Speed up your computer with SSD

upgrade hdd to ssdIf you have a computer with only a mechanical hard drive inside and it’s getting too slow, upgrading to an SSD is a cheap and simple way to get a big speed increase. Traditional hard drives are mechanical devices that on the inside look like mini record players. They can be damaged by bumps and drops. A typical hard drive speed maxes out 120MB per second.

An SSD drive uses memory chips to store your information. There are no moving parts so vibrations, bumps and drops do not damage an SSD. Most SSD drive speed maxes out at 550MB per second.

SSD speed increase will help with the following;
Starting your computer and opening programs
Opening multiple webpage tabs and windows at the same time
Photo and video rendering programs like Photoshop and Premiere
Music editing and DJ programs like Audacity and VirtualDJ

Our favorite internal SSD we recommend for our clients is the Samsung 860 Evo it has a great price to performance ratio. You can purchase an SSD from this link just make sure you pick one that has more space than you are using. Also available are external SSD drives that can be purchased from this link.

We can clone your existing mechanical hard drive to a new SSD so all your programs and settings will be exactly the same. An SSD can be installed in laptops and desktops. For most computers the cost will be $150 in labor call today to schedule an appointment.

Windows 7 support ending upgrade to Windows 10

upgrade windows 7 to windows 10On January 14 2020 Microsoft will stop supporting and releasing security updates for Windows 7. Microsoft provided 10 years of support since it was released on October 22, 2009. Windows 7 will still continue to function but with a higher security risk when connected to the internet. Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 8 on January 10 2023.

An Intel Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7 CPU will provide the best performance when you upgrade to Windows 10. Upgrading windows 8 to windows 10 will allow you to take advantage of the new features. You can still upgrade Windows 7 and Windows 8 to Windows 10 for free. But you have to update drivers, bios and uninstall incompatible software on your own. Windows 10 was release on July 29 2015 giving Microsoft time to streamline the upgrade process and keep it running smoothly.

We have been upgrading all of our existing business and home clients to Windows 10 successfully to extend their initial investment. Drop off your computer and we will do all that is necessary to successfully upgrade to Windows 10. For most computers this will be a labor charge of $150. For businesses we can come to you and upgrade all your computers for $90 per hour.  For clients who decide to purchase new computers we can help to transfer data and reinstall programs. Call to schedule an appointment to upgrade to Windows 10.

Asus RT-AC1900P favorite wireless router

The Asus RT-AC1900P wireless router is the one we currently recommend to everyone. This is an updated version of the older RT-AC68U model. The wireless router has all the necessary features and not the most expensive one. This also replaces our last recommended router Asus RT-AC66U. Call and make an appointment and we can install it in your office or home.

The features most people will care about are
Wireless AC 1300
Same speed dual core 1.4 ghz CPU as the higher priced models
Create your own VPN to your home or office
Can be used as a wireless network extender or access point

Read more info at Asus’s website
https://www.asus.com/Networking/RT-AC1900P/

You can purchase it at Best Buy for about $200
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-wireless-ac-dual-band-wi-fi-router-black/5091000.p?id=bb5091000&skuId=5091000

asus rt-ac1900p

Block Windows 10 Upgrade

Here are the simple steps to block Windows 10 upgrade.

  1. Click on the the link to download GWX Control Panel
  2. Install with the default options and open the program
  3. Click the “Click to Disable ‘Get Windows 10’ App” button 1
  4. Click the “Click to Prevent Windows 10 Upgrades” button 2
  5. Click the “Click to Delete Windows 10 Download Folders” button 3a
  6. Wait for the Size of Windows 10 download folders to reach zero 3b
  7. Click the “Click to Enable/Disable Monitor Mode” button 4
  8. Close the program
  9. Click Start button and open control panel
  10. Open Windows Update and click change settings
  11. Uncheck “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates”
  12. Click OK and close Windows Update program

That’s it the program will now block Windows 10 upgrade and notify you if anything changes. The reasons you would want to block Windows 10 upgrade are

  • Privacy settings issue that cannot be turned off
  • Upgrade process that can fail and need to be repaired
  • Users who would have a difficult time learning a new way of using their computer
  • You have until June 2016 for the free upgrade which will probably be extended
  • Prefer to wait for as many patches / fixes be included before the upgrading
  • Older peripherals might not work
  • Windows 7 will be supported until 2020 with updates
  • Windows 8 will be supported until 2023 with updates

#windows10
#blockwindows10upgrade

GWX Control Panel

Cyber Monday Deals

Here are a few worthwhile Cyber Monday Deals

CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD battery UPS $140
Battery backup UPS that I always recommend
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00429N19W

Canon MX922 Multi Function Inkjet Printer $65
Inkjet printer I always recommend
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AVWKUJS

Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD hard Drive $148
Solid State Drive to improve read write performance that I always recommend
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OBRE5UE

As for computer repair we are offering $20 off any service by just mentioning this Cyber Monday Deal.

Macbook Pro 2011 2012 2013 recall

There is a Macbook Pro 2011 2012 2013 recall that fixes video problems.

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will repair affected MacBook Pro systems, free of charge.

Symptoms

An affected MacBook Pro may display one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen
  • No video on the computer screen (or external display) even though the computer is on
  • Computer restarts unexpectedly

Products affected

  • 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models manufactured in 2011
  • 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina models manufactured from Mid 2012 to Early 2013

https://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro-videoissues/

1TB online backup for $55 lifetime subscription

Lifetime subscription to backup 5 computers with 1TB space for only $55. This is a great deal that we signed up for ourselves. The deal ends on July 3rd.

https://deals.droid-life.com/sales/dripbit-just-right-online-backup-lifetime-subscription?rid=2137644&fb_ref=Default

Cryptolocker Ransomware Prevention Program

Cryptolocker ransomeware type of viruses go by the names of FBI virus, CBT locker, cryptowall, crowti, Teslacrypt, nymaim and others. They basically try to get you to give them money so that you can access your computer and files again.

There is a program called CryptoPrevent you can install on your computer to help prevent ransomware type of virus infections. It does not remove the virus on your computer and your computer must currently be free of viruses. First run a virus scan on your computer then download and install the program. When the program opens up select default and click apply. The free version does not update itself so you have to check for updates manually as shown in the picture below. The paid version provides automatic updates.

You can download the program from the company’s website at
https://www.foolishit.com/cryptoprevent-malware-prevention/
or http://www.majorgeeks.com/mg/getmirror/cryptoprevent,1.html

cryptoprevent

#ransomware

Check Your Mac Hard Drive For Failure

On Apple iMac and MacBook computers if the hard drive is failing you do not get a warning. The hard drive uses an internal program called S.M.A.R.T. to report its condition but OSX never tells you about it. A sign of a failing drive is when it takes a long time to open a program. Use one of the following trial programs to check your mac hard drive for failure. If the program shows bad sectors call us and we can duplicate your bad drive onto a new one and save your data.

Voltan Smart Utility
http://www.volitans-software.com/smart_utility.php

Core Code SMARTReporter
http://www.corecode.at/smartreporter/

#macdrivefailure

SMART utility