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Note: This information is not for the novice or intermediate computer user.

If you feel that you have developed some of the more advanced skills in computer use and want to increase your skills, I have provided two articles that you may find useful.

Knoppix is a Linux operating system. You can download copies for free
(but be aware is will be a big down-load) or you can "Google" for Knoppix
and find many web sites where you can buy disks with Knoppix for $10 or less.
These disks will setup and run the Knoppix system without installing any
software on your computer. Thus you can rescue files and repair or fix some
hard drive problems that caused Windows not to function. (Other Linux OS's
can do the same job, but the article makes reference to specific programs found in Knoppix.)

I keep one computer with a Linux Operating System for just that purpose.
Many times when critical files, or sections of the hard drive, become corrupted,
Windows can no longer access the drive. But Linux systems can still see the
files on the disk and copy these files to a CD or USB drive.
That feature is appreciated by Windows users who forgot to back up their
photos and documents before the hard drive crashed.
(Of course that does not apply to VVCC members - does it!)

The BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) is a critical Windows System failure that
produces a blue screen with an error message something like "Bang you are dead".
This article uses a "Recovery Console" feature
(basically a DOS command line process) to replace the critical
system files and make Windows XP operational again.

Please take note that the Recovery Console feature is part of the
Microsoft Installation Disk version of Windows XP. It is not part of the
Restore Disk versions that are typically supplied by computer makers like
HP, Compaq, Sony, etc. (Dell Restore Disks do have the Recovery Console feature).

If you have the HP, Compaq, etc. disks, you will have to buy, or borrow, a
Microsoft XP installation disk. Yes you can borrow a Microsoft XP disk for access to the
Recovery Console operation as long as it is the same version as
installed on your computer (i.e. XP Pro or XP Home).
Just don't try to use the borrowed disk to re-install Windows.

Trial-Ware is software installed on the PC to let you try it. Then in 30 to 60 days it quits working unless you credit card them with $$. Any data you created with this "trial-ware" (often impolitely referred to as crap-ware) will not be accessible to you until you pay for the program.
Software suppliers pay the PC maker to include this software on the hard drive in hope that you will
pay them "full-retail" for the software after the trial period.

Here is the link to a free and safe program that will identify these "trial-ware" programs
found on your computer and offer to uninstall them for you.

The program also works on your existing PC, but if you already have cleaned most of the crap-ware out, it just finds less to remove.

Example of Trial-ware. New HP computers have a trial offer of Microsoft Office 2007. You can use it for 60 days and then, if you don't pay $420.00, it stops working. (You can buy a new copy Office 2007 for Students and Home for $150 at any computer software store. On sale it is often only $130.00). OpenOffice is an equivalent program and is free off the Internet, or available on a DOQ for $5 from the VVCC.

Make sure the web address starts with "https://" ( the "s" is the important letter) and a "padlock" icon
show before giving any financial information.