Archive for ‘Windows 7’

Microsoft Office 2010 Beta Available

By admin, 8 February, 2010, No Comment

Just when people are getting used to Office 2007, a new version is coming out. I plan to download the beta version and post comments on my blog. As usual, there are different versions available, depending on your needs. If anyone tries it, please comment here, and give us the skinny.

Download it here: http://tinyurl.com/ylo5w27

I know many people still using Office XP and Office 2003. My recommendation is to wait for Office 2010 and then make the switch. As soon as it comes out, we at ByteMarks will be having workshops. In the mean time, next time you’re in Basalt, Colorado, stop in to ByteMarks to see Office 2010 in action.

How to Check Windows Updates were Successful

By admin, 3 December, 2009, No Comment

Does the yellow shield in the system tray go away? Do you even know what I’m talking about? I’ll make it easy. On Wednesday, look in the bottom right corner of your computer desktop window and look to see if there is a picture of a little yellow shield. If not, jump to the next paragraph. If so, hover your mouse pointer over it. You may see a window that says that you have updates to install. Click on it. Install them. Go ahead – it’s OK. In fact, it’s a good thing.

When you think the updates are installed, click on Start, then Programs, then Windows Updates. When your browser opens up and the Windows Update page completes loading, click on the link on the left that allow you to review your update history. Were all your updates installed successfully? Scroll down the page and look back a while. If they were installed successfully, great. If they weren’t, then you should find out why.

Microsoft offers free support for Windows Updates. My experience with Microsoft Updates support has been pretty good. Of course usually I have a couple tricks up my sleeve for getting updates to install successfully. Unfortunately, my tricks include things I wouldn’t have the average user try.

I recommend that you check your updates because I see clients’ computers often where the little yellow shield shows up every day. My clients think that Microsoft puts out a lot of updates, but what they don’t know is that the updates have been failing so that little yellow shield keeps coming back.

Microsoft Patches Plug IE Hole

By admin, 3 December, 2009, No Comment

The next set of Microsoft Windows updates will fix vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer. They will be released on Tuesday, aka “Patch Tuesday.” Be sure to check that your updates were installed successfully. For more information, see the brief article below:

http://tinyurl.com/ygcbo6s

Use Windows 7 HomeGroup to Share Files

By admin, 16 November, 2009, No Comment

Windows 7 makes networking your home computers easy. This new feature called HomeGroup is for networking two or more Windows 7 computers. The primary purposes are making sharing files and resources easier between computers on the same network, yet at the same time protecting shared files and resources from uninvited guests.

These days, many homes have multiple computers. Sharing music and pictures is now easier than with previous Windows operating systems. Even sharing a printer between computers is easy… once you know what to do. Although Windows has had the ability to share files and resources for many years, most people didn’t know how. (That’s why jump drives came in handy.) Now, the basic concept is that all you have to do is create a HomeGroup and get a password on one computer, then go to the computers you want to add to the HomeGroup and add them by entering the password. You’ll be sharing files in no time… and only the files you allow.

The HomeGroup concept only works on multiple Windows 7 machines. But, don’t despair, older operating systems can still be networked with Windows 7, but in the traditional way. Here’s an article from Microsoft on networking computers that also includes important firewall information. Good luck!

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Networking-home-computers-running-different-versions-of-Windows

Should you upgrade to Windows 7?

By admin, 10 November, 2009, No Comment

One of the most common questions I get asked lately is, “Should I upgrade to Windows 7?” I’ve been doing some research and here is another article that will help. I hope it sheds some light.

http://windows.about.com/od/windowsosversions/f/FAQwindows7Upgrade.htm

Let me know what you think.

Windows 7 Installation Overview on YouTube!

By admin, 9 November, 2009, No Comment

Watch this video to see an overview of Windows 7. He uses a lot of terms that computer people understand, so if you’re already pretty good on a computer it’s well worth a look:

Let me know what you think of Windows 7 by posting your comments.

Windows XP to Windows 7 upgrade information

By admin, 9 November, 2009, No Comment

Straight from Microsoft’s website, here’s what you need to know to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-xp-to-windows-7

What’s your opinion of Windows 7? Post your comments here.