30/04/2008 by swordfish.

If your copy of Windows XP is using the NT file system (rather than FAT32) and cannot process all the Input and Output requests as your computer shuts down this may force your PC to restart.

If these restarts become a problem a good tip is to run the Chkdsk tool to repair any problems with your disks volume.

To do this Click START and click RUN and then type cmd in the box. At the command prompt type
chkdsk /R /C (i.e. repair your C Drive) and hit ENTER.

If the following message appears: “Cannot lock current drive. Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts?”

Type Y and hit ENTER

Reboot the PC and Chkdsk will automatically run and check the drive for errors. It will then attempt to repair these.

This will usually fix the shut-down and restarting problems on most Windows XP machines.

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Posted in PC tips, Software, XP | Print | 1 Comment »

30/04/2008 by swordfish.

The release of Windows XP SP3 to the web has been delayed due to a bug.

“In the last few days, we have uncovered a compatibility issue between Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) and both Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1,” says Chris Keroack, release manager of Windows Serviceability, in a statement released on the TechNet forum.

“In order to make sure customers have the best possible experience, we have decided to delay releasing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to the web.”

The update to the aging operating system was due to be released to the general public via automatic update and download yesterday, but this has now been put on hold.

Source: PC Pro

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Posted in Microsoft, XP, Vista | Print | No Comments »

29/04/2008 by swordfish.

A new study by European web metrics firm Xiti has found that the Firefox browser is used more frequently at weekends.

The study claims that Firefox has a 29% share of the European browsing market overall. But that figure exceeds 30% at weekends, suggesting that people are using Internet Explorer at work and opting for Firefox on their machines at home.

Many companies don’t allow employees to install software on their work PC’s, of course, and with Microsoft’s Internet Explorer pre-installed on every Windows machine, the company has a natural advantage.

However, while Firefox continues to grow in popularity in Europe and Australasia, its market share has been dented in North America, where it saw a slip of 1% in March.

Firefox is nearly the dominant player in several European countries, with countries such as Finland and Poland giving the open-source browser a market share of 40% or more.

Source: PC Pro

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Posted in Mozilla, Software, Microsoft, Web Browsers | Print | No Comments »

28/04/2008 by swordfish.

Highly-anticipated video game Grand Theft Auto (GTA) IV has received a string of near-perfect reviews ahead of its worldwide release on Tuesday.

The game is expected to break records for the fastest-selling game of all time and many shops are opening their doors at midnight for gamers.

The game has been classified as 18 in the UK and Mature for US gamers.

In the US, regulators have reminded parents that the title is not designed for children under 17 years old.

Source: BBC Technology

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Posted in PC Games, Software | Print | 1 Comment »

24/04/2008 by swordfish.

Microsoft has started to roll out Vista Service Pack 1 via its Automatic Update process.

Until late last night (Wednesday 23/04/2008), Vista owners had to manually download the Service Pack. Now it will be automatically downloaded on machines that have Automatic Updates switched on, with the PC alerting owners when the full patch is ready to install.

However, not all Vista PCs will see SP1 immediately. Microsoft is gradually phasing in the software, while it attempts to overcome problems with third-party device drivers that can cause the operating system to hang.

Source: PC Pro

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23/04/2008 by swordfish.

Nearly 100 leaks of sensitive personal information have been reported to the data-protection watchdog in the last six months.

Organisations are continuing to lose sensitive personal data - despite high-profile cases such as the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) data breach — and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has warned chief executives to protect staff and customers’ personal information following an “alarming number” of security breaches reported to his office in the past six months.

Since the security breach at HMRC in November last year, the ICO said it has been notified of almost 100 data breaches by public, private and third-sector organisations. The public sector accounted for 62 breaches and the private sector for 28.

The ICO said half of the private-sector breaches were reported by financial institutions. Of the public-sector lapses, almost a third occurred in central government, and a fifth in the NHS.

Source: ZDNet

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