If your computer or Internet seem to be running slow there are some very basic steps you can take to speed things up a bit. Be sure to clear your cookies, history and cashe at least once a week. Simply go to the Internet, go to Tools, go to Internet Options, select the General Tab, In the center of this box you will see a button that reads “Delete Cookies” this will clear your cookies. Next to that button you will see “Delete Files” a smaller box will pop up asking if you would like to delete offline files also. I always delete both. Finally you will want to Delete History, this button is near the bottom of the box. After finishing close the Interent.

I then move on to my Windows Start button then to Accessories and then to System Tools and finally to Disk Cleanup. I run disk cleanup on Drive C. Most of what is found are temporary interent files. I delete them and a self extracting shreddar comes up that will remove every trace of these files from my computer. I then reboot my computer and restart my interent. If your internet is still running slow, you may want to try using a program such as ad-aware which will remove adware files and speed things a good amount. I use this program once a month. After completing be sure to activate your pop-up blocker and virus software.

Recently some friends of mine had started remodeling their charming 2 story colonial. A new 6 ft. grand entrance that leads into the kitchen was created, nothing remained of the old 36 inch doorway excepts scraps of sheetrock and sawed off 2×4′s. Unfortunately my friend never checked before starting construction and actually cut thru a bearing wall. A bearing wall helps support the weight of the floors and roof above it. The construction of your home will determine which walls are bearing but normally all exterior walls are and many interiors walls can be. The easiest way to tell is to climb up into the attic. If the ceiling joists or rafters are running parallel to the wall you want to remove, it is normally a non-load-bearing wall. If the joists or rafters are perpendicular to the wall, you can be fairly sure the wall is load bearing. If you are uncertain which walls are bearing consult a building professional prior to any modifications. When a bearing wall is removed it can be disastrous if not fully supported prior to the removal. If just a part of a bearing wall is removed the joist will begin to sag as the weight bears down and a collapse is not beyond the realm of possibility. Apparently the fix for this varies depending on the severity. In some cases jacks are used to reposition the joist to level. Furthermore, precautions must be taken to lesson the risk of damage to the surrounding walls, floors and ceilings. Remodeling can be rewarding experience for the do-it-yourselfer if step one involves
precautions and planning. Always consult a professional if you are unsure before starting any project.

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