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Windows 7 is fast becoming Microsoft’s most popular release of their seminal operating system. More reliable than previous versions, with faster performance and considerably greater stability, this is an operating system that has returned Microsoft to an enviable position that they were displaced from because of problems encountered when using the two most recent installments – XP and Vista.

With Windows 7 being a new version of the operating system, despite having many familiar holdovers from past installments, there are several new options that add ease and functionality which previously didn’t exist.

One of those is the ability to send the Recycle Bin to your taskbar.

For those of you handling multiple operations on your PC, accessing the Recycle Bin (which is very useful for those of you who’re mindful of that data which you absolutely no longer need) can become a tedious routine. Windows 7 offers a fast way to permanently affix it to your taskbar, making it readily available for those times it’s needed.

To place the Recycle Bin in your taskbar, the following short steps are required:

You’ll want to create a shortcut on your desktop. It’ll ask you for the location of your shortcut, for which you’ll enter the following in the field:

explorer.exe shell:RecycleBinFolder

To proceed, click Next.

You’ll then be asked to name it. Some might call it “Recycle Bin,” while others may want to be creative; either way, it’ll still have the functions of your recycle bin.

Once that’s finished, you’ll need to modify the look of the icon so that it reflects the trash bin we normally associate with this function.

Right-click on the icon and select “properties.”

Click on “Change Icon.”

In field that asks where you’d like to look for the icon, type:

%SystemRoot%\system32\imageres.dll

The Recycle Bin icon will appear in the new assortment of available icons.

Once you’ve applied that, click on OK to exit the Recycle Bin properties screen. As you’ll see, the Recycle Bin now looks like that familiar container. To send it to your task bar, you can either drag it there or right-click on the icon and choose “Pin to Taskbar.”

And, That’s it. This is nice way of bypassing steps that eventually weigh down on those involved with routine tasks. Instead of having to open the Recycle Bin each time you use it, it’s sitting right in your task bar, awaiting whatever trash you see fit to dispose of.

If you’re a user of Microsoft’s most recent operating systems –XP, Vista, and the recently unveiled Windows 7 – you may want to heed the latest warnings about new security updates released. According to reports, these recent security updates may be what’s precipitating a spate of system crashes that render the computer a lifeless black screen.

Coming by way of PrevX, a UK based security company, users of its security software began complaining of the problem last week. It would seem that Microsoft made significant changes to the ACL (Access Control List), which contains permissions for user accounts. This list of permissions communicates with the registry keys, making observable changes to the desktop such as the addition of a sidebar.

Unintentionally, however, the recent security patches are amending those registry keys. As a result, being unaware of those registry changes, a number of applications are responding with confusion – explaining the black screens during their use. We should note that those applications which seem  most affected are security programs.

 For those affected by this problem, PrevX has released a patch that would seem to correct the issue, bringing the registry in line with the ACL settings introduced by the security updates.

Not everyone is being affected by this problem, but if you feel as if you’re one of those unlucky users who recently suffered a black screen that may be tied to your recent download of Microsoft security updates, PrevX has released a free fix that can be downloaded here.

If you continue to experience problems, always feel free to give us a call.

Just like your car, home, or anything else, computers can become run-down over time. With the lighting quick pace at which new technology becomes yesterday’s news, many of us never see the effects of time on our machines before they are relegated to the scrap heap. Unfortunately, this often leads users to neglect the physical needs of their machines, which can lead to hardware failure. With computer owners feeling the squeeze in this economy, it’s good to know that there are simple things we all can do to help increase the lifetime of our machines.

Overheating is one of the biggest problems for hardware, and one of the easier ones for users to reduce or prevent in the first place. Between the tiny moving parts and electrical currents running through everything, the inside of your computer can become very hot, and this can damage every piece of your system. The first thing to do is to monitor your computer’s temperature. If it feels hot to the touch (not just warm) or the temperature goes up significantly after it’s been running for a while, you may need to intervene. All computers have small fans to help disperse the heat generated inside the case; in a computer that’s overheating, these may be broken or just not powerful enough. You can replace these fans (heat sinks) yourself, or hire a professional tech. You can also reduce overheating issues by never pushing your machine past its published capabilities (overclocking) and making sure that the vents are unobstructed.

Another simple problem for users to resolve might come as a surprise: dust bunnies. Just as dust finds its way into the strangest places in your house, it also winds up inside your computer case where it can accumulate. While usually harmless, large piles of dust can damage moving parts or block the vents (leading to overheating). The best solution is to periodically open up the case of your computer and use “canned air” to blow away the dust inside. Remember, make sure that the computer is turned off and unplugged from the wall before you attempt to open it up to prevent damage to the hardware and yourself.

