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Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our comprehensive, FREE,
help and troubleshooting section.
Below you will find extensive help on a whole range
of problems people experience whilst using a computer.

Please feel free to visit this section as often as you need to.

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Computer Needs, FAQ

What do I really need for my computer?

How fast a CPU do I need?

How large a Hard Drive do I need?

How fast a Modem do I need?

What kind of printer should I get?

How much ram do I need?

How do I choose a computer that is right for my needs?

Why should I buy a custom computer instead of a pre-built computer (like a Dell or Compaq)?

Are custom computers more expensive than pre-built computers?

 

Computer Networking, FAQ

What do I need to start a computer network?

How do I share an internet connection between 2 or more computers?

How do I upgrade my network to wireless?

The wireless alphabet

Certification

My new access point

What next?

Windows zero config

Configuring the access point

The basic idea

Mac addresses

And DHCP?

Is that everything?

WEP or WPA?

Configuration

Ultimate security

How much does computer networking cost?

How do I share a printer between 2 or more computers?

How can I keep my kids safe with "parental controls"?

Files and settings transfer wizard – What does it do?

How to transfer your data over a home network (in Windows XP)

 

Computer Troubleshooting, FAQ

Something is wrong with my computer! Can you help me?

How can I tell if I have a virus?

How do I prevent viruses?

What is a Virus?

What is a Trojan?

What is a Worm?

Protecting yourself from infection

Tips for preventing virus infections

What are virus definitions?

So how do I update them?

A walkthrough of Norton AntiVirus 2002 Live Update

How do I get rid of “Spam”?

How do I get rid of “Spyware”?

Is spyware always bad?

How does it get onto my computer?

Pop-up adverts

Settings have changed and you cant alter them

Computer slows down

How can I remove spyware?

Prevention is the key

My computer is running slow. How can I speed it up?

Disk defragmenter

MSCONFIG

Why do I need to remove software from my start-up group?

How do I stop these programs?

Windows XP system restore

How to run system restore

Windows XP help and support center

Windows XP disk cleanup wizard

Windows update

My computer won’t turn on, what should I do? (no power)

My computer turns on but my monitor stays blank, whats wrong?

My monitor is flickering to the point where I can’t see anything, how do I fix it?

The new component I bought is installed physically but doesn’t show up in the device manager, what should I do?

My wireless keyboard and mouse are not responding, what can I do?

Connecting the keyboard and mouse

My wired keyboard and mouse are not working, what can I do?

Clean your mouse

There is no sound, what could be the problem?

Are the speakers working?

Are your volume levels set correctly?

Is the correct output device selected?

General re-installation instructions

 

Computer, General FAQ

CD/DVD Recording, types of media

DVD-R and DVD-RW

+R/+RW

DVD RAM

Is it really that important to know?

Nero info tool

Games!

Check your PC’s hardware

How to find this information

How to enhance your gaming experience

Update your drivers

Upgrade your memory

Installing your new memory chips

Blistering 3D graphics

Game controllers

Cinematic surround sound

Upgrade your monitor

Make your environment more comfortable

Is a game suitable for your kids?


 

Computer Needs, FAQ                    Back to Top

Have a question about what computer is right for you? Just look at the FAQ below to see why a new custom built system from us is better than buying pre-built computers.

 

What do I really need for my computer?
That is up to you! Ask yourself what you will really use your computer for, and what you’d like to be able to use it for in the future. We suggest not letting major computer manufacturers tell you what your needs are by buying a pre-assembled PC. They are often times heavy on some items and light on others, leaving your specific computer needs un-addressed. We can help you determine what your computer needs, what is optional, and what fits into your budget.
Ask yourself these following questions:

** Please note that all of our brand new systems are fully upgradeable, **
** so if you find you are using more and more **
** programs at once, then you will want more memory. **
** This can be purchased and installed by you, at a low cost. **



How do I choose a computer that is right for my needs?
Choosing a computer that matches your needs is fairly easy. Just determine what you will use your PC for, what you’d like to use your PC for, and how much you want to spend on it. With this information we can custom build a PC for you and your exact needs without being wasteful or unprepared for possible future upgrades.

Why should I buy a custom computer instead of a pre-built computer (like a Dell or Compaq)?
Pre-built computer manufacturers don’t know exactly who is going to buy their PCs and they can’t afford to make several hundred different configurations of one particular PC, so they compromise. They may compromise with the brand of parts, sometimes with parts that won’t fit any other PC, or even parts that aren’t upgradeable unless you buy directly from them. You will also undoubtedly find that your brand new, possibly expensive, PC has too much of one thing and too little of another. For example you could have a lot of RAM but not enough Hard Drive space to store all your files. Depending on your needs, you may require a better video card, more memory, a faster or larger hard drive, or perhaps you don’t really need that flat screen monitor that comes with the package.
Having an expert build you a custom PC (or building one yourself, if you are able to) ensures that your needs are being met, and not just those of the computer manufacturers.

Are custom computers more expensive that pre-built computers?
No, in fact they most often tend to be much less expensive because you are only buying what you need and will use, also you aren’t paying for a branded machine from a large company which is heavily reliant on you having to go to them for replacement parts and relevant upgrades.

 

 

Computer Networking, FAQ                    Back to Top
Have a question about computer networking? Looking to start a home or office network, share an Internet connection or printer, or even go wireless? If so, then the FAQ below may be of assistance to you.

 

What do I need to start a computer network?
At least two computers, or one computer and a broadband Internet connection. The most common home network is 2 PC's that want to share one Internet connection. When you add printers, more PC's or laptops, etc., then you will want to network all those so that you can share and distribute information throughout the entire network.

How do I share an Internet connection between 2 or more computers?
The easiest way to connect two or more PC's in a network is with an Ethernet switch. An Ethernet switch is a device that allows multiple Ethernet enabled devices to communicate with each over a network.


How do I make sure my computer is safe on the Internet?
The best solution is to have a firewall and an Anti Virus program. You can choose a software firewall, which is a program that runs on your PC, and monitors all your network traffic for possible breaches of security. Another type of firewall is a hardware-based firewall, which we would recommend because this stops possible breaches of security before anything actually reaches your PC. A hardware firewall also doesn’t take up any resources on your PC and can handle multiple PC's rather than having a software firewall installed on every PC on the network.


