Category: Uncategorized….Ponders many of my clients when a repair may be costly. Here is what we think at Call That Girl!
If you are a heavy user on your laptop, expect a 3-5 year life on the computer. My system lasted 2.5 years without a serious crash. My system is in the process of getting fixed by another company because I cannot fix what is wrong. If it’s going to be under $150, I will probably fix it. If over, I will opt for a new one. (edited to add: what is wrong with it that I cannot fix it? The motherboard is fried, and no…Call That Girl does not work on laptop motherboard issues).
I always recommend to clients this bit of advice:
New laptops are around $500 (basic laptop)
New desktops are around $400 (Dell has many that are cheaper)
If you have a desktop that is 5-7 years old, I would not put in anymore than $150 – $200 into it.
If you have a laptop that is 3-5 years old, I would not put in anymore than $150-$200 into it.
Many folks think just buying a new one is the best answer for even cheap repairs, but you have to remember that buying a new computer can have some costs or new problems that are unexpected.
As you can see, buying a new computer sometimes isn’t worth it….with the extra costs, it may be costly. If you ever have questions, feel free to contact us and we can try to help.
Many of us today are using Gmail, Google applications, AVG free, etc. Free software is usually great, but the support you get if you need help is usually not up to par. About a month ago, I decided to start using Google documents to store a few files because I needed to have them on 3 computers. I worked on a massive “to do list” and after I was done, I hit the “cut” button to move something and it all disappeared. I could not get it back, even though it had saved just a minute before! I was LIVID to say the least. I had been saving it too for a whole day or so and I’m not sure how easy it is to put in a support ticket to Google and have it checked out for a restore, but decided then and there…to only rely on myself for such needs from now on.
Support is very important when it comes to things you need to use.
Here are my opinions:
For the sake of your business, please move to a paid email hosting solution. There are many affordable solutions out there, if you need some recommendations, please email us at info@callthatgirl.biz
Feel free to comment on the blog!
Lisa
Well folks, the time to start considering online backup solutions is NOW. Many times I have been asked what is better, online or external hard drives. I always ask people how important their stuff is…external drives are not that reliable these days. I had one a few years back that died after 3 months and I had to send it back in under warranty. Where was my stuff? I didn’t have a back up or a back up solution for 2 weeks. ???
How good is your external hard drive if it was stolen, in a fire, fried out or got something spilled in it?
Online back up today is very reliable and I will now introduce you to a Minnesota based online back up solution, MNBU (Minnesota BackUp). The owner is Dean Meier and I met Dean when we were neighbors a few years ago. He is also the owner of Digital Brigade (http://www.digitalbrigade.com) a server/network solutions business. I was thrilled to find that they are offering a local solution, as many people are worried about online backup. “Where is my stuff”…it’s right here in Minnesota!
Why chose MNBU?
Want to give it a try? Here is the sign up link….and use code “CALLTHATGIRL” to get one free month.
I bet you didn’t think I could come up with this one, but you are wrong! I have come up with an evacuation plan! I recommend printing these out asap and tape up to a filing cabinet. These instructions, could save your computer and your wallet a few bucks.
Be Smart
If you happen to see an attack/infection going on, your best bet to stop it:
Now, you may or may not be infected still. If you do all of the above and see symptons of a new program on your computer or it acting very slow, then you probably have a virus.
You can do the following:
I’ve been playing around with and testing the new Microsoft antivirus program “Microsoft Security Essentials” and so far, I have to report…nothing but great results for the “home/basic user”.
This is a free AV program for those that have purchased any of the Microsoft operating systems. While it installs, it does a validation of the license. Keep in mind, this product is to replace their not so lucky in life product “Windows One Care”. So if you are about to change AV programs, One Care is not that easy to remove. You may need a special remover tool.
What I like about Microsoft Security Essentials so far
In my repair shop, on a weekly basis I get computers in that have the big boxy AV programs and they are failing left and right. I have found that the free ones do just as well or better than those that are costly.
To download this program, go to http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
For another review, http://www.pcworld.com/article/167246/first_look_microsoft_security_essentials.html
I hope that helps some of you out there that are looking for some free software to fight those pesky intruders!
Many of my clients will call and say their computers are slow and usually they say “I think my computer is out of memory, I have deleted a bunch of stuff and it’s still slow”
I explain to them that their memory is not out of space, but rather their hard drive may be out of space, and that’s not usually the culprit of a slow computer. Let’s first start with explaining what memory is and what a hard drive is.
Today’s blog is to help the basic user understand the differences!
MEMORY: Your computer comes with 2 types of memory, but the only one we will talk about is RAM (random access memory). These are little green sticks that are installed inside your computer. Every computer has RAM installed, but it’s usually the bare minimum. You need to purchase more to make the computer go faster. Or rather I should add, do more work. With more memory, you can run more applcations and work much more efficiently.
Here is what memory looks like:
The easiest tool on the internet to find out how much memory you have installed and how much you can upgrade to, is to use the Crucial Scanner, Their scanner is awesome and also allows you to buy the memory you need to get your computer up to it’s optimal speed.
HARD DRIVES: This is where your operating sytem and programs are installed and what makes the computer start up and get going. This is also the place where your pictures, music and your documents are stored.
This is a picture of a hard drive. It’s in the computer right next to your DVD player.
MOTHERBOARDS: Finally, here is what a motherboard looks like. It’s like your car’s computer, it makes it run. Without it, you have no computer. There is really no reason a basic user will need to do anything with this componet of the computer unless you want to install your own memory. I don’t recommend you get in there and play!
