Computer Cleaning and Cleanliness

Posted on May 27, 2011 by admin

Many people, especially here in the south west have a lot of dust to worry about getting into their computer and causing problems. This is where computer cleaning and cleanliness come into play. Having a great computer is only as good as the steps you take to protect it, not just from viruses, but also from physical items that can cause it harm.

The following are a few tips to ensure the long life of your computer. The first and most important tip is NEVER spray liquid on any part of your computer. Though to many this sounds like common knowledge, but yet computers get ruined by trying to use household cleaning sprays on them everyday. If you use any liquid or spray, even water, apply it to a cloth first before using the cloth on the computer.

The second tip is use cloth or foam cleaning utensils. Cleaning a computer component with a paper towel or cotton swab can leave behind particles that get lodged in your computers parts. These particles can, in turn, cause your computer to overheat or even catch fire.

Third, you can use a vacuum to clean certain parts of your computer, but not all parts. You can use a vacuum to suck up dirt, dust, or hair around the computer on the outside case, but don’t use a vacuum for the inside of your computer because it generates a lot of static electricity.  That electricity, in turn,  can damage the internal components of your computer. If you need to use a vacuum to clean the inside of your computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum designed to do this job or try using compressed air. And remember, when cleaning a component or the computer, turn it off before cleaning.

Lastly, when cleaning, be careful not to accidentally adjust any knobs or controls. Also, when cleaning the back of the computer, if anything is plugged in, make sure not to disconnect any of the plugs.

When cleaning fans, especially the smaller fans within a portable computer or laptop it’s suggested that you either hold the fan or place something in-between the fan blades to prevent it from spinning. Spraying compressed air into a fan or cleaning a fan with a vacuum may cause damage.

Please keep in mind that cleanliness is next to Godliness, so treat your computer like the prized possession it is to you. Keeping your pc or laptop clean will help prolong the life span as well as protect your investment.

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Why is AntiVirus Software Important?

Posted on May 19, 2011 by admin

Now a days, an unprotected computer isn’t just vulnerable, it’s probably already infected. New malware (viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, ect.) are created every day. New ways to bypass  security measures by disguising malware are specifically designed to catch you and your PC off guard.

Viruses themselves have evolved over the years. Viruses just used to be annoying pranks, but now they have evolved into serious threats capable of destroying your computer and stealing your information and identity.

The benefits of installing security solutions on your PC are a no brainer, but before, the cost in system slowdown used to make installing security an unwanted commodity. Now, modern antivirus software hasn’t just improved the level of protection, but they have also significantly improved efficiency and overall speed. You can now have conclusive protection without giving up your computers resources. With all the advances in technology, antivirus software is more effective than ever, and no longer requires constant maintenance from you.  Current antivirus programs deliver constant protection and can actually speed up your computer, rather than slow it down like before.

The newest generation of antivirus software brought advanced detection into the mix. For the most part, the 2011 composition of antivirus products  incorporate further developed proactive protection with better behavior checking and even file reputation analysis. Several of the software companies have also incorporated “in the cloud” security and other advanced technologies to increase safety and convenience. From gamer modes, to battery saving settings, to integrated web link scanners; antivirus applications are more versatile and have upped the ante for features and functionality.

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External Hard Drives

Posted on May 18, 2011 by admin

Even with the larger memory storage of modern computers, many still find themselves in need of more space, this is where desktop external hard drives come into play. A desktop external hard drive is a safe and easy way to save all of your important information (i.e., pictures, music, private documents) without keeping it all on your desktop computer. External hard drives are also a good way to keep your information safer from computer viruses. Desktop computers with full memories tend to run slower, so if your PC isn’t as fast as it used to be, it could be because of all the information you have stored on it.

External hard drives, like all other technologies, have come leaps and bounds from where they started. Before 25GB ( gigabytes) was a lot of storage space, now a days an external hard drive should be no smaller than 1TB (Terabyte).  *note*-A Terabyte is 1000 gigabytes. External hard drives can be as large as 3 terabytes and can transfer 480MB of content per second. Newer ones are even outfitted with USB 3.0, increasing transfer speeds dramatically over the older USB 2.0.

An important thing to consider when purchasing an external hard drive is security. Look for the ability to secure the hard drive with a password and for automatic backup settings. Also, built-in diagnostics and hardware encryption are definitely necessary features. Many of the USB external hard drives are just empty storage space waiting for content, but do not give you a way to secure it. Those types of devices may be okay when used at a home, but aren’t safe or practical for an office.

Due to its size, another security factor with external hard drives is someone just walking off with it. A hard drive, even a large one, is still light and portable. Therefore, other security measures must be taken. High quality external hard drives feature a security slot that allows you to physically bind the hard drive in place. Removal of the lock without the designated key would cause damage to the exterior of the hard drive.

