DIY Cleanup and Maintenance

Some simple basic steps will keep your computer at peak performance, or revive it when it begins to slow down. If things simply don't function anymore and you're comfortable doing it, I always recommend a fresh install of OS (XP, Vista, Win7). I've known techs who wipe/reinstall religiously every six months or a year to keep everything clean and fast. For most end-users that's a bit extreme, so here's a quick tune-up guide:

1. Remove Unneeded Programs. If you never use a program or game anymore, why is it still on your system? Remove anything you don't need, especially anything with the word "search helper" or "toolbar" in it. Some things may not be listed in Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs, so check the Start menu for old applications' Uninstall shortcut.

2. Check system Startup. Lots of program creators love to gobble your Startup resources, which adds up and turns your booting and system tray into a big slow mess. To solve this, open MSconfig (Start-> Run-> msconfig-> OK) and uncheck anything you don't need to run at startup. If you don't know what something is, just Google it so you can make an informed choice before disabling it.

3. Disk cleanup. Over time, your hard drive gathers temporary files, setup files, and other miscellaneous garbage. This eats up disk space and slows down your PC. To solve this, simply click Start-> Programs-> Accessories-> System Tools-> Disk Cleanup. Select what files you want deleted, but I do not recommend the 'Compress old files' option if you care about speed. Then click OK, OK.

4. Defrag, defrag, defrag. For the love of all that is computerized, defragment your hard drive! After months or years of use, your system drive has scattered bits of data everywhere, and the hard drive grinds like mad jumping all over to gather the pieces. Just start it before going to bed (Start-> All Programs-> Accessories-> System Tools-> Disk Defragmenter) and by morning your computer will thank you. Once a month would be the minimum I'd recommend; if you can, once a week would be better. That way next time it will only take 20 minutes, not 2 hours, to complete.

5. Viri, Spyware, and Adware prevention applications. These are truly a double-edged sword. On one hand, they perform a valuable service. On the other, they can be a money sink to the uninformed and could slow your system worse than the possible problems. I personally do not use any resource-sucking resident scanner, but regularly give my system a full checkup instead. To use this method, my advice is to download, install, and occasionally run Adaware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php) for the spyware/adware removal. For virus checking, stop by Trend Micro's HouseCall (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/) for a complete online virus scan. Both are free, of course. If you want a 24/7 virus protection, I unfortunately have no free recommendations… not if you want to keep your PC quick and unbloated. I prefer Nod32 (http://www.eset.com/download/index.php), which does cost money- but they do have a 30-day trial.

6. Be Windows smart. Avoid problem-causing behavior. Randomly installing games bundled with ‘search helpers,’ toolbars, or advertising offers is just begging for a slow system. Whenever possible, avoid hitting “next-next-next-next” during unfamiliar setup programs. It’s okay to select Custom or Advanced Install to see what’s going onto your PC. Use your common sense to evaluate the optional modules. Do you really need a 20-day e-Music offer? Do you really need yet another search bar or Savings Center? The web is full of spammy advertising; why give it space on your personal computer? Using Internet Explorer and blindly hitting okay to unsigned ActiveX popups is another good way to convert your desktop into an uncontrolled billboard.

7. Don’t Panic. If things do get bad, remember these options. Print this if you have to. An hour of your time can stop months of frustration, staring games with the hourglass cursor, and save hundreds in computer ‘repair’ bills.

Computer falsehoods

by CharredPC

In my years of computer repair and refurbishing, I've run into many fallacies of which I have a hard time convincing customers are wrong. So here's the top six things that most big store 'computer guys' don't want you to realize:

FALSE: "My PC is old and slow now, so I have to buy a new one (or purchase expensive upgrades to my current one)."
TRUE: When you bought your PC 2, 5, or even 7 years ago, it was nice and fast. It's the exact same hardware, so why do you think it needs replacing? All the stuff installed on it- unused applications, adware, toolbars, along with a lack of maintenance- is what has left it clogged up and slow. Software is like marker, and hardware is a whiteboard; do you throw away a whiteboard because it has smudges on it, or do you just clean it so it’s like new, and keep using it?

