What Do Registry Cleaners Do?

The operating systems that enable us to interact with our computers are designed to be easy to use, but there's a great deal of technical complexity happening in the background. For example, you use your mouse pointer to click on an icon and start an application, a simple act, but it's actually one that requires communication between different resources within the system. 

Lines of code are activated, read by the operating system and an action is taken. The program starts and loads into memory, ready for the mouse pointer or a typed command to start another sequence of actions.

What is the System Registry?

All of this complexity happens behind the scenes of the operating system and only someone trained in the maintenance and repair of software has even a passing familiarity of how all the many modules and tiny programs link together to form the operating system. One of those reservoirs of code, settings, and configurations is the system registry. Used in Microsoft Windows software as a storage area for user profiles and containing all of the information relevant to the many programs running in Windows, the system registry is a hierarchical organization of file entries and data that is entered by each program as it's installed. 

This complex tree of structured data is accessed by Windows to store information on user and software configurations. As such, it's extremely unwise to tamper with the registry unless you're well versed on working with the the software framework that keeps the operating system running smoothly. At the very least, if you do intend to make changes to the registry, first make a backup of its existing state. This is a common practice employed by even the most seasoned software engineers.

Problems with the System Registry

Computers work with clockwork precision, installing programs, uninstalling them, and working with vast amounts of user data. Occasionally, and keep in mind that many manufacturers create Windows applications, programs leave behind a registry entry, possibly more than one, and the registry begins to grow in size. It becomes bloated, slowing down and losing its efficient structure. 

Many laptop repairs employ the use of registry cleaners to seek out these errant registry entries and delete them. Computer repairs benefit highly from such optimizing actions, making registry cleaners a popular means of speeding up computers that are slow to boot and frustratingly plodding when running anything but the simplest of software.

Registry Cleaners

Going far beyond removing redundant registry entries that refer to programs no longer installed on the computer, modern registry cleaners analyze and optimize the registry, checking for errors. Laptop repairs often involve working on Windows systems slowed down by a very large registry, and it's possible to gain a substantial performance increase by simply committing to a full scan by the cleaner software, allowing it to track down invalid entries and references. 

Authorized computer repair services do tend to involve a great deal of upgrades and repairs, but this is one situation where a user can tune-up their own computer and reduce the system registry to a far more reasonable operational size.

Free vs. Pay Registry Cleaners

A computer user needn't be limited by the first registry cleaner they stumble upon. Commit to some research and you'll see a list of popular software options. Some are free and some involve a small investment. Opting for free software still grants you a clean and tidy registry, but the paid versions often include extras such as a customer support line should errors still pop up after the cleaning is finished, and they come without annoying adware, a definite bonus.

Dominick Rivoli is the owner at A1 Rivoli, top office equipment and computer service and repair specialists for the Long Island, NY Nassau, and Western Suffolk areas. Visit the website at www.a1rivoli.com.

How to Back Up Your Hard Drive

Whether you're a home user or the network manager for a large company, data security is important. The information stored on your computer is not something you want to lose. Yet hard drives are fragile pieces of hardware with high failure rates over the years. 

The solution is to back up your data. To do so, you have several options.

On-Drive Backups

The easiest form of data backup is the partition backup. Your hard drive needs to be divided into separate partitions. The backup partition must also be large enough to hold the data on your primary partition. Thankfully, this is all you need for this backup option. If you have a second internal hard drive of the same or larger size as your primary drive, you can designate it as a backup drive and use it instead of a partition.

In order to perform an on-drive backup, you need to use the built-in utility for your operating system. Both Windows and Mac operating systems have backup managers. For Windows, the program is simply called Back Up. For Mac machines, it is called Time Machine. Simply run the relevant utility and follow the on-screen prompts to set up a backup profile, back up your data and set up a backup schedule.

The benefit of this method is that you do not need anything that didn't come with your computer. You do not need to purchase external software or hardware, nor do you need to fiddle with opening up your computer to install a new drive.

The down side is that this form of backup is still susceptible to damage. If a bad sector corrupts part of your primary drive, your secondary partition will be fine. If, however, the drive itself is physically damaged, both the primary and backup partitions will be inaccessible. Using a second physical drive inside the computer can help with this, but it means installing that second drive. This works for a desktop or server, but not for a laptop or notebook.

External Drive Backups

Using an external hard drive is a better option than using a partition or an internal drive. The process is the same; run the backup utility and designate the external hard drive as the backup drive. You have a few more options with an external drive, however.

