Easy Recovery of Data from Damaged Disc

As soon as burning data on CD was made possible, I have been relying on it for my data storage. I guess it is something that I have also learned from my previous company. What is frustrating though with burned CD, data is easily loss when scratching on the surface occurs, especially on CD-Rs. And more often, no amount of cleaning can remove this dent and hence what you have are certain data remained irretrievable. One cause for this problem among CD-Rs is that data is stored only as sort of a shadow on top the disc’s surface, hence a smudge or slight scratch can easily render you data inaccessible, if not damaged. More so, with a faulty CD Writer, the disc may only be partially burn.

The good news though, there is now an easy solution for this through Recover Disc. This new technology allows you to extract data from damaged or incorrectly burned CD and DVD discs when regular software cannot read them fully or partially. This program extracts the intact portion of your data and tries to recover problem areas. You can choose to either recover selected files, or save an image of the whole disc. Best of all it supports all types of CD and DVD media with ISO or UDF file systems, including discs burned by video cameras and recorders.

Trusted Internet?

Security issues online is no longer at the domain of corporate institutions who try to protect their valuable info. These are also legitimate concern of the average internet users. As the number of internet users exponentially grows every year, not to mention China has twice as much user now than the US, the number of hackers and malicious programmers that threatens any computer database has also increased. In fact, it is now almost commonplace to read the news about vital government online services being hacked.

So, can we still safely surf the internet? Can we just trust our anti-virus software to protect our computers from intruders? Can we trust people we meet online and do business with them without being vulnerable to unauthorized access to our computer files?

Comodo offers essential tools to protect yourPC’s. They know exactly what you need in order to enjoy trusted internet browsing. Comodo is a well-respected internet security company, selling the digital certificates that make it possible for online businesses to operate on secure socket layers. If you have an internet transaction with one of these businesses, the digital certificate and secure socket layer keep your information private and intact. Your vulnerabilities from malicious intrusions is eliminated, if not considerably lessened. In short, you are safe and protected.

To protect consumers like you from malware and other possible malicious attacks, Comodo offers free products for download. Some of the most popular free Comodo programs are

• Comodo’s award-winning firewall
• Anti-virus software
• Secure email software

Get your sites or blogs and pc’s protected today!

Gadget Advisor: The New Tech Site on the Block

Whenever I am drooling over a new gadget, whether it’s a PDA, MP3 player, Laptop, network media player or even a universal remote control, I always see to it that I have the best information and reviews on hand. I would literally scourge the internet and tech bookstores for the information I need before I make a buying decision. Who would blame me?

Technology is rapidly changing. As I pound this god-forsaken keyboard, there is a new keyboard design being released in the market.

Gadget Advisor, although relatively new, has a lot to offer, in this respect, that really meets the eyes. This new tech site on the block intends to offer its readerships choiced or well selected product and tech news. It claims that it will only offer the “the best of the best” resource and info on/for computer related issues and products such as online backup services, the latest software development and tech news in town. Thus far, with their initial articles, they are putting their money where their mouth is, so to speak. So techie geeks, here’s another addition to your tech sites!

New Web Hosting Directory and Rating

I have helped many clients over the years in setting up their company and personal websites, and finding the right web hosting has never been easy. The design and coding of the website is a breeze, but when it comes to where it should be hosted, that is a different story. I have my share of bad experiences with hosting company. Most of them will promise you the moon and stars only to discover later that what you get are the dunes of Sahara desert. Forgive my being metaphorical there, and I bet you share the same sentiments.

Those bad experiences would have been avoided had I discover early about WebHostingRating.com. This is a new web hosting rating site where they are trying to build the biggest searchable web hosting directory featuring complete information on (virtually) all web hosting providers, highlighting web hosting plans features, promotional and discount coupons offered, and unedited reviews by real customers who have used these web hosting providers. More so, this site features web hosting tutorials for the newbie and non-technical people ,and confer web hosting awards from different categories such as Best Budget Hosting, Best Blog Hosting, Best Forum Hosting, and more, to aid one in deciding which hosting provider to choose. It can really be confusing at times when you have no basis or guides like these.

Other than the reviews posted by real customers, what I love most bout WebHostingRating.com is their archive of relevant and practical articles related to web hosting. Their guided step by step tutorials are written in an easy to follow format. I really don’t know how to put it accurately. When I read the articles, they were meant to be understood easily. I have learned a lot myself while scheming through their archives. These articles are must reads for newbie and experts alike. Thus, before deciding which hosting provider to choose, spend some time with WebHostingRating.com.

