Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Windows 7 Beta
The Windows 7 Beta has been released to the public, it weighs in at 2.44 GB and is downloading as we speak. You can get your hands on a copy at: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx
Dell's "temprature probe has exceeded a non-critical threshold" message
Today I got a call from a user who was receiving a message that read:
"A temperature probe has exceeded a non-critical threshold..."
This message, according to Dell means that either the heat sink [on the CPU] has come loose or a fan is not working correctly.
This issue might be easy to resolve for many users by simply blowing into the fan vents, this could dislodge any dirt that is blocking the fan, which is the most likely issue. If not, you may need to remove the cover and use a can of compressed air or a PC vac to clean out the inside of the computer (remember to unplug the system first!).
If it is a heat sink, you can reattach it with some glue from a PC parts store.
Running the Dell diagnostics will help you to determine which part is not working correctly and lead you to the next step you should take (either cleaning or replacing the fan or fixing the heat sink).
"A temperature probe has exceeded a non-critical threshold..."
This message, according to Dell means that either the heat sink [on the CPU] has come loose or a fan is not working correctly.
This issue might be easy to resolve for many users by simply blowing into the fan vents, this could dislodge any dirt that is blocking the fan, which is the most likely issue. If not, you may need to remove the cover and use a can of compressed air or a PC vac to clean out the inside of the computer (remember to unplug the system first!).
If it is a heat sink, you can reattach it with some glue from a PC parts store.
Running the Dell diagnostics will help you to determine which part is not working correctly and lead you to the next step you should take (either cleaning or replacing the fan or fixing the heat sink).
Friday, December 12, 2008
Finding the brains of a computer.
In today's society we tend to try and humanize everything. We gave the tin man a heart because we were afraid of a robot without compassion, we assign human emotions to our pets, and we have even given the computer "a brain!"
If you read articles or books that are an introduction to computing you will commonly find a reference to the CPU as the brains of a computer; but is this really a valid comparison?
If we think about what the brain does, even one inside an ant, it is able to receive data, store that data, determine the best course of action based on previous data (or make an assumption or "best guess" when there is no previous data) and set about the body to perform the needed action. The brain handles so many different functions that we do not even understand how it really works (which is the reason we have so many different medications for emotional and mental problems).
The CPU on the other hand, does one thing and does it well. It performs calculations on information and returns that to the software that requested the CPU get involved.
Now there is no doubt that the CPU does emulate one of the thousands of functions the brain does, hell, the CPU is usually a lot faster than the brain at this one specific task; but that is it. The CPU simply cannot do everything the brain does.
On the other hand, the entire PC does perform most of the functions that the brain does from storing information in short term (RAM) and long term (hard drive) memory to receiving input signals (5 senses vs. keyboard, scanner, mouse, etc) and returning output (vocal or body language vs. monitor, printer, etc).
Even in computers running artificial intelligence software it is the software that emulates thinking not the CPU, still this software is governed by a very simple set of rules while the brain allows us to bend or break the rules that have been applied to us the computer will most often obey the laws it has been given. (If we ignore Chaos theory and errors, the computer will always obey). Three Laws Safe!
The day the CPU becomes the brains of the computer is probably the last day any of us want to see given the results of 2001, Terminator, or I Robot. Until that day the only brain that we will find involved with a computer is the one stored comfortably between the ears of the person at the keyboard!
If you read articles or books that are an introduction to computing you will commonly find a reference to the CPU as the brains of a computer; but is this really a valid comparison?
If we think about what the brain does, even one inside an ant, it is able to receive data, store that data, determine the best course of action based on previous data (or make an assumption or "best guess" when there is no previous data) and set about the body to perform the needed action. The brain handles so many different functions that we do not even understand how it really works (which is the reason we have so many different medications for emotional and mental problems).
The CPU on the other hand, does one thing and does it well. It performs calculations on information and returns that to the software that requested the CPU get involved.
Now there is no doubt that the CPU does emulate one of the thousands of functions the brain does, hell, the CPU is usually a lot faster than the brain at this one specific task; but that is it. The CPU simply cannot do everything the brain does.
On the other hand, the entire PC does perform most of the functions that the brain does from storing information in short term (RAM) and long term (hard drive) memory to receiving input signals (5 senses vs. keyboard, scanner, mouse, etc) and returning output (vocal or body language vs. monitor, printer, etc).
