If it isn’t apparent already, the Blue Screen of Death error is a hardware or device driver issue that occurs commonly with systems that use Windows.

Also known as a STOP error, this usually occurs for a number of reasons including installing a new program, update, driver or hardware for that matter. Hence, it is recommended that you run a Repair Installation or Startup Repair after backing up your files.

Here are 6 steps to fixing the Blue Screen of Death on Windows:

Step #1: Start Windows using the Safe Mode or Last Known Good Configuration

Step #2: Select “Repair your Computer” in Advanced Options for Windows 7 to run software that are either system diagnostic or repair tools in nature. Some of these include Command Prompt, System Restore and Start-up Repair.

Step #3: If you’re not aware of these tools, you can also contact online computer support to run diagnostics once you’ve started the system in Safe Mode with Networking. The advantage of such an approach is that you will be able to fix your computer, thanks to a remote technician who should be access your computer over the network.

Step #4: Also, run Windows Memory Diagnostic to test if any RAM errors exist. This application usually runs automatically if you boot the computer using Windows from a CD.

Step #5: Another tool which can be used is the Windows Scan Disk which will test hard drives and repair disk errors. Ensure that in order to improve the PC’s health, it’s also a good idea to defragment the hard disk and run optimization programs as well.

Step #6: Finally, install Windows Updates and Service Packs.

Apart from installing the operating system as well as application software, and which you manufacturer would have taken care of, device drivers are also an important element that can help you use your computer for various reasons.

There also comes a point when technical issues might arise, leaving you to format your PC, and so here is a list of steps that will help you install or update drivers on your PC:

Step #1: Locate the CD-ROM drive on your system and insert the recovery disc provided by the manufacturer. Also, check whether these have been provided as a separate partition on your hard disk.

Step #2: Wait for the Installation Menu to appear, and select the ‘Drivers’ option. Among the list, you’ll find options for sound, video and Ethernet LAN drivers.

Step #3: Now begin to install the drivers necessary for your system and ensure that you follow the installation down to the letter. Usually, you have to click ‘Next’ until the installation procedure of each driver is complete.

Step #4: Once you have installed all drivers from the CD, please remember to reboot the system before you resume using the computer once again. In some cases, you won’t have to reboot the system in order to install these drivers correctly.

Step #5: Now if you want to obtain the latest device drivers, you’ll have to visit the manufacturer’s website online. Once you’re in the home page, look for the support section, and view all the device drivers that the manufacture offers. Download the one you need for your computer and install it accordingly once saved on your hard disk.

Consumers have to be cautious more than ever when surfing the internet as they will come across many entrepreneurs who might appear to be authentic but can leave you high and dry when it comes to the products or services that they are offering.

So, here are 5 tips by which you can become a smarter consumer over the internet:

#1: Every time you come across a website, always tell yourself that just because they have a website they don’t necessarily run an authentic business.

#2: Look for the owner’s name and location of the business. Remember: you need to find a proper address and PO Box addresses don’t count as one.

#3: Also, call the city business license department and check as to whether the business is a legal one. Of course, if they aren’t, and you wish to transact with them, it won’t be a legal contract that you will sign with them.

#4: If the website has different trademark characters all over it, you can be sure that they aren’t legal. Also, if you look at the product list closely as some of these sites might be selling products that aren’t considered legal and aren’t available in your state or country. If you choose to buy the product anyways, you might still get in trouble with the post office.

#5: Don’t get fooled by labels that say that the business is an authentic one. Double-check it from other sources before you give your credit information away. Often times, it’s always safer to look for companies or brands that are local so that you can trace them if something goes wrong.

Finding freelance clients can be a real problem if you are a budding writer or editor. However, one of the best ways to showcase your work is to create a well-managed blog for prospective clients to look at. For starters, you can start with going with a WordPress blog which is very user-friendly.

So, here are simple steps to creating a WordPress Blog:

#1: Open a WordPress account

It’s as easy as going to the wordpress.com website and opening a blog by signing up. What you must keep in mind is that you pick a user name that will come across as a professional one.