FALSE: "It takes a certified computer tech at a big-name store to diagnose and 'fix' my slow computer."
TRUE: You pay Geek Squad good money when on average they spend twenty minutes actually working with your machine. For the most part, it sits there unattended doing things you could easily set up, while they sell more overpriced computers to unsuspecting consumers. Why be a part of that? You don't have to. Scan for viruses during your lunch break. Scan for adware while at the movies. Do Disk Cleanup and defrag overnight. Hey, you’re good! They should hire you ;)

FALSE: "I need to have the latest operating system, Windows Vista- this salesman said so."
TRUE: Currently for 99% of consumers, every single thing you want to do on Vista, you can do on Windows XP... faster. With this guide, you have nearly every positive aspect of Vista, but without the many problems that have made many people switch back to XP. Is it worth saying you have the 'latest and greatest' if it isn't as efficient or productive?

FALSE: "A slow computer needs more memory- I should purchase extra RAM."
TRUE: Not always. If you are low on RAM (128MB or 256MB) adding more will indeed help. However, this has created a myth that more RAM = faster PC. If your machine is only using 400MB of the 1GB you have installed, how will adding another gig help? It won’t. You’ll see a much bigger improvement by de-bloating, cleaning and tweaking your operating system.

FALSE: "My computer won’t boot up- it’s obviously broken. I must need a new one."
TRUE: You wouldn’t believe how many nice laptops I’ve had people offer to sell me for $100 or less because they are ‘broken.’ In reality, Windows was corrupted. That’s all. Remember the whiteboard analogy? Thirty minutes of wiping and cleaning (troubleshooting in safe mode or reinstalling XP) solved everything, good as new. It’s broken when the screen cracks. It’s broken when the hinges break. It’s not broken when you get a virus and XP can’t finish loading.

FALSE: "Newer is better, and my PC or laptop is several years old. I must need a new one."
TRUE: If you’re trying to play WoW on an original Pentium MMX, then I completely agree. But if you only browse the web, write school papers, check email and chat online with your 1.2GHz Pentium III… then why upgrade? Because you bought it more than four years ago? Why not try a little maintenance, a few tweaks, maybe some GUI enhancements, and save $500? It will look and feel like a whole new machine. You’ll still accomplish everything you want to, and when you do get around to purchasing a new computer in a year or two, that $500 will go much farther. Clever you, waiting and saving money!

12 BASIC PRECAUTIONS to minimise exposure to radiation when using a mobile phone

1. Limit phone calls to those that are absolutely necessary, and restrict these to 6 minutes maximum, which is the time the body needs to adjust. Use a hands-free kit and hold the phone more than 20/30cm away from your body in order to limit the impact of radiation on yourself.

2. Do not carry your phone directly on your body, even on stand-by, and do not use it less than one metre away from another person, in order to reduce the effect of 'passive' radiation.

3. Those under 15 should not use a mobile phone at all because they are still growing. With their lighter body weight the radiation is more damaging, especially to the brain, weakening the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB), and to the reproductive organs/ovaries, etc. .

4. Any elderly person should be discouraged from using a mobile phone, as well as anyone in a weakened state (the radiation will weaken their organism further), and any pregnant woman. Microwave radiation is readily absorbed by the amniotic fluid in which the embryo and then the foetus develops. .

5. Use the phone only in conditions of optimum reception: do not use it in a confined space such as an elevator, basement, underground station, caravan, etc. In these situations the strength of the signal both sending and receiving is much greater thus the radiation is much more intense.

6. Do not use the phone while you are in a moving vehicle, including the train, bus, etc, since its antenna will be constantly scanning for contact using the maximum signal strength, and the radiation from both incoming and outgoing signal will be intensified.

