A new Age calls for a New Age of Tech User's.

Yes, in an age where technology is in a full sprint and running away from us, we need to step it up a bit and get ahead of the ball. Doing this is not as hard as it would seem, the keys to having a good running computer environment are not that complex and most can be automated, (meaning the computer can be scheduled to do many of these tasks for you.) Here are NEW BUYER BASICS:

• DO NOT buy added protection Software at the Retailer.
• BUY a Machine that suits your needs. If your a Light, Medium or Heavy Data User/ with little or high demand for Streaming Capabilities, or even Video and Audio Editing.Heavy Ended needs are better suited for DESKTOP TOWERS, where LapTop's are for LIGHT ended users for Email, and light production.
• OUT OF BOX: When taking your machine out of the box follow the setup instructions and be sure to have the power cord plugged in on Laptops to ensure it does not shut down during vital set-up periods. Go through the steps of time, date, user names and the like, but SKIP Anti-Virus Installs, and the INTERNET connection portions. (AGAIN, do not set up the INTERNET and ANTIVIRUS protections on the machine during initial setup, click the NOT NOW, option. Yes, there will be warnings. Once Set up, go into your programs list, and the desktop, and remove any programs not vital to the system, you do not want. Do not uninstall, software burning programs or other vital ones that may be there including but not limited to, Java, Adobe, Shockwave, etc. Anything with the name BURNER in it, they likely have drivers needed in them to run your cd burner on the machine. Next research the AntiVirus that came preinstalled. Yes you need to get rid of it. Now connect to the internet only is needed to remove your Antivirus, which you need to do for Norton as an example. Your computer will be safe going to secured sites without protection, just don't get excited your online and start surfing the web, you WILL get infected. For Norton Products, simply goto www.norton.com/nrt , and run the uninstaller, it will prompt to restart, it will also pop up on restart asking you to reinstall it. Close the window and it is gone. Double check the programs list and make sure all facets of it is removed, such as Norton ToolBars etc. Now after a restart and properly removing the old ANTIVIRUS (Do not take free trials!) go to Microsofts page here  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download and install the FREE version, be sure to custom INSTALL and refuse any other offers. If you take offers by accident, remember the names and remove them in the programs lists later. Now you have an AntiVirus, it will update and the like on its own, turn all of that on, and information sharing. This helps them to define Virus' as they are found on machines, which helps everyone. Data is Power. NEXT all you need is your MALWARE protection, I use MALWAREBYTES  Get it here! Be sure to put an Icon on the TASK bar so you can CLICK it in an emergency where unwanted pop ups come around! Teach your family to use this tool and keep it updated, and it put a sword in your hands against Malware almost 95% of the time. Rule #1 to avoid Malware? Don't surf on unofficial sites, Internet Sites are like Land, it depends on what is built there as to the level of security, and lack there of could have you in the middle of a MALWARE den. Yup.
• Be sure JAVA, ADOBE, FLASH are all up to date. When Dealing with these programs and to avoid errors, be sure you only have the latest VERSION installed, Uninstall all previous versions and patches if the Version changes. If you get a patch update and not a version UPDATE, run it as is, no uninstalls are needed. This will prevent program errors and the like going forward.
• NEVER install TOOLBARS of any type.TOOLBARS are basically LEGAL spyware, where research gatherers monitor what you do through tools built into their Tool Bars, which eats your internet speed, whether you use them or not.
• Never set programs to START when the computer starts, other than INTERNET, and ANTIVIRUS. The more things you have turning on when the machine powers up, the longer it takes to start, and if you have too many programs starting, it will eat all the RAM, and your computer will nerver LOAD into WINDOWS. Simply, go into SAFE MODE, turn off the Start Up programs and restart, the problem is solved. Never put programs to STARTUP, go into settings/ Preferences and turn them off.
• Whenever installing programs, get them from secured sites and always do a custom install to avoid getting unwanted programs on your machine. REMEMBER no MORE security! DO NOT get a bunch of BOT programs, with computers and security programs MORE is BAD, NOT good. All you need is the MSE and MALWAREBYTES. I am telling you. And always have the latest version of Windows EXPLORER, even if you don't use it. Turn on your Windows Updates. Let the MSE run your settings, and if you have issues with a program and the internet, ADD it to the exceptions in your ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM. See Adding Exceptions to MSE.
• You almost NEVER have to BUY Microsoft Tools, for example, there is OPENOFFICE that allows you to do documents, read, send and publish in nearly every Doc type, and it is FREE. FREEWARE is a great search term when looking for a program or computer tool. But be cautious, there will be tons of MIRROR sites pretending to be giving you these products, but instead it is a trick to get their product and other affiliate services. Why? Even though they know you may uninstall everything later? Because they are paid by the download, it is a big hole in the web marketing industry. Trick Numbers.
• I NOW service the SW MISSOURI area, with Milage outside of Springfield. Feel free to hit my Facebook page and links, and make an appointment. Let me be Your Computer Guru. One on One Computer and Program Training starting at $100.00. Find me Here!
• REMEMBER set your WINDOWS UPDATE/ DEFRAGMENTATION & Disk CleanUp, as well as the ANTIVIRUS, ADOBE, and JAVA on AUTO UPDATE. I set them to weekly, in the eves when I know I won't be using my computer. They do the updates and take care of it all for you. Once you catch that everything has recently BEEN updated and is running fine, do a SYSTEM RESTORE image, so you have a good point in time to go back to if something should go wrong. Also if the machine acts strange after an update, go into SAFE MODE turn off updates, and uninstall the last update(s) installed, look for an update patch or repair. Then try the update again, this could take days or maybe weeks, so be sure not to turn THAT update back on until they fixed it.
• DO NOT HIBERNATE/ SLEEP your machine. I turn these functions off to prevent errors, leave the machine plugged in (Laptops) provide plenty of ventilation under the machines which means do not use on your Lap or padded/ cloth surfaces it will suffocate your machine and cook the chips right off the MotherBoard. Hibernation can potentially not turn on all system services needed when the machine returns from it's sleep, turn these off in the power options. Instead of hibernate, simply turn on the screen saver, and password lock it. Turn off all sleep and hibernate function, because when your not using your machine, or are not planning to for awhile? Well, if it is a Laptop, you should turn it off. They are only made to be on 5-6 hours at a time, and be sure to exercise your battery, by using it just opn battery regularly, it prevents burning the battery out. From over charging, or having a continual charge. Hibernate and Sleep have been broken since Xp, and they know it.

