Tips for speeding up Windows 7
If your Windows 7 is running noticeably slow, it might be due to a less-than-perfect installation of the operating system. One solution might be an update of your device driver, reports Germany’s Computer Knowledge Publishing Group.
Users should download the driver from the site of the appropriate manufacturer. Just activating the classic Windows design should provide a speed boost. Anyone annoyed with the user account protection system, which activates at start-up, can deactivate its pop-ups in the security centre.
Check your BIOS settings
It’s best to check the BIOS settings of any newly purchased computer. The Basic Input Output System refers to the software on any functioning motherboard needed to start the computer.
The configuration interface for BIOS can be called up when the system is started. Most PCs will show which key combinations are necessary to start it up.
One’s BIOS should have all energy saving functions up and running - for example C1E, C-States or Speedstep. Under ACPI States, which sets the way the computer hibernates, the options should be set for automatic, or S3.
Google Maps allows creation, sharing of route descriptions
Users of Google Maps can now send route directions via email. Directions are plotted via www.google.com/maps - to a colleague’s housewarming party, for example. The Send option - situated in the upper right-hand side of the map - then allows those directions to be sent to others.
New Yahoo! apps available for Android smart phone
Yahoo! has released new apps for smart phones that use the Android operating system. Yahoo! Mail and Yahoo! Messenger are already available, reports the company. Additionally, there is a search widget. The new programmes should allow people to access their Yahoo! services from portable devices.
The new functions means users will be able to receive new email alerts, send emails to address book contacts, send short messages and access Yahoo! search functions. The new Android apps are available for free download on the Android Market for the OS 2.0 or newer operating system.