Firstly, many external hard drives are sold specifically as backup drives. This means they have built-in software that allows you to set up a one-touch backup. You essentially press a single button and wait, while your computer performs all backup operations. These hard drives are often built into durable cases to help prevent data damage.

External hard drives have the added benefit of being portable. You can use them with multiple computers, or carry them with you on trips if necessary. Unfortunately, an external hard drive is not the ideal device for backing up a server or computer with exceptionally large amounts of data. This is because external drives tend to be more expensive for the same amount of storage space as an internal drive.

Cloud Backups

The newest data backup option is to use a cloud server for data backup. With this option, you do not need any hardware yourself. All of the hardware is in a remote data center somewhere on the Internet. This is an ideal option recommended by, for example, a laptop repair service; you do not need you carry hardware yourself, or use precious hard drive space for a backup.

Any damage to a cloud backup server is handled by that company and its own server repair service. These companies also have multiple redundant backups of their own data, so that any data you back up on the cloud is guaranteed to be backed up.

To use a cloud backup service, you will need to locate and contact such a service. There are a large number of such services available, each of varied quality. Before you choose which service to use, you will need to do some research. For a professional opinion, you can ask a laptop repair service what cloud backup service they recommend.

Using the cloud as a backup solution has the primary benefit of not needing to purchase any hardware or software of your own. The process is also very easy; generally no different than using the built-in Windows or Mac backup options. On the other hand, you will need to pay a monthly fee to access your backup. When you stop paying, you lose access to your data until you begin paying again.

There are also some concerns about the security of your data on a cloud service. You are, after all, storing your data remotely. Most cloud providers will make guarantees as to the security of your data, but there is still a remote possibility that your data might be leaked. No solution on the Internet is completely secure.

In the end, choosing a data backup solution is essential if you want your data to exist beyond the failure of a hard drive. Any server repair service will advise that you set up a regular data backup. It's up to you whether you choose to go with an internal hard drive, external drive or a cloud-based solution for your data backup needs.

Dominick Rivoli is the owner of A1 Rivoli, top office equipment and computer service and repair specialists for the Long Island, NY Nassau, and Western Suffolk areas. Visit the website at www.a1rivoli.com.

The Differences Between Windows 8.1 vs. Windows 7

Windows 8 -- and the new update, 8.1 -- is a large departure from the familiar face of Windows that has existed since the early days of Windows 95. The update from 95 to 98 was minor, and 98 to XP was a matter of back-end streamlining and UI modernization. 

The same can be said of the jump from XP to Vista and Windows 7. Windows 7 still looks and feels much like the previous Windows versions, though it operates differently in the depths of its code.

Windows 8 is a departure, and many long-time Windows users consider it something of a negative move. With Windows 8, Microsoft has attempted to unify their operating systems. Windows on phones, tablets and desktops with Windows 8 will all feel roughly the same. In fact, the basic Metro UI for Windows 8 is heavily modeled after touch screen interfaces, which actually makes it slightly clunky to use with a basic mouse and keyboard interface. That is, for long-time Windows users. New users will find Windows 8 to be rather intuitive, surprisingly enough, which makes the computer more accessible to new users.

When it comes to support, Windows 7 has one advantage -- everyone knows how it works. Anyone experience with Windows troubleshooting will be able to find their way around Windows 7 without much issue. Some things may be a little different -- the Programs and Features menu replaces the Add/Remove Programs menu, but they maintain the same functionality. All of the old config options still exist, occasionally under new names. It makes Windows 7 installations easy to support.

Windows 8 is rather new, which makes basic repair perhaps more difficult for established computer support technicians. It's not hard to locate the basic features -- after all, everything is stuck into one sidebar, more or less -- but it takes some digging to find old menus you're used to using for troubleshooting.

In fact, the biggest problem with Windows 8.1 is the desire computer veterans have to make things like they're used to. The new Windows 8 update primarily allows Windows 8 users to boot directly to the desktop, rather than the Microsoft-pushed Metro interface. Unfortunately for nostalgic veterans, the shiny new Start button simply opens the Metro interface anyway.

Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 are easy to support in terms of computer repairs. They're both more modern than Windows XP and the older systems, which means they are both more supported and less attacked. There are fewer software security holes, fewer active viruses and fewer dangerous bugs. Windows 8.1 has the advantage, being an even newer operating system. It has far fewer active threats to protect against.

Hardware repair for a computer running either operating system is, of course, the same. Neither OS cares particularly what hardware you have installed, though the old Windows limits on swapped parts may still come up if you're essentially transplanting a hard drive from one machine into another. It's a simple process to circumvent those restrictions, however, so it's hardly worth mentioning.

Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 work equally well with most printers. Some older printers, those designed to work specifically with operating systems of the day, may have issues with Windows 8. Of course, Windows 8 does include a host of connectivity and troubleshooting options. If your printer doesn't work automatically, a simple printer repairs diagnostic should fix the problem.

When it comes down to core features, Windows 8 is simply a better operating system. It has numerous advantages over Windows 7, including active support and the promise of future updates. The code base upon which it is built is stronger, more secure and more capable than any previous Windows system. It is, in essence, an overhaul of the old legacy systems. Windows 7 may be an update on Windows XP, but Windows 8 is the start of a new breed.

Perhaps the most important change to many computer users is the way Windows 8 handles applications. With Windows 8, software falls into the Desktop and Metro categories. Desktop applications are the familiar software we know and love -- or hate -- in daily use. Metro applications are more like smartphone apps. They're smaller, more responsive and more limited in their capabilities. Thankfully, Windows 8 does support desktop software the same way Windows 7 does. It simply gives the user some more options for fast-launching Metro applications.

Dominick Rivoli is the owner of A1 Rivoli, top office equipment and computer service and repair specialists for the Long Island, NY Nassau, and Western Suffolk areas. Visit the website at www.a1rivoli.com.

The Most Common Printer Repairs and How To Avoid Them

Learn to Avoid Costly Printer Repairs

Printers can be costly machines. The cheapest home printers are expected to last for years. Careful ink management keeps the costs associated with frequent printing down. Safe storage and other precautions help keep printers safe. However, printers are still prone to damage and other problems. While many people are capable of fixing a computer on their own, printers are a more esoteric device.

Most of the time, they require special tools and knowledge to fix. This is where a printer repair service comes in. They will fix the printer for you, but often this comes with a rather large expense.

If you follow these tops, however, you should be able to get the most out of your printer and avoid the need for printer repairs.

1: Reduce your print quality. Found in the printer options menu, a reduced print quality is hardly noticeable in every day printing. You might notice if you're printing large images with a high DPI on photo paper, but if all you're doing is printing text documents and forms, a low print quality is perfectly acceptable. This has a few effects. First, it lowers the amount of ink necessary to print a page. This saves you ink and money in the long term. It also speeds up your printing, so you can print larger projects faster.

2: If your printing is spotty or streaked, use the cleaning function. This avoids taking the printer to a printer repair service. All you need to do is run the cleaning cycle, which you can find by consulting your manual. Every printer has its own cleaning instructions, most of which are automatic once you initialize the process. A dirty print head is the cause of many printing errors, especially for inkjet printers. You can print a test page after the cleaning cycle to see if the cleaning solved the problem.

3: If you find yourself frequently running out of ink, search for your printer's specific ink cartridge online. Chances are you might find "cartridge reset" tips or instructions. HP printers especially are known for telling you you're out of ink long before you actually are, in a bid to get you to buy more from the company.

4: Avoid third party ink refills. You have no way to control the quality of the ink refill. This means you run the risk of the ink cartridge exploding or leaking during printing or inactivity. This can irreparably damage your printer unless you completely disassemble and clean the machine. This is a common task in printer repair, and it's generally more expensive than the cost you would have saved from the third party refills.

5: Always make sure you're using the right kind of paper for your printer. Also, make sure that the printer knows what kind of paper it is using. This helps you avoid one of the most common and dreaded printer errors: the paper jam. Paper jams are what happens when a paper is twisted, crumpled or otherwise stuck inside the printer itself. Sometimes the printer will forcefully eject the paper. Other times it sticks inside, requiring you to open up the machine and remove the paper manually. This is one of the most tedious printer repairs and, if done incorrectly, can result in a damaged print head or splotches on future print jobs.

6: Make sure you don't store your printer in direct sunlight, temperature extremes or anywhere it can be damaged. The most common result of incorrect storage is ink and toner leakage. These leaks, as mentioned above, end up causing a huge mess and requiring costly repairs. If your printer is prone to toner leaks, check how you're storing it when it's not in use.

7: If you find yourself needing to clean up spilled toner, avoid using water or liquid cleaning solutions. These will cause a larger mess than is necessary. Toner is a dry product, so use a small brush or special toner cleaning cloth to wipe away the mess. Try not to use a vacuum, especially one with leaks in the air hose, because you could end up spraying toner dust everywhere. Always be careful to avoid inhaling toner as well. If you end up with ink on your skin, soap and water will remove most of it. Any ink that remains will fade over time.