IF you're in the SW MISSOURI AREA and NEED help, I do ON Site, Drop Off's and Overnights, go ahead and look me up at www.Tunderground.weebly.com or on FACEBOOK AT TECHUNDERGROUND!

Holiday & new Years Line-up

Welcome to my TECH BLOG, if you have specific questions, I will be adding and HTML instant response link at the bottom of this ARTICLE, this will help make future feedbacks more effecient.
For those in the SW Missouri/ Springfield, Mo area, and you have had it up to your eye balls in beurocratic crap from your Computer Manufacturer, or cookie cutter Box Store Technicians, and your tired of wasting time and money to solve issues. Hit me up, the information is to the left, or find me on FB CLICK HERE! or my direct website CLICK HERE! I want to thank my local clients for updating the Testimonials pages and keeping me informed of new issues in the computer world. This submission is going to be a little LONG as we have a bit to catch up on. In this order:

1. RESPONSE to COMMENTS
2. HOLIDAY Shopping/ Up, downs, and in betweens.
3. The windows 8 Release, RULES of engagement for NEW OS'
4. Anti-virus and SPYWARE install/ uninstall/ operations UPDATE.
5. PROPER CLEANING of your computer, Old programs/ etc. UPDATES
6. New age in CYBER HACKING/ Hi-Jacking, Social Site KEYLOGGERS.
7. Again, Browser TOOLBARS, and Track ENGINES
8. Changing your desktop/ Desktop runtime effecienies.
9. Basics to Hardware Troubleshooting.

