XP Service Pack 3

For everyone who is holding onto their old XP your final update is finally out. The new XP SP3 will include many new enhanced security features and also some security features that are on Vista. This final patch will include all the patches and hotfixes released since XP first shipped in 2001.

Heres a benchmark test comparing SP3


As you can see SP3 is running faster than XP SP2
Source: blog.Zdnet

Windows service pack 3 security features include
● "Black Hole” router detection
● Network Access Protection
● Descriptive Security Options User Interface
● Enhanced security for Administrator and Service policy entries:
● Microsoft Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module:

What does all this mean?
Greater Administrator security, some of Vista's new security systems will now be added to XP, and advanced router and Internet security.

Problems- XP SP3 is having compatibility issues with Windows XP users who also run Microsoft's Dynamic Retail Management System better known as (RMS). RMS is a software package for running retail stores. If you have already downloaded SP3 and you are running RMS make sure to un-install SP3 and wait for the patch to come out. People who have Vista's SP1 should also do this.

For everyone else out there who does not have RMS you are free to download XP's SP3 here

Vista Service Pack 1 Almost Live

By: Mike Howard
Today vista has released its first service pack called sp1. The service pack will bundle up all of the previous annoying updates and also address specific reliability and performance issues that have been addressed. The Service Pack will focus on three main categories-

1. Quality improvements, including all previously released updates, which address reliability, security, and performance.
2. Improvements to the administration experience, including BitLockerTM Drive Encryption (BDE).
3. Support for emerging hardware and standards, such as an Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) and an Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT).

Hopefully this update will address many of the performance issues that is holding back many people from switching to vista. Vista runs great, but many people have complained that Vista is just not nearly as fast as their old XP. I hope to see Vista’s update add some new features because people feel that Vista does not offer enough for the hefty price tag.

If you are looking to get your hands on this new beta and see what it offers the beta will be released in the coming weeks to a large group of testers via MSDN and TechNet subscribers. The beta is already live to a small group of testers right now to look for any major bugs.

You can expect to see the official SP1 to be available in the first quarter of 2008.The release date will not be final till the beta is up and running for sometime to make sure for a high quality release.

More information about Vista SP1

Computer Service News and Articles

Looking for one page to keep track of the latest news and events in the world of Computer Technology and Computer Service? Then check out our Computer Service News Page. It’s a great short list of articles that we have found worth our time to add to our website to keep our nationwide computer sales and service customers up to date on things that matter most to the small to medium business.

An example of recent news articles on the page include: The Barracuda Spam Firewall, Malware Removal, Microsoft Volume Licensing, and Windows Registry Information and Repair.

So we hope you take a look at our news page and if you have a suggestion for a current topic that you think would be helpful to the business community please leave us a comment.

Microsoft Authorized Education Reseller

One of the biggest issues the education industry faces is maintaining a good control on limited financial resources. Now, with the help of Computer Service Now and Microsoft, schools are able to cover more with their budgets than they thought possible.

Computer Service Now is an Authorized Education Reseller. The resources available from your Authorized Education Reseller provide the tools and information needed for schools to choose the best software methods for their situation, acquire the licenses they need, and receive their software.

Microsoft and Computer Service Now offer a host of out-of-the-box solutions for project accounting, human resources, financial management, payroll, as well as applications to help you manage contacts with parents, students and alumni and potential funding and collaboration partners. These systems can all be integrated, which allows for information to move seamlessly between front office and back office systems. This can cut down on labor costs, increase accuracy and improve access to data.

Protect Corporate Integrity with the Barracuda Spam Firewall

With the latest in integrated hardware and software design, the Barracuda Spam Firewall provides the latest in e-mail spam protection. The Firewall helps ensure business integrity by scanning all incoming and outgoing e-mail to not only protect your employees from spam and viruses, but also your customers who communicate with your company via e-mail.

With no need to install additional software or configure your existing e-mail server, the Spam Firewall provides an easy to use and effective solution to preventing spam and viruses. The firewall also receives constant updates of virus and spam definitions to provide the latest in e-mail protection. Another easy-to-use and install piece of hardware is the Barracuda E-mail Message Archiver, which can work in conjunction with the Barracuda Spam Firewall to provide the best possible solutions to e-mail archiving and spam protection.

Statewide Computer Service in Florida

Computer Service Now technicians incorporate all the latest in computer technology and knowledge when providing installations, computer repairs, networking, and all other types of computer service. Computer Service Now has recently partnered up with the Tech Special Forces in Florida to provide a single point of contact for service jobs anywhere in Florida.

"I was very pleased to find out about Computer Service Now's wide base of computer service, IT Solutions, and repair options available in Florida. I am the office manager for a medium sized business with business headquarters located in Orlando. We currently have two offices, both in Florida, but when we need local tech support at either location I know exactly who to call for reliable computer and network service. All of The Tech Special Forces reps are very pleasant to work with when we need any type of service in our small office network. The Tech Special Forces reps even help me from time to time right over the phone with small personal computer issues."

"I am originally from Middletown Ohio and I tell my Tech Special Forces Rep all the time that I can't believe the fact that I even get service from a rep in a different state, much less receive better service than I have ever gotten locally here in Florida... I would definitely recommend the Florida Tech Special Forces to all my fellow business managers for any type of tech project here in Florida."

-Joey Ramport

Computer Service Now Requalifies Microsoft Partner Certification

Computer Service Now is a nationwide service company based in Middletown, Ohio dedicated to providing local onsite service anywhere on the United States or Canada, and we are constantly striving to improve the range and quality of the service we provide to our customers everywhere.

One of the ways Computer Service Now makes an effort to show our clientele our experience and qualification is the diverse variety of certifications we renew annually. Our newest recertification comes in the form of our Microsoft Partner Program recertification. Computer Service Now Vice President Bill Schiering holds the plaque, which reads:

'Congratulations on earning a Microsoft Competency which recognizes your commitment, expertise and superiority using Microsoft products and services.'

Microsoft Certified Partner is but one of the many qualifications Computer Service Now holds to guarantee that we provide a truly professional quality of service. Other certifications we hold include Microsoft Authorized Education Reseller, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Cisco Certified Professional, Citrix Certified Sales Professional, CompTIA A+ and Net+ Certifications, and a plethora of manufacturer certifications from companies such as Dell, Barracuda, Intel, IBM, Lenovo, Toshiba, Linksys, Sony, Acer, Samsung and Viewsonic. Call Computer Service Now today at 877-422-1907 to find out how we can help you with your computer service.

New Pen Computers Redefine Compact

Ultra-Portable Laptops move over, this new technology from Japan is redefining the meaning of the word 'compact'. Microcomputer and microprojector technology has allowed the Japanese to create these small portable computers that are no longer than your common pen.

Two of these small objects work in conjunction to create a fully capable computer. One of them serves as a monitor by projecting an image on a flat surface, while the other serves as your keyboard once more through projection. Movement sensors can detect where your fingers touch the projected image!

No word yet on when this remarkable new technology will be on the market, or just how powerful they can make these tiny portable computers yet. This is surely the first step in a whole new range of technology we'll be seeing in the future, though.