Quick Tip: Save Disk Space with Disk Cleanup

February 15, 2016 by Kyle Kenyon

Audio Transcription:

Hey, everybody. I just wanted to offer a quick tip to clean up your computer. What you’re going to want to do is on any Windows machine you can search or navigate to the Windows Start Menu however you choose, you want to search for Disk Cleanup. So if you start typing in disk, you should see Disk Cleanup come on right up. This might take a few minutes depending on how quick your computer is for it to aggregate all this information, and then what you’re going to want to do is immediately click on Cleanup System Files. That’s going to basically give you a few more options so you can clean up things that are real deep in the Windows system and you want to be able to clean those, get them out of there, because you don’t need those files. Just give this a few minutes here. Once again, this is going to depend on how much stuff you actually have on the computer and how fast your computer is, how old your computer is. So you want to click basically anything here that you want to remove. Anything is safe as long as you do not have any pending Windows updates, I would avoid clicking this, and if you’re unsure, I would also avoid clicking that. You can make sure you have pending Windows updates. I can show you that in another tech tip video, but just check your Windows updates if you know how to do that. So check anything here that you want. You scroll down. Click a bunch of stuff. This computer is pretty clean, but for sake of demonstration purposes we’ll just show you how to do it on here, and you click OK. You just click on Delete Files. Everything should clean up– especially on this computer– really quick, because it has an SSD, and there’s not that much on here, and then you’re good to go. You saved a bunch of room on your computer. Quick, easy thing to do to clean up, save some space on your computer so you can put more of the stuff that you actually need. If you guys have any questions for me, hit me up over at protechguy.com, and I’ll see on the next tech tip video.

Preventive Maintenance for Your Business

November 10, 2015 by Kyle Kenyon

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Today, most businesses are completely dependent on their tech, which includes hardware and software. If they stop working for whatever reason, it can lead to loss of revenue and disgruntled clients and customers.

While in some cases, problems are unavoidable; most of the time, they’re caused by lack of proper maintenance. We at Pro Tech Guy believe that business owners should schedule regular maintenance of their important IT tech to avoid problems at a later date.

Servicing and Maintenance

On a day to day basis, it’s nearly impossible for business owners to maintain their hardware and software. You might not know it, but your computer might be overwhelmed by excess data, might have software glitches, etc. Most people maintain their personal laptops and computers well, making sure that the file system is organized and they have enough space to add more data without slowing the system down.

That’s not always possible with businesses in Framingham. By scheduling regular maintenance, you can keep your computers and software working at peak efficiency. This would also ensure that any problem is caught and addressed early before it leads to system crashes.

Updates

While preventive maintenance would ensure that your IT systems are functioning properly, sometimes, your system needs to be upgraded. This industry is constantly evolving and new developments happen every day. Some of these developments would actually help your business grow and function better. By scheduling regular maintenance, you ensure that your hardware and software are current and up-to-date.

Anti-Virus

No computer, be it for personal or business use, should ever lack a good and efficient antivirus software. This vital program would protect your data and keep viruses, malware, Trojans, etc, away from your IT systems.

Antivirus offers a layer of basic protection, making sure that your systems don’t fail unexpectedly, or your data isn’t at risk. If you store client’s personal details on your computers, it’s vital that you protect the information as much as you can.

Security

It’s important to have a security system in place to ensure that your data is actively protected. While an antivirus offers some level of protection, you need a more targeted and precise security system installed in your business systems. While most of your competitors might play fair and not try to steal ideas, there are some people who don’t. If you’re developing a new product, you need to make sure that your systems are secure. These security systems also need upgrades every once in a while to ensure that they work at peak efficiency.

Managed Services

If you want to focus on the growth and development of your business, you can leave the day-to-day management of your IT services to someone else. Today, managed services are the norm in the industry, especially if your business is small and you don’t have the manpower to keep your IT systems up and running smoothly all the time. The providers assume responsibility to ensure that your IT infrastructure or your end-user systems are working perfectly.

These solutions would keep your business running smoothly. Sometimes, problems might be inevitable but you can avoid or be forewarned if you carry out preventive maintenance

Why You Should Upgrade to a SSD

August 24, 2015 by Kyle Kenyon

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SSD has been in the market for several years now but many people in Framingham haven’t considered upgrading their system by installing it yet. Until recently, SSDs were expensive and people were more concerned about space than speed. However, the prices have now dropped significantly, and almost everyone upgrades their systems to include it.

What is SSD?

SSD stands for Solid State Drive and it has been around for several years now. In fact, it can be considered old by information technology standards. Solid state drives, unlike hard disk drives; do not have any moving parts that spin to record data. A solid state drive is very similar to your flash drive or RAM. However, unlike RAM, it doesn’t lose memory if there’s no supply of electricity.

SSD vs. HDD

There are many who might want to stick to their old HDD, deterred by the cost of upgrading to a SSD. Before dismissing the device off the bat, consider the following points.

