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Did you know that files are not actually removed from your hard drive when you delete them in Windows (I don’t know about other operating systems, but I think they’re the same), even if you empty the Recycle Bin?
The files and folders you “delete” are actually still on the drive, except they’re hidden. This was implemented into the file system to allow for a much faster deletion speed (it takes quite a while to completely delete a file, about 5 minutes per GB on newer hard drives) and to give the user a possibility to get his data back in case of an accidental deletion or quick formatting (full formatting removes all data, but can take up to a few hours to complete).
So, if you have any sensitive data and think that you can delete it anytime if the circumstances require it, you are in for a big surprise. Using a data restoration utility like Norton Save & Restore or R-Studio, anyone can undelete your files and open them, exposing all your secrets.
Let’s say you really don’t want that to happen. How should you proceed?
One way to do it would be writing unimportant data like music and movies over the deleted, now hidden files. This would physically remove them to make space for the new ones. But you wouldn’t know where exactly were they written on the surface of the disk (they could be at the beginning, middle, end, or scattered all around if your drive was heavily fragmented), so you’ll have to fill all of the free space with unimportant files to be sure they’re really gone.
» Continue reading How to Delete Files Permanently in Windows
Adding more font types for your Office
Once you acquired more experience using Windows applications, you may soon crave for more variety of font types. Find out how to install more font types in DIY way.
We normally use Windows applications to finish our work. These might be some word processing applications, spreadsheet, text editor, design, publishing or web development applications to name a few. Even if you use different applications for different purposes, they usually involve text output or printouts in one way or another. These applications usually come with some pre-installed fonts, but after some time, you might find them quite boring and need some new typeset to work on with. Installing new typeset may be easy for those who have the computer background, but others may not have any idea on how to go about it. This article will show you how to install fonts in Windows XP easily.
The first step is to get the fonts that you want. You can find this from the Internet. Try to search on something like ‘fonts for Windows XP’ and you will see a whole lot of the search result. Choose the one that you like from the list. You need to download appropriate files that contain the fonts into the folder of your choice. If it is an archive (for example .zip or .rar), you need to extract it before it can be installed.
The second step is to go to Control Panel. Click Start menu -> Control Panel. Then in the Control Panel, click the Fonts icon menu. This will eventually display a window with the fonts that have been installed on your computer. To add a new font, go to ‘File’ menu -> then select ‘Install New Font’.
» Continue reading How to Install Fonts in Windows XP
We all know that Registry is heart and soul of Windows installation. Any Corrupted entry can result in crash or a huge registry file degrade the performance of Windows. Also Editing registry files manually can be dangerous, one small mistake and you will loose everything… That’s Why Programmer have created several tools for maintaining and cleaning registry files. Most of them are paid but there are few free ones also. One such Open Source and free tool is Little Registry Cleaner.
Little Registry Cleaner (LRC) is among one of the best registry cleaner and It’s Open Source as well, LRC is now also available as portable application. You can fix or clean your registry by 2-3 simple clicks if you using this simple and easy tool. Some of the task Registry cleaner can do are –
» Continue reading Little Registry Cleaner – Repair Registry Easily
As mentioned elsewhere, prevention is often the best way of tackling many problems, and this is particularly the case when it comes to issues on computer security.
Pop-up windows that appear without warning can be evidence of spyware, while junk email that advertises all manner of nonsense can be offensive. Spam, as it is called, can be dangerous, too, as many such emails attempt to trick you into visiting websites used for fraudulent purposes. For example, they may pretend to be from your online bank or eBay, asking you to ‘confirm’ personal data such as your account number and password – a crime known as ‘phishing’.
Don’t worry, though; using Windows Vista’s built-in defences it’s easy to set up your PC against spam, pop-ups and scammers. This article will show you how.
Tip 1 – Most of Vista’s defences against the threats I have mentioned are switched on by default, but there’s no harm in checking. We’ll start with the anti-spam tool in Windows Mail, which is the new name for the built-in Windows email program that was called Outlook Express in XP. Open the program in the Start menu bar at the top of the screen. Select Junk E-mail Options from the list that appears. The main Options tab displays the program’s basic filters. The first option gives you the means of disabling all spam filtering – I don’t recommend this. The option set by default is Low, which filters out obvious junk mail with subject lines such as ‘free Viagra’ and moves it into the Junk E-mail folder.
» Continue reading Banish Spam, Scams And Pop-Ups In Vista
Benjamin Franklin is often quoted as saying “In this world, there is nothing that is certain except death and taxes”, but had he lived in the 21st century, I’d bet my last bag of lollies he would have added “and problems with my computer”.
For every problem Microsoft seems to solve, there is another one or two that rear their ugly heads. If it wasn’t the case, I’d never have to endure another Service Pack update!
But what do you do when your Windows Vista computer doesn’t behave itself and stops doing what you want it to? You can call Microsoft for help, but if you do that, make sure you have your credit card ready, because the company charges to help these days. Some help!
You could just type your problem into Google, but a much quicker and safer way to search for a solution is to try your luck on one of the following Microsoft Web sites. You’ll find they are well worth a visit.
1. Windows Vista Solutions Center
The first place you should look is Microsoft’s own Windows Vista Solutions Center. It lists all the popular questions users have asked. Thankfully, those questions have been divided into neat categories such as ‘Home networking’ and ‘Printing, scanning and faxing’. This site covers more generic questions, but it’s a good first port of call if you run into the problem. And yes, it’s free. Head to http://support.microsoft.com/ph/11732.
Now, if only Microsoft could solve its spelling problem and call it ‘Solutions Center’!
2. Microsoft Answers Beta
» Continue reading Where Do I Go To Get Help With Vista?
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