It has been a while since I have had a chance to post here, but tonight I sit here and think of my followers who might have missed my little tidbits of information.
So let’s start with a simple issue of "My browser is acting funny and it won't load right!" This is actually a very common problem. The browser collects information about every web site you go to and stores it in the browsers "cache". This needs to be cleared on a regular basis, more so if you are a "Facebook fanatic". All browsers give you the ability to clear out the cache. Usually this can be found in the "Tools" tab in your browser.
In Google Chrome it is found by clicking on the little wrench on the top right corner of your browser, then clicking on "History" then clicking on "Edit". This will remove all browser history and cookies contained in the Cache.
In Internet Explorer, click on "Tools”,"Internet Options" then under the general tab you will see "Browser History" select "delete."
In FireFox, Select the "Tools" tab, "Options" then "Privacy". Select the box "Clear History when FireFox closes". This is the easiest way to clear browser history here.
Sorry my first blog back isn't too exciting, but I had to start somewhere. Hope to be posting here more often really soon.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
My new printer doesn't work with my computer!! Why??
Before you get all upset that your new printer isn't working, lets start from the beginning.
I bet you just plugged it in, and Poof it is supposed to work. Well a few years ago it would have. Yes printers are Plug and Play (They are recognized when they get plugged into the USB port on your computer), but with drivers as complex as they are today you must follow the step by step installation instructions. So now that we know we need to follow the directions, on most printer instructions now the first thing they tell you to do is install the driver before you hook it up to your computer. If this is done backwards (hooking it up then installing the drivers from the disk), most of the time it will work but not properly. If you have done this you might have to go as far as uninstalling the printer and starting over.
I know we all think that we know how easy these things are to install, but I will be honest and say I have even done this before. So I know it happens all the time. So just take 5 minutes and read and follow the directions and you won't have to call a Tech like me, or the manufacturer and ask why it isn't working properly.
I bet you just plugged it in, and Poof it is supposed to work. Well a few years ago it would have. Yes printers are Plug and Play (They are recognized when they get plugged into the USB port on your computer), but with drivers as complex as they are today you must follow the step by step installation instructions. So now that we know we need to follow the directions, on most printer instructions now the first thing they tell you to do is install the driver before you hook it up to your computer. If this is done backwards (hooking it up then installing the drivers from the disk), most of the time it will work but not properly. If you have done this you might have to go as far as uninstalling the printer and starting over.
I know we all think that we know how easy these things are to install, but I will be honest and say I have even done this before. So I know it happens all the time. So just take 5 minutes and read and follow the directions and you won't have to call a Tech like me, or the manufacturer and ask why it isn't working properly.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Tip for the day (Evening style)
Something I have found with laptops lately. Even if a laptop is kept clean if it is left on for long periods of time they do over heat. if you are going to be leaving it on for days at a time, you might want to think about buying a cooling pad for it, or propping the back side of the computer up. This will increase the ability for the laptop to circulate air through the small fan vents on the bottom of the laptop. I personally notice about a 15 to 20 degree drop in temp just propping the back of the laptop up. Hopefully all of us laptop users know how bad heat is for our computers. So keep them cool and they won't fail on you.
Please feel free to comment on any of my post and please if you have any ideas you would like to share feel free to post you comments on my blog.
Please feel free to comment on any of my post and please if you have any ideas you would like to share feel free to post you comments on my blog.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Just a random thought while driving.
According to computer manufacturers, you should not use a computer in hot or humid conditions. I was just wondering why they would sell them in a state like Florida? Kinda makes you think doesn't it? Just one more thing, we all know what salt air does to cars, wonder what the inside of laptops look like that I have seen people take to the beach. Kinda crazy if you ask me.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
In case I miss posting tomorrow (Heading to Key West)
Just wanted to let everyone know 1 little trick of the trade. Don't be afraid to look things up on the Internet. Google has a wonderful search process to answer 99% of your questions. If you have to ask the question the probability that someone else has asked the same question is pretty good. This works for everything not only questions referring to computers. This can range from cooking to washing the dog.. Someone most likely already has asked any question you have.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
Tech Tip of the Day
Everyone knows that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. One of the biggest problems with most of the computers I work with is they don't have enough protection on them. I'm not going to say that the "Big Expensive" antivirus programs isn’t any good, but I will say that there are programs that are completely "Free" that work as well or better than most. These are as follows, Avast as your antivirus, Malwarebytes as your secondary protection (in case something gets past Avast) and Advanced Systemcare Pro 4. This cocktail of programs has saved me more than once.
