IP Address

Method One:

1. Click on the Start icon situated on the left hand bottom corner of the window of your computer screen.
2. Once the menu pops up, select the 'run' option and click on it. This action opens up a small pop up window containing an input box with a blinking cursor in it.
3. Type 'command' or 'cmd' in the input box and press enter or click on the 'OK' button.

Method Two:

1. Click on the Start icon.
2. Then select 'all programs'
3. Cick on the 'accessories' option
4. Choose the option 'Command prompt'

By following either of the above mentioned methods, you will open a MS DOS window. Once this window is opened, you can easily find the IP address of your system. This is the medium through which you can send a command to your system and get a reply.

The easiest way of finding the IP address is to type 'ipconfig', without the quotes in the MS DOS window and press enter. The system responds to this command by displaying the information related to Windows IP configuration. The IP address of the system is also displayed along with the complete data related to the Windows IP configuration. For getting more detailed and elaborate information along with the IP address, use the command 'ipconfig/all', which even provides the information related to the network connections.

Websites IP:

If you are interested in knowing the IP addresses of the websites you are connected to, it is very easy. Once you follow either of the mentioned methods and open the MS DOS window, just type the command 'netstat -n', without the quotes. This command returns the list of all active connections on your system. The information is displayed in four columns and the columns that you need to focus on are the second and third columns namely, local address and foreign address. The local address represents the IP address of your system, whereas the foreign address represents the IP addresses of the websites or the computers you are connected to.

If you are not comfortable doing any of the above mentioned methods of finding the IP address of your system, you can always many of the online programs which help you find the IP address of your system.

Photo Credits: Collin Anderson

Originally posted 2010-04-15 03:47:51.

Bluetooth

The first step is to determine whether your computer already has the Bluetooth capability. If your laptop is new, then there is a probability that, it already has operating Bluetooth capability. If you are not sure, you can refer to the manual provided by the manufacturer. If you already have the Bluetooth capability on your system, you can enable it in few seconds. If you own an older laptop or a desktop, then you can easily get Bluetooth on it by purchasing an inexpensive Bluetooth USB adapter and connecting it to your system. The Bluetooth USB adapter is small, inexpensive device which allows your system to search for any Bluetooth enabled devices in the close proximity. It is very much similar to wireless adapter. The Bluetooth USB adapter comes with installation disk that can help you install the required software for its functioning.

The next step is to complete the installation of the Bluetooth USB software on your system. Once you complete the installation, the software prompts to insert the Bluetooth device into the USB port in your system. Once done, the software also provides you the instructions to add a personal identification number (PIN) for your system's Bluetooth. After this step, you can pair your Bluetooth with any other Bluetooth compatible device. Ensure that both the Bluetooth devices are turned on and that the Bluetooth settings are enabled for visibility.

At times, the pairing process of the devices is automatic and other times, some settings might have to be modified on the other Bluetooth enabled device. The process of adding a Bluetooth enabled device to the list of Bluetooth paired devices on your system is quite simple. Open the control panel of your system and find the 'hardware and sounds' icon. Click on that icon and then select the tab 'Bluetooth devices' and then click on the add button. This enables your system to search for any Bluetooth compatible devices in the nearby vicinity. Once your system finds the Bluetooth enabled devices, you can select the desired device and add it. This finishes the pairing of the Bluetooth enabled device with your Bluetooth enabled system.

Once you test the Bluetooth functioning on your system, you can then easily transfer files between your system and various devices such as cell phones, digital cameras, etc. If your system is not Bluetooth enabled, now you can easily get Bluetooth for your system, by following the above mentioned steps.

Photo Credits: tawalker

Originally posted 2010-05-18 03:32:42.

Registry

Registry is a database warehouse of information related to our computer and its configuration. It keeps a copy of all files and folders that we use everyday. Thus the size of registry grows everyday by keeping record of all important and unimportant files. Thus the registry needs a cleanup session at regular intervals to keep up the performance of our computer system. It degrades our computer and may also cause problems in the use of various softwares. It removes clutter thereby letting the computer to run at the fastest possible speed. A Registry can come in handy to retrieve a data that would otherwise have been lost from the operating system.

There are two ways of cleaning the Registry: Manually and by Registry cleaning softwares.

The manual method of cleaning Registry is quiet risky as one may delete files that are actually wanted. It’s a taxing job to relate important files to respective applications and manually filter wanted files from the unwanted ones. The removal of any important file can cause the operating system to crash. So it is always recommended to use authorized software specially programmed for cleaning registry.