Even in computers running artificial intelligence software it is the software that emulates thinking not the CPU, still this software is governed by a very simple set of rules while the brain allows us to bend or break the rules that have been applied to us the computer will most often obey the laws it has been given. (If we ignore Chaos theory and errors, the computer will always obey). Three Laws Safe!
The day the CPU becomes the brains of the computer is probably the last day any of us want to see given the results of 2001, Terminator, or I Robot. Until that day the only brain that we will find involved with a computer is the one stored comfortably between the ears of the person at the keyboard!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Log Me In!
One of the greatest little tools out there is the ability to access remote desktops via the Internet. There are several programs out there that can do this such as Gotomypc.com and VNC. One of my favorites is logmein.com. Why is it my favorite? It uses codes that the remote desktop user must provide for remote access and it is free! VNC is great too, but it can be accessed by anyone if it is on and they know the password. Using logmein.com can be a secure way to get where you need to be (assuming someone is on the other end).
Perfect for those IT people who's moms keep calling for help!
Perfect for those IT people who's moms keep calling for help!
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Today I must post!
According to my calendar it says that Wednesday is the day I should post to this blog, now I've been ignoring that for a long time, but figured I'd get this out there and pick on Microsoft a little bit...
We decided that we needed to move from Lotus Domino to Microsoft Exchange, I guess we can save a little money that way (and the iphone the CIO just got only syncs with Outlook).
Anyway, while following Microsoft's excellent instructions (which you can find all over the Internet) to connect Domino and Exchange together so that people on both sides can look up the calendars of the others and the mail users are synced between the two systems.
The mail routes through SMTP so there is no longer a connector there. Which solves some of the horrors of the migration.
Anyway, after following the steps to the letter we were able to sync the users but along the way we had to fight through issues involving security settings. Those are easily solved by checking the event log, so no big deal.
The snag we hit was when we tried to get the calendar to sync. It was easy enough to get the Exchange server to see the Domino side but the Domino side just refused to look into the Exchange world. There were no errors being displayed anywhere and the Internet didn't offer any suggestions. I knew it I called Microsoft they would send me to Lotus and if I called Lotus they would send me to Microsoft so I was stuck in the middle of this mess.
It wasn't until I finally found a person on the Internet that had the very same issue and this has driven me to post the same information for others to find (if they are unlucky enough to have the same issue).
On the Domino server that you set up to do the calendar sync you have to install a program called the Exchange Calendar Connector. This runs as a task on the Domino server and according to Exchange the command is:
load excalcon Exchange
While the command you should use is:
load excalcon
If you follow the Microsoft instructions it will be:
load excalcon ExchFreeBusy
Once you do that, the systems should sync up and you can see the busy times on either side.
This does not allow you to see the details of the calendar though, that is only accomplished by people on Domino accessing Domino calendars and Exchange users accessing Exchange calendars.
We decided that we needed to move from Lotus Domino to Microsoft Exchange, I guess we can save a little money that way (and the iphone the CIO just got only syncs with Outlook).
Anyway, while following Microsoft's excellent instructions (which you can find all over the Internet) to connect Domino and Exchange together so that people on both sides can look up the calendars of the others and the mail users are synced between the two systems.
The mail routes through SMTP so there is no longer a connector there. Which solves some of the horrors of the migration.
Anyway, after following the steps to the letter we were able to sync the users but along the way we had to fight through issues involving security settings. Those are easily solved by checking the event log, so no big deal.
The snag we hit was when we tried to get the calendar to sync. It was easy enough to get the Exchange server to see the Domino side but the Domino side just refused to look into the Exchange world. There were no errors being displayed anywhere and the Internet didn't offer any suggestions. I knew it I called Microsoft they would send me to Lotus and if I called Lotus they would send me to Microsoft so I was stuck in the middle of this mess.
It wasn't until I finally found a person on the Internet that had the very same issue and this has driven me to post the same information for others to find (if they are unlucky enough to have the same issue).
On the Domino server that you set up to do the calendar sync you have to install a program called the Exchange Calendar Connector. This runs as a task on the Domino server and according to Exchange the command is:
load excalcon
While the command you should use is:
load excalcon
If you follow the Microsoft instructions it will be:
load excalcon
Once you do that, the systems should sync up and you can see the busy times on either side.
This does not allow you to see the details of the calendar though, that is only accomplished by people on Domino accessing Domino calendars and Exchange users accessing Exchange calendars.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Windows 7
Microsoft has let it slip that the next version of Windows will be spurned fourth on the world in 2010. The good news is that 2 years before its release it is already better than Vista!
