Can’t Update Software or Having Problems Getting Online?

Aug 13

Posted by Erik Ehresman in Computer Repair | No Comments

I was just working on a computer system in the office of a small business. I couldn’t update a virus removal software that used FTP. In addition Filezilla the FTP client they used for there website wouldn’t connect. In this case they had internet access, but I have seen situations where they didn’t. What was the cause? The over active firewall with there “internet security suite”. No matter who makes the software many have default settings that block many service you need. Try disabling the firewall and if everything now works you will need to find the exact hole you need to poke in your firewall and then restart it. If it still won’t work you can uninstall it completely, if that works use the windows firewall instead. You will still be protected, but will also be able to use your computer. If you can’t uninstall the firewall without the anti-virus uninstalling as well, consider switching to a new anti-virus software like AVG or Antivir it will be more effective with virus problems anyway, and they will let you use your computer.

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My Web Brower is Going Places I Didn’t Tell It To!

Jun 18

Posted by Erik Ehresman in Computer Repair, Virus and Spyware Problems | No Comments

You most likely have a browser hijacker. What is a browser hijacker? A fun little guy that makes your web browser go were it wants it to. This is called redirecting, your browser, and there is something that you can do about it. You can get rid of the hijacker and get your browser back. Here is how to do it. Download and run Malwarebytes and that should clean it out. However it will probably redirect you and not let you download it. To get around that you can either boot into safe mode or you check the settings on your browser to make sure it is not going through a proxy which is a common way of making your browser redirect.

To Check proxy issue:

For Internet Explorer:

Click on tools -> internet options -> the connection tab of the box that pops up -> the lan settings button and then uncheck the box to use a proxy.

For Firefox:

Click on Tools -> options -> The advanced Tab at the top of the box -> The settings button -> then make sure the No Proxy button is selected.

This should enable you to download malwarebytes and remove the problem.

Hopefully that will make you able to go where you wish once again. Happy browsing.

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What To To If the Screen on Your Laptop Dies

Jun 16

Posted by Erik Ehresman in Computer Hardware, Computer Repair | No Comments

The first thing to do is consider the age of the computer. If your system is getting close to 4 or 5 years old it might not make much sense economically to repair the computer. If you want to save the data on the computer that is easy enough to do but that is for a future post. Let’s say that your computer is newer, just after the warranty expired, odd how often that happens. Then there is two ways to go depending on how you use your computer.

If you just use your computer at home, never travel with it and leave it plugged in all the time, you might consider just getting a new monitor. By new monitor I mean a flat screen computer monitor, and not fixing the computer screen at all. This approach has the advantage of not needing to tear apart and install anything. You also can get deals on monitors, whereas you will need just the screen made for your computer it replace the screen on your laptop.

Finally you can replace the monitor yourself if you are comfortable working on your computer. You will need to look up the model number of the replacement screen and then do some tear down on your computer, but the advantage is you can have a fully restored laptop that you can take with you anywhere.

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Customer Service With Twitter?

Jun 7

Posted by Erik Ehresman in Blogging, Social Networking | No Comments

You bet. If Comcast and Zappos can do it you should do it as well. Make sure that your business website includes a way for people to follow you on Twitter. Also make sure that everyone knows they can request support or ask questions on Twitter, as well as expect a response when they do.

You will seem much more in touch and responsive to the needs and interests of your customers. In addition you will have the added opportunity to find out what there interests are and provide information that will fill there needs. If you don’t have a Twitter account linked with your website and blog then you should get that stated today. Twitter can fill a huge gap in your customer communications and let you build real relationships with your customers. When you do that you will have happy customers and they will advertise your company for you. Viral Twitter posts can become word of mouth recommendations very quickly in this kind of situation.

So get your business on Twitter and start building relationships today!

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Mcafee Vs Norton which is better?

Jun 4

Posted by Erik Ehresman in Virus and Spyware Problems | 2 Comments

I can’t tell you how many people have asked me which is better. For me it is like trying to figure out the best between a Ford Pinto and a Yugo. It is just a waste of time trying to figure out which is best of the worst. But, I have still done it. Mcafee is more effective at preventing virus infection on your computer, of course it is likely to make your computer run slow if it doesn’t make it completely unstable. Norton however is unstable, and can block you from using the internet at all. On top of all that I can’t count how many viruses I have had to remove from new fully updated Norton systems.

