Every once in a while a product comes out that is really a game changer. If you do any kind of computer repair, the Zalman ZM-VE200 (there is also a newer ZM-VE300) will absolutely change/improve the way that you do things. It is that cool!
The Zalman ZM-VE200/300 at first glance looks like any other Hard Drive Enclosure, but don’t be fooled! This incredible device allows you to boot your machine from an .iso file. The built in Zalman circuitry allows you to select any .iso which you have previously put on the drive, and load it just as if it were a DVD or CD-ROM optical drive (your computer sees the Zalman as a virtual CD/DVD drive). This means that instead of carrying around discs to install operating systems, you simply put the .isos on the drive and then select the .iso which you want to boot. Bye, bye optical drive, the Zalman is now the virtual optical drive!
Just think about it! Do you know how many .iso files that I have burned to CD/DVD! Right now I have a CD/DVD case full of discs such as: Puppy Linux, Ultimate Boot CD For Windows, Hiren’s Boot CD, Kaspersky Rescue Disk, Trinity Rescue Kit, Clonezilla Live, Ubuntu, GParted Live CD, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Knoppix, and many more. Now I can just put all of those .iso files on the Zalman and boot from the .iso of choice. Access times are USB fast (the Zalman ZM-VE200 is USB 2.0 capable and the Zalman ZM-VE300 is USB 3.0 capable), and believe you me, the .iso will mount and boot much much faster than a spinning CD/DVD platter.
The Zalman has so many more cool features that I could go on and on, but I’ll let you check out this video by the great computer repair tech Tim Kelly. It’s the best review that I have seen. Enjoy!
Professor Randy says:After trying the Zalman, you may never go back to burning an .iso file to disc again!!
A lady called me last week and told me that her husband was unable to play his favorite game on CD. The CD/DVD player would not play the CD, and furthermore the optical drive didn’t even show up in the Windows (XP) “My Computer” folder! Windows was not recognizing the CD/DVD drive – as if it had just disappeared into thin air!
In the past three years I have seen this same situation about two or three times and here is the fix:
Windows XP, Vista, 7
Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
In the navigation pane, locate and then click the following registry subkey:
In the right pane, click UpperFilters. Note You may also see an UpperFilters.bak registry entry. You do not have to remove that entry. Click UpperFilters only. If you do not see the UpperFilters registry entry, you still might have to remove the LowerFilters registry entry. To do this, go to step 7.
On the Edit menu, click Delete.
When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
In the right pane, click LowerFilters. Note You may not always see the LowerFilters registry entry. I didn’t in this latest fix.
On the Edit menu, click Delete.
When you are prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
Exit Registry Editor.
Restart the computer. You are done!
Professor Randy says:If your CD/DVD drive icon disappears from your “My Computer” folder, don’t panic! Just follow the steps above and you’ll be playing your CDs/DVDs in no time.
Professor Randy quotes Ella Wheeler Wilcox:“Always continue the climb. It is possible for you to do whatever you choose, if you first get to know who you are and are willing to work with a power that is greater than ourselves to do it.”
Who is the king of PC software and hardware? It’s all in the numbers:
The King Of PC Software:
Around 90% of all PCs run the Microsoft Windows OS (as opposed to Apple OS X and Linux). Microsoft is still the #1 most popular Operating System by far. Microsoft is the software king!
The Kings Of PC Hardware:
Intel and AMD are the main controllers of PC hardware. Even though these two companies don’t actually sell PCs themselves, they are the biggest controller of what goes into the system. Intel and AMD control the CPUs and they then control the motherboard because they control the chipsets. Because they are the primary chipset and CPU manufacturers, they have an effect on everything else in the system. They are the hardware kings!
Professor Randy says:When teaching about PC software and hardware, you have to start with the king(s) of each: Microsoft, Intel, and AMD!
In part 1 of this series I talked about the seven major hardware components of a computer and in part 2 I talked about softwarebasics. In part 3 I began to individually explain each hardware component more in depth by beginning with the motherboard. In upcoming posts I will continue to talk specifically, and more in-depth about each of the seven major hardware components. Today, part 4: The MotherboardChipset.