While some people shop for aesthetically pleasing computer items, remember, just because it looks good, doesn’t mean it works good. Opt for the external hard drive with a larger memory and better security features, rather than the hard drive that looks best with your desktop computer.

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Shopping For a Laptop

Posted on May 18, 2011 by admin

In todays fast moving technological society it is hard to keep up on all the advances, and what they mean to you when shopping for a laptop. While there are a variety of computer companies that offer similar products ( i.e., Dell, Toshiba, Compaq, HP, IBM, Sony); knowing exactly what you need from your laptop will help you in the purchasing process.  If, when shopping for a laptop, you are unsure of what you want you may purchase a computer that does not have everything you are looking for.

The first thing to think about when shopping for a laptop is size. A laptop computer is meant to be portable without sacrificing power. If you need something with an optical drive, as many do now a days, (CD-RW, DVD±R, etc.), you will need a little more power and screen size. Since many people now do their daily work on their laptop computers,  an ultra portable laptop is an optimum choice, but as a general rule of thumb, the smaller the packaging the larger the price tag.

Another important factor to consider when shopping for a laptop is battery life. We as consumers purchase laptop computers to have the freedom to use the device anywhere and everywhere. Though a computer may have the other features you are interested in, if it is equipped with a poor battery, then you will find yourself confined to areas with power outlets. Also, keep in mind that the more operations you expect your computer to preform at once, the quicker the laptop battery will die.

Something else to consider when shopping for a laptop is screen size. Generally speaking,  the larger the laptop’s screen size the larger the whole system is (i.e. memory, optical drive, ect.)  If you need a screen as large your desktop at home be prepared for the extra weight. Ultra light weight laptops can weigh as little as 2 pounds, where as laptops with large screens can weigh as much as 9 pounds. There are ultra slim laptops with 19 inch screens, but they are quite expensive, so if a large screen and lightweight are important to you, be prepared to pay for it.

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Physical & Logical Hard Drive Failure

Posted on May 12, 2011 by admin

Though many have heard the term ‘hard drive failure‘, not many people know their are two different kinds. There is a physical hard drive failure and a logical hard drive failure, but they both are harmful to your desktop or laptop computer. While you cannot easily access your data no matter which failure happens, their are attributes associated with physical hard drive failure and logical hard drive failure.

The first thing to do is assess which hard drive failure your computer has. Logical failure occurs when the hard drive is healthy, but you cannot boot into the operating system.  Many things can cause this:  a virus, system driver conflict, human error or a software malfunction.  When this type of failure happens, imaging or cloning the computer will do no good, and  DO NOT try to reinstall Windows , it will only make things worse. If logical hard drive failure occurs you will need to use a software data recovery solution.

If your hard drive crash is caused by a malfunction of the hard drive itself (physical hard drive failure), there is still a very good possibility that your data is still intact and may be accessible. Physical failure of a hard drive is easy to tell by the noise the drive will make.  You will hear a clicking, clacking, grinding or whirring noises coming from the hard drive.  Careful to not mistake a broken fan as your hard drive, listen close to where the sound is coming from.

If your computer still boots up, but the drive is making a lot of noise, you could (in theory) still get a clone or image off the drive and onto a new one.  This method is not recommended because it could be too much stress on the failing hard drive.  The safest action is to remove the hard drive and put it into a completely different system to retrieve the important data from the drive using a data recovery tool.

As a warning just know that you can get the same errors if the crash is caused by a physical or logical failure, so listen for any noises that would indicate physical hard drive failure; and always, speak to a professional before attempting to troubleshoot the computer repair problem yourself.

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Explaining Your Computer’s Problem

Posted on May 12, 2011 by admin

As computer technicians, we at East Valley Computers receive daily phone calls from people who simply do not know how to properly explain their computer’s problem. This is both frustrating for the technician and the customer.  The statement,” It just doesn’t work!” is not a proper diagnostic for a tech to assist your problem. Here are a few tips to help both the computer technician and the customer in need of computer repair.

The most important tip is to stay calm, emotions only hinder the conversation. While everyone (especially tech’s) understand the utter frustration of a broken computer, taking your emotions out on someone who neither programmed the software or created the hardware causing your stress; does not help anyone. So, take deep breaths and speak slowly and coherently.

Computer technicians understand that not many people actually know anything about a computer, other than turning it on and surfing the internet. This is why a consultation, especially over the phone, can be quite difficult. To make the conversation go much smoother for yourself and the tech; the best tip is BEFORE calling, write down your computers problem(s).

