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Computer Running Slow? 5 Common Computer Problems and Fixes

Computer Running Slow? 5 Common Computer Problems and Fixes

Owning a PC is a lot like owning a car, service it regularly and do regular small repairs and it will run problem free for years. Fail to service it and eventually it will have a major breakdown. Your PC is the same it needs to have regular maintenance done to it so it can run smoothly. Many people fail to do this and instead of having a computer that last 5 to 10 as their designed to, they're lucky to get three years out of it. Unless you like spending money you don't have to there's no reason that your computer shouldn't last five years or more.

If you take the time to do the simple tasks like de-fragmenting your hard drive, emptying cache files and deleting temporary files, registry cleaning and updating software. Your PC should run smoothly and performance should be like new for years. However if you don't do these simply tasks then you'll find your computer having many problems. Here five of the most common problems that people have with their PC's.

1. Crashes, Locking Up and the 'Blue screen of death' Most commonly these problems are caused by spyware. To get rid of this install anti-spyware software or if you already have software installed make sure it's updated to the latest version and run a full scan of your system. Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date. Out of date hardware drivers can cause numerous problems. Often the blue screen of death is caused by a random access memory problem (RAM) when you see this there should be an error code shown. Write this down and take it to you computer supplier who should have a database to check what the problem is.

2. Your computer reboots itself automatically and without warning. This is almost always a hardware issue, usually to do with your cooling system or power supply. Try cleaning out your cooling fans often they get full if dust and dirt. Your computer cannot cool itself and switches off to avoid overheating. If this does not seem to be the case check all the wires in your computer are attached correctly, overtime wires can come loose and cause issues with your power supply.

3. Computers making loud noises. Once again the fans are often the main culprit here being them moving part in your PC. Check they are clean and remove any build up of dirt from them and make sure no loose wires are hanging around the fans. Check all the screws in your computer as often they can work themselves loose and cause pieces of the housing to rattle. If the problem doesn't seem to be a loose wire or fan, it may be a good idea to back up your important data. Hard drives are made up of spinning disks and if they start making unusual noises it can often means there on their last legs. Back up your vital data and have a qualified technician have a look at it.

4. Pops ups keep popping up and your home page/default page has been changed. This is a spyware problem. Commonly known as 'high jacking' Somewhere along the way spyware has been installed on your computer from clicking on a webpage, through an email or one of the other numerous ways. This will require good quality up to date anti-spyware or in some cases anti-virus software to remove.

5. Computer performance has slowed down This is by far the most common complaint. Often it's not a hard fix to get a significant gain in performance by performing a few simple tasks. Deleting all temporary files, de-fragmenting your hard drive, installing updates, using an up to date anti-spyware program and ensuring there aren't numerous programs and services running in the back ground chewing up all your processing power. Doing these simple things will make a huge difference to your PC's performance.

As you can see there are a number of things you can easily do to ensure your PC runs smoothly and problem free. As long as they are performed regularly then your computer should run fast and reliable for years. If you run into serious problems then find a computer repair service with qualified technicians to perform a service on your PC to get it up and running.

Check out my website http://www.perth-computerrepairs.com.au/ for more tips on getting your computer running faster and crashing less.

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Congrats to Pamela and welcome to the world of blogging!

Just a quick note to welcome bloggings newest contributor - PAMELA FARIAS!

Here is her blog:  http://pamelaf03.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-very-first-blog.html

If anyone is interested in blogging you can go to www.blogger.com and get a FREE account.  Blogger is owned by Google so you use the same log in.

It is easy and quick to set up.  You could be writing your first blog in 5 minutes.


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Delusional Homeowners That Need to be Bitch Slapped (or HGTV's Real Estate Intervention)

I loved this show in Season 1 & 2 and anxiously awaited Season 3 only to be let down by HGTV.  It is hard to articulate the emotions I am feeling in the loss of this wonderful entertainment venue.  Luckily, I found someone else that is able to articulate how I am feeling.  Here it it:

http://www.review-spew.com/2010/08/real-estate-intervention-season-3.html

"I've previously mentioned my obsession with home improvement reality shows.
I enjoy the suffering of others, and this is what drew me to the previous seasons of Real Estate Intervention.

The premise is simple. Take an agressive real estate agent who looks like Richard Moll with a mustache, and send him out with a cute chip-munk faced interior designer to tell people that their home for sale is unbelievably overpriced, and that their house looks like a set from Swiss Family Robinson. (I love that show)

In previous seasons, the producers were adept at finding the most delusional sellers in the country. Many were upside down in their mortgage and asking 30% higher than they should. Mike Aubrey (Richard Moll realtor) would take them around town looking at comparative homes, and a sold comp as well. In the mean-time Sabrina Soto (Chip and Dale-esque designer) would get updates on their selling progress.

