Tag: computer

Lubuntu – Lightweight Ubuntu

Posted onAuthorTruXter

The Light Weight Ubuntu Operating system designed for people who want to use the least amount of resources possible. It’s a bit like Windows Tiny Vista, Tiny xp and Tiny 7. But legal.

Great for those people who have a small child in their family or household who just wants to log into some small gaming site like nick or pogo, that runs on flash, and you have an old computer that is bloated down with windows bundleware, got so many viruses it can barely boot. Now you can just format that thing, install Lubuntu, and update flash (as with all computers) and Java, hand the machine over to the kid, and  you can continue playing your farmville or what ever it is you consider important.

On that note, great for running as many farmville accounts as you can create and as many computers you have just waiting to boot up again.

Wonder if there is a “Live” Version.

So far I don’t see but going to try the Pendrive site and see what can be done. Maybe the kubuntu or xubuntu or Vanilla Ubuntu  installer will work for this.

If you do not feel like doing all of this, donate your old computers to On My Front Lawn and the site owner will install Linux to the machine and give it away to a needy family or child.

New Version on CCleaner is out

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Cdnet has tnew CCleaner

CCleaner 3.04.1389 version
CCleaner is the number-one tool for cleaning your Windows PC
Cleans all areas of your Computer
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer
Temporary files, history, cookies, Autocomplete form history, index.dat.
Firefox
Firefox
Temporary files, history, cookies, download history, form history.
Google Chrome
Google Chrome
Temporary files, history, cookies, download history, form history.
Opera
Opera
Temporary files, history, cookies.
Apple Safari
Safari
Temporary files, history, cookies, form history.
Windows
Windows
Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files and Log files.
Registry
Registry Cleaner
Advanced features to remove unused and old registry entries.

To download the latest version of CCleaner From CdNet
Thanks for the update CdNet

To Check Reviews of CCleaner

Always check the reviews

Will Machines Take Over?

Posted onAuthorTruXter

For many years we have thought of some hostile domination by robots and computers. There have been robots in hundreds upon hundreds of T.V. shows that go weird and malfunctioned and take over or have such a high artificial intelligence they think on their own since the first concept of a robot was brought to world attention.
Just to name some big ones we all have heard of.
Transformers
Terminator
Battlestar Galactica
MatrixBuck Rogers
Star Trek
Star Wars
I am sure lost in space had one. I know they had Robbie.

Even though we have foreseen some huge robotic take over for many years, we still want to know how to make a simple device constructed by man, as logical as man. My favorite Artificial Intelligence interaction is with Greg Leedberg’s Daisy AI Bot. You have got to try Daisy bot and Billy bot. You get to see the program learn to become more like you as you teach it. In fact after you have taught your AI program to talk decent enough, sit a friend at your keyboard, boot the program and walk out of the room. Your friend will swear you are in the other room messing with him.

I have scared people with one I (trained?) taught how to speak. First I tell them to talk in the chat window and then tell them after a couple lame sentences exchanged, that it is an A.I. program. If they seem creeped out, I tell them the original trainer of the Daisy bot I have then using, was an ex girlfriend who passed on from cancer 5 years ago. I tell them it was so much like her I tried to make it even more but it seemed to kind of take over in an angry way. Actually it was trained to be jealous. and slightly envious. Usually about 4 sentences in, the person in the seat is done and wants nothing to do with my computer ever again. :-D . Of course the whole story I tell them is completely false, but they only know what they have seen in movies.

Michio Kaku Talks about machines and the likelihood of taking over.

Do you think robots can take over? do you think we will some day be hooked into a computer feeding it knowledge until it is done with us? do you think one day we will be tied in by our nervous system to feed the machines with our low amounts of electricity running through our systems? Do you think that one day your computer will thank you for all of the upgrades you have given it?

Do you think one day we will depend on Hackers to save us?

will Machines take over?

