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Today I received a call from a client who needed computer service in Fontana. The problem is that we do not currently provide on-site service to the city of Fontana because it is outside of our coverage area. It is too far to drive.

Even though we couldn’t provide on-site service, I listened to the client while she described the problem so that I could at least point her in the right direction and maybe find a local repair shop that could help her solve the problem. After listening, I found that I could possibly fix the computer remotely without having to go there. It all depended on whether she could get online or not.

I walked her through restarting the computer in Safe Mode, going online and downloading the E-Geniuses Help Desk Utility. After she downloaded the application she was able to connect her office computer to my desktop.

I noticed that the startup was setup to go to a corrupt installation of Windows XP. I changed the startup to go to the proper version, scanned the hard drive for errors, and scanned for viruses, spyware and malware.

After I finished, the computer booted up properly. She was very happy that she was only charged $119 instead of the $300 that Geek Squad quoted her to fix the problem. I was glad to be able to solve the problem and save them money!

Here’s her testimonial:

“I would like to thank E-Geniuses for their help over the phone.  They were fast and knew exactly what they were doing.  Fantastic service!!” - Shannon, California Customs and Classics.

Happy Holidays!
Everyone at E-Geniuses hopes that you and your loved ones have a wonderful and safe holiday season.

ULTRALIGHT, ULTRAPORTABLE, ULTRA-AFFORDABLE
There are many characteristics that stand out about this new notebook from Asus but there are three in particular that create the most waves. The first thing that most people will notice is the form factor, which is much smaller than most laptops. When closed, it weighs 2lbs and is roughly the same size as a small novel. Next is the very unconventional name: “Eee PC”. The name Eee comes from "the three Es"; an abbreviation of their advertising slogan for the device: "Easy to learn, Easy to work Easy to play". The third aspect that captures most people’s attention? The price. This ultraportable and full featured laptop is only $399.

This notebook comes equipped with a full suite of preinstalled software that allows you the same capabilities of your home computer but on-the-go. You can browse the web using FireFox, use Skype with the built-in web cam and microphone, open Word and Excel docs and edit them, view photos, listen to music files, use AOL IM, MSN messenger or just about any other major chat client. Although pre-installed with Linux, it is also capable of running Windows XP. The Asus Eee PC can be found online at Amazon.com, BestBuy.com and Costco.com.

For more information regarding this or any other computer related issue, feel free to contact an E-Geniuses Technician at (877) My-Genius

If you are looking into purchasing the new Microsoft Operating System, Vista, or a new computer that is equipped with it, here are a few reasons to delay that purchase. Seen to be the most important reason to wait to upgrade are compatibility issues between Vista and the programs that you currently run on a daily basis. Many companies were not ready for Vista’s release and have not been able to update their drivers and programs to be completely compatible. This will result in either slow performance or not being able to use that program completely. Another reason is the large costs accompanying Vista. The prices range from $99 for Vista Basic to $399 for Vista Ultimate. Although inexpensive, Vista Basic ($99) is not equipped with the features that would warrant the switch. To get the full experience and the most compatibility,Vista requires a new computer already bundled with the new Operating System or a high-end computer with the latest hardware. Vista adds new benefits and, in the long run, will make computing easier, faster and a lot more enjoyable. In spite of this, Vista does not solve any existing problem. Windows XP, an industry-wide supported system, is solid, well-understood and highly functional. Microsoft acknowledges this and has even committed to 7 more years of XP support. With that said, Vista has its good points. It has revolutionized the Windows interface and has incorporated many new helpful features but, if you do not have a pressing need for a new computer, waiting until Vista is more widely supported is recommended. Regardless of what Operating System you have, E-Geniuses will make sure that it is stable, safe and secure.

Most of our computers, modems, routers and countless other gadgets are connected through surge protectors in our home. They are essential in protecting our computers and other electronics from power spikes or surges.

Surge protectors provide the most basic protection. If a power slump or dip (brownout) or blackout occurs, you will need an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to protect your data. A UPS includes a battery that keeps components running for a brief time (approximately 30 minutes) in case the electrical power goes out. This protects from momentary power flickers and allows you to save your data and shut down the computer properly in the case of a power outage. Every computer or electronic device is susceptible to power spikes and other power hazards. A sudden shutdown or power surge can damage not only the PCs power supply but can also kill hard drives, corrupt data, and cause hidden problems that might not immediately present themselves.