Use of software for cleaning registry is the most preferred and popular way.

Tips for safe registry cleanup

Since registry cleaning is a risky process, some safety measures can help avoid crashing and damaging your computer. It is also helpful in proper cleaning process to achieve the best results out of this activity.

Always create a backup of all files before the start of cleaning process. This can be done either manually or by use of tools. This tool is inbuilt with a registry cleaning software.

Even in the case of cleaning through software, it is recommended not to use auto cleaning option. For extra safety one can create a second back up.

It is important to close all open applications because new files keep on generating on registry every time a tool is running.

Once the software is done with the scanning process, it is better to allow the cleaner software to eliminate errors at the safest and lowest level. One can scan at an extensive all-inclusive way at a later stage. It is highly recommended to avoid using the option of auto cleaning as it might delete important files.

The fastest way to check the scan result is by looking for files that seem to be familiar. It will be easy to decide if they are wanted or unwanted ones.

After an initial round of clean up, one can go for higher level intrusive clean up after a gap of few days. The software will scan and group them on basis of their usefulness. One needs to be very careful with important usable files.

After the final instructions, it will start cleaning the registry. This brings us to an end of the cleaning process.

The cleaning process my sometimes delete few important applications, the best way is to recover them from the back ups that were created.

Cleaning registry once in a month is highly recommended.

Photo Credits: Takuya Oikawa

Originally posted 2010-04-24 03:59:20.

Cleaning your monitor.

Get specific cleaning products

Don’t reach for the same spray bottle you use to wash your windows. Being able to read your screen is very important so taking the time to drive to a store with an electronics department is worth the effort. Find a cleaner and a soft cloth specifically labeled for use with computers or PDA screens. The only other type of product you might try on the screen are those designed to use on eyeglasses. The little pieces of cloth sold in eyeglass stores will also work on your computer screen. If none of these options are available or you would just rather mix your own computer screen cleanser than a 50/50 combination of Isopropyl alcohol and water will do. Never use paper towels, but there are individually wrapped pre-moistened towelettes labeled for use on computers or eyeglasses that sometimes work well.

Going for the deep clean

Turn off the monitor or the laptop. Find some light to work with by either moving the laptop or monitor or rearranging some lamps until you can see easily. If possible sunlight is often the best way to expose smudges and smears on the screen.

Lay out the things you need like the cleaner, cloth, or Q-tips. Never spray the monitor or laptop screen directly with the cleaner. Lightly spray the cloth you will be using and start at the corners where dust and grim accumulates dabbing gently. If you can’t reach a spot in the corner give a Q-tip a sparing spray of cleaner and gently rub this into corners to remove the grim. Put the Q-tip aside and more on to smears or smudges next. Make sure there is no dirt on the cloth and give it one more light spay before wiping the entire screen.

The smear that will not go away

Occasionally, you will encounter a smudge that resists your cloth’s best efforts. When you meet this breed of dirt take another clean Q-tip and spray it with cleaner until it is well moistened, but not dripping wet. Run the Q-tip softly over the smudge until it is dissolved and can be wiped off.

Check the screen from various angles before you declare yourself done. Smears have the frustrating ability to hide in the shadows, so you should tilt the laptop or turn the monitor this way and that to make sure you have completely gotten them all.

Keeping the monitor completely clean is almost impossible, since the very make up of the screen allows it to smudge and smear easily. Laptops especially take a lot of unintentional abuse. Keeping screen cleaning towelettes or a small cloth handy to pick up small problems as they arise can reduce the number of times you have to do a full-scale cleaning.

Photo Credits: alohateam

Originally posted 2010-05-31 03:46:43.

Computer Store

Getting a computer is easy but getting our first and best choice is tricky. The salesmen are ever ready to give any number of useful or useless pack deals in order to increase their commission. When buying we have to take into consideration our needs and requirements, not theirs. We first have to decide what we going the use the computer for, as that is going to be the basis to build the computer of our dreams.

Sometimes buying different parts of the computer rather than buying the entire package which includes parts that we do not need or use is better in the long run. What are you looking for in a CPU, RAM memory, software, DVD/CD drive, speakers, recorders, microphones, web cameras, USB ports, etc? After determining that look to see if a pre-built computer will meet your needs and if you can’t find one get the parts you’ll need to build one.