How do I upgrade my network to wireless?
Upgrading your network to use wireless (a.k.a. Wi-Fi) communications is simpler than it may seem. The most basic of wireless network set-ups involve one wireless access point and one wireless adapter for the PC or laptop. The wireless access point broadcasts the wireless signal and then the wireless adapter picks up the signal and sends data back to the wireless access point thus simulating a wired data connection.

 

For a wireless network to function, two devices are needed. The wireless client (which is your Wi-Fi enabled PC or an Intel® Centrino® notebook PC) and most importantly, the "Wireless Access Point". If the client isn't in range of a wireless access point, then there is no wireless network.

To fully understand this point is vital to understanding the nature of wireless networking and the following sections will give you a good base of knowledge to set-up your own network and begin browsing the Internet wherever you are in your home.


Here are a few simple points to get you started


Your first task for setting up the wireless network is to make sure you get the right equipment in the first place.

THE WIRELESS ALPHABET
Your notebook or desktop PC will need to be provided with one of two different specification wireless cards. These are known as 802.11b and 802.11g, although better known as "Wireless B" and "Wireless G". Wireless G is faster and more robust than Wireless B and most new computers will be supplied with it. However, they are not always compatible with each other.
There are other wireless standards too, 802.11a, 802.11n and some others.

CERTIFICATION
There is a certification process for wireless networks and this can be used to decide whether or not devices will definitely work together. This certification can be checked on the Wi-Fi Alliance website at http://www.wi-fi.com and also by checking the packaging for a logo.

Normally the logo will state exactly which standards the device is certified for. If your wireless notebook PC has a Wireless B adapter then the minimum you should look for is Wireless B certified. Do remember that even without certification, most devices still work correctly but this cannot be guaranteed. Also remember that certification is not a requirement for any wireless product manufacturer and new technologies and products are often uncertified initially.

MY NEW ACCESS POINT                                                Back to Top
If you've already purchased your new Access Point, fully certified for Wireless B and Wireless G and are ready to start connecting up. That means it's time to find out what the Access Point actually does.

 

The various status lights are quite self-explanatory, however, the ones to look out for are "Wireless", "Internet" and "LAN". The "Wireless" light represents an active wireless network is available and shows that, if lit, clients can now connect to the network. The "Internet" light indicates to the user that there is an active Internet connection available meaning that anyone who connects to the wireless network has Internet access. The "LAN" light represents any PC that is connected via standard Ethernet cable to the device.

The rear of most products are fairly similar and may require some explanation. There are normally five, similar looking ports on the rear of the unit. The one by itself is for the Internet, WAN or ADSL connection point. Once configured this will provide Internet access to everyone on the wireless network. The remaining four ports make up the "4 Port Switch" component of this unit and they are provided to allow non-wireless enabled products to connect to the network and use the Internet. It is often a good idea to configure the product using a wired connection but it is not required.

WHAT NEXT?
Well, now assuming you have your Access Point correctly wired up and connected to the phone line and the notebook PC is up and running.

 

Once you have everything connected and ready to go, you'll need to get it all set-up and configured properly.  This article will give you a few more words and phrases that will seem completely alien to begin with. Don't worry, it's all very simple and most of it you won't need to remember anyway.

WINDOWS ZERO CONFIG
That's a very flashy name for something very simple to use. All this does is allow a Windows XP PC to connect to a wireless network and it is completely built-in to the operating system of the PC.

The first thing to do is to ensure the wireless adapter on the PC is enabled. On notebook PCs, this is normally a switch on the front or side. You will have to refer to your manual to find out exactly what to do to enable this, it shouldn't be too difficult to do.

Once that's done, if the Access Point that you set-up is powered on there should be a wireless network detected. Now, if you are lucky the network will be automatically connected too and you won't need to do anything else. It is really that simple, however, sometimes that might not happen. So it's best to know exactly how "Zero Config" does its stuff.

Right click on the wireless network icon  in the "Notification Area" (that's the little row of icons next to the clock, normally in the bottom right of the screen) and select "View Available Wireless Networks".

This screen may need an explanation. The PC that has the wireless adapter has detected three different wireless access points. Each wireless network has an individual name, this is known as the SSID although you can call it the network name.

The "Product Solutions" network will currently be "Connected" and have full signal strength. It is very likely that your access point will appear in here, with a default name, which is usually the model number of the device.

The little star symbol represents the network being on your preferred networks list. To begin with, it is unlikely you will have a star next to anything. The first time you connect to a network, it will be added to the list and the star will then appear.

The final, important thing to note about this screen is that it is “Security-enabled wireless network”:
A secured network is a very good thing for you. Security is discussed in more detail below.

To connect to a network, simply double click on the network's name. The connection will be automatically established.

CONFIGURING THE ACCESS POINT                                   Back to Top
All access points should be configured before use. They might work out of the box, but that only helps you get started. So it's time to delve into the technical side of things....

Your access point should have an address to connect to. This will normally be printed in the documentation or on the base of the device. This will probably take the form of a set of numbers, which require typing into Internet Explorer. So, click on the Internet Explorer icon on your PC and click in the address bar at the top. Type in the address of your access point, for example: ”192.168.0.1”
Click on "Go" or press "Enter" on the keyboard. You will likely be prompted for a username and password at this point. This will be in your manual but in most cases use something like "Admin" and "password" to get in.

Once in the configuration, you will see a wealth of options, information and complicated sounding words. There are a few to look for and these are:


SSID
Channel
WEP
WPA
DHCP

On devices with built-in ADSL modems, there will be options to configure the login for your Internet connection. As these are all different, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for information on configuring this.

Here is some information on how to configure.

On the SSID (or network name) type in a name that is meaningful and something you won't forget. Watch your spelling, this is case sensitive and is key to setting up the network. You should name your network with something that is meaningful and easy to remember. There may be an option to "Hide SSID", keep this in mind because you could use this at a later date once everything is running smoothly. This option simply hides your network by stopping it broadcasting its details, beware that doesn't make it secure as it can still be connected to by anyone with the SSID.

Next, look for the channel option. In most cases you can leave this alone on whatever it is already set to, it would be nice if that was always the case. Unfortunately, with so many wireless devices in circulation today there is a possibility that someone else is using the same channel (particularly if they have the same access point using the default settings). Change this to whatever you fancy, it's not easy to tell what channel other networks are on already so some experimentation may be needed if it doesn't work right away.

Ignore the WEP and WPA for now, they are discussed in the security section and DHCP is discussed just below. Suffice to say, leave WEP and WPA disabled for now and leave DHCP enabled.