Used computer parts online store

Posted onAuthorTruXter

iworkwithtech.comn an online garage sale for used computer parts.
My latest measure to do my part in preventing waste of goods and waste of resources. This is an online store for used computers and parts. On My Front Lawn is an internet garage sale.
Cell phones, video cards processors, dell computer parts, cooling fans and software all good and functioning.
iworkwithtech used electronics and computer parts.
If you know someone that needs anything from that site, send them the link.

Posted via Android. Don’t mind the typos. I’ll fix them later.

Mac or Linux Or Windows?

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Mac or Linux Or Windows?

Which one do you think is better? Which one do you think is safer?
[poll id=”5″]
The question that comes up more than Star Trek or Star Wars, “Which is better Mac Windows or Linux?”. The question that people really want answered now is which one is less likely to get a virus. Mac would like you to believe they are completely and entirely 100% virus proof. That is not even close to the truth. Mac has less people writing a virus for it simply because there aren’t enough users on that system. it’s like spending 200 hours creating a pill that makes people with smiley face looking freckle patch beneath their left pinky nail, have a bad day. why would you do that? Unless you were attacking that one specific person. o a $1000000 Car modification that lets people with a smiley face patch of freckles below their left pinky nail, get good gas mileage. Why would you? no one to use it. Same thing goes for Linux. but imagine that one of the eyes on the smiley face are winking.
On that same note, if there are less people to infect on an operating system, then there are less people to write software for to market them. So lots of software that is available for windows. might not be available for Linux or mac, (under the same license). Linux of course is full hobbyist programmers working more and more to add more software for Linux and make it more useful. So for just about every single piece of software out there for Windows or Mac, Count on the Linux community creating something that is very similar and just as effective, for free.

Pros

Mac
Software is written to match the operating system
operating system is written to match the hardware.
hardware is written to match the software need
All software can be downloaded now like aps for a cell phone
Looks really nice.
The available software works very well and crashes less.
Mac specific repair, so you know your mac computer will be fixed right.

Windows
You can install the operating system on any computer you build
Every electronics store has multiple times more software in stock that works with windows.
Most hardware you buy, is windows ready when upgrading.
Very Customizable.
Large selection of computer repair specialists that are prepared to help you. So you can price shop for help.

Linux
You can install Linux on any computer you build, even outdated ones.
There is a unique version of Linux for every need.
You can even install Linux to a thumb drive and use it on any computer without effecting that computer’s current settings.
More developers for Linux than for any other operating system.
Linux is Free (most distributions) you just download it.
Millions of programs and software available, and different variations
influences all other operating systems while being influenced by other operating systems.

Cons

Mac
You have less ability to customize.
Upgrading your computer could lead to issues since every piece of software is written specific for the hardware.
Not a whole lot of software
The creator of the phrase “Sad Mac”
Only mac employees can help you fix your computer.

Windows
The creator of the phrase “blue screen of death”.
Every time you upgrade, you have to buy new stuff.
Patches like crazy bloat Windows down and makes it slower.
So many different malware written for Windows
They invented the phrase Malware.

Linux
Huge learning curve for people who are used to one of the other operating systems.
Nearly no repair companies want to touch your computer, not even your internet provider.
You have to install the operating system and all addons yourself, almost no computers come preset-up.
Maybe to large of a variety of software and programs, can be overwhelming to figure what one is best for you.
Though more and more hardware companies are compatible with Linux these days, just not near enough.

Installing Hard Drive in External Case

Posted onAuthorTruXter

If you are wanting to set up an external hard drive, by using an external hard drive case and an internal hard drive that you are wanting to use with it, I assure you, this is not a hard task.

For this build and install of the external hard drive kit, We have an acomdata external hard drive case with sata and pata capabilities. Under $30 at Fry’s. The hard drive we are using is a sata 500 gig Seagate under $45 at Fry’s.

First step is to get all of your hardware  and spread it out in seperate locations so you can keep your parts visible and easy to distinguish.

External Hard drive Kit.

