Computers 1.0 - The Basics

Are you a computer novice? Let our expert give you the basics in how to use computers.

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• Download These Free Programs

  Keep your computer safe and running quickly by downloading these free programs, including CCleaner and AVG.

• Mac, Windows or Linux? Which should I get?

  Should you buy a Windows, Linux or Mac based computer? The Gadget Guru is on hand to make it easier for you.

• "Windows Explorer has experienced a problem"

  Whenever I try to do things on my computer, I get told that "Windows Explorer has experienced a problem and has had to close down". Why?

• Laptop's cursor jumping around

  The cursor on my laptop keeps jumping around the screen when I type. Do I have a virus?

• Where is the delete button on Macs?

  I can't find the delete button on my new Mac. How can I delete the character in front of the cursor?

• Which laptop should I buy?

  I am now without a PC after my last one went down with a virus. What should I buy?

• How do I make my own website?

  How do I make my own website? How much will it cost me? It’s for my travel agency business.

• How can I remove a virus?

  My daughter's laptop has got a virus which stops her getting on the internet. Is there anything I can do to solve it?

• What high performance laptop should I get?

  I need a new laptop to run a DJ/singer/karaoke business. Which should I buy?

• Error msg: Operating System Not Found

  When I turn my laptop on, I get the error message Operating System Not Found. How can I fix it?

• What spec for a second-hand laptop?

  A local shop has offered me a good deal on a new laptop. What should I be looking out for?

• How can I make my PC run quicker?

  I'm running a new Netbook with Linux and it's running quite slowly. Is there anything I can do to improve it?

• Which ISP choose I choose?

  I want to change my Internet Service Provider, but don't know who to go with. Can you help?

• My PC doesn't boot up properly

  My computer won't boot up properly, due to McAfee Internet security. How can I get rid of it?

• Can I stop Windows automatic updates?

  How can I stop Windows automatically updating programs on my computer. I don't want to update to IE8.

• Can Macs get viruses?

  I'm new to Macs. Do I need any anti-virus software on it?

• How do I get email?

  Can you tell me how to set up an email account from scratch?

• Is Outlook available on the Mac?

  I'm trying to persuade my partner to change to a Mac. But she uses Microsoft Office a lot, especially Outlook. Is this available on a Mac?

• How can I print wirelessly?

  I've just got a new laser printer. How can I make it operate wirelessly?

• Can police track my stolen laptop?

  My laptop was stolen recently. I have the id serial number of it. Can the police use this to find out where it is?

• My printer won't work with Vista

  I have installed a printer - and it printed a test correctly - but it won't actually work when I want to print anything. Why won't it work?

• My keyboard is typing the wrong things!

  There is something wrong with my keyboard. The exclamation mark comes out as @ and vice versa. How can I stop this?

• Problems using CCleaner

  I tried using CCleaner but it won't fix my problems. Have I done something wrong?

• My cursor jumps around the screen

  When I'm using my laptop, the cursor jumps around the screen. Is it someone controlling my computer?

• Bizarre text scrolling when I type

  When I try to type something into the browser, the page scrolls up. When I move it back down, it scrolls up as soon as I type it.

• Is P2P software slowing my computer?

  Limewire destroyed my last PC. Now I've got a Mac and I use Acquisition. My computer is just starting to slow down, could it be Acquisition's fault?

• Blue screen of death on my PC

  I'm getting the Blue Screen of Death on my PC. I fixed the problem, but every time Windows updates, the problem comes back. How can I stop that happening?

• PC opens unwanted websites

  My PC keeps on opening new websites whenever I'm on the internet. How can I stop it?

• Good speech recognition software?

  I'm a hypnotherapist and want to be able to record the script. Are there any good programs that will recognise my speech and convert it to text?

• Can I keep a record of my email on two computers?

  How do I keep a record in one place of what I'm emailing on different computers?

• Can I transfer my settings to a new PC?

  I've got a new PC and want to set it up with the same settings as my old one. What's the easiest way to do this?