No Spin-Up Time – With HDD, you need to wait until the platter starts to spin before your desktop powers up and boots. Depending on the HDD, the spin time can vary but it significantly slows down the boot time. A SSD, on the other hand, doesn’t have any moving parts and powers up instantly. You can go from a cold boot to running process in no time at all.

Access Time and Speed – According to several benchmark tests, a SSD is about 80 to 100 times speedier than your normal HDD. Because SSD doesn’t need to seek out the data, on the spinning platter, it’s very snappy and calls information and loads processes quickly. Upgrading to a SSD would definitely speed up your computer.

Reliability – There’s a debate raging in the market about SSD’s limited writing-cycle. Unlike HDD, which can be written and rewritten an infinite number of times, the cycle is finite on a SSD. Many people consider this a major flaw without even looking into the matter.

It’s very unlikely that an average user would ever need to replace a SSD because they’re used to the write-cycle. Take Intel X25-M drive as an example. It can endure about 20GB of data writes for 5 years. This means, you would need to delete and write 20GB of data every day for it to reach its maximum capacity in 5 years.

HDD, with all its moving parts, would eventually be worn down before a SSD needs to be replaced. Unless your laptop or computer is damaged, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever need to replace a SSD.

Noise – To be fair, most modern, good quality HDDs are virtually noiseless. You might hear the faint spinning sound. However, some HDDs can be pretty noisy and distracting if you’re working in a quiet environment.

Power Consumption – In comparison to HDD, a SSD drive consumes about 30% to 60% less power. That means, on a desktop you can expect to save about 6 to 10 watts every day, which compounds over the course of a year with heavy use. On laptops, it means that your charge would last longer.

In terms of cost, there’s no denying that a SSD is more expensive. However, with all the advantages in view, upgrading to a SSD is a smart choice as it drastically improves performance and offers value for money.

What Businesses Can Expect with New Unveiling of Windows 10

July 3, 2015 by Kyle Kenyon

There are a number of major IT consulting firms that are in the process of putting together their consulting packages, so that they will be able to advise their clients on how to best exploit the features and numerous advantages of Windows 10. Microsoft is abandoning their traditional approach of unveiling a new operating system every three years in lieu of Windows 10, an operating system that they plan to keep in play for much longer that the normal three-year period.

The manner in which they plan on facilitating the prolonged deployment of this particular operating system is through monthly updates that can be downloaded and implemented into the system in a seamless fashion. This new approach is meant to create a progressive and dynamic OS that is always at its best. This should be great news for businesses who are normally concerned with OS system changes, because of compatibility and security issues.

An OS Ideal for Business

In 2009, Microsoft presented a highly functional OS in Windows 7, which served to cause everyone to forget about that one blemish on their impeccable record — Windows Vista.

Although Windows 8 definitely increased proficiency for businesses, there are some who believed it robbed professional users of some of the functionality that is essential for businesses to remain competitive in their respective markets.

Elevating and Empowering On-site Computing Services

With Microsoft limiting information about this new release and its new features, many businesses have been left scrambling to gather information that will help them make an educated decision on whether it will be worth going through the hassle of making the necessary changes to upgrade to Windows 10.

Historically, businesses have not been as open to changing operating systems as private individuals, and much of this has to do with system compatibility and security; however, the evolution of business computing means that changing operating systems will not be as much of an issue as it has been in the past. With most businesses slowly transitioning into cloud-based computing, on-site equipment and computing has been minimized and simplified. The Windows 10 OS will be compatible with the cloud-source computing that most businesses are currently using, meaning that switching will not be a hassle at all.

Managed IT Service Providers make it Simple

What is nice about this latest OS rollout by Microsoft is the fact that service-based programs and systems actually make it easier to implement the new operating system. A business can contact a Managed IT Service Provider to discuss the options that are available to insure that they are able to fully exploit the exceptional advantages that are available with Windows 10.

One of the concepts that is receiving a significant amount of attention with this new system is the virtual desktops, which allows an IT professional to customize each desktop to accommodate the manner in which it will be used. For instance, one desktop can be set up with all graphic applications, while another can be set up to accommodate multiple accounting programs.

The new system will also have an enhanced search function that can be initiated directly from the task bar. What will be great about this search feature is that it has the capacity to search beyond files that are located on the system hard drive, it can literally search the web for relevant results.

Enhanced App Functionality for Business Integration

The new program also removes the limitations associated with native apps — those apps downloaded from the Windows Store. On Windows 8, native apps only operate in full-screen mode, or in split screen mode on Windows 8.1, meaning that the capacity to work on multiple apps simultaneously is immensely limited. However, the Windows 10 version removes those limitations, allowing complete resizeability and positioning. This is immensely vital to the productivity and efficiency for businesses.

The functionality alone will make the switch worthwhile for virtually every business; working with a Managed IT Services Provider will ensure that the business will be able to maximize the benefits of Windows 10 for their company.

