A1 Computer Repair

Computer Services

wireless network

Computer Errors are Very Common

by

Computer errors and remedies

Computer errors are very common and every computer user may face different kinds of issues so they should learn about the solutions to common computer-related problems. The common factors that cause problems in computers are viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, adware, corrupted registry, faulty hardware, low memory, low capacity hard disk, low CPU speed, and stuffing computers with a large number of software applications. In this article, I have compiled a list of the most common computer problems and their solutions.

The computer is very slow

This is a very common issue and it arises due to several factors such as too many programs running at the start-up, low RAM, low processor speed, spyware running as a background application, errors in the Windows registry, and the buildup of the garbage files on the hard disk. Scanning your computer with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware program, cleaning and repairing the Windows registries, increasing memory, deleting temporary files, deselecting the programs at start-up, and uninstalling unwanted software applications can solve this problem to a very large extent.

The network server is not accessible

In a networked environment, every computer depends on the server for login authentication, files access, internet, and printing access, and sharing server resources. The downtime and the communication failure with the server are very problematic and frustrating for the users. Check both ends of the network cable and make sure that the attached RJ-45 connectors are properly plugged into the LAN card and hub/switch. Ping the server’s IP and make sure you get the reply from the server. Ensure that your server is on and working fine. A large number of the running applications on the server and simultaneous access to the server from a number of users can slow down the performance and speed of the server. Scan your PC with an up-to-date antivirus program because certain viruses and spyware are responsible for the communication failure. Replace your LAN card with a new one and assign a different IP address and try to connect with the server.

The computer locks up or freezes

Missing .dll files, viruses, faulty registry, defective RAM and spyware slows down the performance of the server and it locks up frequently. Scanning a PC with the anti-virus and anti-spyware program, cleaning and repairing the registry and increasing RAM can solve this issue.

The computer won’t boot

Faulty power cable, power extension, and power supply all contribute to this problem. Checking one by one each of the above components can pinpoint the problematic part. Simply replace that part with a new one and you’re computer is okay.


Computer reboots itself

Defective cooling fan, power supply, RAM, viruses, and spyware can cause this to happen.
Memory usage is maximum in computer

Whether the memory is less than the recommended memory to run certain applications, swap memory chips with each other, or scan your computer for viruses and spyware, increasing the page file and physical memory can overcome this problem.
Browser’s home page has changed itself

This is most likely a spyware problem and scanning computers with an up-to-date anti-spyware program can fix this issue.


The computer’s clock losing time

If you see that your computer’s clock is losing time frequently replace your CMOS battery.
My computer can’t get connected to the internet

Check IP address, and gateway address, scan your PC for viruses and spyware, check network cables and make sure that the server’s or gateway’s firewall application is not blocking HTTP requests from your PC.
Computer making noises

Faulty RAM, VGA, hard disk, Sound card, Processor, and other components produce noises. Make sure that each hardware device is connected correctly to the PC and if the problem is still not resolved then replace the faulty hardware component with a new one.

Credits to B. Bashir who manages Networking Tutorials and regularly writes articles on various topics such at Computer Networking http://www.networktutorials.info

 

Linksys Router Users Malware (worm) Warning

by

The following routers may be vulnerable depending on firmware version: E4200, E3200, E3000, E2500, E2100L, E2000, E1550, E1500, E1200, E1000,E900

Linksys Router Users Malware (worm) Warning

A malicious new worm has been detected in more than 1,000 Linksys home and small-office routers, according to researchers at the SANS Institute of Bethesda, Md.

Nicknamed “TheMoon” because its code includes HTML pages referring to the 2009 science-fiction movie “Moon,” the worm seems to do little more than spread from router to router. However, it does appear to be able to connect to a command-and-control server, from which an attacker could manipulate the compromised systems.

“We do not know for sure if there is a command-and-control channel yet,” wrote security researcher Johannes Ullrich in a blog post on the SANS Institute’s website. “But the worm appears to include strings that point to a command-and-control channel.”

The good news is that a simple router reboot will get rid of the worm, and turning off any remote-administration feature in your router’s settings will prevent the worm from being able to attack in the first place. Many routers have remote administration activated by default.

