A new PC utility enables users to slim up there computer and cut down on all those programs you do not need which fills up disk space.
?Bloatware?, or software bloat, is a term that is used to describe the unnecessary features that are not being used but takes up valuable space on your computer. In the beginning, back in the 1970?s, every byte was accounted for because disk space was like gold not to be wasted. It seems in today's world the reverse is the normal: pack in the useless nonsense!
With all the new operating systems, browsers, protocols, and storage formats, no wonder your computer is fat and farting! For example, a program that once could only save in text format is now demanded to save in HTML, XML, XLS, CSV, PDF, DOC, and other formats.
In comes SlimComputer software from SlimWare Utilities, a useful tool that collects user ratings of programs that ship with that PC you ordered and aggregates them to make it easy to decide which ones to delete, and which ones to keep.
“As more users participate, we get more data. As we get more data, the better the ratings are,” said Chris Cope, CEO of Slimware, based in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Looking at these ratings, you might still be skeptical at whether or not certain programs are valuable or not. The tool will identify and remove programs that many users don’t want, like the free games that come with many PCs, and also list nonessential toolbars, startup items and shortcuts. Basically the SlimComputer eliminates all those annoying programs that take up all the space that you could be using to store all those ?movies?.
Why Is Bloatware Bad?
How does it feel to be bloated? Not good. That is what your computer feels, and it will go a lot slower than usual because it is too busy farting. Software companies often pay PC makers to include trial versions in the computer so you will get a nice variety of nothing!
This software can slow boot times, drag on performance, and take up disk space. Other examples of bloated software are trial productivity tools and accounting. So what can you do to get your PC up and running full speed?
With Slimware the main goal is to not interfere with important programs that are used to help the computer function properly. That would screw things up big time, no, what this program does is make it so that when you get a new computer or have an existing one, based on user ratings of how important a program is you can decide for yourself which ones to get rid of.
This is a valuable tool in this day and age of endless content that never ceases to fill up your screen with useless nonsense. Get rid of all that crap with slimware.
Microsoft, iTunes, and other applications like NERO burning ROM have been accused of being bloated. They come with all sorts of ridiculous add-ons and downloads that look great, but actually are just there to slow you down.
Here is a tip: if you feel your computer is bloated and is not as fast as you would like? Instead of buying a new expensive Sony laptop, download this free program and see how much money you can save by freeing up space.
Have an iPad and Carbonite online backup service from Computer Geeks? Now you can access the files you’ve backed up from your desktop on your iPad with the free Carbonite app! This is great for the person who is on a business trip to New York and needs a file on their computer, but lives in Boston. Have no fear! It doesn’t matter if your in Houston, Dallas, Washington DC or even Philadelphia or Phoenix, you can access your information as long as you are connected to a signal!
Carbonite keeps secure copies of your files on their servers in case of hardware failure or other data loss. It’s completely automated and secure, and could save you thousands in data recovery costs. The new iPad app adds the ability to access your backed up files from anywhere in the world with your iPad. Your Computer Geeks tech can help you purchase and configure Carbonite service for your laptop or desktop computer to make sure all of your files are protected and available on the go.
To learn more about this, give us a call at 800-433-5435 or send us an email [email protected] . We look forward to hearing from you!
If you are a Mac user becoming frustrated by the rapidly depleting space on your hard drive, puzzled by just what?s occupying what was once available, this free application will give you some of the answers you?ve sought.
It?s called OmniDiskSweeper, and it quickly provides users a detailed rundown on what?s sitting on your hard drive, with a simple delineation of the exact files residing in your folders.
When starting OmniDiskSweeper, you?re prompted to select the drive you wish to review. Upon completion of the scan, you?re presented with an easily interpretable list of every folder on that drive, with their respective size defined by a color coding scheme. Using this tool, you can manage each folder, deleting files to your choosing. After each deletion, OmniDiskSweeper recalculates the available space on your computer.
This is a great tool to keep available when you think you might want to try your hand at optimizing your Mac. It?s easy to use, fast, and an excellent means of regaining all of the space that?s dwindled on your hard drive. ?It?s also free, an added plus that very few of us can ignore.
This is only for Macs, and it can be obtained here.
