technician cant get rid of the Spyware. At this point, it is better to just backup only what you need and have the operating system reinstalled. Believe me, when your computer gets to this point, you dont want to just put a band-aid on it. Just start from scratch with a clean system. Its the best way to go.
9. Streamline MSCONFIG. One thing that really causes a HUGE performance decrease is to have unnecessary programs running in the background. Some of these programs can be seen in your System Tray (located next to the clock). These are tiny programs that are robbing you of memory and processing power. Some of them you need, while most you dont. Some of the programs you DONT need are printer icons, CD burning icons, shortcuts to programs (such as video settings), AOL, any Instant Messaging Programs, etc. Just because these programs arent always running, doesnt mean that you still cant print, burn CDs or Instant Message. They can all be run from a shortcut.
You can use a utility, called MSCONFIG, to turn OFF unnecessary Start Up items.
a. In Windows 98, Me, and XP, click on StartRun and type msconfig. Click on the Startup tab. This is a list of everything that is running in the background, some of which show up in the System Tray. Now, be careful, some of these you do need. Some items to keep are Ctfmon.exe (XP), Scan Registry (Win98, Me), Task Monitor (Win98, Me), System Tray (Win98, Me), LoadPowerProfile (Win98, Me), Rundll.32, any AntiVirus programs (such as McAfee, Norton, or AVG). Others, you can uncheck, such as NeroCheck, ypager, qttask, AOL, and any other Instant Messaging programs, or printing programs. Remember, if something doesnt work, because you turned it off, it can always be turned back on. You just have to reboot every time you make a change here. But, as you uncheck the unnecessary programs that run in the background, you will see that Windows loads much faster, that there are less icons in the System Tray, and that your system is much more snappy and quick to respond.
b. In Windows 2000, MSCONFIG wasnt supplied. You actually have to download and run an MSCONFIG utility. Download the MSCONFIG utility HERE... http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html.
After you reboot, you will have a window that says that the configuration utility was edited. Just check not to show that in the future, a check box at the bottom. This just means that there was a change made to the MSCONFIG.
10. Defragment your hard drives. NOTE: to efficiently defragment a hard drive, it likes to have 25% free space. It can still do the defragmentation with only 15% free space, but it takes quite a bit longer. If you can, delete any unnecessary files before deframenting your drives.
a. To defragment your hard drives (in any Windows operating system), double-click on My Computer. Right-click on the c-drive and click on Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose the bottom button, to Defragment Now
Good luck. I hope this article has helped you. If you live in the Lapeer County, MI area, and would like a Professional professionally TuneUp your computer(s) in your home or business, please contact Lapeer Tech Group at (810) 793-1093, or visit our website at www.LapeerTechGroup.com
About the Author
I have worked in the IT field since 1989 and hold several Microsoft certifications. I am a network administrator and owner and operator of Lapeer Tech Group, located in Columbiaville, Michigan (just outside of Lapeer). During these years, I have supported both Macs and PCs, am an accomplished graphic and web designer, and have had the opportunity to support 2nd and 3rd level enterprise networks for GM, EDS, Delphi and Delco.
Written by: Jim Shutes
Learn more how to speed up your computer without upgrading herer
By Jim Shutes
Lapeer Tech Group
It seems that the longer you own your computer, the slower it gets! A lot of people will keep their computer until it gets so slow that they feel they need a newer, faster model. Some feel like the reason it is getting slower is because it is getting older, when that is just not the case. Your computer should run just as fast as the day you brought it home if you follow these 10 Easy Steps to Speed Up Your Computer.
1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. After a short while, the temp directory fills up with hundreds of temp files that always get scanned over when Windows starts up and when programs launch. This slows everything down immensely.
Rule of thumb for Temp Files: If you dont have any programs open (and nothing minimized in the bar below), then you shouldnt have ANY temp files in your temp directory. If you do, delete them.
