  |
||
|
|
||
Tech Blog Evolve... or be
left behind?
At Connecting Point, we see systems sometimes as old as 10 years come in for repairs. The client is very used to the system and wants to make it faster, sometimes that is possible, but sometimes we recommend a replacement. We sell custom built desktop computers with a area-leading warranty of two years on hardware. We also are a reseller for all major brand laptop manufacture, so we can order any laptop you may need and handle any warranty repairs for it also during the supplied warranty period. With the ever growing need for a computer to do everyday business, we recommend staying on top with a fast computer that has up to date software, so you can continue to grow with the world of Technology. If you need a new computer, give Bubba a call at (252) 240-2722 today!
Bad power and electrical
damage
I have been suggesting higher capacity surge protections devices for computer users for years. All this damage just goes to show that the standard surge “protector” is little more than a power strip. We suggest using an APC battery backup unit instead. These devices have an internal battery which regulates the power to your PC and protects against “dirty power” as well as the more dangerous electrical anomalies, like lightning strikes. Although, keep in mind, nothing can 100% protect you from Mother Nature’s fury… and electricity can’t always be counted on to travel in a straight line. At least these units will provide temporary battery power in an outage and the higher models even have software to safely shut down your pc after an extended outage, which is a great feature for small business servers. If you need a battery backup unit, give us a call. We keep several different models in stock! 240-2722
Laptops, should you get
one?
So what's the drawbacks? There are a few. Laptops, being more portable, are more prone to being damaged. Dropped laptops can cause a pricey smashed LCD screen or a dead hard drive and subsequent data loss. They are also harder (if not impossible) to upgrade in the terms of CPU and Video cards. But they make up for most of those negatives with many positives. One is the convenience of being able to have your important computer close at hand at any times. Plus, now with the implementation of wireless air cards from Cellular phone companies, your laptop can get online anywhere you have a cell signal... making them a must have for those on the road a lot for business. So if you take care of your laptop, avoiding heavy abuse and wear, it can last you a long time and be a valuable asset and may even replace the need for a home computer, saving you space on that desk! Connecting Point Computer Center is an authorized dealer for all major brand computers. Give us a call today to discuss models and specs, we will help you find a laptop that meets your budgets and needs. (252) 240-2722
Computer monitors have
come a long way! Remember the days of using 75% of your desk to hold that old bulky CRT monitor? The kind with the picture tube and the slow warm-up time each morning? Those are things of the past with the newest LCD screen technology now available! You can have a 15" LCD for a simple desktop setup or upgrade and expand with a 21" widescreen. Perhaps you have an upgraded HD video card in your computer or a new LCD/LED TV with PC inputs? Did you know that you might be able to use your home television as your PC monitor! You simply need the right cable and some slight tweaking!
Are you interested in upgrading you monitor? if so, call us at 240-2722!
Is it time you go wireless? It's the year 2010. By now we are supposed to have flying cars and taking vacations to the moon... right? We even though technology hasn't progressed as far as those old sci-fi movies suggested, we still have some pretty cool stuff. Take wireless technology for example. Almost any data signal can now be sent wirelessly and with the growing popularity of "all-in-one" computers, wires are becoming a thing of the past.
Of course, most people are still using wireless strictly with their laptops... and mostly for wifi access. Wifi has evolved over the years. The old standard was wireless-B, then G, now N (PS. I think we are running out of letters and might need to rethink the naming process). Connecting Point currently sells D-Link Wireless-N routers and our clients have had very positive feedback so far. Couple the router with an updated Wireless-N adapter for your computer and you get faster, more reliable speeds, as well as a better signal range. If you need help or suggestion on upgrading to wireless in your home or business, please call Connecting Point and we will be sure to help get you up to speed with 2010 technology! Call us at 240-2722
Would you be upset if you lost all
your child's baby pictures?
Your important files are on that hard drive, and unless you have a backup of them.. they could be lost in the blink of an eye. Since Windows 2000, Microsoft has been including a backup software tool in all Operating systems, and this tool is better than even in the Windows 7 OS. But if you haven't already set it up to back up to a removable device, like a flash drive or external backup hard drive, then the software is just sitting there... doing you no good. Connecting Point currently sells Iomega Prestige Hard Drives. We recommend them for backing up your computer, whether it be an image of the entire drive, or just a duplicate copy of your important folders. "An ounce of prevention if better than a pound of cure"... in other words... "better safe than sorry"!! For those who haven't backed up and need their files after suffering a damaged hard drive, a "Data Recovery Specialists" is a good option. It can cost more money in the long run... but the company we use has a great track record of getting those files off that damaged drive! Call us at 240-2722
Mal-ware, Spy-ware, Scam-ware,
Ad-ware, Viruses, and Trojans.. Oh My! We are seeing a large influx of infected computers, both during service calls and in check-ins. In this digital age, threat of infection should be taken more serious than ever before.
Now, with these four basics covered, can you still get infected? The simple answer is "yes". Any computer connected to the internet can be infected. Every day there is a struggle between those who create infections and those who work to prevent or clean them. Some will slip by and when it happens, call Connecting Point to have one us techs come out and clean it off. Your privacy and security is important and we will work hard to keep it intact! Call us at 240-2722
|
||
|
Computer
experts estimate that the average life cycle for a computer is
between 3-5 years. This is because of the rapidly expanding
technology in the computer field. Maximum speeds for processors,
ram, and hard drive capacity is doubling and even tripling in that
time frame. Also, most software companies begin to stop support for
outdated operating systems. This means you will not be able to get
the latest software available on your system
What
about this crazy weather, huh? We have seen high temps one day and
intense thunderstorms the next. Although our area needs the rain, we
can definitely do without the lightning strikes. This week I have
personally diagnosed and replaced 4 bad power supply units and two
bad network cards. These electrical parts were damaged during
thunderstorms that had either large electrical surges or close-by
power strikes. We even had one client with a direct strike that
fried his motherboard as well as every other connected electrical
device in his home.
We
are seeing more and more laptops being sold and checked in for
repairs at our office. The convenience and ever lowering prices of
laptop computers is making it easier than ever to own one. There is
now constantly expanding line of netbooks and the market is booming
for tablets and regular laptops. Does size matter? Netbooks come as
small as with 7 inch screens and larger notebooks are expanding all
way to 17 inch screens.
For
example: Some all-in-one desktop systems need as little as one power
cable... even the keyboard and mouse are wireless using Bluetooth
technology. Hook up a wireless router to your high-speed Internet
connection and you have a clean, easy setup.
Unfortunately,
we see people lose important files and data all the time. A hard
drive is a mechanical and electrical device that will fail at
some point. It could be a broken spindle, it could be an electrical
issue, or it could be a dozen other reasons.
The
main type of infections we are seeing usually involve a type of
scam-ware that tricks people into believing they have a virus
and requests a credit card charge to "clean" their computer. Sounds
more like extortion to us... your system is being held hostage! And,
in most cases, paying the ransom doesn't remove the infected
software! So what does the average internet do to stay protected?
I'll highlight a few essentials.