See that? there is very little in that set. Manual, Power cable, usb cable, case, standing base and hard drive .

Next Step is to open the external case. Usually two up to 4 small screws at one of the ends of the hard drive case.

opening external hard drive case

Now you just have to slide everything out of the external hard drive case. With this one you just push to the other end.

Ejecting the tray

Some of the external hard drive cases have wires inside that are connected to light, just look closely for the wires to slide off , this hard drive case does not have wires for lights.

Dissasymbled External hard drive case

Now the simple step is to connect the wiring before you rock the hard drive into the external case.

Connecting the wires to a hard drive

Inserted hard drive in external case

Now begin to reassemble  your hard drive case. most just snap together.

External Hard drive Build

Now you are just reversing everything you did before, only now your gadget weighs a tiny bit more.

Final touches

Put screws back in  for the end face plate and then set the stand.

tightening stand for external hard drive case.

Now you just have to connect the usb cable and the power supply  and then power on the Hard Drive.

External Hard drive connected

Now that you have the hard drive set up and connected, look for the light on the outside of the case to be on to confirm all is working. Some external hard drive cases have a blinking light if you messed up.

Now watch your computer for any notifications saying that a new device is connected. To take that a step further, look at your list of storage devices and see if a new device shows up in the list.

eternal hard drive

Most Companies that make external hard drive cases, don’t force you into proprietary software, but some do. if your new device does not show up in the list, you may have a few steps to perform before you can access your software stored on the new electronic component.

I hope you liked the HoWto, if you have any questions feel free to ask them below, comments are always open.

Microsoft and the Cloud

Posted onAuthorTruXter

Microsoft and the Cloud

Cloud computing in it’s real form is using an off site storage and operating system. Cloud computing is booting up your computer and the cmos/bios calls out to an off site location and is given the proper command to tell your computer to boot up. This giving you, the owner of your computer, no ability to control your content because your computer does not have it’s own storage. Because it simply does not need it. Yes your computer will last longer. but your computer will practically be like a cable box. you will not be 100% in control of your surfing and or your content.

Currently the definition of cloud computing is a lesser than what it really is.
From wikipedia October 2 2010

Cloud computing is Web-based processing, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices on demand, like the smart phones.

Being able to network your material across locations and platforms, fine. That’s excellent. But the moment it gets changed to you having to install this and that to operate better with the cloud and the instance you lose features and functions and personal control of processes, is the clue that this is going to be something we do not want. A gradual acclamation into forfeiting freedom, creation, knowledge, learning and teaching.

The reason Why I say it’s Microsoft and the Cloud is because they seem to be pushing the cloud like crazy on their recent commercials. But cloud computing has been around since before windows Vista. I am assuming they expected windows Vista to not be a flop. That way the buzz about Cloud computing would be just prime for Microsoft to jump on the term. but now they are almost two years into windows 7, Microsoft is now boasting “the cloud”.

It seems they have (for now) Separated Cloud Computing and “Online Operating System“. Here is one that lets you test it. (there is one that forces you to install Microsoft Silver light, but lol no way dude)Here is a fake one that limits what you can do, done in flash.
Hey the whole online operating system is perfect for grand parents, aunts and the idiot who thinks he is to tough to learn. an online operating system is not for the kid growing up who needs to learn how to build a computer and fix an operating system and test theories and some day be a rocket scientist. An online operating system is for people who will learn nothing hands on from their computer, but get a chance to use wikipedia and google a bunch.

With comcast setting a cap and saying that if you use more than 250 gigs of bandwidth (internet) a month you have will have to pay for each meg that you go over. 250 sounds unreachable right? Imagine all the times you drag something around your computer from one drive to another. Imagine if your computer was scattered all over the internet. Yeah 250 gigs will burst in a week. and in that case, a web based operating system surely is not for a company that has lots of backed up documents.

