I receive tons of “computer questions” from my friends, family members and associates, and an interesting one that pops up from time to time concerns moving a legal copy of the Windows operating system from one computer to another. Typically, they want to move a newer version of Windows from a PC that has died onto one that still works fine but is running an older version of Windows. There are a couple of things that determine whether or not you can move an existing Windows license to a new machine:

1 – Is this version of Windows OEM or Retail?

Did the copy of Windows you’re wanting to move to another PC come pre-installed on the old computer or did you purchase it seperately in a retail box? Most off-the-shelf computers these days come with an OEM (ie. Original Equipment Manufacturer) version of Windows pre-installed on the hard drive. OEM copies of Windows cannot be legally transferred to a different computer. Period. End of story. [Read more…]

If you’ve been surfing the web on a Windows machine for any length of time you are surely familiar with all the problems associated with system crashes and viruses, not to mention a sluggish Internet experience. Well, there is an easy and inexpensive (as in FREE) way to avoid those problems and make your web browser work faster and smoother to boot! All you have to do is give Windows the ole heave-ho and install Linux!

The Linux operating system has been around for years. In fact, you probably don’t know it but you already use it virtually every time you get on the Internet because the majority of websites in existance today run on Linux-based servers. The reasons for that are many, but the most important ones are its speed and security. Linux is a very well written and extremely efficient operating system that is quite good at utilizing a server’s hardware resources. And while a Linux system isn’t immune to viruses, they simply aren’t an issue like they are with Windows based machines. [Read more…]

“Can I use your computer to check my email?” asks the houseguest so sweetly. “I’ll only be a few minutes,” she says.

How many times has this request sent shivers up your spine? Home technology has been engrained in our culture for decades, and with it, the etiquette has done its best to catch up.

However, ways to deal with this particular quandary have woefully lagged behind.

Houseguests using your computer: Why is it a problem?

The houseguest (probably self-invited) who utters this request most likely thinks it’s your problem. And it is.

Chances are, your guest will never just be a few minutes. They will sit at your computer, no doubt with a hot beverage near the keyboard, pester you with annoying questions because their computer back home is “different” (it most likely has another operating platform,) and when their few minutes has turned into an hour, you find your configuration settings have been changed! [Read more…]

Like many Windows 7 users, perhaps you have been looking for the File menu that is normally located at the top of the window when you double click on “Computer”. Well, it’s there – but it’s hidden.

Bringing the File menu back into view is quite easy however – simply press the “Alt” key on your keyboard. And if you want it to remain in view forever, follow these steps:

1 – Press “Alt” to display the Menu bar if it isn’t displayed already.

2 – Click “Tools”

3 – “Folder Options”

4 – Click “View”

[Read more…]

The long-awaited Google Chromebook has finally stepped out of the ether and onto store shelves. A variety of models from Acer and Samsung ranging in price from $379.99 to $499.99 are now available for immediate purchase at Best Buy and Amazon.

Designed primarily for use with the Internet, the Chromebook also features a few limited offline capabilities. But make no mistake about it, this netbook replacement works best as a device for browsing the web. Of course that isn’t necessarily a bad thing given all the goodies such as Google Docs, Gmail, and the plethora of other online applications that populate the web these days.

[Read more…]