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/86646
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/86646
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Syncronize Contacts in Lotus Notes 8
For the longest time we have been trying to figure out how to get the word "disabled" to go away on the replication page in Lotus Notes 8 for the contacts to sync between the web access and the local file.
We found the issue today...
Under File -> Preferences -> Contacts there is a settings that reads Enable "Synchroize Contacts" on the Replicator that needs to be enabled. We found that setting several weeks ago and enabled it yet the system still said "disabled" on the replication tab.
So today we found the same setting (thanks to notes.net) under the More -> Preferences button in the Contacts database. That setting also has to be checked. It seems that there is a bug in the two linking up.
Anyway, once we checked both the disabled disappeared from the replication tab and the contacts synced up.
So there ya go!
We found the issue today...
Under File -> Preferences -> Contacts there is a settings that reads Enable "Synchroize Contacts" on the Replicator that needs to be enabled. We found that setting several weeks ago and enabled it yet the system still said "disabled" on the replication tab.
So today we found the same setting (thanks to notes.net) under the More -> Preferences button in the Contacts database. That setting also has to be checked. It seems that there is a bug in the two linking up.
Anyway, once we checked both the disabled disappeared from the replication tab and the contacts synced up.
So there ya go!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Friday, December 28, 2007
Download your favorite Youtube!
An online service at http://www.vixy.net allows you to download any video on YouTube. You simply need to enter the URL of the video page into the Vixy service, tell it what kind of file you would like and then send it on its way.
Although this process has worked well in tests for me there is one side effect that I have noticed. Files downloaded to an mp3 format result in the file thinking it is 30+ minutes long. The good news is it plays correctly in iTunes and Windows Media Player so no worries!
So check the site out.
Although this process has worked well in tests for me there is one side effect that I have noticed. Files downloaded to an mp3 format result in the file thinking it is 30+ minutes long. The good news is it plays correctly in iTunes and Windows Media Player so no worries!
So check the site out.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Screenshot How To!
Hello again trusty Internet users!
I asked a someone to send me a screenshot the other day and they said "How do I do that?" So I told them. After I told them they said "How do I do that?" So I told them again.
Here is a handy guide on how to take screenshots:
The first and only step in taking a screenshot is to press the "Prnt Scrn" or Print Screen button on your PC. Taking a screenshot on a Mac is quite different and I am sure Googling "Mac screenshot" will be of great use!
After you have pressed the "Prnt Scrn" button an image of what your screen looks like will be stored in Window's clipboard ready to be pasted into any application that will accept it. These applications can include Microsoft Paint (from your start menu --> Accessories) or Microsoft Word.
My favorite is Microsoft Word because I can quickly type in a some notes and details and send them to just about anyone. So, to paste your image into Microsoft Word follow these steps:
Open Microsoft Word
Click Edit
Click Paste
If you do not want to click Edit then Paste you can press "Ctrl-V" on your keyboard and be done with it.
This will paste the contents of the clipboard (which should be the image of your screen) into Microsoft Word.
"Advanced Screenshot"
You can take a screenshot of just the application you are working in by using the "Alt-Prnt Scrn" combination of keys. This will store an image of just the program that you are in. For example, if you have an error message on your screen you can click on that message and then press the "Alt" and "Prnt Scrn" keys to capture just that error window in the screenshot.
There are also plenty of free programs out there to assist you in taking even more "advanced" screenshots such as Screenhunter or to capture video of your desktop you can use FRAPS or Quick Screen Recorder.
I asked a someone to send me a screenshot the other day and they said "How do I do that?" So I told them. After I told them they said "How do I do that?" So I told them again.
Here is a handy guide on how to take screenshots:
The first and only step in taking a screenshot is to press the "Prnt Scrn" or Print Screen button on your PC. Taking a screenshot on a Mac is quite different and I am sure Googling "Mac screenshot" will be of great use!
After you have pressed the "Prnt Scrn" button an image of what your screen looks like will be stored in Window's clipboard ready to be pasted into any application that will accept it. These applications can include Microsoft Paint (from your start menu --> Accessories) or Microsoft Word.
My favorite is Microsoft Word because I can quickly type in a some notes and details and send them to just about anyone. So, to paste your image into Microsoft Word follow these steps:
Open Microsoft Word
Click Edit
Click Paste
If you do not want to click Edit then Paste you can press "Ctrl-V" on your keyboard and be done with it.