HP, Dell, IBM, Apple, Compaq, ATI, Vaio, Sony etc. are some of the best computer companies on the market. We have to pick out the one that will suit the best of our needs. If we need to store graphics, movies or songs, then we have to make sure to go for the one that has more RAM memory, as compared to the one with the best processor in it. If we are using the computer for our personal use, having official software in it will not help us at all, as that is not our requirement. Playing games and storing them will again require extra memory.

A computer is an investment rather than expense. If we are looking forward to use a computer for a long-term then we also need to consider the cost of future up-grading. So let’s be smart buyers and update ourselves with the latest in technology.

Photo Credits: Orin Zebest

Originally posted 2010-04-05 03:38:05.

Computer Fax

Internet Based Fax Programs

There are a lot of such internet fax programs which are free, however the downside of using such programs is that when you use these programs, the faxes you send or receive will have advertisements on them, which looks quite unprofessional, in case you are using it for official purposes.

You need not be disheartened, the best of the internet fax programs usually offer a thirty day trial period, allowing you to send or receive faxes. This gives you the time and chance to use the program before you can purchase it. The programs are not expensive usually. For just around eight dollars a month, you can receive or send faxes from your computer.

The other advantage of signing up for such programs is that you get a free fax number for your personal or professional use. Depending on the volume of faxes you send or receive, you can select from the various plans offered by the internet fax program service providers. For individuals who own a small scale business, this is a boon in disguise, since they can have a fax number too and need not invest in a fax machine.

Fax Modem

The other option is to purchase a fax modem and configure it with your operating system. This allows you to receive or send faxes from your system. Once you configure and install the fax software, you can turn your system into a fax machine. Whenever you need to send a fax, you just have to open the fax program and follow the instructions to the send the fax from your system. Be sure that you include the right area codes and the required information, where ever required.

If you do not have a fax program installed on your system, you can even use the Microsoft word program to send a fax from your system. You just have to open the document you need to fax and open the print window and instead of selecting the print option, select the print to fax option and then click print. You will be prompted to enter the fax number and the required information of the recipient and your modem sends the fax. Tada! Done!

Photo Credits: jc.westbrook

Originally posted 2010-04-16 03:50:38.

TV Monitor

The first step is to recognize the type of input connections your television has. In general, a television has an input of RCA composite input or a coaxial cable or a connector of S-video. The modern day televisions have inputs of VGA, component video, DVI, HDMI. You can easily find the various types of outputs your systems can have and most of these are built in such a way that they suit the television inputs. These days the S-video is among the most popular choices on the computers. Once you know the type of inputs and outputs of your television and computer respectively, you can then get an adapter which is apt for connecting your devices.

A convenient adapter to opt for is the wireless adapter, though the price is on the higher side, it keeps all the problems related to the cables at bay. If you do not wish to spend much on the adapter, then you can always go for the cable option. Usually a cable adapter has provisions for S-video, RCA composite and VGA inputs. The next step is to connect your television to the computer. If your systems have the S-video jack, then you simply have to buy an S-video cable and connect your system to the television. In case, your computer does not support the S-video jack, then you can opt to use the adapter by connecting cables of RCA or component video to the television and use the VGA end of the cable to attach to the computer. The next step is to switch on the television and verify whether the signals from computer are reaching it.

You might be slightly unhappy with the resolution of the images on the television, since, the computer's signals are different from that of the television. In order to solve this resolution problem, you can choose a HDTV adapter and have a HDTV television too. If you cannot afford a HDTV, then you can work with a normal television too, though with a slightly less resolution. This is how you can use TV as a computer monitor.

Photo Credits: Playpower Foundation

Originally posted 2010-05-16 03:25:12.

Remote setup

One of the most common ways through which you can control your computer remotely is through a wireless keyboard and mouse. This technology has been around for some time so there shouldn’t be any trouble using them. Now you may be asking yourself as to how does a wireless computer and mouse work? Well it is quite simple. A USB sensor is plugged into the computer. The sensor needs to be placed at a point that is easily visible. The ideal place for the sensor would be at the top of the computer monitor.

The keyboard and mouse will have no wires attached. They will also have built-in sensors that will be linked to the USB sensor that is attached to the computer. The mouse and keyboard however will need batteries to power them. Seeing as you would be using this mouse and keyboard regularly, it is advised that you opt for rechargeable batteries. After having connected everything as they should be, you can sit at a distance and control your computer remotely.