Dominick Rivoli is the owner of A1 Rivoli, top office equipment and computer service and repair specialists for the Long Island, NY Nassau, and Western Suffolk areas. Visit the website at www.a1rivoli.com.

Tips to Keep Your Computer Running Efficiently

Tips to Help Your Computers' Health

There are always sets of best practices for keeping a business running to the best of its ability. There are ways to maximize profit, ways to lower overhead and even ways to decorate the office that promotes a feeling of happiness in the staff. The same should be true for computers and computer equipment.

While there is such a thing as Feng Shui for the office, there needs to be such services for the computers. A small to large size company should think of the computers and computer equipment in the office as another employee or set of employees.

Temperature

Seventy three degrees is the happy home for a computer system. Many companies have a server room that is closely monitored for temperature and humidity. This is because it is vitally important that the server equipment be kept in the highest level of efficiency.

The same is true for all computer equipment. If it is inconvenient to keep the office at seventy three degrees, there are still some ways to keep a computer cool. Avoid excessive clutter on desk around the computers. Have employees keep the computer area clear. Over time personal items, like photos and things can build up on desks. Be sure that the employees keep the back of the computer systems clear and cool.

Efficient Networking

A lot of small businesses spent a month or two deciphering how to network the office. They may have even had a company set things up for them. Over the past few years, networking options have expanded and changed a great deal. Cloud services and the changes to server systems since 2010 have made a lot more options available. Have server repairs done as soon as you suspect a problem. This often protects equipment from excessive repairs down the line.

Side Note

There was a major software computer that everyone knows that used a single printer on a rolling cart in the 1980’s. In the beginning, they could not afford more than one printer, so it stayed on a cart and was rolled to the computer system that needed it at the moment. Today this company sells more server software than any other company on earth.

Choose the Right Path

Many home computer owners shut their computer off at night to save power. This may or may not work depending on the way that they use their computer. Many times it takes more power to start a system than to let it sit in standby all night long.

Small offices and even larger ones do not shut the computers down at night. It creates too much of a power drain in the morning when 10-500 systems all get powered on. This is even truer when all of those systems start to connect to a central server for files and logons.

Personal Business

Try to keep employees personal computer business to a minimum. One of the biggest reasons for computer repairs come from employees running personal programs and downloading from the Internet. There is a great number of software programs that can monitor and block Internet traffic of employees. There is a fine balance between employee satisfaction and becoming a gateway for Facebook and YouTube.

Many companies set up a computer or two in the break room so that employees can take care of personal business. This is not to mention the fact that most people have a mobile phone that can do nearly everything a computer can do. A lot of the personal sites that people like to visit are resource hogs and take up twice as much power as the company websites.

Update IT Services

Many businesses set up their own systems and services when they opened their doors and have not touched the system ever since. This makes sense because the setup was most likely near their level of expertise and no one wants to go through that twice.

These days there are IT services that work both on demand and off-site. There may no longer be a need to have a full time IT professional, for just an occasional change that could be made. Third party IT services can come in and put everything in order and then monitor everything from off-site. Any services that are needed can be handled and then further monitored.

This saves money and can even help generate revenue through additional services that the business was not even aware existed. As businesses expand into the future, there is more and more need for professional services and this is also a great way to help keep computers efficient.

Constant Education

Everything is changing so quickly that the best way to keep everything in order is education. The Internet is filled with information and new ways of doing the same old things. New equipment is coming out every day that uses less power and does more.

There are monitoring systems that can alert management via phone, email or text when a system is running in a less than efficient manner. There are better ways to keep systems cool and running well.

There are even systems that can adjust the RAM usage and programs running on the entire network without needing any outside assistance. These can all be set up and run for a fraction of the cost that such technologies used to cost.

Conclusion

In the end, the least efficient part of any computer network is the human factor. People are notorious for not caring about the welfare of the company that they work for. They are also famous for not thinking actions through.

Employees will set drinks on expensive equipment, they will block the cooling fans on computers, and they will do things that no one can imagine until they have done them. Setting clear rules about desk areas and any areas where computer equipment is used is essential.

A little education also goes a long way for the employees. Teaching them to take care of the office equipment will help the office and may even help them in their homes. Starting with a good foundation will help any and every company save money and make computers last longer. This makes for a brighter future for the company and sometimes even the world.

Dominick Rivoli is the owner of A1 Rivoli, top office equipment and computer service and repair specialists for the Long Island, NY Nassau, and Western Suffolk areas. Visit the website at www.a1rivoli.com.