This will paste the contents of the clipboard (which should be the image of your screen) into Microsoft Word.
"Advanced Screenshot"
You can take a screenshot of just the application you are working in by using the "Alt-Prnt Scrn" combination of keys. This will store an image of just the program that you are in. For example, if you have an error message on your screen you can click on that message and then press the "Alt" and "Prnt Scrn" keys to capture just that error window in the screenshot.
There are also plenty of free programs out there to assist you in taking even more "advanced" screenshots such as Screenhunter or to capture video of your desktop you can use FRAPS or Quick Screen Recorder.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Online Drives
If you are like me and you know that you are, you have a lot of pictures, music, and other data stored on your computer.
What if that computer is stolen or the hard drive crashes? Don't think it will happen to you? Well, one day it will so it is best to be prepared!
There are several things you can do to protect your data but possibly the easiest and cheapest way is to get yourself some online storage.
Companies like iDrive (http://www.idrive.com) and xDrive (http://www.xdrive.com) offer online storage. xDrive offers a free 5gb service and while iDrive does offer a free 2gb service their best offer is the unlimited storage for fifty dollars a month.
Online storage gives you a lot of options in protecting your data. Everything from manually copying files to automated backup. The disadvantage of the online backup? It is online! Someone might get into your files. If this is a concern you can always get an external hard drive and attach it to your computer or your network.
An external drive attached to your network can give you several hundred gigs of storage that is accessible from multiple computers.
The key here is making sure you have a way to backup and protect your data. When your iTunes music is gone... its gone!
What if that computer is stolen or the hard drive crashes? Don't think it will happen to you? Well, one day it will so it is best to be prepared!
There are several things you can do to protect your data but possibly the easiest and cheapest way is to get yourself some online storage.
Companies like iDrive (http://www.idrive.com) and xDrive (http://www.xdrive.com) offer online storage. xDrive offers a free 5gb service and while iDrive does offer a free 2gb service their best offer is the unlimited storage for fifty dollars a month.
Online storage gives you a lot of options in protecting your data. Everything from manually copying files to automated backup. The disadvantage of the online backup? It is online! Someone might get into your files. If this is a concern you can always get an external hard drive and attach it to your computer or your network.
An external drive attached to your network can give you several hundred gigs of storage that is accessible from multiple computers.
The key here is making sure you have a way to backup and protect your data. When your iTunes music is gone... its gone!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Adding flash to your Blogger page
I spent some time looking around for ways to add flash to your blogger site and all of the ways I saw didn't really work out for me so I found this handly little work around using iframes.
You can enter this code:
{iframe src="http://wwwyoursite.com/pagewithyourflashmovie.html" frameborder="0" width="400" height="120"}Your browser doesn't support iframes, get your act together!{/iframe}
(Change { to < and } to >)
This requires that you:
1) Have an html page that has the code for your flash movie on it
2) Have the html page and your flash movie stored somplace on the Internet
3) That you change the info above to fit your movie size and name
Here is an example:
You can enter this code:
{iframe src="http://wwwyoursite.com/pagewithyourflashmovie.html" frameborder="0" width="400" height="120"}Your browser doesn't support iframes, get your act together!{/iframe}
(Change { to < and } to >)
This requires that you:
1) Have an html page that has the code for your flash movie on it
2) Have the html page and your flash movie stored somplace on the Internet
3) That you change the info above to fit your movie size and name
Here is an example:
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Raid 200010320938 + What?!?!
We all know that Raid is good for getting rid of bugs but what the heck is it in a computer?!? Check out this tutorial.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Turn your car into a solor generator
Now you can take parts from your old car (doesn't everyone have a few spare cars around) and make a solar generator...
Check it out: http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17169&ch=biztech&a=f
Check it out: http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17169&ch=biztech&a=f
Turn your car into a solor generator
Now you can take parts from your old car (doesn't everyone have a few spare cars around) and make a solar generator...
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Build a solar powered generator
Although it is not really a generator (just a solar recharged battery) this project is rather cool.
http://www.rain.org/~philfear/how2solar.html
http://www.rain.org/~philfear/how2solar.html
Play vs Girl
There is a long running thread (actualy threads) here that discusses the age old question of "My girlfriend said 'Your 360 or me!' what do I do?"
