Some web sites help you get your 'Geek' on. Mine helps you get the 'Geek' out! Fix IT Newsletter Alert Apr 2010 Issue 0031 News New pages added since last newsletter... Laptop Battery Tests Articles   Hello Ever think of the Boy Scout Motto: "Be prepared"? When we went to North Carolina last month to see our new Grand Daughter I took my trusty laptop with us. I needed to do some work while waiting for flights and while in the air. I have three batteries for the laptop and this time I took all three with me. (not a normal thing for me to do). Once we were air born from Dallas-Fort Worth and I could use my laptop I started to work on some articles for my web sites. After about an hour the battery went dead (it was the oldest battery) so instead of changing the battery I pulled out the power converter that I had bought a long time ago for an overseas flight. After about ten minutes of use the pilot cycled the aircraft generators (you know when they do that, the lights flicker) and that fried the power converter. Bummer, that cost me $50 in 2003! So I put in the next oldest battery, it lasted about two hours, then the new battery, it lasted about 2 and a half hours. Now you are wondering why I mentioned this at this time, well do you know how long your laptop battery will last? Ever wonder how you would test the battery? That is the new page I have written about how to go about testing your battery or in my case three batteries. In the article I use a manual test and a software program to test the batteries. I downloaded a program that the author said was free but when I loaded it on my laptop to do tests the diagnostics and optimization sections were locked out unless I bought it (which costs $20) and then I could complete the diagnostics and optimization. The only part of the program that I had not already done before loading it was checking the 'health' or how much the battery has degraded since it was first charged. This feature for me was worth finding out that one of my 'high quality' batteries was not as high quality that the vendor advertised. It also showed me that a five year old battery is the better battery so when I need another one I will look for that type. So before you need to rely on that battery have you tested it? I would suggest you test your batteries once a year. I am not promoting or recommending the program that I used because the author is devious in his selling tactics, buy it if you think the health feature is of use to you. Regular Price  $39.90! Never pay a Geek again! Self Computer Repair Unleashed! A Geek gets paid for what they know, you pay them. Why not keep your money in your pocket? My new manual will help you fix nearly every problem you will have with at computer. Even more information than the Self Computer Repair manual. Almost as much information as the Members Only section! Truly a one of a kind manual! Over 400 pages! Over 200 illustrations! With12 checklists to help you repair your computer! Information in everyday language! No Geek! All for about a half hour of Geek time. Other news: Flash vs HTML5 Flash is the program that runs videos on websites, HTML5 is the program that runs videos on the iPhone. Apple is trying to use it clout to push HTML5 to become the defacto program to run video's on web sites. Google is adding Flash to it's web browser Chrome as an add on. At this time all web sites use Flash to run video's so time will tell if Google has more clout than Apple. (Remember Apple's Quick Time vs Flash, Quick Time lost). News Flash! 03/25/2010 It was reported in news that a major credit card and ID theft ring had been busted in the USA, however that does not mean that all of them have ceased doing their hacking. Protect your data Setup your firewalls! The Tech Support You Need - When YOU Need It! Q and A This site contains a lot of information. As with any publication not all information is available due to space, time, or subject constraints. If you have a question that you did not find the answer on this web site  you a can ask your question here and we will endeavor to get you the most up to date answer possible! Comments? Ideas? Feedback? I'd love to hear from you. Just reply to this newsletter and tell me what you think! Yes, you may forward this email to anyone you want! If you don't have a subscription, and would like one, just go to our Fix It! newsletter signup (and get free sample pages at the same time) Here are some web sites that may be of interest to you: Did you know that there is now a boom in Small Business startups? During a recession more people turn to self support when the job market fails them. I did, you read about my adventures every month. You can do it too! The company that I use to build my web sites - Need help with basic system functions: Computer help - Learn how to use your computer All the best, Monte Russell Webmaster www.diy-computer-repair.com Return to top