This video shows you how to save some serious time on checking for updates on your favorite sites. We promise that it’s well worth 4 minutes of your life.
Use RSS Feeds to Check Your Favorite Web Sites
May 7th, 2008How to Change Your Web Browser’s Privacy Settings
March 22nd, 2008 
Your web browser has a privacy setting that adjusts the level of security. Sometimes this may block cookies that your computer will accept, which may get in the way of web sites working correctly. Read the rest of this entry »
New vs. Recycled Toner Cartridges
March 22nd, 2008 
“New” toner cartridges manufactured by HP, IBM, Lexmark, and others all contain recycled parts. These companies all have return programs where customers can return empty toner cartridges. The manufacturers then break down these empty cartridges and re-introduce many of these internal recycled components into the assembly of their “genuine” OEM cartridges.
Need proof? You can find in small print with a remark like this on the side of your new cartridge packaging box:
This cartridge may contain reconditioned parts or recycled materials.
What’s worse, the manufacturers are not passing any of these cost savings on to customers.
When customers return their empty toner cartridges to manufacturers, the cartridges are melted down and re-used for parts in new cartriges. You are essentially buying a recycled toner cartridge at the packaged cost of new.
You can get these savings in return when you purchase Perfect PC’s ISO 9001 Certified compatible toner cartridges. We pass our recycling savings on to you. Even better, all cartridges are backed by our exclusive Unconditional Lifetime Cartridge Warranty.
How to Make Toner Cartridges Last Longer
March 22nd, 2008 
Is your printer indicating that it’s low on toner? When this starts happening, you can extend your toner cartridge’s life by taking it out of the printer and gently rocking it. But you may want to consider doing this periodically, even before your printer tells you that you’re low on toner.
Periodically rocking your toner cartridge will loosen up toner and improve its flow through the toner cartridge. Toner needs to be loosened up with air to allow it to flow properly. Be very careful while gently rocking your toner cartridge to avoid getting it on your clothing.
In the event that you get toner on your clothing, wash your clothing in cold water. Hot water will set the toner in you clothing, causing a dark stain. Hot water melts toner, leaving a nasty stain on your clothes.
Photography by billjacobus1. Some rights reserved.
Advantages to Backing Up Documents to a Second Hard Drive
March 22nd, 2008 
Many people don’t realize how fragile their data is until it’s too late. One small power surge, lightning strike, or hard disk failure can wipe out your entire collection of digital photos, music, and documents. Everything important to you will be gone instantly, with little chance of it being recovered. A backup hard drive can help reduce your risk of this headache.
What does a hard drive do?
Your computer’s hard drive stores your documents and programs. Photos, music, letters, email, and business documents are typically stored on your hard drive.
How can a back up hard drive help?
We recommend having a second hard drive to store documents, music, and photos.
When you are running your computer, it is constantly reading your computer’s primary hard drive to load programs. When you open your web browser, check your email, open your word processor, and so on, your computer needs to load those programs from your hard drive. This causes a lot of wear on it.
Storing your documents on a second drive that takes less of a beating reduces your risk of losing your data.
Is saving my important files to a CD-R a safe method?
Saving your files to a recordable CD (CD-R) or DVD (DVD-R) can be risky as well. The surface of these discs is more likely to be damaged. Plus it can be cumbersome to back up files to these slower-running formats.
Save yourself the trouble and get a fast-running hard drive.
What kind of back up disk drive should I purchase?
For desktop computer users, we recommend installing a second internal hard disk drive. Your system may crash one day. You may have to reinstall your operating system (Microsoft Windows, Mac OS) and all of your programs. If you have all of your important documents backed up to another hard drive, your important files and documents will still be available without any extra effort.
Laptop computer users should purchase an external hard drive. Your files will still be safe in the unfortunate event that your laptop computer dies.
Are USB jump drives and flash memory cards a good way of backing up my important files?
USB Flash Memory cards and USB Jump Drives are a good way of temporarily transporting files from one computer to another. But they are not intended for long-term backup storage. These small units are generally not considered as reliable as hard disk drives.
I need help knowing what kind of hard drive to buy
If you are in the Columbus, Ohio, area, contact Perfect PC. We can help you assess your needs and can even install your new hard drive for you.
Photography by Robbie1. Some rights reserved.
A Memory Upgrade Can Make Your Slow Computer Run Faster
March 22nd, 2008 
Is your computer running a little sluggish these days? Do you find that it can’t keep up with everything that you want it to do? A memory upgrade may be all that you need to speed things up. And it can be a fairly cost-effective solution.
What does memory do?
You may not fully understand what all of the parts in computers are, so we’ll explain what memory does.
Memory chips within your computer are there to “remember” things that are occurring at this moment. When you open a program or a window, it is loaded into your computer’s memory.
Memory runs a lot faster than your hard drive, so that’s why currently running programs are loaded into memory. What you’re using right now should run fast, right? That’s why it’s in memory!
What happens if I don’t have enough memory?
Your computer tries its best to help you out. If you have a lot of programs open and the computer doesn’t have enough memory to support that, your computer will start storing that information on the hard drive. Like we said before, your hard drive is a lot slower than memory. So that’s why things get so bogged down.
Why is my relatively new computer running slow already?
Memory isn’t very expensive, but it is another cost computer makers have to consider when building computers. Computer makers like Dell, Gateway, and HP often sacrifice putting in much memory to be able to offer lower prices. They want to offer low prices so they can get your business!
It’s a year later, and your computer doesn’t feel so new anymore. You probably got a good deal, but you may have to invest a little more in order to make your computer more enjoyable to use.
I have an older computer. Is all hope lost?
Older computer systems can be upgraded to a point. Computers that are five to ten years old are limited in how much memory they can support. These older computer motherboards usually will only support between 512 megabytes and 1 gigabytes of system memory. As of December 2006, most new computer motherboards will support 1 gigabyte to 4 gigabytes of system memory.
With all of this talk of gigabytes and megabytes, how much memory do I need?
Because memory is an added cost, most new computers will only come with 256 megabytes up to 1 gigabyte of memory.
If you use your computer mainly for light word processing, checking email, and surfing the Web, 512 megabytes is probably enough.
If you play a lot of computer games, you will need more memory than that. Because today’s games are so complex, we recommend having between 2 and 4 gigabytes of memory. You will also probably want to consider installing a more powerful graphics card as well. (Graphics cards contain their own set of memory just for displaying stuff on your screen.)
Keep in mind that Microsoft and Apple recommend 256 megabytes of memory just for you to be able to turn on your computer. That doesn’t even take other programs into consideration.
Tell me more about graphics cards and how they affect my computer’s speed.
Video memory is just as important as your computer’s system memory. A lack of one or the other can cause sluggish performance.
Insufficient system memory will cause sluggish performance because when accessing programs, there is not enough system memory to load them (i.e. Internet web browsing, email, etc.).
Insufficient video memory will cause a sluggish performance when accessing graphics-intense programs such as video clips, web sites with animation, and games. When a computer doesn’t have enough video memory, it will start using your system memory to load graphics. If no system memory is available, your computer may freeze up.
If your computer wasn’t the priciest on the block, then there’s a chance that you may want to consider upgrading your video card. We recommend having a 128 megabyte video card if you only use your computer for word processing, email, and surfing the Web. If you are a major multitasker or play a lot of games, we recommend a video card with at least 256 megabytes of memory.
Getting help
If you are in the Columbus, Ohio, area and feel that your computer needs a boost, contact Perfect PC for help with memory upgrades and installation. We strive to make your relationship with your computer a smooth one!
Photography by fabz. Some rights reserved.