Password Protect Outlook Express

To add a password to your Outlook Express email, follow these steps:

While in Outlook Express -

Select File 

  – Select Identities 

- Select Manage Identities 

.  Highlight your identity.

.  Click Properties.

.  Make sure “Require a password” is checked.

.  Type the desired password under New Password and Confirm New Password.

.  Click OK.

.  Click OK again.

.  Click Close

Restart to test.

Happy Customer Moment

Delivered and set up a new system on Friday.  Called the owner who said she was “singing our praises all day”.  She came in and everything worked zippy fast.    I love that.

Wireless Network not Printing

The number one reason for a wireless network not to print (but still allows you on the internet) is that you are on the wrong wireless network.  Following are the steps to see what network you are on:

 

Click Start

Click Control Panel

Click Network Connections

Click Wireless Network

Click View Available Wireless networks

 

A list will appear.  See if you are on your network or someone else’s.

 

If you are on the wrong network:

 

Click Change the Order of Preferred networks

Click all the networks that you do not need one at a time and then click REMOVE.

 

If at any time your network is unavailable, the computer will search for something within range and connect to it.  You may have to repeat the steps again if an alternate network is accessed by your computer.

 

www.YourComputerFriends.com

 

 

 

Best Anti-Virus Software

What’s the Best Anti-Virus software?  Well, we like Webroot with Spy Sweeper best because we have seen it remove viruses the others don’t and because it’s easy for customers to use.  You can purchase the 3 user package for all your computers, schedule it sweep automatically and sweep your machine any time you feel a need.  Once your computer already has viruses, it is much more difficult to remove them and a professional may have to step in.  If you have viruses they can cause your computer to slow down or even stop working entirely.  Anti-Virus program load before your other programs and can cause slowness on start up and also suck computer resources.  When you add an anti-virus program you should make sure that you have enough RAM to run the computer.  For more on RAM requirements, click here.

Time to replace your Computer?

Keep it or replace it?  The lifespan on most computers is three to five years.  After that the hardware in your machine is no longer keeping up to the requirements of newer software.  When your processor can no longer handle the load, it is time to replace your computer.  On most machines, when the motherboard breaks, it is time also to replace your computer.  We offer free diagnosis at the shop, Monday through Friday, and we would be happy to help you make the right decision!

Your Computer Friends

Viruses

Good things to do to protect your computer from viruses include keeping your system current on Microsoft Updates, use a good anti-virus program and making sure to update it regularly.  A few things not to do includes engaging in risky behavior by visiting sites such as adult material, gambling, and search for anything free (i.e. music, Limewire), clicking on pictures or links that are unknown to you, and allowing people with risky behaviors on your computer.  If you think you might have a virus, do not succumb to the pop-ups that offer virus removals for a fee.  Those are in fact viruses.  You will pay a fee and get more viruses.  For more information on viruses, click here.

 Viruses.  Where do they come from?

 

Storm Protection

Keeping your computer safe during “storm season” could mean life or death for your computer.  Most people do not know that lightning may travel through your internet cable as well as your power lines.  The surest solution is to unplug your computer’s power and internet cables during any severe storm. For more valuable computer information click the link below.

Your Computer Friends

Can’t Open Word 2007 documents?

Need help opening documents from Office 2007 with Office 2003?  This is a common problem and easily fixed by downloading a file converter from Microsoft.  It is easy to recognize these documents because they end with an x (filename.docx).  Click the link below to download. 

Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 File Formats

For more information on your computer needs, see our website at www.YourComputerFriends.com

Pet hair in computers

I have a Belgian Malinois, and I wouldn’t give him up for any reason; but boy does his hair make a mess in the house!  It gets absolutely everywhere!  Since you can’t see inside your computer, you can’t see how much of your pet’s hair has made its way into that space as well.  If you have a desktop, it’s easy to take off the cover and blow out the dust with canned air or even your hair dryer set to COOL will assist.  But if you have a laptop, it is not possible for you do perform this task on your own.  And if you have cats, (we have one of those also) cat dander can really invade the spaces inside your computer.  It is as fine as baby powder and coats all the surfaces inside your computer.  Your computer has a fan that while blowing hot air out, is also pulling your home air in.  Pet hair and dander clogs the air circulation in your PC and causes your components to run hot and decreases their life span up to and including causing shut downs; usually at the most inopportune times.  Laptop owners can bring their computers to our shop for cleaning.  We can open them up and clean out while your run errands.  Your Computer Friends

PC Protection in severe storms

Here comes Hanna, heading right for our coast.  Hopefully by now you have packed in your emergency supplies, medication and planned your evacuation route.  (Just in case.)  But have you made your computer ready?  Can you afford to lose all those pictures on your computer, past years tax returns and other valuable data stored there?  Two of the most important steps you can take in severe storms are having a good portable backup, and disconnecting your computer from ALL external sources.
 
Backup – Recovering data from a water damaged computer is very expensive.  Data recovery is often too expensive for the average family to afford, and usually not covered by your home owner’s insurance.  Fortunately, you can prepare for the worst case scenario.

 
Setting up a backup solution is no longer a luxury these days, it really is a necessity.  A backup solution protects you from failed drives, which occur much more often than most people realize, AND offers you a portable device you can take with you should an evacuation be required.  These smaller drives can be easily placed in plastic bags should water be an issue.
 
External Hard Drives can be set up and scheduled to back up your data at regular intervals.  They are small, portable and attach easily to any computer.  Once they are set correctly, you will never have to worry about loss of data again.  We have backup solutions for every type of situation.  Completely set up for you by our technicians, they couldn’t be more simple to manage.  It’s a small price to pay to protect your family memories and financial data. 
 
Disconnect your PC from EVERYTHING – Most customers do not realize that unplugging the computer is not enough protection in a severe lighting storm.  You must also disconnect your computer from the CABLE and PHONE lines as well.  We actually see just as many computers damaged from lighting strikes that travel into the computer via the cable and phone lines.  If you are lucky, you will only lose your network interface card, but more serious damage can occur when lighting runs through your system.  So if you are unplugging your computer for safety, take the additional step of unplugging it from the cable and phone lines as well.