General help and information

General hints and tips to help you get more out of and understand more about your computer.

 

Windows Genuine Advantage messages keep annoying me

Hi gizmo, I am getting a constant pop up from Microsoft about their Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program and Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) program which is telling me that my software is not genuine and I need to download genuine Microsoft – at a cost. Is this ‘genuine’ and what happens If I don’t download their genuine software? Also how do I get rid of the constant pop up that opens every time I open any windows program? Joanne.

 

Choosing the right Mac

According to many accounts, Macs are becoming increasingly popular despite their generally higher cost. While the vast majority of computer users still have PCs, Macs are excellent machines that are built very well and are worth considering if you are thinking of adding another computer to your home.

 

Uninstalling Programs from your computer

Uninstalling programs you don’t need any more is a great way of speeding up your computer. This is because many programs automatically run at start-up and often sit in your taskbar chewing up valuable memory. This causes your computer to take longer to start and also reduces the amount of memory available to the applications you actually want to use.

 

Recycling your old computer and peripherals

E-waste is a massive problem. As we buy the latest and greatest we leave behind a mountain of old parts nobody wants to deal with.

 

Hot, hot, hot! Adding a Windows Vista Temperature Gadget

With hot days baking many cities around Australia this week, it’s never been more useful to find out just how hot it really is outside.

 

Find cheap petrol near you

With petrol prices remaining high, this week we wanted to let you know about iGoogle’s (www.google.com/ig) new Petrol Price Tracker gadget.

 

Netbooks: What are they and why are they so popular all of a sudden?

 

Find cheap petrol near you

With petrol prices remaining high, this week we wanted to let you know about iGoogle’s (www.google.com/ig) new Petrol Price Tracker gadget.

 

Gifts Dad actually wants

If you want your fathers day present to be a hit this year, consider getting Dad a gadget he will actually use. As we mentioned earlier, all Dads love gadgets and fathers day is the perfect time to give them that special treat they’ve been wanting. We’ve scoured the web for the best father’s day gift guides.

 

01/12/07 - Upgrading your memory - an inexpensive way to speed up your computer

One of the most common shortcuts computer manufacturers take so that they can shave $100 off the purchase price of a new budget laptop or desktop computer is to put a small amount of memory (RAM) into the machine. While these computers seem like a bargain buy at the time, many of them do not have enough memory to run smoothly. In this article we look at how you can tell if your computer would benefit from a RAM upgrade.

 

01/01/08 - Getting your computer ready for the year ahead: 4 Easy steps

 

01/12/07 - Keeping Viruses at Bay

In this article we give you a few tips on how to make sure your antivirus is up to the task of keeping your computer safe.

 

01/11/07 - Get rid of unused applications
(download printable PDF)

Having a good spring clean to chuck out all those things that seemed like such a great idea at the time but never get used. A bit like that Ab-buster gathering dust in the shed, all they do is take up space and slow down your computer. If you don’t use it, lose it.

 

01/11/07 - Delete Temporary files
(download printable PDF)

Ever lived with a hoarder? You’ll never believe the amount of rubbish your little box of electronic marvels can stash away. All it does is get in the way, using up space you’d rather use for nice things like pictures, music and other files. Windows has a built in “Disk Cleanup” utility that will clean out these redundant files quickly, easily and quite safely.

Windows Vista

01/08/07 - The sky is falling: Google Sky
(download printable PDF)

In this article we take a look at Google Sky, a free new program that can help you learn about the cosmos.

Windows Vista

01/08/07 - Back to Basics
(download printable PDF)

Learning how to use a computer from scratch can be difficult. In this article we discuss some common problems and suggest some ways you can help a friend or family member get the help they need to learn how to use a computer

08/06/06 - Using Windows Vista's built in Help
(download printable PDF)

Learning how to use the built-in “Help and Support” feature of Windows Vista is one of the most important steps you can take when getting acquainted with your new computer. Once you’ve learnt how to use “help”, you will have developed a valuable skill which you can use to find answers to any future questions you might have.

08/06/06 - Creating User accounts in Windows Vista
(download printable PDF)

If more than one person will be using your computer, a good way of organising it can be to create user accounts.

08/06/06 - Why is my computer so noisy?
(download printable PDF)

This article runs through why computers can sometimes be really noisy and makes some suggestions to get them running quietly.

08/06/06 - Get your documents organised by making folders in Windows
(download printable PDF)

Lots of us can write documents, save pictures and send emails, but how can we make everything easy to find again. This article explains how to create your own folders in Windows XP.

08/06/06 - Dirty Computer? Why to keep yours clean
(download printable PDF)

Computers usually have a few fans that circulate air to keep things cool. However they also suck in dust which can cause shorts and overheating.

08/06/06 - What is a LightScribe? Is it something from Star Wars?
(download printable PDF)

LightScribe CD burners are a new way of creating labels for your CD's. This article explains what they are and how they can be beneficial to you.
Have more questions or need help? Contact Gizmo on 1300 275 449 or help@gizmo.com.au
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