ASUS Distribution Launch Dinner 03/23/2010
![]() Yesterday, March 23rd 2010, I've attended the ASUS Distribution Launch Dinner. Special thanks to Kevin Loh from Makson Computer Centre for inviting me to this fantastic event. ASUSTeK Computer Incorporated (ASUS), a multinational corporation centered in Taiwan, produces computer products: motherboards, laptops, servers, mobile phones and others. If you guys are looking for a new laptop computer, look no further, I highly recommend laptops from ASUS. They produce the most reliable, least defects, least junkware, best designs, top hardware, laptops in the market. On top of that, they produce the fastest graphics card and best motherboards in the world as well. The only problem with ASUS is their support for older hardware; software updates, technical support, information etc. For instance, if you've purchased a graphics card, the updates may last you for around 1 year, then you'll have to get those from NVIDIA, Guru3D or elsewhere for newer ones. Yesterday, I was able to experience one of the first computers with USB 3.0 support. It's 10 times faster than the current USB 2.0. If you can recall, USB 1.1 was known as FullSpeed and USB 2.0 was known as HiSpeed. How do you think they named USB 3.0? USB 3.0 a.k.a. SuperSpeed Speed : 4.8 gbps, 10x faster than USB 2.0 at 480mbps (Transfer your HD videos within seconds, backup your entire computer within minutes) Power : Increased Maximum Bus Power (900mA of USB 3.0 VS 500mA of USB 2.0), you can charge your phone much faster, have more than 2 USB powered Hard Drives transferring simultaneously (Full Duplex). It's more power efficient too. Doesn't suck your laptop dry. Cables : You need new ones The Demo was phenomenal! I wish to get a new computer soon. This is the one I should be getting. Add Comment Update your DirectX 03/19/2010
![]() If you're wondering what DirectX is: Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces (APIs) for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. - Microsoft DirectX is a very useful application for running and displaying applications rich in multimedia. Basically it handles the multimedia tasks of your computer such as rendering graphics from games, applications, videos, and also audio capabilities. Why update? To be honest with you, you won't notice much difference before and after updating DirectX. However, updating DirectX is important as it addresses certain issues on compatibility with games, graphics, audio, etc. If you're upgrading from an older version of DirectX, it is a significant update, which introduces significant improvements on the multimedia capabilities of your system ie. new graphics shader model Here is the link provided for your convenience. Click on Latest DirectX downloads for Gamers, select the first option DirectX End-User Runtime Update. Ray Mak Antivirus 03/09/2010
![]() I'm not sure if this applies for you. To me, anything that's made with passion, is wonderful, especially given the fact that it's free. Avast, designed with passion by ALWIL software with a single purpose of protecting you for free, is probably one of the strongest free antiviruses out there. Designed for average home users, it is based on multiple protective layers working in synergy to provide protection for our computers. There are probably too many great reviews out there written just for this fantastic product, so I'm gonna summarize my experience of this piece of software for your information. Pros 1. Minimum usage of system resources, really really minimum 2. Constant and Quick Auto Definitions and Program Updates 3. Thorough, most viruses cannot escape its grasp, cleans leaving no trace 4. Shields your system from viruses in Flash Drives, External Hard Drives, Websites, E-mails, Attachments, Downloads etc. and Cleans the Drives as well 5. Easy and Fast Registration 6. It's FREE!!!! Cons 1. I believe it's not for Mac, yet Visit: http://www.avast.com for the latest version. Registration is free after installation. If you wish to use it for Professional / Business use, you may wish to purchase the customizable edition for greater flexibilities in your company systems / servers. It's Free, Be Free Ray Mak Removing Virus / Viruses 03/09/2010
It does not take a Geek or a Genius to learn how to remove viruses, there are many extremely versatile free tools out there that will help you. Here are some of the steps that I've used to remove viruses from most, if not all, the computers that I was required to fix. Also, take note that most computers that I've fixed before were seriously infected to the extent that all installed antiviruses or antispywares were disabled. The steps below are for educational purposes, they may not work the same for you and I have yet to test it on Windows 7. Removing Virus / Viruses: 1. Download Combofix, one of the strongest free malware removal tool created by sUBs 2. Uninstall ALL Antivirus and Antispyware programs that are installed in your computer, this is one of the most important steps as security features of Antiviruses or Antispywares may jeopardize the scanning process of Combofix 3. Restart computer if required, usually required upon removal of security programs 4. Plug in all Flash Drives you have, including external hard drives, there's a 90% chance that they are infected as well, those are the most fertile mediums of virus transfer 5. Run Combofix 6. Follow the instructions displayed, you may be required to download a patch from Windows Update, just click Yes, when required 7. There will be approximately 50 steps of cleaning process, all which are automatic, you just sit there and wait, it takes less than 10 minutes even for the most severely infected system, unless you're using a 486 or older computers 8. Wait until the whole process is completed, your computer will display a notepad with a log that summarizes the activities being done on your computers 9. Voila! Your computer is virus free, please remove the Combofix program from your computer so that you won't accidentally click it again. Also remove "Combofix, Qoobox, and Combofix.txt" from your C: in My Computer, just to clean up the mess I'll talk about Antivirus in my next post =) You may want to choose a good one and I definitely know the best one that does not even burn your pocket. Zero damage! Ray Mak Got A Virus? 03/08/2010
Dear Readers, Perhaps you can explain to me on the comments section, what are the symptoms of computers infected with common viruses? It is rather easy to identify if a computer is infected. However, removing viruses can a bit of a headache. Since my teenage years, I've successfully cleaned countless of computers without the need of reformatting or reinstalling the Operating Systems. I actually have my own personal style in cleaning viruses and I really wish to share with you how I do it. Also, please take note that this is only for Windows users and I have yet to try it on Windows 7. Some of you may not agree with my style, but it works, most of the time. Let's accept the fact that different individuals have different opinions due to the differences in experience. Let's look at the symptoms first. Symptoms: 1. Vanished Internet Explorer Icon on Desktop 2. Windows XP's Folder's Options nowhere to be found 3. CPU running at above 50% without any software on (just hold ctrl + alt + del) + start task manager in Vista and above 4. Emails or messenger automatically sents out messages to friends, most of the time with links, sometimes you friends will inform you about it 5. Facebook automatically sends messages to your friends and sometimes even tags your friends in weird pictures such as Sims, Pets, etc. 6. Annoying pop-ups 7. Email filled with junks even if you did not subscribe to anything 8. Unknown / weird icons in taskbar and desktop 9. Pop up message that shuts down your computer in a given time frame 10. Computer stops responding or locks up frequently 11. Computer crashes and restarts every few minutes 12. Unable to print jobs correctly 13. Weird sound from speakers 14. Many more... In my next post, I'm gonna show you how I clean it. I really need to go to dinner now. Peace out! Ray Mak |