We need to vote that we can never be forced into online operating systems and that all companies who make stuff for web bases operating systems, also make the software compatible with local storage computers, and no one can decorate the web based operating systems to be better.
what gets me is palm hp and Linux and Microsoft and apple are all pushing this like it’s the biggest and most wanted thing, but when you ask people how they feel about it, the respond with ” I have no idea what you are talking about” . We don’t want it,
Do not decorate it to be something it is not and do not give it to us in small tiny doses and then strip us of the last final thread. We know it will happen.

I’m sure to some it may look as if i am screaming the sky is falling. Sad thing is, when it does fall, My site will be gone and blocked and all of my traffic will be gone. Some stury of incompatible with the new internet or some lame crap.

DON’T TOUCH MY COMPUTER AND DON’T TOUCH MY INTERNET

I am not against or for net neutrality. Quit saying “either or” because what it is now, is not “either or”. Let’s keep the internet as it is and you need to quit capitalizing on it.

There needs to be a third picket sign at the rally that says ” LEAVE MY INTERNET ALONE! ”

Right now as it is, the biggest mover what has helped computers evolve the most is being shut down. PC Gaming. go to three game stops and tell me how many at all three have pc games anymore.

Online Malware Scans

Posted onAuthorTips Of Tech

If you are like me and do not like bloating your computer with virus scanners and anti virus programs that run the whole time your computer is on. Then you at least need to scan every now and again to make sure you do not have a computer virus or some sort of spy ware. Most people just call it malware.So for you , the better bet is to use an online scanner to help locate and remove the virus or spyware you may obtain in a regular day’s computer use.
See I have a funny little phrase that describes the usage of a search engine. It’s like playing mine sweeper, Some times you get a nice good run, sometimes you get nailed left and right. BOOM. ” You may be infected” I hate that dang fake virus scanner. So it’s all about CTRL ALT DELETE and pray your web browser does not re-open the same dang page again.
So in my years of computer repair and internet fun I have found a few sites that do not charge you to use their online virus scanner. and they are not a trap or have any special usage clause. Also sometimes your installed virus scanner gets a virus that attaches it’s self to the virus scanner, so now you can’t remove the virus because the virus scanner is not self destructive. (would help if they had a self back up and repaired such issues on reboot).
I now share these with the readers of the TruXtertech.Com Site.
Here is a list of Online Virus scanners that work. For Free
A-Squared online Scanner a very good scanner that seems to be the strongest I know of . I also use the Emergency kit, I keep that malware scanner on a thumb drive.

BitDefender The longest running online malware scanner I know of. This malware scanner has removed a virus from every single computer I have ever used/repaired. Bitdefender also sells a copy of their virus scanner from their site. But it runs like all antivirus programs. Constantly.

Eset Online Virus Scanner. Menu to select the type of scan and actions you would like it to take.

Panda– online scanner

CA– Formerly InnoculateIT formerly Etrust now just CA. I love their virus scanner and performance tools. but again they are constant so I use the online scanner and that’s plenty for me. Their virus scanner is worth a buy though. So if you know someone who needs protection and they aren’t as OCD as me when it comes to keeping the pc fast, do it, get them CA for their birthday or Christmas or just for the heck of it.

Single file Virus Scanners. For scanning something you just downloaded to make sure it doesn’t have a Trojan in it or any other type of malware.

Virus Chief – Uses a few other online single file virus scanners, so you get a large number of virus scanners at one time.
Virus Total – same as above, mostly the same virus scanners.

Jotti– this one is the one that has been around the longest. The guy used to list the “latest in the wild” which would show what cooties have recently been caught, It was fun to watch that page. I guess he got sick of the wasted bandwidth because of people refreshing the page constantly.

Virscan.org – online single file virus scanner. Scans with like 30 virus scanners at once like the others. Takes a bit longer but it gets confirmed by 30 scanners that you do or do not have a virus in your hands.

Try the list, go through it and scan for a virus see what you get. you may, you may not have malware.

