Tag: Saint Paul Computer repair
How to fix the internet yourself
What happened? I didn’t change any settings, the router/modem is blinking. What gives!
Happy Monday and welcome to my world today, the world of my boinky internet! I hate it, but thank goodness I have to go to work in a couple of hours and will come home to an unboinky internet. That’s how my computer rolls in this house.
Sometimes internet goes boinky for no reason, meaning….it’s not your computer, your internet provider or you router/modem.
A few things you can do when your internet is slow/not working is to reboot your computer. I did that this am and my internet came back, but then went boinky again….then came back. I think my computer is still sleeping to be honest. It is 6:37 am.
So what if you reboot and it’s boinky again? I usually say at this point to just turn off your computer and let it rest. So many of us are in a hurry, but if you haven’t changed anything….it could be just a bad connection that will fix itself shortly. On the computers time, not yours.
In the past 13 years of my computer repair career, I can’t tell you how I use the simple methods for troubleshooting and….it works. Just turning off a computer will often fix many issues. I know many folks who leave their computers on for days/months and with no reboot, things just go boinky eventually.
If you restart the computer and the internet is still boinky, then it’s safe to say that you can check the router/modem. (Usually unplugging the power cord for a minute does the trick) If those are blinking after a power cord unplug.. then call your internet provider. I will personally almost never call Comcast as I can’t stand doing the phone que (*Press one for this, *Press two for that, argh!)…but I will if need be. They aren’t perfect either and sometimes have to reset things on their end. But it’s always good to start with the easy stuff on your end.
But it’s always a good idea to do some minor things on your end. I never recommend going into your computer network settings and reconfiguring them. I have seen some folks delete some files or change things that take me awhile to fix. Just do the simple stuff.
That’s it today folks, hope to see you all at the Rudolph’s lunch! I’ll be there!
Lisa
Networking vs Connector
Do you know the difference between a networker and a connector?
Network: –verb (used without object)
to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, esp. in finding employment or moving to a higher position
Connect: –verb (used with object)
to join, link, or fasten together; unite or bind:
I was emailing with a guy yesterday from LinkedIn and we were discussing networking and I closed by telling him that I’m more of a connector type. I’m always trying to find ways to connect 2 folks for value of revenue or to save money somehow. I probably refer 2-4 folks a week to each other, easily. That comes from being a wide spread networker and having a gift of wanting to help others. (the point of networking right?). Most of these connections I make are just me having a day. I don’t seek them out. Just yesterday I was at a client’s office who said he was looking for a designer to make brochures. I knew of 2 people to refer him to on the spot.
This is also the reason why I think I avoided joining the large networking groups. I knew early on in my networking career that I need to be connected to many folks and the larger groups tend to work on internal referrals and bring on the mentality of “Let’s get together for coffee and see how we can help each other out”….where, if you’re a connector type, there is no need for coffee. Just let me know what you do and I’ll add you to my mental rolodex. You already know I fix computers, and I know what you do so it’s a done deal right?
“Let’s do coffee” for me only has value if we are going to do business together or partner up, etc. Networking is today’s world is much more accelerated and if you are busy like I am, there is no time for it. But I will say, that in my first 6 months, I did coffee dates with people and 90% of the time it turned out they wanted to sell me something they sold. It was pretty disappointing to be honest. And not one of those folks has ever called me or referred business to me (that I know of and I track all my clients).
2 weeks ago, I was talking to someone who does something for my business (he will rename nameless) and he said that he would like to get together to see how we could help each other network. I told him that we both already know what each other does, so what is the point? Then he got a big miffed at me and said, “You know, I’m a part of ABC networking group, I KNOW HOW TO NETWORK. I get most of my clients through ABC Network or from adopted clients from other folks.”