I will go into MILD detail on each of these TOPICS, and move forward after comments on more detailed articles refering directly to the main topic into the NEW YEAR! Happy Holidays & New Year 2013!

NUMBER 1: RESPONSE to Comments

I want to thank everyone for their FEEDBACK and I apologize in advance for getting lost in the electronic seas for so long. I have been working hard on a WEB NETWORK BROADCASTING project for the last 2 years, and thankfully, my experience has allowed me to keep the show on air, dispite CYBER attacks on my networks, and the likes of machines failing from mysteriously loosing their "SYS32/ Command Files) in both cases a full recovery was in order, and they cost me thousands of dollars because of this (lost data - skitz and the Show archives) however, it was my fault for not BACKING it UP on an external HDD. (Hard Drive) So lesson #1, if you loose DATA, it is your fault, IF, you didn't have it backed up.

OUT of the GATE, if you spam PORN sites of ANY kind on these pages in the comments, you will be removed, deleted, and reported, this is an all ages BLOG. Thank you in advance for keeping your smut to yourself.

Now there are a number of anonymous feedbacks and comments, if you want to be mentioned in the POST, then be sure to include your email, or your signature name or alias in the text. Thank you!

• in response to Hey stephen ! Thank for all the help! What about cleaning out my cookies... and I am not talking about the home baked ones., by Anonymous.

Cookies can be cleaned from the browsers tool section, and clean them that way, or go to the built in cleanup tools in windows and run it and it will get rid of cache and page storages and cookies all at once. on Odds and Ends

• in response to Sounds REALLY nice. I'd be interested on getting a copy.I bought my HP around 6 months ago, so I don't feel like an upgrade yet, but when I do get my hands on a copy and upgrade, oh boy will I have fun exploring Windows 7 OS!, by jasewatson.

Windows 8 is said to be upgradeable from XP, unlike windows 7, but with all the same perks and then some on Windows 7

• in response to Steve, This is Curtis I spoke with you through HP Customer Service. What free software do you reccommend to protect my computer?, by Anonymous.

Today I would say the free version of Microsoft Security Essentials, the basic package is free, and couple this with MALWAREBYTES and you are safe from harm, if you get a harmful pop up dont touch anything but that LAUNCH MALWAREBYTES button, run a scan and it will cut the harmful tethers, remove the threats and restart your machine- good as new. The MSE stops only major viruses and not MOST malware. on Windows Update Error

• in response to I like this Tech blog! It stands out from all the others in this search criteria! I know a great blog when I see it. Thanks for the great information on the subject. The web needs more blogs like this one. Thanks again, and Happy Halloween! Jnewman1, by jerometnewman.

thank you, I have however been neglecting it, look for new articles in the following days! and Thank you! on Windows Update Error - Added note: the blog is getting alot of attention as of late with over 3k hits, don't hesitate to post how my ideas have helped you in your computer life on my FB page CLICK HERE, and check out my website for details on "IN the AREA, repairs and fixes by Tech Underground."

• in response to Hey how does the 7 seas have anything to do with computers and the internet?, by Anonymous.

Yes, sailing the modern 7 seas explains that this is the new age of pirates, the people that are selling you stuff you dont need, and programs and sites on the net that feed off of unsuspecting people, it is a must have though some of the security software info is a bit outdated. on What to Buy Holidays 2009 UPDATE: The highest number of FRAUD and SCAMS in the world is not as much anymore on our phones, and on our doorsteps anymore, as much as it is online. SAILING the MODERN 7 SEAS, is a refferance to the OLD age of PIRATES, and how this is the NEW 7 seas for those NEW generations of Criminals. CYBER PIRATES. I think my second edition release (with updates) will be retitled as SUCH.

