WinDirStat can help you find out where and how you’re using the most drive space quickly and visually.  when you first select a harddrive to inspect WinDirStat will do some calculating and number crunching.  If you have lots and lots of small files in many directories this process (and any other that indexes directories) can take significantly longer to complete, though on my own modest computer with a nearly full 300 GB drive this process took only about 30 seconds.  When WinDirStat is finished indexing your drive, you will presented with a unique view of your drive contents with larger blocks representing directories that take up more space.  The same analogy is used with large versus small files within directories.  It’s very quick and intuitive to see whats what and weed out the space wasters this way.  Have a look at the video below where we give a brief overview of how it works.  It’s one of those programs that are easier to use than to explain!

Thanks for watching,
We hope you’ll enjoy using it as much as we do.

Once you are here, you can copy all of your user data by simply copying your username folder to a USB disk or flash drive with sufficient space available.  You can check your space requirements by right clicking on the users folder and choosing properties.  The dialog shown will let you know how big your backup disk needs to be.

Do the same for your intended backup drive to see how much space is available.

In the example shown you will notice the free drive space will not be sufficient to hold the entire contents of the users data directory.  If this is the case you will need to be more selective by going into the user folder and choosing individual folders such as My Pictures or My documents to copy.  The same process applies to find out if these folders will fit.

Now our sizes work and we will be able to back up those irreplaceable family photos!

Malwarebytes.org
Or here
Download.Cnet.com

After you download it, installing and running Malwarebytes is about as simple as it gets.  After installation you will have the option to run a quick scan or a full scan.  It is the (our) preferred method to run the quick scan, and if malware is found and eliminated, run the full scan after a reboot.
Of course, if the nunchucks don’t work, check here for our current specials!

PDFCreator is a handy tool that requires nothing more than a printable file. It doesn’t matter if it’s a word document, an excel file, a picture, etc… PDFCreator covers them all and then some. To get started follow the directions below.

1. Download PDF Creator (currently at version 1.2.3) from pdfforge.com
2. Install PDF Creator, leaving the Defaults (I opted out of setting Yahoo! as my default search engine as I prefer Google, you may also want to opt out of the toolbar as well… If you decide you want to remove it later refer to the Quick Fix article “How do I remove IE Toolbars?“)
3. Print your file and select the newly created “PDFCreator” listed under “Select Printer”

Wait! Before you hit save…

there’s something you can do to make things easier right now..

take a look and see where the file is being saved..

but wait, there’s more..

If we click the down arrow you will see the FULL path where the file is being saved.  Of course these are all things that COULD have been done, but we already have that refill in hand don’t we..

Well, the answer is already in front of us.  The save location will default to the last location we actually saved something to.  So all we need to do is begin to download another file, anything will do, and perform the above step to find out where it will go.  Just cancel the download and browse to the location we just took note of, and viola! there sits the long lost, estranged file!

1. If you have a wireless network, you have one.
2. Some internet providers supply you with a device that is both a modem AND a router
3. If you have no internet, this is usually where changes are needed. Make sure all cables are properly secured.
4. Learn a few windows keyboard shortcuts. This will get you through your tech support session much more quickly.

Pressing the “windows key” (just next to the alt key) will bring up the windows start menu. then type “cmd” without the quotes and press enter to open a command prompt.  On windows releases prior to vista there is no auto searching function so you will have to use the key combination “Windows key” + “R” and type “cmd” without the quotesand press enter.

Windows key brings up the start menu

Now that you have a command prompt open type in the following command to find out what IP address your router has: “ipconfig”.  You should now have a window containing information similar to what you see in the image.

What you are looking for is usually the “Default Gateway” but could also be the “DHCP Server address” or the “DNS Server address” (not shown) but in most smaller environments the ”Default Gateway” is what you’re looking for.  Once you find this information all you need to do is open up an internet browser and put in the default gateway address as show and you will be prompted for your username and password.

If you don’t know your username and password for the device, a great resource to find the default passwords can be found here: http://www.routerpasswords.com/

To save you these steps, the following list contains the the most common DEFAULT router IP addresses.  Keep in mind that this may not apply to your router and the above procedure may be required.

New virus “Rootkit.Zeroaccess”  causing grief for Users and Technicians alike – Pandemic expected!

In response to this particularly difficult to remove infection slighPC’s has decided to “show some love” for their valued customers through Valentines day by initiating a $50 virus removal and PC optimization* special. This limited time offer is only good through February 14^th. This is normally a $70 minimum service, so call us at (219) 750-9674 now and don’t miss this opportunity to save!

If you’re a current customer, we are also extending this offer to your family and friends! Just make sure they mention you or your company name when dropping off their computer and they will get the same special pricing.

*These prices excludes server work
** All our offers carry the same unconditional guarantee: “If we can’t fix it, there is NO charge!”