Velcro – reuseable duck tape

I discovered a new tool this week – the Velcro strap. I have seen them around for a few years, but I just began using them this week. Personally, I think that cable mess is cool. I think it is a geek status symbol. However, I know that there are a lot of people out there who prefer to keep their cables tidy. The reuseable Velcro cable strap. You can get them in the computer department of almost any office supply or...

Blood relation does not equal computer expertise

A few years ago, I added two items to my list of common advice that I give. 1. Don’t let your kids fix your computer, no matter how old they are or who they work for. 2. Blood relation does not equal computer expertise. I know that this makes me sound arrogant at times, but my first appointment this morning was a case in point. It was a simple enough job, I was to setup a laptop and get it online. My client didn’t...

My hard drive enclosure saves the day again!

There are a variety of inexpensive tools that make my job easier on a daily basis. Some of these tools include the various anti-spyware programs I carry with me, my USB flash drive, and my hard drive enclosure. A hard drive enclosure is a box that you hook a standard hard drive into that allows you to hook it up into the USB port. This turns an ordinary hard drive into an external drive. I use my hard drive enclosure one of...

Sometimes it’s easier to just start over

I saw three problems today that, in one form or another, the best solution was to just start over. My first client was having trouble printing one specific Excel file. All of his other Excel files worked fine, but this one particular file would not print. He could open it and view it and even change it, but it would only print blank sheets of paper. Rather than try to figure out where the culprit formula or cell was, I...

Laptop vs. Desktop Computer II

Starting this week and for the next month, millions of students will be returning to school. Some of these students go to college, some to high school and some are adults going back to school part-time or nights. All these students can benefit from a computer. For the mobile lifestyle of students, I recommend getting a laptop. Laptops can not only be toted to class, the library or your home, more and more they can be...

Laptop vs. Desktop Computer

A question that has been popping up more and more lately from computer users looking to buy a new computer is: “Should I buy a laptop computer or desktop computer?” As with most computer shopping questions, the answer is ‘it depends’. In this article, I will point out the pros and cons of each and what type of user would benefit from a laptop. In terms of performance, both laptops and desktops handle...

Keep Your Computer Clean

I am often asked what is the best way to clean a computer. Here’s how to do it safely: In past tips, we discussed the importance of good air circulation around your CPU (Central Processing Unit)…the big box where you put CD’s and disks. One spot to start your cleaning is looking at the back end of the CPU and make sure that the vents do not contain too much lent and dust. If so, use a can of compressed air...

Flat Panel and Laptop Monitors – Comfortable...

Flat panel monitors (those diminutive, skinny, sexy monitors no thicker than a couple of inches) now come packaged with many new computers. Their price drops over the past year make also them attractive upgrades for existing systems. Flat panel monitors use the same technology as the monitors laptops use..LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). These monitors look great and cause much less stress to our eyeballs, but sometimes the text...