Tezzo's Technology Blog

You've successfully  installed Windows 8 . You're staring at the Start screen, in all its flat-tiled glory, and it all seems completely alien based on your previous experience with Windows. As with any new version of an operating system, your first half-hour is critical. You'll want to learn the basics of navigation, how some important built-in applications work, and how to set up basic functions, including networking, backup, and user accounts. For this article, I'm going to assume that you now have Windows 8 running, and that you can see the Start screen and associated tiles. I'll also assume that all the current drivers, including networking drivers, are properly installed. First, let's go over some basic navigation tips.  It's likely most early Windows 8 adopters will be using displays that lack Windows 8's ten-point multi-touch capability, though a few may spring for some of the  shiny new systems   that bring the touch interface to mainstream

"It's like a special consumer-tech corollary of Murphy's law: Your PC will inevitably die just before a new Windows OS is about to ship. You need a new laptop immediately, and you can't wait to buy one that comes with the new OS preinstalled. Or maybe you want to upgrade a component or two to ensure that your system will be compatible with the new operating system. In either case, if you're planning on adopting a new OS, you'll want to get the most out of any new hardware you buy, even if you buy that hardware prior to the operating system's release." M o re at:  PCWorld :

Ensure that the data on your old drives is safe from prying eyes with this simple guide to securely wiping your hard drives. The siren has sung and you've finally succumbed to her call: You're the proud owner of a shiny new PC; a faster, better SSD; or a bigger, better hard drive. It's time to toss your old equipment in the trash and start playing with your new toys, right? Not so fast. More at:  PCWorld :

"Top 20 Windows 8 Features From Metro Start to reduced hardware requirements, here is a look at the best new features Windows 8 users will love. As with any technological overhaul, Windows 8 has been met with passionate and mixed response among those who have had a chance to download and test run the Consumer Preview of Microsoft's flagship OS. The company's bold new direction for Windows, with its dual interface and emphasis on tablet functionality, certainly means changes ahead for IT departments when Windows officially ships. But for users there is a lot to like about the forthcoming OS. Here is a look at the 20 features that Windows 8 users will appreciate the most. See slideshow at:  PCWorld

Our digital detectives uncover the truth behind some of tech’s most baffling questions. #3  Why can't I upgrade from 32-bit Windows to 64-bit Windows? Upgrading a copy of Windows 7 from 32-bit Home to 32-bit Professional is simple enough, but upgrading to a 64-bit version of the OS re­­quires you to do a fresh installation. Windows handles information differently depending on whether you use the 32-bit or 64-bit version. In extremely broad terms, a 64-bit operating system can process data in bigger chunks than a 32-bit system can. That's why you can't use the Windows Easy Transfer utility to move files and applications between 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows: The CPUs on the transferring and re­­ceiving machines use fundamentally different data architectures. More at:  PCWorld

Microsoft has made available for download Windows 8 Release Preview. This free operating system is the final, feature complete version of Windows 8, which is set to launch to consumers later this year. Here's how to install Windows 8 Release Preview.  Windows 8 is the biggest development in Microsoft's operating system for  PCs  and  laptops  since Windows 95 replaced Windows 3. The Metro interface alone is a radical overhaul of the way you are used to working with Windows, and Windows 8 is built from the ground up to work on touchscreen devices, as well as via keyboard and mouse. More at:  PC Advisor :

Does your PC act as though it's about to die? Don't panic! We explain why the most common problems happen and what to do about them.  It's difficult to solve all possible system problems via the written word, as individual situations may vary just enough to make generalized advice problematic. However, if you're looking for some generally useful ideas on why your computer is misbehaving--and some potential fixes for certain common and unpleasant problems you might encounter--look no further than this handy troubleshooting guide to ten all-too-frequent system malfunctions. More at:  PCWorld :

Yahoo has launched a new browser for Apple’s mobile devices called Axis. The browser, which is also available on desktops through plug-ins for the four major browsers, is designed to let you move between your devices and look at the same searches. Search results show up as thumbnails on users’ home screens, to which you can pin favorites or pages to read later. The home screens also feature what searches you conducted on other devices through Axis, though it takes a couple of minutes to sync. Users will have to sign in to Yahoo accounts to use syncing. More at:  The Washington Post

