THE FEED

Computer Repair Toolkit

2009-12-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

Below are a collection of useful files for computer repair and maintenance.

CCleaner - Removes unnecessary files and registry info
JkDefragGUI - reorganizes files on your PC to improve performance.

DriveimageXML - backup your entire PC contents
Explore2fs - access files on Unix partitions
Double Killer - remove duplicate files

Deep Burner - backup information to a CD or DVD

7-Zip Portable - create and extract from popular archive file formats

PC-Decrapifier - uninstalls common trialware

Information

Process Explorer - Task Manager Replacement (more powerful)
System Information - System Information Details
ProduKey - Product ID and CD Key Finder
Autoruns - Identify programs started by Windows at boot time or when you log in.

HWMonitor - Temperature Monitor
GPU-Z - Identify the graphics component of your PC.

WirelessKeyView - Retrieves previously used wireless network keys/passwords stored in your computer,
TreeSize Free - View the amount of disk space used by any folder on your PC.
Game Key Revealer - Retrieves the CD-Key and serial numbers for all installed games on your computer
USBDView - Allows you to review the software installed to manage hardware connected to USB ports.

TrID - Determine the type of file (Word, Excel, PDF) when Windows can't because of different ext.
Codec Installer - Displays the video codecs currently installed on your PC.
Unknown Devices - Helps you identify unknown devices

GSpot - Analyzes video files to determine the video and audio codecs required

Repair Tools

Norton Removal Tool - Lets you easily remove specific Symantec products.

McAfee Removal Tool - Lets you easily remove McAfee consumer products.
LSPFix - Restores Internet access caused by faulty Layered Service Provider software.

Dial-a-Fix - Advanced utility for 32-bit versions of Microsoft Windows fixing common problems easily.

Recovery

Recuva - Recovers files which have been deleted from your computer
Restoration - Recovers files which have been deleted from your PC
Photorec - Recovers files even if your media's filesystem has been severely damaged or re-formatted.

DBXTract - Recovers e-mails from damaged Microsoft Outlook Express data files.

Network Tools

Wireshark - Allows network packets to be viewed and helps diagnose network problems.
Network Scanner - Lists which type of resources are available on the network.

PuTTY - SSH and Telnet client that allows you to login to Unix computers or devices
Network Stumbler - Wireless network scanner that lets you see network availability and signal strength.

Virus and Malware Removal Tools

ClamWin Antivirus - Virus Scanner
Rootkit Revealer - Rootkit detection utility
Combofix - Manual removal of spyware infections.

SmitFraudFix - Command prompt tool which removes "Desktop Hijack malware."

RogueFix - Detects and cleans Windows XP computers that are infected with fake security warnings
HijackThis - Scans your computer to find settings that may have been changed by spyware
HijackReader - Reads the log files create by HijackThis and provides advice on what to do.

SUPERAntiSpyware - Detect and remove spyware
Malwarebytes - Search and destroy malware

Miscellaneous

Mozilla Firefox Portable Web browser - Standalone application
JavaRa - Removes old and redundant versions of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE).

Monitor Tester - Helps you adjust the settings of your monitor to get the best picture.

Dead Pixel Tester - Find any pixels on your LCD screen which are "stuck" or "dead"

ChkFlsh - Checks any flash drive for errors and displays their actual capacity.
Double Driver - Allows the device drivers that came with your PC when you bought it to be backed up.
SumatraPDF - Allows PDF documents to be viewed without having to reinstall Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Revo Uninstaller - Helps you easily remove unwanted programs installed on your computer

Tweaks

TweakUI - Lets you change various settings that are not exposed in the default user interface.

VistaTweaker - Tweaking utility designed for Windows Vista

It's so hard to say goodbye

2008-11-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

This may be my last post to the website as an CompuHelp affiliate. As of Jan 1st 2009, I will be leaving the company to start my own company known as CornDog Computers. I have truly enjoyed working at CompuHelp. CompuHelp will continue to operate as normal providing the same great service that has built its strong reputation. CompuHelp and I will continue to work together on partner projects, and carry on our good relationship as Casa Grande, and Arizona City premier computer technicians. If you have any questions about this change please call me at (520) 208-6300. My website, www.corndogcomputers.com, should be “live” by December 1st.