Wow! Congrats! I have built a business from scratch and got my clients the old fashioned way, HAND AND FOOT. Of course with that, comes referrals, but that’s how the service business works. Once you are established, you will get referrals and I thank my lucky stars everyday that I spent the first 6 months of building my business going to every networking event I could find. I also thank my lucky stars that my clients or people I have met networking like me and my business enough to refer me out to people.
Our conversation moved to the business we do now together, but I could not let it go. I stopped him and said, “You know, I just want to tell you that you have no business telling me how to network, I’m fairly well connected at this point and I don’t need you to tell me how to network”. PFFT. I was kind of angry… so angry I sent him a link to my LinkedIn profile just to sort of prove my online presence with one of the online media’s I use for “networking”.
Just sayin’
So to close, you can network, be a connector or be both. I know a few people out there that are good at both and I commend them for their efforts. It’s not easy to manage everything in your head, who does what and how you can help them out.
In my opinion, if you want to get to know someone to help them or have them help you, the best way in today’s busy world is to email someone with an introduction letting them know of your business and how you will keep them in mind as well. Email dates, saves time and money!
LinkedIn…it’s the place to be!
Many of you know of me because of LinkedIn. It’s really the place to be for now and the next few years. Last night Rich Fiene came over to my place and we shared some refreshments and had a nice long discussion about LinkedIn. If you don’t know who Rich is, he’s currently the #1 LinkedIn guy for Minneapolis/St. Paul. I met Rich last summer while we were both attending a LinkedIn workshop held by Mike O’Neil from Integrated Alliances. If you don’t know who Mike is, he’s a LinkedIn rockstar! I don’t know his current stats with LI, but he was #41 in the world and does have 21,000 contacts at this point. If you think I’m a LinkedIn maniac, you should meet this guy.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeoneil (feel free to invite him!)
Rich and I discussed many topcis in regards to LinkedIn, how we got to our levels of expertise and where we want to see LinkedIn go. As the manager of LinkedMinnesota, I see many opportunities for LinkedIn to grow and help our group. Rich is also the Director of the Project: Link It Forward that I founded last December. We are in discussions for the 2nd round of PLIF to be called PLIF 2.0. Watch for details, this is an exciting project!
You can invite Rich at http://www.linkedin.com/in/richfiene
As the conversation flowed from one issue to another, Rich and I have learned that we both are well connected on LinkedIn and both are using it in 2 totally differents way. We also discussed how there are so many other folks out there that are in our positions doing it their own way too. It’s almost crazy to think of the value of LinkedIn, if you make it work for you! Not everyone can do it the same way, you have to figure that out for yourself and your comfort level.
While I was ending the evening, I got my 4th client call that day, he was the 3rd client from Linkedin. It’s working for me as an advertising and marketing tool, but it took well over a year to finally see weekly results. Using LinkedIn takes time and you have to put time into it.
Just sayin’ 🙂
Happy Tuesday everyone!
Explanation of Spyware verus Anti-virus programs
So many of my clients think that because they have antivirus protection, that they are protected against spyware. This is so far from the case I can’t even tell you about the horror stories I have seen in the past few months.
Can you purchase a spyware detection program that is stand alone from your AV products? Yes, but they are not even fool proof. I have seen clients with Windows Defender from Microsoft fully loaded with hundreds of spyware. Trend, Norton, etc….they all are not spyware proof.
I recommend that you learn how to not get the spyware in the first place, that will help immensely. Here are a few tips I took off Microsoft’s site and will add my own on…
- The best defense against spyware and other unwanted software is not to download it in the first place. Here are a few helpful tips that can protect you from downloading software you don’t want:
- Only download programs from Web sites you trust. If you’re not sure whether to trust a program you are considering downloading, ask a knowledgeable friend or enter the name of the program into your favorite search engine to see if anyone else has reported that it contains spyware.
- Read all security warnings, license agreements, and privacy statements associated with any software you download.
- Never click “agree” or “OK” to close a window. Instead, click the red “x” in the corner of the window or press the Alt + F4 buttons on your keyboard to close a window.