7. Do not use the phone while in any vehicle, even when stationary. An enclosed metal container produces the "Faraday cage" effect, which maximizes the damaging impact of radiation, reflecting not only on the person phoning but also on other passengers, especially children. Thus it is essential to step out of the vehicle before making a call. .

8. Do not keep a mobile phone beside the bed at night switched on, because even when on stand-by it is in contact with the nearest phone mast and emits radiation at regular intervals. .

9. Equip yourself preferably with:
- a mobile phone with the lowest possible SAR rating (= Specific Absorption Rate of microwave radiation by human body tissues). The regulation limit is 1.1W/kg for eye-sockets and cheeks.
- a phone with an external antenna, because even if it is less trendy, the omni-directional antenna broadcasts with maximum efficiency and therefore uses a weaker signal than one with an inbuilt antenna. The fashion factor matters less than the health factor. .
10. Use of a mobile phone should be avoided by anyone who has any metallic object in or on their head, whether magnetic or not, such as amalgam fillings and dental bridges, metal plates, screws, clips, body ornaments, earrings or metal framed glasses. The same is true for those with walking frames, wheelchairs or metal crutches, so as to avoid increasing radiation by the phenomena of reflection, amplification, resonance, passive re-emission, etc... .

11. Make use of protective items to shield yourself from radiation, such as a metal phone carrying case, protective anti-radiation fabric and veils, metallic foil wallpaper, anti-radiation paint, etc, all which have been proved to be effective. .

12. Make as many phone calls as possible using landlines which emit no radiation, and which can often be used for free and for unlimited time via the Internet, even for phone calls abroad.

Satan Technology

Did you know that Satan with his 5 “I’s” ambitions to be like God will come into a reality?

Lucifer 5 “I’s” (Isa 14:12-15):

• I will ascend into heaven
• I will exalt my throne above the stars of God
• I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north
• I will ascend above the heights of the clouds
• I will be like the most High

Lucifer who is Satan shall indeed will be like God. He will reign and rule with great power and might exactly as of God. He will become omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. How? It is through the “Anti-Christ” and the “Super-Advanced-Technology” that will be employ during the “Tribulation day” period. In other words, Satan will become the exact copy of God in a very sophisticated and artificial manner by means of technology.

The saying, “You can run but you can’t hide” shall takes place in those terrible days. Our true God will let Satan to languish in his long ambitions to establish his kingdom upon the earth. But woe to him, the power and authority he posses is only for a certain time. Soon he will meet his horrifying end and with him are those whose name are not written in the book of life.

Satan has all the (sophisticated and artificial) power and authority to be like God:

…the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
…and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life
And he exerciseth all the power
And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Rev 13:12-17)


Why we should give much concern about the “End-times” and the things written in the Book of Rev.?

• Last days will be like the days of Noah and of Lot. (Luk 17:17-29)

• Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. (Mat 24:46)

• Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Rev 1:3)

Everything is old!

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. Eccl 1:9-10

Everything that is under the sun is old. All people, all places, all things, all events and just everything the eye could see and the ear could hear were already old. In fact, the earth itself is getting much older that it continually deteriorates because of the natural and man made calamities. It seems there’s no better alternative ways to prevent the world from being mar. As we can observe, the more technology arise, the more problems keep on coming. If one found a solution to the problem, another one is coming and everything goes on and on just like that. Man is constantly dealing the one thing in everything he do and that one thing is none other than the so called a “problem thing”.

There are 3 main points why everything is old:

1.Everything is old because there is no place, even one place where there is no problem.

Is there a place on earth can we find that we can live there where a problem could not exist? A place we can dwell for a lifetime without having a single problem we can encounter? Definitely none!

In every place of the nations, different kinds of problems arise whether in rich or poor countries and whatever forms of government exist. The world in general is facing today a major problem that many nations are grip with fear because of terrorism. Also one pressing problem that the world is facing until today is the problem of how to eliminate the world’s hunger for food. Actually the problems that the world is facing today are only the beginning of the worst thing that will come in the near future. The bible said, You will hear of wars and rumors of wars , but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matt 24:6-8

Even in your own dwelling place, inside of your own house problem has its own place too. The problem t that had passed through will be passing again and again in other forms and in other ways. Indeed there is no place where problem is not absent.

