Vail Valley Computer Blog
Vail Computer Repair, Vail Computer Support, Vail Web Sites
If reloading my computer or rebuilding my computer, should I use a new hard drive?
There are times and conditions where you or your technical / computer support person will need to reload the contents of your hard drive. Some of us refer to this as either a rebuild or reload
(all to say that your computer will have the operating system and software reinstalled on your hard drive).
If your hard drive is under warranty, then you are receiving a new hard drive from the manufacturer or warranty provider. In this case, it's critical to ensure that you copy your data from
the 'old' or 'broken' hard drive ...
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Reach My Computer - Business Quote - Henry David Thoreau
" Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the live you've imagined."
As a small business owner and entrepreneur, this is a quote that captures my desire and belief. No, I do not always go confidently, but I do go in the direction of my dreams.
The challenge is staying focused. Also, not allowing the current state of affairs that I might find myself participating in become the guidepost.
Does this apply in the computer business? It applies in any business. ...
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From Tim O'Reilly - co-owner of the computer manual and tech conference titan O'Reilly Media
Yes, I have some of the books on my bookshelf - I'm staring at one of them right now! Which one?
"The Missing Manual - Switching to the Mac". Great book.
Anyway, I saw Mr O'Reilly quoted in the November 2009 issue of Entrepreneur magazine (yes, it took a while to get to this section of my blog).
The quote:
"I don't think anybody who's innovating talks about innovation. If you have to talk about it, you're missing the boat."
The ...
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Virus attack - Security Central - 2010
We saw this virus yesterday, "Security Central" and it was quite nasty. Client was unable to access the internet and was, for all intents and purposes, unable to do anything with the system.
The client was using AVG Internet Security 8.5. Disappointing that it was not caught. Have seen this same virus now with AVG Free, McAfee (the version from Comcast) and now with AVG
Internet Security (SBS) 8.5.
Removal was not easy, so you'll need guidance if you're not up for removing it alone through links on web sites ...
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HP Laptop - Compaq Laptop - nx6110 memory installation
We just upgraded an HP Compaq nx6110 laptop from 512M of RAM to 2G of RAM. The process could not have been easier and for this, I salute the nx6110 laptop. It is amazingly simple to work on.
There is one memory slot on the under side of the laptop. The second slot is under the keyboard. You might think difficult, but this one is not.
Basically there is a memory compartment on the underside that released with one screw. With that, the first memory chip can be removed and installed (but best to wait if you want to upgrade both memory ...<< MORE >>
There is one memory slot on the under side of the laptop. The second slot is under the keyboard. You might think difficult, but this one is not.
Basically there is a memory compartment on the underside that released with one screw. With that, the first memory chip can be removed and installed (but best to wait if you want to upgrade both memory ...<< MORE >>
Sony Vaio Laptop - SZ691N - SZ-691N : Hard Drive replacement
In the event you need to replace a hard drive in an SZ691N, you can basically follow the instructions found at the link below. It's a slightly different model, but the instructions worked great.
The only exception I made was to remove the SATA cable from it's connection to the mother board to make the overall removal of the hard drive easier.
Advice? Take your time. The ribbon cables will bend to accomodate you nicely. You don't have to remove the keyboard, just flip it over towards the mouse.
Sony Vaio Laptop - hard drive replacement - SZ model
Sony Vaio Laptop ...<< MORE >>
The only exception I made was to remove the SATA cable from it's connection to the mother board to make the overall removal of the hard drive easier.
Advice? Take your time. The ribbon cables will bend to accomodate you nicely. You don't have to remove the keyboard, just flip it over towards the mouse.
Sony Vaio Laptop - hard drive replacement - SZ model
Sony Vaio Laptop ...<< MORE >>
eMachines Desktop Rebuild - model D3415 - notes to help save some time
Recently we got the chance to help a client with the rebuild / reload of an eMachines Desktop, model D3415. The problem was that, suddenly and without warning, the hard drive failed. It was slightly different than we had seen on other systems, but basically the Windows XP splash would appear, the system would halt with a quick flash of the BSOD (blue screen of death) and then restart.
We removed the cover on the system and the hard drive was making a quite audible clicking noise. No recovery of data was possible through the normal means.
Anyway, the ...<< MORE >>
Windows Print Screen or Window
If you find the need to print a screen from your Windows computer (there are many situations where this is handy), try the following:
1. Maximize the window you'd like to capture (maximizing just makes it easier for the person to see the screen that you wish for them to see).
2. To copy/capture the current window, hold down ALT + Print Scrn at the same time. To capture the entire screen, just press Print Scrn.
3. Open a new document in MS Word, MS Photo Editor, or Adobe PhotoShop.
4. Paste the screen shot by holding down CTRL and V at the same time.
5. Print the document when you're finished pasting screen shots. Or, simply email the document to someone that might like to see it.
For the Mac, there is a wonderful tool call Grab! It's an application that is part of the operating system and is very handy for capturing information on your screen.
Office -> 970-748-8436Vail Colorado | Avon Colorado | Edwards Coloradocomputer support | network support | web site design
Disk Space versus RAM or Memory for your computer
It's important to know the difference between how your computer uses disk space versus memory (or RAM). This picture representation may help you understand the differences.
Computer Memory - Mega byte (MB), Giga byte (GB) overview of values
So often, you wonder about the numerical values of the memory in your computer. These values should apply to both RAM and your hard drive.
Bit - Smallest unit of information; shorthand term for “binary digit”
Nibble - 4 bits (half of a byte)
Byte - 8 bits (one character equals 8 bits)
Kilobyte (KB) - 1,024 Bytes
Megabyte (M ...<< MORE >>
