TECH GUIDE BLOG

Nowadays, computer viruses are making people frustated. Data lost, hang, slowpoke performance, and error message are some “signs” that your computer is infected by viruses, not always, but often. So, now you are using an anti virus. But again, your computer still get infected, where’s the problem? I have to tell you, anti virus doesn’t guarantee your computer is free from threats like viruses and so on problems, they just help you to become more aware to threats like that. So now, the problems are inside you, here’s some tips from my experience about viruses, hope that these can help you.

1. If you install antivirus program, make sure it’s up to date
2. Recently, many viruses come with auto play action, so disable your auto play feature can help you to prevent these kind of viruses, but I don’t disable it, because I always cancel it, if you never use this feature like me, click cancel button is enough, if you do like I do, you don’t need to disable auto play, just click cancel
3. You have an antivirus, so use it. Always scan any removable disks that plugged into your computer
4. I recommend you use windows explorer instead do double-click at removable disks, it’s more secure
5. Reveal extension for known types, this can be done with just a bit change. Just go to control panel or my computer or whatever, just open a window, from menu click Tools –> Folder Options –> View tab –> uncheck Hide extensions for known file types. This can reveal file extensions for known types, for example in an application you will see .exe or in Microsoft Word documents you will see .doc after the filename, like filename.exe and filename.doc. With this way, you can see wether the file is virus or not, for example you see a file with MS Word icon, but the filename is filename.doc.exe, see the different? You will see .exe, it’s an application, not a MS Word document file format or you see a folder icon but the name is folder_name.exe, or right-click the folder or file and click properties, you can see their type, folder is folder and .exe is application
6. Turn on system restore for system partition, just some viruses can be inactive when you restore your computer to previous time before you got “present”. After you restore it, see what happen, if the virus is inactive, update your antivirus and scan your computer, the virus is still reside in your computer, but not activated yet
7. If virus has been activated in your computer, scan first before you use system restore, but in safe mode. When the computer start, press F8 button and choose “Safe Mode” and log in with administrator account

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ECS 2008 Mainstream product, with attractive spec and impressive performance!
G43T-M, ECS Mainstream product 2008, features Intel^® G43 and ICH10 chipsets, by supporting FSB1333 and DDR2 800 with 4 DIMMs, providing great performance. Moreover, G43T-M is integrated GMA X4500 graphic engine, supports smooth HD playback and Vista Premium Eligible with DX10. Furthermore, G43T-M also provides ultimate graphics performance through PCI-E Gen2.0 x16 interface, upgrades your visual experience. G43T-M is the best choice for your life experience.

That’s my favorite mainboard for now, the price is low and yet the feature is great. With PCI-E Gen2.0 x16, it’s very awesome and Intel GMA X4500 is just to be good for onboard VGA. For many people say, that ECS is low-entry mainboard, but I don’t need a board that can be overclocked, I just want a work fine mainboard, and ECS can worth for 5 years more for normal use I think. Don’t you agree?

The price market is at 80 USD now. Cheap, isn’t it? for mainboard with PCI-E Gen2.0 x16 it’s usually at above 100 USD to 300 USD. This is the main reason why I like this mainboard. It’s upgradeable and supports 45nm processors.

Unfortunately, this mainboard doesn’t have firewire port, because it is targeted for low-entry you said, with this price market at 80 USD. But again, I don’t have any device that use firewire port, so this feature isn’t so necessary for me now.

This mainboard also support dual-channel memory and support up to 8 GB DDR2. Very upgradeable for me, it’s still enough for me with this capacity. And Micro ATX form factor is implemented in this mainboard, makes it more energy saving and take a small place.

The conclusion is, this is a good mainboard, with 80 USD price market, it’s reasonable for people with limited budget but want good feature. It’s also support PCI-E Gen2.0 for gaming purpose and dual-display. And if you don’t need a board for overcloking contest, it’s the best choice.

For detailed specifications visit here

Popularity: 15% [?]

First of all, you need to know first, is it necessary to buy computer like this? With feature like this, am I using it? And of course, how much costs I have to spend on my computer? After you’ve answered these questions, the next step is, you have to know the components inside your “dream machine” are good before you take it home. So, these are some tips from me for multimedia and home computer with limited budget:

1. Processor, I recommend Intel E2000 series for home and E7000/E8000 series for multimedia user. E2000 series are dual-core technology with 65 nm architecture processors and E7000/E8000 series are core 2 duo processors with 45 nm architecture. E2000 series are about 60-80 USD, E7000 at 100-120 USD, and E8000 series I recommend E8400 with 3.0 Ghz, 1333 Mhz FSB, 6MB L2Cache at 168 USD.
2. RAM, 1 GB system memory is standard now, for home and office this will be enough, and it is cost about 18 USD, for multimedia user, 2 GB with 1 slot is cheaper than 2×1 GB in dual-channel. Don’t push your budget to buy dual-channel, you can buy 2 GB more later, so you have advantage if you buy 1 dimm RAM with 2 GB memory, because you can save to get more.
3. Motherboard/ Mainboard, choose a motherboard with Intel chipset G945 or G31-ICH7 for home use, it has on-board audio and  on-board graphic, so for home/ office, there are no problem to use on-board VGA and with just 60-70 USD it’s very good deal, and for multimedia user I recommend G43-ICH10, with PCIeX x16 2.0, gigabit LAN, onboard VGA Intel X4500HD, onboard 8 channel audio, RAM support up to 8 GB or more with dual-channel support, SATA ports and for some manufacturer, it has firewire port included, however these mainboard are 150 USD below, even 80 USD is available.
4. Graphic Card, for home/ office, onboard is OK, and if you want to buy a new graphic card, buy a mainstream card, like ATI HD4600 series or NVidia 9600 series, it muts be below 100 USD, even below 80 USD.
5. HDD Drive, buy with 320 GB or 250 GB capacity, with 57 USD. It’s better than you buy 80 GB for 40-45 USD. 320 GB has a future prospect, LOL.
6. Monitor, people say LCD is more energy saving, that’s true, but you must know the ‘Terms of Service’, with same diagonal size, LCD is better, the wider the screen, more watt are used, be careful.

If you buy this system, it’s just take no more than 200 watt, even below 100 in idle. But you don’t have to buy this system, if you have more favorable and cheapest system, you better follow yourself, because many people get disappointed because they don’t get what they want. So, if you want to buy higher system than this, I am telling you now, save your money for that, before you crying out loud.

Popularity: 19% [?]