How to remove toolbars from Firefox

When working on clients machines we often find far too many toolbars in use in their web browser.  Having several toolbars can slow down the program, let in spyware/trojans/viruses if they’re not secure, cause the browser to crash, take up a lot of space and mess up with your settings (just to name a few!!)

There are several ways to remove toolbars in Firefox.  Here’s method 1:

1. Click tools and select ‘Add-ons’
   
2. Click on the name of the toolbar (e.g. YahooToolbar)and then click ‘uninstall’ (click on image to enlarge)
   
3. Go through the uninstall stages
4. Once uninstalled, close Firefox and reopen it
5. The toolbar will have then removed.

Alternatively, follow the below steps from Microsoft for removing programs:

XP

Vista/Windows 7

The toolbars should then be removed

Tags: alternative, firefox, help, how to, method, on firefox, remove, steps, toolbars, tutorial

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How to remove toolbars from Internet Explorer

When working on clients machines we often find far too many toolbars in use in their web browser. Having several toolbars can slow down the program, let in spyware/trojans/viruses if they’re not secure, cause the browser to crash, take up a lot of space and mess up with your settings (just to name a few!!)

There are two easy ways to remove toolbars from Internet Explorer…

Method 1

You may notice that next to the toolbar you wish to remove has a cross next to it.  Simply click on the cross and if necessary confirm you wish to remove the toolbar.  (Click image to enlarge)

Method 2

You can remove a toolbar from your computer by using control panel settings…

XP

Vista/Windows 7

The toolbar should now be removed permanently.

Tags: how, how to, internet explorer, remove, steps, toolbar, tutorial, vista, Windows 7, xp

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Install LogMeIn

LogMeIn is a piece of software commonly used by technicians for remote support.  Here’s a tutorial to help you install the program.

1. Firstly, your IT support technician will have emailed over a link for you to download/install LogMeIn.  Click on the link.
2. The below page will then appear.  Type in a relevant name for your computer in the box. Also, tick the check box to confirm you have received the link from your technician. (click image to enlarge)
   
3. Now you need to click ‘Install LogMeIn’ (click image to enlarge)
   
4. A window will now appear, click run.
   
5. Wait for the download to complete
6. The download will be complete when the below window appears.  When it does, click ‘Next’.
   
7. Read the license and click ‘I agree’
   
8. Select ‘Typical’ but ensuring there is a blue dot in the circle next to the option.  Then click ‘Next’
   
9. You’ll now need to create a ‘computer access code’.  This is basically a password for logging into your machine via LogMeIn. Fill in the details and click ‘next’.  Please note, if you currently have a password on your machine this will automatically be set as the LogMeIn access code.
   
10. Quickly check that the email address under ‘This computer will be added to the following account’ is your technicians address. Then click Next.
    
11. The programs will now install. Your screen may flicker occasionally during this process (this is normal!).  During this process you may have to click ‘yes’ on user control warning boxes.
    
12. Click ‘finish’
    
13. The LogMeIn interface will now appear.  Await further instructions from your technician.  (Click image to enlarge)
    

Then the program will be ready to use!

See Also:
LogMeIn Overview

Uninstall LogMeIn – XP

Uninstall LogMeIn – Windows 7/Vista

How to disable/enable LogMeIn

LogMeIn Comparison Free/Pro

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FAQ – Do I need a server?

Here are a few signs that you need a server…

1. You spend lots of time searching for files or copying them from one machine to another
2. You want to restrict access to confidential files because you are worried that a nosey employee might find sensitive files on your network
3. You want to accommodate flexible or home-working for you or your staff, but don’t know where to start
4. Your computers are already networked in some way but the performance of those machines suffer every time someone prints a large document
5. You keep buying printers, fax machines and internet accounts as and when you get new staff and IT costs seem to be spiraling out of control
6. You have lots of IT hassle such as viruses and network problems which are starting to impact on your productivity and profitability.

Tags: do, FAQ's, i, need, one, reasons for needing a server, reasons to have a server, server

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FAQ – What is a server?

A server is essentially a specialized computer that is used to manage information and resources in a central location. This powerful computer is loaded with server software called the ‘operating system’ that is designed to perform specific tasks such as print processing, internet connectivity and email for all the ‘client’ computers.

Servers were previously only used in large offices, however small businesses are now finding them essential to allow employees to remote access and work from home and provide a centralised backup system as well as many of the other advantages of having a server.  With prices lower then what they used to be this is a realistic piece of equipment for a much wider group of business users.

Tags: answer, Backup, central location, Cost, FAQ's, is, Operating System, server, What

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Useful & Free Online PDF Tools

Clients often ask us…is there a free and effective way for me to convert PDF’s into a Word or Excel document?

We recently came across the websites ‘pdftoword.com‘ and ‘pdftoexcelonline.com‘, both of which provide impressive results and are by far the best of their kind (out of the free sites we’ve used)!

For both sites all you need to do is upload the PDF file, select the converted format (.doc/.xls/.rtf), insert an email address for the file to be sent to and then click convert!  Within minutes the recipient will receive the converted file in their inbox!

