How to synchronize your Desktop Computers, Laptops, Smart Phones, etc.

If you are like me, you have a smartphone, a laptop and a desktop computer... Who knows, you might even have an iPad and maybe even a work computer too.  You likely spend more time synchronizing all these devices than you'd like.

Luckily there is a solution!

I recommend you use a few different solutions to keep it all together.

Contacts, Mail and Calendars:

You can easily synchronize all devices by using Gmail for your calendars and contacts.  This way all of your contacts are immediately available on all of your devices.  You can also use a Google calendar and that way you can set up appointments from a computer that is automatically pushed to your phone.  You even have the ability to share calendars with friends, colleagues and even your spouse.  No excuse for not picking up milk (or wine in my case) on the way home.

Here is a resource to help;
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/3008051?hl=en

Dropbox for files:

This is an excellent tool to share files between multiple computers.  There is also a smartphone app that you can use as well.

Download Link:
http://www.dropbox.com/

TeamViewer for remote control:

I've been using this tool for years.  You can use this to transfer files from computer to computer, but more importantly, you can use it to control a computer remotely.  This is excellent, for example, if you want to do your banking but don't want to do it from a work computer.  You can log into a home computer from work and do your transfers.  Another use is for printing at home.  You can easily log in to the home computer and print on your home printer from a coffee shop and your document is ready when you get home.

Download Link:
http://www.teamviewer.com/

If you need any additional support for your computers and networks feel free to contact me
Tim Melanson
tim@timmelanson.com

Spyware & Malware

Are you noticing that your computer seems to be running slower than normal? Has it become a waiting game when you are surfing the internet?

Chances are you have fallen victim to a problem sweeping the internet. Spyware!

Spyware is a type of Malware that is installed on computers and collects information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically hidden from the user. The spyware is usually secretly installed on the user's personal computer.  Sometimes spyware programs such as keyloggers are installed on shared, corporate, or public computers on purpose in order to secretly monitor it's users.

There are programs out there that can stop Spyware and Malware from hitting your computer, but the problem is that once it is there, it is quite tricky to remove. Many times it is far more efficient to re-install your operating system. This is a very tedious task, and it is especially difficult if you do not have anywhere to backup your data.

You may want to hire a computer technician to fix it for you. They have the required tools to backup your data safely and restore it back onto your computer.  They can also upgrade all the software for you and give you some of the latest new free gadgets.

How to set up your Hard Drive so that you can re-install or upgrade Windows without losing your data.

One of the most common jobs that I get called for in the residential sector is reinstalling an operating system. Over time, the registry gets all jumbled up and your computer starts to behave very poorly. Even worse, maybe you are running out of disk space and you go on a mission to free up some space... Oops, you deleted a critical Windows file.

I can say that by far, the most complicated part of a job like this is backing up your data before a reinstall. In my office, it's not a problem because I have the proper equipment, but a reinstall of the operating system wouldn't be all that difficult if you had a place to put your data while the hard drive is being reinstalled.

I've been using multiple partition strategies for years on my home computers. I set up 1 partition for the Operating System to live on, and 1 partition for all the personal files (email, documents, music). That way when it is time to reinstall the operating system, all I need to do is wipe the Windows Partition, reinstall and presto... all your files are still there.

I recommend that windows partition be at least 20GB these days. Windows is becoming more and more bloated and I've found that the old 8GB partition is no longer sufficient. However, with the low cost of hard drive space these days, you might as well just set up your windows partition to 1/4 of the disk.

Your Server Solution

I had a service call last week where the client was running a "client-server" environment, but the server was actually running Windows Vista.

Well... Put it this way, this situation simply didn't cut it.

I learned that I'm not the first Tech Support consultant that has recommended that he use Server software for this machine.

So how do you choose the right server environment?

Many people would quickly choose Windows Server, just because they aren't aware of other options... and some others would immediately get into a comparison of Linux vs Windows. However, the first thing you should always do is take an inventory of the applications that are crucial to business success.

This could be a long list, but the bottom line is that the right Server Solution is the intersection of all these crucial business applications. I agree that there is always a solution, and you can make a choice and figure out how to make it work later, but can your business suffer downtime?

The next thing I would suggest is where you are going to get your support. Chances are you will not be administering this server yourself. Find out what your IT Consultant and Tech Support team say. Find out where their strength lies and play to it.

Reinstall Windows for Increased Computer Performance

If you are seeking tech support and your computer is only a couple years old and is starting to slow down drastically then you could be in luck. As you use your computer more and more, installing and removing programs and through just regular surfing, your computer is getting more and more sluggish. There are several things you can do, from checking the resource usage to upgrading the hardware. However, there is one sure-fire way to speed up your computer.

Reinstalling the Operating System!

This will definitely take a few hours to complete, but it will definitely speed your computer up drastically. You will need your original Windows CD as well as your license key. Once you locate that, here are some other tips that you will need before you get started.

• Gather all of your original driver disks.





Sound Card

Network Card

Video Card

Printer/Scanner/Fax Machine

Any additional Hardware

• Backup your important documents
• Make a note of all of your installed software

Here’s a little tip that can make your life easier for the next time that you need to do a re-installation of the operating system. Set up two partitions for your hard drive. The first partition should be at least 10GB. The second partition is the rest of the drive. All of your documents and setting should be kept on the second partition and only the Operating system and Programs are on the first partition. That way when you need to reinstall you can simply reformat and reinstall on Partition 1 and leave Partition 2 untouched with all of your files. This removed the need for a third computer or external backup.

This task will take several hours, but if you pay someone to do it, then it is likely worth your while. A tech support consultant will have the equipment and knowledge to accomplish the task much quicker, and since a majority of the time is waiting, they can perform other tasks at the same time and give you a fair price.

Tech Support Tips

As a small business, tech support may be something that is a challenge. When something goes wrong, you need it fixed right away, but maybe you don’t have the need to have a dedicated tech support technician on staff.

Here are some things to consider when deciding whether a freelance tech support consultant is right for you.

Tech support can run pretty pricey if you need on demand tech support. There are lots of different prices for tech support depending on the company and/or individual, but it’s hard to find a good tech support consultant. Here’s the thing about tech support. There are so many variables involved in what could possibly be wrong with a computer and so many different software packages that the guy is usually just figuring out things on the fly. So really if the tech support consultant isn’t a good problem solver and fast on his feet, then you could be paying a lot of cash for a problem that took the tech support consultant twice as long as it should have to figure out.

Big tip! When you find a tech support consultant that knows what he’s doing and finishes the work fast and thoroughly… Be nice to him/her!

Here are a couple of different types of on call tech support consultants;

Tech Support Company (like Nerds on Site)

This is perfect for you don’t need support often and if you are looking for someone to show up IMMEDIATELY. There are usually a few tech support consultants on call so you can usually get good service. The disadvantage is that you may not get the same consultant every time. It is usually better when the tech support consultant knows your business.

Self-Employed Tech Support Consultant

If you don’t need service very often or very urgently, then a self-employed or freelance tech support consultant is perfect for you. You know that he will always do a good job because he’s been there before and knows the drill. Usually, if a tech support consultant is self-employed then he’s been around longer and is far more knowledgeable.