#2: Get familiar with the Dashboard

Almost every change related to your blog will be made from the Dashboard. So it’s a good idea to look through WordPress’ video tutorials in order to get familiar with the interface and its basic functions.

#3: Be conscious of your self-image

Among the things that you must think about is the logo for your site, a company name if you want one as well as presenting information that informs clients about the work that you do.

#4: Post Regularly to your Blog

Posting regularly to your blog will definitely maintain readership and it could be anything from tips for readers, your personal experiences, book and blog reviews.

#5: Use social media for exposure

It’s a good idea to not only link your site to social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter and in the signature line of your email but also blogs among other sites that have similar content such as your blog. Commenting on popular blogs as well as writing about your favorite blogs are also good ways to drum up a list of readers.

Fleet tracking systems are growing in popularity across theUnited States and the world.  It has been proven time and time again that these types of systems can really go a long way in helping business who are trying to transport people or goods from one play to another.  We have compiled three ways that these tracking systems can really help your business.

First and foremost, utilizing a tracking system can help you reduce fuel costs.  Fuel costs will be saved due to the fact that with tracking, it is less likely that trucks are going to be sitting idle and wasting gas.  On top of that, their speed will also be monitored and thus will be regulated so you will cut down on speeding.  You are also going to be able to optimize routes and prevent unauthorized vehicle usage, thus saving money.

In terms of productivity, that will increase as you are going to be able to keep tabs on where and what your drivers are doing at all times.

Labor costs are also going to be saved due to the fact that you are going to be able to see just how long it takes drivers to finish routes and maximize the productivity you are getting out of each of them.

A vehicle tracking system and other fleet GPS tracking tools can really help your business improve its bottom line.  Some of the great solutions from GPSTrackIt.com have proven time and time again to be well worth the investment.

Drupal, while being a free, flexible and open-source Content Management System (CMS), requires a steep learning curve especially when you have to install it.

Keeping the complexity of the installation process in mind, here are 9 simple steps to setting up Drupal:

#1: Install Drupal on your web server, by visiting the tarball from drupal.org. Also ensure that your web server is configured and is setup with all the appropriate libraries that are required to install Drupal.

#2: Learn how to use the administrative dashboard. Some of the functions that you can perform are adding content and users, installing modules, modify the appearance, configuring the structure and much more.

#3: Install Modules that your website requires by clicking on the ‘Add Module’ in the Module section of the administrative dashboard.

#4: Install either finished or your own themes to ensure that the look and structure of the page is exactly what you had in mind.

#5: Begin work on the structure of the site by creating the content types, menus and views as well as adding content. In particular, look at the ‘Blocks’ and ‘Taxonomies’ section.

#6: Create the ‘Views’ section. This module is used for creating slideshows, tables and lists of other nodes on your website.

#7: Add your content once you have configured the structure of the website.

#8: Test and edit everything before releasing the website for public view. Check on the permission levels for the protection of your site. Also, test the website and its readability on different browsers and platforms.

#9: Make the Drupal website live by using a domain name and spread the word just as any other site would do.

It’s difficult for people who are starting to play videogames to find a game that they might enjoy playing, as there are hundreds of them. With that said, playing videogames can prove to be an entertaining hobby and in some cases, an addiction.

So, here’s how you can find a computer game that you would enjoy playing:

#1: Think and Decide

The first step to knowing what kind of game you might enjoy playing is by making a list of your interests. For example, you might like strategy games, if you’re more of a thinker than a person who is prone to act. For the latter type, it would be ideal to try playing games that are action-oriented or even based on sport.

#2: Pick a genre

Once you know what type of games that you might like, you can then pick a genre. Just like movies and music that are divided into different types of genres, so are videogames as well. Some of the common genres are action, shooter, sport, puzzle solving, strategy as well as role playing.

