Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Procedure To Disable Unnecessary Services In Windows XP

Microsoft corporation has developed many wonderful applications and software. Windows, probably the most popular operating system series in the software universe, is out in another avatar - Windows 8. The only thing which beats it is Windows XP, which was one of the most popular operating systems developed by the software-mammoth.
Many Windows XP services start up when your computer boots and they continue to run in the background. In case you are not aware of this, there is an important fact that you need to know: every unused service on your machine is an unnecessary security vulnerability. Also, because of these your PC may work pretty slowly.
Therefore, you need to disable all unnecessary Windows XP Services for speeding up your PC and keeping the security high. For disabling Windows XP services or a service, you need to follow these steps.
  1. You need to open the Control Panel.
  2. After that, you need to open the Administrative Tools icon.
  3. Then, you are required to open the Services icon.
  4. Then you can locate a service to disable.
  5. After that, you can use the list at the end to help you decide which services to disable.
  6. Then, you can click on the Name column heading to ensure that the services are sorted alphabetically.
  7. Then, you are required to double-click on the service to open its Properties dialog box.
  8. After that, you can choose disabled as the Startup type.
  9. Then, by choosing Disabled, you can now prevent the process from starting when the computer starts.
  10. You need to then, make a note of the service’s original state: Automatic or Manual. Just in case you need to re-enable the service, you should then know how it was configured before you actually changed it.
  11. Then, you need to click on the OK button for confirming your choice and then close the dialog box.
  12. In case, you are concerned about compatibility, or that your computer may work improperly after disabling a service, you can restart Windows. 
  13. When the system actually starts up, you can try it out for a while for ensuring that things are working well. Then you can continue or, in case there is a problem, you need to re-enable the service to Automatic or Manual or whatever the previous setting was.
  14. Then, you need to repeat Steps 4 through 7 as necessary.
  15. After that, you can close the Services window when you’re done.
Do these things, and you’ll have disabled the unnecessary services in Windows XP. Get in touch with our support team if you face any problems while at it.

Windows 8 And Its TPM Can Be A Security Risk

It seems that for Microsoft, problems have a mysterious way of popping up every now and then. This time, it is quite serious; an entire nation is warning of Windows 8 problems. According to a German newspaper, Windows 8, more specifically, the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) could actually cause some serious trouble as it is an unacceptable security risk for companies and authorities. Why is this? There are experts who warn the government saying that the Trusted Platform Module is a back door for USA’s National Security Agency (NSA).

This information was actually leaked from the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). According to experts, Windows 8 - which has undergone a drastic overhaul considering the touch screen support and supposedly increased level of protection - is extremely unreliable with regard to data security. This allegedly allows the Software giant to control the computer remotely through a built-in backdoor. It is also suspected that keys to that backdoor are likely accessible to the NSA, possibly even the Chinese.

Germany's Federal Office for Information Security, then issued a statement about these press report attested by Die Zeit. According to them, the use of Windows 8 combined with TPM 2.0, actually means there is a loss of control over the operating system and the hardware used. Therefore there can arise new risks for the user; this problem will become significantly large for the Federal government and also for those providing important infrastructure. There will come a time when unintentional errors in hardware and errors committed by the owner of the IT system, can even prevent any future operation of the system, if the computer hardware running Windows 8 uses TPM 2.0. In such situations, it would probably not be acceptable for either users or federal authorities. The risk from these Windows 8 problems should obviously be cleared off before they seriously considering the use of Windows 8 and TPM 2.0 on a large scale.

This cannot be seen as security vulnerability, as the OS stops working purely for reasons resulting from technical failure. But then as far as the security is concerned, this fact isn’t any more comforting. This warning from the German government means that if you would like to be in control of your systems then you better not employ or make use of Windows 8 with TPM 2.0. But then the German government could have been little sterner in explicitly recommending the use of other alternative open source software.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Steps To Enable Insert Key In Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is an application developed by Microsoft that enables the users to compose, edit, format and even printing of any sort of written material. There are many versions of this application viz. Microsoft Word 2007, 2010 and the latest being Word 2013. In the earlier versions until Word 2010, there was an option to overwrite the text if the user accidentally pressed on the Insert key before typing an alphabet. However, now there is an option known as Insert Mode which works in the same way. However, this feature is not present in the versions Microsoft Word 2007 or Word 2010, and has to be enabled to function.
The Microsoft Word 2007 help support provides abundant information on enabling the features in the Word settings. However, you can also try these two methods to enable the insert key before contacting tech support.

Enable Insert Key Using Word Options
  • In the first step, you need to open the Microsoft Word 2007 application in your system and click on the File Menu globe. You can find this option on the top left of the Microsoft Word window.
  • Once you click on this option, navigate to the Word Options, and then to Advanced.
  • Now, check the Use the insert key to control overtype mode checkbox.
  • Now you’ll have enabled the Insert Mode in Microsoft Word 2007. Even if you are using the subsequent versions of Word, such as Microsoft Word 2010 and Word 2013, the procedure remains the same.
Use the status bar
  • This is another method of enabling the Insert key in Word. For this, you need to open a document in Microsoft Word, and right click the status bar at the bottom of the Word window. Now, ensure that the Overtype is checked. You can also seek assistance from the Microsoft Word 2007 help to solve your queries regarding the Word application.
Using keyboard shortcut
  • You can also enable or disable the Insert key using the keyboard shortcut. To accomplish this, you have to press the following keys: Alt + F, T, A, Alt + O.
  • Alt + F would open the File menu and T would open Word Options, A would then go to Advanced Options and Alt + O would help you to select the appropriate option, to enable or disable the Insert key.
Thus, you would be able to enable the Insert key in Microsoft Word by following these steps. For more information, feel free to contact our technical support.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Steps To Reactivate The Windows XP Online

Windows XP is the operating system developed by Microsoft as a successor to Windows 98. It is one of the most widely used operating systems in the world. However, when you install the new hardware components such as an updated video card or a new CPU or the processor, you may get several pop up messages in your Windows XP computer, asking you to reactivate your operating system. In such cases, you may tend to reactivate your operating system repeatedly, leading to an irritating scenario. Reinstalling the Windows XP operating system repeatedly like this may also trigger a reactivation request. Hence, if you try to activate Windows XP through your Internet connection when you perform the initial activation, Windows XP would ask you to contact Windows online support, to help you out with reactivating the Windows operating system.

