The app will let TiVo owners see a guide of what’s playing when, including browsing by category, popular shows, and daily picks. More importantly, it will program recordings while you’re on the go.

TiVo for BlackBerry should be available starting now from the BlackBerry App World online, or on your phone, and from www.blackberry.com/tivo. If it’s not, wait a few minutes and try again.

Since you work and do a lot of browsing on the Internet, the first thing you need to learn is computer optimization techniques. It is much better that you take a little extra effort to look after your computer regularly, rather than have it freeze, lock up, or crash when you lose everything on it, at which time you’ll have to pay out a lot to have it fixed. Not to mention you have now lost all of the information, or data, you were working on. Follow these computer optimization tips and you will be much safer.

1. Set your anti-virus software checker to update itself automatically. This way, it is always updated with the latest protection.
2. Perform a scan of your computer daily when you finish working on it.
3. If you download any files through email or just from browsing the internet, scan this item before you open it with your anti-virus software.
4. Use your registry repair software to scan your computer once a week.
5. Use your adware/spyware software once a week. You can set this up to run automatically, which will help you keep this updated.
6. Never open any attachments in emails from people you do not know. Especially if the file is a .exe file. This is an executable file, and can launch all sorts of viruses.
7. Do not open any attachments even from people you do know, if you are not expecting anything from them.
8. If you do not have a anti-virus software installed, a virus could replicate itself to everyone on the address book and send itself out by email, without the owner even knowing this has been done. This is what happens when your computer is hijacked.
9. Do not download free music on the Internet – these free sites are always infected. If you do, run a virus scan, as well as your registry repair, and even the anti-spyware software.
10. As with the above statement, do not download any free games from the Internet.
11. Steer clear from adult sites, as they are particularly prone to viruses.
12. You can install software which will back up all your data on a daily basis. Use flash drives, memory sticks, and even DVD’s etc.
13. Even though you get statements and fill forms out electronically, print out contracts, payment forms, agreements and all legal documents and file them away in a ring-binder.
14. Be extremely careful if you do anything with your finances, payment details, payment processor passwords, credit card details, etc. on your computer. A hacker could easily access all these details, if they are anywhere on your computer.

If you can follow the 14 tips for computer optimization listed above, you will be better off than probably 99% of the population. Just by using your anti-virus software, your anti-spyware software, and your registry repair software, you can keep your computer running at optimal speed, and keep the errors and problems to a minimum.

If you would be interested in having your computer gone through and cleaned out, please contact our support department for the best in online computer repair. ]]> http://secureremotesupport.com/blog/14-computer-optimization-tips/feed/ 0 http://secureremotesupport.com/blog/prevent-windows-live-messenger-from-loading-on-windows-startup/ http://secureremotesupport.com/blog/prevent-windows-live-messenger-from-loading-on-windows-startup/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:12:05 +0000 Joe http://secureremotesupport.com/blog/?p=57 After installing Windows Live Messenger, it will start up every time you log onto Windows. If you are a frequent user this may be ideal; however, if you only occasionally chat you may want to only access Messenger when you’re ready to talk. Thus this automatic start-up can be disabled:

1. From a Windows Live Messenger window, click the “Show Menu” button, selecting “Tools” – “Options”. Or, if you are at the sign-in screen and no “Show Menu” button appears, press, Alt, T, then O.
Accessing Windows Live Messenger options
2. When the “Options” dialog box appears, click “Sign In” in the left pane.
3. In the right pane, underneath “General”, un-check “Automatically run Windows Live Messenger when I log on to Windows”.
Preventing Windows Live Messenger from running every time you log on to Windows
4. Click “OK” to close the dialog box.

If you need help completing this task, you may be interested in contacting our online computer repair department to assist you.

The one exception to this rule is when your computer locks up and your hard drive is not running (hard drive light is not blinking). In this situation, you can turn the power off without harmful effects to the hard drive. As cutting the power can also result in lost data or Windows files, you should only do this when you have to.

Following this rule will prevent permanent hard drive defects caused by the hard drive heads contacting the surface of the drive disc, and it will prevent a host of Windows problems. Whenever possible, recover from crashes by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys at the same time. Press them again to reboot your computer. If you have had problems and you think it might be due to shutting off your computer incorrectly, contact our staff who will gladly assist you with this.

