AccountNow, a company that provides a prepaid Visa, is giving you a $10 signup bonus, which makes the account opening FREE. Your new card allows you to make point-of-sale & internet purchases the same as you would with a credit card or local bank-based debit card. You can withdraw funds from your ATM as well.

Features of the AccountNow Visa:

Verify PayPal & eBay Accounts Easily!
No Activation Fee!
Load Your Card from PayPal Funds (You don’t even have to be Verified!)
If you use Direct Deposit, you get an additional $25 bonus!
Pay Bills Online
Build Your Credit with the iAdvance Line of Credit
Free Credit Builder with Bill Pay Reporting
NO ChexSystems or Credit Checks!

I don’t plug these kinds of things unless I know from experience that they are worthy of the attention. I’ve had my account for 3 months now, and I believe this card deserves some light. Of course all companies like this are in it for the money and profit, but some are a bit more personable than others. This is the case with AccountNow.

The PCLove Tip:

You also get a checking account with your AccountNow Prepaid Visa Debit Card that links to your card. This allows you to load funds with PayPal, as well as verify your PayPal & eBay accounts. You can also make purchases with this checking account as you would a normal bank checking account.

If you want to get your AccountNow Visa with the $10 bonus, just follow this link:

http://accountnow.pclove.us

All you have to do to receive your bonus is signup then load your card with funds from PayPal, a credit card or any retail locations.

If you’re one of the many who took the leap to try Windows 7 for free when it was in the RC stage, then you have found many things different between this OS and Vista. Many changes mean many new tweaking opportunities. Windows 7 Manager has come out on top for me, allowing me to tweak and customize Win7 in every way I could want.

If you’re an Asus laptop user like me, then you will find the customization of the OEM info necessary to install your Asus-specific software like DirectConsole and SmartLogon. There’s a screenshot where you enter that information below.

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Here’s the official description from YamicSoft’s site:

Why Should I use Windows 7 Manager?

Windows 7 is the newest Operating System for home users and professionals alike. Windows 7 brings clarity to your world, so you can more safely and easily accomplish everyday tasks and instantly find what you want on your PC.

Windows 7 Manager is the powerful software tool to tweak and optimize your Windows 7, it bundles more than 30 different utilities in one and help your system faster and more stable, secure and personal!
Features and Benefits of Windows 7 Manager

• Information
  Get detailed system and all hardware information on your system; show all detailed information of running processes and threads on your machine; Windows 7 Manager offers 1-clicking cleans your system automatically.




• Optimizer
  Tweak your system to improve windows startup and shutdown speed; tweak your hardware to increase system speed and performance; Optimize Task Schedule to turn off unnecessary system tasks.




• Cleaner
  Find out which files or folders engross your disk space and shown with chart; Find and clean junk files to increase Hard Disk space; Duplicate Files Finder can scan your computer for files with the same size, name and modification time; Registry Cleaner can easily checks your registry and repair incorrectly linked registry entries, automatically remove invalid entries; Registry Defrag rebuilds and re-indexs your registry to reduce application response time and registry access time.




• Customization
  Control what is started on Windows startup; tune up Windows 7 boot menu; edit context menus of mouse Right-Clicking; customize system desktop, menus, toolbar and notifications settings; automatically change your desktop wallpaper on background.




• Security
  You can improve desktop, menus, Windows logon securities, and enable numerous hidden performance options of system, disable system updates and error reports; hide and restrict to access drives, specify which applications are not allowed to be executed on your computer; encrypt/decrypt and shred files, change the location of system folders; Privacy Protector can maintain your personal privacy by eliminating the tracks that you leave behind; create lots of randomization password once.




• Network
  Optimize your Internet connection speed, manage all shares items; tweak your Internet Explorer easily.




• Misc. Utilities
  Show the collection of Windows utilities; help you find out the installation key of Windows, Office products; shutdown your PC or remind you automatically.