So far, only Linksys’ “E” product line, which includes the E900, E2000, E3200, and E4200 models, has been shown to be affected. Devices that have upgraded to the latest firmware, 2.0.06, should be safe, but some earlier models whose support has expired, such as the E1000, can’t get that upgrade.

Click Here for More on Linksys Worm

Setting Up Your Wireless Router Securely

by

wireless router setupSetting up a wireless router is easy. Essentially you turn your cable or DSL modem off and your wireless router on. Then, you connect the router to the modem with a cable and turn the modem back on. You are more or less done. The wireless network wizard on your computer will pick up the router and, if your ISP does not have any special requirements, away you go, you are on the Internet.

For ease of setup and configuration, manufacturers ship wireless routers with all security disabled. Therein lies the problem. If you do not take any further steps to secure your router, and a surprising number of people don’t, your network will be wide open to all passersby and strangers. It’s like you’ve hung out a sign, “The door is open. Please come in and help yourself.”

The problem is not that strangers will be able to use your router to access the Internet but that, without further protection, would-be intruders will be able to monitor and sniff out the information you send and receive on your network. Malicious intruders can even hop onto your internal network; access your hard drives; and, steal, edit, or delete files on your computer.

The good news is that it is relatively easy to secure your wireless router. Here are three basic steps you should take.

1. Password protects the access to your router’s internal configuration

To access your router’s internal setup, open a browser and enter the router setup URL. The URL will be specified in the manual. The URLs for D-Link and Linksys routers, two major manufacturers of wireless routers, are http://192.168.0.1 and http://192.168.1.1, respectively.

For Linksys routers, leave the user name blank and type “admin” (without the quotes) in the password field, and press enter. To change the password, simply click on the Password tab and enter your new password.

For other routers, please consult your manual. Alternatively, you can search on the Internet with the term “default login for ”. Don’t be surprised to find quite a number of pages listing default login parameters for many different routers, even uncommon ones.

2. Change the default SSID (Service Set IDentifier)

The SSID is the name of a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network). All wireless devices on a WLAN use SSIDs to communicate with each other.

Routers ship with standard default SSIDs. For example, the default SSID for Linksys routers is, not unsurprisingly, “Linksys”. As you can see, if you don’t change the default SSID of your router a would-be intruder armed with a few common SSIDs from major manufacturers will be able to find your wireless network quite easily.

To change the SSID, click on the Wireless tab. Look for an input item labeled SSID. It will be near the top. Enter a new name for the network. Don’t use something like “My Network”. Use a name that has been hard to guess.

3. Disable SSID broadcast

Wireless enabled computers to use network discovery software to automatically search for nearby SSIDs. Some of the more advanced software will query the SSIDs of nearby networks and even display their names. Therefore, changing the network name only helps partially to secure your network. To prevent your network name from being discovered, you must disable SSID broadcast.

On the same screen that you changed the name of your network, you will see options for SSID broadcast. Choose “Disable SSID” to make your network invisible. Now save all your settings and log out.

Since your wireless network is now invisible, you will have to configure your computers to connect to your wireless network using the new name. On Windows XP, start by clicking on the wireless icon in the Notification Area and proceed from there.

With these three steps, your network now has basic security. However, if you keep sensitive information on your computers, you may want to secure your wireless network even further. For example, you can

– Change the channel your router uses to transmit and receive data on a regular basis.
– Restrict devices that can connect to the router by filtering out MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.
– Use encryption such as WEP and WPA.

As with most things in life, security is a trade-off between cost (time, money, inconvenience) and benefit (ease of use). It is a personal decision you make. However, for the majority of home uses, the three basic steps plus WEP/WPA encryption provides reasonably strong security.

Turning on encryption is a two-step process. First, you configure your router to use encryption using an encryption key of your choice. And then, you configure your computer to use the encryption key. The actual process of configuring your router for encryption varies from router to router. Please consult the router’s manual.

There are even stronger methods for ensuring security. A strong and robust security method is RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service). Using RADIUS requires additional hardware and software. However, there are companies that offer RADIUS security as a subscription-based service. The fees are reasonable and dropping.

Therefore for example, if you run a business on your wireless network, have sensitive data on your computers such as credit card information, and have a number of users who access your network, you should consider using RADIUS. Since the service sector for RADIUS is dynamic and growing, a search on the Internet with terms like “RADIUS subscription” or “RADIUS service” is probably the best way to locate one.