Turn Off Error Reporting + 20 Years Ago Today
When Windows XP or a piece of Windows software crashes or hits a snag, it usually displays a bothersome message asking if you want to report the error to Microsoft. To prevent these messages, turn off this feature as follows:
- Right-click on the “My Computer” icon in your Start Menu or on your Desktop.
- Select Properties.
- When the window opens, click on the “Advanced” tab.
- Click the “Error Reporting” button in the lower-right of the window.
- Select the “Disable Error Reporting” option, then click OK to exit this window, and OK to exit the next window.
This tip and many more can be found in Geeks On Call's "Windows XP 5-Minute Fixes", available on amazon.com and in many bookstores, including Borders and Barnes & Noble.
It was 20 years ago today…
As we reflect on the twentieth anniversary of this company, we thought it would be fun to remember what computers were like back when we were getting started. Here’s a comparison of a "state of the art" business PC then and now:
| 1986 | 2006 | |
| Computer Model | IBM PC-XT Model 286 | Dell Dimension 5150 |
| Processor | 80286 running at 6 MHz | Pentium D (Dual Core) 3.0 GHz |
| Memory | 640 KB | 1 GB |
| Removable Storage | 1.2 MB floppy drive | CD / DVD Burner 1 GB USB flash drive Media Card Reader |
| Hard Drive | 20 MB | 80 GB |
| Ports | Serial and Parallel | USB, Firewire |
| Input Devices | Keyboard | Keyboard, Mouse |
| Monitor | 12” Monochrome (Green; 1 color); a 16-color model was available but could only show 4 colors at a time | 19” flat panel LCD capable of displaying more than 16 million colors |
| Software | MS-DOS or Windows 1.0 WordPerfect by SSI Software Lotus 1-2-3 | Windows XP Home Microsoft Office Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware |
| Price | $4,000 | $1,000 |
Wow…that's a lot of change in just one generation.