Get Microsoft Office 2007, and Windows Live OneCare for three PCs for $69.99

2008-09-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

So why not be more protected, productive, and connected for about the same as you might spend on antivirus protection alone? A Microsoft Equipt subscription gives you three great Microsoft offerings—Windows Live OneCare for improved security and performance, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 to get things done and organized, and Windows Live tools including Mail, Messenger, and Photo Gallery to connect and share with others.

Buy from Circuit City now!

Microsoft 'I'm a PC' Ads Were Created Using a Mac

2008-09-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

Turns out that phase two of the

"I'm a PC " advertising counterattack

against Apple was... created on a Mac. The offending evidence was metadata found in the images of the PC user featured on the “I’m a PC” web site. The data exposed the fact that the images were produced using Macs running Adobe Creative Suite 3.

Microsoft has since responded to the controversy, saying in a statement that "as is common in almost all campaign workflow, agencies and production houses use a wide variety of software and hardware to create, edit and distribute content, including both Macs and PCs."

They then

scrubbed the metadata

from the imagery.

Side by Side

2008-09-17T07:15:00.000-07:00

2003 to 2007 Quick Parts
In Microsoft Office Word 2003, you can use AutoText to automate the typing of oft-repeated text like names and addresses. But what if you want to reuse more than text?

You can use Quick Parts in Microsoft Office Word 2007 to save any document content—text, pictures, Microsoft SmartArt graphics, headers and footers, and more—to an easily accessed Quick Part Gallery.
1. Click the Insert tab, and then select the document content that you want to reuse.
2. Click the Quick Parts button in the Text section, and then click Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery.
3. Enter a name and description, and then click OK.
4. To reuse the content, click the Quick Parts button, and then select the Quick Part that you want to use.

Microsoft Desktops Gives Windows Super-Simple Multiple Desktops

2008-08-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

Windows only: Desktops, a new Vista-compatible 1.0 release from Microsoft's Sysinternals team, is a multi-desktop tool for Windows users who don't want, or can't afford the system resources for, a complete virtual desktop solution, such as VirtuaWin or other tools. Desktops simply asks you to assign universal shortcut keys for desktop switching between a maximum of four (Shift+Ctrl+F1, for example), and then nests in your system tray to offer thumbnail views and switching by clicking. One plus is that Desktops doesn't load new memory-hogging desktops until you create them. The big downsides are an inability to drag apps between desktops, along with incompatibility with some tools (Firefox, Launchy, and anything that doesn't like multiple instances, for that matter). So it's mostly a simple means of keeping full-screen email, browsers, office apps, and other programs separated, but it does that pretty well—with improvements, hopefully, to come. Desktops is a free download for Windows systems only.

THE FEED! has been moved..

2008-07-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

Kinda. More like revamped. We have intergrated THE FEED! into the home page. We want to keep fresh content rolling on our site, and we also need more space for some upcoming additions. Past articles are now organized by categories at the bottom right of the page, in the sidebar. This will allow you to filter out the things you're not looking for, to find the posts that you want. More coming soon.

Dell shipping Computers with NEW Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04

2008-07-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

You don't have to be a super mega geek to love saving money, but you may be a super mega geek to get excited about the fact that Dell is now shipping Ubuntu Hardy Heron 8.04, (Linux), pre-installed.!

"Linux? What the heck is that?"

Linux is an Operating system, like Windows XP or Windows Vista. Linux is not like Windows though. It will not run your windows software. It comes with all of the software you will need, and you can install more, FOR FREE! If you are a typical computer user that needs to surf the internet, check your email, and need a word processor, you'll love Ubuntu Linux. I won't go into full detail about what Linux is right now, but if you really want to know, contact me, and I'll give you the skinny.

