After Installing Windows 7, Next What you things to do?

So, after seeing a countless amount of positive reviews, playing around with it a bit on a friend's PC or at the store, perhaps trying out the Beta and RC, and simply hearing your geek friends talking amongst each other about 7, you finally decided to make the switch. Whether you're upgrading a current system, or purchasing a new PC, there are a few things you can do to spruce up your experience and make it even better.

1. Reinstall windows 7 if you purchased a new PC with 7 – Yes, you heard right. If you purchased a new OEM PC from a store like Best Buy, FutureShop, CompUSA, Costco, etc., or from another similar store, than it's best to go and purchase a fresh copy of Windows 7 from that same store and re-install your OEM PC right after purchasing it. Why? Because the installations of Windows that come with these OEM systems are clogged with bloatware, causing system crashes, instability, sluggishness and various other issues that can be eradicated with a clean copy of Windows. Myself and many people I know do this with all the systems that they get their hands on, and it's been proven to make a positive difference.

2. Run Windows Update – It's very important to have the latest drivers and security patches on your machine for optimal performance. This is why it's important to check for updates after an installation, and to let it automatically install important updates to keep your system safe and speedy.

3. Adjust UAC – If you were one of the many people that were annoyed by User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Vista, than I have good news for you. In Windows 7, you can keep the protection offered by UAC without the intrusiveness. To do this, go to Start > Control Panel > User Accounts > Change User Account Control Settings. From there, you can either disable UAC altogether or simply tone down the intrusiveness.

4. Skin it – Even though Windows 7 only hit the shelves on October 22nd, there already are a few rather nice skins out there for it. In a previous GeekSmack post, titled 7 Stylish Skins for Windows 7, you will see my personal favorites at the moment. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of skinning, skinning is basically patching your machine so that you can use custom skins instead of the default Aero look alone. Skinning isn't harmful at all towards your system, and it's something that many people do.

5. Set up a homegroup – Among the many other improvements in 7, networking was also made better and easier. With homegroups, you can set up a password-protected network of PCs that are all running Windows 7, which makes it easier to share files, printers, and stream media. To get started with homegroups, simply go to Start > Computer (or any Explorer window of your choice) > Homegroup (in the left pane). From there, it's quick and easy to start a homegroup, and all you need to do from there is connect the other PCs to the homegroup.

6. Learn the time-saving keyboard shortcuts – By using some of the spiffy keyboard shortcuts built into Windows 7, you can save time and interact with your PC more using your keyboard. There's some great keyboard shortcuts out there, such as the ones listed below:

* + number - Start the program pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the program is already running, switch to that program.

* + Up Arrow - Maximize the window.

* + Left Arrow - Maximize the window to the left side of the screen.

* + Right Arrow - Maximize the window to the right side of the screen.

* + Home - Minimize all but the active window.

Picture of Windows logo key + Shift+ Left Arrow or Right Arrow - Move a window from one monitor to another.

There's many more keyboard shortcuts to learn about, and you may do so by going to: Start > Help and Support > Type "Keyboard Shortcuts" in the search box > Click on the first link titled "Keyboard Shortcuts".

7. Install XP Mode – If you're one of the many people out there that need to use software not supported by 7 (or even Vista) that works on XP, than there's no need to fear. XP Mode, a program that utilizes virtualization technology to basically run the incompatible apps in XP while still using 7 may prove useful to you. It will allow you to run applications incompatible with 7, for example IE6, in a Windows XP window alongside the usual 7 applications in their appropriate Windows 7 windows. As XP mode utilizes virtualization technology to do this however, you will need to have a compatible CPU. Check to see if your system supports XP mode and download it over at the XP Mode official website.

source : here

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HP HPE PC Edition

HP has announced the HP Pavilion Elite High Performance Edition (HPE) PC. The manufacturer states that the system is designed for power-intensive gaming. The HPE is based on an Intel Core i7 processor, an nVidia GTX 260 special edition graphics card, up to 6 GB of DDR3 memory and 2TB of hard disk capacity. The HP Extra Quiet technology with internal ventilation is to keep the HPE both cooled down and silent enough to be placed anywhere.

Other features include a DVD-burner, integrated wireless, TV-tuner, Blu-ray player (in one of the models) and MediaSmart software 3.0. A pocket media drive bay is to simplify upgrading and expanding.

