My Guide to a Healthier PC (Part 2)

PART 2

For who is this guide?

·         For those who have high-end PC’s but don’t run the way it should (is slow but can be faster)
·         For those who have low-end or old PC’s but want to optimize them to run the best they can.

 Minimum PC Requirements

- Intel Pentium 4 3GHz
- 1GB DDR Ram
- At least 128MB DDR Graphics Card
-Windows XP
- At least 10GB HDD Space

My GUIDE will cover up the following:

·         The Free Safety & Security Guide(Part 2)

(NOTE: I will not be held responsible for any damages occurred. Use at own risk, though I do know what I am doing and as long as you do it right, you won’t have a problem)

Free Safety & Security Guide

This is a guide that will help you protect your computer against spyware, viruses, worms and more. The cool thing is that it will not cost you anything, it will be absolutely FREE!

Many people and I mean A LOT of people probably have a virus or 2 on their computer. Why? Because users’ are not educated on security for their computers. It is a need not a want to have security on your Windows operating system these days and this guide will help you out.

DEFINITELY GET AN ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE and AN EXTERNAL FIREWALL FOR EXTRA PROTECTION

Top 5 free Anti-Virus Programs

Avast! Free Antivirus Personal Favorite

FEATURES:

·         Antivirus with anti-spyware
·         Real Time shields, file system, web, mail and many more
·         AutoSandbox feature which allows to automatically run any suspicious program inside the sandbox feature
·         Strong Antirootkit shield
·         Malware submission system

REVIEW & SCORE (Link)

DOWNLOAD
WEBSITE

AVG Free Anti-Virus

FEATURES:

·         AVG Surf Shield
·         Antivirus and anti-spyware
·         Rootkit shield
·         HTTP Scanner

REVIEW & SCORE (Link)

DOWNLOAD
WEBSITE

Microsoft Security Essentials Free Anti-Virus

FEATURES:

·         Good detection rates
·         Rootkit shield
·         Light on resources
·         Antivirus with anti-spyware

REVIEW & SCORE (Link)

DOWNLOAD
WEBSITE

Avira AntiVir Personal Free Anti-Virus

FEATURES:

·         High Detection Rates
·         Antivirus with anti-spyware

REVIEW & SCORE (Link)

DOWNLOAD
WEBSITE

Panda Cloud Free Anti-Virus

FEATURES:

·         Simple Interface
·         Automated removal of malware
·         Uses CLOUD Technology
·         Behavioural Blocker
·         Web Protection

REVIEW & SCORE (Link)

DOWNLOAD
WEBSITE

Top 3 free External Firewall software

 ZoneAlarm Free Firewall Personal Favorite

FEATURES:

·         Used in conjunction with an anti-virus program
·         Inbound & Outbound Firewall
·         Can block programs that connect to internet
·         Define Trusted Applications

REVIEW & SCORE (Link)

DOWNLOAD
WEBSITE

Comodo Free Firewall

FEATURES:

·         Monitors inbound and outbound traffic
·         Network Defense
·         Proactive Defense System
·         Define Trusted Applications

REVIEW & SCORE (Link)

DOWNLOAD
WEBSITE

 PC Tools Firewall Plus

FEATURES:

·         Monitors inbound and outbound traffic
·         Can block programs that connect to internet
·         Set filtering rules for programs and network access

REVIEW & SCORE (Link)

DOWNLOAD
WEBSITE

My Guide to a Healthier PC (Part 1)

One day you switch on your computer and notice it is taking more time than usual to boot up and load windows or you find it acting weird and doing things on its own and not to mention you realize many files are missing as well, it happens all the time, you just have to know how to maintain her (Your PC). I will be discussing on how to maintain your computer with my personal experience I have learnt throughout the years.

For who is this guide?
* For those who have high-end PC’s but don’t run the way it should (is slow but can be faster)
* For those who have low-end or old PC’s but want to optimize them to run the best they can.

