CompuClever Blog

Windows 8 Flavors – RT, Basic, and Pro

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Something new always brings an element of excitement thrown in with a bit of apprehension.  Windows 8 is now available and it comes in three flavors.  This article shines some light on the versions offered in an effort to make them a little more familiar.  The latest versions of Windows 8 are: RT, Windows 8 (Basic) and Windows 8 Pro.  Here is a little about each.

Windows RT

The “RT” stands for Runtime.  The first most important aspect anyone needs to know is that it is only available on tablets; in this case the thin and light PCs with extended battery life, designed for mobility, and are “touch enabled” (that is, they support touch screen functionality such as swipe, tap, pinch-and-stretch, and more).  As it is only available on tablets, this means it is not available as a separate download.  Instead, anyone interested will need to go to a retail store to try one out and test run the operating system.  The software that runs on Windows RT comes exclusively from the Windows App store.  It includes Windows Update to keep your system and apps up-to-date, and Windows Defender for virus and malware protection.

Features: Windows RT includes some different features than Windows 8 and some features that are not included. Continue reading...

Is an Upgrade to Windows 8 the Right Choice?

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Microsoft Windows has now released its next operating system – Windows 8.  There are many sophisticated functions and features.  In a nutshell, it is safe to say that this new operating system (OS) is a profound shift from previous versions.   In this article, we at CompuClever strive to best present some of the more technical aspects in ways that make sense in order to get a perspective and an insight that our readers can grasp without being washed out in a storm of nuances and complex technologies.  After this brief feature description, we will provide the observations that our experienced staff and technicians have noted when trying out the new OS for the first time.  Finally, we will provide our recommendation.

Quick Facts:

Here are some of the notable features:

  • Windows RT.  The “RT” stands for Runtime. 
Continue reading...

How to speed up your Internet connection

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Thanks to an increasing reliance on Internet to do everything from stream movies to facilitate Skype video calling, most of us wish we had a faster Internet connection.

In fact, as more and more people in our homes (such as teenagers!) are using more and more Internet-connected devices, including iPads and smartphones, and even Internet-connected televisions, we have to squeeze more speed out of home Internet connections that are often slowed down by bandwidth restrictions imposed by ISP’s.

Get faster Internet by upgrading hardware

Changing your ISP to get better Internet connection is usually not an option – most ISP’s have the same bandwidth restrictions, and they’re not interested in helping you get faster Internet. However, one way to get faster Internet is to upgrade your hardware – you can upgrade from ADSL to a cable broadband modem, for example.

You can also invest in a newer wireless router. If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds and you’re using a wireless home network to connect to the Internet, it’s also a good idea to see how many other wireless networks you are competing with.

Why?

The more wireless networks, the slower your Internet. A great tool to check out how many wireless networks are close by and potentially interfering with your wireless signal is inSSIDer. Continue reading...

How to install Windows Update KB2712808

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Back in August, Microsoft issued an update for Windows 7 64-bit that many, many people all over the world had problems installing on their computers.

Windows Update KB2712808 was defined as a security patch for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems. Typically, Windows Automatic Updates will automatically check for, download, and install updates, usually at a set time each day (some people may schedule Windows updates for once a week).

However, KB2712808 quite often fails to install automatically using Windows Automatic Updates. And if KB2712808 does not install, no other Windows updates can install.

Failure to install KB2712808 results in a serious security risk

Because regular Windows updates are needed to patch your computer against always-evolving threats that appear daily, a failure to install KB2712808 will result in a serious security risk for your computer.

Manually installing KB2712808 often does not work

Generally speaking, if Automatic Updates don’t work, Microsoft recommends manually installing the update. You can do this by searching for it on the Internet, such as searching for the terms Windows Update KB2712808 manual download.

The first result is the update itself, Security Update for Windows 7 (KB2712808), hosted on the Microsoft site.

Genuinecheck.exe is no longer supported

However, manually downloading the KB2712808 update often does not work. Continue reading...

Looking to speed up your computer? Be careful of these guys

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pecon software india crtcLooking to speed up your computer? Be careful of these guys!

As mentioned in a previous blog post about speeding up your computer, many people in North America have been receiving telephone calls (sometimes on a daily basis) from people advertising themselves as security experts.

Victims would get a call from someone claiming to be a computer repairman (and this person will most likely have a heavy accent). Once you pick up, there will be a slight pause as they connect you with a “technician”, who will then start asking you to run various system programs.

The end result is this company will fool you into downloading a computer program, and then making you pay for it.

The bright side? This company has been fined in Canada for violating something called the “Do Not Call List”.

In Canada, anyone can ask their telephone provider to be placed on a “Do Not Call List.” This means that telemarketers are not allowed to call you.

If they do call you, the can be fined.

The federal regulator in Canada says two software companies based in India were making unsolicited telemarketing calls from Canadian numbers to Canadians who had registered their phone numbers on the national do-not-call list. Continue reading...