Originally Posted January 20, 1008

If your Internet connection seems to be running slow or if you can't even connect, try these quick remedies before calling technical support.  Most likely, this will solve your problem before you have to call tech support:

Reset your communication components to establish a fresh connection between you and your ISP.
1. Turn off all your computers
2. Unplug your Router from the power - If you don't know what is your router, look for a box that has one of the popular brands like Linksys, D-Link, or Netgear printed on it.  Your setup may not even have a router and be connected directly to the Modem.  If so, to to step 3.
3. Unplug your Modem from the power -  If you don't know what is your modem, look for a box that has one of the popular brands like 2Wire, Toshiba, or Siemens.  If you have Time Warner, Grande, or even SuddenLink look for an unmarked black box that is connected connected to your Router or directly to your computer
4. Wait 30 seconds
-Complete the following in order:
5. Plug in the Modem to the power
6. Wait 30 seconds
7. Plug in the Router to the power
8. Wait 30 seconds
9. Turn on your computers

If the above didn't help, try clearing your Browser's cache.  Your Browser saves website files on your computer that will accumulate over time.  If they haven't been deleted, this will bog down your computer - here's how to clear them out:

If you have Internet Explorer 7.0 (You may have to press your ALT key to reveal the menu).
1. Tools > Internet Options
2. Click the 'Delete...' button
3. Click 'Delete all...'
-The Delete Files window appears
4. Check the 'Delete all offline content' checkbox
5. Click 'OK'

If you have Internet Explorer 6.0
1. Tools > Internet Options....
-The Internet Options window appears
2. Click the 'Delete Files...' button
-The Delete Files window appears
3. Check the Delete all offline content checkbox
4. Click 'OK'

If you use AOL
-With AOL Closed
1. Start > All Programs > America On Line (or AOL) > AOL System Information
2. Click on the 'Utilities' tab
3. Click Clear Browser Cache' button
4. Click 'Close'

If you use Firefox 2.0:
1. Start Firefox
2. Click Tools > Clear Private Data...
3. Check all boxes for a thorough cleaning or just Cache for the cached files
3. Click the 'Clear Private Data Now' button

If neither of these seems to help, it is time to call the professionals - like us!

Originally Posted January 6 2008

Happy New Year!

With the beginning of 2008, I would like to say thank you for your loyalty to my Time Saving Tips.

Since I couldn't give you a present in person, here is a list of free software that I think everyone will really enjoy even if you aren't technically inclined.

Microsoft has assembled a list of handy downloads that almost everyone can benefit from.  Here are just a few of the kinds of professions that can benefit:
• If you are in Real Estate, there is Image Resizer.  Just right click on the digital image and you can resize your image for upload to MLXchange or other websites.
• If you are a Windows Power User, you can have a thumbnail of the program you select when pressing ALT + Tab with the Alt-Tab replacement
• If you are a statistician, use the Power Calculator to graph your calculations
• The SyncToy is also available (remember the last Tip from 2007?).  You can sync two folders, hard drives, or even flash drives!

All these Microsoft free programs available here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Enjoy!