Upgrading to Windows 7 from Vista or clean install from windows XP

Check the current system prior to upgrade to check compatibility, Microsoft has a Windows 7 upgrade advisor tool to run on the system prior to upgrade.
You will be best to remove antivirus and any other application suggested by the Upgrade Advisory tool (remember to reinstall latter)

If you wish to preserve all user settings then use the Windows Easy Transfer to copy all your settings to a removable storage device. (Windows Vista) (Windows XP)

With XP you will need to do a clean install of Windows 7 (The disk will be wiped), you can then use Windows easy transfer to re load your user data and settings.

Upgrading from Vista, if all goes well then all your settings and data should be already in place.

You will now need to get on line, if your wifi card is not working try the Ethernet cable, you may have had some warnings from the advisory tool about device drivers, the initial connection to windows update may fix some of these driver issues (I couldn’t believe it the first time I installed on an aging laptop)
I have seen reports of the upgrade hanging at 62%, guess what Microsoft have a fix! (you will need to edit a system Variable) KB975253

There are many guides and loads of advice on windows 7 on the web.

Windows 7 is coming

Release day 22nd Oct 2009, will Microsoft have got it right first time?

I have tried the prerelease version on an old Laptop and Home brewed PC, both worked only missing a couple of drivers, as soon as Windows 7 connected to the internet  any driver issued resolved them selves by magic!

I am looking at buying, I have sent of for the MS training book MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-680): Configuring Windows 7 Book/CD Package

There are numerous versions of Windows 7  you need to make sure that you get the correct one! Nothing with Microsoft is simple.

An Aladins cave of tools in Yeovil

I haven't been in the "The Tool Shop" in Yeovil since it moved a few years back to take away alley, Middle street, there were small tools, power tools and accessories for every job. I just went in to browse and ended up buying.


They were most helpful.
"The Tool Shop" 105 Middle Street, Yeovil, 412333

Scareware has finally made the news

Scareware: Pop ups telling you that your computer has hundreds of virus problems , but all will be fine if you use your credit card to download their Software to clean up your PC.

Scareware will try and sell you a solution to a problem and it will sound very convincing.

Exit your web browser and run you own antivirus software, (assuming you have some, some free links).
Don't allow the software to download.
Don't pay by credit card or anyother means.

For the Techie's
If you see one of these popups showing you the drives that have been scanned, does it actually match the drive you have, probably not, what you see is a bit of flash graphics showing you the most likely drive combination. C:,D: and A:.

How to hide Email address’ in email header and avoid upsetting customers, clients etc

Good email Practice Tip

How to hide Email address’ in email header and avoid upsetting customers, clients etc

1. Create the email

2. Add your email address to the TO: address box (you always need a TO address)

3. Click on the TO: to left of the address box, this will normally display TO Address Box, CC Address Box. BCC Address Box

4. We need to add the address list or individual email address to the Bcc Address Box.

5. When the email is sent the recipients will only see the address that was put in the TO Box.

TO: yourself

CC:

BCC: Mailinglist;otherpeople

Why bother?

If you place all the email address’ in the TO box all recipients will see all the address, you may not want every body to be able to see all your customers.

If one of your email recipients has a PC infected with a Virus, spyware etc this could cause spam email to sent to any email address that can be found in address books, emails and documents.

Looks more professional.

People may forward the email on to another person; you may not want them to see your email address list.

Notes:

TO: Main recipient

CC: Carbon Copy, copy some one in so they can see the email but not as the main recipient, email address visible to other recipients.

BCC: Blind Carbon Copy, copy some one in but not make there address visible to other recipients.

Church of England Confirmation Service

C of E Confirmation Service

The highlights of the service for me were the straight to the point Christian Message from the Bishop and the folks who were confirming their faith. Personal testament can mean more than lots of sermons when it is from the heart.

The service included baptism for those that couldn’t remember if they were baptised as infants (Infant baptism another story).

The folks who were baptized were signed with the cross using water and then the confirmation included signing them selves with the cross using oil.

There was the unease of not knowing what to do next, I am in this church most weeks and I didn’t know what to expect.

I know all the songs were chosen so that folks would feel at home, but looking around folks were struggling with the more traditional, I just stood and focused on the words.

I am not one for loads of paper, there was none; this was one of those times I wish I had a service sheet so I could keep up with the proceedings.

It was a very good evening and it is always good to see folks growing and standing and making a declaration of Christian faith and their belief in a risen Lord.

The evening was followed in a traditional Church of England time to meet and talk with Cake and soft drinks.
All clergy and Choir were in their robes, the majority of Music was played by the Organ with the Band playing songs during Communion and as the Clergy, Choir, Wardens and Bishop processed out.

The C of E has moved on over the years, but I have a feeling the words used and sung responses may need a little adjustment (not changing the biblical importance) may be a different tune? The Sung Lords Prayer really confused everyone.

There were plenty of responses to make, If I have to make a response I like to understood what I am responding to.

St James is known for its variety of styles and service types and in some areas a bit cutting edge.

Protect you home PC or Laptop,

Protection
I still find PC’s and Laptops with no Anti Virus product or not with latest updates installed and the fire wall turned off!

As a minimum you need to have an up to date Antivirus product and an active firewall. These alone are not now adequate to cope with all the online threats. The majority of issues are now malware related so the Antivirus software now needs to include Malware/ Spyware removal and detection. Allow all Microsoft Updates to install and other software product updates to install (office, Adobe, Java etc)


Once you have all the good security stuff in place you may need to change your online habits.

I am a bit skeptical about anything which is free, no such thing as free lunch. It may appear to be free, but may well cost you latter.

Free online anti Virus popups saying that your system is badly infected and that you need to buy their software, you will end up with software which will down load adverts and use the credit card details you have provided.

Software protection need not cost:
Microsoft XP, Vista and windows 7 all have an inbuilt Firewall, Microsoft now also have a free Antivirus / Malware software.

I have been using AVG free and Zone alarm Basic (free for Home use).

Some customers have been using Comodo Fire Wall and Avast antivirus (Free for Home users).
Some links via my website

Spybot Search and Destroy
Spybot Search and destroy is very usefull for finding spyware and malware and can be run when needed along side the other products, it is very good at finding and removing problems.

Virus Scans
Scan your system regularly to check for problems, most will automatically scan, let them scan.

If you think you have a Virus / malware then Don’t do online transaction which may expose personal information (Bank details).

The links are provided for information (check that you are happy where the download is coming from).

Microsoft Free Security Software

Microsoft Security Essentials :- Has now been released Anti Virus and Malware, how good will it be. I am planing to give it a go on a spare pc.

I have been a fan of AVG Free and Zone Alarm Free, but may be time for a change (May be not, I always have a mistrust of Microsoft).