And all that for free! Brilliant

See also:
Foxit PDF Reader – An Alternative to Adobe
Quick Tip: Saving As PDF in Office 2007

Tags: convert, converter, Excel, free, how to, office, online, pdf, To, to excel, to word, Word

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Comparison of LogMeIn Free and LogMeIn Pro

For those who are wondering what the difference is…here you go…

Ideal For	Individuals who need access to a remote PC or Mac	Mobile and IT Professionals who need full access to remote PCs from any web-enabled device – with the ability to print, copy files and more It’s just like being there
Key Features	Remote access and control of your PC or Mac Wake-On-LAN	Remote access and control of your PC File Sharing Remote-to-Local Printing Drag-&-Drop file transfer Desktop sharing Diagnostic toolkit

For a more detailed view of the differences visit the comparison webpage

The key element which convinces us to buy the Pro version is the Diagnostic Toolkit.  This enables us to be pro-active with support for your computer.  We can be alerted about things like:

• Low hard drive space
• High processor usage which could be a virus damaging your systems
• System crashes
• Anti-Virus software not working correctly
• Error alerts that may mean nothing to the average user and more
• The best bit is we can monitor the system health without interrupting you using the computer and in many cases resolve problems while you continue to work!

As well as what we can do, customers can:

• Access anytime, anywhere.  We can invite them to our account and assign their own computer to them  This will give them the possibility to login to their computer(s) from anywhere in the world as long as the computer has an internet connection.
• Work from home, a couple of days a week or month.  saving our clients time to travel.
• Easy access, if our clients forgot to send a specific word document they can easily log in through the internet onto their work computer.
• Share large files.  Instead of sending them via e-mail they can simply share a larger file through LogMeIn and send the shared link through e-mail.

If you’d like to find out more about this product/service please contact Graham at Brandstar. Details are on our contact page.

Tags: compare, Comparison, features, free, ideal for, in, log, logmein, me, pro, Review, the difference, which logmein should you have

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Generic steps to removing a virus from an infected PC

Ever been infected with a virus but not known what to do? Well have no fear…Brandstar is here…with a tutorial to help you remove the virus!

1. Firstly download the free version of Malwarebytes
2. Now you need to turn off System Restore. Use the following tutorials to aid you:
   For Windows 7
   For Vista
   For XP
3. Boot your machine into ‘Safe Mode’. This is done by restarting your computer and immediately when it starts to come on keep tapping F8 until you get a menu on the screen to choose Safe Mode.
4. Now install and run Malwarebytes. Remove whatever the software finds.
5. You may have to repeat step 4 a few times!
6. Now reboot your machine normally and run Malwarebytes 1 more time assuming it finds nothing
7. Turn ‘System Restore’ back on. Use the following tutorials to help you:
   For Windows
   For Vista
   For XP

Please Note – This tutorial is designed for those who are competent computer users. All Brandstar advice is produced in the best interest of the reader to help maintain a healthy working machine and therefore cannot be held responsible for any problems that may occur. If you’re unsure about any of the above advice please contact your local IT Technician.

Tags: help, how, malwarebytes, off, on, remove, steps, system restore, To, Virus, vista, Windows 7, xp

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How to disable/enable LogMeIn

Sometimes you may need to disable LogMeIn, but not uninstall it.  This might be the case if Brandstar or another IT support company uses LogMeIn to provide remote support, you may want to be sure they can only gain access when you want them to and therefore turning it off puts you in control.  Here’s how to do it on Windows 7.  However, the process is almost identical between operating systems (so this post will help Vista and XP users too!) At the end of the post we’ll show you how to enable it if you require to switch it back on.

Disable LogMeIn

1. Go to the bottom right-hand corner of your screen and look for the LogMeIn Logo (you may need to click the arrow to extend the view to see the logo).  The Logo is the blue circle with the white dots (in this instance it is the top-centre icon)
   
2. Right-click on the logo
3. Click ‘Switch Off LogMeIn’
   
4. A warning box will then appear.  Click yes to confirm you wish to disable the software.
   
5. (Vista/Windows 7 Only) A user account control may then appear.  Simply click yes to confirm.

The software should then be disabled

Enable LogMeIn

You may later have to enable the program again.  Here’s how…

1. Go to the bottom right-hand corner of your screen and look for the LogMeIn Logo with a red cross with it (you may need to click the arrow to extend the view to see the logo).  The Logo is the blue circle with the white dots and with a red cross (in this instance it is the top-centre icon)
   
2. Right-click on the logo and select ‘Switch On LogMeIn’
3. A warning bar or user account control may appear…click ‘Yes’ to confirm you wish to switch it on.

FAQ – I want to enable LogMeIn but cannot find the logo in the corner

Don’t panic if you cannot find the LogMeIn logo in the right hand corner…there are other ways of enabling the software.

The below instructions are designed for Windows 7/Vista users but the process is identical for XP too

1. Click Start and select All Programs
   
2. Locate the LogMeIn logo and click on it (click on image to enlarge)
   
3. On the Welcome Screen click ‘Turn On Now’ (click on image to enlarge)
   
4. Click yes on the User Account Control window to confirm you wish to make the changes

It will then be enabled again

Tags: alternative steps, disable, enable, help, how to, log me in, logmein, steps to, tutorial, vista, Windows 7, xp

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Uninstall LogMeIn – Windows 7/Vista

Here are the steps you should take if you wish to uninstall LogMeIn whilst using Windows 7 or Vista.

Please note, uninstalling isn’t the same thing as canceling your account.

1. Firstly, click the start orb and select ‘Control Panel’
   
2. Then select ‘Uninstall a Program’
   
3. Finally, right-click on LogMeIn on the list and select ‘Uninstall’. Then just follow through the process. (click image to enlarge)
   

It will now be uninstalled

Tags: 7, how to, logmein, remove, uninstall, uninstall logmein, vista, Windows 7, Windows Vista

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