Minimum PC Requirements
- Intel Pentium 4 3GHz
- 1GB DDR Ram
- At least 128MB DDR Graphics Card
- Windows XP
- At least 10GB HDD Space

My GUIDE will cover up the following:
* Windows Optimization Guide(Part 1)
* The Free Safety & Security Guide(Part 2)
* Software Guide(Part 3)
* Windows Customization Guide(Part 4)

(NOTE: I will not be held responsible for any damages occurred. Use at own risk, though I do know what I am doing and as long as you do it right, you won’t have a problem)

Windows Optimization Guide

(NOTE: This guide is mainly for Windows XP but can also be used for Windows Vista and Windows 7)
This guide will show you how you can optimize your computer to become faster and productive.

Follow these steps carefully

BASIC

1. UNINSTALL UNNECESSARY PROGRAMS
(If you have many installed programs that you do not use on your PC uninstall them, they use space and the more space you have free the faster your hard drive will be)

To uninstall programs…
Click Start > Click Control Panel > Select Add or Remove Programs and choose the programs you want to uninstall.

2. DEFRAGMENT HARD DRIVE
(If you have not defragmented you hard drive ever or have not done it in awhile then do it now, because it speeds up your hard drive, that way you can access files quicker)

To defragment hard drive…
Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > and Click on Disk Defragmenter
Now select your hard drive and click defragment and wait patiently, this could take up 4 hours or 1 hour depending on the size of your hard drive and how many files you have.

3. USE DISK CLEANUP
(Disk cleanup is used to clean out all those junk files on your hard drive that you do not need such as temporary files)

To clean up hard drive…
Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > and Click on Disk Cleanup
Now tick the junk files you want to get removed and click OK.

4. INSTALL WINDOWS SERVICE PACK/ENABLE AUTOMATIC UPDATES
(Windows Service Pack has most major updates that fix bugs and errors on your Windows Operating System)

For Microsoft Windows XP
Install Windows XP Service Pack 3
DOWNLOAD http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=25129
SIZE: 544 MB

For Microsoft Windows Vista
Install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 32bit
DONWLOAD http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?DisplayLang=en&id=30
SIZE: 434 MB

Install Windows Vista Service Pack 1 64 bit
DOWNLOAD http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?DisplayLang=en&id=21299
SIZE: 726 MB

Install Windows Vista Service Pack 2 32bit
DOWNLOAD http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=16468
SIZE: 348 MB

Install Windows Vista Service Pack 2 64bit
DOWNLOAD http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=17669
SIZE: 577 MB

For Microsoft Windows 7

Install Windows 7 Service Pack 1
DOWNLOAD http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=5842
SIZE: 1GB (1024MB)

(Enable Windows Automatic Updates so windows can automatically download and install the latest windows updates)

To enable windows automatic updates…
Click Start > Click Control Panel > Click Security Center and click turn on automatic updates

ADVANCED

1. TURN OFF UNUSED/UNNECESSARY STARTUP PROGRAMS
(If you have many icons showing at the bottom right corner of your PC then there are definitely unnecessary programs using your computers resources and slowing it down.)

To disable those programs…
Click Start > Click Run > Type in “msconfig” and hit enter > Go to “startup” tab
Now uncheck the programs you do not want running at startup and click apply.

2. DISABLE HARD DRIVE INDEXING SERVICE
(The hard drive indexing service is used for searching purposes, so that one can find what they are looking for quicker, if you do not use the search in windows then disable it)

To disable indexing service…
Click Start > Click My Computer/Computer > Right click on the hard drive you want to disable indexing > Click Properties
Now uncheck the tick box at the bottom with the title, “Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching” and click apply, now wait patiently as the files of the hard drive get un-indexed.

3. CHANGE THE SIZE OF THE RECYCLE BIN
(The recycle bin keeps a certain amount of space reserved from the hard drive in order to recycle files, lowering this space can speed up your hard drive)

To lower the space of the Recycle Bin…
Right click on the Recycle Bin > Click Properties > Move the scroll bar from 10% to around 3-5% > Click Apply

4. TURN OF ANIMATIONS AND VISUAL EFFECTS
(This is the way windows looks with all the fancy graphics and effects, by turning these of you can increase the speed of opening windows and other programs)

To turn off animations and visual effects…
Click Start > Click Control Panel > Click on System > Click on Advanced Tab > Click Settings and then uncheck the buttons that are related to the effects and animations.

