October 2012 eNewslet...
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Advanced Wireless Printer Troubleshooting
Here is a list of common wireless printer problems and their solutions:
You installed a new wireless router. Your wireless printer no longer connects to the wireless network.
Your older wireless printer may not be capable with your new wireless network. There are various wireless standards (801.11B, D, G, and N). Using documentation from the wireless printer manufacturer, see what wireless standards are supported by the printer. If the printer and the new wireless router are incompatible, it may be time to buy a new wireless printer that supports the newer standards. Another alternative is to connect the printer directly to a computer via a USB cable or connect the printer to the network...
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Stuck with Windows 8? Let Us Help!
Training material on using Windows 8 is not available yet. Do you have the time to Google search your way to learning a new operating system?
Are you concerned about the stability or the security of a brand new operating system? High Tech House Calls can customize Windows 8 to look just like your familiar Windows 7 operating system.
We can migrate any programs or data you have on your Windows 8 computer and install Windows 7 on your computer.
As a Microsoft Partner, we have been using Windows 8 in our lab for the last month. We have done the learning for you.
With the holidays just around the corner, don't let the fear of Windows 8 deter you from buying a Windows 8 computer.
We...
If You Didn't Qualify for an Upgrade, is it Worth it to Invest in an iPhone 5?
Is the battery life better on the iPhone 5 vs. the iPhone 4s? Yes. A car charger is a must for the 4s.
Is the browser faster on the 5? Yes. The 5 supports the 4g lte network. The 4s does not. There is a discernible difference in browser speeds between the two. If you don't use the Internet browser for much other than quick look ups, the faster browser will not matter as much.
Does the faster processor in the 5 make a difference? Yes. Application software loads faster and runs faster on the 5.
Is the bigger screen on the 5 noticeable? No. Without putting the two iPhones side by side, the larger screen on the 5 is not noticeable.
The 5 requires a new case, jogging arm band, car charger and...
Controlling and Managing SPAM
Here are some suggestions on controlling and managing SPAM:
Use more than one email account.
Segregate your email addresses. Have one for personal, business, shopping and downloads. Your shopping and download email addresses probably attract the most SPAM. When the SPAM reaches a threshold that you can no longer tolerate, delete the account and create a new one. GMAIL is a great way to create throwaway, temporary email accounts.
Tag email as SPAM.
Mark the email as Junk Mail. Her's how: In Outlook, right mouse click the email and add it to the blocked sender list. Any new emails from that sender will be put into the Junk Mail Folder.
Create a Filter to Detect SPAM
Email programs such as...
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Time to Throw Laptop Away and Use a Tablet Instead?
With Apple's recent announcement of a 7" iPad Tablet, will a tablet replace your laptop for your personal and work related computer needs?
Here's a comparison of the three basic tablet types with regard to features: Apple iPad, Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet, and Android Tablets.
Can you connect to the Internet? Yes. All tablets have the ability via Wi-Fi. None have the ability to connect via a wired connection.
Can you send and receive email? Yes, but an Enterprise Email Solution such as Outlook currently does not run on any tablet platform. Managing email will not be as robust as with an Enterprise Email Solution, but if you don't get hundreds of emails a day, a tablet's email application...
Managing Your USB Thumb Drives
I have seven USB Thumb Drives. Some were free and others were deals too good to pass up. I was having a real problem finding a file that I knew was on the USB Thumb Drive, but I couldn't figure out which one. I also had a real fear of misplacing or losing a Thumb Drive that had a file I hadn't backed up.
My first pass at a solution was documenting what was on each drive by displaying a directory listing of each drive on a computer and then printing out the directory listing. Each listing was labeled something descriptive like silver USB Drive.
This solution would be quickly out of date the minute I added or deleted a file from the USB Drive. Also, I had to look at each printout to find...
Things You Didn't Know About Norton Antivirus
Norton Antivirus can be purchased as a single PC, 3 PC, 5 PC or more type license. If you have a stack of these installation disks and need to install a fresh copy of Norton Antivirus, how do you determine if the license has expired or if all the licenses have been used?
You could install Norton and activate the product. At this point the user interface will tell you if the product successfully activated and how many days are left before the software expires.
If you purchased a 3 PC license, the first date that license is activated is when the clock starts toward its expiration in 365 days. Therefore, when you buy that third PC and activate the last remaining license from your 3 PC...
Is Windows 8 In Your Future?
High Tech House Calls has been testing a pre-release version of Windows 8 for the past two weeks. Here are some of our observations:
Microsoft is moving toward offering one user interface for their Windows phone, tablet and PC. The interface navigation is geared for a touch screen, but will also work on non-touch screen computers.
Instead of a "start button" as with Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7, there is a "start screen" that displays tiles representing applications. Navigation with a mouse is awkward. There is a way to get around using the tiles interface. If you click on the desktop button and create shortcuts to the applications you use the most, you will see a Windows 7 interface....
Some Pointers Regarding iPhoto Application
If you are a Mac user, you are probably using iPhoto to store pictures of your first born's first steps and of his high school graduation. Here are some tips for making sure your photos are available when you need them:
Back Up Your iPhoto Library
iPhoto stores your photos in a database. Any file system, such as a disk drive or a database, can have things go wrong with its structural integrity. There are tools to detect a failing disk drive and to repair those errors. Unfortunately, there are not tools to repair a damaged iPhoto database. Therefore, it is essential that you backup the iPhoto database on a regular basis.
Make sure the iPhoto Application is closed to ensure a complete...