 
E-Geniuses will purchase an Uninterruptible Power Supply for your home or business system for $100. For a limited time, Cost of installation for Monthly Maintenance Clients is only $49.50 plus $30 for the Initial Travel and Diagnosis.

Once in a while you may hear the term Digital Convergence. In simple terms, this is the merging of two devices, the computer and the TV. This could also refer to the merging of two distribution models; the mainstream media, specifically TV, and the Internet. If you’re paying attention, you will notice that many networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX and others are beginning to stream their shows on their website. The main difference between traditional mainstream media and the web is that people can communicate and exchange ideas with one another whereas television broadcast is a one way communication. The TV is meant to deliver content from the source to the masses. The viewer cannot respond back nor can they discuss their opinions with others in real time like they can on the Internet. Producers of TV shows rely on focus groups to let them know what the people want to see, but they are not always effective in accurately depicting reality nor delivering the facts.

What effect will the ability for "viewers" to communicate with one another have on people’s opinions of TV programming? The fact that the viewer can offer their opinions and receive feedback from other viewers means that they play a much larger role in determining what the networks choose to air. When the audience in sitcoms do not respond to the punchlines, a laugh-track replaces the silence. This will not be as easily accomplished on the Internet since the "audience" will demand to be heard; they know others are listening. The Internet and the people using it can make more informed decisions when others post their opinions, insights and thought processes. A thumbs up or thumbs down response may be sufficient for some, but others prefer a comment to go along with the vote.

Another thing to consider is whether the content that the mainstream media has to offer is actually "better" than the user submitted content available online. They may find that users submitting content to YouTube are now their competition. They are on the same playing field. When I say better, I mean better in the sense that people find it more entertaining and are willing to spend their time and attention on. It is going to be difficult for an individual to make a better production that a major studio, but it is not impossible. Already, there are music artists who are recording their own records and doing the distribution themselves. Take note of how many Tower Records are closing down and you’ll understand the effects of this phenomenon.

It is much easier for the individual to be in touch with his audience. He can change much faster than the large corporations. If the media conglomerates want to compete with the individual, they are going to have to find a way to be more in touch with their audience and be able to respond accordingly. The alternative is to do what they do best, make large, high quality productions, and leave the other genres and "narrow casting" to the individuals.

What do you think?

I arrived at the client’s home in Cypress, CA. It was a nice neighborhood. I would have guessed the homes were in the 1 to 2 million dollar price range. The client had an issue with a Dell Inspiron desktop PC that was running too slowly. Although the Celeron processor is the inferior model compared to it’s Pentium counterpart, it wasn’t the cause of the problem, it wasn’t what we consider the bottleneck. The client only needed to do basic browsing, emailing and light multimedia usage (YouTube, iTunes, Windows Media Player). We could have upgraded the CPU, but it wouldn’t have been the most cost effective way of making the computer faster.

After seeing that the memory usage was way up in Task Manager, we decided that the Memory was the culprit. (Only had 256Mb of Ram). So we looked on Crucial.com and found that the best bang for the buck would be an upgrade to 1Gb. I happened to have one in my Laptop bag. I installed it, turned the computer on with 4 times the Ram it had previously. Wow, what a difference! The client was extremely satisfied. In addition we did an Optimization by removing all of the unnecessary startup items. We also changed their McAfee antivirus to a less resource intensive anti-virus.

Feel free to add to the list…

Adware: Software designed to collect data about the user’s interests and behavior. Adware can track which sites the computer user visits and then sends the information to advertisers who use the information to sell their products or services. The methods that adware use range from using cookies to track visits to a website, installing unwanted toolbars, and installing unwanted programs which are packaged with software the user wants. Along with privacy issues associated with adware, these added programs and toolbars are a major cause of users’ complaints about their “slow computer”. Click here for Spyware Removal by E-Geniuses.

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Help Desk: Help Desk refers to the ability for a client to be able to be assisted remotely by a technician via phone or connected computer to computer via the Internet. Help desk technicians work specifically with clients who need remote technical support. Many problems can be solved remotely therefore reducing the costs of an on-site I.T. department. Click here to Download the E-Geniuses Help Desk Utility. You can also chat with a live E-Geniuses Technician here.

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Malware: Short for malicious software and describes any type of unwanted software. It is a more general term which includes spyware and all of the different types of viruses. Click here for Malware Removal by E-Geniuses.

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Managed Systems: A consolidated network usually consisting of a group of a computers, VOIP phones, network printers and a service provider that is in charge of maintaining the network and all of its components: as opposed to having a different provider for a phone system, for a computer network, and yet another technician for printers. Managed systems reduce costs through consolidation of service providers. The service providers are usually liable for ensuring that the system is monitored regularly. Click here for Managed Services by E-Geniuses.