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Screenshots

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Downloads

*Since Windows 7 is officially still in the pre-release stage, Windows 7 Manager is also in it’s Beta stage. This means you can download it for free until Win7 becomes officially released to the public. After Win7 is released, expect to pay for this program.

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Tags: asus g50v and windows 7, Windows 7

If you are familiarizing yourself with Windows 7, then there are many things you’ve found that have changed even since Vista.

For me, I love to have my repetitive, mundane tasks be as short as possible. Emptying my recycle bin with the fewest clicks is probably the most important time saver for me. It’s crucial to me, because I never let me recycle bin get too full, as I am always deleting huge files and can’t afford the space.

Since I’ve taken the leap to Windows 7, Microsoft hasn’t made it easy to implement my favorite right-click context entry. I’ve searched and searched, but nobody seems to know what the string is to add it correctly to the registry.

I’ve found a work-around that is as close as I can get to emptying the recycle bin using my right-click menu. The download includes 2 files–an EXE file that runs a command to empty the recycle bin, and a REG file that adds a shortcut command to your right-click menu.

Installation Directions:

1. Extract the install files from the ZIP.
2. Copy “EmptyRecycleBin.exe” to the location of your choice. I’ve set the registry file to point to “C:\Windows\System32″, but if you want to change it, then you will have to edit the registry file too.
3. Double-click the .REG file to add it to your registry. Again, if you didn’t copy the .EXE file to the System32 directory, the you will need to edit the .REG file to reflect where you put it.

   *Note: This is merely a temporary work-around until someone finds a solution using only a .REG file without the need of an EXE.

   
   

   Tags: empty recycle bin context menu

*UPDATED: July 14, 2009 – The “unofficial” RTM build 7600 leaked yesterday and I jumped on that stuff. I installed it from a 8GB flash drive, and everything went perfectly. When you get to the part where it asks for a serial number, just click next to complete installation without a serial. If you want to crack the activation limit of 30 days, then you torrent freaks need to visit Demonoid for it. The activation patch will say Windows is activated without any time limit. As for the Asus apps for the G50, they all work the same as other Win7 RC builds before this one.*

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Since the Release Candidate (RC1) for Windows 7 was made public, I figured I’d test it myself on my Asus G50V. The build I tested was RC 7100.

The install was quick, much faster than the days of the 1-hour XP installation. When it was finished, it booted to the desktop with high speed. The first thing I had to do was see which drivers it didn’t install automatically. This is where I was surprised the most.

Looking at the Device Manager (Right-click on Computer, choose Manage, on left side of new window go to Device Manager), all I found was 7 missing drivers. Those missing were the Ricoh Memory Card drivers, ITE Infrared Receiver, nVidia High Def Audio, and of course the video card (nVidia GeForce 9700m GT).

Microsoft caused my jaw to drop at the discovery of my Wireless Card (Atheros AR 928x), even though the card is quite common. After the install finished, I was asked if I wanted to join my wireless network. No other Windows version did THAT! About time.

Here are the drivers you will need to fill those empty spaces in your Device Manager that are filled with exclamation points.

*Note: The Vista drivers that came on your G50V Driver Disc work just fine, except for the video card.

1. Ricoh Memory Card Reader – 3.4 MB
2. ITE Infrared Receiver – 5.1 MB
3a. nVidia GeForce 9700m GT – x64 64-bit – 63.2 MB
3b. nVidia GeForce 9700m GT – x86 32-bit – 53.9 MB

*Note: The video card drivers will also install the nVidia High Def Audio drivers.

Leave a comment if you need help with getting these installed properly. If there are more drivers you need, see this post: Asus G50 Driver Files

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Tags: asus g50 drivers, asus g50v and windows 7

I was recently reinstalling Windows to my laptop, which happens a lot with the amount of software I test. I probably reinstall every 4 to 6 months, depending on how mucked up my system gets from using cracks and key generators. Since I do this so often, I imagined a better way of updating Windows after a fresh install than to lock up my internet for many hours while Windows Update does it’s thing. Not to mention, I also have to endure the multiple reboots between major releases.

