CCleaner - Great free Tuneup software

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

The best tuneup software we have ever recommended. Free and reliable. CCleaner is the best free tune-up utility available. It removes junk files from windows and many applications, it finds and removes orphans and registry problems. It has an excellent program

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Contacting Technical Support

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

How to deal with phone support agents, and get the support you deserve. People frequently ask me which Brand name system I prefer. I typically mention that brand name systems are no more reliable than clones, and that typically the best way to

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Computer Systems: Custom-Built Vs. Brand-Name

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

learn the differences between Custom and off-the-shelf or brand name PCs. The Time to decide is now. Can I afford to spend money now and get the best system I can, or do I want save money NOW, and repair

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Before you sell your Iphone or ipad.

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

How to reset your Apple device. (condensed from Apple notes) Before you part with your Apple device, you should run a reset to remove your personal settings. Don't manually delete your contacts, calendars, reminders, documents, photos, or any other iCloud

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Basic-Troubleshooting

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

Basics of Hardware/Software Troubleshooting. When your PC starts to act irrationally, there are several things you can do. Reboot. Does the problem persist? Ask yourself, "What changed Last?", then back out the last

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How-to-create-a-secure-password

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

The math behind secure password selection, and how to choose a memorable password People ask us about picking strong passwords all the time. There are a few factors to think about when choosing a password regarding how complex it should be, and how

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Changing-passwords

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

Thinking about passwords in terms of sets, with a core that varies with the requirements of the site. Are you thinking about creating sets of New passwords or personally upgrading your online security? An old locksmith once informed me, "Locks only keep your friends out." This thought has

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DIY Data Backup

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

How to prevent data loss by backing up the critical files that you really need. Many people ask us what data to grab and how to go about getting it. Following are a few Frequently Asked Questions to consider about data, and our specific method

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Faster updates for third party apps

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

Secunia PSI is a highly recommended software updater. Keeps your 3rd party apps up-to-date. Security Patches are a fact of Life.Many people are aware that security patches come out from Microsoft on a nearly daily basis. Most other good software has bug fixes and

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Automatic Software Installer/Updaters

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

Not all software updaters are bad. Try Ninite and Secunia. Problem: Installing and Updating Safe Software SO many Programs and applications, so little time to chase around to each respective site, downloading and updating all those PC Freeware programs that we

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Troubleshooting a slow system

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

A troubleshooting guide for when your computer seems slow. Why is my system slow? System slowness can be attributed to a number of different factors, so you should consider where the computer is slow. Is it slow immediately after

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Protecting your Gear - Power Strips vs. Surge Protectors

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

What you need to know about protecting for your computers and household electronics from power spikes, surges and other problems If you live in an area that has power problems, (i.e. - brownouts, spikes, outages, or lightning) then you may have already experienced what these conditions can do to your

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Find the RIGHT support for your tech problem

By Neil Patterson in Miscellaneous

Getting the right number for the manufacturer to avoid problems when contacting technical support. We've been getting a few calls lately where a customer has looked for support using a search engine and gotten the wrong company on the other end of the line.

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