Best Compact Digital Cameras

If you are not particularly watchful, the technology on best digital camera is developing fast. A model that you have right now may be outdated tomorrow. BestInClass.com exists to give to give consumers the fastest and easiest way to confidently choose the best digital camera. Hence before you buy your next digital camera, you might want to check them out first.

BestInClass.com posts reviews of actual users of best compact digital camera. They offer recommendations written by category experts who survey the top products for a consumer's specific needs and recommend the best fit. This differs from conventional review sites, which give general pros and cons of individual products, leaving it up to the user to wade through and evaluate multiple products. They strive to mimic the experience of sharing your goals for a purchase with a group of trusted and knowledgeable friends who then recommend a product and explain why it's your best choice.

You can be assured that what you read is an object review of your preferred best ultra compact digital camera.

Blaze Media Pro: Audio and Video Editing and Converter Software

If you are a Music and Movie Junkie, there is a new CD burning software and DVD burning software in town –Blaze Media Pro. It is a powerful all-in-one multimedia application that offers conversion, ripping, editing, recording, burning, playback, and much more. Powerful, yet easy to use audio, video, and data CD/DVD burning are all fully supported. VCD, SVCD, and DVD burning are supported. This means that you can easily convert DVD to AVI, MPG, WMV formats, and much more.

Other advanced features include video capture, video creation, combining, and extraction, video editing, copying of music CDs, audio and video merge (joining), MusicID audio recognition, lyrics search, audio tag editing, FreeDB support, and more. The audio content of video files can be extracted and saved to sound files, and frames can also be extracted to images files in batch mode. Video files can also be created from still frame images and/or other videos.

Whether you rip, copy, edit, and convert any audio and video file, Blaze Media Pro can do the tasks for you, and the results are professionally done!

General PC Cleaning Tips

Below is a listing of general tips that should be taken when cleaning any of the components or peripherals of a computer as well as tips to help keep a computer clean.

1. Never spray or squirt any type of liquid onto any computer component. If a spray is needed, spray the liquid onto a cloth and then use that cloth to rub down the component.
2. Users can use a vacuum to suck up dirt, dust, or hair around their computer on the outside case and on their keyboards. However, do not use a vacuum for the inside of your computer as it generates a lot of static electricity that can damage the internal components of your computer. If you need to use a vacuum to clean the inside of your computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum designed to do this job.
3. When cleaning a component and/or the computer, turn it off before cleaning.
4. Never get any component inside the computer or any other circuit board damp or wet.
   
   
   Be cautious when using any type of cleaning solvents; some individuals may have allergic reactions to chemicals in cleaning solvents and some solvents can even damage the case.
5. Try to always use water or a highly diluted solvent.
6. When cleaning, be careful not to accidentally adjust any knobs or controls. In addition, when cleaning the back of the computer, if anything is plugged in, make sure not to disconnect any of the plugs.
7. When cleaning fans, especially the smaller fans within a portable computer or laptop it's suggested that you either hold the fan or place something in-between the fan blades to prevent it from spinning. Spraying compressed air into a fan or cleaning a fan with a vacuum may cause damage to some fans or in some cases cause back voltage.
8. Never eat or drink around the computer.
9. Limit smoking around the computer.

(source: from computerhope.com)

Quick PC Maintenance Tips and Tricks

Store Important Files ONLINE And BE SAFE

Store, share and manage your computer files and Web pages on your own personal Internet storage space just like you do on your desktop.

X Drive at http://www.xdrive.com offers 25mbs of storage space for $4.95 a month.You could storage critical files as a backup should you experience a severe computer crash.

Changing The Mouse Cursor

If you're busy with your computer day in and day out, you may want to add a little spice to your computing by changing your cursor.

If you have Windows 2000 or XP as your operating system,you have add 19 cursor styles with the existing 19 cursors that come with Windows.

Go to http://www.stardock.com and download the file Cursor XP Plus.While this file uses 10mbs of space on your hard drive,you change have fun with your PC. And you can delete it once you grow tired of it.

And http://www.wincustomize.com is where to go to download even more themes for CursorXP. This program only costs $10 and you can download a trial version to try it before you buy it.

Don't get bored while working at your computer, there are awesome utilities that can get rid of the boredom of everyday computing and enjoy it to the fullest.


MISCELLANEOUS SOFTWARE TRICKS

Speed Up Your PC With Acceleration Software

We wanted to check out how we could boost the speed of our computers using acceleration utilities. We tried Accelerator XG from smart-Alec2000 which runs with all of the Windows operating systems.

This neat program gives you quick step by step optimizing procedures and it has a cool interface. http://www.smartalec2000.com is where to go to download a trial version and its just $29.95 for the standard version.

We tried the trial version on two of our systems and want to share the success of this program
with you.Give it a try and enjoy your computer to the fullest.