DHCP and IP addresses are not an interesting subject, but a basic understanding of what and why will help you to set-up and use your network effectively. Many very large, complicated and hard to read books have been written on this subject over the years and you could be forgiven for thinking that it is an impossible subject, only understood by computer geeks and professors.

THE BASIC IDEA
Every item has to be identified somehow, either by name or by address or something else. If you have ten computers on one network and want to send information to only one of them, how can you do that unless each computer is unique in some way? Uniqueness comes from two things in the computer world, MAC address and IP address.

MAC ADDRESSES?                                                            Back to Top
Don't worry about MAC addresses for now, in very simple terms, they are a unique name for each and every network device on the computer, every network card has its own MAC address. MAC addresses are completely fixed and ordinarily cannot be changed. For this reason, we aren't interested in MAC addresses at all, but IP addresses we are definitely interested in.

Because it is unique on your network and because we can change it when we need too, IP addresses are extremely useful. So what is it?

You live, presumably, in a home with an address. Your address might be something like this:
43 Computer Road
Computer Ville
England

Why is that interesting? Well, it's very simple to understand if you think of it like this. Your computer's address might be: 192.168.0.2 and your access point might be 192.168.0.1. The only difference there is the last digit and that is because they are on the same network. Imagine it exactly like your home address:
England = 192
Computer Ville = 168
Computer Road = 0
43 = 2

You can only talk to the people on your street directly and you can only talk to computers on your part of the network. Parts of the network are called subnets. So your PC, on 192.168.0.2 can talk to any other device with an address like 192.168.0.X where X is any number between 1 and 254. Simple eh?

AND DHCP?
All that DHCP does is allow the access point to automatically assign an address to any computer that connects to it. You could say that anyone who moves onto your street is automatically given their address and any post must be sent to that address to get to that person. If you disable the DHCP server on the access point, you will have to give each device its own IP address manually which is only useful for a few specific reasons.

IS THAT EVERYTHING?
Not really no, there is a lot to IP addresses and DHCP with words such as "Subnet Mask", "Octets", "DNS" and other such complicated terms. There is absolutely no real need to understand this to get your network going, but understanding the basic idea of IP and DHCP is very helpful.


Security is vital for wireless networks. Without it, anybody walking down the street can scan for a wireless network, find yours, connect to it and browse the Internet off your account. Worse still, they could potentially access your data and enjoy all the benefits your credit card can provide.

The only way to prevent this is to secure the network. You do this in the configuration screen of the access point, so you need to be there again. If you can't remember how, refer to your manual. Now, look for the security section.

WEP OR WPA?
It would be great if you could enable security by ticking the "Enable Security" box (don't go looking for it, it isn't there). Instead we have various different options for enabling security and little in the way of help choosing.

WEP stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. Essentially, this is supposed to provide protection as good as a wired network. In all honesty, it doesn't really succeed in that, however, it should be acceptable for the average home user.

WPA stands for Wi-Fi Protected Access and is designed to cover the flaws in the WEP security system. There are two seperate encryption methods for WPA known as TKIP and AES. TKIP is the more popular version and is more widely supported.

CONFIGURATION                                                              Back to Top
Don't do anything until your network is up and working. A mistake many people fall into is setting up their network, security and all, and expecting everything to work immediately. So, again, don't do anything for security until your network is working properly without it.

Choosing WEP or WPA is really your choice and there are a few upsides and downsides for each. For an example, we will use WEP.

Select the option to enable WEP on your access point, refer to your manual for exact information. Then use a 128-bit key, avoid using a 64-bit key (very weak security) and a 256-bit key (not widely supported). Depending on your access point, enter the key. In most cases, this requires you to enter a 13 character (letters and numbers) word or phrase then click "Generate". Four keys will be generated looking like a very long series of letters and numbers. Write these down and keep it safe. Choose which key you wish to use.

When you apply the changes, your wireless PC will become disconnected from the network. Reconnect and you will be prompted to enter the password. Type in the long number you wrote down from before and you should reconnect. Your network is now protected and secure.

At this stage, it is worthwhile going into the configuration and hiding the SSID as mentioned in a previous part of this article. And that is all there is to it. WPA works in a similar fashion but is a little more secure. It is very unlikely anyone will hack into your network when secured with WEP, but just in case, your access point will be able to produce logs of computers on the network. It is worthwhile checking every now and again if anyone has been using your network when you aren't.

ULTIMATE SECURITY
Not happy with WEP? WPA still making you feel a little exposed? Here's an advanced user's tip for making a secure wireless network. If you feel up to it, have a go and experiment with different settings on your access point. You can always reset it back to factory defaults if you mess up your settings too much. So, do the following on your network:

1, Hide the SSID
2, Enable and use WPA and ensure that it is using AES encryption.
3, Set-up MAC Address filtering to prevent computers other than your own from accessing the network.

WPA with AES encryption is, at the time of writing, currently unbroken and is apparently used by U.S. government agencies to secure their own data. AES does require hardware support and may not be supported by your access point.

Microsoft Windows XP is a complex piece of software that is vital in the smooth running of your PC. Things can go wrong, but luckily Microsoft has included a number of useful tools to help you fix a problem.

How much does computer-networking cost?
Prices will vary depending on the amount of computers you need to set-up on the network and the type of network connections you want.
Feel free to email us with any questions or queries regarding network costs for your specification.

How do I share a printer between 2 or more computers?
There are a couple ways to do this. Firstly, you can have the printer directly connected to PC #1, and for PC #2 to be able to print from it, both computers would need to be connected to each other (usually via an Ethernet switch). Then PC #1 would need to enable sharing of the printer so PC #2 would be able to use that printer. The second option is to have the printer hooked up to a print server. The print server will then control the access from all PCs on the network to that printer, thus eliminating the need to always have PC #1 turned on in order for PC #2 to be able to print. This method also shifts the resources usage away from the computers and onto the print server.


How can I keep my kids safe with "parental controls"?
There are some broadband routers that can provide adequate parental controls. This means you can tell your broadband router to not allow (for example) certain websites with adult keywords in their domain name to be able to come through to PCs on the network. There are also software programs that enable parents to set restrictions as to what types of sites their children can view, or not view. Based on your needs we can suggest a method that will work best for you.
Any method you choose should always be combined with the best parental control there is- educating your children about the dangers you want to protect them from, and staying in touch with their computer usage habits. Any child, no matter the age or the level of their curiosity, may be able to subvert your hardware or software parental controls, and unless they know what to avoid and why, and that you are monitoring their computer usage, your child is still at risk.