While keyboards and mice are fairly cheap components, it’s still wise not to waste money replacing them when you could just as easily keep them in working order for much longer. Keyboards are commonly damaged when food and other small items get stuck under the keys. To reduce the risk don’t eat at your desk, or put your keyboard out of reach when you do. Standard mice, with a ball built into the bottom to track movement, should be used on a clean surface such as a mouse pad. You should clean this off periodically and keep it away from food just as you would a keyboard. In the event that liquid spills on either item, unplug it immediately and allow it to dry completely before testing to see if it is still functional (this will reduce the risk of a short).

One of the best ways to protect the hardware in your machine is a little bit of an investment, but it literally can mean life or death for your computer. Instead of plugging directly into a wall socket or simple power strip, you can use a surge protector or a universal power supply to protect your components from power outages and spikes. These two issues cause a tremendous amount of hardware failure and data loss every year. It’s important to buy a universal power supply that has enough capacity to run your entire system in order to get the full benefit, so it may be wise to consult with a professional about your power needs if you choose that product. A surge protector will not provide the same protection against data loss in the event of a power outage, but is less expensive and provides needed protection for your hardware.

We know it can be difficult to keep on top of all the little chores associated with computer ownership, which is why Geek Choice offers preventative maintenance service in addition to computer repair. If you’d like to schedule an appointment for preventative maintenance in your home or office, or if you have questions about how to keep your computer in top condition, give us a call at 1-800-GEEK-HELP (433-5435) and talk to one of our techs.

Despite being a holiday, the folks at Mozilla are tirelessly making sure that their latest version of Firefox meets the standard previous versions have set. In doing so, they’ve released the fourth beta of Firefox 3.6, delivering over 100 fixes from the previous beta and additional security measures.

With its impressive security and customizable features, Firefox has charged ahead of the browser pack, proving the unfailing principle that competition is good for innovation – which, ultimately, is good for the end user.

You can download the latest beta here.

Many of our customers know how high our opinion of AVG is. This award-winning anti-virus and security software is one of the most effective countermeasures to the always looming threat of maleware that stalks the internet during your jaunts through its halls. Previously, it came in two versions, the professional version and a free trial version that eventually requires you to upgrade after prolonged use.

If you’re someone familiar with the trial version, you know all too well how frustrating it was to boot up your computer and find that you were no longer able to use its services. While the professional version is a more robust version, offering real-time protection where the trial version placed the onus on you to run the scans, none of us frown upon those things which are free.

Well, AVG is now offering their latest update to the free package – version 9.0 – to the public for as many uses as they choose.

Yes, that’s right.

No matter how long you have this version, or how many times you use it, AVG Free 9.0 is yours forever. You won’t be prompted to upgrade to the professional version – ever. It’s completely free, available for unlimited use, and just as powerful as the previous iterations of what was once the “trial” version.

Of course, as was the case before, the free version will still not offer real-time protection. The benefit of real-time protection is knowing that you’re always secure, no matter what you’re doing, the AVG protection steeling you against malware threats while running in the background.

However, for those of you are vigilant and pro-active when tending to the security of your computers, this is as good as it gets.

Download AVG Free 9.0 here.

For those of you who’ve recently upgraded to the latest version of Firefox (ver. 3.6), the popular and amazingly customizable web browser from the ingenious crowd at Mozilla, you might be aware that your extensions – those apps which expand upon your browsing experience – aren’t working.

This is a problem about which frustrated users of Firefox have become especially vocal, but there seems to be a fix.

In the past, when a new version of the browser was released, there was a simple solution to ensuring that the extensions were working properly. One needed to only edit the config file, adding a simple “extensions.checkCombatibility” entry to the list of values. With the new version, this string no longer works. However, with a simple amendment to the original value, you’ll have extensions working on your new browser in no time.

If you haven’t made the necessary changes, when installing an extension on the new version of Firefox, you’re met with an error message that reads:

Readeroo.0.2.20080520 could not be installed because it is not compatible with Firefox 3.6b3

Correcting this is simple, though the process may initially seem daunting to your average user. Here’s what you need to do:

In your address bar, where you’d normally enter a url (www.webpage.com), type: about:config.

Ignore the warning and proceed.

You’ll see an exhaustive list of all the configuration values associated with your browser. Ignore those and right-click on the list, choosing “New” -à “Boolean” from the drop down.

You’ll then be asked to enter a “preference name,” where it becomes critical to know which version of Firefox 3.6 you’re using, as both Alpha and Beta releases are available to the public.  For instance, if you know you have  the Beta release, you will enter the following in the “preference name” field:

Extensions.checkCompatibility.3.6b

Note the “b” at the end and understand that it signifies the Beta release, while an Alpha release would require that you end the string with an “a.”

After that’s complete, you’ll want to choose “false” and proceed. Assuming everything was entered correctly, the value will now be included in that long list of configuration settings. If you’re curious, run a search for it in the “Filter” field.

