From the Mind of Marc... http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com Advice and insights from a computer authority Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:43:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 en Windows Vista RTM and XP Service Pack 2 support ends soon. http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2010/03/05/windows-vista-rtm-and-xp-service-pack-2-support-ends-soon/ http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2010/03/05/windows-vista-rtm-and-xp-service-pack-2-support-ends-soon/#comments Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:52:00 +0000 Marc http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/?p=134 Microsoft has announced that they will end support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 on July 13 and Windows Vista RTM (the original release without service packs) on April 13. You can find out which version you are running by right-clicking on My Computer (Computer in Vista) and left-clicking on Properties. You can download the latest service packs (SP3 for XP and SP2 for Vista) at www.microsoft.com.

]]> http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2010/03/05/windows-vista-rtm-and-xp-service-pack-2-support-ends-soon/feed/ Easily install multiple applications on a new PC. http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/10/23/easily-install-multiple-applications-on-a-new-pc/ http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/10/23/easily-install-multiple-applications-on-a-new-pc/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:38:06 +0000 Marc http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/?p=131 When you set up a new PC, you are starting from scratch. There are very few programs installed, if any, and usually not any that you use. I came across a new service/app called Ninite that allows you to select from their list of programs and create a single installation file, meaning you can choose any number of supported programs and only have to do one installation. This is great for several reasons: it’s a time-saver, by default it won’t install any toolbars from the applications you choose, and it creates a single file for you that will install however many applications you have chosen. So now when you get that new PC, you don’t have to worry about going to 17 different websites to download and then install the 20 different programs you want. You can just go to Ninite, select the programs, download a single file, and go about your day while it installs those 17 programs for you.

]]> http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/10/23/easily-install-multiple-applications-on-a-new-pc/feed/ Windows 7 is (almost) here! [updated] http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/10/19/windows-7-is-almost-here/ http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/10/19/windows-7-is-almost-here/#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:33:27 +0000 Marc http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/?p=126 Microsoft will release Windows 7 on Thursday October 22nd. Are you ready? We’ve been testing 7 from early this year, and we really think it’s a worthwhile upgrade from Vista. You can check your machine to see if the hardware and software you have are compatible using the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor (Beta) here, or you can use the compatibility check on the Windows 7 DVD when it’s released. If you would like advice on whether or not you should upgrade, feel free to contact us.

Update: Microsoft has released the official version of the Upgrade Advisor here.

]]> http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/10/19/windows-7-is-almost-here/feed/ Schedule an appointment with us online! http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/07/03/schedule-an-appointment-with-us-online/ http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/07/03/schedule-an-appointment-with-us-online/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:18:04 +0000 Marc http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/?p=120 We are happy to announce that we now offer an online appointment system. Visit our website, www.mdpsystems.com, click on the Make an Appointment button, and fill out the information to schedule an appointment for our services. No need to play phone tag or trade emails with us to figure out when the best time is. Now you can see our schedule and choose the most convenient time for you.

]]> http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/07/03/schedule-an-appointment-with-us-online/feed/ Home & Office Computer Training http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/07/03/nj-pc-training/ http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/07/03/nj-pc-training/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:15:02 +0000 Marc http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/?p=117 Would you like to learn more about how to use your computer? I usually get a few questions during a service call about how to do a certain task or how to use a piece of software. Most times I can explain the basics, just enough to get someone started, but if you are looking for serious one-on-one computer training I suggest giving Susana or Mike, from Home & Office Computer Training, a call. Whether you want to be more comfortable with basic computer skills, like navigating through Windows or copying photos from a camera, or need in-depth training for Microsoft Outlook, Susana and Mike are the people to call. I have had the pleasure of meeting them both on several occasions and I can tell you that you will not meet more patient people anywhere. I highly recommend them for any training you need. You can visit their website www.njpctraining.com; or call them at (973) 952-0053.

]]> http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/07/03/nj-pc-training/feed/ Microsoft announces Windows 7 availability http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/06/02/microsoft-announces-windows-7-availability/ http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/06/02/microsoft-announces-windows-7-availability/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:44:42 +0000 Marc http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/?p=114 Microsoft’s Windows 7 will be available to the general public beginning October 22nd, according to the Wall Street Journal. This should give them a much better foothold with 7 coming out before the holidays than they had with Vista being released at the end of January. Unfortunately, even though Windows 7 is getting rave reviews from most people testing it, Microsoft has kept the convoluted versioning scheme from Vista. There will be 6 different versions of Windows 7; could they make it any more complicated? Here is a quick breakdown of the versions for anyone interested.

]]> http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/06/02/microsoft-announces-windows-7-availability/feed/ Windows Vista Service Pack 2 http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/05/26/windows-vista-service-pack-2/ http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/05/26/windows-vista-service-pack-2/#comments Tue, 26 May 2009 11:45:48 +0000 Marc http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/?p=112 Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is now available for download from Microsoft. You can download the 32 bit version here and the 64 bit version here. To find out which version you need, simply right-click on Computer and left-click on Properties. Under the System heading, it will tell you whether you have a 32 bit or 64 bit version of Windows. Service Pack 2 should be available through Windows Update soon.

]]> http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/05/26/windows-vista-service-pack-2/feed/ Service Pack 2 has arrived (for the most part)… http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/04/29/service-pack-2-has-arrived-for-the-most-part/ http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/04/29/service-pack-2-has-arrived-for-the-most-part/#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:53:03 +0000 Marc http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/?p=110 Service Pack 2 is here! Well, Service Pack 2 for Microsoft Office 2007 is here; Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista is on its way. Service packs are large updates that roll together all the little updates that have been released before them, and usually include added security and functionality. You can download Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 2 here. Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 should be available for download soon, hopefully early May, here.

]]> http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/04/29/service-pack-2-has-arrived-for-the-most-part/feed/ Protecting your wireless signal. http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/04/24/protecting-your-wireless-signal/ http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/04/24/protecting-your-wireless-signal/#comments Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:14:11 +0000 Marc http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/?p=108 Most wireless routers that you can pick up in a store do not have any wireless security features enabled by default. If you just plug it in and start using it, you are providing anyone within range not only with free Internet access but also access to any computers in your house that are connected to your Internet connection, wired or wireless. Unfortunately wireless security is far from a simple task to anyone not familiar with the inner workings of a router. PC Magazine’s @Work blog has some ideas on what you can do to secure your wireless network here and here. Think of it as leaving your front door open for anyone to wander in: not only can they just walk in the front door, but they can then access any room in the house.

]]> http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/04/24/protecting-your-wireless-signal/feed/ Free way to avoid web-based malware. http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/04/20/free-way-to-avoid-web-base-malware/ http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/2009/04/20/free-way-to-avoid-web-base-malware/#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:58:20 +0000 Marc http://mdpblog.mdpsystems.com/?p=104 AVG is now providing its LinkScanner product free to download. LinkScanner will scan web pages as you surf and warn you if a page you visit is trying to install malware or is compromised in some way. It’s a good idea to use it, considering that the web is the most popular way to deliver malware these days. You can read a quick overview of the product here and download it at http://linkscanner.avg.com. There is free support available from AVG at http://freeforum.avg.com.

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