Files & Settings transfer wizard – What does it do?           Back to Top
The Files & Settings transfer wizard is a way to backup your old PC's files and settings using the Windows XP File and Settings Transfer Wizard.

What is it?
It is becoming common for homes to have more than one PC. You will likely have lots of files and settings that you'd like to share easily.
You can do this with the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.
This article explains how to backup your existing computer, ready to transfer to your new one.

What will be transferred?
The Wizard is very comprehensive and will transfer 4 main groups of settings:

Personal: this includes the layout of your desktop, location of icons and taskbar, colour schemes and sounds.
Actions: these include how icons behave when you click them, whether a new window opens in the same box, or a new one etc.
Internet: all you Internet settings are transferred including favourites, cookies, security settings, dial up settings and proxy settings.
Mail: this will copy all of your email settings for Outlook Express or
Microsoft Outlook including your connection settings, signature files, filter rules, address book and emails.

Here is a list of transferred information

Back to Top

How to transfer your data over a home network (in Windows XP).

The following explains how to backup the settings of your old PC using the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard over a home network.

You can use the Wizard to transfer files from:

You should install the programs on your new computer before you begin.
This will allow the Wizard to transfer your settings to these programs.

You can transfer your files and settings across your home network.
This is a fast and easy method because you won't need to mess around with cables, or plugging in external hard drives.
Here’s how:

On your new computer:
1. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. On the welcome screen click Next.
2. Select New Computer from the list and click Next.
3. You will now be asked if you have a Windows XP CD. Choose the option
'I want to create a Wizard Disk in the following drive:' and click Next.
4. Insert a blank floppy disk into your computer's disk drive and follow the instructions to complete the disk.
5. You will see a screen. Now, go to your old computer. Leave this screen while you work on your old computer.

On your old computer:
1. Insert the Wizard disk into your old computer. Click Start > Run, type A:\Fastwiz.exe then click OK.
2. Click Next on the welcome screen.
When you are asked to Select a transfer method choose Home or Small Office Network
Click Next to continue.
3. The next screen allows you to choose what you want to transfer.
For most users it is OK just to choose Both files and settings.
However, you can choose individual items by ticking 'Let me select custom files...'

You will see a summary of what will be transferred on the right of the screen.

4. The Wizard will now scan your old computer for files and settings to transfer
5.You will now be asked to enter the password that is now displayed on your new computer's screen. Enter this and click OK.
6. The transfer will now take place. This may take a while if you have a lot of information to transfer.

Once the collection phase is complete you need to click Finish.

On your new computer
Settings will automatically be transferred from your old machine.
Once this is complete, press the Finish button and then restart your computer.

 

Computer Troubleshooting, FAQ             Back to Top
Need some computer help? Think you may have a virus? Aren't sure how to diagnose the problem, or where to look for help? Take a look at our FAQ below and see if we can be of assistance.

Something is wrong with my computer! Can you help me?
We will try to help you no matter what problem you are experiencing with your computer, we can help with just about all of it. We can fix it ourselves or even email you details on how to fix it yourself. Even if your needs are outside the scope of our services, we can point you in the right direction on what you can do, or refer you to someone who can fix it.


How can I tell if I have a virus?
Each virus, worm, etc. behaves differently. The easiest way to detect a virus on your PC is to have your virus protection software up to date (most anti-virus software offers an automatic update) and run a scan on your PC. Don’t have a virus scanner? You can easily get one by looking on our software page and purchasing one from us online. Or you could get a free virus scan from Trend Micro.

How do I prevent viruses?
The best way to prevent viruses is to not be on the Internet, but that’s no fun, so we’d recommend remembering a couple easy steps;
1) Make sure you have virus protection software, and keep it updated.
2) Don’t open any e-mail attachments from people you don’t know, or weren’t expecting from someone you do know. Attachment files we don’t even consider opening from any e-mail are ones with file extensions of .EXE, .SCR, .CMD, .COM, .BAT, .SCT, .VB, .VBE, .VBS, .PIF. If you want a longer list of what files to be suspicious about check out this page about “Executable file extensions".
3) Keep your operating system up to date. Windows 2000 and above users can set Automatic Updates, and Windows will stay current on all critical updates, including all Internet security-related updates. If you’re still running Windows 98 and below can manually update your operating system by visiting the official Microsoft update page, or better yet, upgrade your operating system. Using anything older than Windows 98 is bad practice and increases your computer’s chance of infection.

The rapid growth of the Internet means that people and businesses are becoming more reliant on their computers for business and pleasure. The Internet provides a means for malicious individuals to distribute computer Viruses, Trojans and Worms easily and quickly.

What is a virus?
A computer virus is a bundle of computer code that infects a computer. It can be distributed through infected floppy disks and CDs, via e-mail and the Internet. Some viruses are relatively harmless and cause minor inconvenience, for example, they might cause a message to pop up on your screen. However, other viruses are far more damaging and can prevent users logging on to their computers, cause data loss, damage programs and even wipe your hard drive. To qualify as a virus it must meet the following criteria:

There are five known types of computer virus:                       Back to Top

1. Boot sector virus: floppy and hard disks contain a small area that is used when your computer loads up. A boot sector virus will infect your computer and overwrite these areas preventing you from accessing your computer.

2. File infector viruses: these viruses infect program files with .com and .exe extensions preventing you from running programs installed on your computer. The virus is memory resident and will infect all program files on your hard drive when they are run.

3. Macro viruses: these are the most common and easy to create viruses in circulation. The majority are designed to exploit Macro functions in Microsoft® Word, Excel and Access, however, other programs are now coming under target. These viruses infect your data files and have proven very expensive for businesses in terms of lost files and the time taken to clean up the damage.

4. Master boot record viruses: these infect a computer in the same way as boot sector virus. The Master Boot Record (MBR) tells your computer how to load the operating system. The virus will normally overwrite this and save a copy of the original file in a different location.

5. Multi-partite viruses: these viruses infect both program files and boot records. They are notoriously difficult to clean because if you manage to clean one and not the other then your computer will become re-infected.

What is a Trojan?