To delete Temp files, make sure NO programs are open, and
a. In Windows 95, 98 or Me, go to C:WindowsTemp and delete everything inside the Temp folder.
b. In Windows 2000 or XP, it is a little trickier. First, make sure that you can see hidden folders. Double-click My Computer. Click on the Tools pull-down menu, and then on Folder Options. Click on the View tab. Scroll down and click on Show Hidden Files and Folders. Click Ok. Now you can go to the C:Documents and SettingsAdministratorLocal SettingsTemp folder. Delete everything here.
2. Empty the Temporary Internet Files regularly. To empty Temporary Internet Files, go to your Control Panel and double-click the Internet Options icon. Choose to Delete Cookies, and to Delete Files. This will clear all of your Temporary Internet Files.
3. Check your hard disks for problems.
a. For Windows 95, 98, or Me, double-click My Computer. Right-click the C-drive and click on Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to check the computer for problems. If you choose to do a Thorough Scan, this will do the hardware check for physical disk damage or sector damage. Choose to fix any errors it finds.
b. For Windows 2000 and XP, double-click My Computer. Right-click the C-drive and click Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to check the computer for problems. Click on Check Now. You will then have two check boxes. The top option is for the file check, and the second option is for the hardware (physical disk) check. Check either one, or both. At least check the top one. Hit ok, and reboot. This may take some time, but let it run.
4. An even more thorough disk check, would be to use a 3rd party utility. One of my favorites is TuneUp Utilities 2004. It does cost $39.99, but they do offer a FREE download trial of 15 days. This program does a really good job of fixing software and physical hard drive problems. It also tunes up your system for increased speed, and streamlines your operating system for peak performance. Download it HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp
5. Or, you can do a few of the performance tweaks yourself, if you have Windows XP. By default, EVERYTHING is turned on in Windows XP. It isnt very streamlined for performance, but rather for appearance. You can turn off a few of the unnecessary features, and Windows will still work just fine, and maybe a little faster.
To do this, right-click on My Computer and click on Properties. Click on the Advanced tab. Under the Performance section, click on the Settings button. On the Visual Effects tab, you will see a list of check boxes. By default, these are all on. You really dont need any of them for Windows to run. Go through the check boxes one by one, and determine which ones you can and cant live without.
6. Turn off Active Desktop. Active Desktop turns your desktop into a web page, and allows you to have things like a real-time calendar, and up-to-the-minute weather or stocks. These are nice, but really slow down your computer. And even if you dont use Active Desktop for anything, just having it active can cause a performance decrease. Turn it off.
a. In Windows 95, 98 and Me, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Active Desktop. If there is no check next to it, then it isnt on. Dont choose it. Instead, just click the desktop again to get out of the menu.
b. In Windows 2000, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Show Web Content. Again, if there is no check next to it, then it is not on. Do not check it.
c. In Windows XP, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Properties. On the Desktop tab, choose Customize Desktop. Now, on the Web tab, make sure that there are no websites chosen here. If there arent any, then Active Desktop is not on. Cancel and go back to the desktop.
7. Install and run a good AntiVirus program to keep out viruses that can take over your system. One of my favorites is AVG. It is not only a really good AntiVirus program, but it is also FREE! If you dont have any AntiVirus software on your computer, get AVG AntiVirus NOW by downloading HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp
8. Get rid of Spyware. A lot of computer users have Spyware and dont even know they have it, much less how to get rid of it. If your computer has been taking you to websites that you dont want to go to, or if you get pop-ups when you arent even on the Internet, or if your computer has been running extremely slowly lately, for no reason, you probably have Spyware.
On all of the computers that I setup, I install two different AntiSpyware programs: AdAware SE and SpyBot. These two programs are highly recommended by TechTV (G4) and other computer authorities (including my own research on Spyware) and work very well together. They compliment each other and catch Spyware that the other misses, but together, do a very good job.
Get SpyBot HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp. Download all updates and run the Immunize option a couple of times.
AdAware SE does a good job when you keep up on the updates and manually scan your system with AdAware. Get it HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp
In some cases, when the Spyware has become too entwined into your system, even a computer repair technician cant get rid of the Spyware. At this point, it is better to just backup only what you need and have the operating system reinstalled. Believe me, when your computer gets to this point, you dont want to just put a band-aid on it. Just start from scratch with a clean system. Its the best way to go.