Aubrey would generally show them that their house was ridiculously over-priced, and that they needed to take one in the shorts or pull their house off the market. The sellers generally wouldn't listen to his advice, and on the "3 months later update" portion of the show, they usually hadn't sold and were subletting the downstairs bedroom to a family of 9.
Mike Aubrey was the resident hard-ass.

Soto's job on the show was to get coffee with the sellers, and look pretty for the camera.

It actually was a pretty entertaining show.
Not anymore.

This new season (season 3) is fairly similar to the others, but the creators have changed things...and for the worse.
They obviously thought that Soto was under-utilized, and now have half the show dedicated to her redecorating and helping stage the house.
Aubrey doesn't take the sellers to as many houses, and seems to have lost his "Simon Cowell" edge that made the show entertaining.
In addition, most of the sellers are generally likeable, and want to listen to the advice of the show---which usually means the house will sell.

A recent episode had an older couple selling their DC multi-level home for 1.8 million dollars because they had recently purchased a retirement home in Florida. This will not draw in audiences.
I propose that if they renamed the show Trailer Park Intervention and only helped people sell trailers, the show would be a genuine hit. Move over Pawn Stars.
Aubrey would have to grow a mullet to match his psuedo-stache in order to "mesh" with the locals. They would go visit other trailers on the market, but would need to bring mace for the dogs, and marlboro reds to keep the kids busy. Soto gets pregnant, and wears nothing but tube tops. She outfits each trailer with a 6 foot tall felt picture of Jesus, and a neon Schlitz sign for the window to class up the place. Rather than telling the sellers a price for their home, Bull Shannon-copycat instructs them on what would be the best trade for their trailer. '82 Trans Am's would be worth at least a 34 foot double-wide. 6 20 guage shotguns and card good for one VHS rental per month at the corner store would garner at least a 14 foot mobile.

Consider the above paragraph "prior art." Any attempt to steal this idea will be met with yelling and threats of lawsuits.

This feel-goody crap is not as interesting. It's true that Moll-doppleganger still sports his chic mustache, but even that has lost its luster. He drives around in BMW's and other luxury cars rather than a windowless van.

Soto tries to spice things up by wearing dresses that end 12 inches above her kneeline, but I'm not into inter-species relationships.
I tuned into this show for mental stress, financial loss, and credit-ruining circumstances. I'm not getting this anymore. It's officially pulled off my DVR schedule. If you disagree, this show can still be found on HGTV. Search porn-stache in your Tivo, and it should pop up.

1 boring star out of 5."



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Lose Weight How?

The Victory Project - Sponsored by Special K

YOU LOST WEIGHT HOW?

A TOE TAP HERE, A WIGGLE THERE CAN ADD UP TO REAL WEIGHT LOSS

Think the only way to really lose weight is to huff, puff and sweat at the gym? Think again. More than a decade's worth of research has shown that simple, everyday movement keeps your metabolism humming. In fact, simply tapping your feet, standing rather than sitting and generally moving a lot more during your day can add up to extra calories burned — as much as 350 more per day than if you're just sitting still. Keep it up and you can burn nearly 37 pounds in a year!

By adding short bursts of activity throughout the day, you can amplify your calorie burn, says fitness expert Chris Freytag. Here are some easy ways to get going.

Crunch in bed. Get a jump-start on flatter abs before you rise and shine. While lying in bed, draw your knees toward your chest 25 to 50 times to rev your energy and tone your belly. Add a set at night to double your fun.

You burn: Up to 20 calories in less than five minutes.

Dance while you dress. Turn up the tunes and get hopping while you dress, brush your hair, put on makeup and get ready for the day.

You burn: Up to 55 calories an hour.

Take a stroll. Make it a rule to wear shoes comfy enough for a long walk, and look for ways to add some strolling throughout your day. For instance, lap the grocery store before you pick up your first item, take a 15-minute midday walk, circle the block before you walk in the door after work or errands, take the stairs whenever you can, or walk around the bleachers or gym during your kids' athletic events.

You burn: Up to 375 calories throughout the day.

Take a stand. Stand up more throughout the day. Take phone calls while on your feet, have quick stand-up meetings with colleagues, eat your lunch while standing, read the mail while stepping in place.

You burn: Up to 200 calories an hour.