- Be wary of popular “free” music and movie file-sharing programs, and be sure you clearly understand all of the software packaged with those programs.
- If you get a pop up window that is asking you to pay for removal of spyware and tells you that you have spyware…that is spyware! If you get that window, I would do the Alt+F4 and restart your computer. That is the most easiest way to avoid having to touch that window. For the more experienced users, go to task manager and stop all the internet explorer windows running. That will close that window too.
- If you child downloaded a program and you have had problems since then, it’s probably due to what they downloaded. Kids these days think everything is safe…”I learned how to do this at school Mom!”….from who? Their friends? The kids today are full of “I know more than you” stories and that is what is clogging your computer up with spyware!
Remember to consider Calling That Girl if you notice your computer is being pudgy and is newer than 3 years old…more than likely it needs a computer cleaing/spyware clean up and we will get it blazing fast again!
Keyboard shortcuts that you will never forget
Morning y’all!
Nothing too exciting happened yesterday. I had an office day for the most part, then I ended my day/night with a facial from Jungle Red Salon. OMG, does my face feel awesome! I got a chemical peel too, which I can’t believe I got. I’m 40, so I guess I should expect those “recommendations”. Desiree did a great job! If anyone wants to book an appointment, make sure to mention “Lisa” and I will earn $10 in credit, that will be helpful for the chemical peek #4 I need…ouch. That one burns I guess. I had the #1 yesterday, can’t even see burn marks LOL.
Today is a busy day, back to back clients, then ending with a short happy hour to celebrate the intern’s birthday.
The Tips and Tricks:
Many of us have been using computers for so long now, that you assume everyone knows all the little easy shortcuts on the keyboard. Not the case! Everyone tends to use the computer how they are taught or learned by reading/training or by accident (which is my favorite discovery).
A few keyboard shortcuts for the rookies and gentle reminders for the seasoned keyboarders…
**OMG, my computer froze and I didn’t save that huge word doc!
Hit the Alt key + tab key = shows you all the programs you have open.
This is super handy when one application freezes and it appears to be your whole computer. Many times the Alt Tab trick can get you to a document that you don’t have saved and “woo hoo” save the day!
**Hey, every time I type, it deletes what I just typed!
Hit the “Insert” key.
I honestly don’t know what the insert key does nor have I ever used it, I just know this trick works.
My computer is running, but it won’t come to life! It’s in a computer coma!
Stop using the “sleep” function.
Computers like to sleep as much as we do and when you put them to “sleep” they can sleep really deep and not wake up nicely.
Whoa, my website just totally changed and I lost all my menu bars!
You hit the F11 key probably.
Hit it again and the website will go back to normal with the toolbars
Remember to keep Call That Girl in mind for your next computer repair to!
The New Entrepreneurs
I was thrilled to have an office day for once, just me…all day, all day. I didn’t even turn on the music, I just worked like a maniac. Got caught up on tons of “little things”. I took my puppy to downtown dogs so he could have a good day too. After work, I picked him up and dropped him off at home and then I went and did something I have been needing/wanting to do since last fall..I bought new tires!
While the tires were being installed, I headed down to Bryant Lake Bowl for a glass of wine and some downtime. While I was chilling out, I happened to meet a couple of people and they were discussing jobs and resumes and such. Turns out the guy in the group was just let go and of course…I had to chime in of course. I gave him my 2 cents on the job market and then he in turn said he was going to start freelancing. Excellent! I love the new entrepreneurs. With how things are going now…if you have a skill and the desire to do it on your own, you might as well.
I’ll be conducting workshops starting towards end of May for the rookie entrepreneurs and the seasoned vets. I have learned so much in the past almost 2 years, it’s time for me to share that knowledge. I’ll post the info here on the blog.
So today should be a good day, now that I got the new tires on, I can BLAZE around Bloomington again! Back to the folks out there to finish up. Then off to look at a new office space..I’m very excited to get moving on with that.
Happy Hump Day!
Lisa