Windows 7 "Black Screen of Death" Attributed to Malware

In October, Microsoft released its latest generation of operating system: Windows 7.

Users of previous versions of Windows may be familiar with the nicknamed "blue screen of death" that occurs from a hardware or driver failure. Since the Windows 7 release, users have reported a mysterious "black screen of death" that cripples its access. Though unlike its blue predecessor, the "black screen" is the symptom of a much-less serious issue.

This new phenomenon occurs just after the user login screen and displays a solid black screen instead of loading the desktop. It was originally attributed to a flaw in Microsoft's own security update and had been reported to affect Windows 2000, NT, Vista, and XP as well.

The good news is that this is no longer found to be true.

Microsoft quickly investigated the claims made by the software firm Prevx that had submitted the report and determined that none of the changes made by their November security update could have produced that kind of issue. Prevx has since retracted their claims and publicly apologized for their mistake. They stated that their conclusion may have been too hasty and that the challenge of identifying the cause of the issue was difficult.

The current diagnosis is that the "black screen" is caused by malware; most likely Daonol. Daonol is a trojan that affects network traffic. It steals FTP information, blocks security websites, disables access to certain system functions, and redirects web searches to sites containing more infectious malware.

Millions of Windows 7 users that may be affected by the "black screen" may be forced to re-install the operating system from scratch. Microsoft suggest that in preventing future infection from similar malware, users should use strong firewall and anti-virus software, as well as installing the latest Windows updates whenever they're available.

Microsoft also welcomes its users to contact their customer service lines, should they experience concerns for their own Windows PC.

Prevx is working on a less-extreme fix for users to resolve the issue. So far, they've developed a fix that has been successful, though it does not yet work for all systems. They claim with confidence that if users have only started experiencing the "black screen" since mid-November or after running any system security software (including Prevx), their current solution is likely to work.

To expand on their current understanding of the "black screen" phenomenon, a Prevx representative stated that the software firm has found at least ten different scenarios that might create that kind of effect. In fact, they believe that this issue has actually been around for years.

Triangle Laptops also offers its assistance in resolving the issue. Removing malware and viruses is part of our reputable laptop repair service. We also perform installation for operating systems, including the new Windows 7. For questions or a free quote, feel free to contact us via email or call toll free 1-877-456-7869.

Top 10 Reasons to Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7

Since its release, Windows Vista has developed quite the bad reputation. It had painful compatibility issues early on and continues to suffer from system-slowing bloat. This caused many PC users to become hesitant about moving on from using the previous version of Windows, Windows XP. There even grew a demand for new PC buyers to pay premium prices so that their next computer would be downgraded from Vista to Windows XP.

Now that Windows 7 has finally been released, some users remain cautious. Windows 7 has received rave reviews since its release, but it still has Vista-like appearance on the surface.

To make the decision even easier for those who are still unsure, here are our Top 10 Windows 7 Features:


XP Mode

If you're concerned about your older applications being compatible with the new Windows 7, Microsoft has created this option to insure that you're able to continue using all your favorite software. Keep in mind, though, that this feature is only available for the Professional and Ultimate versions of Windows 7. If you think you'll need XP Mode to run important applications, be sure to upgrade to either of these versions as the Home version will not have it.

64-bit Support

Using 64-bit processors is becoming the way of the future for computers. Newer PC hardware that is 64-bit compatible will allow for 4GB or more of RAM. This will greatly increase your PC's speed and productivity. If you're upgrading an older PC that isn't able to run 64-bit software, you may want to stick with the 32-bit versions of Windows 7.

Fast Access

Windows 7 has some new tricks that will help you more quickly get to your files and programs. The Pin feature will create a taskbar link to an item that you frequently use.

Jump List is a similar feature that will create a list of shortcuts to your most commonly accessed files.


Better Window Management

When you drag an active window to the side of your screen, the Snap feature will instantly hook it to the screen's edge and expand it vertically. This turns that window into a kind of sidebar for your workspace.


Faster Windows Search

The new Windows 7 version of Windows Search will improve how you find files that you may have misplaced or you've forgotten where you've saved. There are new search options and the search field will generate a list of possible files as you type.


