Google App Engine Blog: Revving the App Engine: backbone for Labs for Google Apps

Google App Engine Blog: Revving the App Engine: backbone for Labs for Google Apps

Google have created a market place for cloud applications. Though in my estimation it more of a proving ground where the chosen few applications will combat each other for programming fame and legend. I would expect to see the birth of new business applications which are highly socialiable -let the battle commence.

Andy Brooks Computer Repairs Nottingham

IP Cameras and Wireless Internet

Came across a very strange situation last week.

Regardless of the various settings applied to a wireless router I could not get a computer to connect.

It turned out to be a set of four wireless cameras installed around the house. Each camera was operating on one of the key frequencies in the 2.4Ghz range and this was enough to interfere with the connection even though the devices were very close together.

I believe the solution to be replacing the wifi equipment with a 5GZ router and receivers that should avoid the 2.4GHz frequency of the cameras. I will be using the latest 'n' routers. Becareful though because in my research not all 'n' routers and receivers operate at the 5Ghz band.

Brooks Computer Solutions - for all your Computer Repairs in Nottingham

Andy Brooks

Antivirus 2008, 2009 removal

Antivirus 2008, 2009

In our computer repair shop in Nottingham we have had lots of computers with a virus that is called Antivirus2009. We have also noted a similar virus last year unsurprisingly called Antivirus 2008.

It is a programs that appears to spread through web browsing. It pops up from rogue sites and informs you that your computer is infected and that you need to install antivirus 2009 to remove the problem. Unfortunately by allowing this the program installs on your computer and it can be quite difficult to remove.

There are various programs that attempt to remove the problem by deleting files and removing registry keys, however it can be a bit tricky for the average user to completely remove all signs of the virus. Please note you undertake the following at you own risk.

1. Backup As with all computer the most important first step is to back up all your data. If you use outlook express please remember that you will need to back up your identities and also your address book. These are usually found by searching for .dbx files and .wab files. If you are using Vista then the files are a little more tricky to find. After backing up your emails, remember to back up your data files and photos. If the data is really important then I recommend using a disk imaging program to back up your whole hard drive. Please be aware that if your operating system is formatted as FAT32 then newer versions of Norton Ghost normally corrupt the data as it is only compatible with NTFS file systems. Older operating systems such as Windows 98 and ME will almost certainly have FAT32 files systems. After you think you have backed up the data then test it in another computer. Audit ten or twenty files by opening the important ones. If they all open without a problem then chances are the rest will as well.
2. Download the free version of mbam from this site http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php. You need not pay for the full version, however if you want all of its feature then you will have to pay a subscription fee of around £15
3. Install the program and run a complete scan
4. Remove the by selecting remove objects
5. Reboot your computer
6. Delete Temporary Internet Files (Try downloading http://www.ccleaner.com/download another really useful program for deleting all that clutter)
7. Repeat the procedure from 4 - 6 until all signs of infection have gone
8. Change: The desktop back to your usual one. The neat trick this program uses is changing the wall-paper of your desktop to create a hoax virus infection such that even when you have removed the virus the desktop wall-paper still makes it appear that you have one!
9. Teach your children that downloading music or surfing on adult websites will cause this problem time and time again. Seriously teenagers are great for business.

If you are concerned about your data or would like a computer repair technician to remove the virus then pop into our Computer Repair shop in Nottingham and we can sort that out for you.

Brooks Computer Solutions - for all your Computer Repairs in Nottingham

Andy Brooks

Google App Engine Blog: Google App Engine Roadmap - Now Published

Google App Engine Blog: Google App Engine Road map - Now Published

Google has shifted gear and produced a rough road map for Google App Engine. GAE allows programmers and developers to produce web applications on Google's own proprietary framework.

What is nice here is that Google have listened to their users and broken with policy in giving an insight in to their next moves. This is brave as it shows a little glimpse of their 'hand' to Yahoo, Microsoft and others wanting a slice of the Google pie.

I hope Google continue with this open policy in other areas of their business. In these times of global recession Google need to keep users happy. I for one am happy with this announcement.

Brooks Computer Solutions - for all your Computer Repairs in Nottingham

Andy Brooks

Chromium Web Browser from Google

Brooks Computer Solutions have tried the new Chromium browser and kinda like it. .

Google have been busy again this time creating a new web browser, but more importantly a new java script engine. Strangely, you might think, there is not really one take on java script, each browser has its own interpretation (literally). This is one of the reasons there is so much incompatibility between browsers. However because java is so heavily used in web 2.0 (AJAX) a tight and efficient java script has gotta be a good thing.

. . . My thinking about all of this is that Google are developing a web 2.0/3.0 environment in their own image. When you start to think about Google Gears, Google App Engine, GWT they have a plan . . .

. . . back to the new browser . . . my advice is to try it. I kinda like it, but then I use a lot of the Google infra-structure and therefore I am sure it is optimised for the same. Some people are saying it is slow, some fast. I am finding it quite fast.

Look forwards to hearing your thoughts.

Brooks Computer Solutions - for all your Computer Repairs in Nottingham

Andy Brooks

XP Service Pack 3

Microsoft have finally realeased Windows Service Pack 3. Most users should download and install this. We have been using the beta release for sometime without too many issues. We have had the following issues:

1. Problems with HD sound (can be fixed with modified file KB835221.exe)
2. Problems with a IE7 microsoft update (resolution unknown)
3. Problems Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951937)

However these problems relate to the release candidate and we are not sure yet how the finished article will perform. To download and more information: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5B33B5A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

As with every service pack we have seen. A clean slipstreamed installation is by far the best way to install this update.

Please remember to backup, (test your backup) before playing!

Brooks Computer Solutions - for all your Computer Repairs in Nottingham

Andy Brooks

Brooks Computer Solutions - Welcome

Welcome,

This is the blog site for Brooks Computer Solutions BCS, Toton, Nottingham, NG9 6HW (UK). 0115 946 8333 http://www.bcs.uk.net/

We are a small computer retail store specialising in PC and Laptop Sales and Repairs.

The pupose of this blog is to record our most difficult repairs so that we may be of help to someone out there.

Thanks to all our customers. Please leave a message for us click on leave comment below - Thanks Laura and Andy Brooks

Brooks Computer Solutions - for all your Computer Repairs in Nottingham