9. Streamline MSCONFIG. One thing that really causes a HUGE performance decrease is to have unnecessary programs running in the background. Some of these programs can be seen in your System Tray (located next to the clock). These are tiny programs that are robbing you of memory and processing power. Some of them you need, while most you dont. Some of the programs you DONT need are printer icons, CD burning icons, shortcuts to programs (such as video settings), AOL, any Instant Messaging Programs, etc. Just because these programs arent always running, doesnt mean that you still cant print, burn CDs or Instant Message. They can all be run from a shortcut.
You can use a utility, called MSCONFIG, to turn OFF unnecessary Start Up items.
a. In Windows 98, Me, and XP, click on StartRun and type msconfig. Click on the Startup tab. This is a list of everything that is running in the background, some of which show up in the System Tray. Now, be careful, some of these you do need. Some items to keep are Ctfmon.exe (XP), Scan Registry (Win98, Me), Task Monitor (Win98, Me), System Tray (Win98, Me), LoadPowerProfile (Win98, Me), Rundll.32, any AntiVirus programs (such as McAfee, Norton, or AVG). Others, you can uncheck, such as NeroCheck, ypager, qttask, AOL, and any other Instant Messaging programs, or printing programs. Remember, if something doesnt work, because you turned it off, it can always be turned back on. You just have to reboot every time you make a change here. But, as you uncheck the unnecessary programs that run in the background, you will see that Windows loads much faster, that there are less icons in the System Tray, and that your system is much more snappy and quick to respond.
b. In Windows 2000, MSCONFIG wasnt supplied. You actually have to download and run an MSCONFIG utility. Download the MSCONFIG utility HERE... http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html.
After you reboot, you will have a window that says that the configuration utility was edited. Just check not to show that in the future, a check box at the bottom. This just means that there was a change made to the MSCONFIG.
10. Defragment your hard drives. NOTE: to efficiently defragment a hard drive, it likes to have 25% free space. It can still do the defragmentation with only 15% free space, but it takes quite a bit longer. If you can, delete any unnecessary files before deframenting your drives.
a. To defragment your hard drives (in any Windows operating system), double-click on My Computer. Right-click on the c-drive and click on Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose the bottom button, to Defragment Now
Good luck. I hope this article has helped you. If you live in the Lapeer County, MI area, and would like a Professional professionally TuneUp your computer(s) in your home or business, please contact Lapeer Tech Group at (810) 793-1093, or visit our website at www.LapeerTechGroup.com
About the Author
I have worked in the IT field since 1989 and hold several Microsoft certifications. I am a network administrator and owner and operator of Lapeer Tech Group, located in Columbiaville, Michigan (just outside of Lapeer). During these years, I have supported both Macs and PCs, am an accomplished graphic and web designer, and have had the opportunity to support 2nd and 3rd level enterprise networks for GM, EDS, Delphi and Delco.
Written by: Jim Shutes
Learn more how to speed up your computer without upgrading herer
الاثنين، 15 يونيو 2009
Buying A Fuel-Efficient Car
Whether you buy a new or used vehicle, fuel efficiency--good gas mileage--is high on the list of most buyers' concerns. The difference between choosing a fuel-efficient car or one that guzzles gas, will either save or cost you money over the life of the vehicle, which could be substantial. Fuel efficiency varies widely from one car to the next. Obviously you can check the EPA rating for city/highway MPG on the window sticker, although most of us know the average car never reaches those numbers
You can also check consumer guides, car magazines and Web sites, Web site forums or ask friends, relatives and co-workers which vehicles they recommend as fuel-efficient cars. Don't buy more car than you need, as larger vehicles generally have bigger engines that are less fuel-efficient. Find the most fuel-efficient car in the size group you're interested in, whether a two-seater, compact, mid-sized, SUV or pickup truck. There are several online sites where you can compare fuel consumption ratings of any car
Click here to know more about car fuel efficiency
Cheap Travel Secrets
There are two ways to save money traveling. The first way is to get the best deals on the specific things you want. There is a limitation to this type of approach though. If , for example, you find the lowest price on the best hotel in Honolulu at the height of the season, you will save
money, but still have a very expensive vacation. Trying to get exactly what you want, or what you think you want, will generally be an expensive proposition, in travel and in life
Be A Travel Opportunist
The other approach is to be a true opportunist. This will be difficult for some of you, and entirely unacceptable to others. Nonetheless, the travelers who get to travel the most, go to the widest variety of places, learn the most and do the most, are the opportunists. This will be true until you are so wealthy that you have no monetary limits
Ten Easy Ways To Organize Your Business Finances
Whether you are a new entrepreneur or a more experienced business owner, taking control of your finances can feel like a part-time job. Some simple tips can help you streamline your time, organize your finances and reduce the stress of business money matters.