• in response to Could you write an article on how to use an external monitor with a laptop PC?? Thanks for all your help... Sue, by Anonymous.

sorry I have neglected this page so long, I will be back at it daily. And yes I will write and article for using an external monitor on your laptop. on What to Buy Holidays 2009 UPDATE: Sue most standard monitors even the OLDER versions have a simple PLUG and PLAY capability, this is because the unit generally has a chip that identifies the unit and the basic operating paramiters to your computer, (desk top or lap top). To use a flip Screen (as it used to be called) all you need to do is connect the monitor to your laptop, and then after it is booted up, simply hit FN+F1 (there should be a tiny picture of a monitor on the key, and it could be on another F key on some models. And in some cases, you simply hit the button, and do not use the FN, alternate key press.) What you will see is it go from your Laptop screen to the External, then a combination of the two, parallell or verticle, depending on your computers operating system.) In most cases advanced settings for this are accessable through your program control console, for your graphic card in Properties.

• Any ideas short of a total system reinstall for removal of rouge programs? on Rogue Ware

This is a rough question. Each infection case varies by degree's depending on what type of infection it really is, this is only determined after hours of rustling with the beast, to determine how damagig the program is. See most malware doesn't want to DESTROY your machine, they simply pretend your infected by locking your files, and then make you pay to regain access to your own system. These types are too intense to crack without alot of CODING Experience in MS OS enviroments. If it does not allow you access to files on the system, save what you can and recover, if not, then attempt restores, and rebuilds. They work 20% of the time, but because of the mass of CODE in the OS, you never know if it is completely gone, without a recovery, as it could pop back up any time it gets opporotunity.

I want to thank everyone for their questions and comments! Now stay tuned for a tomorrow post, and I will continue to the next TOPIC: HOLIDAY Shopping/ Up, downs, and in betweens.

My new found time, that  am able to continue working my BLOG and the SITE, is mainly due to the LOCAL ARTISTS, and SMALL BUSINESS' that support my WEB BROADCAST station, BACKHAND STUDIOS, and it's FLAGSHIP show, with band interviews and ADULT Humor, Beer420 Webradio! Catch us every Wednesday on the WEB, iPhone, iPad, Android at www.spreaker.com starting at 4:20pm CST. Join us THURSDAYS for special Shows, and join spreaker with the JOIN with FACEBOOK link! It is free and easy, and if your on the go, get the APP.

Ok, now some fun! here is a TEST I am running, so please use this LINK below to comment, I have built it in HTML and want to see if it will work in a LIVE post. So comment away and I will catch you tomorrow!

TECH SPEAK will be a new show on Backhand Studios Channel on SPREAKER! It is a WebBroadcast that is available on all Smartphones and the Net, and can be listened to ANYWHERE, at work or at play, where ever you go. And you can download it as an Mp3, Podcast and take it on a drive. Here is an example of some of the things we will do on this broadcast, teach you and walk you through making your computer healthier, FREE of CHARGE.

EXAMPLE:
HERE is a TECHTIP for you. Speed up your computer by going into the settings of all your running programs, and turn off the option "START this PROGRAM when WINDOWS Starts", then save. Restart your computer. Once on the desktop, restart it a
gain. See how fast it starts up now? WHY? Well When Windows LOADS, it loads ALL startup programs FIRST, then it loads windows. If you turn off their AUTO STARTUP then all that needs to load is windows, and it loads right up! BAD POTENTIALS? Well you CAN have so many programs that start when your computer powers up, that there is no more memory for WINDOWS to load, thus you never get to the desktop. You can undo this by starting in SAFE MODE, and removing the AUTO START as explained above. Restart normally and WINDOWS will be able to load again.

SIGN UP for a FREE SPREAKER account to CHAT with us LIVE during the Broadcast!

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