No Internet Explorer 9 for Windows XP users

With much fanfare, Microsoft has been promoting IE 9 and its Bing search toolbar as an improved computer experience.  At the same time, it is thumbing its nose at Windows XP users by refusing to make IE 9 available to them. 

One might think there is something inherently wrong with Windows XP that makes it unsuitable as a platform for a  “modern browser”, but Google (Chrome) and Mozilla (Firefox) seem to disagree.  Rather, this is the latest move by Microsoft to cast Windows XP as a second class citizen and use its ability to create obsolescence in its older products to sell its new ones. It is, at best,  a questionable practice. 

Many individual and small business Windows XP users may already be inconvenienced by  Microsoft’s decision to make it difficult to share files and printers over small networks that have a combination of Windows XP and Windows 7.   Want to print from your Windows 7 laptop to a printer connected to a Windows XP desktop computer? Sorry, a Windows XP printer cant be shared in this way with a computer running Windows 7. 

Its unfortunate that Microsoft has chosen this direction, because many perfectly serviceable Windows XP computers remain in use today.  Many are fast, powerful, and trouble-free.   Unlike large businesses,  individuals, schools, municipalities and non-profits may have higher priorities than  replacing PC’s every few years on a planned upgrade cycle. 

For these computer users, Mozilla’s Firefox 4 and Google’s latest version of Chrome offer similar benefits to Microsoft IE 9 and The Coach’s Advisor appreciates that they are available for Windows XP in addition to Vista and 7.  Firefox 4 and Chrome will only enhance what is already a perfectly acceptable and familiar computing experience for the large number of businesses and individuals still using Windows XP.

Why you must back up your own data - a Horror Story

This is a sad but unfortunately true story from a computer support help desk. The names have been withheld to protect the innocent (user) as well as the guilty (IT staffer).

The Coach's Advisor hopes this post encourages computer users that rely on specialized (sometimes called line-of-business) applications to take responsibility for backing up their own data, or at least check with their IT staff to make sure that data is being backed up for them.

Caller: "My computer was replaced over the Christmas break. They reinstalled my Inventory software and its running fine, but I cant find my Inventory data - can you help me ?"

Help Desk Staff: "Yes, most likely. Your IT staff would not replace your computer without backing up your data".

Caller: "Well, I have my Microsoft Office documents, pictures and other files, but the Inventory file is gone. I have worked hard for the last two years to get my Inventory under control and can't believe that all that hard work is gone".

Help Desk Staff: "Its hard to imagine that its gone. There is no way a computer technician would be so irresponsible as to replace a computer without first checking with the user to see what other programs are used. Even an inexperienced computer technician would know this. Its probably a matter of tracking down the backup and copying the data file to your new computer. Its very obviously a data file. "

Caller: "I hope so".

The Help Desk ticket remained open while the user contacted the technician that replaced her computer, only to find out that a workstation backup had not been performed. She thought a data backup might exist on a server, however. The Help Desk then received a follow-up call from another member of the tech department related to the problem.

Caller: "I'm with the IT department at 'college name' College. I'm trying to help "user name" find her Inventory data but am not able to find it."

Help Desk Staff: "What type of workstation backup procedure do you have before replacing a user's computer? Did you talk to the user to find out what applications they used before replacing the computer? "

Caller: "We back up the user's Documents folder, but we don't back up anything else. There is no other backup."

Help Desk Staff: "Are you serious? That seems irresponsible, and in a lot of places a 'firing offense'.

Caller: (Silence)

Help Desk Staff: "Are you sure that no backup exists on your server?".

Caller: "Yes, I am sure."

Help Desk Staff: "So, you are telling me that you replaced a computer, assumed the user had nothing other than Office documents and other files in their personal user account storage area - Documents and Settings, and erased their hard drive?".

Caller: "Yes, thats right".

The story ended as it seems that it would . The user had to resort to Reports and Spreadsheets to recreate over two years of work because a backup did not exist. A subsequent conversation revealed that it was the boss, not an inexperienced technician that was responsible for the loss of user data. That's even harder to believe.

The message here is that data backup is always important, that nothing should be assumed, and that anyone that cant afford to lose information should back it up. Its unfortunate when this type of lesson is learned "the hard way".

It is particularly important when ANY specialized, industry-specific application is used, because its common for these applications to store data in places other than individual user account folders, such as My Documents, Documents and Settings, etc. or even Shared Documents.

