Category: Tools

  • Installing Windows 7 On A Virtual Machine

    Previously, I suggested that if you wanted to test out the newly released Windows 7 RC, that it may be a good idea to test it on a Virtual Machine.  In this article I will go into the details of virtual machine installation process for Windows 7 on two common pieces of virtualization software, VMware…

  • How To: Block Unwanted IPs with uTorrent’s Hidden Blocking Feature and Blocklist Manager

    uTorrent – a popular BitTorrent client for Windows – has a little-known IP blocking feature which can help protect you from unwanted observation by anti-P2P organizations or government institutions.  The easiest way to block unwanted IPs is to download and install PeerGuardian 2, but this software only works well in Windows XP so Windows Vista…

  • How To: Try Ubuntu Using Wubi

    Many people are interested in trying Ubuntu – a popular Linux distribution – but are unfamiliar with terms such as “partition” and “dual-boot” and how to perform those actions on their systems.  Although partitioning a drive is reasonably simple, it’s not always the best or easiest choice to make when deciding to install Ubuntu on…

  • How To: Figure Out What svchost.exe Is Actually Doing

    Windows XP/Vista:  If you’ve ever dug around in your Windows Task Manager (available by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC and clicking the Processes tab), you no doubt have noticed multiple instances of a process called svchost.exe.  Not only is the title of this process ambiguous, it typically exists as System, Network Service, and Local…

  • How To: Restore Built-In Zip File Integration in Windows XP

    Have you ever used a new computer and found, to your dismay, that a 3rd-party shareware program (such as WinZip) was currently set to handle compressed .zip files?  Windows XP already has built-in .zip file integration, so unless you’ve decided to replace it with a program such as 7-zip, it is usually best to let…

  • Gather Hardware Information With CPU-Z

    CPU-Z is a lightweight freeware program that very useful when it comes to finding out your computer’s detailed hardware information.  CPU-Z focuses on gathering motherboard, processor, and memory information and displays it in an organized and easy to read format. Information Gathered CPU Name and number Core stepping and process Package Core voltage Internal and…

  • Keep Your Desktop Organized with Fences

    How many times have you had projects, temporary Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, or other “junk-yet-necessary” items on your computer’s desktop combined with shortcuts for Firefox, Messenger, Windows Media, or iTunes?  Why is it so hard to keep organized each one of these items? Many people search through their desktops covered with this smorgasbord of different…

  • How To: Find Out if Your PC is Windows 7 Ready

    With the final release of Windows 7 approaching, many people are wondering if their current PC will be able to run the new operating system.  As we mentioned in our previous coverage of the Windows 7 RC release, the system requirements for Microsoft’s forthcoming operating system are surprisingly light: 1GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or…

  • Want To Try Windows 7? Install it on a Virtual Machine

    With the public release of Windows 7 RC, many software developers and tech enthusiasts are flocking to the download site to get their hands on the highly anticipated successor to Windows Vista. Many individuals downloading the Windows 7 RC have extra systems that are dedicated for software development and application testing.  But what if you…

  • Stream Your Music Library With Vibe Streamer

    Vibe Streamer is a free program that allows you to stream your music library to any device with a Flash enabled web browser.  Vibe Streamer also offers a set of security settings, user controls, and customization features. Download and Install Vibe Streamer is very lightweight.  The system requirements for Vibe Streamer 2.06 are detailed below:…