File and Printer Sharing

You can connect multiple PCs together using Windows HomeGroup to share files as well as printers. Naturally, there are also security options that protect selected files and folders that you don't want shared publicly over the network.


Media Center

Windows Media Center can transform your PC into the multimedia center for your home or office. Connect your PC to an HDTV to watch videos, listen to music, or view photos from your media library. When connected to a TV tuner, Media Center will also allow you to watch, pause, and record live television broadcasts.

Easier Network Connection

If you're running Windows 7 from a laptop or a netbook, connecting with a wireless network will be much easier. Windows 7 can find and connect with nearby wireless networks, VPN, and mobile broadband with just a few clicks!


Faster Response Time

The Sleep feature in Windows has been a bit of a speedbump for when you're ready to jump back into work. The Sleep and Resume functions in Windows 7 have been greatly improved so that you don't miss a beat! There is also an increase in detecting and accessing USB devices so that they're ready to use within seconds.


Improved Safety

Windows 7 has a Backup and Restore feature that will regularly make copies of your important settings and files. Full system backups are also available, if you don't want to risk losing all that data in the unfortunate event of hard drive failure.

If you have children, there are also Parental Controls that will help keep your home PC more family friendly. It will also help prevent malicious software from accidentally affecting your computer.


Triangle Laptops offers upgrades to Windows 7 as part of our PC repair service. If you're interested in joining us in the new generation of Windows, please contact us by email or call toll-free 1-877-456-7869.

Backing Up Ain't Hard To Do!

If there's one tip that I could ever pass on to our fellow computer users, it's to routinely back up your data. Heaven forbid, but there may come a time, when you least expect it, that your computer's hard drive will be damaged or fail. This can be especially devastating if any of your important files can no longer be accessed from the drive. Or worse, destroyed.

Data stored on our laptop hard drives are most critical, since they can be more expensive than desktop PC hard drives, and tricky to repair.

The first item that you'll need for backing up your data is some form of data storage. The amount of storage you'll need of course depends on how much data you're backing up.

For some, a recordable CD or DVD might be plenty. If your laptop or desktop PC doesn't have a recordable optical drive installed, you can easily use an external DVD burner. This should be enough if you're backing up your documents, address book, email, internet bookmarks, or other small projects.

For things like this, you should probably create a CD or DVD back-up disc once every week. I suggest doing so on a Friday evening, so you have complete peace of mind for the weekend.

You might have projects that you want to back up daily. Losing even a day's worth of work can be cumbersome, depending on what your project might be. Backing up your work to a new CD-R or DVD-R can get expensive, so in this case I recommend a portable USB flash drive. 1GB to 8GB should suffice, though larger capacities are available, should you need it. You'll not only have more storage space available on a thumb drive, but there are also security applications out there that will protect the data in case of theft.

If you have much more data that you'd like to insure an extra copy of, then you might want to invest in an external hard drive. An external hard drive is ideal for copying large media files (video or music collections), digital photo collections, or software downloads. A hard drive that's the same, if not double the capacity of your local hard drive is most recommended. As of the time of this writing, a 1TB (that's 1,000 gigabytes) external hard drive can easily be bought for under $80.

Off-site data storage services are also available. Depending on the service you sign up for (like Carbonite or Mozy), you'll be able to upload your data to their backup facility. This kind of service is useful in the event of a disaster that destroys all your local equipment. After all, if a fire or flood destroys your computer and the back-up drive sitting next to it, you're still out of luck.

Now that you have the storage, you'll need the tools to start creating the back-ups. A computer novice may make the mistake of simply storing their files on the external drive and call it a "back-up". But here's the rule: If you only have one copy, it's not a back-up! You'll need to create and synch multiple copies of your files to truly cover your bases.

Windows has some built-in back-up utilities, depending on which version you're using. You'll be able to create back-ups of files, settings, or your hard drive's entire contents.

Windows XP has its Backup Utility in the Start menu here:

Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Backup

In Windows Vista and the new Windows 7, go to the Backup and Restore Center from your Control Panel. From there, go into System and Maintenance and click on Backup your computer. From here, you'll have the option to use Automatic Backup, which will schedule a regular back-up of selected files. Complete PC Backup will back-up everything, including system files and your installed applications.

