How to Use Windows

I followed Maximum PC ’s “Clean Start” article (February 2009) and used Acronis True Image to set up a weekly full disk image. My XP Pro system is installed on C:, which is a 1.5 TB hard drive. I have another 1.5TB hard drive of the exact same make and model, to which I write the weekly image. I have 120GB of free space on the C: drive, but the backup drive is already full! The destination drive contains no files except the image; is it possible for an exact image of a C: drive to be bigger than the original (by more than 10 percent)

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Adobe last week released a security update for a critical vulnerability in Adobe Flash, but according to security researcher Aviv Raff, installing the update could be cause for concern . “If you did upgrade to the latest version of Flash from the Adobe website, you very likely have Adobe Download Manager installed,” Raff points out. So what’s the big deal?

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Unlike Windows 7, its prior versions Vista and XP don’t allow you create a system repair disc. Many of us don’t have an installation disc to repair our Vista or XP installations. If you are a Windows Vista user, you can always download the Vista Repair Disc for free to repair Vista boot and other problems. But there are no such options available for XP as you have to use the default Repair option present in the installation disc. As novice users always find it difficult to fix Windows XP boot problems or installation problems with or without the installation CD, here we have a cool solution to repair Windows XP boot problems without the installation CD

The full story can be found on Into Windows

A Visualization is plug-in for Windows Media Player that displays splashes of colour and geometric shapes that change with the beat of the audio that is playing. In simple words, Visualization is a graphical display that changes in response to the audio signal. Yule Log is a cool visualization of a warm fireplace for your Windows Media Player in Windows 7 (x86 and x64). If you are new to visualizations, here is how to enable the visualization in Windows Media Player. 1 .

The full story can be found on Into Windows

First it was for Firefox, now it’s for Windows 7 ! Yes, we are talking about Microsoft Office 2010 theme. The Office 2010 theme for Windows 7 gives your Windows 7 Office 2010 touch just by replacing some system files. The theme brings several Office 2010 UI enhancements such as Start menu orb, navigation buttons, cursors, Office 2010 hover in favourites list and more. Installing the theme is also simple

The full story can be found on Into Windows

BitDefender Internet Security 2010 has seen something of a change in focus from previous versions and is aimed more at the home user. At this price you’ll find a license for three machines and one year’s worth of updates, which represents great value for money. We found the installation and registration process quick, and the first sign of BitDefender switching emphasis to home use is the addition of BitDefender User Profiles, where a series of questions helps define your competency level. This works well as, depending on whether you’re a novice or more experienced user, the interface will change to reflect this level of expertise.

The full story can be found on Tech Radar

A while ago we wrote about setting up a MAME machine , which allows you to play faithfully emulated old arcade games on your computer. In an aside to that article, we mentioned that a similar program exists for the other arcade staple—pinball machines. Some pinball fans have written in, asking for more information, and because we love all arcade technology equally here at Maximum PC, we decided to do a quick writeup on how to get started playing classic pinball machines  with Visual Pinball and PinMAME. Installation So you want to play some pinball, huh?

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Apple and Psystar have struck a deal to settle out of court over the dispute about non-Apple branded machines running its operating system. Psystar has agreed a settlement to pay damages to Apple over the computers it sells with the company’s software on it, but will only pay up once all appeal routes have been explored. It appeared Apple had crushed Psystar’s bid to keep selling the machines earlier this month, but the new deal means there’s a ray of hope for the small US firm yet. Shifting reponsibility According to Computer World , Psystar may now look to still sell the machines but make it the responsibility of the consumer to install the OS on the computers.

The full story can be found on Tech Radar

There are several cool and beautiful themes available for the latest version of Windows. But Windows 7 doesn’t allow you install or apply third-party themes by default. You need to patch Windows files (system files) to install third-party themes in Windows 7. As most of the Windows users hesitate to play with system files, here is an easier way to install third-party themes in Windows 7.

The full story can be found on Into Windows

There was a time when ripping a CD was a time-intensive, error-prone process. But these days, with programs like iTunes turning the task into a one-click affair, CD ripping has become fast, easy, and reliable enough that backing up your music library is more simple than programming a VCR. However, using a program called Exact Audio Copy, you can achieve even better-quality rips than you can with generic music library managers. EAC is an “audio grabber,” or ripping program, that’s beloved by the digital music world. It has earned this adoration by providing the tools needed to make the most accurate rips possible, with the fewest errors, and giving you complete control over how your MP3s are tagged and organized.

For the full story, go to Maximum PC