Computer Quick Tips | On-Site Computer Service & Repair in Kansas City

Quick Technology Tips

The following computer tips have been published over the years. We include them here as a group, even though by now some will be obvious or out-of-date. You might find something useful!

Quick Tip #30: Pictures and music do NOT slow down your computer. Unless you have less than 1% disk space left, having a hard drive full of files does not effect your daily computer operation. If you are having problems with a slow computer you may have adware/spyware, a virus, or too many startup programs.

Quick Tip #29:You don't have to be afraid of using Facebook. Just set up the privacy settings. Log into Facebook, up at the top, Settings-Privacy Settings and go through each of the controls available. There are lots of controls you can set. We can also guide you in safely using Facebook or other social networking for family connection and business.

Quick Tip #28: Expired antivirus software? Just because it's not working doesn't mean you don't need to uninstall it. To prevent the old software from causing problems when you install the new, you must first properly uninstall it. Sometimes this does not go smoothly. Stuck? Call us.

Quick Tip #27: Many people use AVG 8.5 Free antivirus. Starting Dec 1, AVG upgraded to 9.0 and is no longer supporting the 8.5 version. AVG Free Basic 9.0 version is now available. Get your download directly at http://free.avg.com. Keep looking for the word "Basic" and make sure it is also free. Don’t surf without anti-virus software! Call us if you need more help.

Quick Tip #26: The latest versions of Ad-Aware and AVG Anti-Virus have been released. Download these programs to prevent your Windows Based computer from being ruined by virus and spyware attacks. You can download both programs from www.download.com. Need help? Give us a call.

Quick Tip #25: Email scams are at an all time high. Remember that the IRS, FedEx, banks, credit cards, Social Security, etc., never send attachments. Beware of links in email, too. The plan is to shock you into acting immediately. These emails can contain viruses that change several times a day making them difficult for anti-virus programs to detect.

Quick Tip #24: If you have recently purchased a new computer with Windows Vista, check whether you have a 32-bit or a 64-bit Operating System. Many Vista compatible programs/drivers (including registry cleaners) may not be compatible with the 64-bit version of Vista. To find out which version you are using, Right-click over Computer from the Windows Start orb, choose Properties. Look at System Type to verify.

Quick Tips #23: If you’ve been checking your Hotmail account using Outlook Express (OE) but have begun having trouble getting your Hotmail, you may have to use Windows Live Mail. It’s a free download from Microsoft replacing OE (on XP), Windows Mail (on Vista). Hotmail no longer supports OE. Consider yourself lucky if it still works. Troubles? Call us!

Quick Tip #22: When doing any program installations or software updates, be on the lookout for sneaky installations of 3rd party web browser toolbars (such as Google, Yahoo, and MSN). The option of installing them are already checked as “default.” Uncheck these "extras” because you don’t need them. These “extra” toolbars will use up valuable computer resources and are the cause for most of the problems people experience with their web browsers.

Quick Tip# 21: Emptying your deleted mail in Outlook or Outlook Express regularly is an important part of keeping your email working properly. Simply RIGHT click on the Deleted Items folder and select Empty Deleted Items. A buildup of trash can cause your email program to slow down or stop working altogether. Call us if you have any questions.

Quick Tip# 20: When lightning threatens, don’t just unplug the power to your computer, unplug the network cable from your cable modem or DSL modem. If lightning hits your home or business, it could pass the current through your Cable or DSL modems, ruining your computers. Call our office if you have a problem or a question.

Quick Tip #19: Spyware sneaks onto your computer via your web browser. 80% of web surfers use Internet Explorer, which makes it a target for hackers. Minimize exposure to Spyware by switching to another browser like Firefox or Safari. They work as well as Internet Explorer and include a pop-up stopper and many web security controls.

Quick Tip #18: Lost your PC wireless connection? Open your wireless manager and look for the wireless sites showing in your area. If others show but not your own, unplug your router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, then try again. If this doesn’t fix the problem or you are experiencing other problems with your wireless connection, give us a call.

Quick Tip #17: A "Blue Screen of Death" is a blue error screen with white letters that will require restarting your computer. You should not ignore these warnings. If it does not do it again after a restart, then it's okay to continue, but if it returns soon after, you should let us investigate. It could be a problem with RAM, a failing hard drive or worse.