There are plenty of third-party software utilities as well; many of them available for free. Though most of the free ones will only create copies of files and synchronize your back-ups with your local data.

High-end back-up software (such as Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost) will create complete disk images of your local drive. A disk image is essentially an exact copy of everything on a hard drive contained in one massive file.

This is why I recommended an external drive that's equal or greater than your local drive, as you may want to create multiple disk images. You can then use these images to perfectly recreate your system onto a new hard drive. This is a fantastic ability for not only replacing damaged drives, but also for simple hard drive upgrades.


In the unfortunate event that your hard drive does fail, Triangle Laptops can help you recover your lost data. As part of our laptop repair service, we perform an extensive check on your failed hard drive and take as many steps necessary to recover your important files.

For more information about laptop hard drive data recovery, take a look at our laptop repair service page. You can also send us your questions via email or call toll-free 1-877-456-7869.

Free Essential Windows 7 Downloads

Now that you have Windows 7 installed on your computer (and if you don't, we can install Windows 7 for you), it's time to give it a turbo boost with updated software. We've collected links to seven (get it?) of the top essential free software downloads that will enhance your new Windows 7 experience.


Ultimate Windows Tweaker / Windows 7 Tweak Guide

Windows 7 is already designed to perform faster and more user-friendly than Windows Vista...and arguably, Windows XP. But many of us aren't satisfied with a piece of software's default settings. They are, after all, set for the average user. With a little tinkering, we don't have to settle for average; we can do better!

Ultimate Windows Tweaker is a free application that will open up the hood for you in Windows 7. By selecting from an assortment of tick boxes, you can optimize the speed of your PC, adjust the user interface, and even improve security.

This tool is a slim 345KB executable that requires no install and can be run as a portable app from a flash drive. It even detects whether you're using it on Windows 7, Vista, and whether the OS is 32bit or 64bit.

For those who want something more hardcore, the guys over at Tweak Guides is currently working on a thorough Windows 7 tweak guide to go along side their fantastic Windows Vista and XP guides. There's more manual work involved, but the benefits are well worth the effort.


Microsoft Security Essentials

Nothing is more important than making sure that your computer is safe and secure. Microsoft Security Essentials is a free utility offered by Microsoft to defend your PC against viruses, spyware, and other malware that may infect your computer. Security Essentials establishes real-time protection and runs in the background, so it won't slow down your computers regular run time.

While tests show that Security Essentials is capable of protecting your system against over 98% of the current wide-spread malware, there is a third-party alternative. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is another reliable security application, which just recently updated to version 9.


Ninite

Ninite is a fast, convenient application for quickly installing your favorite third-party software. This can come in handy if you have a new computer or have to do a clean-reinstall of the operating system. You'll save hours off the chore of re-downloading and re-installing all the programs you use on a regular basis.

All you do is go to their website and check from a list of available popular programs. Ninite will collect the latest versions into one executable installer. The program will then install all of the selected applications with their default settings. The install will also reject any extra, unwanted features (like search toolbars, etc.) that other developers like to sneak in.

If you don't find one of your favorite applications from their list, they're very open to requests.


Windows Easy Transfer

We all have our own style in preferences in how we use our computers. Whenever you get a new PC to welcome into your family, it can be time consuming adjusting it to match the others that you use.

To make synchronization of multiple computers a lot less painless, Microsoft offers a handy tool: Windows Easy Transfer. This program will copy selected files, email, and settings that you need to transfer from one PC to another. You have the option of making the transfer over a network or saving them to a portable storage drive.

The transfer process will complete without disruption, regardless of running into incompatible files. If a file is unable to be included in the transfer, Easy Transfer will continue with the rest of the task and make a report of non-transferable files for your review.


Combined Codec Community Pack

It's becoming more and more common for people to connect their PC to an HDTV to act as a high-tech media center. (In fact, we wrote a PC-to-HDTV guide!) Video files are easily made available in high-definition video, with multiple subtitle and audio tracks. This is an incredible opportunity for users with high-end home video cameras and aspiring filmmakers!

