Blue256 Computer Support and IT services Blog

Complete analysis of all the processes running on your PC

admin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:46:03 +0000

Has your PC’s performance declined recently? Does your system take a long time to boot up and to load simple programmes? Maybe it crashes more frequently or stalls when loading Web pages?

This is a free application, called ProcessScanner. It researches the processes running on your PC, generating a detailed list, it gives you valuable information on the programmes these are associated with and will supply you with valuable information about what each does and the level of risk/threat to your computer. Visit http://www.processlibrary.com/processscan/

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A list of SMTP servers for many ISPs

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:47:59 +0000

ISP	smtp server
NamesToday	smtp.namestoday.ws
AOL	Do not use SMTP
BlueYonder	smtp.blueyonder.co.uk
BusinessServe	smtp.businessserve.co.uk (aap.businessserve.co.uk for advanced access)
BTClick	smtp.btclick.com
BT Internet	mail.btinternet.com
BT Openworld	mail.btopenworld.com
Cableinet	smtp.blueyonder.co.uk
Claranet	relay.clara.net
CWCom	smtp.ntlworld.com
Demon	post.demon.co.uk
Easynet	smtp.easynet.co.uk
Freeserve	smtp.freeserve.co.uk
Genie	mail.genie.co.uk
ic24	smtp.ic24.net
Interdart
Iomart	smtp.domain.ext
Lineone	smtp.lineone.net
Lycos	smtp.lycos.co.uk
Madasafish	smtp.madasafish.com
Mistral	smtp.mistral.co.uk
NamesToday	smtp.namestoday.ws
Netscapeonline	mailhost.netscapeonline.co.uk
Newnet	post.newnet.co.uk
Nildram	smtp.nildram.co.uk
NTLWorld	smtp.ntlworld.com
OneTel	mail.onetel.net.uk
Pipex	smtp.dial.pipex.com
Purplenet	smtp.purplenet.co.uk
Supanet	smtp.supanet.com
Screaming.Net	smtp.tiscali.co.uk
Telewest	smtp.blueyonder.co.uk
Tesconet	mail.tesco.net
Tiscali	smtp.tiscali.co.uk
Totalise	mail.totalise.co.uk
UKGateway	smtp.ukgateway.net
V 21	smtp.v21.co.uk
Virgin	smtp.virgin.net
Vispa	mail.vispa.com
Waitrose	smtpmail.waitrose.com
Which Online	mail.which.net
Worldonline	smtp.tiscali.co.uk
Yahoo	smtp.mail.yahoo.com

Taken from http://www.yuki-onna.co.uk/email/smtpservers.html

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How to downgrade Vista

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:42:22 +0000

You must already have an original copy of XP Pro (OEM).

Format the PC/Notebook with XP Pro OEM.

Use your current XP Pro OEM licence key.

If you have problems registering it call Microsoft on 0800 018 8354 and they will reactivate it.

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10 tips for improving your wireless network

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:19:15 +0000

If Windows ever notifies you about a weak signal, it probably means your connection isn’t as fast or as reliable as it could be. Worse, you might lose your connection entirely in some parts of your home. If you’re looking to improve the signal for your wireless network, try some of these tips for extending your wireless range and improving your wireless network performance.

1.	Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location.When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your home. If your wireless router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the other side of your home. Don’t worry if you can’t move your wireless router, because there are many other ways to improve your connection.
2.	Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets).Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router’s wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.
3.	Replace your router’s antenna.The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in all directions around the router. If your router is near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of your router’s power will be wasted. Most routers don’t allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need it most.
4.	Replace your computer’s wireless network adapter.Wireless network signals must be sent both to and from your computer. Sometimes, your router can broadcast strongly enough to reach your computer, but your computer can’t send signals back to your router. To improve this, replace your laptop’s PC card-based wireless network adapter with a USB network adapter that uses an external antenna. In particular, consider the Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless USB network adapter, which adds an external, hi-gain antenna to your computer and can significantly improve your range.Laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and don’t need to have their network adapters upgraded.
5.	Add a wireless repeater.Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you’ll get an instant boost to your wireless signal strength. Check out the wireless repeaters from ViewSonic, D-Link, Linksys, and Buffalo Technology.
6.	Change your wireless channel.Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use different channels. In the United States and Canada, these channels are 1, 6, and 11. Just like you’ll sometimes hear interference on one radio station while another is perfectly clear, sometimes one wireless channel is clearer than others. Try changing your wireless router’s channel through your router’s configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don’t need to change your computer’s configuration, because it’ll automatically detect the new channel.
7.	Reduce wireless interference.If you have cordless phones or other wireless electronics in your home, your computer might not be able to “hear” your router over the noise from the other wireless devices. To quiet the noise, avoid wireless electronics that use the 2.4GHz frequency. Instead, look for cordless phones that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies.
8.	Update your firmware or your network adapter driver.Router manufacturers regularly make free improvements to their routers. Sometimes, these improvements increase performance. To get the latest firmware updates for your router, visit your router manufacturer’s Web site.Similarly, network adapter vendors occasionally update the software that Windows XP uses to communicate with your network adapter, known as the driver. These updates typically improve performance and reliability. To get the updates, visit Microsoft Update, and then under Select by Type click Hardware, Optional. Install any updates relating to your wireless network adapter. It wouldn’t hurt to install any other updates while you’re visiting Microsoft Update, too.Note When you go to Microsoft Update, you have two options: the Express Install for critical and security updates and Custom Install for high priority and optional updates. You may find more driver updates when you use Custom Install.
9.	Pick equipment from a single vendor.While a Linksys router will work with a D-Link network adapter, you often get better performance if you pick a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance when you choose their hardware: Linksys has the SpeedBooster technology, and D-Link has the 108G enhancement.
10.	Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g.802.11b is the most common type of wireless network, but 802.11g is about five times faster. 802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b, so you can still use any 802.11b equipment that you have. If you’re using 802.11b and you’re unhappy with the performance, consider replacing your router and network adapters with 802.11g-compatible equipment. If you’re buying new equipment, definitely choose 802.11g.Wireless networks never reach the theoretical bandwidth limits. 802.11b networks typically get 2-5Mbps. 802.11g is usually in the 13-23Mbps range. Belkin’s Pre-N equipment has been measured at 37-42Mbps. Taken from this article http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesstips.mspx

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How to test an SMTP connection

admin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:34:29 +0000

To test an SMTP server is running (Basic test)

Open a command prompt

telnet servername 25 (where servername is the hostname or ip address)
ehlo domainname (look in Active Directory if you don’t know the domain name)
mail from:administrator@domainname
rcpt to:auser@domainname
DATA
Subject:Test
(blank line)
This is a test message
. (note you have to put a dot in)
(blank line)
QUIT

Taken from this article: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=153119

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How to downgrade Windows Vista to XP

admin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:31:32 +0000

Customer must already have an original copy of XP Pro (OEM)

Format the PC/Notebook with XP Pro OEM

Use the customers current XP Pro OEM licence key

If you have problems registering it call Microsoft on 0800 018 8354 and they will reactivate it

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Blue256 opens it’s blog

admin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:30:39 +0000

We’ve now created a blog on the site to help with all your little IT problems.We hope to be giving you hints and tips on all our support ideas, and hope to include ideas, tutorial and ‘how to’ entries.