A Trojan is a file that pretends to be something legitimate on your computer. Once it is run it can destroy or leak your personal files to an outside source. Unlike a virus these cannot replicate or run themselves. Normally you can become infected through opening an infected email attachment or downloading an infected file from floppy disk, CD or the Internet.

What is a worm?

Worms are programs that spread from system to system and are able to replicate themselves without the need for an infected host file. Worms normally reside in Word or Excel files. Once on a system they will release an infected document onto that system. When the file is copied this in turn releases an infected file onto the new system.

Protecting yourself from infection

It is a fact that all computer users will become infected with a virus at some point. But you can take steps to minimise the risk and reduce the damage a successful infection can cause. How? By installing an Anti-virus program.

There are a number of programs available to buy, there are even some free programs on the Internet. If you bought a computer from a store you may even have been supplied with an anti-virus program as part of the software package.

Tips for preventing virus infections

Install anti-virus software. You can buy this from any local computer store or us.

Keep your software updated: anti-virus software normally comes with a period of free updates, which ranges from 3 to 12 months. You will need an Internet connection to install the updates. Try to do this every few days.

Only download files from a trusted website.

Disable the preview pane in your email program. Many viruses will exploit this feature.

Only load files from floppy disks and CDs from a trusted source.

Don’t open emails from people you don’t know, especially if it has an attachment.

Be careful when using peer-to-peer file sharing software, the file you are downloading may be infected.

 

The following article describes virus definitions and how to keep them up-to-date using Norton AntiVirus.


What are virus definitions?

Virus definitions is the common name for a list of viruses stored within your anti-virus software. New viruses are created daily and anti-virus software makers have to constantly battle to keep their virus information current. The way this is done usually is to send out a file that updates your anti-virus software so it can see the new viruses. These updates are called virus definition files.

So how do I update them?

All software is different and it would be impossible to cover everything. In general, software is set-up to automatically download from the Internet (when connected) any available definition files. Some software (or dependant on your settings) requires you to click a button that may be marked LiveUpdate or just Update or something similar.

A walkthrough of Norton AntiVirus® 2002 LiveUpdate

Normally, Norton AntiVirus will check for an updated definition file whenever you connect to the Internet. If this feature is turned off, or if you wish to manually check perform the following actions:

  1. Double click on the icon next to the clock which looks like a computer screen.
  2. When the program loads a window will appear. You need to click on the LiveUpdate button.
  3. A wizard will launch from this point, check your Norton files and if any updates are available they will be downloaded and installed automatically.

At this point it's possible you may need to restart your computer. If prompted then do so and the updates will take effect.

How do I get rid of "Spam"?                                   Back to Top
The best first step to avoiding unsolicited e-mails is simply to be careful with whom you give your e-mail address to. Also be wary about where your e-mail gets posted on the Internet. Guestbooks, Livejournals, message boards, etc. are all places where spamming software crawls to look for valid email addresses to spam to. If you have to post your email somewhere try changing its appearance slightly
(name @ domain . com, or nameNOSPAM@domain.com) This way a program that looks for email will get it wrong, but real people will be able to see that they need to remove the spaces, or the word NOSPAM to email you correctly.
We’d also highly recommend getting a secondary free web based e-mail to use in cases you think you are likely to get spammed. For instance, that online contest you entered to win a Britney prize pack, or the free lottery website you play daily are very likely to use your e-mail address for any number of unscrupulous things, so for those you would use your secondary e-mail address. This way your primary “real” e-mail address stays spam-free, and your secondary account will receive the brunt of the unsolicited e-mails.
For those of us who have all ready had our permanent, primary e-mail addresses added to bulk mailing lists and are receiving troublesome amounts of spam, there are options (software, hardware, and online scripts) that can help. These will sort through the junk mail (each able to use different methods) and deliver only “real” e-mail to your inbox.

How do I get rid of "Spyware"?

This article explains why Spyware can slow down your computer and cause it to crash.
 

Spyware and Adware can infect your PC, just like a virus, when you use file sharing software, or download from untrustworthy sites.
A major affect of this software is that it can hog valuable CPU and memory resources.
The result is that you PC will gradually slow down until it becomes unusable.
In a lot of cases it can even cause Windows to crash, forcing you to restart.
Not ideal when you're working on a valuable report or assignment and you forgot to save it!

Spyware is a relatively new threat to computer users. But what exactly is it? In a nutshell, Spyware is software that is downloaded onto your computer, often without your knowledge. It can then feed adverts to you (via pop-ups), collect personal information, or even change the configuration of your computer.

It often goes hand in hand with another form of software called Adware. By working together they can force pop-up adverts onto your computer screen, while collect personal information about you, all at the same time.

Is Spyware always bad?
Not all Spyware is bad. Some legitimate web services that are free, for example, a music service, will install such software as part of the licence agreement. By pushing adverts to your screen this allows the service to remain free. They will also track your online activities so that they can decide which adverts to send to you.

As a general rule Spyware is a nuisance and often unwanted. It can have negative effects on your computer by causing it to slow down, and even crash at regular intervals.

How does it get onto my computer?
There are a number of ways. The most popular is to secretly install itself when you install another piece of software, for example, a peer-to-peer file sharing programme. Always read the licence agreement to check if a piece of software is installing Spyware as well (some may not even mention it here).

It is difficult to tell at a glance. But if your computer starts to behave strangely then you have probably been infected by Spyware or other unwanted software.

There are a few things to look for:

Pop-up adverts
Adware will bombard your PC with adverts that pop-up on your screen. This will happen if you do have your Internet browser open. These adverts don't relate to the site you may be viewing, and often contain adult themes which you may find offensive.

If your see pop-up adverts as soon as you load Windows, or when your browser is not running, it's a sure sign you have Spyware on your computer.

Settings have changed and you can't alter them
Your computer's settings may have changed, for example, your homepage has changed to something else, or a toolbar has appeared that you didn't install. In most cases you can't get rid of them. These are another sign of a Spyware infection.

Computer slows down                                               Back to Top
Often these programs are not designed to be efficient. They use more and more of your computer's memory and CPU resources which makes Windows slow down and eventually crash. Again this is another sign of a Spyware infection.

How can you remove Spyware?

There are a number of free programs that you can download to clean up your PC.
Simply type in to any search bar “spyware” and it will bring up thousands of options available for you to download for free.

Prevention is the key.

There are 5 simple steps that you can follow to help prevent Spyware from infecting your computer.