Windows tech support provides ample assistance with fixing the issues related to the operating system, and can be contacted anytime. However, you can also try the following instructions to reactivate the Windows XP operating system online, before seeking assistance from technical support.

  • In the first step, select the Start option and select the All Programs option. You would get a list of all the programs existing in the computer. Now, click on the Accessories option, and then select System Tools followed by Activate Windows.
  • Once you click the option, select Use the automated phone system to activate.
  • In the following step, you need to select the country. Hence, click United States or the appropriate country, from the Nearest location drop-down menu. After you select the country, click on the Next option. You can also contact Windows online support to get more information on the operating system.
  • Now, you need to dial the number that you can see on your screen, and leave the Product Activation Wizard option open.
  • Now, you need to read the Installation ID number from the Product Activation Wizard screen, once you get the pop up messages from the automated activation service.
  • In the following step, stay on the line if the automated service does not issue a Confirmation ID, and later on, answer the questions asked by the Microsoft representative.
  • Once you get it, type the Confirmation ID into the Product Activation Wizard screen. Now, select the Next option.

By following these steps you would be able to reactivate Windows XP online. However, if you have any more issues regarding the operating system, feel free to contact our technical support.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Steps To Connect Two Xbox 360s On One Network

Xbox is a series of gaming consoles are developed by Microsoft, allowing users to play online games as well as chat with the other users. Xbox also allows the users to watch the trailers of the latest games that are about to release. The Microsoft Xbox 360, which is the latest series in the gaming consoles, can support many types of game play other than just single player. An advantage of Xbox 360 is that it allows you to go online on Xbox Live, and play against friends in different countries, in different games. According to the Microsoft helpline, Xbox 360 also allows you to network consoles together so that you can play against each other offline on the same network.

If you are looking to set up your Xbox consoles, this is an easy procedure, and you would be able to enjoy multi-player gaming on a local network once it has been properly connected. However, you can also follow these instructions to connect two Xbox 360s on one network:

  • In the first step, turn the power off both the Xbox 360 consoles by pressing and holding the power button on the front of the consoles.
  • Now, you need to locate the Ethernet port on your Xbox 360 console. You would find the Ethernet port next to the A/V port on the back of the console, if your Xbox 360 were original. However, if it is a Xbox 360 S console, the Ethernet port is next to the AUX port.
  • In the following step, insert one end of the system link cable into the Ethernet port of one of the Xbox 360 consoles, and route the other end of the Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port on the other Xbox console. You can also contact the Microsoft helpline to get more information on the Xbox issues.
  • Now, connect each Xbox 360 console to their TV or monitor system. You can use the supplied cables with your console.
  • In the final step, you need to turn both Xbox 360 consoles on by pressing the power button on the front of the consoles.

The Xbox 360 game that you are playing would direct you through the screens, which would enable you to set up the local network between the two consoles.
Follow these steps to connect two Xbox 360 consoles on one network. For more information on the features of Xbox, check Microsoft’s official website.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

MakerBot Collaborates With Microsoft

Brooklyn-based 3D printer manufacturers MakerBot have been enjoying a hell of a month, and things still seem to be looking up. Initially Amazons 3D printer store added MakerBot’s creation the Replicator 2, which was a huge success, so much so that it prompted the top Israeli firm Stratasys to acquire the Brooklyn company for a whopping $403 million. If this wasn’t enough to boost their almost meteoric rise, reports now suggest that MakerBot will be teaming up with software giant Microsoft, to develop a 3D printing driver for their new updated Windows 8.1 OS. These Windows 8 drivers are sure to boost the sales of both Windows 8 and 3D printers around the world, as more and more people from the scientific and industrial sectors find the 3D printer more useful for research and business.

At the Build developer’s conference held in San Francisco on Wednesday, Microsoft made a public announcement regarding their association with MakerBot and future plans. Even though the Windows 8.1 public release date has not been announced officially, the company did display a working version of the OS with built-in support for 3D printing.

Shanen Boettcher, general manager of Microsoft’s Startup Business Group commented, "Our goal is to make the experience of 3D printing as easy as creating and printing a document using Microsoft Word." In a press statement he also added, "We're thrilled incredible companies like MakerBot are implementing Windows 8.1 support to make 3D printing a reality for the masses."

MakerBot’s top priority is to integrate the use of a 3D printer into the lives of the average customer who can use it for a wide scope of applications. People in industrial design to architects to robotic engineers can use a 3D printer to increase productivity and creativity. Although the cost of the Replicator 2 is a staggering $2100, which makes the expense prohibitive, the company is pushing forward to make 3D printers more accessible by collaborating with top technology partners. Soon if everything goes smoothly 3D printers might become just another useful peripheral devices.

MakerBot is pushing the creation of the MakerBot 3D Ecosystem that makes designing and printing in 3D easier and more accessible. Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot said, “We want to empower more people to create and make things, and working with Microsoft helps our mission.” Along with the creation of Windows 8 drivers for 3D printing, both Microsoft and MakerBot also plan to become retail partners. You could get your hands on the replicator 2 on Microsoft’s Online store, and some places even keep the printer in stock and offer demonstrations on using the 3D printer with ease.