Speed up your computer with Microsoft’s Security Essentials

Microsoft has been aggressively rolling out new versions of its software, new services that complement its software, and in some cases completely new products.

We’re not really sure if Microsoft Security Essentials is a new product or an improvement over Microsoft’s One Care security suite that was discontinued not too long ago, but we really don’t care.  The bottom line is that it seems to work well, and in a number of instances, significantly increased the speed of a computer that had been using one of the big (bloated) security suites that consumes have grown accustomed to “subscribing to” over the years.

Security Essentials is free for home users with Genuine Microsoft Windows software, and is available for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.  We’re not really sure what Microsoft’s motivation was for making this product free, but it seems only logical that a maker of an Operating System should include security software that protects its users from Viruses, Spyware and other “malware” threats without them having to shell out another thirty of forty bucks a year. 

This is not the only good, free antivirus software available to consumers, but “essentials” seems to be “content” with its “free status” and avoids the nags that are all too common in other free security products.   Surely the “purists” and those who dislike Microsoft or don’t trust them will find fault with this post, but for the average computer user, its the opinion of the Coach’s Advisor that products like Security Essentials that lower the cost of getting up and running with a computer is a positive development – especially if it enables computer users to purchase software that makes a computer more useful, rather than simply shielding its user from the “bad guys”.

Learn more about Microsoft Security Essentials

Video Editing Hardware and Accessories store updated

We recently updated our Amazon store with Video Editing Accessories for capturing and converting video. 

A number of products in the store were recently purchased by us for testing on computers running Windows 7 (both 32 and 64 Bit Versions). 

Since its clear that Microsoft designed Windows 7 to edit video in AVI format and no longer includes Windows Movie Maker in Windows, we have added a number of Digital Media Software suites.

Extending the life of a Windows XP system – Part 1

For businesses, individuals, organizations and government entities that can’t print money or borrow with no concern for repayment, it is sometimes necessary to extend the life of a computer.  In the ideal world, our computers would be as disposable as a cell phone and highly subsidized by the utilities that collect monthly fees in order for us to use them.

While that day may come sooner than later, and in the case of Netbook computers, is here today, it is often necessary and sometimes desirable to maintain an “old” computer and continue to use it.  Until the release of Windows 7, it was easy for many to resist the lure of fast new computers, snazzy graphics and the sales and marketing pitches of companies with a vested interest in getting the “replacement cycle” back on track.  Not unlike owners of “old” Toyotas that were manufactured before quality was compromised for quantity, legions of owners of computers running Windows XP were, and still are quite happy with their computers and interested in extending their life, for one reason or other. 

While the clock is ticking (Microsoft plans to discontinue security updates for Windows XP SP2 this year, and SP3 in 2014), there is no reason why a computer running Windows XP satisfactorily today can’t last until its owner decides its time to send more than deleted files to the “Recycle Bin”.  

Why is my computer slow ?

To that end, there are a few measures that users of Windows XP can take to extend the life of their system by dramatically increasing its “speed” – and satisfy the most common complaint and reason for the early junkpile… “its soooo slow”.  The simple fact is that a 5 year old computer (hardware) itself is no slower today than the day it left the factory.  Rather, its the combination of the process of installing, uninstalling, updating and upgrading software AND the demands of newer versions of newer software versions that make it seem slow. 

What can I do to make it faster ?

When routine maintenance, tune-ups and other time-tested techniques can’t seem to restore that “showroom” feeling, its time to consider upgrading the computer’s memory – which is usually a lot easier than it sounds, a lot more affordable and free of the hassle and potential expense of replacing printers, scanners and other peripherals or upgrading software.  Ask your favorite computer expert, and this will almost always be their first question and recommendation – and if you are interested in understanding WHY, will probably talk to you about “resource” hogging Antivirus software, “large footprint” applications, resource-intensive web video and the fact that the more we do with the computer at one time, the more memory it needs.

The Memory Experts

For years, The Coach’s Advisor has used the excellent resources at www.crucial.com to guide our memory upgrade decisions, and in one rare case when a system was “picky”, their technical support came through with flying colors.

The scanner is quite impressive – and will not only “tell” you what the innards of your system look like, your systems capacity and how much memory you can add.  It will also estimate the performance gain, and list a few upgrade options (that’s how they pay the bills). 

So, if you want to extend the life of your Windows XP system but don’t relish the thought of dragging your PC into the shop or asking your friend or neighbor, check out the Crucial scanner and see what it says.

