Windows 7 no-reformat, nondestructive reinstall

An interesting walk through in re-installing Windows 7 without losing any user accounts, data, installed programs,or system drivers. This one was written by Fred Langa of windowssecrets.com.

Win7's no-reformat, nondestructive reinstall

How-to-Geek site

I've learned a great deal from an excellent resources called How-to Geek. Tons of information, laid out with excellent organization. Highly recommended!

Microsoft Safety Scanner

Looks like Microsoft did sneak a new on demand anti-malware scanner past us. Most would have been unaware of the new application if not for keeping up with various IT newletters, blogs and web sites, such as I do on a daily basis. This small application is downloaded as an .exe file and instead of being installed onto your Windows enironment, it is just ran directly from the .exe file to start the scanning process. One of the downsides to the program is that you have to re-download the file again, after ten days, to include the latest definitions for the program. If your willing to live with the small inconvienence, it looks like a good additional on-demand malware scanner, in additional to you main persistant anti-malware program. Just don't depend on this one alone as your main anti-malware program for your Windows OS environment.

Microsoft Safety Scanner download

32 bit vs 64 bit

A good overview of 32 bit vs 64 bit systems

32 bit vs 64 bit

Increase in Rougeware infections

I've recently noticed an increase in Rougeware infections. Within the last week I've assisted in two cases of similar description. Rougeware come in various names (Internet Security Essentials, IE Antivirus, AV Security Suite....etc) but they all seem to behave similarly. The most obvious symptom are the prompts and pop ups that one would get indicating a severe virus infection has been found, and the only way to remove this is to purchase the indicated "rouge" anti-virus program.

The other obvious sign is browser hijacking and rerouting when doing a search within your browser(Internet Explorer seems to be especially vulnerable.)

Two ways in attempting to clean Rougeware would be to use two scanning applications that I've found to be successful most of the time.

Malwarebytes-This one will take at least 1 hour or more, depending on the size of your Hard Drive and will usually clear all signs of noticeable Rougeware/Malware. The free version doesn't offer a background, continuous stay resident scanning option, but for temporary use, this one works well.

Superantispyware-This one will work very similar to Malwarebytes and is a good second choice for removal of Rougeware/Malware. Once again the free version only offers manual scanning and will not run in the background as most anti-virus programs will.

These two are usually a good first step in attempting to remove annoying Rougeware and Malware from a personal PC running Windows OS.

When these applications fail, it may be time to try to manually remove, which usually involves modifying the registry and can prove to be time consuming and a bit complex. If one wishes to be totally certain that they have fully removed all signs of Rougeware/Malware or Viruses, a full Format and Reinstall of the systems OS(Operating System) made be in order.

Pingtest.net

I quick and reliable way to test out your personal broadband connection is by using Pingtest.net

Pingtest will connect to the closest available server to administer the test and then quickly give the result on the quality of your boadband connection.

Cutting Cable TV out?

I recently learned about some options as alternatives to traditional cable television. Sometimes I'm not sure if paying $80-$90 extra a month for a large number of unused channels is justified. It really is nice having the optional channels to watch if ever needed, but I usually don't.

The cost savings over time are attracitve, compared to paying the monthly cable television fees, so I am still debating to see if some of these options whould be best for me and my family.

This article by Jason D. O'Grady & David Morgenstern on ZDNet, explains some of the better options currently out there.

Looks like Apple TV, Rok XDS and Boxee Box may be the better options currently.

Three reasons to dump your cable proider: Boxee, Roku, Apple TV