Then yesterday I took to Google and found a piece of software that will download all of the recent updates to a folder, which can then be installed offline without any waiting for the download process, especially if the connection is slow. For PC techs like me, this is great. In so many instances, I wish I had a way to update Windows by simply running a program that will install everything all at once.

Then I found c’t Offline Update. It’s a simple command prompt-driven batch process that allows you to choose the operating systems (2000, XP 32- & 64-bit, 2003, Vista 32- & 64-bit), the languages (24 of them with 32-bit), and then will also compile an ISO file from all of the updates so you can burn them to a CD/DVD. Not only does it allow you to grab updates for Windows OSes, but also for Office 2000, XP, 2003, and 2007 and the 24 languages for those as well.

I would offer the download here on PCLove, but being that this software is important to keep up to date, you’ll just have to grab it from the source this time.

Again, here’s the link.

Here’s a couple of screenshots.

This is the program window where you choose which OS or Office suite and the language.



This is the command prompt window where the updates are downloading.

Tags: reinstall windows, update windows offline

One of the most asked questions from the people I know is “Which Antivirus/Firewall is the best to use?” My answer is always another question. Some people think “best” means that it is the most powerful. Others think “best” is the easiest to use.

It’s very true that not all antivirus and firewalls are the same. Some companies spend their money and time on developing a great product, while others that have been in the market for a while focus their resources on preventing people from jacking their software, i.e. Symantec/Norton, McAfee, and others. Another important thing to look at is the support a company provides for their product. Some use tech centers based in the US and others outsource to foreign countries. Personally, I don’t want to have to struggle to talk with tech support because I don’t understand their Indian or Philippine version of English.

One more thing to bring up is how easy a program is to uninstall. Some clean themselves out of your system without any issue. Norton, for example, leaves all kinds of traces in your system after you uninstall it. Norton themselves even created a separate program to remove all of those traces. Why not just build that into the uninstaller? No idea.

With Antivirus programs, here are the important things to me:

1. Frequency of Updates
2. Quality of Malware Detection – You don’t want your antivirus flagging valid programs or files and quarantining them.
3. Speed of Scan – Most AV programs can take many hours to scan the commonly large hard drives that we occupy our files with.

With Firewalls, my demands are a bit more stringent:

1. Easily Navigable Interface
2. Levels of Firewall Protection
3. A window that shows me which programs are allowed for access and which are not.
4. Strict Ad Blocking
5. Website & Content Filtering
6. Notification of EVERY program that wants internet access.

As a PC Tech, I’ve tested all the major antivirus and firewall programs extensively. With most, I uninstalled them shortly after forming my opinion. Only 3 stood the test of time: Agnitum Outpost Security Suite, Zone Alarm Suite, and ESET Smart Security.

Agnitum’s Outpost Suite is highly effective at keeping your PC safe, but the interface is difficult to browse and quickly find what you need to find.

Zone Alarm has been my favorite for many years, but with the recent addition of their 64-bit version, I had many problems and conflicts in my system that had me rebooting at least twice per day. I imagine they will fix those errors, but I can’t just wait around to secure my laptop.

ESET Smart Security Suite offers a complete package of security utilities. And you can choose between Standard or Advanced Modes, which works for both advanced users and those who just want it to work.

If you want to give ESET Smart Security a try, I have a solution where you can test the fully-functional version for an unlimited amount of time.

All you have to do is download the proper version for your operating system, i.e. 32- or 64-bit, then visit the website below for your serial. Simple.

Installation Directions:

1. Extract the install files from the ZIP.
2. Double-click the .msi file to run the installer.
3. When install is complete, visit http://www.nod32sky.com/ and grab one of the usernames and passwords for the day.
4. Open the ESET console and click on “Setup” on the left panel.
5. In the main window, look for “Set up Username and Password for update…” and enter the username and password from the site above.
6. You can either wait for the program to autoupdate or you can go to the Update tab and click on “Update virus signature database” to get it kicking. This will update your virus signatures as well as the program files for making your trial version into the full one.