I will leave you on this note. You can get a brand new, fast, computer for as low as $249 from this deal. Go to Dell's site to learn more.
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/ubuntu?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&dgc=IR&cid=11973&lid=471885

iPhone 3G Review – by Mitch McWherter ®

2008-07-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

At first glance, the second generation iPhone doesn’t appear much different. The truth be told there are only small physical differences between the two generations. The real changes can be found in the 3G abilities and the new firmware. The new iPhone comes in two memory capacities of 8gigs and 16gigs. The 8gig available is in black and the 16gig available in black or white. With my inherent need to say “my phone is cooler than yours!” I went with the 16gig white model.

The new phone’s main physical difference is that the body is made of plastic, apparently to accommodate reception with added radios, over the old model which was cased in aluminum. The phone is roughly the same dimensions, slightly thicker in the middle and thinner around the edges.

Now for the real changes to the new iPhone 3G, The name really says it all, we have gone from the iPhone to the iPhone 3G. The part is the new generation phone’s ability to access AT&T’s 3G network. The 3G network is a data network advertised as improving the speeds of internet and all applications using data. While I have not done any real testing, it is definitely faster. When Wi-Fi is not available, the first generation iPhone’s internet browser and other applications loose much of their luster. With the addition of the 3G network the speed of the browser and data allow the iPhone to be a useful tool even when not connected to a wireless network. With out needing to be connected to a network, you will be able to use the internet browser to access MLS on the go. The new flex MLS is also said to be much easier to access from a smart phone. Just yesterday, I was trying to locate a newer home that was not located in my car’s outdated GPS, so I pulled out my iPhone and was able to use the maps application to locate the home. The addition of the 3G network is said to improve reception for calls as well as its improvements on data. While I have only had the phone a little less than a week, this is somewhat true. I have seen improvements in Arizona City and Maricopa, a couple of my problem areas; however reception is still ‘spotty’ at best. After all is said and done the addition of 3G is a major improvement.

In addition to 3G, Apple has upgraded the firmware to the new 2.0 version, which is also available on the first generation phone. A couple of improvements have been made here. First and foremost, the 2.0 firmware adds an application store which allows you to download applications via the native app store and ITunes. These applications vary from games to utilities, to productivity. There are many handy applications including file editors and readers great for working on files on the go. The applications are produced by third party companies, and then submitted to Apple for approval, then distributed thru the app store. While some are free, others vary in price. I have seen prices as low as $.99 and as high as $39.99. By opening the iPhone to third party applications, the iPhone is ready for untold innovations. I’m personally waiting for Tom Tom’s navigation application that I hear is in the works.

Email has also been improved. The addition of Microsoft exchange allows for more option for those using corporate email accounts. Push email can be crucial for those needing there email on the road. It also has the traditional email options that make it easy to access just about any email account you have.

Second generation iPhones have also been equipped with AGPS. I am told AGPS is assisted GPS. The way I understand it, AGPS uses cellular towers to assist traditional GPS for locating and tracking. It seems to work fairly well. I found that the better your signal strength the faster you will be located. When I read the AGPS abilities are for location purposes and not navigational purposes, I was sure I would be disappointed. On the drive home, I gave it a shot and was pleasantly surprised at how well it was tracking my location. It was very accurate in regards to my location, to the point of noticing a change in location when I changed lanes. This was an unexpected level of accuracy. The afore mentioned Tom Tom application I’m yearning for could prove to be quite useful with this level of accuracy.

After dragging my brother to stand in line with me for 2+ hours, convincing him along the way that he would be part of the event that was the launch of the second generation iPhone, I would say I am happy with this purchase. Apple has listened to owners of the first generation iPhone and put what they learned into action. I continue to find minor improvements from the first generation are continually improving my experience with the new IPhone 3G.

Mitch Mcwherter

Property Manager
Golden Touch Realty

Great New Social Network Service!

