Actively evaluating a move to Florida

Good Morning.  I am actively looking to move to Florida as soon as I get some items completed.  I am tired of the horrible NJ winters, and high taxes.

Remote Control Software Removal

Just to let you know, I have removed my remote control access from my computer so I no longer have remote access.  Please refer to the previous post for instructions on how to remove remote control software from your PC.  If your need assistance with this, call Ronny Wallace. Ronny's cell number is 973-219-0658.  He should be able to gain remote access to your computer and re-install his version of remote software so he can once again assist you.

Thanks,

Dave

Setting Up a Windows computer

Just a quick overview on how I set up Windows computers.


Administrative ID


First, I do not set up a "Microsoft id" (for windows 8.X and  10 machines).  I set up the first id as a local id.  This frees the id from any activities associated with the "Microsoft id" concept.  It is important that each user of the machine have their own account and password.  In addition, the Administrative id (typically paadmin) provides another path into the computer for administrative and emergency functions.  I recommend you keep these accounts for future use.  Use the Administrative id only for administrative or emergency functions.  Use your "other" account for every day computing.


For example, if the user's primary id becomes so corrupt as to be unusable, the Administrative ID can be used to set up a completely different account.  That's an easy and quick "save".


Remote Control Software


I usually install two remote control programs for redundancy; Team Viewer, and Logmein (pronounced Log me in).  I have provided instructions in an earlier post along with screenshots regarding how to remove these remote control programs.




More to follow.

Dave

Removing Remote Software

I want to give you instructions on how to remove remote control software from your computer.  
 

 
For Windows 7 users, click the Start Button on the lower left of your screen (it's the round "button" with the windows logo on it).  When the start menu comes up, click on Control Panel.  
 

  
If you see numerous icons, click on "Programs and Features", then locate the desired program to remove (You're looking for either Team Viewer or LogMeIn).  
 

If you see "Categories" instead of icons, click on "remove program" under the "Programs" category

  
Right click on the desired program and click on uninstall.  

Follow any instructions you see on the screen from the selected program's uninstall feature.  If you see a small window that says "allow this program to make changes to your computer, click YES.  You may be directed to restart your computer.  That would be normal for some removal features.

Have a great summer.

Dave



 

After 12 Years

After 12 years I am announcing my retirement. 

I appreciate your business for the last 12 years.  It's now time to retire and enjoy life a bit.

To those who I have helped, I appreciate your business and hope that in some small way I was able to assist you and make computers and networking more easily understood.  I wish all of you the best life has to offer.



Thanks again,

Dave  

Spring is here - Yippie!!

What a horrible winter we had  in central New Jersey.  Massive streaks of below freezing temps.  Enough snow with enough frequency to be annoying.  We're ALL so ready for warm weather.

Remote Support

I am focusing on remote support going forward.  With my schedule what it is, remote support enables me to serve customers more quickly and at a lower rate than house calls.  My remote support can be done in either of two ways.

First, immediate support.  Immediate support is when you go to my website and click on a specific link.  That link will run a program that enables remote support on a temporary basis.  Once the problem is fixed and I drop the connection, I cannot gain access again unless you run the program again.

For a more permanent solution and with your concurrence, I install a remote support program that runs in the background.  It only allows me remote access when I connect and enter a password.  Some customers prefer this method as it does not require them to be present and it does not require them to do anything on their end.

Both methods supply the same remote control capability.  Some customers prefer the temporary option, others prefer the permanent run in the background option.  I have a permanent option policy with regard to remote control.  That  policy is that I never access a customer's computer without pre-arranging the access.  If you have sensitive information on the computer, I do not access it.  I have no interest in your sensitive information.  I DO have interest in fixing your issues.

I have used remote support successfully for over 5 years.  My customers appreciate that they get their issues resolved in a more timely manner at a reduced rate.

Remote System Monitoring

I am also offering a remote monitoring service.  With the above mentioned concurrence and the permanent Remote Support software installed, I can check on you computer once a month.  This check will be

1. Verifying your Antivirus programs are up to date 
2. Verifying the disk cleanup utility has run.
3. Verifying the disk defragmenter has run.
4. Perform an overall computer health check.

Previously I serviced customer computers as they called me.  This sometimes causes problems in that the customer sometimes waits until they are in deeper trouble to call.  The once a month remote monitoring can hopefully catch problems before they become unmanageable.

As always, you may call or email me if you need to.

Have a great spring and enjoy the warmer weather.

Peace,

Dave

FIVE DEGREES??

This weather is ABSURD!!

Yes, this morning it was 5 degrees.  I thought last winter (2014) was bad.  This is now rediculous!!

Microsoft Maintenance Department

Recently I got a call from the "Microsoft Maintanance Department" advising me that my computer was causing error messages that were degrading their "server".  After some discussion the agent was going to transfer me to the remote support department so they could clean my computer for an as yet uspecified amount of money.  I played along acting clueless about what the agent was saying and also that I had a hearing problem.  Just before I was to be transferred, I asked what kind of scam was he trying to pull.  The agent quickly hung up.

My point here is that there is no "Microsoft Maintenance Department" or "Windows Service Center".  These are common scams designed to steal money and get control of the computers of unsuspecting users.  If you receive such a call, simply hang up. 

(The NEW) Windows 10

Windows 10 will be released in the fall of 2015 as a FREE upgrade.  I am currently using the Technical Preview release on one of my laptops.  I think it is a vast improvement over Windows 8.1, returning the start menu and start button.  This new operating system will feel enough like Windows 7 to make it easier for Win 7 enthusiasts to run Windows 10.  And it displays a new, fresh look while retaining the familiarity of Windows 7.  Anybody who has used Windows 8/8.1 with the Classic Shell add-on will be right at home with the Win 10.

Current O/S & Hardware Lineup

By now, virtually ALL personal/home use Windows XP pc's should be retired and recycled.  If you are still running an XP computer, you may want to give serious consideration to getting a new Windows 8.1 computer.  Your XP computer is at risk for serious security issues.  And Windows Vista users should also begin considering replacement.  Vista was not the best example of an easy to use, intuitive operating system.  Microsoft support for Vista will end soon, so it's also a goot time to consider a new machine.

Hardware is very reasonably prices.  I recently delivered a new Dell laptop to a client.  This machine has 4 gigabytes of memory and a 500 gigabyte hard drive.  It is perfectly adequate for average home/home office users.  It was priced at $ 379 plus tax.  Purchase, setup, transferring files & programs was priced out at $ 545 including tax.  We are well beyond the time when we used to have to FINANCE a computer purchase.

A Note...

Pitchers & catchers report to Yankee spring training in Tampa today.  In 8 days it will be March 1st.  Hopefully soon this god-awful weather will break.  Until then, stay warm. 

Peace,

Dave