If the program tells you that your username or password are invalid or are about to expire, just visit http://www.nod32sky.com/ for a new one.

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Tags: antivirus & firewall, eset smart security

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I wanted to feature this piece of software on this site, because it’s one of the best, most useful set of tools that I’ve ever seen as a PC Tech. When they called it PowerSuite, they really meant it. Aside from the many tasks it performs, the fact that you can install it AND boot from it when burned to a disc makes it stand out from the rest of the so-called “power utilities”.

The thing that attracted my attention to test the software was the ability to reset your Windows password if you boot from the CD. This is extremely handy as well as risky. All you have to do is boot the CD, then change the password or blank it out so there is none. I definitely wouldn’t want everyone to know about this since I use Windows, but for you snoopy people and hackers, Spotmau makes it simple. Of course I don’t condone the infiltration of someone else’s Windows account, but who am I to tell you what to do? Exactly.

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Official Description:

Spotmau PowerSuite 2009 is a powerful toolkit providing all essential utilities for home PC owners. It can solve most PC problems for a home user. Spotmau PowerSuite 2009 includes many useful tools for your PC:

• Windows Recovery provides a complete solution to recover your corrupt Windows such as partition table recovery, lost/missing files recovery and so on.
• Windows Doctor (Windows Speedup, Smart Uninstall, IE Manager, Startup Manager) provides Step by Step Guide to speedup your PC. Remove your unwanted applications; restore default settings of your Internet Explorer; enable you to choose which programs to run automatically at Windows startup; change your desktop icon and right click menu.
• Password & Key Finder finds your lost passwords for Email, MSN, IE and asterisks; finds your Windows, Office and IE product or CD keys.
• Windows Admin/User Password Recovery can easily reset Windows Vista/2003/XP/2000/NT administrator/user password to blank or change the password.
• BIOS/CMOS Password Recovery helps you instantly find or clear your computer’s BIOS/CMOS Password.
• Clean up History clears up all your activity records on your computer to protect your privacy.
• Data Transfer can be used to backup your personal data before Windows reinstallation. It can transfer files to the removable media/devices, or to a second, undamaged internal hard disk when your Windows has crashed or the hard disk has been damaged.
• File Shredder deletes files and folders permanently from your hard disk.
• Disk Clone & Backup package provides all kinds of clone options under Windows: Disk to Disk, Disk to Image, Disk from Image, Partition to Partition, Partition to Image, Partition from Image. You can easily backup disks/partitions or transfer all data from one disk to another, or even burn to CD/DVD, with several mouse clicks. This utility is for cloning Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista. It supports IDE, SATA, SCSI, and USB interfaces.
• Desktop Secretary easily manages your daily duties and business schedules.

Emergency Rescue: Lifesaver when Windows Crashes or Hard Drive Fails!

• Boot up ANY computer
• Rescue crashed Windows and data
• Recover deleted, formatted, or crashed data
• Repair Windows errors and missing file problems

Hard Disk Maintenance: Technician’s Dream Toolset & Easy for a PC beginner!

• Clone and backup system and data
• Partition and format hard drive
• Recover deleted, formatted, or crashed data

PC Tune-up: Return you a smooth computer as “fresh” as the first time!

• Optimize and boost Windows performance
• Repair registry problems and Windows errors
• Eliminate Windows freeze and hang
• Remove stubborn and ghost programs
• Clean up obsolete debris and trace files
• Speedup Windows startup time
• Optimize internet speed

Privacy Protection: 360° privacy protection gives you peace of mind!

• Unbreakable “Personal Safe” to store confidential data
• Clean up activity tracks on computer
• Hide and encrypt sensitive data over transmission
• Shred secret data permanently
• Find lost passwords and product keys

Installation Directions:

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*Important!
The provided serial number may have been blacklisted due to bootlegging. This gives you 2 options:
A: If you install to Windows, use a software firewall and deny Spotmau access to the internet and once installed, turn off the updates.
B: Only use the CD to boot from. It won’t even ask for the serial.