Travel in front of the TV. There's no law that says you can only watch TV while sitting on the couch! So get up and get moving while you view your favorite shows. Dance along to "Dancing With the Stars," do jumping jacks during commercials, bend and stretch while tuning in to the weather report.

You burn: Up to 300 calories an hour.
Fuss and fidget. Make it a habit to never sit perfectly still. Instead, bounce your knee at your desk, tap your toes, shift in your seat, pace while you talk on the phone, sway and twist from the waist while at your computer.

You burn: Up to 100 calories throughout the day.


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iRobot: Robot® Roomba® Vacuum Cleaning Robot

I think my Roomba was the best purcahse I ever made.  We have a mix of ceramic tile, hardwood floors and carpet along with a long hair cat, 2 Pomeranians and a Miniature Pinscher.  The hairballs tend to accumulate under the china cabinets because as you walk around the breeze from your feet blows the hair one at a time under the cabinets.

The Roomba goes under the cabinets and gets all the fur.  It goes under tables chairs and goes along the walls until it comes to a corner and then does a tight turn around the corner.  It cuts down on all the dust and allergens in the air.  I just tap my toe on the start button before I leave for work, it spends a couple of hours cleaning and when it gets tired, it parks itself back on the charger.

I purchased mine from http://www.woot.com/.  WOOT has some really awesome deals.  The Roomba's are usually refurbished from the factory, but come with all applicable warranties.  WOOT tends to have the Roomba every 4-6 weeks and is worth checking in everyday to get one.

iRobot: Robot® Roomba® Vacuum Cleaning Robot cleans routinely so you don't have to. Shop the iRobot Store for Roomba Vacuum Cleaning Robots.




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Typing the wrong email address!!!!

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier.

Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston , a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack. The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted.

The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My Loving Wife

Subject: I've Arrived

Date: October 16, 2009

I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in.

I've seen that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then!!!! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. Sure is freaking hot down here!




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How to Deal With a Narcissist

I found this article interesting because although I don't think Narcissism is hereditary, it seems to run in my family.  My grandmother always had to stear the conversation to her and my mother downplays her kids feelings unless they further her goals and if you disagree with her she makes sure everyone knows how wrong she thinks you are and turns the family against each other.  She also gets very upset if her children communicate without her playing intermediary.  

Settling in and getting organized

Well we are settling into our new home.  Right now I'd say we are about 80% done.  We are settled enough that I've been able to resume cooking, but Jerry still hasn't found the keyboard for his Mac and I can't find the skeleton key for my china cabinet so I can unpack those boxes.

We went to our first HOA Town Hall meeting on Saturday, there wasn't a very big turnout, but Jerry and I were the youngest people there by a couple of decades!  While there is definately an older crowd here, everyone is very nice and it is so quiet and peaceful.  We can go to the pool or sauna anytime and there's not a bunch of people making a racket. 

Chloe Michelle Jackson (8/14/73 - 8/15/89)

Happy 37th Birthday!

Originally written 1991

You came into my life
A mere acquaintance
Thru time and turmoil
We became friends
As the days wore on
Into many a year
Our friendship grew and
Kept on growing
Over the years our
Bond grew stronger
And soon you were my
Greatest Friend
One would think
We could grow no closer
But yet…
We did
You became part of me
Like a sister
And when you left
A part of me left too
Forever there will be a void
Deep within myself
That no living soul could ever fill
I look forward
With great anticipation
To the day we will unite
Once Again
So I let you go
Not with a goodbye
But with a see you
In the afterlife
-Beth Harrison, 1991

For Michelle's Story, Click Here

Dead Duck

A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest.


After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."


The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?"


"Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet..


"How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."


The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head. The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room.

A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.


The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck."


The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed to the woman..


The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!" The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150."


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Dog and Cat Dental Care

Caring for pets’ teeth is a mystery for many pet owners.

In reality, our little furry friends’ dental issues are really quite similar to ours.

Tarter Formation

As food particles, saliva, and bacteria collect on the dental surface, they form a soft plaque. Within 24-48 hours, however, the plaque begins to solidify into the mineralized tarter. Tarter firmly adheres to the teeth and harbors even more bacteria, resulting in an active inflammation of the gums called gingivitis.

The large amounts of bacteria in the mouth can also become a source of infection for the rest of the body. Each time the animal breathes and swallows, the bacteria are shed into the lungs, heart, kidneys, etc., potentially seeding further organ disease.

Periodontal Disease

Any damage to the tooth’s surrounding gum and supportive bone tissues is considered periodontal disease. In Stages 1 and 2 of periodontal disease, the gums have mild to moderate gingivitis. The gingiva begins to recede away from the tooth surface and halitosis (bad breath) may already become noticeable. These changes are still reversible with appropriate treatment.

