This site is in a perpetual condition of being "under construction".
Last updated 9 September 2010
I've written a few articles in the past on matters relating to PCs with Windows operating systems. I'm updating those articles and will add them to this site when available. I'll (try to) keep them up to date.
So far:
Preventative maintenance required to keep a Windows PC in a healthy condition. Includes: preventing and detecting intrusion of viruses and spyware; preventing and fixing unauthorised modification of browser settings and startup applications and services; cleaning out unwanted processes from the startup; maintaining Windows system files and applications in good condition; basic hardware maintenance; and implementing a basic backup and recovery strategy.
How to use the application Netlimiter2 Monitor to determine what applications or services are undertaking communication across your network and internet and to produce a report on traffic volumes.
Article on backup strategy. Provides a comprehensive discussion of the need for all PC users to implement a backup strategy, what might be backed up, how it might be backed up and to what, and how recovery might be achieved in times of need.
Microsoft System File Checker (SFC): how to run it, how to speed it up and to avoid the need to insert any XP CD/s.
The Microsoft utility CHKDSK: how to run it to check your hard drive.
Caddy fixes Describes how I have made some small modifications to my Laser brand hard drive caddies. The first involves installation of a microswitch so that the fan in the cradle into the caddy fits is not running when there is no caddy inserted. This reduces wear on the fan and avoids uncessary fan noise. The second is a simple way to ensure that the caddy and cradle plug and socket make good electrical contact.
Using the utility HD Tach to test the speed of hard drives and other storage devices.
A note about changing the data transfer mode (DMA or PIO) for a hard drive or optical drive.
Solving problems with power connectors on hard drives, optical drives and hard drive caddies.
Tips on buying a power supply unit (PSU) for a PC.
ERUNT - an excellent freeware application that makes automatic backups of the registry at boot time. Can also be used to make additional ad hoc backups of the registry. A must for all Windows XP systems.
Google's Picasa2 This is a great freeware application that can be used to manage and organise digital images, to make quick fixes to digital pictures, to burn pictures to a CD or DVD and to create web albums so that other people can view and download you pictures over the web.
Google's Picasa3 - the latest version of Picasa, with lots more functionality than Picasa2. Best freeware application ever made!
- Notes on a presentation on Picasa2 that I gave to the PC Users Group at its meeting on 5 September 2006. That presentation included coverage of the functionality in the Beta 2.5 version.
Cleaning Canon printer heads - one approach that uses just water. Note: In September 2012 I moved this page to my new site here.
Topping up inks in a CIS ( Continuous Ink Supply )system.
USB2 problems Describes potential problems associated with USB cables, sockets and connectors. Such problems can limit the speed of data transmission that occurs using USB 2.0 gear. You may not be getting the High Speed rate out of your USB 2.0 interface and devices. Particularly important if you use an external drive in a USB enclosure. Also some suggestions about what to look for in USB hubs.
Some web page refresh problems I have been having with Internet Explorer when attempting to view up to date versions of web pages on my website.
Freeware applications that are useful in monitoring the temperature of the CPU, motherboard and hard drives. Note the contents of this next article also:
Results of temperature tests for the CPU and hard drives of a 2.80c GHz Pentium 4 PC system
Outlook Express settings that enable me to send email via my PCUG email account, but with my ISP being other than PCUG. I wrote this item after I had a lot of problems trying to send emails via PCUG, as did a couple of other PCUG members. The settings that the PCUG has specified did not appear to work for me (or maybe I misinterpreted - that's not new!). The article is mainly for my own benefit but has been of assistance to a few other folk too. The only thing that is still funny about the settings is that every time I send an email using my PCUG email account I get an Internet Security Warning dialog box that asks me "Do you want to continue using this server?" - I always reply "yes" to that, and the email gets sent OK. If anyone can tell me how to stop that dialog box popping up, I'd appreciate it.
How to test your PC's RAM (Random Access Memory).
How to create a CD or DVD from an ISO image file.
Some digital camera review sites that provide very good information about digital cameras - study them before buying a digital camera.
An article explaining digital zoom and optical zoom, co-authored with Terry Bibo.
An article on noise in digital images and how that can be reduced using de-noising applications such as Neat Image.
A note about a procedure that has led to fixing a problem with disappearing CD or DVD drives in some instances.
Copy of the Powerpoint presentation made by Mike Boesen and Terry Bibo on behalf of the Canberra PC Users Group on 14 April 2009 entitled "BACKING UP DRIVES AND DATA USING ACRONIS TRUE IMAGE"
Firewall settings for Kaspersky Internet Security Suite. I implemented these settings to solve the problem of lack of connectivity between PCs on my hpome network.