Step 1: Use Windows Update
You should use Windows Update to ensure that the latest security updates are installed on your computer. To check that Automatic Updates are turned on click here.
Step 2: Make sure Internet Explorer is secure
By adjusting the security settings in Internet Explorer you can control how much or how little information you want a web site to be able to download to your computer. It is recommended that you use the Medium or higher settings for the Internet Zone.
1. Open Internet Explorer, then click Tools > Internet Options.
2. Select the Security tab and adjust your settings.
Step 3: Use a Firewall
A small number of Spyware programs can be put onto your computer by hackers. You should ensure that your Internet Firewall is installed and turned on.
Step 4: Surf and download from trusted sites
The most effective protection is not to download software at all. However, that would take a lot of the fun and usefulness of the Internet away. Here are a few safe surfing tips:

Step 5: Install an Anti-Spyware program
Download and install one of the free programs to scan and remove spyware already on your computer.

My computer is running slow. How can I speed it up?
There are a couple of things you can do- mainly maintenance things you should do anyway.
For instance, use Ad-aware from Lavasoft (free or paid version) to remove spyware from your PC, and defragment your PC at least monthly.
Next, check your bottom right of the screen. Are there a bunch of icons next to your clock? If so, you might have too many background services running and using up your CPU cycles and memory, so try disabling a couple. Have a lot of programs running at once and your PC is bogging down? You may want to invest in more system memory (RAM). You can also use some built in Windows “system tools” to do a clean up of your drive. They will mainly clear all your cache, lingering files, temp files, etc. Check in your control panel and double click on “add and remove programs” and get rid of programs you don’t use anymore.
If you are running Windows, (and do not have impeccable PC maintenance habits) you will find that about every couple years your entire computer may seem to be running poorly. The Windows operating system has many upsides, but arguably as many downsides. One of them being a shelf life of about 2 years before a clean install (aka: reformat) is needed. If it has been more than 2 years since you reformatted your computer, or you are unsure what a reformat is, it’s time to back up all your essential data and reinstall Windows. This is a pain, but it’s part of using a Windows based PC, and can help your computer stay running much faster and smoother.

Disk Defragmenter
Over time your hard drive becomes a jumble of disorganised files and empty space. The Disk Defragmenter tool will tidy things up and help Windows to access your files faster.

1. Delete any old files, empty the Recycle Bin, and close any open programs.
2. Turn off your screen saver.
3. Press Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.
4. The Disk Defragmenter window will open.

5. Click the Analyze button. Windows® will now scan  your hard drive.
6. Once completed you will be told if the drive needs to be defragmented. Click OK.
7. If you need to defragment, click the Defragment button.
8. The scan will begin, this can sometimes take several hours and is best left over night.

MSCONFIG                                                                    Back to Top

If your computer is still running slow then use the MSCONFIG tool to prevent unnecessary software from loading when you turn on your computer.

Why do I need to remove software from my start-up group?
When you install software it will sometimes add small programs to your Windows Start-up Group. This means that they have to be loaded every time you start Windows. Some programs are important, for example, your antivirus software or firewall. However, most are not as important but they increase the time it takes for Windows to load, and they use up valuable memory.

How do I stop these programs?
Microsoft have included a useful tool with Windows XP called MSCONFIG. All you need to do is load it and remove the ticks from the programs you don't want to start with Windows.
1. Click Start > Run, then type msconfig and click the OK button.
2. The MSCONFIG screen will load. Click the Start-up tab to view a list of the programs that are in your Start-up Group. Remove the ticks next to entries you want to stop (be careful not to remove your antivirus or firewall software if you have any installed).
3. When you are satisfied click OK. You will see a message asking you to restart.
4. Click Restart.

Tip: If you look at the Command column you will be able to see which program each entry relates to.

Windows XP System Restore
Windows XP has a useful tool called System Restore. This allows you to return you computer to another date and time that you know things were working as normal. It is a great tool for fixing a lot of problems and you should always try using this tool before you consider re-installing Windows XP.

A few things to note:

How to run System Restore
1. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore.
2. You have 2 options - select Restore my computer to an earlier time and click Next.
3. Next, you need to choose a date from the calendar to restore to. If a restore point exists it will be listed in the right hand column. Select the restore point then click Next.
4. You will now see a summary of the options you chose. Please make sure that you have saved any important work. Click Next.
5. Your computer will now be restarted and restored to the date you chose. You will see a confirmation message once the process is completed

Windows XP Help and Support Center
The Windows Help and Support Center is a great tool for learning more about Windows XP. You can use this as a tool to fix your problem, and could save you time hanging on the phone waiting to speak with a technician.

You can access Help and Support at any time by clicking Start > Help and Support

How to use the Disk Cleanup Wizard in Windows XP to clear out the clutter and reclaim valuable storage space

Windows XP Disk Cleanup Wizard
How to use the Disk Cleanup Wizard in Windows XP to clear out the clutter and reclaim valuable storage space


1. Press the Start button, go to All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup.
2. You will be asked which drive you want to scan. Select Drive C and press OK.
3. The wizard will now scan your hard drive, this may take a few minutes.
4. Once the scan is complete you will see a list of tick boxes for the different areas of your computer that you can recover space from.
5. Tick the areas you want to clean up then press OK.

Windows Update                                                       Back to Top
How to set Windows Update to check for and install new updates without you having to remember

1. Click Start > Control Panel > Security Center.

2. In the Security Center click the Automatic Updates settings button.

3. The Automatic Updates window appears on your screen.
4. Make your choice from the four available options and click Apply then OK.

How to use the Windows Update system to download the latest security upgrades and Windows enhancements straight from Microsoft


1. Connect to the Internet if you need to.
2. Press the Start button then go to All Programs and select Windows Update from the menu (normally towards the top).
3. Internet Explorer will open and connect you to the Windows® Update web site.
4. Select Custom Install from the 2 main options. This will show you all updates for your computer.
5. Go through each of the main sections on the left and select the updates you want to install:

6. Now click Install updates at the top of the left column. You will be taken to a summary of your chosen updates.
7. Click Install to begin.

My Computer won't turn on, what should I do? (No Power)
Follow the steps below to rectify the most common problem:

1. Ensure that the computer power cords are properly inserted and plug socket is turned on (I.e.: Power bar, UPS Unit).
2. Ensure that all cables in the back of the computer are plugged in correctly and in the correct places.
3. If your computer is an ATX form factor please ensure the red switch on the power supply is turned on.  (On most systems there is a little red switch with a 1 and a 0. Please make sure that the 1 is pressed).