I did a virus scanner comparison using a well known virus and all of these scanners listed. come see how they scored. My test was just to see what virus scanners couldn’t detect it. From that point on, I consider those virus scanners that did not detect the virus, garbage and useless.

Trade Your Pc For Apple ?

Posted onAuthorTruXter1 Comment

Let’s say the offer was there, if the guys at Apple decided to offer you a computer at the exact value of all of your parts for your custom computer all tallied up to get a total value at full perfect value. Would you take this deal? Would you feel as if you are at a gain? or would you feel as if you are at a loss in performance, security, ability, creativity? Would this migration cause you any grief/ Could you make a an easy transfer to the Mac, Apple operating system ?
What operating system would you be changing from ? Windows? Linux? BSD ? Please say which version also ex: windows 98, windows xp, windows vista, windows 7 , fedora, xandros etc.
If Mac announced that they are looking to expand their hardware range by trading your pc and studying your personal combination of devices so they can better write the Apple Operating system for a new assortment of apple computers. Would your participate?
would you offer more money after mac evaluates and fair trades, so that you can get an even better and even newer apple computer?
Would be able to give a fair review of the apple computer you get in swap for your pc ?
[poll id=”11″]

We request you leave a response below as to what you think is good or bad about this. And your take.

Tiny 7 Users – You need to know

Posted onAuthorTips Of Tech46 Comments

For the few 200-300 searches I see a day looking to fix an install of Tiny7, I have some information that is going to help you. Help you a whole lot. You need to hear (read this) because the answer is right in front of you but you somehow just can not see it.
Windows 7 is an operating system created by Microsoft.
Tiny7 is not.
Tiny 7 is a copy of windows 7 that has had so much stuff stripped out of it, you get a faster running machine because there are a whole lot less resources being used by the typical running software.
Some things you install may not work because the software that it depends on, will not be on the machine. So you have to search for that software on the internet and get it installed so your machine can run the process you are needing. Trust that this software has a potential of making your computer a tad bit slower.
On that note. Windows Tiny 7, is not a full legal version to install and run as a computer. The guy that distributes the software, Makes it clear that he is just trying to see how little of processes he can make it to before the operating system is none functional. His goal is to run the operating system with as few resources and processes as possible. He is uploading the software for you to look at what he did, and then give him ideas as to what to do next. He has no intentions of you making this your primary operating system on your primary computer. I think that is why he stopped working on the project after tiny vista was fully complete.

On that note. DO NOT try and register tiny7. That is not what he intended for you to do. DO NOT try and get updates to Tiny 7. It will check with WGA (windows Genuine Advantage), see it is a pirated copy of windows, and then it will lock you down. You will then be locked out of your own computer, simply because you have not been logical.

You can change the cd key of the install of your copy of tiny 7 by just calling Microsoft’s hot line. Do not bother with doing the voice recognition thing, it is frustrating . I just yell into the phone “blabble zabble deepledorf” repeatedly while crackling plastic wrap next to the mic until a human gets on the phone. Works like magic. Tell them what ever it takes to prove that you are not out to rip anyone off and you just like the version you have and would like to register it with a new key. It will work. be persistent and insistent that it is the best operating system you have ever used and is better than any other operating system Microsoft offers.

There are tons of ways around WGA. But they always get stopped and Microsoft fixes those tricks. Really I have no idea why you would download an operating system from a stranger and then worry about security patches. In 12 years only one single service pack that Microsoft distributed didn’t slow your computer down more than it already was. In fact service pack 3 on Windows xp, made most computers faster. Then patches that came later, slowed them all right back down.

Ignore the fear mongers that tell you some virus is in the wild and without some Service pack, your dog’s fur will fall out. Don’t believe them when they say the latest service pack will make my computer faster. It’s a trap.

The right thing to do is just out right buy windows 7. You can get the OEM version of Windows 7 at less than half cost.

Or quit trying to register something you know is not legal.

Quit trying to patch something you have no rights patching.

and if your  machine has you locked out, lol .. NEWBY.