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Modem: A device that converts signals to usable data. The most common modems are DSL modems and Cable modems. There are also T1 modems, Fiber optic modems, and dial-up modems. The type of modem depends on the type of signal being converted. In a typical network it is the device that connects directly to the cable or telephone line. For shared Internet connections, the modem attaches to a router which splits the converted signal (data). Click here for Modem Setup and Configuration from E-Geniuses.

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Monthly Maintenance Plan: A computer maintenance plan in which the client’s computers are maintained on a scheduled (usually monthly) basis as opposed to waiting problems to occur. This is a form of preventive maintenance can lower overall long-term costs associated with owning a computer and maintaining the integrity of the system’s speed, security and stability. Maintenance may be performed on-site, in-home, or remotely based on the plan type and the company performing the services. A computer maintenance technician can prevent viruses, spyware, and malware. Companies offer the services to clients who want an added layer of protection when dealing with important data, backing up critical data online, or online banking. In many cases, manual updates and scans must be performed by a technician. An antivirus software can offer a layer of security, but cannot perform all of the tasks necessary to keep a system safe from users with malicious intent. See E-Geniuses’ Monthly Maintenance Plans for an example.

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PC: Some people use the term personal computer, or PC, to refer to a computer which runs the Microsoft Windows Operating System. Although computers made by Apple are also personal computers, they are not referred to as PC’s and instead called Macs, short for Macintosh.

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Personal Technician: A computer technician or a group of service technicians whose job it is to maintain a clients computers and network. They are usually assigned to a particular client. It is the technicians duty to become familiar with the client’s setup in order to more efficiently and effectively maintain the integrity of the client’s systems. They are on-call when there are technical issues. Many small and mid-sized businesses are using personal technicians instead of in-house I.T. departments and full-time staff. Personal technicians can be called as needed. A retainer fee is common. Some companies offer discounted rates to clients who purchase personal technician maintenance plans as a way to keep costs steady and to prevent sudden fluctuations in computer service costs. Personal technicians may also service employees of businesses who are telecommuting and working from home or away from the office. See E-Geniuses Personal Technician Services as an example of a personal technician plan.

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Router: A device that is used to connect local computers, peripherals and other devices over distances longer that 5 ft. using networking cable. A router is commonly used to share a single Internet connection among multiple computers on a network. It can separate incoming request from the outside (Internet/WAN) from the requests from within the local network (LAN). This keeps users within the network protected. Routers with this capability have built-in firewalls. Routers can be either wired or wireless. Click here for Wired and Wireless Network Setup from E-Geniuses.

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Viruses: Programs that are designed to take over a user’s computer without the user’s permission. Trojans or trojan-horse viruses are meant to attack the computer “from the inside” like the story of Troy. Trojans are usually downloaders which are designed to download more viruses. Sometimes, so many viruses are downloaded, the infected computer runs out of resources eventually slowing the computer down so much that it is virtually unusable. Worms are viruses which spread themselves over a network or through the internet via email. Many viruses can self-replicate and can change filenames making them difficult to remove. Most viruses are set to automatically start when the computer boots into the operating system. Many viruses attach themselves to necessary system files. This causes problems because when the viruses are removed, the system files that the computer needs to function properly are removed as well. Some viruses even have the ability to disable antivirus programs. Another type of virus is the keylogger which is created to record the user’s keystrokes, can possibly take screenshots, record audio if a microphone is connected, video if a webcam is connected, and send the recorded information to the intended recipient. Users who do online banking must be particularly careful since their passwords can be exposed. This is one method that criminals use to steal a person’s identity. Digital identity theft is one of the main reasons why keyloggers are used and why E-Geniuses is commited to preventing viruses. The last type of virus does not have a specific name although it does have a specific purpose. Usually worms, the purpose of these viruses is to spread to as many users as possible. Once hundreds, thousands and sometimes millions of computers are infected, the virus creator can control all of the infected computers. The computers are called zombie computers since the control is no longer in the hands of the computer user, but instead by the virus creator. With the ability to control, the botnet, the term used for all of the infected computers, the criminal can send a signal for all of the computers to visit a website at a precise time. This causes the website to crash. This is called a ddos attack which stands for distributed denial of service attack. A company who relies on its website for business can be extorted by the criminal who threatens to attack the website. Click here for Virus Removal from E-Geniuses.

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