Understanding DirectX

You've seen it,DirectX must be installed for this program to run.This component must be installed with a many multimedia applications.

So what is DirectX? This is the Windows software that controls all multimedia functions. If you play games and use other multimedia programs take the time to see if you have DirectX installed on your system.

Click Start,Run,and type dxdiag in the open box and click OK. Next select the systems tab and look under system information on the lower part of your screen.There you should see if you have DirctX installed and the version currently on your PC.

DirectX version 9 is the latest as of now. If you don't have it,visit the following url http://www.ultimatepcrepair.com/files/dxsetup.exe
Paste this url in your browser for immediate downloading of DirectX version 9 now. Once the file is downloaded,access the Internet for instant downloading of the full file.Windows98 full download is just 8.7 Mbs.

Know Your BIOS Information

Don't take the chance of loosing your CMOS data should your CMOS Battery become weak or dead. Print the contents of your BIOS and place this information in a safe place.

To print your BIOS data,access your cmos setup once the system starts.I press F10 to access my cmos.At the first screen,press and very briefly hold the Print Scrn / SysRq key normally located between the F12 and Srcoll Locks key on the keyboard.

Source: Ultimate PC Repair.com

Data Protection and Accessibility with Tilana Reserve

Quick and reliable exchange and storage of information is now necessary for any business who strives to be competitive in a stiffer market competition. They cannot lax.

While remote web access and mobile remote file access are commonplace, there is still a need to only rely on a credible utility provided by Tilana. They will not only provide you the access you need where and when you need it, but they will also provide continuous data protection to safeguard the integrity of your data.

Tilana is a SanDiego based IT company whose being managed by experienced software engineers and professionals. They in fact,

"…solves the universal problem of digital content management, through continuous real time data protection and synchronization. “

Moreover,

"… present the otherwise unavailable combination of true real time CDP, permanent archival, sync, remote and mobile data access, and version history as a single balanced, quickly deployed, versatile, and extensible online CDP data protection and synchronization platform."

Next time you’re considering of reliable data access and protection, Tilana is worth the try.

How To Protect Your PC While Surfing

Lately we have seen quite a few site reports, emails and forum posts about virus and trojans on the traffic exchanges. That’s why I thought it was time for another “public service” post with some tips, tricks and education.

First of all… there will always be cheaters, hackers and other scumbags on the traffic exchanges and on the internet in general. So even though sites like Dragon Surf fight the good battle every day and try to keep your PC clean, we can’t give you any guarantees and neither can any other site despite what they claim… That’s why it’s vitally important that you take the necessary precautions to protect your own computer.

What I’m going to share with you now is the combo I have been using to protect my computer(s) for the past 3 years. You don’t necessarily need to use the same software, but you do need to have all the components in place. A real benefit to my package is that it’s 100% free - Normally I’m a big believer in paying for quality, but in this case I don’t need to - So I can spend that money on advertising instead

Here are the components you need to adequately protect your computer while surfing, and my recommended software for the job.

1. You need a firewall
If you are using Windows XP or Vista you already have an in-built firewall and in my opinion it does the job just fine. You need to make sure it’s turned on at all times and that you get the regular updates from Microsoft.

2. You need anti-virus software
This is probably the most important component and I personally use Avast. The Avast home edition is free and all you have to do is download it and install it. Once you have it installed it you need to register for a key and that key will work for a full year (you can then get a new key). Avast offers all the real-time protection you need, it updates automatically once or twice a day. It will also scan and protect your email and you can do full system scans (I do that at least once a month).

You can download Avast for free here … And register for the key here.

3. You need spyware protection.
This is where most people get it wrong… anti-virus software is not enough. You also need to protect your computer against spyware and adware. Most free spyware protection only allows you to scan your PC but does offer real time protection. I have found one that does, it’s called Spyware Terminator and in my opinion it beats many of the paid solutions. Spyware terminator will work 24/7 blocking spyware before it reaches your PC and it will also automatically update with all the latest definitions.

You can dowload Spyware Terminator for free here.

4. My extra weapon
Even though I have Spyware Terminator I also use Ad-Aware from Lavasoft. The free version does not offer real-time protection so I just use it to do an extra scan once in a while to see if the other programs have missed something… The free version is great for this purpose.

You can download Ad-Aware for free here.

That was my 3 part protection combo and extra weapon. I can guarantee you that they will do a superb job at protecting your computer while surfing. But whatever you do, make sure that you have a firewall, anti-virus and spyware protection in place before you start your next surf session.

Got any question or comments, feel free to leave a comment to this post.

Soren Jordansen
www.DragonSurf.biz

*published with permission