Quick Tip #16: You might notice that some computer problems disappear when you turn the unit off then back on. But are you having trouble turning the power off on the PC? On most computers, you have to press and hold down on the power button to get it to shut down; sometimes as long as 10-15 seconds. Call us if that does not fix the problem.

Quick Tip #15: Keeping your laptop cool will extend your computer’s life. A USB powered cooling pad can draw heat away from the system and keep the underside of your laptop from being blocked and provide a hard surface beneath the laptop. If you like to work on your laptop at places other than a desk, getting a cooling pad is a must.

Quick Tip #14: Don't be taken in by fake "Windows Security warning" pop-ups when on the Internet. Microsoft never provides a link for you to download antivirus software. Close the window by doing a Ctrl+Alt+Delete, choose the icon that looks like Internet Explorer "e" in Applications tab and click End Task.

Quick Tip #13: Do you leave your laptop plugged into the power all the time instead of using the battery? Let your laptop run off the battery (until low) often. Leaving a laptop plugged in all the time will shorten the battery’s life. If you do not intend to use the battery for an extended period, remove it.

Quick Tip #12: If your PC won't turn on, try this: Disconnect all USB devices (except keyboard and mouse) and unplug the power cable from both ends (PC & wall jack). Plug the power back into a different jack and power on without the USB’s in. Does it boot now? Try this before calling us.

Quick Tip #11: Many new computers no longer come with Recovery CD’s, but instead have the Recovery Console as a separate partition on the hard drive. The manufacturer will normally instruct you to make a copy of this immediately. Do it, because if your hard drive fails it will be inaccessible and you will have to purchase disks to repair.

Quick Tip #10: If you are using the free AVG anti-virus 7.5, starting 5/31/08 you will need to upgrade to the new FREE version 8.0. When AVG notifies you of the upgrade, read carefully and be sure to choose the FREE version. This new AVG 8.0. has been improved and now contains anti-spyware as well as anti-virus protection.

Quick Tip#9: To cut down spam, give your personal email address to friends only. Set up a Yahoo or Hotmail account (free) to use for online purchases or memberships. If already out of control, change your address and only inform those you want to hear from of the change.

Quick Tip#8: You should always keep your data (Quickbooks, My Documents, Address Book, etc.) backed up in case the system needs to be “restored.” You can also install a second hard drive to act as a fast back up device, as well as to provide additional storage. The point is, always back up your data!

Quick Tip#7: You should keep a log of everything you install or errors you get from your computer. Make a column for Date, What (was installed or happened), and Where (did the error occur). This could help you (or us) solve your strange PC problems. Be sure to include details of errors.

Quick Tip#6: All icons next to the time display (lower right on monitor) are running and take up valuable space in your computer's RAM memory. Unnecessary ones can really slow you down. Pause mouse over each icon and see what they are. Call us for a tune-up if you can't turn them off.

Quick Tip#5: Beware of Internet "pop-up" windows that warn you are "not optimized, your connection is too slow, etc..." Just close the window or you may install something unwanted due to these junk pop-ups. These add-ons eat valuable computer resources and may be spyware!

Quick Tip#4: After upgrading to Outlook Express 6 you may not be able to open attachments (other than pictures) even if they are safe. Go to Tools - Options - Click the Security tab. Uncheck "Do not allow attachments to be saved..." Be sure you have up-to-date virus protection first.

Quick Tip#3: “Unsubscribing” to spam emails may actually put you on yet another list. What you have done is to confirm to the spammers that their email is reaching you! If you've never heard of the company or person sending you the email, don't unsubscribe. Ignore!

Quick Tip#2: An anti-virus program must be updated with new "definition" files even though you just purchased it and installed it right out of the box. Definition files are what tell the anti-virus how to look for new viruses. Hundreds of new viruses are created daily.

Quick Tip#1: Constant metallic clicking sounds that are not normal or your computer going into Scandisk when you start up in Windows for no good reason (like an improper shutdown) are signs of impending hard drive failure.

We offer on-site computer repair, networking services and ‘technology peace of mind’ to businesses and households throughout the Kansas City Area serving the communities of Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Overland Park, Leawood, Olathe, Belton, Blue Springs, Gladstone, Grain Valley, Grandview, Harrisonville, Independence, Lenexa, Lexington, Liberty, Mission, Oak Grove, Odessa, Parkville, Peculiar, Pleasant Hill, Prairie Village, Raymore, Richmond, Roeland Park, and Shawnee.

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