First off Avast, this program is awesome. It will keep your computer from getting infected from as many viruses as the non-free competitors. The people who write viruses are out to steal, destroy and corrupt your computer and the information held inside of it. Most of my time working in the field as a tech is undoing what these people are doing to people like you. Most of this can be avoided by using this program. The pop-ups from Avast are there to protect your best interest, don't just trust everything as being safe. If this program says that something needs to be checked, take the 5 minutes and let it do its job. Most of the calls I get for Virus removal is because people didn't think that the pop-ups were important and trusted whatever is was and BOOM, Time to call the Techman....
Second, Malwarebytes, another awesome program. If you think for some reason your computer might have a virus on it already, this is your program. This program will search your entire computer and remove everything from cookie files, adware to the pesky Trojans, Rogues, Worms and Fake Viruses. This program ROCKS! Just run it in "Quick Mode" and let it do its thing. Should take anywhere from 5 minutes to a few hours depending on how big your hard drive is and how many things there are to correct and remove.
Third, Advanced Systemcare Pro 4. This stand alone total system optimizer. This program has the ability to do everything to your computer that no one ever does. It will defragment your hard drive. It will remove the junk that builds up in your computer over time from cookies, to the recycle bin no one likes to empty. It will clean your registry and remove all the broken links that are just there taking up space. Also it will, just like an antivirus, search for spyware. I personally tell all of my customers to run this program every Friday afternoon when they get home from work, this way your computer is awesome for the weekend of Blogging.
All of these can be downloaded from Cnet.com and the type the name in the search bar. This is a "Trusted" site
Until next time.....
Just remember "If it pops up, it is now on your computer." But it's nothing running a simple little program can't remove.
First off Avast, this program is awesome. It will keep your computer from getting infected from as many viruses as the non-free competitors. The people who write viruses are out to steal, destroy and corrupt your computer and the information held inside of it. Most of my time working in the field as a tech is undoing what these people are doing to people like you. Most of this can be avoided by using this program. The pop-ups from Avast are there to protect your best interest, don't just trust everything as being safe. If this program says that something needs to be checked, take the 5 minutes and let it do its job. Most of the calls I get for Virus removal is because people didn't think that the pop-ups were important and trusted whatever is was and BOOM, Time to call the Techman....
Second, Malwarebytes, another awesome program. If you think for some reason your computer might have a virus on it already, this is your program. This program will search your entire computer and remove everything from cookie files, adware to the pesky Trojans, Rogues, Worms and Fake Viruses. This program ROCKS! Just run it in "Quick Mode" and let it do its thing. Should take anywhere from 5 minutes to a few hours depending on how big your hard drive is and how many things there are to correct and remove.
Third, Advanced Systemcare Pro 4. This stand alone total system optimizer. This program has the ability to do everything to your computer that no one ever does. It will defragment your hard drive. It will remove the junk that builds up in your computer over time from cookies, to the recycle bin no one likes to empty. It will clean your registry and remove all the broken links that are just there taking up space. Also it will, just like an antivirus, search for spyware. I personally tell all of my customers to run this program every Friday afternoon when they get home from work, this way your computer is awesome for the weekend of Blogging.
All of these can be downloaded from Cnet.com and the type the name in the search bar. This is a "Trusted" site
Until next time.....
Just remember "If it pops up, it is now on your computer." But it's nothing running a simple little program can't remove.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Tip of the day!
We all love those annoying pop-ups we get as we are surfing the internet. Well I just wanted to start this blog with the one tip that can save you the most money. If you ever get a pop up that states it is scanning your hard drive for viruses, do not click anything. Just follow these few simple rules and it will save you from having to pay a tech to come remove your virus.
1. DO NOT CLICK ANYWHERE! The pop-up you just got is most likely a “Fake Virus”. Most of the "Fake Viruses" turn your entire screen into one giant button to activate this virus. So do not click anything not even the start button.
2. The safest way around this is to press and hold your power button until the computer shuts down. This eliminates the ability to activate the virus by clicking on the screen.
3. Turn the power back on to your computer. The attack on your computer has been avoided.
4. If by chance you did click on the desktop. Well I guess you will have to come back to my Blog and find out with the next post. Hate to leave you hanging, but I can’t give away all my secrets in one day.
1. DO NOT CLICK ANYWHERE! The pop-up you just got is most likely a “Fake Virus”. Most of the "Fake Viruses" turn your entire screen into one giant button to activate this virus. So do not click anything not even the start button.
2. The safest way around this is to press and hold your power button until the computer shuts down. This eliminates the ability to activate the virus by clicking on the screen.
3. Turn the power back on to your computer. The attack on your computer has been avoided.
4. If by chance you did click on the desktop. Well I guess you will have to come back to my Blog and find out with the next post. Hate to leave you hanging, but I can’t give away all my secrets in one day.
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