Would you like to fix your slow computer? Do you even have problems with it freezing up completely? Do you sometimes get the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death"? That one can be especially troubling, as I'm sure you can attest to if you've ever had the misfortune of experiencing it. Thankfully, with the advent of Windows XP, and now Windows Vista, computer problems such as slow and crashing computers have been reduced dramatically. However, for many computer users they are still an expensive and vexing problem.
Do want to fix a slow computer? If these computer crashes happen to you on a regular basis you know how frustrating they ca be. In addition they can cost you vital time and money. If you've ever lost important work or research, you know that feeling all too well. If you've resorted to saving your work constantly, or backing up your computer hourly instead of daily or weekly in order to prevent lost data or wasted hours, you're probably wondering what the cause of your troubles are. The natural reaction of many when faced with a slow computer or Windows system crashes is to curse the boys of Redmond, or Bill Gates himself, and dutifully start over again.
Most of these problems actually have a common cause. Weather you're having problems with a computer that's running much slower than it did when it was new, or going off into it's own world every once in a while, the problems you are experiencing can probably be traced back to problems in your computer's Windows registry. If you've never even heard of a Windows registry, don't feel bad. Many normal computer users haven't either. The registry is usually the province of computer repair technicians and software geeks.
The registry is where your PC stores the settings it uses to function. The registry is actually a large (probably too large) database of options, settings and preferences. The registry has different areas known by the geeks (don't laugh, they are the only ones that can help you now!) as registry keys. They registry keys are actually divided even further, to make things easier to navigate. If you've ever seen error messages containing the term "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT" or "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", that's why.
The Windows registry is tied in to all your operating system software, applications and hardware components. As you can see, the capacity for the registry to create all kinds of havoc is huge. A few minor errors can bring your machine to a screeching halt. The problem is that many people's computers don't have a few minor errors; they have hundreds of both major and minor errors.
Where do these registry errors come from? Well the fact is that many people bring them on themselves in a way. Incorrectly loading or deleting software and applications, downloading files, connecting to p2p networks, changing network settings, and other daily computer operations can affect your computers registry. In addition, many people load up their computers with a myriad of applications. Some combinations can cause registry conflicts, especially with the number of different applications many people insist on using.
You know the result; a slow and unwieldy computer at best, and a PC that crashes with regularity at worst. Rather than bringing your productivity to a standstill, you should probably look at having your registry repaired. Thankfully, registry repair is possible. Most likely the vast majority of your computer's problems will be relegated to the distant past by some tinkering with the registry keys. You've got some options for getting your registry repaired. You can go down to your local computer repair shop. If you've got a technician there you have a good relationship with, chances are he can fix things up for you in an afternoon. Hey, maybe you can even get that new video card you've been lusting after.
Another option is to run some registry repair software. This is basically what your computer repair tech will be doing. You're lucky though. These days some pretty competent registry repair software is available to the average computer user. You don't have to be a tech to use these packages. They are extremely easy to use. In most cases, you simply install the software, and press "start". You'd probably have to be a computer tech to actually understand what the software does, but that doesn't really matter, does it? As long as your computer is back to running fast and not crashing, you'll probably be happy, right?
Steve writes about business and technology. His byline has appeared in numerous e-zines and national print publications. To easily solve your slow and crashing computer problems, go to fix a slow computer and see how fast you can put those slow computer problems behind you.
Service Contracts - Part I, Copiers
If you are shopping for a new copier, fax machine or laser printer you may need a service contract to go along with it. In this article you will learn the ins and the outs of service contracts, read on…
Welcome to our three part series on service contracts. Service contracts can vary for copiers, fax machines and laser printers, so in this series I will cover them individually in three separate articles. Just for clarification the type of machines that I am covering in these articles are the commercial types. Inkjet copiers, inkjet fax machines and inkjet printers are not covered in this article. The need for contracts on equipment such as these may not be cost effective. The equipment that I believe you should cover on a service contract are high volume copy machines that are designed to make thousands of copies, prints or faxes per month.
Service contracts are similar to an insurance policy. They may or may not save you money. Your costs are fixed so you will know how much per year you will spend instead of hoping that it won’t break down too much or have a serious or expensive repair during the year. There are many ways of paying for a service contract. Most service companies will bill you monthly, quarterly or annually.
If you choose to be billed monthly, your service company will call at the end of each month and gather your meter reading. Then they will multiply the amount of copies by your cost per copy. Some copiers can also be equipped with a device that can send in the meter reading automatically each month and eliminate this part of the procedure. If you don’t make many copies I would choose an annual or a quarterly billing. This is because most service companies charge a monthly billing minimum and you might end up paying more. Another reason to choose quarterly or annually would be the job of having to write a check each month and deal with getting the meter readings. On an annual contract make sure that you keep an eye on how many copies you produce or you will be paying for copies that you don’t use or you may have to renew too soon.
Cost per copy
Cost per copy is the most common way of determining the price for service contracts. Each time you make a copy the meter clicks just like the odometer on your car. Many shoppers buy their machine according to the price of the cost per copy, since the service contract costs can often exceed the price of the copier. An average cost per copy is around 1.5 cents per copy. This could be lower or higher depending upon some variables. •How many copies you make per month. •What type and age of machine that is being covered. •Environment plays a part because if it is in a dirty environment it will need twice as much service than a machine that is in a clean environment.