As the periodontal tissue infection progresses, the deep tissue adhesions and bone react and reabsorb. These are permanent changes in which the stability between the tooth root and the bone is lost. Painful abscesses at the root tip may develop once the integrity of the periodontum has been lost. Eventually the tooth may even fall out.

One significant concern for cats includes tooth resorptions. Unknown if they result from periodontal disease or another autoimmune process, these cavity-like defects in the tooth are usually progressive and very painful. These teeth generally should be extracted. Some cases are so severe they may require full mouth extractions.

Dental Cleaning

A thorough dental cleaning procedure involves literally scraping tarter from the teeth and under the gum lining. At that time, your veterinarian will also examine all dental, gingival, and oral surfaces, looking for tooth decay, fractures, gingival pockets, and abnormal growths. Dental radiographs may be necessary to assess the root and bone structure. A final polishing will smooth the grooves on the teeth to help delay tarter recurrence.

Animals generally will not tolerate comprehensive teeth cleanings while awake. Patients should be safely anesthetized for a dental cleaning. As anesthesia does always carry its risks, discuss with your veterinarian the risks vs. benefits of such a procedure for your pet’s condition.

While patients should be safely anesthetized for a dental cleaning, this carries risks, so discuss with your veterinarian the risks vs. benefits of such a procedure for your pet’s condition.

Your Pet’s Teeth

On examination, your veterinarian will assess your pet’s oral health and make recommendations. With every visit, have your veterinarian show your pet’s teeth to you, so you are familiar with any subtle changes.

Meanwhile, the most evident problem you may notice with your pet may be bad breath. In other cases, your pet may begin chattering, drooling, eating hesitantly or stop eating altogether. Your first indication of a problem may even be a sudden swelling at the cheek from a tooth root abscess. Contact your veterinarian promptly with any abnormalities.

Home Dental Care

Pet oral care is an important opportunity to provide preventive care at home. Granted, some pets simply will not tolerate us near their mouths. Be patient and, more importantly, be safe. Allow a veterinary staff member to show you the best way to handle your pet.

At least a weekly brushing will significantly reduce the plaque and tarter build-up in your dog or cat’s mouth. With gradual, gentle introduction of the brush and toothpaste over several weeks, many dogs, and even some cats, will allow some brushing and/or oral rinsing. Use only dog and cat toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. Pet toothpastes are available in several palatable flavors.

Treat your pet’s teeth like your own. Prevention of oral disease will help the overall health and well-being of your dogs and cats.

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What is the main ingredient of WD-40?-

(Be sure to read to the end)

Does anybody know what the main ingredient of WD-40 is? Don't lie and don't cheat. WD-40. Who knew; I had a neighbor who bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason). I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do....probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open. Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off. It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I'm impressed! WD-40 who knew?

'Water Displacement #40'. The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a 'water displacement' compound. They were successful with the 40th formulation, thus WD-40. The Convair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you...When you read the 'shower door' part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stove top...Viola! It's now shinier than it's ever been. You'll be amazed.

WD-40 uses:

1. Protects silver from tarnishing

2. Removes road tar and grime from cars

3. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings

4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery

5. Keeps flies off cows

6. Restores and cleans chalkboards

7. Removes lipstick stains

8. Loosens stubborn zippers

9. Untangles jewelry chains

10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks

11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill

12. Keeps ceramic/terra-cotta garden pots from oxidizing

13. Removes tomato stains from clothing

14. Keeps glass (and plastic)shower doors free of water spots

15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors

16. Keeps scissors working smoothly

17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes

18. It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks

19. Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! Use WD-40!

20. Gives a childrens' playground slide a shine for a super fast slide

21.Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers

22. Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises

23. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open

24. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close

25. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers

26. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles

27. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans

28. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, and bicycles for easy handling

29. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly

30. Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools

31. Removes splattered grease on stove

32. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging

33. Lubricates prosthetic limbs

34. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell)

35. WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a little on live bait or lures and you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lot cheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just that purpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or lures for fishing are not allowed in some states

36. Removes all traces of duct tape

37. Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain

38. Florida’s favorite use is: 'cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers

39. The favorite use in the state of New York , WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements

40. Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately and stops the itch

41. WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on the mark and wipe with a clean rag

42. Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter has washed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and rewash. Presto! The lipstick is gone!

43. If you spray WD-40 on a distributor cap, it will displace the moisture and allow the car to start

P.S. The basic ingredient is FISH OIL!

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