In part 1 of this series I referred to the CPU as the “brain” of the computer as it sends out instructions to the system. But what component carries (delivers) these instructions to the appropriate computer destination? You guessed it, the chipset! The chipset connects the CPU to everything else in the computer and is the main component of the motherboard.
All of the CPUs data instructions to the system flow through the chipset. The chipset has all of the system bus controllers for the various system buses and is the “pipeline” for all data and system information. The chipset controls and regulates all of these extremely important “things”.
So, as I stated in part 3 of this series, the motherboard is the most important part of the system. On the motherboard is the chipset, which is the most important part of the motherboard. Without the chipset, the instructions from the CPU would never be delivered to the intended destination.
Professor Randy says:The CPU is the “brain” and the chipset is the “nervous system” of the computer. Ths chipset connects the CPU to everthing else in the machine.
Update: I have a more recent FBI MoneyPak removal post here (another variant of the virus).
A client called me today with a machine (Windows 7) infected with the FBI MoneyPak virus. I got it out in about ten minutes – this is what I did:
1) Tap F8 during pre-boot and go into Safe Mode
2) Click Start>All Programs>Startup Folder
3) You’ll see “ctfmon” (without quotation marks). Delete it.
4) Click Start>Run>Type %temp% >OK
5) Look for “festOr_ot” (without quotation marks). Delete it. Some techs have reported seeing “roolO_pk.exe”, “er_OO_O_l.exe” and/or a “.mof “ file also. If you see any of these delete them!
Professor Randy says:The FBI MoneyPak virus is just another of the many ransomeware programs that want to scam you out of your money! Don’t be fooled – remove this phony malware by using the method described above.
In part 1 of this series I talked about the seven major hardware components of a computer and in part 2 I talked about software basics. In upcoming posts I would like to talk specifically, and more in-depth about each of the seven major hardware components. Today: The Motherboard.
Whenever you build a new system or upgrade an old one, you had better think motherboard first. Without doubt the motherboard is the #1 key piece to your system, so please spend a lot of time considering which one you’re going to get and why. Consider the following essential facts:
1) The motherboard is the largest single component that is in your machine.
2) The motherboard contains the motherboard chipset which will dictate the type of CPU that you can use.
3) The type of motherboard and motherboard chipset will dictate the kind of memory that you can use.
4) The controller circuitry built into the motherboard will dictate the type of Hard Drive that will be used.
Just a few years ago you were stuck with the motherboard and CPU that came in your computer. If you wanted to upgrade, you had to change the entire computer. Modern day mobo processor sockets can now handle many different CPUs. For example: Ivy Bridge Core i3 (cheaper), Core i5 (medium priced), Core i7 (expensive) will all fit in the same socket and all will work just fine in the same compatible motherboard! Just pop out one CPU and put in another one and you’re “good to go”!
Two of my favorite motherboards at the moment are the ASRock Z77 Extreme4 (Intel), and the ASUS M5A97 (AMD). Both of these boards are a great value and will easily do what most users need to do with their systems. Match up these great motherboards with the appropriate CPU type and you’ll be “one happy camper”!!
Professor Randy says: Build or upgrade your system from the ground up! The #1 foundational piece of your system is the motherboard. Consider your needs and put a lot of time and effort into choosing the appropriate board.
Having a nice business logo is quite important. Professionally designed business logos can cost you up to $1,000.00 or more. I don’t have that kind of money and even if I did I wouldn’t pay that much for a logo. There are many places where you can get a great logo for a very reasonable price (like here). I’m very lucky to have a wife who likes to work with graphics and knows how to use the great free image and photo editing program paint.net.
Now I’m not saying that these logos are better than professionally done logos, I’m just saying that they are certainly good enough for me, that they are free, and that they were designed by my sweet wife:
1)Blog: Randy The Tech Professor Logo
2)Computer Repair Site: Randy The Computer Tech Logo
I would be interested in knowing where y’all get your business logos. How much do you pay? Do you design them yourselves? How important is a business logo?
Professor Randy says:A good logo will attract new customers, uniquely represent your business, and create your brand identity. Take your time, don’t pay too much, and don’t settle for a subpar logo design!
