Computer Viruses

My kids messed up my computer last night.  I had windows opening up everywhere.  I thought they'd given my computer a virus but nothing has come up in the scan.  I don't know what they did!  I might have to get a second virus software and see if my current software just isn't good enough.

I use virus software on all our computers. It's a necessity. There is free virus software, software you can buy, software that comes with your internet service.  Make sure you always have virus software running on your computer.  If you don't know a lot about computers, have somebody help you install it. It's SO important.

If you want to research, google virus software, click here for nod32, or ask a family member or friend (post for advice on your Facebook...you will get plenty of advice).

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Tablet PCs

My daughter wants a tablet PC.  I am usually pretty up on all the latest technology but I have to admit, I don't really know what these things are.  I don't know if that means I am getting old?  Probably.  Maybe I'm afraid that if I looked into them, I'd want one myself.  Probably.

I am going to research the Asus Eee Pad Transformer tablet.  I think it's time for me to see what's what.  Just because I'm turning 40, I don't have to act like I'm over the hill.  Right?

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Flu Strikes Us Again

I have two kids down today with the flu.  I was hoping the flu was gone from the house but as spring finally shows up, the kids are getting sick again.  I am going to Lysol the heck out of the house later and open the windows in a little while (once it gets to 50 degrees).  My four-year-old is down with a stomach flu and my ten-year-old has had stomach pain and dizziness for three days now.  I've rescheduled all my appointments so I can be home with them but they're resting now so I'm cruising the Internet while they rest looking for a red Jack Georges bag for the laptop to protect it.  I love red.  I have a red leather jacket, red boots, and a red guitar...I need a red laptop bag too!

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Get Computer Services or Toss It Out the Window?

If it's not one thing, it's another. Yesterday, my computer went through those automatic updates that Windows does if you let it. I made the mistake of putting it on automatic. Well, I automatically had my computer messed up for hours yesterday because of it! I kept getting error messages, my computer kept freezing, and my monitor was missing the whole right half. Makes it a little difficult to work when I can't see a quarter of my screen.

I got most of it fixed, but there is still one error message left when I turn my computer on. It's something about a catalyst control and the ATI adapter. Huh? That's a foreign language to me. I googled online for help and what Windows offered, didn't help at all. If this keeps up, I may have to call a professional to fix it like orange county computer services. For now, I'm just putting up with it. As long as I don't have to reboot today, it won't irritate me anymore (until tomorrow morning comes and I turn on my computer).

My computer is only a couple months old so I better not toss it out the window...yet.

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Notebook Computers

Have you noticed the prices come down on a notebook computer lately? I noticed last week when we were at an electronics store. A pink one caught the eye of my four-year-old daughter so I stopped to see what she was raving about. They are becoming so affordable now.

When my stepdaughter graduates from high school, I'm hoping we'll be able to afford to get her a nice laptop computer as a present. It would be a graduation present she could take with her to college and get some good use out of.

They'd make great Christmas gifts for somebody on your list this season too!

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Twitter Used Illegally

Were you wondering what happened to your Twitter recently when something took them down? Reports are that the attack on the Twitter system was politically motivated and had to do with Russia and Georgia. There was a secondary problem found while investigations were taking place with a user using it to control several hundred computers in Brazil causing problems online for others. That account was taken down. I've barely managed to figure out how to use Twitter correctly and others are using it to cause mayhem.

Computers are great...when they work right and don't create more problems, aren't they? You have to be careful about what information you use your computer for and what information you have available on your system for others to steal. Taking safety precautions can go a long way in helping you avoid this. There are companies who can help you do this, as well as companies that will provide you great computer support (for back up, networking, etc.) like orange county computer services.

I've had my identity stolen. I am not sure whether it was done online or if my credit card number was passed along by a merchant in a store I visited, but it's not pleasant getting it all fixed.

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Computer Shopping

After a lot of complaining when my laptop would overheat and shutdown several times a day, and my threats to throw it out the window, I bought a Gateway desktop. I needed a computer for work that would work consistently, not when it felt like it (huh, sounds like some people I know). I like the convenience of a laptop but you get more for the money with a desktop so I've chained myself to my desk.