My favorite answer:
honestly?? who cares about a girlfriend these days?? hookers are much cheaper and they don`t ask question about your weird fetish… me? I`d only consider to take the girl over the x, if I can definitely say I had more fun with her than with the x so far… and no I am not referrin`to the sexual content of the relationship… problem that I see for the girls and the human population would be if men realize they can have just as much fun without a girl… that would be against natures plan… however lucky humans, there are enough males out there fucking everything remotely human just to spread their genes so no problem there…
My favorite answer:
honestly?? who cares about a girlfriend these days?? hookers are much cheaper and they don`t ask question about your weird fetish… me? I`d only consider to take the girl over the x, if I can definitely say I had more fun with her than with the x so far… and no I am not referrin`to the sexual content of the relationship… problem that I see for the girls and the human population would be if men realize they can have just as much fun without a girl… that would be against natures plan… however lucky humans, there are enough males out there fucking everything remotely human just to spread their genes so no problem there…
Feeling lost, alone, cell phone need a charge? Let Hello Kitty Save the Day! (or: Another Use for a Pussy)
Across the sea in everyone's favorite target for Godzilla sits a group of people who for no reason have decided Hello Kitty should adorn everything they use. While I must agree that Hello Kitty panties are sexy and fun do we really want future generations to wonder why the cat has made a comeback after all these years away (see early human history, Egypt).
Well, I for one am willing to stand up and shout, "Who cares what they think!" This Hello Kitty Emergency Device (which runs on a hand crank or 9 volt batter) is just too dead sexy cute to pass up. It has a radio, flashlight, and can charge your cell phone. Great stuff!
Check out Hello Kitty Hell for more details.
So, the next time Godzilla attacks you can be prepared with your Hello Kitty Emergency Device.
Well, I for one am willing to stand up and shout, "Who cares what they think!" This Hello Kitty Emergency Device (which runs on a hand crank or 9 volt batter) is just too dead sexy cute to pass up. It has a radio, flashlight, and can charge your cell phone. Great stuff!
Check out Hello Kitty Hell for more details.
So, the next time Godzilla attacks you can be prepared with your Hello Kitty Emergency Device.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Keep your operating system & PC in peak condition
A lot of people remember that their bodies need exercise (even if they do not provide it) but few people think about their PC needing care as well.
Over time your computer can become loaded down with temporary files (which are created basically any time you use a program), log files, old programs, and files that have been scattered across the hard drive.
There are several things you can do to help keep your PC running strong including:
1) Keep your PC virus free. A lot of PCs become infected with viruses. Make sure to have an anti-virus software installed on your machine and keep the virus definitions up to date. Your Internet Service Provider probably has a free anti-virus software you can get or you can go to Google and type in "Free Anti-Virus" and see what you get. I personally recommend getting Symantec’s product and paying for the service.
2) Keep your registry clean, there are several free programs including RegSeeker and CCleaner that do an excellent job of cleaning the registry. This process is important because your registry can get loaded down with information that was valid once but has become outdated or the programs have been removed. Keeping your registry clean allows the system to process through the file faster allowing the overall performance of the PC to be faster as well.
3) Take care of your hard drive. A full hard drive can slow your machine down (although not nearly as much as other things will). Try and delete files that you do not need anymore and remove old programs that you are not using. Also make sure to scan and defrag your hard drive at least once every two months or so. You can do this by going to "My Computer" and then right clicking on your hard drive and selecting properties. From there select the tools tab and select error-checking to scan the drive and defragmentation to defrag the drive. When selecting error-checking make sure to place a checkmark in all the boxes and that will do a low level scan of your hard drive. Both of these options take a while so run them right before you go to bed or when you’re not going to use your PC for a while. You can also use the clean up button on the first tab to clean out a lot of temporary files which can really fill up your drive over time.
4) Keep your PC free of spy/ad/mal-ware. These little nasty programs come attached to fun programs that you download off the Internet or you get them from visiting web sites. Get yourself a copy of ad-aware or another anti-spyware software. There are many out there that are free and easy to use. Again make sure you keep the definitions up to date and scan your computer every few weeks. This software can take a PC from super machine to tinker-toy in just a few hours so keep it off your computer! If your wondering what type of software includes this little added bonus the answer is: music/software sharing programs like Limewire, screensaver software, and games you download from the Internet are just a few of the programs that carry along little extras that watch what you do and transmit information back to their creators.
5) Fdisk, reformat, and reinstall Windows. This process takes quite a while and you have to make sure you have all the drivers you will need (or at least the network / modem drivers so you can get on the Internet to get the rest of the drivers later). A lot of people never rebuild their PCs. I try to rebuild mine at least a few times a year. Think of your PC like a blackboard. No matter how much you wipe it off you still see the old marks. However you can resurface it (or have it professionally cleaned in the case of the chalkboard) and start fresh.