Recommendations for adding memory

Since Windows XP was first shipped in 2001, computers dating back to that time are almost certain to have 512MB (or even less) memory installed. These systems will often be limited to 1GB of Ram, which will usually make a significant difference – particularly on a well maintained and “tuned-up” systems.

For those Windows XP systems that can accept 2 GB of memory or more, the difference is likely to be nothing short of dramatic – always add that second “gig” when its possible.

Almost forgot - check that Paging file !

One final quick point after installing the memory… check, or have your System Paging file checked, and if necessary, set to make the best use of that extra memory.  The Coach’s Advisor has performed a number of memory upgrades in which the wrong Page File setting was suffocating a system and killing its performance.

Netbook Buyer Beware – HP Mini 210’s are not all alike

This is a followup to a previous post in which The Coach’s Advisor wrote about our first Netbook purchase – an HP Mini 210.  Sadly, this post is one of “what on earth were they thinking?”.

Here’s the short version…

We purchased an HP Mini-210 in mid-February from a local Staples retailer. We did this after performing a lot of research, and waited for the 2010 models equipped with the Intel Atom 450 processor.

Normally, The Coach’s Advisor would have made this purchase online, configuring the unit to perform optimally in the event that it was under-equipped at the factory.

But this was not a normal case, because Netbooks offer a new platform for a number of coaching software products and it seemed to make more sense to purchase a popular and typical retail model.

Based on our retail purchase of an HP Mini 210, we have a few observations:

1. There are simply too many HP Mini 210 models. This makes performing accurate, pre-sale research very difficult, if not impossible.

2. HP’s decision to cripple some, but not all Mini-210 models by restricting its memory to 1 GB is, first and foremost, a questionable engineering decision.

In our opinion, 1GB of Ram is not enough for Windows 7 Starter Edition – over time, frustration over lackluster performance is likely. We understand some Mini-210 owners are happy with their Netbooks after upgrading them from 1GB to 2GB Ram.  We are disappointed that we could not do the same, even though we too have an HP Mini-210.

Unforunately, our favorite memory manufacturer, Kingston, www.crucial.com is not aware of HP’s engineering inconsistencies with the 210, listing all Mini-210’s as upgradable to 2GB.  Yet, installing a 2GB DIMM in the wrong Mini-210 will render the computer inoperable if it just happens to be the variation of the Mini-210 with Ram that is not upgradable.

3. HP’s decision to ship Windows 7 Starter on ANY computer that has its memory expandability crippled to 1GB is even more questionable.  In fact, its flat out a mistake, a big mistake.

The simple fact is that an HP Mini 210 purchased at a retailer is unlikely to be the same, under the keyboard, as an HP Mini 210 bought anywhere else. 

Recommendations

If choosing an HP Mini-210 with Windows 7, make sure the Ram can be upgraded.  Insist on a model that has upgradable Ram and get it in writing. At least if you, like The Coach’s Advisor, decide you need to upgrade the memory in order to make the performance tolerable, you will be able to do so.

Manufacturers – if you feel the need to create so many model variations that research is difficult, at least deliver the same basic upgrade capabilities across the same model. If one HP Mini 210 with 1GB Ram can be upgraded to 2GB Ram, ALL HP Mini 210’s should be upgradable to 2GB Ram. When it comes to adding something so critical to a satisfactory customer experience as memory, buyers should not have to guess, or find out after the fact that they got the wrong box.

HP - you really let us down on this one, and The Coach’s Advisor does not agree with the representative on your Customer complaint line .. that “HP is not responsible for buyer remorse”. When buyer remorse results from flawed engineering, you are responsible.

Netbook computers get new brain and hit new price points

One of the hottest new product categories in 2009 for the PC business was the Netbook computer. These mini-laptops are now shipping with Windows 7 (Starter Edition) and come with keyboards and screens that make them suitable for a lot more than one might expect on first glance.

This article is being written on an HP Mini 210, and while the touchpad is taking some getting used to, the rest of the experience has been pleasant and positive.  With a 160 GB Hard Drive, this netbook has more than enough disk capacity, and the battery life appears to be in the neighborhood of the 9 hours that was claimed.

While, we are anxious to see how it handles chores beyond email and internet browsing, The Coachs Advisor sees these devices replacing smartphones and larger laptops for many sports and coaching-related tasks, from statistics to game plan preparation and presentation. Stay tuned…