The HPE will be released later this month. HP specifies a recommended pricetag of €1.199.

Source : Hardware

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Deimos X-10 By BFG for Gaming Notebook

BFG has announced a new high-end gaming notebook that is to compete with ASUS' W90 laptop. The notebook is branded Deimos X-10 and features a large 18,4" screen, combined with a 1920x1080 (Full-HD) resolution. The system is available with both Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad processors and up to 8 GB of DDR3 memory can be installed. The graphics are provided by not one, but two GTX280M graphics cards, in an SLI-configuration. nVidia's GTX280M is based on the G92 chip and sports 128 shader units, unlike the desktop GTX 280, which has 240.

In terms of storage, the Deimox X-10 is also a fierceful competitor, having room for up to three 2,5" hard disk, allowing for a maximum capacity of 1,5 Terabyte. BFG's Deimos X-10 is also suitable for multimedia use, featuring an integrated Blu-ray drive and 5.1 audio. There are connectors for HDMI, DVI, S/PDIF, eSATA, FireWire, USB, audio and Gigabit Ethernet on the notebook. Also present are a 7-in-1 cardreader and a 2 megapixel webcam, as well as Bluetooth V2.1 functionality.

The Deimos X-10 will be available in three versions, of which the cheapest model sports a recommended price of $1859. Early adopters (between now and the 30th of October) will receive a 10% discount. The notebook will be bundled with Windows 7.

source : hardware

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A Warning Against Personal Antivirus

Have you been bombarded with ads right on your desktop that tell you you've been infected and need to buy their software? If you have, and are looking for a way to effectively rid yourself of the rogue antispyware program at the root of it all, you should know that programs of this sort are very dangerous, and act against them immediately. Not taking action right away could compromise the security of your private information, as well as leave you unable to access documents or open any other programs.

This example of malware uses extremely pushy, dishonest advertising claiming that your computer is infected by spyware or some other form of malware, thus encouraging you to immediately download Personal Antivirus and run it to scourge your hard drive clean of the vile things. But unfortunately, this ad is a lie, and Personal Antivirus will cheerfully infect and harm your system should you trust its marketing.

How does it hurt your computer, you may ask? A near-constant salvo of popups is, of course, standard. False security scan messages are an additional nasty twist. And of course, like most malware, it will slow your system down, and slow it down worse the longer you leave it to do its wicked business.

Even worse, though, Personal Antivirus can actually record what you type into your keyboard and keep track of the web sites you visit, and send all that private information wrapped in a pretty bow as a present to a malicious hacker. The hacker can then use that data for anything from violating your bank accounts to snatching up your identity for any number of illegal or unsavory purposes.

The dynamic and extremely sophisticated nature of the rogue spyware program makes it very difficult to remove it from your system, thereby causing enough damages to your system and its operating speed. This software creates a large number of random files, unwanted system files which makes it even more difficult to trace and remove from the system for the best of the anti spyware programs. Moreover, the manual removal of the randomly generated files is almost impossible as the rogue software is an expert in generating duplicate files in any number. Once you delete them, they will re-appear again and again.

Programs of higher quality may cost a bit of money, but have features that enable them to detect more bugs, and more recent spyware. You will also find yourself well protected in the future, as better anti-spyware programs will include features that can prevent you from ever being infected at all. Some examples would be PC Tools Spyware Doctor 6.0, and Sunbelt CounterSpy 3.1, which are priced anywhere between $45 and $20.

A small investment can enable you to protect yourself against the rogue spyware program. The modern advanced tools are highly effective in removing the threats caused by the Personal Antivirus. Apart from this the advanced tools ensure that your computer is not affected by any other new kind of spyware program. So this is an added benefit from the advanced tools to safeguard your system against Internet threats. A little investment will provide you peace of mind, definitely.

By www.spywareremovaldoc.com

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Free Adware Removal Information

Ever notice that your computer has started running slowly? That web sites load slower and slower? It is probably due to some sneaky software that some website place on your computer without your permission or knowledge. It is called adware and spyware. Adware or advertising-supported software is a software program that automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer after the software is installed on it. Some types of adware are also spyware and can be classified as privacy-invasive software.

Adware removal programs are not very hard to find. But finding one that is truly no cost, provides current updates and is easy to use is a little more difficult. Sometimes you may click on a link that promises free adware removal programs, but you land on a site with programs that require more from you than you want to provide. You might only be able to try out the really free adware removal program for a very short time, like a few days, before you are required to purchase an expensive version of the program. A few days is usually not enough to find if you are comfortable with you adware removal program or not.

