Need Help?
If at any time you are unable to reach me and/or if I am out of town, please contact Daniel Harris with Peak One Technologies at 828-490-1515... tell him you are one of my clients.

See the new Managed Online Backup Service. We have been offering a Managed, business class online backup service for a little over 3 years. As of December 2009, that service has been discontinued and it has been rolled out into its own company, Secure Backup Online Services. The level of service with the new company has improved and we are still managing and running the service. Everyone who has unique and or valuable data files (e-mail, photos, music, etc) on their computer absolutely needs to backup those files as often and reliably as possible. Secure Backup Online Services will daily and automatically backup your priceless and irreplaceable data files - securely, reliably and affordably - just $35/month for most applications. Click Here to visit the website.

Very Important:
For those of you already using this service.... a friendly reminder to be sure that all files and programs are closed at the end of your work day. Most all of your computers are set to backup your important data files sometime during the evening or night... but if a program is left open, its associated data file will not be backed up.

Software Help / Training
If you need training or software help, please contact Cindy Moors at (828) 242-9019 - or to e-mail her, Click Here
(She is really great with Quickbooks & Quicken)

Pay invoices from the website:
In order to help keep overhead down, we have implemend the functionality for our clients to pay open invoices using a credit or debit card through this website. As of July 2009, unless special arrangements have been made, we will no longer accept checks. To make a payment for an open invoice, please click on the "Make A Payment" link in the Link Bar and fill out the form.

Crashing Hard Drive?
If you hear a loud "clank -clank - clank" sound coming from your computer and it is either running very slow, erratically or not at all - Please turn the computer off as quickly as possible as this "clank" sound is nearly always associated with a hard drive in the process of "crashing". After you turn off the computer, please notify me as soon as you can.

Battery Backup UPS Important Info
The battery backup UPS that helps keep your computer running through power outages needs to have the battery inside it replaced every 3 - 4 years. The battery inside is a dry-cell rechargeable battery and like all batteries of this type, it looses its ability to be recharged at some point. With this type of battery, that time interval is about 3-4 years. I recommend Batteries Plus on Hendersonville Rd. (828)277-6776. Antivirus:
We recommend and support Windows Security Essentials. It is 100% Free. Google "Microsoft Security Essentials" and follow the link to download and install. Let me know if you have any problems.

Malware:
Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programming (code, scripts, active content, and other software) designed to:
disrupt or deny operation
gather information that leads to loss of privacy
gain unauthorized access to system resources
and any other abusive behavior.
The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code. Software is considered to be malware based on the perceived intent of the creator rather than any particular features. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, dishonest adware, scareware, crimeware, most rootkits, and other malicious and unwanted software or programs.
I have been reviewing and testing several Anti-Malware programs over the past year and am highly recommending that everyone purchase and install the "pro" version of Malwarebytes ( www.malwarebytes.org). This software works similar to Anti-Virus software by running a small program in the background to watch for Malware attempting to get into your computer system - and to stop that from happening. Malwarebytes also has a free version and is excellent for removing Malware after your computer has been infected - but the free version does not have an active component to watch for the infection sneaking into the computer. Malware infections are becoming extremely frequent and even though there is usually no harm done to your computer, most of the infections disrupt or deny you from operating your computer and will attempt to sell you the "fix". I have experienced several infections that were so sever that they were not able to be removed and the computer's hard drive had to be reformatted and Windows reinstalled. General rule is that if anything comes up on your computer that you can not close or delete or uninstall, then it is malware and do not follow their suggestion to buy their "fix"

Microsoft Windows 7:
Microsoft Windows 7 is out and is being well received by the industry. I had my reservations about it but have to say that after about a dozen encounters with it that I like it and recommend it for your next computer purchase. That said, I would like to recommend that if you do get Windows 7 on your next computer to go with the at least the "Professional" version - not the "Home" version. Versions offered are: Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate. Also be aware that there is no direct upgrade path from Windows XP to Windows 7. Contact me if you have questions about this.

Safe Programs to update:
Many of you write and ask about which software programs are okay to update - when you are notified by popups or messages... Here's a list of ones that are okay to update:
Adobe Reader, Shockwave or Flash
Microsoft Security Essentials or AVG Antivirus
Malwarebytes
Bonjour (Apple)
iTunes
Java
LogMeIn
MS Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Publisher)
Quicktime
Windows Operating System Updates and Drivers
Windows Genuine Advantage
Windows Defender

Programs not to install:
When these updates are being installed, some will pause and ask your permission to install other softwares. Please un-check any of these software offers as you do not need them and they may slow your computer operation down.
These are:
Ask Toolbar
Google Chrome
McAfee Scan
Norton Scan
Safari (Apple)
For any others, please drop me a line if you feel apprehensive or have questions.

Having problems with your internet connection?
Here's how to reset the Modem and Router...
When you begin to have trouble connecting to or browsing the internet it usually means the connection to your High Speed Internet provider has either been disconnected or interrupted. When this happens the modem needs to be reset so it can re-connect and again properly communicate with your ISP. This is called "power cycling". If you have a router connected to the modem - then that has to be power cycled too. Here's how to do it.

Power cycling the Modem and Router (if there is one):
1. Turn off your computer.
2. Unplug the power cable from the back of your Modem - and if you have a router - unplug the power cable from it too. ( don't get the cables mixed up)
3. Wait at least 1 full minute.
4. Plug in the power cable to the Modem and watch the lights on it. If it is Cable Modem, the "Cable" light should start blinking and then stop and burn continuously after about 30 seconds. If it is a DSL Modem, the "DSL" or "Status" light should do the same. (If this light wont stop blinking, then you will not be able to connect to the internet and you need to call your internet service provider and tell them about it) . After that status light burns continuously, go to the next step.
5. If you have a router - plug in the power cable on it. If not, go to the next step.
6. Turn on your computer.
7. After the computer completely finishes starting up - try to connect to the internet by opening a web browser ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc)

*** NOTE *** - The Modem and Router both have a "Reset" button on them near where the power cord plugs in... Please do NOT press the reset button unless asked to do so by your ISP tech support - or by me. If the computer still won't connect or if browsing is still slow - contact your internet service provider (Charter, AT&T, etc).

Are you planning to make changes to your internet service provider (Charter, AT&T, etc) - or to your in home or office network or add wireless capability? If so, please consider contacting me before you make these changes. Many times these kinds of changes create a stressful or emergency situation.
If I know about it ahead of time, most times I can help the process go much smoother! :-)