My computer turns on but the monitor stays blank, what's wrong?
Follow the steps below to rectify the most common problem:

1. Ensure that the monitor is plugged in properly and turned on (a small green LED will come on).
2. Check that the brightness and contrast of the monitor are turned up.
3. Remove any CD's or floppy disks in the disk drives and restart the machine.

My Monitor is flickering to the point where I can't see anything, how do I fix it?
Follow the steps below to rectify the most common problem:

1. Ensure that all cables are plugged into the video card firmly (use the screws either side of the monitor connection).
2. Remove the monitor plug and check to see that there are no pins broken or bent.  If broken the cable may need to be changed, if bent straighten the pins carefully (needlenose pliers are best for this) as they break easily, and plug the unit back in.
3. Check the vertical hold adjustment on your unit.  Refer to the monitor's manual for the location.
4. If the problem occurs only in windows, your screen resolution may be too high. To fix this problem see below.

·         Boot into safe mode by hitting the F8 key during win 95/98/XP start-up.

·         Right click on the empty part of your desktop and click properties

·         Click the settings tab at the top.

·         Adjust the screen resolution to a lower setting. E.g. 800x600.

The new component I bought is installed physically but doesn’t show up in the  device manager, what should I do?
Follow the steps below to rectify the most common problem:

1. Firstly, ensure the computer is turned off, then make certain that the component is fully inserted into the expansion slot. PCI cards and some older VESA cards may require a bit of muscle to be inserted fully and correctly.
2. Check in the device manager for items under "Unknown Devices" (appears as a yellow question mark). If your item appears there, highlight it and remove it from the list, then click on refresh. The computer should now ask for the driver for your new component.

My Wireless Keyboard and Mouse is not responding, what can I do?

If your wireless keyboard and mouse have stopped responding you should try the following:

1. Replace the batteries, they may be running low.
2. If this does not help then turn your PC off and disconnect the receiver from your computer.
3. Disconnect the batteries from the keyboard and mouse.
4. Press the keys at random for 30 seconds to clear the capacitors.
5. Now reconnect the receiver to your PC.

Connecting the keyboard and mouse.                         Back to Top

1. Turn the computer on.
2. Replace the batteries in the mouse.
3. Press the Connect button on the receiver
4. Press the Connect button on your mouse (normally on bottom)
5. Replace the batteries in the keyboard.
6. Press the Connect button on the receiver again.

7. Press the Connect button on your keyboard.

My Wired Keyboard and Mouse are not working, what can I do?
If your keyboard is not detected, or responding, please try the following steps:

If your mouse is not detected, or responding, please try the following steps:

Clean your mouse
If you have a mouse with a ball you will need to clean it from time to time.
As you use the mouse, dirt and grease build up on the rollers.

1. Disconnect the mouse from your computer.

2. Turn over the mouse and remove the ball cover by turning it in the direction of the arrow.
3. Take out the rubber ball. Spray a small amount of polish into a cloth and clean the mouse ball.
4. Use a damp (not wet) cotton bud to clean dirt from the rollers inside the mouse.
5. Replace the ball and cover, the reconnect your mouse.

There is no sound, What could be the problem?               Back to Top

The following will tell you how to troubleshoot a PC that does not have any sound.

A temporary loss of sound is not usually serious and can usually be fixed quite easily. As with any PC problem, it is important to start with the basics - many baffling problems have quite simple causes.

Are the speakers working?
The first step is to make sure the speakers are still working correctly. Try the following:

Are your volume levels set correctly?
Once you have established that the speakers are working, the next step is to check your volume levels are set correctly. Switch on your PC and wait for Windows to load. Then do the following:

1. Click Start>Control Panel>Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices. The sounds, speech and audio device window will appear. Next, click 'Adjust the system volume'.
2. The ‘Sounds and Audio Device properties’ window will appear. In this window, you can see the 'Device Volume' area. Check that the 'Mute' box is NOT ticked, and that the volume slider is either in the middle, or towards the right.
3. Click the Advanced button. Another set of volume controls will appear, as shown below. Again, make sure that the 'Mute' boxes are not ticked, and that the volume sliders are set at least halfway - though if they're higher, that's also ok.

 

Is the correct output device selected?
Next, you need to make sure the correct part of your PC is outputting sound – Some applications and devices (such as USB headphones) can alter this setting.

1. Click Start>Control Panel>Sounds Speech and Audio Devices.

2. Next, click Adjust the system volume.

3. The ‘Sounds and Audio Device properties’ window will appear. Click the ‘Audio’

4. You can see the ‘Sound Playback’ field. Make sure the default device is correct – If you are not sure, expand the menu and click one of the devices, then click Apply.

Test your PC and if there’s no difference, repeat step four and choose one of the other playback options.

If you are experiencing problems with sound on your PC or Laptop then you may need to reinstall the software that produces sound. These are known as 'Drivers'. For any number of reasons they can become damaged or corrupted.

As a general rule of thumb you can reinstall the drivers by following the instructions below. However, you can also check for any specific instructions for your computer by checking the devices manual.

General re-installation instructions
1. Click Start, then right-click My Computer and choose Properties from the menu.
2. Click the Hardware tab at the top of the window.
3. Now click the Device Manager button.
4. Scroll down the list and locate Sound Controllers. Press the + to expand the list. Now click your sound card to highlight it, then click the Uninstall icon at the top of the screen.
5. If you see a confirmation screen asking if you want to remove the device click Yes / OK.
6. Now click Start > Turn off computer and choose Restart.
7. Your computer will now restart Windows XP and automatically reinstall the Sound Drivers.
8. Now test the sound and check that it works correctly.

If you have tried everything suggested for any of the problems listed above and it still occurs,
then your computer may need servicing and should be taken to a certified technician.

Computer, General FAQ                      Back to Top

CD/DVD Recording, types of media.

The following is some information on the different types of DVD recordable media available.

Unlike CD media where you have 2 flavours (record once, or re-recordable) DVD media comes in several different types.
This can be very confusing for the consumer and not all drives support all types of media.
The article below explains the difference between each type of media.