5. PURCHASE MORE RAM
(Random Access Memory(RAM) is the hardware that allows your pc to multitask to if you have 128, 256 or 512 mb ram, you HAVE to upgrade to atleast 1GB)
Online stores
www.phase2.co.za
www.prophecy.co.za
www.ngrcomputers.oc.za

My time in Tamriel - The Elder Scrolls

Once again the time has come where one waits in anticipation for the next episode of probably one of the greatest RPG series The Elder Scrolls. I remember when I was first introduced to the series which was The Elder Scrolls III Morrowind, I was so into the game that I travelled to a house in Balmora and killed the resident just so that the house can become mine, I spent most of my time collecting swords and cool armor to decorate my house with, by the time I was done I found out that there are actually quests to do and that Balmora was not the only city in Morrowind.

By the instant I stopped playing Morrowind, I was reading a NAG magazine when I saw an advert of The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion, my mouth dropped, my eyes filled with tears of joy, the time had come to be a zombie on my computer once again, knowing that my number one priority was to get that game! I thought to myself, Morrowind was like the god of RPGs and probably at that time the god of games as well, if there is now a new sequel to it, it should be as good as getting laid or even better. So the time came when I started playing oblivion, the magical world I was in, the virtual friend I had met that needed my personal help to get her family heirloom returned. I was HOOKED! I became a dark brotherhood member; assassinating people while at the same time became the hero of Kvatch, the beautiful landscape that struck me in awe. I had been playing for ages then eventually pulled me out of the oblivion addiction trap.

So time passed when all of a sudden I see a trailer on the internet showcasing what I could not believe The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim. The way I rushed to install oblivion back onto my pc so I could jam the hell out of it was all because of one known fact to me, there is another series of the elder scrolls that is going to be released. I saw Skyrim's second trailer with actual gameplay footage and could not believe what my mind was interpreting through my eyes, once again I was struck in awe.

Now I have been preparing myself to be immersed in the world of Tamriel, to be the last Dragonborn and fight my way becoming stronger, richer, older, wiser and known to the whole of Skyrim, I will protect the people with my might and magic but until then I will wait a few more days patiently until I get sucked in Bethesda's black hole of addiction. I don't know how Bethesda did it but I already know I will get that game and love it! Thanks for reading guys and I know that all elder scrolls fans feel almost the same way, until the release - Dragonborn out.

Let me introduce myself and GameByte

“A man is but the product of his thoughts”, my favorite quote which I believe is very accurate. My name is Simon; I grew up in South Africa, a very beautiful country. I started working with computers at the age of 10, broke a couple a few times but learned from my mistakes. Throughout the years I have been learning from experience with computers, learning how to handle hardware, fix software, graphic design, video design and but not limited to web development. When I was 11 I experienced my first internet surf and remember my dad telling me, “there is no child your age I know of that surfs the internet and plays with computers as much as you!” at that time I did not know what that meant but now I think it means when you do something from a small age and continue practicing that specific hobby, You become good at it.

I have done a lot of work throughout the internet and landed myself a job at MSite Design Studio focusing on graphic design and basic web development. I decided that I wanted to make a website of my own, a website that is proudly South African, I started working on a large gaming website because I thought though SA has many gaming websites, SA does not have one with convenience, one would have to go through hundreds of sites to find cheats, walkthroughs, patches and what not for that specific game. So after 1 hard working year, I finally completed the project I have been working on, GameByte.

GameByte is a gaming site that offers one previews, reviews, news on gaming, cheats, game guides, patches and a community forum to have discussions and support on games, software or hardware related issues. The site is very intuitive with a clean layout and easy navigation.  I hope the site will grow and become popular in the future, even the name I think is great. So that is my first blog post, now you know a little about me. I will be posting in future on various topics so stick around.