IE8 is not enough - uninstall it!

So, several months ago Microsoft decided to FORCE everyone to have Internet Explorer version 8 installed on their computers. From the moment I tested the beta version they released I was telling eveyone not to install it. Sure, there were a couple nice new features (like an 'x' on every toolbar to make them easier to remove), but it was much slower loading and transitioning to new pages.

Apparently Microsoft felt that it was such an important update that they grouped it in with their critical updates, meaning that it would get downloaded and installed automatically, unless you are the type of person that likes to review the updates before you allow them, and then you can prevent it... permanently.

If you already have it installed (and you can check by clicking on 'Help>About...' from inside the program), you can remove it by going to 'Start>Control Panel>Add or Remove Programs', select it in the list (you may have to click 'Show updates' to see it), and then click the 'Remove' button.

It may give a warning about programs that were installed after IE8 may not work properly, but it is okay to ignore that and just continue with removing it anyway. Once the uninstall finishes you will need to re-start your computer (which may take longer than normal this time). You will then be restored back to version 7.

I guess Microsoft should learn from the old addage... don't fix what ain't broke!!

:)(:

Rotating Re-Boots

So lately there has been a rash of customers with the same problem. They turn on their computer and it begins to boot as normal, even getting to the Windows logo screen when all of a sudden it goes black and begins to boot again. Sometimes they even experience the dreaded "blue screen of death". What's up with that?

Well, I have yet to determine if there is a common thread running through all of this, but so far it doesn't seem like it. All I can imagine is that Windows has become corrupt for one reason or another. Sometimes it can be a "weak" spot on the hard drive, or it could be from a power surge, static discharge or even a hard "bump" against the case.

More often then not though it is likely caused by the removal of a malware infection that leaves "holes" in the operating system making Windows "sick". Sometimes it's unavoidable and nothing that was done intentionally.

Good news though!! In most cases the problem can be fixed easily, though it usually involves a professional tech. Typically the course of action is to perform a "repair" installation of Windows. This eraes all of Windows system files and replaces them with "good" copies from the original operating system CD. In very few cases however, the copy of Windows may not even be recognized, and then that would be a horse of a different colour and require a fresh, clean install of Windows, meaning that everything would be erased and restored from "scratch".

Hopefully if this phenomenon happens to you it will fall into the category of most cases and you can be up and running again in a few hours.

Cheers!

Wireless 'N' no longer draft

So, it's official. The wireless-n standard has finally been approved after six years in draft status. I for one and glad because I've been a little skeptical to push my customers too it, even though products have been available for the entire six years. Now we can rest easy in purchasing products with this more secure high-throughput bandwidth standard and get better range than ever before. Will the prices on 802.11n routers and adapters now come down? Hopefully so, as it has been another one of the deterents to me making the recommendation. Why put more money out for something that may or may not be approved? I was advising my customers that by waiting they might avoid a BETA/VHS or BLU-RAY/HD-DVD fiasco with this networking standard. For more on the story, check out the official press release here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS183099+11-Sep-2009+BW20090911