#3: Learn how to Strategize

Regardless of whichever game you pick, not limited to the strategy genre, it’s a good idea to do your homework in terms of learning the strategy for that game. Usually, you will have complete objectives or missions and as the player, your objective is to ensure that you take the ‘path of least resistance’.

#4: Pick a game that isn’t time-consuming

Gaming can be addictive. Ensure that you pick a game from a genre that does not take up all of your time in order to be considered an addiction. Remember: you have other things to do.

Almost everyone knows that YouTube is a site where you can watch streaming videos. However, if you’re stuck with a slow internet connection, you won’t be able to watch any video easily.

Others, of course, might want to download videos from YouTube before it gets deleted. For both these types of users, downloading videos from YouTube is a good and viable option.

So, here are download options that one can use in order to download videos from YouTube:

#1: Websites to Download YouTube Videos

You can find websites that will help you to download YouTube videos apart from other vide-sharing sites. All you have to do is visit one of these sites, and paste the URL of the video you want to download and hit ‘Download’ or ‘Get Video’.

Some examples of websites are Catchvideo, SaveTube, VideoGetting or iDesktop.

#2: Download Software for Windows

Another option is to download and install software if you’re using Windows and since there are several options, the installation and download instructions will differ. However, you’ll find help files that should help download these videos easily.

Some examples of software are Orbit Downloaders, Moyea YouTube FLV Downloader and VDownloader.

#3: If using Mac OS X

If you use a Mac with OS X as the operating system, there are certain programs (software) that have been designed to support this operating system. Similar to software that supports Windows, the options available to you have varying installation and download instructions with help files to assist you through the process.

Some examples of software for Mac OS X are TubeSock and TubeTV.

No matter how fast your browsers work, there comes a time when they begin to slow down for numerous reasons.

But before you go about installing software, there are simpler steps to go about bringing your browser back to speed. So, here are a ways to consider if you need to speed up your browser:

#1: If you are using Firefox, then the first thing that you must do is clear recent history by going to Tools in the Menu bar, select Clear Recent History and the Time Range as since the beginning of time as well as all the components in the list. If you are using Google Chrome, then you will have to go to Wrench Icon, select Options and Under the Hood and then Clear Browsing Data. Also, select Time Range since the beginning of time and all the components under them.

#2: Increasing your cache size is one of the best ways by which you can increase your browsing speed. Better still, block Javascript and Flash and you’ll find that sites with Flash and a large number of ads will come through a lot quicker.

#3: Most browser speed tests end up with Safari and Opera being much better than Internet Explorer and FireFox at loading pages. Of course, there are good reasons why the latter two are used but if you use these browsers to surf the Web, then the first two as well as Google Chrome are your best choices.

#4: Using secure and automatic passwords by means of a master password option (which is used in FireFox usually), it works well to not only keep snoopers away but also help you browse much faster as well.

There are several reason why making an invisible file comes in handy. Whether you want to keep certain files that might be deemed inappropriate to others or is just personal such as a diary, creating a hidden file is probably the best thing to do – especially if other people share your PC.

So, here is a list of steps that shows you how to create a hidden file, in particular, on Windows Operating Systems:

#1: First, create a folder in the directory where you want to store the file. For this, all you have to do is right click (when in the directory), select New and Folder.

#2: Next, in order to change the folder into an invisible one, we’ll have to change the icon by performing the right-click action on the folder, selecting Properties, the tab Customize and Change Icon. There are four blank spaces that you will as you scroll to your right. Pick anyone of these blank spaces (folder, actually!), select ‘apply’ and ‘Ok’.

#3: Next you have to rename your folder, and for this, right-click for options on the new folder, and select rename. Delete the original name and while the cursor is blinking, hold down ALT and type the numbers 0160 on the numeric keypad on the right-hand side of the keyboard. You will find that the cursor moves one step and this also makes the folder name invisible.

#4: Now you can highlight the area where the invisible folder is located so that you can find so as to enter start adding your personal or valuable files.