Now my system is under warranty so I can get the support I need if it does act up. Hopefully, it won't but you never know. Having good support is a necessity when you're working on computers. They seem a bit finicky.

There are different ways to get computer support. One way is through orange county computer support. If you don't know your way well enough around computers (and most of us don't), find somebody who does.

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Netbooks

We were looking at computers the other day and my four-year-old saw those small computers that look like mini laptops. They're called netbooks. She decided because it was little (like her), that it was her computer and she expected us to buy it for her right then.

It is amazing how little minds work. It was small like her so it should be hers. She had no concept of anything else. I think we've spoiled her too much (but, no, she didn't get the netbook).

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Computer Hassles

I am having a problem with my laptop computer and I can't figure out what is wrong with it. Every time I use video making software, the fan goes on high and then it shuts my computer down (my computer is overheating). This laptop was supposed to be for media so I shouldn't be having this problem. It is so frustrating. I hope I am not going to need a new laptop computer but if I can't figure this out, I will need one. With all the things I do with photos and videos, it's a necessity.

I wish I could figure out why my computer keeps overheating every time I try to make a video. There are times when I seriously want to toss it out a window.

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I'm A Spoiled Brat

One of my presents for my birthday was an HP C7280 All-In-One printer. I actually thought this was my only present but dh surprised me last week with another present (see last week's posts for that one). So far, I really like the printer. Besides the fax, copy, scan, and photo capabilities, it also has slots for memory cards from your camera. There are slots for compact flash, SD-MMC, XD, and more. There are slots with initials that I don't know what they stand for.

The price was awesome because we bought it for less than half price plus we got a three-year warranty with it. Not bad for a great up-to-date printer with everything!

I'm spoiled!

It is going to help with scanning photos for the horse rescue web site I design and update plus when my new job starts, the fax and scan will be fantastic. Cool beans eh?

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Kids Break the Darndest Things

I had to get a new computer last Fall after our toddler broke my other one (kids are expensive eh?). Since I work at home, not getting a replacement wasn't a remote possibility. I had no choice. So we bought another laptop to replace the broken one, but now my husband is trying to scam it out from under me. He told me the other day that he wanted my laptop. I told him no way, of course, unless I could get a new one. So who is scamming who now, lol? I'm a tricky wife. Seriously, we can't afford to buy another computer right now (so our toddler better not get any funny ideas about breaking this one too) but I love my laptop. I'm not sure I could ever go back to a desktop model. I like that I can take this up and down the stairs...it goes where I go. When we went to my in-laws' house, it went with me six hours away from our home. I can work from anywhere, within my house or around the world, with a laptop.

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Recording at Home

My husband records music at home. He's quite talented at it and has two cd's that he recorded on his own in this way. He has one system set up right now though he has been talking about expanding on his system with speakers, monitors, and perhaps another computer altogether. I wasn't sure how he was going to manage multiple systems from one location until reading about a KVM switch. KVM stands for keyboard, video or visual display unit, mouse. This piece of hardware will let you control many computers from one device like a keyboard, monitor, and mouse. I wonder if my husband has heard of this and if it would work for what he needs it for.

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Desperately Seeking Computer Knowledge

My laptop isn't that old but it is already obsolete! I am in serious need of an upgrade to stop the freeze ups and shut downs. Nothing is more annoying than being in the middle of something and having the screen freeze indefinitely on you.

I need more ram (random access memory) for my computer. Unfortunately, I am a bit "hardware challenged" so I've not been sure what to buy so I procrastinated on buying anything. With 4ALLMEMORY, I don't need to put it off anymore because I'm not clueless anymore. They have the ability on their web site to tell you exactly what you need after answering a few simple questions about your system. I don't feel so computer illiterate anymore!

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I Need More Memory

My laptop has been giving me so many problems lately. It has been slow, freezing up, or just refusing to do things. I take a lot of pictures and videos and I've used up most of my memory. I need to buy memory for it really soon. I have been dumping things onto cd's and dvd's for the last week, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. Tonight, it shut down on me twice! It is definitely time for me to upgrade and buy several more GB's of memory.

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