6) Add more RAM, an external hard drive, or a new video card. A lot of things can be improved by adding some more RAM (up to a point), adding an external hard drive allows you to store your files on a separate drive then the operating system which helps to keep that drive clean, and upgrading your video card can really improve the performance of a PC if it helps to remove some of the work from the CPU and move it to the video card. You will probably get a greatly improved picture as well.
These are some "easy" and not so easy ways to keep your PC running "like new" and speaking of like new it is always a good idea to remove as much of the pre-installed software as you can. You’re not going to use most of it so why keep it there?
Another hint is to not install the software your DSL/Cable provider gives you for connecting to their network. Get yourself a router instead. It will handle all the work of connecting for you and you do not have to install another program onto your computer (because adding another program slows your PC down that much more when it is running).
So get back out there, keep your nose and your PC clean and have some fun!
Over time your computer can become loaded down with temporary files (which are created basically any time you use a program), log files, old programs, and files that have been scattered across the hard drive.
There are several things you can do to help keep your PC running strong including:
1) Keep your PC virus free. A lot of PCs become infected with viruses. Make sure to have an anti-virus software installed on your machine and keep the virus definitions up to date. Your Internet Service Provider probably has a free anti-virus software you can get or you can go to Google and type in "Free Anti-Virus" and see what you get. I personally recommend getting Symantec’s product and paying for the service.
2) Keep your registry clean, there are several free programs including RegSeeker and CCleaner that do an excellent job of cleaning the registry. This process is important because your registry can get loaded down with information that was valid once but has become outdated or the programs have been removed. Keeping your registry clean allows the system to process through the file faster allowing the overall performance of the PC to be faster as well.
3) Take care of your hard drive. A full hard drive can slow your machine down (although not nearly as much as other things will). Try and delete files that you do not need anymore and remove old programs that you are not using. Also make sure to scan and defrag your hard drive at least once every two months or so. You can do this by going to "My Computer" and then right clicking on your hard drive and selecting properties. From there select the tools tab and select error-checking to scan the drive and defragmentation to defrag the drive. When selecting error-checking make sure to place a checkmark in all the boxes and that will do a low level scan of your hard drive. Both of these options take a while so run them right before you go to bed or when you’re not going to use your PC for a while. You can also use the clean up button on the first tab to clean out a lot of temporary files which can really fill up your drive over time.
4) Keep your PC free of spy/ad/mal-ware. These little nasty programs come attached to fun programs that you download off the Internet or you get them from visiting web sites. Get yourself a copy of ad-aware or another anti-spyware software. There are many out there that are free and easy to use. Again make sure you keep the definitions up to date and scan your computer every few weeks. This software can take a PC from super machine to tinker-toy in just a few hours so keep it off your computer! If your wondering what type of software includes this little added bonus the answer is: music/software sharing programs like Limewire, screensaver software, and games you download from the Internet are just a few of the programs that carry along little extras that watch what you do and transmit information back to their creators.
5) Fdisk, reformat, and reinstall Windows. This process takes quite a while and you have to make sure you have all the drivers you will need (or at least the network / modem drivers so you can get on the Internet to get the rest of the drivers later). A lot of people never rebuild their PCs. I try to rebuild mine at least a few times a year. Think of your PC like a blackboard. No matter how much you wipe it off you still see the old marks. However you can resurface it (or have it professionally cleaned in the case of the chalkboard) and start fresh.
6) Add more RAM, an external hard drive, or a new video card. A lot of things can be improved by adding some more RAM (up to a point), adding an external hard drive allows you to store your files on a separate drive then the operating system which helps to keep that drive clean, and upgrading your video card can really improve the performance of a PC if it helps to remove some of the work from the CPU and move it to the video card. You will probably get a greatly improved picture as well.
These are some "easy" and not so easy ways to keep your PC running "like new" and speaking of like new it is always a good idea to remove as much of the pre-installed software as you can. You’re not going to use most of it so why keep it there?
Another hint is to not install the software your DSL/Cable provider gives you for connecting to their network. Get yourself a router instead. It will handle all the work of connecting for you and you do not have to install another program onto your computer (because adding another program slows your PC down that much more when it is running).
So get back out there, keep your nose and your PC clean and have some fun!
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