Once that’s done, your extensions will install as they once did, returning you to the wonderful world of customization that Firefox extensions welcomes you to.

If you have any other questions, even if unrelated to Firefox, never hesitate to give us a call.

A recent blog of mine touched upon Google’s impressive search engine capabilities, one of which is perfectly tailored to those movie buffs who love to spend an evening taking to the town for the latest feature. From a simple search of the movie (at www.google.com/movies ), you’re able to not only show those movies playing in your area, but find the nearest showings in your zipcode.

This feature has now gone mobile, with Google offering the very same functionality to those users who’re constantly on the move but always up for the occasional film.

As you would with your computer, visit www.google.com with the web browser you use on your phone (iPhone, Palm WebOS, or Android-enabled device), run a query for “movies,” and select the “More movies” link. Upon that selection, you’re able to view a list of movies or hit the “Theaters” button those theaters showing movies in your area.

If viewing the list of films on your phone, you’re now able to view the trailers accompanying them, see how they’ve been reviewed, look at showtimes, and even take a peek at the movie posters; on the last feature, when clicking on a movie poster, Google offers an informative synopsis of the film – without spoilers, of course – that comes with everything from cast and crew to pictures from the set.

If browsing by theater, you’re given a map of those locations in your immediate vicinity, with an opportunity to select any of the theaters and see exactly what’s showing on their screen and when. If you’re someone who’s well aware of what you’re looking to see, not requiring a list of available films, you can run a search for that specific film – or theater, if you so choose.

Whether it’s when you’re lounging at home or during those times you’re pounding the pavement of your city, Google is there, on computer or phone. This company continues to pioneer how we use the internet, making helpful information instantly available at our fingertips – ultimately, making our lives that much easier.

We always advise our clients to backup their data. No matter how new their system, the chance of a catastrophic crash is right around the corner, the likes of which possibly resulting in the loss of critical data. Well, in an age where much of our computer use centers around the internet, a good deal of that the data we prize is now stored online, making it difficult to back it up as easily as we would the information housed within our our hard drives.

Backupify is an extremely helpful service that solves that problem, backing up your online data – Facebook, Gmail, Photobucket, and more – so that you’re able to browse the web with a little less anxiety over how secure your information is should one of the sites you frequent experience problems that threaten the data you’ve stored since your account’s creation.

Once you’re signed up for Backupify, the service performs scheduled backups at one of the 10 online services it supports, requiring only that you provide the login information for that site you’d like backed up. After you’re set up, Backupify ensures that your information is never deleted – easing any worries you might have about  losing all of those blog posts you’ve put on your Facebook page.

There is a fee for subscribing to the service, but it’s certainly more than manageable, considering how critical the information is to many. While Twitter backups are free, the pay plans range from $3.95 $14.95 per month, with fluctuations in price contingent upon just how much you need stored.

This is for those of us who spend a considerable amount of time online, wanting to protect the data we store on the internet.

You can visit Backupify here.

With digital music available for our listening ears on everything from a blackberry to an iphone, we’ve become a society that’s almost perpetually tuned into our favorite music, equipping ourselves with walking jukeboxes that store hundreds of songs from bands of all types.

While listening to our bands in digital format is a satisfying musical accompaniment that our lives have become dependent upon, there’s no denying that experiencing the music live offers an unmatched joy that truly draws you into the artists’ music.

A little known application that taps you into the touring schedule of all your bands is Upcoming, which was recently purchased by Yahoo.  This week, they’ve added a new function that informs you when your favorite bands are playing, all according to your digital playlist – assuming you’re using iTunes, Pandora, or Last.FM

After Upcoming loads your favorite artists, it keeps fans updated by storing the names of their artists and alerting them with an email whenever those musicians are slated to perform in their area. This is a great means of staying on top of the tour dates for those bands you’ve always wanted to see a live performance from. No matter who it is, obscure indie act or widely known commercial superstar, Upcoming makes sure fans of those artists – assuming they’re using Pandora, Last.fm, or iTunes – know when the band’s in town.

At Geek Choice, we pride ourselves on being the #1 solution to your troubleshooting needs, servicing customers the nation over with our signature brand of exemplary customer service and peerless technical expertise. While our job is to assist you, we also love to keep the public informed, offering them tips that they can use when having any questions about their systems.

If your computer begins experiencing problems, resulting in error messages and the occasional system crash, the source could be any number of issues. Without some idea of what’s occurring, you’re left in the dark, with no solution to your issue.

Windows Surface Scanner is a helpful utility that might shed light on where the problems are originating. Completely free, this tool inspects your hard drive, locating any physical errors that exist. We should note that this is not a repair tool, being only a means of diagnosing what might be causing your frustration.

If problems are uncovered and you’re unclear on how to proceed, we’re here to help.

You can download Windows Surface Scanner here.