Tag: Computer support St. Paul Minnesota
How to reset and configure IE 8
Are you having problems with your Internet Explorer being glitchy and not working right? Maybe it’s stalling when you try to open it, or just not playing nice. We have created a video for you to watch to reset and configure IE 8 on your own. It’s a short 4+ minute video with no sound to watch and then you can do it on your own.
Remember to close your Internet Explorer 8 window at the end and open it again. You should find that it works much better and faster. Click on the button below and you will be redirected to our YouTube channel.
Computer training, it’s not for the classroom anymore
Are you wanting to get a bit more technical and learn to do a few things, but just don’t know how to do it? Call That Girl’s core business is repair, but we sometimes we will show you how to do a few things to not get that glitch back or make your business run smoother. If you are wanting to learn a few technical issues at your own pace, you should check out Modern Inconveniences, “Tech Guide”. It’s a really neat little book! The book has insert cards (kinda like the old school cookbooks) and every quarter, they will send you new cards to insert in, so you have easy reference very handy.
Tech Cards: Members receive six new Tech Cards per quarter by mail – a total of 24 cards over 2010! Tech Cards illustrate technology tools and how they can be used for small business owners, applications, helpful hints and step-by-step instructions. Collect them all to build your own technology resource library!
Notes: Each Tech Guide features a section to capture your questions and answers, jot down resources and suggestions.
Resource Directory: Need a quick referral for your business? The Tech Guide contains a Resource Directory for easy-to-search, categorized listings of helpful businesses that have the tools to make your job easier! Flip to the Resource Directory tab in your Guide, or visit the Guide online at: www.modernincon.com/resources.html. Over $750 in discounts!
To purchase a book, see the little book over to your right on my website, click on it and it will take you to the purchase site. Or click on this link! Cost is $54.99.
Facebook tips
Facebook tips and tricks from Call That Girl!
The “Koobface” virus (Facebook’s big virus) is at it again and this time, hitting the Twitter folks too.
If you want to get your computer protected before something bad happens to your computer, call us today to get some good tools installed. Remember…Norton Symantec, McAfee and most of the big box antivirus software do not catch these viruses!
If you think your computer already has a virus or feel there is something strange going on, we can remove these viruses and give you real time protection before you get infected again. It’s also a good idea to have this protection for just general web surfing anyway. Websites are getting hit too, not just Facebook.
Short list of things to watch out for:
- Links sent to you from friends you don’t communicate often with
- Broken english in the messages
- Exciting messages (Check me out in this video I’m hilarious!)
- Email hackers (Change your facebook password to not be the same as your email password)
- Short website links instead of the full website link
- Wall posts from others that don’t seem normal or appear strange
- New Friends requests from people you don’t know in person
- That’s it folks, Enjoy your week!
Should I fix this computer or just buy a new one?
….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.
- Wireless router may need to be configured
- Printer may not install correctly
- Make sure you have all of your software discs
- Make sure all of your data is backed up
- Make sure your camera software will work on the new computer
- You may need to buy a new mouse and keyboard
- That old scanner may not work
- Some old features on the old computer will not be there with the new computer (Briefcase)
- Expect a learning curve if you have never used “Vista”. Windows 7 looks and acts nothing like Windows XP.
- Office 2007 is a learning curve in itself. If you opt to buy it, be prepared to play around for awhile if you want to use the extra features out of “new, save, print”.
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.
Does your internet work? Try our remote support for computer problems
Seriously, why unplug all your cords and drag your computer to a shop when we can more than likely fix your problem with remoting in via your internet? Did you know that 90% of the computer problems are software and not hardware?
If your internet works, we can probably fix it remotely.
If your computer is not working, try us anyway to get a few things attempted to get back on the internet. We are pretty savvy with “loss of internet” issues! (probably virus related anyway). We often troubleshoot computers that won’t power up and get them back on track with a few tricks of the trade. (Many are here in my blog if you look back a few pages).
We offer a quick fix of up to 15 minutes for $25. Can’t beat that now can you? $75 for a full hour.
Keep our phone number handy and next time you have problems, Call That Girl! 612-865-4475
Tips on using free software
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:
- AVG free is a good product, but not a great product. The download for AVG 9.0 takes a very long time to install (up to 45 minutes) and we see that program on virus infected computers. It works, but I quit recommending it to folks who want free software because it doesn’t work either. Toss up on AVG free! AVG free offers online FAQ/Knowledge Base and Forum help. No email or phone support that I could find online. If you upgrade to the paid version, then you get the premium support.
- Microsoft Security Essentials Antivirus so far is doing well with the clients who I have recommended using it. Only one client so far has had a problem with “real time protection” and Microsoft will support that issue via chat or email.
- Google calendar can have glitches that can’t be fixed easily (from what my clients have told me, I am having success using it for now, but am looking at paid alternatives). Again they have the forum/FAQ help, but put in a ticket and wait a few days for help, if they help….Google decides if they support you due to the millions of users.
- Gmail is not something I am fond of, but many of my networking friends use it frequently and are happy with the product. My problem with Gmail is, what if you woke up one morning and your emails were all gone. Do you have time to wait for Google to figure it out? Who do you call? With Gmail, you have to search their support and help forums first, then put in a ticket and wait a few days. If you’re using Gmail for business (or hotmail, yahoo, etc..) do you have a few days to wait? Business is on the line!
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