2.Everything is old because there is no person, even one person who has no problem.

Is there any single person living here on earth that have not experiencing a problem? Absolutely no one!

All people regardless of nationality, colours of the skin and status of life have its own problem. The former number one richest on earth named Bill Gates has said, “Success is a lousy teacher”. It’s the same thing with what the teacher named King Solomon had been felt when he became successful that he said, “Everything is meaningless”.

The truth of the matter is that in this world no one is guaranteed to get a satisfaction. Because all things is wearisome, bore some and even loathsome. Man keeps on looking and discovering something new and when it founds one it becomes like a child toy that when he are so used to it ends up dissatisfied.
It’s undeniable, you and I have a problem and if that problem seems too heavy for you to bear I urge you to come to Jesus.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:28-30

3.The third point which is the major point why everything is old, it is because there is no person, not even one that has no problem with God.

What is the problem of man to God? The bible said, “ As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Rom 3:10-12

Therefore it is very clear, the problem of man to God is sin! Maybe you think you are a good person. Are you? Maybe you better think the following question and answer it honestly:

Did you steal something even if it is small thing? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Have you ever told a lie? ( ) Yes ( ) No
Have you ever been angry with someone? ( ) Yes ( ) No. The bible said to get angry is the same as murder.
Did you look to an opposite sex with a lust? ( ) Yes ( )No. The bible said to look with a lust is the same as adultery.

Chances are that your answer to all questions is Yes. Therefore you are guilty of breaking the four of the ten commandments of God. In fact just one law you break you are already guilty of breaking all of the Ten Commandments. James 2:10 said, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

So, if you die today and will face God to judge you based on the Ten Commandments, do you think you are guilty or not? No doubt you will certainly be declared guilty. Knowing that you are guilty of breaking God’s commandments, do you think you would go to heaven or hell? While it may seem that God’s goodness will cause him to overlook your sins, the opposite is actually true. Because God is good He will make sure that every murderer, rapist and thief receives justice... but He won’t stop there. He will also make sure that every liar, blasphemer, and adulterer is punished. While this is something that is extremely tragic and far from God’s ultimate desire for any person, the bible is clear that the place of punishment for those who do not turn from their sins is Hell.

Does the fact that you’re headed for Hell concern you? It should, Jesus said that Hell is so horrible that you would be better off tearing out your own eyes than ending up there for all eternity (Mark 9:43-48).

Do you know what God did so that you wouldn’t have to spend eternity in Hell? He sent His only son, Jesus, to die on the cross – suffering the punishment that the justice demands. Then He rose from the grave, forever defeating death.
God is so merciful that He doesn’t want you to be in Hell. What do you think to a man who are caught up and charge guilty of burglary and murder in a country like in the middle east? How can he be saved from the punishment of death? Do you know the so called “Blood Money”? It is the big amount of money to be offer to the offended party so the charge would be dismissed. Thus the man who are charge of stealing and murder will be set free.

The truth here is that you can be saved from hell not because of good works, nor you are religious or whatever but it is because of the blood of Jesus. The amount that will pay for your sins and so you can be saved is the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. Actually your sins are already paid! It is because of the sacrificial works of Christ in the cross.

Now that your sins are already paid, God wants you to come to Him by truly repenting of all the sins you have done. Then put your trust only to Jesus that He alone can saved you. Right now you can pray this prayer: Dear God , I repent of all my sins, such as (named them). I put my trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord (to say Jesus is your Lord means you are now making Jesus the master over your life). Forgive me and grant me your gift of everlasting life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

After you do that you must grow in the faith and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ by reading the bible everyday, pray always, attend to a church where people who gathered there are called themselves believers in Christ.

Just remember this thing, “Anyone who is not in Christ is old but to the one who became Jesus as their Lord and Saviour he/she is a new creation”.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor 5:17