2008-07-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

This one is pretty cool! In fact, I'm posting this to our blog and our twitter right from my iPhone. It's called SwitchaBit http://switchabit.com, and it let's you setup "switches" to route your micro blogging info where you want it to go. Check it out an see for yourself.

Follow us on Twitter!

2008-07-13T16:31:00.001-07:00

We have just setup a Twitter account that we will later add to our site. You can follow us on Twiiter at:
http://twitter.com/compuhelp
If you don't have a twitter acount, its free to set one up. You can even have "Tweets" sent to your phone. I will write up a little about ways that you can use Twitter later.

More Site Updates

2008-07-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

Going to be making a few changes over the next month or two. Let us know what you think at info@compuhelp.biz

Site Updates

2008-06-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

Made a few changes to our site. Added Brandon back on, as we are excited to have him back. Also added Tekzilla Daily to the front page. That's about it.

So is it all it's cracked up to be?

2008-06-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

iPhone 3G was announced today at WWDC 08. Will it be the defacto mobile phone? At a starting price of $199, it may have just become the major competetor for the Blackberry.
So what's the difference from iPhone 1.0? For starters, it uses the new 3G data, which has been demoed at 2.4x the speed of the current data connection, (EDGE). It also incorperates GPS. (You know, like that thing on your dashboard that tells you where you are, and when you missed your turn?)
The phone doesn't go on sale untill July 11th, and yes, it is still locked to AT&T. :( You can get the details at http://apple.com/iphone
If you have questions, please drop us an email, and we'll do our best to let you know...
...what we know.

MacJournal

2008-05-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

Trying out some new Journal/Blogging software. It’s called MacJournal, and I have to say, with only spending a few minutes with it, I’m a fan. It’s a Mac only application, but it is a wonderful little tool. I will continue to post using it for awhile to see what the benefits are.

AT&T to cut the price of Apple’s new iPhone

2008-05-06T09:40:00.004-07:00

By Scott Moritz, writer

AT&T (T) is planning to put some extra shine on the even sleeker new Apple (AAPL) iPhone.

When the 3G iPhone is introduced this summer, AT&T, the exclusive U.S. iPhone sales partner with Apple, will cut the price by as much as $200, according to a person familiar with the strategy.

AT&T is preparing to subsidize $200 of the cost of a new iPhone, bringing the price down to $199 for customers who sign two-year contracts, the source says. Apple is expected to have two versions of the new iPhone, an 8-gigabyte-memory and a 16-gigabyte-memory model with price tags widely expected to be $399 and $499.

AT&T and Apple declined to comment.

At $200, the iPhone would be within reach of a much wider consumer market and give AT&T a strong magnet to pull lucrative customers away from rivals like Verizon Wireless (VZ), Sprint (S) and T-Mobile (DT). The $200 rebate or subsidy would be limited to AT&T customers and not available through Apple's stores. The new iPhone sold by AT&T will likely be locked or programmed so buyers can't take the cheaper iPhone to another phone service.

Subsidies of $100 to $200 are common in the U.S. phone market, where people buy their phones from their carriers. Lowering the consumer cost of the phone to win two-year subscribers is considered a small investment with a quick payoff. The average monthly wireless bill is around $50, so a phone company can recoup the phone's cost in a matter of months.

The average iPhone user however, runs up a $100 tab each month due to the higher priced data and calling plan. This would give AT&T an even quicker payback on its $200 outlay. But AT&T doesn't get to keep all the money it collects from its iPhone users. Unlike most other phonemakers (but like BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIMM)) Apple has a revenue-sharing arrangement that requires telcos like AT&T to pay somewhere between 9% and 25% of the money collected each month from iPhone users.

The new iPhone is expected to be released on the one-year anniversary of the original iPhone debut June 27 or thereabouts. A few weeks prior to that launch, Apple is planning to stop supplies of the older model iPhone, according to the source. This will help clear out inventory and stir up demand for the new device. It will also attempt to avoid the public relations pratfall Apple made when it cut the price of the iPhone without warning last year. To soothe the ire among people who bought the iPhone just before the sudden markdown, Apple issued store credits.