Fortunately for us, there are really no cost adware removal programs that are available for download on line. Really free adware removal programs are seldom available off-line, because it would be too expensive to distribute them. Be cautious when you choose a website from which to download a really free adware removal program, since there are a lot of dishonest sites offering bogus adware removal programs which really turn out to be adware themselves.

These phony programs are promoted energetically on the Internet, and many computer users are tricked into installing what they think is a protective and safe program. If you spend some time on line, you will probably sooner or later stumble over a banner ad that warns you about the dangers of adware and spyware. You can minimize the risk of downloading a fake adware removal program by only downloading really free adware removal programs from trustworthy web pages with a good reputation.

A well-written, well-updated and trusted program is Spybot Search and Destroy. This is an entirely free program, although they do ask for donations, and is updated often. It is very easy to install and does a thorough search of your system for all kinds of treacherous software website will attempt to install on your unsuspecting computer. It also has a feature for immunization which stops adware from being installed on your computer before it has a chance.

New forms of malicious spyware and adware are constantly being created and in order to protect your computer from invasions you must choose a high-quality protection program and keep it updated. Search and Destroy will help you battle these little demons.

By www.netjohn.com

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Windows 7 to 120 days without activation

With a simple command you can try Windows 7 without having to activate, for 120 days. Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 7 may be used, without any kind of problem, without activation up to 120 days after installation. This is not an absolute novelty, had already happened with Windows Vista. You can reset the counter for 30 days (time limit standard for the activation of copy) three times, with the command "slmgr-rearm" (quotes not included), written in the command prompt opened with Administrator privileges.
Windows 7 will be available from 22 October.

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Windows 7 RC, overview and features

Let's take a look at what has changed in the latest build of Windows 7.
Introduction
The release candidate of Windows 7 is available for some time, and you can download and use it until the first of June 2010 (but the first of May of that year will begin to reboot every two hours as a reminder of the deadline). The Build 7100, which is the current RC, will be available for download until July. The recommended requirements are a minimum of 1 GHz CPU, 1 GB RAM (2 GB for the XP mode, or systems with virtualized 64-bit), 16 GB hard disk space (30 GB to 20 GB and use XP virtualized for the 64-bit). If you want to risk it, you can do with fewer requirements.
Installation
The installation process, compared to the beta release, improved appearance, while keeping the color scheme and overall style. The images also show that we present the login and shutdown screens, and the one with the verification of hardware compatibility.
A new installation takes about 20 minutes, significant acceleration compared to Windows Vista. Upgrading a system with Windows Vista (the beta of Windows 7), however, takes about two hours, because it must also transfer files, applications and settings.
Desktop
The interface of Windows 7 with few changes. The icons in the taskbar are slightly smaller and more defined, while the Start Menu are brighter. Some icons, if necessary, will have a light of a bright yellow, a tool to call your attention with some flashing. As for the visual aspect, however, the biggest change concerns the new themes and backgrounds included with the RC: This is very evocative images, but also unusual, even strange. If you choose to try a theme, and then you decide to delete it, no longer need to manually delete it from the "My Themes". There are also more sound combinations available, and more icons to match the user accounts.
ALT + Tab
Windows 7 proposes an alternative view to the icons of open applications, appear with Alt + Tab If you stop on an icon without leaving the keys to make sure that what you want, preview it appears larger, like those of Aero Peek. It's a small change, but it greatly enhances the perceived simplicity of the operating system.
Aeropeek
The preview of the desktop is now officially called Aero Peek. Show all windows in transparency, facilitate the identification of icons and gadgets, and presents a new option, available with a right click, in the beta, in fact, move the mouse on the area next to the taskbar brings up a small preview window, which can be reduced with a click, but now with the right button you can choose to minimize the window or restore the size.
Jumplist
The release candidate includes a full version of IE8, which features a list of quick access to favorites and recent pages, and buttons to open a new tab or switch to private mode. This "jumpilist" is present in almost all the elements of Windows. Windows Media Player, for example, allows you to choose whether to use jumplist to play your favorite songs or those heard recently. This quick list is also present in PowerShell and Remote Desktop. The extension of the list is 10 items, but you can change through options in the Start Menu.

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