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But Google Voice is a pretty cool tool, and it can solve more than a few hassles. Let’s take a look at three GV perks you might not have known about. Have you tried Google Voice? If not, I think I can understand why. It’s one of those services that sounds a little confusing--and perhaps not terribly useful. (Note: I'm assuming that you’ve already signed up for a GV account. If not, just visit google.com/voice and follow the instructions. You'll need to have some sort of Google account already, like, say, Gmail.)" 1. You can use it to send text messages. Why bother pulling out your cell phone and typing on its tiny keyboard every time you want to send a text message? More at: PC World

"A modern PC leads a kind of dual life. On the one hand, it serves as an entertainment center, offering access to games, online videos, and the entire Internet. On the other hand, it acts as a tool for collecting, creating, and storing important information of all kinds. If your computer is lost, busted, or stolen, switching to a new one has little effect on the entertainment side. But unless you've properly protected the personal data on that system, a theft or loss could become a data disaster. How can you head off such a disaster? Here are some hot ideas." More at:  PCMag.com :

Take more control of your Windows 7 system with these quick and easy Registry tweaks. By Marco Chiappetta The Windows Registry is a powerful but confusing component of the Windows operating system. In earlier editions of Windows, editing the Registry was fraught with peril; if the user edited it with the wrong tool or altered a critical key, the result could be an inoperable Windows installation. Windows 7, however, is far more forgiving than its predecessors when it comes to modifying the Registry, if you use the built-in Windows 7 Registry Editor (Regedit)." More at:   PCWorld

Paint.NET’s performance is an interesting topic. There are some areas, such as startup, where Paint.NET is very fast. There are other areas, such as selection manipulation, where it is quite slow, even laughably so in non-pathological situations. If you’ve ever worked with the Magic Wand tool on an image of more than about 4 megapixels, then you probably understand what I’m talking about." More at:  Paint.NET Blog :

A flash drive is one of the single most useful tools a person can own. With it you can back up critical data, transport large files, rescue a malware-infested PC, and even run an entire operating system. Regarding this last option, a while back I explained  how to put Windows 8 on a flash drive . (It works with Windows 7, too.) Today, let's talk about putting Linux on a flash drive. Why would you want to do that? Two reasons: to see how the other half lives, so to speak, and to create a rescue tool that can work around nearly any Windows-related disaster. For example, I recently spent days troubleshooting a relative's malware-infested, effectively non-operational laptop. She wasn't concerned about getting the system working again, but she desperately wanted to retrieve her business documents, personal photos, and the like. (I did not, you'll be glad to know, take the opportunity to scold her about making backups. I waited until later.) More at:   PC World

 "Is your computer running slower than usual? Are you getting lots of pop-ups? Have you seen other weird problems crop up? If so, your PC might be infected with a virus, spyware, or other malware--even if you have an antivirus program installed on it. Though other problems, such as hardware issues, can produce similar symptoms, it's best to check for malware if you aren't sure. But you don't necessarily need to call tech support or the geek across the street to scan for malware--I'll show you how to do it yourself." More at:  PCWorld

OVERVIEW Wi-Fi networks (sometimes called by their technical name  802.11) allow people to wirelessly connect devices to the  Internet, such as smartphones, gaming consoles, tablets,  and laptops.  Because Wi-Fi networks are simple to setup,  many people install their own Wi-Fi networks at home.   However, many home Wi-Fi networks are configured  insecurely, allowing strangers or unauthorized people to  easily access your home network or anonymously abuse  your Internet connection. To ensure you have a safe and  secure home Wi-Fi network, here are a few simple steps  you should take. The key to a secure home Wi-Fi network is making sure only you have administrative access, your communications are encrypted, and that people have to authenticate to use your network More at: OUCH

Optimize Your PC with Advanced SystemCare 5 Free Proceed with caution. That's what I always advise when people ask me about PC-optimization utilities like  Ashampoo WinOptimizer 8  ($50) and  CCleaner  (free). While these tools can be helpful, they can also create problems--usually when users go overboard with the amount of "cleaning" they attempt. I mention this only for purposes of introduction to Iobit's  Advanced SystemCare 5 Free , the latest version of one of the more popular "computer healthcare" products. I recently tested it on a year-old Windows 7 system, and was very pleased with the results. (One important note right up front: Advanced SystemCare will try to sneak in a few bits of junkware during installation, so be sure you opt out--don't just blindly click  Next  on each setup screen.) The program can perform a wide range of functions, starting with the handy Quick Care, which scans for and removes malware, cleans up the Registry