A few details about the new iPhone have also been confirmed by the source. The new iPhone will be 2.5 mm thinner than the 11.7 mm original. The iPhone will also have a GPS chip for navigation and other location-based services.

Office Space ReCut

2008-04-08T01:23:00.001-07:00

I just had to throw this up here. This is one of my favorite Youtube videos.

Well, we pulled it off...

2008-03-07T21:28:00.001-07:00

Our first trial run of broadcasting our monthly class online was a
success. We recieved positive fedback, and will begin recording them
as well for next month.
Our next class is set for April 9th, at 10:00 am. We will send out
notification and details when we have more info.
Thanks for participating.

SEO Shenanigans Pose a Clear and Present Danger to Social Media

2008-02-25T15:13:00.002-07:00

Some Changes Happening

2008-01-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

Well there are some things that are changing here at CompuHelp.
First off, Brandon is leaving the company for now. He may come back
sometime down the road, but for the time being, he is going on to
bigger and better things. He will be missed greatly.
Second, I am stepping down as co-owner of the company, and moving to
managing the company's service contract holders. James will take on
full ownership and management of the company.
This will allow us to focus ourselves for upcoming changes and future
growth. We are dedicated to giving our customers the best service
possible.
We encourage your comments if there is anything you feel you would
like to contribute.

Martin Sargent in Casa Grande, AZ

2007-11-24T16:35:00.001-07:00

Well, I decided to go out this holiday weekend, to spread some holiday cheer. Not a lot of places to go in Casa Grande, so we all loaded into the car and went to the Airport Tavern. I'm hanging out with my wife and she taps me on the shoulder and says, "Hey. Isn't that the guy from that show we watch?" I look up, and I'm shocked to see Martin Sargent, host of Web drifter, walk into the bar. I couldn't believe it.

We went over and introduced ourselves, and invited Martin and his friend to come hang out with us. We took turns buying drinks for each other and talked about his new show. I have to say I was pretty overwhelmed, because Martin is a celebrity to me, and the Tech community. It was all pretty surreal, and hard to grasp. (Especially after the drinks.) It was a slow night at the bar, but probably one of the best times I've ever had at the bar.

Martin, thanks for the drinks and hanging out with us. You are cool people and we will continue to be even bigger fans. Hope we see you again some time.

PC World: The Most Notable Notebooks of 2007

2007-10-28T17:56:00.000-07:00

Fastest: Apple MacBook Pro

The fastest Windows Vista notebook we've tested this year is a Mac. Try that again: The fastest Windows Vista notebook we've tested this year--or for that matter, ever--is a Mac. Not a Dell, not a Toshiba, not even an Alienware. The $2419 (plus the price of a copy of Windows Vista, of course) MacBook Pro's PC WorldBench 6 Beta 2 score of 88 beats Gateway's E-265M by a single point, but the MacBook's score is far more impressive simply because Apple couldn't care less whether you run Windows. Full Review | Latest Prices

We are still kids!

2007-10-06T10:57:00.000-07:00

Just like a bunch of little kids, we get very excited when we have new
toys to play with. James and Brandon got the LG enV from Verizon, and
I got my Apple iPhone. We love our new toys!

The beauty of it all is that, while we fumble around with our shiny
new phones, we gain experience to help you with yours, as well as give
you our personal product reviews.

So if your intrested in these phones, ask us what we think, and we'll
tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Sent from my iPhone

Google Docs... Rocks!

2007-09-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

Computer Club

2007-08-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

We will be holding the first "Computer Club" session at the Western Pinal Association of Realtors this coming Monday, August the 27th, at 2:00pm. This will be the first of what is planned to be a monthly meeting. If there are enough of you interested, we will spend and hour+ each month working with you on Computers and Technology.

We are enthusiasts, and know that you have become very dependent on these glorified calculators. So to better simplify your daily use we will be working with you to answer questions and give you the cutting edge to excel in you business.

So come join us this Monday, and see what you think! Hope to see you there!