Just saying, “It won’t turn on,” is not descriptive enough, and while no one would expect you to know the technical terminology, describing what happens is helpful. For Example:

  • If you have an error message: What’s the EXACT error message on your screen?
  • If you don’t have an error message: What exactly is not working about your computer?
  • When did the problem start happening?
  • Did anything else happen at the same time the problem started? Like a blue screen of death, did the computer smoke or smell of smoke, virus warning, etc.
  • Has the problem gotten worse? (i.e. Laptop or PC shuts off more frequently,do more error message appear, or at a different time now? etc.)
  • What (if anything) have you already done to troubleshoot the problem?

Any and all of the above information will assist your conversation with a technician immensely… And lastly, try to be courteous, the computer tech is here to help you.

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Why Computer Technician Certification Is Important to you

Posted on May 12, 2011 by admin

In these hard economic times everyone is looking for the most inexpensive way to solve problems; including getting a computer repaired. However, taking the cheaper route now with an uncertified or under certified computer technician could turn out to be more costly in the long run. Many people being unemployed are trying to turn, what used to be a hobby, into an income. Though they may have some computer knowledge it is unlikely they have the full confidence and know how of a certified computer technician.

As a consumer you should aspire to find technicians with a variety of certifications such as: Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP), Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification. These certifications are not only highly regarded as the most difficult, but also the most expensive to attain. Computer technicians who have one or more of these certifications had to go through extensive hands on labs, written exams, and many years of field training before they were certified.

Now what this means to you; the customer; is peace of mind knowing your desktop or laptop computer is in good hands. I would equate using and uncertified technician to being in a car with a student driver. Yes, they could do just fine, but you won’t know if it will be okay until it’s over. That is quite and uncomfortable feeling, especially when involving your computer that could have years of personal information and images on it. Your computers security is important, so, be safe and go with a certified computer technician.

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Repairing Desktop Computers Vs. Laptop Computers

Posted on May 12, 2011 by admin

While many people have not only a desktop computer, but also a laptop computer, they are all not aware of the difference in how computer repairs have to take place. Many factors go into the manor in which a computer tech will have to work on your broken or damaged computer system. Or, if you are looking to purchase a new operating system, here are a few components to consider.

Generally speaking, a desktop computer (PC) is easier to begin the repairing process than laptop computer repair. Do to the compact packaging a laptop requires, desktop operating systems are easier to access. With a laptop computer you must unscrew a lot more parts in a careful manor as not to damage any new components. A desktop PC has a much simpler and more easily removed protective case, which makes it quicker for the computer technician to identify the problem.

There are a few items with laptops, however, that can be simple repairs. The battery, hard drive and memory are the least difficult to replace in a laptop. For the most part, hard drives, memory and laptop batteries are located on the outside of the computer; with easy removal steps that can be done without extensive computer knowledge. If the problem with your laptop computer is something more in depth into your OS (operating system) is where the expense can be found.

Laptops are usually more expensive to fix for a variety of reasons. First, the technician will need to spend more time diagnosing problems due to the intricacy of a smaller motherboard. Second, with the flood of all the different companies and models of laptops (Dell, Toshiba, IBM, HP, Compaq, ect.) very few motherboards are the same size. This can be a problem finding replacement parts, especially the older the laptop is. Many times, if a customer is not well informed, they will end up spending more money on repairing their device then they would buying a new one.

This is not the case with desktop computer repair. It is more valuable due to the cost of the PC and the inevitable upgrades a person adds to it. Due to the expensive cost of a new desktop computer vs. a laptop computer, many people opt to purchase new laptops, but repair desktop computers.

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What is Trojan Malware?

Posted on May 11, 2011 by admin

Trojan is a form of malware (malicious software) that must spread through user interaction such as opening an e-mail attachment or downloading and running a file from the Internet. Unlike viruses and worms, Trojans do not reproduce by infecting other files nor do they self-replicate, however they are still quite dangerous for your computer. Trojan’s infect your computer, posing as a harmless piece of software, so people are typically tricked into downloading it on their computer. After it is activated, it can attack the host computer in a variety of ways, from popping up windows or changing desktops, to deleting files, stealing data, or activating and spreading other malware. Trojans are also known to create back doors to give malicious users access to the system.

A Trojan may allow a hacker remote access to a computer. Once a Trojan has been installed, the hacker may access the computer remotely and perform various operations.These operations include, but are not limited to: automated spamming or to distribute denial-of-service attacks, data theft such as retrieving passwords or credit card information, installation of software, including third-party malware, downloading or uploading of files on the user’s computer, Modification or deletion of files, and even crashing the infected computer.

So, How does a person protect them self from a Trojan? First, and foremost, to protect your computer make sure that your operating system (OS) is always up to date. This means regularly updating the most recent fixes and upgrades that are recommended by your operating systems vendor. Secondly, you should have antivirus software installed on your system and download updates frequently to ensure that your software has the latest fixes for new viruses, worms, Trojans, and bots. New computer viruses are created everyday, so updates by your OS system should be done as soon as they become available.

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IObit Security 360

Posted on May 11, 2011 by admin

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