DVD-R and DVD-RW
This format is approved by the DVD Forum, which is the body that approves DVD standards.
These discs usually have a storage capacity of 4.7 GB and come is 2 types:

These discs are ideal for data storage and are compatible with most standalone DVD players and DVD ROM drives.
This standard has heavy penetration in the multimedia market and general consumer market.
At the current time these are the only DVD standard to be supported by the Apple SuperDrive.

+R / +RW
This format is supported by the DVD+RW Alliance but not the DVD Forum. As such it should not have the DVD title attached with it.

The discs are very similar to DVD-R and DVD-RW in compatibility and performance, they also come in the same 2 types:

A potential advantage of the +RW format is that it will support the Mount Rainer (+MRW) drag and
drop file support that is planned for future versions of Microsoft® Windows®.

DVD RAM
DVD RAM was originally designed to be a data storage solution and is approved by the DVD Forum. The discs are available in 2 sizes:

This format has become a popular format for standalone DVD recorders, for example, Panasonic.

It is a very robust format allowing more than 100,000 re-writes.
Another reason it is popular as a data storage solution is that it can use the FAT32 (Windows XP) and HFS+ (Mac OS X) file system.
This allows the same performance as a hard drive.

The main drawback of this format is limited support in DVD ROM drives and standalone DVD players.

The following describes how to identify what disc formats your CD or DVD recorder drive supports.

Is it really that important to know?
There are many different types of recordable discs available and it can be confusing finding out which ones your drive supports.
However, it is important to know because if you buy the wrong type of disc you won't be able to use them in your drive.

Nero Info Tool                                                                                      Back to Top
A quick and easy way to find out is to download the free Nero Info Tool by clicking here.

Once you have downloaded the tool you will need to extract the files
1. Double click the Info Tool.zip file to open it.
2. Click the Extract all files option on the left side menu.
3. Chose the location to extract the files to by clicking the browse button, then clicking Next.
4. The files will be extracted. On the final screen make sure that the "Show extracted files"  is ticked, then click Finish.

5. A new window will open showing your 2 extracted files. Double left-click the file InfoTool.exe.
6. The software will now open. Select your drive from the drop down list at the top.
Select the Drive tab and look at the Supported Write Features section.
All ticked boxes show which discs you can use in your recorder drive.
For example below is what a typical DVD ReWriter drive can support:

Games!

Check your PC’s Hardware

The most important thing is to check that your PC's hardware is capable of running the game you want to buy.
Write down the following information about your PC so that you can check it against the game's minimum requirements when you go to the store:

- What processor (CPU) you have

- How much memory (RAM) you have
- What type of Video Card you have, and how much memory it has
- What type of sound card you have
- How much free hard drive space you have


How to find this information
1. Click Start then Run.
2. Type DXDIAG and click OK.
3. Check the System tab for your Processor Type and Speed, as well as how much RAM you have installed.
4. Check the Display tab to learn what Video Card you have, and how much Memory it has available.
5. Finally, check the Sound tab to check what Sound Card you have installed.
6. To check how much free hard drive space you have, click Start then My Computer.
Right-click the Local Disk (C:) and select Properties. You will see a pie graph of how much space is used and how much is free.

How to enhance your gaming experience.

Update your Drivers

To get the best performance from your hardware you should update your software drivers.
These are usually available to download for free from the manufacturer's website.
Updated drivers increase performance, stability and improve support for newer games.

Installation is normally easy.

1. Download the driver
2. Run the file
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Microsoft® Direct X
Direct X controls how Windows® handles games and other multimedia files and software.
You should always run the latest version to get the best gaming performance.

If an upgrade is available it will appear in your Windows Update list. Click Start > All Programs > Windows Update.

Upgrade your Memory                                              Back to Top
Modern 3D games are very memory intensive.
We recommend that you install 512 MB of memory (RAM) as a minimum (1 GB preferable).
By increasing the memory in your computer you will:

Before you buy new memory you need to check your computer's
manual to check what type of memory you need as there are several different types.
If you are still unsure please check with the manufacturer.

Installing your new memory chips

If you want to have a go you're more than welcome to. But make sure that you read and understand the instructions carefully.

Blistering 3D graphics

A good graphics card is essential for any serious gamer. By upgrading your old graphics card you will experience:

We recommend a card with at least 256 MB of RAM.

Installing your new graphics card
Any computer technician will be happy to install your new card for you.
However, if you want to have a go you're more than welcome to. But make sure that you read and fully understand the instructions carefully.

Game controllers

Using a keyboard to play games is fine,
but if you really want to get into the action you should add a game controller to give you greater control and performance.
Game controllers normally consist of either a:

Using a controller can also reduce strain on your hands when you play for long periods of time.

Installation
All products come with full installation instructions, however, they are normally
as easy as installing the software from the supplied CD the connecting your controller to a spare USB port.

Cinematic Surround Sound                                            Back to Top
Modern games usually feature cinema style surround sound effects and music to totally immerse you in the gaming world.
Most modern computers are supplied with onboard sound cards that support surround sound speaker systems.
If your computer does not have a sound card that supports surround sound, we stock a range of affordable cards.
Please check with one of our Sales Assistants for more information.

You may need to configure the card to use your new surround system. As a general rule you do this by:

1. Click Start > Control Panel.
2. Click Switch to Classic View on the left.
3. Double click the Sound Effects Manager icon (or something similar)

4. This will launch your Sound Card's controls. Click the Speaker Configuration tab and select what type of speakers you have.

Upgrade your Monitor
Other than your keyboard and mouse the monitor (screen) is one of the most used and under valued parts of your computer.
You spend all of your computer time looking at it, but is it giving you the best performance?

If your monitor is a few years old you should consider upgrading to a new one. This has a number of advantages for a game player:

Better images from your new graphics card

Installation
Installing a monitor is very easy. Simply plug it into your graphics card, plug in the power and then turn on your computer!

Make your environment more comfortable
When you play games it's likely that you will be sat at your computer for long periods of time.
It is important that you place your computer in the correct environment to reduce negative impacts on your health.

Position your monitor correctly to reduce eye and neck strain

 

Is a game suitable for your kids?


Violence, swearing, sex and other inappropriate content in computer games has featured heavily in news and media recently.
This has caused some concern among parents and teachers about what games and software may be suitable for their children and pupils.

Did you know that that computer games have certificates similar to films that you can use to help decide if a game is suitable.
You will find it on the front of the game's box.

 

If you are in any doubt at all as to certain games being suitable for your children then either do not buy it, or have a look at some reviews of the game first, by looking at some magazines.