In order to view video files these extreme features, you'll need to install the proper codecs to decipher them. The Combined Codec Community Pack is a bundle of all the essential codecs that your computer will need to play high-quality multimedia, as well as some media players most suited for the task. The pack is free and fully customizable, depending on your preferences.


Windows Live Photo Gallery

One of Microsofts key goals for developing Windows 7 was to reduce as much bloat as possible. As a result, many applications that had been packaged in with Windows up through Vista were removed. While these applications could be argued as unpopular, there are still a great many users that enjoyed or depended on them to carry out specific tasks.

One of those applications that users have expressed missing is Windows Photo Gallery. It was an easy-to-use image editor, great for managing your photos and home video collection. Microsoft has made a newer version for faithful users, called Windows Live Photo Gallery. It's free to download and install for Windows 7.


Live Mesh

Unlike Windows Easy Transfer, Live Mesh will allow you to share programs across multiple machines, along with your favorite files. This includes multiple platforms—PC, Mac, and even mobile devices.

Every computer with Live Mesh installed will be able to share resources with each other, whether on a network or connected remotely from the web. If you need an application on one computer that's installed on another, you can access the other computer's desktop and run it on your current display.

The service is free to use and signing up will give you an additional 5GB of web-based data storage.


If you would like Triangle Laptops to include any of these applications along with our professional Windows 7 installation, please let us know! Consult our laptop repair service page or contact us by email for details. You can also call toll-free 1-877-456-7869.

Windows 7 Is Here!

The much-awaited Windows 7 is finally here!

Over the past few years, Microsoft has had difficulty with their Windows Vista operating system, due to its early compatibility issues and taxing use on system resources. In fact, it increased demand for its previous version of operating system, Windows XP. Customers proved that they were willing to pay PC suppliers extra to downgrade from Vista to XP.

While Microsoft eventually resolved most of Vista's compatibility problems, the OS continued to struggle to please users. Learning from their past mistakes and listening carefully to the needs of their customers, Microsoft quickly went to work developing its next generation of operating system, titled Windows 7.

Beta testing for Windows 7 began in early 2009, earning quite the positive reception. Its interface is much more customizable, bringing back the "personal" in "personal computer". At first glance, Win7 appears similar to Vista. However, the most notable features are what's under the hood. So far, Win7 has both XP and Vista beat in several performance tests, proving that it's faster and easier to use.

These test results come from the open Beta version of Win7, though many more improvements are expected to be made by its commercial release version.

Microsoft has put effort into simplifying the differences between its edition of Windows 7, making it less confusing for consumers to determine which one best suites their needs. Win7 comes in three flavors: Home, Professional, and Ultimate. Home Edition is designed for basic home use. Professional Edition has more features that benefit a work environment. Ultimate Edition is loaded with additional features and is intended for those who have network administration. There is a Starter Edition of Win7, though that will be reserved for pre-installation on netbooks and simple computers.

In order to ease skeptics and to insure better compatibility with older hardware and software, Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate come with an XP mode. This feature runs a virtual machine that basically runs WinXP on the same installed PC. Users will be able to run their old software as before, though it will appear through XP's older interface.

Users who want to streamline the operating system further will have the ability to disable many more components than in Vista. This includes the Internet Explorer web browser, Windows Media Center, and Windows Search.

For PC gaming, Win7 will continue supporting the Games for Windows features that began in Vista: The Game Advisor and Games Explorer. Game Advisor is a handy tool that evaluates the PC's hardware and determines which video games will run the smoothest on it. Games Explorer simplifies accessing your installed games by displaying them all in one spot. It can also automatically checks for any new patches that update your games' software.

Over the past few months, Microsoft has offered free upgrades to Win7 for consumers who have recently purchased a PC with Vista pre-installed. If you have purchased a new computer after June 26, 2009, you may qualify. Check with your manufacturer for details on their procedure for receiving the free upgrade.

Triangle Laptops, as part of our laptop repair services, will also soon be offering upgrades and installations for Windows 7. More details will be added shortly to our laptop repair page regarding benefits, services, and prices. If you would like to have your laptop or desktop PC upgraded by our skilled professionals, please contact us by email or call toll-free 1-877-456-7869.