2. I highly recommend that you purchase an UPS (uninteruptable power supply) for your computer. This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will protect your computer from low and high voltage occurrences. An UPS is far superior to a surge protector and will save your computer from almost any type of power disaster. (See #1 above for what happens when your computer crashes.
3. Backup, backup, backup, any data you cannot afford to lose to at least two separate physical drives. So backup data to external hard drives, Zip disks, CD-RWs etc. The time to backup is when you create something you can’t afford to lose. Don’t wait until tomorrow.

4. Run Scandisk and Defragment at least once a month. This will keep your hard drive healthy and prevent crashes. Alternatively, purchase Norton Utilities and use it to keep your hard drive healthy.

5. Never unplug peripherals from the computer when it is powered up. Unplugging with the power on can short out the connector socket or the motherboard.

The only exception to this rule is if you know a peripheral is “hot pluggable”. If you do not know what “hot pluggable” means then ignore this exception.

6. Do keep at least 300 MBs of your C: drive free for Windows to use. If you use Windows XP or Vista then you should have 400-600 MBs of free space on your C: drive. If you do not have enough free space you will choke Windows and it will start dumping data to your hard drive, or it will just get really, really, slow. Use the ADD/Delete tool in the Windows Control Panel to delete unneeded programs from your drive. You can also use Cleansweep included in Norton Utilities to clean up your drive. If you do use Cleansweep or another hard drive cleaner, do not delete shared files unless you back them up. The cleaners do a rotten job of knowing if another program uses shared files.

7. Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your computer. They use valuable memory and Windows Resources (Windows internal workspace). All programs in your Windows System Tray (in the lower left of your screen) are running on your computer. Close them if you don’t need them or run them and configure them not to load when you boot up. Other programs running in the background can be found by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time.

8. Do use a virus checker regularly. Everyone should use a virus checker. The best type of protection is continuous monitoring from a dedicated anti-virus program like Norton Antivirus. The second best thing is to use is the free online virus checkers such as Housecall provided by Trend Micro.

9. If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program. A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to your system. You really do not want someone else running your computer. We suggest you purchase and run Norton’s Personal Firewall program or similar antivirus/firewall program. Your firewall should boot up with your computer to protect it from invasion. If you need some help getting this set-up and working correctly, please visit our support department where we can give you a free consultation on how vulnerable your computer is.

10. Keep track of the software disks you receive with your computer and new peripherals. These disks contain valuable software drivers and programs for Windows and are needed when Windows must be reloaded. Keep these disks and your Windows software disks in a safe, dry, place — you never know when you will need them.

Hopefully these computer maintenance tips will keep you out of trouble. However, if you have problems with your computer, feel free to ask for help from our online computer support department.

What is a firewall program? A firewall program is software that acts like a traffic cop that intercepts Internet traffic to and from your computer. Like all good traffic cops, your firewall software should stop any software program that breaks the traffic laws (hackers).

It is very important that your firewall program functions effectively as your firewall program is your main defense against hackers that are trying to break into your computer through your Internet connection. If hackers gain entry into your computer they can cause all kinds of mischief and thievery.

Firewall Advice:

For Modem Users. If you use a modem, you are at a much lower risk from Internet attackers. Frankly, most hackers don’t want to waste their time hacking into computers with slow Internet connections that are rarely connected to the Internet.

However, just because you aren’t the most desirable target, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t run a firewall program. I suggest you at least use the Windows XP Professional firewall or the free firewall programslike ZoneAlarm if you don’t want to buy a commercial firewall program.

If a virus or worm gets into your computer, it will have unlimited access to send anything it wants to any other computer — including personal information about you. Most commercial firewall programs block access to and from your computer – so even if a hacker gets into your computer, he still has to defeat the firewall on the way out.

For High-speed DSL, Cable, FIOS, and Satellite Internet Users. You are a primary target for Internet hackers. If a hacker gains access to your computer, they have free reign to commit computer crimes, crash your computer, steal your personal information, or attack other computers.

