Lisa Hendrickson is the owner of Call That Girl. She is an Outlook Expert and Microsoft 365 Consultant.
If your computer has been running slow, have you had a computer tune-up lately? If not, now is a great time for it. We have a 22 point checklist of updates, maintenance and cleanings we do, takes about an hour and it’s $75. Right now we have a sale for just $50! In our tune-up, we check your memory. Some folks don’t want to get a cleaning, but just want their memory checked so here is a short blog on checking/installing memory/RAM. Click here to book an appointment!
In our 22 point cleaning checklist, we check your computer memory/RAM and if you can upgrade, we let you know. We also tell you how to install it yourself if you like. It’s very easy believe it or not.
Let’s start with why you may need more memory first before we show you the video. For starters, you may have an older computer (5 years old) and it’s been running fine but it’s getting slow. Sure, we can do a cleaning on it, and get it faster and after our cleanings, our clients are very happy with our services, but many need to buy more memory/RAM to get that old computer zipping very fast. The cause of the slowdown is many times, these computers only have the bare minimum that came factory installed. If you have XP, to run with the big dog programs such as Office 2010, you should try to get your computer to at least 1gig of RAM or 2gig if you want your computer really fast. For the older computers, the RAM is usually very inexpensive and recommended if the computer seems stable. If you are having other problems with it, like a lot of noise coming from the computer or seeing crashes often, this is a sign of a computer that may need to go to the land of refurbished computers and I don’t recommend putting much money into them.
Vista is another culprit of low memory. Most factory shipped with just 1gig of memory/RAM and that is just too darn slow for Vista. As the complaints are high with Vista, you can help it by just adding in the max memory your computer can take.
How to check your memory, I could write up instructions, but here is a short video from Crucial (the company we buy memory from online).
How to Install Memory (RAM) in a Laptop / Notebook
How to Install Memory in a PC Desktop Computer
http://www.crucial.com has a nice scan tool that you can run and check what type of memory your computer needs. It also tells you what is installed and how much more your computer can take. It also offers a check out system for you to buy it and get it shipped right to your home/office. It’s our favorite at Call That Girl and we have had great success with Crucial.
If you need help with purchasing or installing, feel free to give us a call! This is so easy to do, we can walk you through it over the phone. No kidding!
Why would you do that you ask? Because you may be on a very old internet plan with Comcast, Qwest, Integra, etc….and need to have your plan upgraded! Many times, these companies will up you for free because you are paying for a plan that has better speeds and will they tell you about it? NOPE. You need to tell them!
If your internet is slow and sluggish but everything else is working fast, then an internet speed test is what you need to get done.
Here’s an easy link to test it yourself.
Click on the green “Begin Test” banner button above the map of the area you are at. (do not click on the orange “free scan” button!) For me, it’s a map of the United States. It also shows you the recommended server to test with, for me who is in Minnesota, it’s Sioux City, Iowa.
After you begin the test, you will see a meter pop up and it will show you how fast your internet is for download and upload speed. Wait until it’s done for you to get an accurate reading.
My test didn’t go that well. I am also on a wireless computer, upstairs from my router. I will go plug my computer in the router and do another test before calling. If you are on wireless, you will get a slower speed than if you were directly connected to the modem/router.
If you are hard wired to your modem/router and see it appearing very low, then you will want to call your internet provider and check into an upgrade if you want your Youtube videos and streaming to be better. This is the main reason why folks want faster internet these days.
Hope this information helps! If you get the test done and it’s fast (4 mg/s or higher) You may just need a computer cleaning. Call us today to get that done remotely!
Here is an example of the fake Fedex virus email… Here is an example (given to me by one of my fellow geek friends)
From: FedEx Express Services [mailto:manager.no.7354@fedex.com]
Sent: 12 November 2010 08:57
Subject: FedEx Invoice copy No05486632
Your package has been returned to the FedEx office.
The reason of the return is – “Incorrect delivery address of the package”
Attached to the letter mailing label contains the details of the package delivery. You have to print mailing label, and come in the FedEx office in order to receive the packages.
Thank you for attention.
FedEx Logistics Services.
These usually have a fake invoiced attached, which is a small file that is executed and opened on your computer. So far the reports from my geek friends are that it’s quite destructive. DO NOT OPEN. Just delete the email and if you are waiting on a Fedex delivery/invoice/package, just call them directly to verify.
Here is a link to their website and to contact them (US) http://www.fedex.com/ca_english/
If you are googling this because you have opened it, feel free to call us (612-865-4475) and discuss removal of the virus or click below to book an appointment!
Hello again! It’s me playing the virus advocate for everyone. Remember years ago that fake Fedex and DHL email that was going around that had a virus attached (.exe) and everyone in corporations opened it and it spread like wildfire? Well, it’s making it’s nasty rounds again!
Here is an example (given to me by one of my fellow geek friends)
Here is a link to their website and to contact them.
http://www.dhl.com/en/contact_center.html
If you are googling this because you have opened it, feel free to call us (612-865-4475) and discuss removal of the virus or
We are getting a copy of the virus to test on one of our licensed AV product machines, so watch for an upcoming blog about our results on that!
We were not able to deliver the package you have sent on the 24th of March in time
because the addressee’s address is incorrect.
Please print out the invoice copy attached and collect the package at our office.
DHL Customer Services.
If I can recall correctly, I bought a 256 mg flash drive a few years ago (guessing 2005 or 2006) it cost $56.00. I still have that flash drive as a keepsake to laugh about many years down the road. But, why did I buy one? I bought it so I could easily move large files from one computer to another. Or to save certain files to install on other computers. These flash drives pretty much replaced the floppy disk/zip disks. In my business, it’s important to keep my software tools handy for home visits.
Why is it important for you to have one? Mostly because it’s a great back up tool and when we remote into your computer, if you have one, we can do a quick back up of your documents/pictures/music if you are not backing up. These are also handy if one of your computers is not on the internet due to viruses and we need to install programs for you to zap those nasty bugs.
Here are a few examples of flash drives/external hard drive solutions and you can purchase these online. I chose Walmart to show as examples and most things at Walmart are very affordable.
First question, what size should you buy? I recommend the biggest one you can get for the price you want to pay. Here are a few examples:
32 gig for $47.98
8 gig for $15.84
And for those that want a really good deal, but not something that is easy to put in your pocket or purse….
Here is a 120 gig for just $34.00!!! (You can hold almost everything on this one! this is an external hard drive)
And for those that have TONS of music/picture and other precious data, here is the BEST choice for you!
2 TB for just $99.00!
If you want to start backing up on a regular basis and need help, feel free to book an appointment with us and we can help you get your back up going on a weekly or daily basis.
Click here to book an appointment
Call That Girl also recommends using Mozy as an online solution for those that want a hands off approach to backing up. If you are one of those folks that changes your work documents on a daily basis, we do recommend using Mozy. To test out a 2 gig free online trial, click here.
Thought I would share a few pics…
First one was my first laptop I bought when I started off in August 2007. This is the laptop I fried.
This is my website, on a wall. It’s the main pages and landing pages, call to actions, etc.
This is my note sheet from the first interview I did with the Women’s Press in 2008.
New reception area in the office
Me hugging my new board that I LOVE
