Hard Drive Manufacturers Slash Warranty Periods

That’s on new drives.  So, from now on, more than ever, always have an external drive (or two) for backups.

http://www.recoupit.com/

http://ask-leo.com/how_long_should_a_hard_drive_last.html

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Comp-U-Plus big deals page or something

PROBLEM (several customers):
PC runs way too slowly.
SOLUTION:
Set to Manual or Disabled unnecessary background services; cleaned up unnecessary temp files; uninstalled unnecessary programs; installed and ran MalwareBytes; and, most importantly, added more RAM.

PROBLEM (several customers):
Infected with fake “Windows Security” virus/malware alert.
SOLUTION:
From another computer, download the latest copy of MalwareBytes; boot infected computer in Safe Mode; End Task on any suspicious tasks; install MalwareBytes and run a scan.

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PROBLEM:
One PC in the office can’t print to the network printer, even though it can access the Internet.
SOLUTION:
That PC was on the wrong network.  Connected it to the proper network, and everything was fine.

PROBLEM:
Nobody can print to the network printer.  The printer itself is working fine otherwise and connected to the network correctly.
SOLUTION:
The printer’s IP address had changed.  Set the printer’s address to be “static,” updated the PCs’ settings for that printer definition, and everyone was printing again.


PROBLEM:
MBR Rootkit infection on HP netbook with no CD/DVD drive.
SOLUTION:
“Restore” to factory settings didn’t help because that was infected, too.  Had to download and create a new bootable restoration USB stick.

PROBLEM:
After setting an old domain’s email address to auto-forward to the new domain’s email address, the client could no longer send or receive email from Outlook.  They were told how to reconfigure Outlook’s settings, but they never did.
SOLUTION:
Reconfigured Outlook’s email user/password settings, and email was flowing again.

PROBLEM:
After a power outage, the PC can no longer access the Internet, even though the Vonage system (which uses the Internet connection) is fine.
SOLUTION:
Reset the router, and they were online and receiving email again.

PROBLEM:
After customer “foolishly” sent PC to another, competing PC repair shop to “wipe” the hard drive and reinstall Windows, the PC’s fan is now blowing constantly and loudly.  Also, an error at every startup mentions a problem with the floppy drive.
SOLUTION:
Reset the BIOS/Setup to factory specs and told the stupid computer that it didn’t HAVE a floppy drive, so stop looking for one.  :)

PROBLEM:
Infected with virus that Norton detects but never kills, even after being fully updated.
SOLUTION:
Uninstall Norton; install, update and run scans with free versions of AVG and MalwareBytes.  Even after all that, the main user’s profile was messed up (icons wouldn’t work, etc., but all other users were fine).  Created new profile for main user and copied only necessary files from old profile.  Everything was fine after that for all users.

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Very cool!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=7H0K1k54t6A

This assumes you’re already connected to the Internet because, right out of the box, most routers give you that these days.

To find your router’s IP address (assuming you’re using Windows 2000 or newer), do the following from your PC:

• Click Start, Run, type (without quotes) “cmd”, hit Enter
• For Vista and Windows 7, skip the “Run” step.
• At this Command/DOS Prompt, type (without quotes) “ipconfig”, hit Enter
• Look for the “Default Gateway” address. That’s your router’s address.

Open up your router’s configuration screen.   Most home routers use a “web/http” interface, so that’s what we’ll focus on here.

• On your browser’s Address line, type (without quotes, as an example) “http://10.11.12.13″ (or whatever the “gateway” address was, above), hit Enter
• It will then have you login
• To set the ROUTER’S password, click Administration or something similar 
• See routerpasswords.com for typical usernames/passwords
• Type in the new password (usually twice)

For wireless security, depending on your router, click Wireless and/or Wireless Security or something similar:

• Choose WPA2 Personal as the encryption type, if possible.   Second best is WPA.   For older devices, choose WEP, which is better than nothing.
• Next, create a WPA Shared Key between 8 and 63 characters.
• You can then go so far as to make the router’s wireless ID (SSID) hidden by unchecking a box named “Broadcast this router’s ID?” or something similar, depending on your router:
• I’d recommend connecting your wireless devices to the router first, so they “know” where the router is, then make the SSID invisible/hidden.

All routers have their own screens and menu systems.   Just remember to look for where you might “Set the Administrator password” and “Wireless password.”

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http://www.sodahead.com/technology/what-brand-of-personal-desktop-computer-would-you-recommend/question-779775/

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QUESTION:
Should I buy a new one?

ANSWER:
The hardware might be fine, you just need to reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows. Some brands have a key you hit upon startup that reverts it back to factory specs fairly automatically. Be SURE you back up all of your documents, music and pictures to an external hard drive (or online storage) first, though.

If you do decide to buy a new one, but are on a budget, you can buy an Acer netbook for just under $300 right now from jr.com.  Incredible deal!  Or maybe a refurbished Dell from txmicro.com for under $160!

Items for Sale

Copied from http://www.tc.cc.tx.us/rj45_wiring_scheme.html and put here just in case their website removes it.

Eight Position (RJ-45) Modular Cable