Figuring copies per month or per year
Determining the amount of copies per month is the most important information you will need when shopping for a service contract. If you have an existing copier that has been on a contract for awhile then this will be easy. Just look at your history. You need to also take in account for any slow downs or increases in copying that your company is experiencing. If you do not have a history there is a way of estimating. If you know how many reams of paper that you use per month you can multiply by 500 because there are 500 sheets of paper in a ream of paper. This will get you in the ball park.
Coverage
Understanding what is covered and what is not covered is very important to find out before you purchase a service contract. Many service contracts do not cover Staples, Paper and document feeder belts and there may be some others so check with your service provider. Does the contract include supplies? Some supply items are toner, developer, heat rollers and drums. Find out what the hours they are available and days of the week that they operate. Which holidays do they take off? What is the response time? Is their four hour response time more expensive than their next day service? Most service contracts do not cover abuse or neglect. So be cautious with those paper clips and staples as they can cause an expensive repair and it probably won’t be covered. Get all of this in writing then there will not be any surprises.
Accessories
Some companies charge extra for each individual accessory. Such as, an automatic document feeder, finisher, and large capacity cassettes. Some may still be charging a flat rate for each unit but I don’t see this too often.
Scanning
We live in a new age and with digital copiers you can now scan to your computers. Using the scanner puts wear and tear on the automatic document feeder but the parts in the copier are not being used. Digital copier machines can count scan only images so there may be an additional cost for this. I know that service companies in our industry are kind of scratching their heads on this one because it may be hard to charge for this type of service.
Color Copiers
Service contracts for full color copiers and MFP’s are essentially the same as black and white service contracts except that you will be paying for a color copy or a black and white copy. Some average pricing will be around 1.5cents per copy for black and white and 10 cents per copy for color. If you have ever purchased toner for a color unit you know that color toner is always more expensive.
Connectivity
Most service companies will set up your newly installed copier to your network free of charge. You should always have your IT person on-site at the time of installation so they can answer questions about your particular network. Installing drivers and connecting equipment to your network is fairly easy depending on your system. Existing network problems or additions will most likely not be covered on the copier service contract unless you make an agreement with your service company ahead of time. Most network issues can be handled with your Computer specialist anyway.
You will have to decide for yourself or your company if you will purchase a service contract for your copy machine. Many companies do pretty well without one. They always have the machine serviced and parts and supplies replaced as needed. The only problem is when you have a circuit board or a time consuming problem to repair. This can sometimes cost you a hefty amount of money and a service contract can really pay off. Remember a service contract is like an insurance policy. It can create peace of mind and you will know in advance what your costs will be.
Look for my next article in this series. “Service Contracts - Part II, Fax Machines.”
Bill Tucker has been in the office equipment and supply industry for over 20 years and has several published industry related articles that help the end-user as well as the technician.
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5 Simple Steps To Manifest More Money With The Law Of Attraction
Almost everyone I know wants to know how they can increase their cash flow.
Perhaps you have questioned why some people seem to always have money while others struggle just to make ends meet.
I think it is safe to say that most of the world uses and needs money to survive. Although everyone uses and needs money, not everyone has a healthy view about money. Many religions teach that money is the “root of all evil”. They hold on to cliché’s such as “the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer.”.
If you want more money in your life, then you’ve got to show money love. This may sound strange to you, but the law of attraction simply stated says “like attracts like”.
Attracting money into your life is much like a love relationship. If you want to attract that sexy woman or that handsome guy into your life, then you call them on the phone. You meet together on a dinner date.
Perhaps you write love letters or sweet poems. You find out what the person likes and make a little surprise gift. You keep a picture of that person in your wallet. You are in love. This is basically what the law of attraction is about. It’s not just saying or writing affirmations. It’s not just using pictures to visualize things. It’s putting your whole heart, soul and mind into it.
With money, it has to be the same way. First step to attracting money is;
1. Realize money is like electricity. In of itself, it is not good or evil. Much like electricity, you can use it to do a lot of good or cause a lot of unhappiness. Many people blame money for their mistakes and are afraid to face responsibility for their own life.
2. Everything that you want to manifest requires a specific spirituality accordingly. Spirituality is an intense feeling for something. It is a healthy and balanced love for something. If you are afraid to love money, how can you ever expect it to want to come to you? Remember, this is a healthy and balanced love.
3. Keep pictures or symbols of money to help you focus and remind you of your intention. You can use pictures of money, real money, or symbols such as rocks or marbles. Use whatever works best for you.
4. Take action. Don’t just take an action for action’s sake, but meditate and think it through. Trust your subconsciousness to lead you to do the right action, but nontheless don’t expect for things to just fall out of the sky into your lap.
5. Imagine. Use your imagination of what you would feel like if you were wealthy. Exactly how much money would you like to have. When? Make it crystal clear into your mind and then work with the feeling of already having it now. I recommend this should be done on a daily basis for at least half an hour, but again, do what works best for you. Remember that you want to do this regularly and you want this to be a fun thing, not a chore.
These are just a few simple steps that can help you expand your money consciousness. If you would like more information about using the law of attraction to increase your wealth, health and overall happiness in life visit http://www.EnigmaValdez.com
Enigma Valdez is the internet visionary responsible for originating the Dual-Life Success System Technology. He is dedicated in helping individuals and businesses improve through time tested and proven strategies. You can find more information at http://enigmavaldez.com/Free_NewsLetter.html
And you can also go to http://www.EnigmaValdez.com