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1. Extract the contents from the ZIP file. This will leave you with the ISO image and the Readme file.
2. Peruse the Readme text file you just extracted. It contains basic info as well as the serial number if you choose to install the program.
3. Burn the ISO file with a decent burning program like Nero, Easy CD Creator, etc. or an ISO file manager like UltraISO or PowerISO.
4. Now you can either install it into Windows or boot from the CD or both. Some of the utilities can only be used when booted from the CD (like resetting the Windows password).
5. If installing to Windows, use the serial located in the Readme file when prompted.

Tags: recover windows password, repair windows, spotmau

Many people purchase their computers from a manufacturer such as HP, Sony, Dell, etc. and their operating system is preinstalled with Windows Vista. This means that you normally do NOT get an installation disc. Your manufacturer often gives you a restore disc which may be just an image of your hard drive after the OS was installed.
The problem with this is if you need to fix a boot issue, there is no way for you to boot from your restore disc just to fix that issue. With the restore disc, it will only allow you to restore the hard drive to it’s factory condition, meaning everything you had will be lost.

No matter where you got your desktop or laptop, the recovery disc will be a great asset to you in the event your computer won’t boot. The disc is chock full of utilities that you will need to get your system up and running again.

Directions:

1. Extract the ZIP file. You will see an ISO file. This is the image of the Disc.
2. Burn the ISO file. There are many programs you can use, but make sure you burn it at a slow speed such as 1x-10x.
3. Place the CD in your disc drive and reboot.
4. You either have to go into your BIOS and choose your CD drive to be the first boot device or you can press the ESC key at bootup which will open a window that allows you to choose your boot device manually. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. For me, it works about 75%. Changing the boot order in the BIOS always works.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to accomplish what you want to fix.

Tags: vista recovery disc

UPDATED June 19,2009 – Update posted below.

This tip is for those who have installed WordPress from SimpleScripts via their webhost’s CPanel.

When you install WP with SimpleScripts, they use default information they get from your webhost. This reflects when someone registers on your blog or just leaves a comment. The sending email address looks like this:
[webhost account]@[host address].com. Mine was xxxx@host.hostmonster.com. That looks like crap when you want people to believe that you know what you’re doing on your blog.

I’ve spent some uncountable hours finding solutions to fix this issue. The 2 issues are separate, and the solutions don’t lie in the same location. It’s retarded to say the least.

ISSUE 1: Let’s address the admin email that is sent to new users who register on your blog. I tried to change the necessary code to create what I wanted but it didn’t work. I still don’t know why, but the solution came in the form of a plugin called New User Email Setup. This plugin allows you to customize every aspect of how your emails are sent to new signups as well as the notification you receive as the admin. You can change the email address, the from name, as well as the content of the mails.

ISSUE 2: Comment Notifications…

I’m not sure what version of WP you use, but in 2.7-2.7.1, this fix works great.

Edit this file: /includes/class-phpmailer.php

• Go to line 75 and edit what is inside the quotes.
  It may say something like “localhost” or something.
• On line 88, put your email again inside the empty quotes. This is the reply address you want to use.

That’s all. One plugin and a simple php code edit to make your emails look normal.

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*UPDATE June 19, 2009

I recently found a simple plugin that will do the same thing this post describes. It’s called WP Mail SMTP. It utilizes the SMTP Send Mail function instead of the basic Mail function for PHP. It lets you customize the sending email address, the sending mail name, and gives you a few options for configuring your WP site to use your mail host’s SMTP to send mails. You need to know the details for your mail host, such as Outgoing Mail Server and port, username and password, and whether your server uses authentication.

Again, here’s the link for the plugin: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-mail-smtp/

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Tags: Wordpress Tips

Cool little tool to locate the manufacturer’s suggested driver for your video card. I personally never use nVidia’s official drivers. I always get my video card updates at laptopvideo2go.com.

Tags: nvidia driver locator tool