I always tell people that your best bet is AVG or Avira my to favorite anti-virus programs. They are free and very effective. There is no perfect anti-virus, especially if people are high risk internet users. What is high risk internet use? The people who go to porn sites, game pirate sites, or do lot’s of p2p downloading with programs like Limewire and Shareaza. You know who you are, and you can’t expect to get off virus free, with that kind of internet use. It is like putting on body armor and thinking that after that you can go and insult gang members is south central LA, you are still going to get shot.

It also doesn’t mean that a software is good because it has a big name and costs a lot of money. If you want good protection at least try the higher quality programs, AVG and Avira, and please stop the high risk internet use.

So which one is better? Neither one, end of rant.

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My Printer Isn’t Feeding Paper!

May 3

Posted by Erik Ehresman in Computer Hardware, Printers | 1 Comment

What can you do if you have a printer that no longer picks up paper from the paper tray? If you have an inexpensive inkjet printer most folks would say through it away and get a new one. However that is not always what you need to do. If you have a can of compressed air you can blow out all of the paper lint that collects in the rollers. Also the rubber on the rollers can start to harden you can ruff it up a bit with a cheap and common green kitchen scrubbie. You can also get a product for around 6 dollars called Rubber Renue, that will help to restore the rollers to a more pliable state that will pick up the paper once again.

These same methods will work with the rollers on a laser printer or just about any printer that is having basic paper feeding problems. Some problems will require a complete replacement of the rollers in a more expensive printer. But what do you lose from trying right? So see if you can save yourself a few bucks and get your printer rolling like new.

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Free Online Web Design Classes

Apr 27

Posted by Erik Ehresman in Blogging, Web Design | 1 Comment

If you would like to learn more about web design, but are on a budget and a tight schedual you should consider the free options open to you online.  I myself have used W3Schools and also Tizag. These are great resources for begginers wanting to learn web programming basics. You can learn the basics of HTML, PHP, Perl, JavaScript and many other languages. It could be very useful to use even to modify your own blog, or social media page. If you have always thought it was to complicated for you to learn, or to expensive ect. then check out these web sites and see for yourself what is availible.

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Is YouTube a Safe Website (From Viruses)?

Apr 20

Posted by Erik Ehresman in Social Networking, Videos, Virus and Spyware Problems | 4 Comments

Some people trying to figure out where they got the crazy virus that is attacking there computer have suspected that while watching videos on youtube they got infected.  Is it a breeding ground for massive amounts of viruses?  The simple answer is no.  However that doesn’t mean that you should not be careful with links people post with there videos.  Sometimes external links from there video posted on youtube leads to a site that is infested with viruses.  That is were you are getting into trouble, not being careful where you click, you can go from a relatively safe site to big trouble in just a click.  So watch how you use even reputable websites, don’t count on others, keep yourself safe.

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You May Not Be Protected!

Dec 15

Posted by Erik Ehresman in Computer Repair, Virus and Spyware Problems | No Comments

Did your internet service provider promise free antivirus software with your internet? They may not have told you that you need to download and install it on your computer. If you don’t have an antivirus program installed on your computer you are not protected. Your internet provider can not just filter it on there end. I have been removing a lot of viruses lately from computers people thought were protected because they were promised free antivirus software with there internet provider. This is usually a good thing but you have to download and install the software from your internet provider it is not automatic. Please protect yourself and either download it from them or choose one of the free antivirus software programs that are out there that work so well.

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Now Posting Paid Blog Topics

Nov 20

Posted by Erik Ehresman in Introduction and Admin Annoucements | No Comments

For your information I wanted everyone to know that some of the blog postings are paid blog posts. I will review completely every posting to make sure it is completely honest and useful information, and every paid post will have a note at the conclusion of the post so that you are aware of that fact. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to post a comment and I will address it, thanks.

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