There are many others ways that you can control your computer remotely while sitting at a completely different location on another computer. This is usually achieved by installing software that makes this possible. If you are planning to use this approach then you will have to do the following steps. The first thing that you will have to do is find a remote computer program. After having found one or after purchasing one, you will be required to install it on two computers.

You will first have to install the program on the computer that you are going to use to control the other computer remotely. After having done that, you will have to install the same program on the computer that you want to control. It will be important that you leave the program running at all times to make sure that you can get access to the computer remotely. Depending on the network that you are using, you will be required to change the settings that will link both your computers. Using this approach will also allow you to be able to remotely control your computer. It is recommended that if you have any problems that your refer to the user guide provided for the software that you are planning to use.

Photo Credits: karindalziel

Originally posted 2010-05-08 03:02:42.

Multiple Network Connections

Here is how you go about it:

We will be specifically talking about an internet connection that is a cable one. The reason for this is simple; connecting to a computer that is on wireless internet makes no sense as you can directly connect to the wireless net. So in this tutorial we are talking about cable internet.

Nearly everyone knows that computers connect cable internet connection through the LAN card. So if you want to connect to a computer that is on cable connection, make sure your computer has a working LAN card. The first thing you will need to learn is how to connect two computers using the LAN card.

It is fairly easy – the computer which has the internet needs to allow the other computer to be able to use the network. Go into the control panel and click on the 'Network and Sharing Center' icon. Now you simply need to enable network discovery. You should also allow file sharing and public sharing folder options so that it gets easier for the other computer to connect.

Now the second step is to see whether the first computer is showing your LAN on it or not. For this you will need to connect your LAN card to that computer. Once it is connected it would be displayed in the Network Connections.

Now comes the tricky part!

You need to make a right-click on the local area connection where the LAN is shown and go to its properties. The next step is to get into the properties of the 'Networking' icon and go into the 'Protocol Version 4.' Now, you will need to give an IP address against the command ‘Use the following IP’ and name an IP address. At this time you are actually done configuring this pc and you need to move on to the other one through which you want to use the internet.

The first thing you need to do is to check whether the LAN card is enabled on this computer or not. If it is enabled then go to networking properties and click on the ‘obtain an IP address automatically’ tab and it will retrieve the IP address from the first computer. Your computer is now connected to the internet of the first computer. Try browsing or connecting to the internet and if it’s not working then try pinging. You will get to know whether the computer is running on the internet or not either by browsing or by pinging. It is just this simple to connect to another computer’s internet.

Photo Credits: dcmorton

Originally posted 2010-04-22 03:33:29.

Computer Virus

The most trusted method of keeping viruses at bay is getting a reputed antivirus software program and installing it on your computer. There are a lot of antivirus programs available online, however, make sure that you download a legitimate antivirus program. After the installation of the antivirus software, run the program, this way you can remove any existing viruses on your computer.

Always be cautious when you receive mails with attachments, from unfamiliar email addresses. If you are not sure, never open the attachment, it can be a source of harmful virus. Viruses that spread through email attachments usually spread by finding the email addresses from your address book and sending themselves to every email id. Hence, if you open an email from a familiar id, but are not sure if the content of the email sounds weird or you were not expecting any such mail, it is better not to open the attachment and immediately delete the mail.

To be absolutely sure of protecting your computer from harmful virus attacks, regularly perform a full scan. It might take hours to complete, but it is necessary, to spot any existing viruses on the computer. Antivirus programs, usually, get updated very frequently so you will need to install the updates regularly. This will keep your antivirus program efficient in identifying and removing the viruses. New viruses are created daily; hence, it is absolutely necessary to install the regular updates, in order to be secure from the ever increasing viruses.

Do not blindly rely on the antivirus program. Since, few of the viruses are very hard to remove, once they attack a computer, even the most efficient antivirus program cannot remove them completely. Always be cautious while downloading files from internet. Every time you download you are at the risk of downloading a virus onto your system. Also, always be on the lookout for links that ask you to click, since, few of these links can redirect you to sites containing viruses and simply visiting these sites, can affect your computer with the viruses.

Always scan the external USB flash drives that have already been connected to other computers before using them. Do the when using external hard disks, since they can already have potential viruses residing in them. Be extremely cautious when you receive attachments with the extensions .vbs or .js and it is better not to open them at all.

Photo Credits: ccox888

Originally posted 2010-05-17 03:29:31.