You need maximum firewall protection. A leading commercial firewall program that is actively updated by the manufacturer is a must.

Examples of commercial firewall programs include: Norton Personal Firewall, MCafee Firewall, and PC-cillin.

If you would like help installing or maintaining your firewall and antivirus programs please contact us at secureremotesupport.com

You need to make sure that all email is checked for viruses before you open it. Depending on what type of email program you use, your virus checking software or the email provider will check unopened email for viruses.
Note: Most free Web email providers e.g. Hotmail, check incoming email for viruses. However, those of you that read their mail with Outlook, Outlook Express, or other mail programs are typically responsible for providing their own resident email virus checker.

What kind of antivirus program should you use?

There are two major types of antivirus programs; resident programs which reside on the user’s computer, and free web-based programs that are online.

Most people connected to the Internet, should use a resident virus checker. Resident virus checkers provide full-time protection to your computer, however updates from the manufacturer are needed to keep abreast of new viruses. Resident virus checkers should always be on and checking your computer for viruses and other threats.
Examples of resident virus checkers include: Norton Antivirus, Mcafee, and PC-cillin.

Web-based free virus checkers are accessed online from an antivirus manufacturer’s Web site. Online virus checkers are free and always up-to-date, but will not detect viruses unless you are online and at the manufacturer’s Web site. Only people that think they have a very low virus risk should solely rely on Web-based virus checkers.

Online virus checkers can also be used in conjunction with resident virus checkers when updates to resident programs have not been obtained. Examples of free online virus checkers include: HouseCall and Symantec Security Check.

If you would be interested in having your computer looked over by one of our technicians, please contact us here. We are currently offering a free check over your computer to make sure you aren’t receiving viruses through your email! Contact a technician here.

Our online computer repair department is more than willing to assist you in configuring your updates and making sure you’re up to date on all the things your computer needs to know!

A common problem for computer slowness from my experience would be the over abundance of spy-ware or malware loaded on the computer. This is a major problem with computers that have access to the internet and browse websites that are unsafe. These websites prompt the user with pop ups and other annoying prompts that trick the web surfer into allowing the installation of these malicious programs.

Another common problem is the lack of random access memory (RAM) that is installed on the computer. What was once considered ‘optimal’ for performance is no longer. Let me explain the reasons why this is the way it is. First and foremost, as time progresses, technology progresses. What this means is that 512 megabytes two years ago might have been sufficient to run your operating system (Microsoft Windows 200 or XP) and any program you might have been using (Microsoft Streets and Trips). This is where the problem lies: As new programs are released, or upgrades to existing programs are released, they usually require more resources to run (RAM being considered resources). If you exceed your resources, your computer is setup to ‘page’ for extra resources. This is the last thing you want to do. Long story short, RAM is a crucial part of the performance of your computer. Lacking RAM will slow your computer down significantly.

On a side note, there have been countless instances where a client was running an outdated computer with the most up to date program available. They question why their computer has slowed down over time. The answer is what was explained above, instead of the hardware ‘slowing down’, what is really happening is that it has become antiquated and the program is too beefy for the computer to handle.

Again, these are not the only problems for slow computers. Other issues may include operating system clutter or virus infection. These are the most common issues from our experience. If you would like to have a professional technician look at this for you and advise you on what to do, or even clear up your PC for you, click here , to be routed to our Support Page, where you can click to be connected to a pc repair technician right away!

Click Here to be visit our main homepage.
Click Here to start a live chat with one of our technicians.
Click Here to enter into our Support Queue to have a technician help you.

Additionally, you can contact us toll free at 1 (800) 644-0211.

Occasionally, when you install legitimate software onto your computer you will need to right-click on the file and choose the “run-as” option to log in under the Administrator account. You may find it necessary to restart your machine and log in under the Administrator account to install certain software programs.

This is important when using windows vista as well. Please keep in mind that you do not want to disable to UAC setting (User Account Control) that displays asking for you to confirm when changes are made to the system. The UAC is an integral part of the security of your machine.

If you would prefer to have a technician make this change for you, or have further questions about this process, please contact our Support Department. Online Computer Repair is supplied 24 hours a day 7 days a week at http://secureremotesupport.com