Surgery Notes

Protect your laptop windows COA

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:39:35 +0000

Being able to read the license number on the windows Certificate Of Authority is essential if your laptop requires reloading.

Microsoft have stopped adding the glossy cover so I am seeing that the Vista and Windows 7 COA’s are becoming unreadable quite quickly.

I recommend that you protect these by applying clear tape over the number to ensure that it does not deteriorate over time.

I do this as a rule myself whenever I notice that one is becoming worn out.

Peer to peer programs

admin — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 11:01:40 +0000

When you use some peer-to-peer programs like uTorrent, Vuze, BitLord & Sopcast that let you illegally download from and share files with other people, you are increasing the odds that you’ll get a virus on your computer. There are safe places to download files, but programs like these are not those kinds of places. As nice as it can be to share files and watch live television from all over the world, it isn’t worth it to deal with a questionable, and mostly illegal, operation.

Increasingly I am finding that many of the PCs that I get in with a virus has one of these programs. Be warned.

Reading Word 2007 / 2010 docs in Word 2003 and earlier

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:13:10 +0000

It seems like Microsoft don’t want you to know it but they have released a converter for the old versions of word (and excel etc) to read the new document format. What’s more it’s FREE ! Just go to http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=3

More virus attacks

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:02:49 +0000

In the last week I’ve seen a big increase in virus attacks from spoof virus programs. If a program shows you lots of infections but asks you to pay before they can be removed you can be sure that it is a spoof. Paying will not solve anything except to reduce your bank balance!

Note that no anti-virus program can ever be 100% effective (as they cure is always retrospective) and even the best ones have a hit rate of only 80%. Experience suggests that the more commonly used the AV product is the more it is a target by those writing the viruses so market share is not always a good indicator of effectiveness (only marketing ability) !

Avoid opening executable mail attachments unless you are certain that they are safe. If the mail says it is from someone you know that is no guarantee as a common way of spreading is to mail all people in a person’s address book.

Using any browser other than Internet Explorer is likely to be safer since hackers are likely to exploit the browser that most people use. I like Firefox but you may prefer Google Chrome or Safari (or another).

Address Book for labels with link to email

admin — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:07:17 +0000

It occurred to me that someone out there might benefit from a copy of this Access database which I developed for our use and have since enhanced it for use by a couple of my customers.
I placed the help file on the site so you can get a flavour for what it does. If you would like a copy at just £50 please send me an email. It can be enhanced as required as I am the author. I linked it to Thunderbird but it would not take too much effort to change it to link to outlook’s address book (or windows live etc).

Power supply

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:06:57 +0000

When you live in Wiltshire you will know that power is not always reliable. You are strongly advised to use an anti-surge board and if the data is critical you might buy a uninterruptible power supply UPS. We can supply these.

More Indians taking your money !

admin — Fri, 27 May 2011 16:44:10 +0000

I’ve had 3 people today alone who have been scammed by Indian persons who claim to be from Microsoft, Norton and Grisoft.

PLEASE DO NOT BE TAKEN IN NO MATTER HOW GENUINE THEY SOUND.

Latest scam warning

admin — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 07:24:27 +0000

You may soon get a call from an Indian person claiming to be from Windows (you might be immediately suspicious as the company is Microsoft) and telling that you have had a problem with your PC. BE WARNED THIS IS A SCAM. In all likelihood you have a virus which has allowed them to get details about you making them sound very genuine. If you have already been scammed and you entered credit card details on your PC you should contact your bank immediately.

Virus outbreaks

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 08:15:28 +0000

I am seeing a large volume of viruses of late, many of which can be traced to use of the facebook website and exchange of games. You (and your resident teenagers) should be very careful what is downloaded even when the file has come from someone you know. Remember that no virus checker is ever 100% effective as there is always a delay between the appearance of a new virus and the release of a cure. Also note that the price of your virus checker is not an indication of how effective it will be !

Address book for labels

admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 19:57:58 +0000

Having just updated our address book for this years Christmas card labels it occurred to me that someone out there might benefit from a copy of this Access database which I developed for our use and have since enhanced it for use by a couple of my customers.
I placed the help file on the site so you can get a flavour for what it does. If you would like a copy at just £50 please send me an email. It can be enhanced as required as I am the author.