Need help in with your Computer Repair Boston? We can help give us a call at 617-262-2626
The Blue Screen of Death is one of the most common errors you can encounter on a computer running the Microsoft Windows operating system. Unfortunately, this is also one of the most severe. The frustrating part about the menacing blue screen is that it could point to a number of different problems. Fortunately, these messages include stop error codes that are useful in troubleshooting the error, as is the case with the “Inaccessible Boot Device” stop error.
Inaccessible Boot Device: Common Causes
The inaccessible boot device message represents a blue screen error that has been known to wreak havoc on Windows computers. This particular error has several causes; however, it is typically associated with hardware upgrades and operating system reinstallations. Other common culprits include:
- A boot sector infection caused by a virus.
- Corruption in the Windows registry.
- Corrupted sectors on the hard drive.
- A failed motherboard upgrade.
- Faulty or improperly connected hard drive cable.
- A power surge or outage.
- Physical damage to the hard disk drive.
How to Stop Inaccessible Boot Device Error
Many recommend that you perform a reinstallation of Windows when encountering an inaccessible boot device error. This resolution usually works but there is one big problem: it will erase all of your data.
You should only proceed with this step when you are absolutely sure that you can do without the information contained on the drive. If you perform regular backups of your data, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, you should know that there is always a risk that your data will not be recovered after a drive is either reformatted or receives a fresh Windows installation. If you are not a tech Computer Geeks ALWAYS recommends that you contact us FIRST.
When the Hard Drive Fails
If you suspect that the inaccessible boot device blue screen error is due to a hard drive failure, the most important thing you should know is that there is no need to panic. Even if this is the case, there is still a good chance that the data on the hard drive can be recovered. The first step to troubleshooting this is making sure your hard drive cables are properly connected. After doing so, you can try one of the following methods.
Disconnect the hard drive, reconnect it and try booting the machine again. If you are still presented with the inaccessible boot device error and you have another PC on the network, disconnect your hard drive from the affected machine, and then install it as the slave drive on another computer.
After booting up the alternate PC and reaching the Windows desktop, you should then be able to determine whether the hard drive is working. If it is, the drive should be detected as the drive letter “D” (i.e., if the master drive is “C”).
If it is not detected, it is very likely that your hard drive has failed. If you reach this point, I?m afraid your next course of action should be to utilize a software solution to try to recover your data, seek the aid of a professional technician or install a new hard drive altogether.
If you?re a user of Microsoft?s most recent operating systems ?XP, Vista, and the recently unveiled Windows 7 ? you may want to heed the latest warnings about new ?Microsoft Security updates released. According to reports, these recent security updates may be what?s precipitating a spate of system crashes that render the computer a lifeless black screen. Coming by way of PrevX, a UK based security company, users of its security software began complaining of the problem last week. It would seem that Microsoft made significant changes to the ACL (Access Control List), which contains permissions for user accounts. This list of permissions communicates with the registry keys, making observable changes to the desktop such as the addition of a sidebar. Unintentionally, however, the recent Microsoft security patches are amending those registry keys. As a result, being unaware of those registry changes, a number of applications are responding with confusion ? explaining the black screens during their use. We should note that those applications which seem? most affected are security programs. For those affected by this problem, PrevX has released a patch that would seem to correct the issue, bringing the registry in line with the ACL settings introduced by the security updates. Not everyone is being affected by this problem, but if you feel as if you?re one of those unlucky users who recently suffered a black screen that may be tied to your recent download of Microsoft security updates, PrevX has released a free fix that can be downloaded here. If you continue to experience problems, always feel free to give us a call.
At Computer Geeks, we pride ourselves on being the #1 solution to your troubleshooting needs, servicing customers the nation over with our signature brand of exemplary customer service and peerless technical expertise. While our job is to assist you, we also love to keep the public informed, offering them tips that they can use when having any questions about their systems.
If your computer begins experiencing problems, resulting in error messages and the occasional system crash, the source could be any number of issues. Without some idea of what?s occurring, you?re left in the dark, with no solution to your issue.
Windows Surface Scanner is a helpful utility that might shed light on where the problems are originating. Completely free, this tool inspects your hard drive, locating any physical errors that exist. We should note that this is not a repair tool, being only a means of diagnosing what might be causing your frustration.
If problems are uncovered and you?re unclear on how to proceed, we’re here to help.