1. Keep Your Bills in One Place
When the mail comes, make sure it goes in one place. Misplaced bills can be the cause of unwanted late fees and can damage your credit rating. Whether it's a drawer, a box, or a file, be consistent. Size is also important. If you get a lot of mail, use an area that won't get filled up too quickly.
2. Pay Your Bills on Schedule
Bill paying can be simplified if it's done at scheduled times during the month. Depending on how many bills you receive, you can establish set times each month when none of your bills will be late. If you're paying bills as you receive them, chances are you're spending too much time in front of the checkbook. Although bills may state "Payable Upon Receipt", there's always a grace period. Call the creditor to find out when they need to receive payment before the bill is considered late.
3. Read Your Credit Card Statements
Most people take advantage of low interest credit card offers but never read their statements when paying the bill. Credit cards are notorious for using low interest as bait for new customers then switching to higher rates after a few months. Make a habit of looking at your statement carefully to see what interest rate you are paying each month and if any transaction fees have been applied. If the rate increases or a transaction fee appears on your statement, a simple call to the credit card company can oftentimes be beneficial in resolving the matter. If not, try to switch your money to a more favorable rate
Ten Inside Tips to Saving Money and Making the Most of Your Retail Shopping Experience
In addition to running my regular consulting business, I also work part-time as an Ad Set Supervisor for a national retail store. During this time I have learned many of the ins and outs of the retail business and how to get the most bang for my buying dollar. If you follow these same ten tips I guarantee that you too will save more money. Following are ten of the best inside tips I’ve learned about the retail world since becoming part of it
1.How to Get the Best Clearance Price in Stores
In most retail stores, clearance is marked down at the beginning of the month. And for stores that use the tiered clearance system, where items fall in price as the month progresses, you will find that the best time to get the lowest price for a clearance item is toward the end of the month
2.Too Early/Too Late For a Great Sale – Not Anymore
Most retail stores have an unpublished policy that allows customers to receive the sale price for an item either a day before or a day after the begin and end dates of an advertised sale. You just have to ask to receive the sale price
Read the rest here
In most retail stores, clearance is marked down at the beginning of the month. And for stores that use the tiered clearance system, where items fall in price as the month progresses, you will find that the best time to get the lowest price for a clearance item is toward the end of the month
2.Too Early/Too Late For a Great Sale – Not Anymore
Most retail stores have an unpublished policy that allows customers to receive the sale price for an item either a day before or a day after the begin and end dates of an advertised sale. You just have to ask to receive the sale price
Read the rest here
الاثنين، 11 مايو 2009
Fourteen Household Ways To Protect Your Computer From Viruses
computer viruses are deadly. they appear without any apparent contact and can be nuisance, or even worse fatel to your computer.individuals who create this viruses are the elctronic versions of terrorists. their goal is to destroy information resources of people.if one access the internet, he must share his files on another computer to protect them
Virus definition
Virus is a small program that can spread itself across the local computer or from one computer to another with or without the help of the user.Viruses can be programmed to make things as small as displaying annoying messages to as much as destroying the files of the user
many techniques have been evolved to protect computers from virus. for more illustration on this techniches visit http://tips-made-easy.info/computer/14_household_ways_to_protect_your_computer_from_viruses.html
الأحد، 3 مايو 2009
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