Cybersafe Press

Comparison of CPU Speeds - Benchmarks

I get asked in classes on Improving PC Performance about CPU speed.  With new brand names coming out from Intel and AMD (the two makers of most PC and MAC CPU's) it's getting harder and harder to compare what you have now with what you're thinking of buying, and to comparison shop by price between two or more computers.

Benchmarking is a way to compare two CPU's to each other and come up with an impartial

Fall Classes Scheduled

Here is my schedule for Fall 2009 classes:

October 17th Improving PC Performance    Pasadena City College

October 17th Blogging for Fun & Profit Pasadena City College

October 20th Improving PC Performance   Los Alamitos Recreation Center

October 24th How to Promote Your Business on the Internet  Riverside Community College

November 7th   Improving PC Performance     Riverside Community College

November 7th   Blogging for Fun & Profit     Riverside Community College

November 14th Improving PC Performance     Santiago Community College (Tustin)

Windows 7

I've been using Windows 7 for about a month and have decided that Microsoft got it right with this one. Everything is easier to do than in Vista or XP.  So far all the applications I ran on Vista have run successfully on 7.  You won't see as much if the User Account Control - I barely notice it after I installed my applications. Connecting to wireless networks, projectors, printers, and other connections work much better. Boot up time was much shorter and faster. For more information see Microsoft's web site.

Lowest Cost Upgrade

By far the lowest cost upgrade a user can make to their computer is the addition of Random Access Memory.  If RAM has never been upgraded, the computer is almost assured of being in need of additional RAM. RAM is used by all software that needs to run, and as a result is a physical limitation of the computer that cannot be overcome with any tuning or cleanup.

In addition, RAM is relatively inexpensive and is easy to install. Even if you hired a technician to install the RAM, it can be installed in less than an hour, probably even less time.

Additional RAM can be purchased for less than $50 for most computers. The memory manufacturers make it easy to find your model and determine the maximum amount of RAM that can be installed. A lookup on sites like Kingston, Crucial, or others will help you find the correct memory for your computer model. If you don't know your computer model, you can check the mother board number, if you don't feel comfortable with that, a technician can easily determine the correct RAM.

Windows XP Stops Shipping?

On June 30th Microsoft will no longer be shipping Windows XP with new PC's.  However, there is an option if your BUSINESS depends on Windows XP. Note the key word BUSINESS, as in NOT a consumer. Consumers don't really depend on Windows XP and should be migrating to Vista.

IRS Stimulus Check E-mail Fraud

The FBI warns consumers of recently reported spam e-mail purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which is actually an attempt to steal consumer information. The e-mail advises the recipient that direct deposit is the fastest and easiest way to receive their economic stimulus tax rebate.

Updated Class Schedule for Summer

Here is my schedule for summer classes:

June 3   6:30-9:30   Improving PC Performance    Irvine Valley College

July 10th 6:30-9:30   Improving PC Performance    Santiago Canyon Community College

July 16   6:30-9:30     A Parents Guide to Internet Safety   Pierce College   (818) 719-6425 (phone to register)

July 17th 6:30-9:30  Improving PC Performance   Rio Hondo College

July 21 6:30-9:30   Improving PC Performance   Los Alamitos Recreation Center

August 2  9-12    Improving PC Performance    Chaffey College

Reporting Internet Fraud

The FBI's  Internet Complaint Center  serves as a clearinghouse for the receipt, analysis, and dissemination of complaints concerning frauds perpetrated via the Internet. It provides a single point of contact for consumers and businesses to file a fraud complaint via e-mail. The Internet Crime Complaint Center uses the complaint information to identify Internet crime trends, quantify fraud patterns, and to provide statistical data of current fraud trends.

If you have been a victim of fraud while conducting business or other activity on the Internet, you may file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

FBI Work in Cybercrime

Who do you go to for help in fighting cybercrime? The FBI. They play two roles according to their web site:

The FBI plays two important roles in protecting cyberspace: 1) the FBI is the lead law enforcement agency for detecting and defeating cyber-based attacks against the nation's critical infrastructures by foreign adversaries and terrorists; and 2) the FBI works to prevent criminals, sexual predators, and those intent on malicious destruction from using the Internet and on-line services to steal from, defraud, and otherwise victimize citizens, businesses, and communities. Investigations can include unauthorized access (hacking) violations, denial of service attacks, Internet fraud schemes, malicious code (virus and worms), or copyright violations.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1

I upgraded to Service Pack 1 last night and discovered a few device issues. While it's important to upgrade, users may find that certain devices are not functioning properly. After my upgrade installed and I rebooted, I discovered that my NVidia GeForce 8600 graphics adapter driver wasn't working, my RealTek audio manager wasn't working, and I had lost my USB backup drive letter.

Microsoft warns users that the Service Pack 1 upgrade will affect device drivers and some device drivers may need to be reset, but many users may discover they aren't sure how to do this for their systems.  For step-by-step how-to for updating and correct your device drivers read more...