How to Spot a Good Computer Technician from a Mile Away

April 4, 2015 by Kyle Kenyon

As fairly new homeowners, we were able to test the waters of working with service and repair providers early on, particularly in and around the Framingham area. It is constantly a fine line to walk, as we are torn between doing the repair or work ourselves (to potentially save money), or go through the process of hiring someone, because it is really beyond our expertise. When it comes down to it, looking for a reliable and experienced computer repair technician is no different than looking to have repairs done in and around any other element of the home. It comes down to four essential things.

First, social media and online presence are extremely important, only because that is usually where one begins searching, even after receiving a referral from word of mouth. Many people (such as myself) go straight to popular websites, such as Thumbtack, Angie’s List, or Google to get the scoop on service providers. Are they even listed or available in a search? Do they have a professional website, or is it just a dead end? I definitely find myself checking these out, as it usually tells a lot about a technician by how much time and effort they put into their online listings and website. In addition, on websites like Thumbtack.com (for example); computer technicians can go above and beyond by entering personal background information, credentials, experience, and even licensure, for potential clients to see when searching. I find all of this to be a huge indicator as to the professionalism and reliability of the business.

To add on to the idea of online presence, the second essential piece that I look for in a good computer repair technician is their reviews and customer feedback. Positive customer feedback and helpful reviews are necessary to read before proceeding with a hire. Did they receive a poor review? Well, why? I never jump to conclusions, as a lot of factors can play into a negative review. In addition, did people take time to leave reviews on Google? Thumbtack? Maybe even the businesses’ personal website? I mean think about it, how much more likely are you to leave a review with a BAD experience, than a GOOD experience? Good reviews are a huge sign of positive customer experience and satisfaction, therefore reading these reviews will help you ultimately make your decision. On the other hand, if you are a business looking to outsource your IT, many computer technicians may even be able to provide a list of references or credentials to ease your mind.

Third, and incredibly important to me is the idea of competitive and CLEAR pricing. It always goes without saying, “you get what you pay for.” If you want cheap computer work, then you will most likely get exactly what you paid for. On the other hand, if you are like me, computers have become a piece of your every day ritual, and it is incredibly worthwhile to spend the money for the repair. Fortunately, you will typically find that a lot of technicians charge around the same hourly rate. Any outliers (to that rate) might as well serve as a giant red flag to stay away! In addition to clear pricing, many good technicians will provide specialty packaging opportunities, such as a data back-up package, or virus removal and OS re-install, etc. A good computer technician will offer these to you, and you should certainly take advantage, as they will essentially save you the most money!

Customer service is a term that covers more occupational fields then I can even fathom, yet it is crucial when searching to hire a computer repair technician. Personally, each positive and negative customer service experience that I have had guides me in my next search. Sometimes I find myself recalling how much of a headache a certain customer service provider gave me, or even how I was treated and/or talked to. Essentially, it comes down to the idea that you are paying for a service, therefore ultimately there should be a reduced effort on your part. When you initially make the move to call or contact the provider, you should not have to ask the probing questions or provide the information, as they are the ones selling a service to you! You as the customer should feel confident and at ease about hiring them. They should deliver empathy (because most likely your computer croaked), address and maybe even diagnose the problem, provide pricing options, and even an estimated time frame. Better yet, they should reassure you that the problem WILL be fixed and that you WILL be back to working order in no time! Honestly, many of these things that I just listed will just come naturally with good customer service.

After reviewing my list of essential things to look for when hiring a computer technician, I realized that equally as important is your choice to rehire the same technician. With that said, some things to keep in mind are: How did you feel after the repair or service was complete? Were you satisfied? Would you repeat the exact same experience again, if needed? Do you feel confident that if the problem comes back they will be there to assist you? Personally, the thing that I value the most is knowing my computer is in good hands, having my problem solved, and not regretting spending money to do so.

Have you had a negative or positive experience with a computer technician? Is there other information that you look for or want to know when hiring a new technician? Share your stories in the comments section below.

Exclusive Deal for Instagram Users!

January 12, 2015 by Kyle Kenyon

Check out our Instagram profile at http://instagram.com/kyleprotechguy for an exclusive deal we just put out to our awesome instagram community.

See the deal HERE

Six Symptoms Of Malware To Check For

November 3, 2014 by Kyle Kenyon

Malware is one of the most dangerous types of computer viruses. Its main purpose is to trick you into freely giving your information to cyber-criminals. While some only collect email in order to spam your inbox, others are after more personal information such as your credit card information. One of the main purposes behind malware is identity theft.

The problem with malware is it can sneak on your system with other software without your knowledge. It can also pose as legitimate looking software, resulting in users installing it without thinking it’s dangerous. No matter how it gets on your computer, you can recognize the symptoms if you look closely. Even the best anti-virus can’t catch all malware, meaning you need to stay on your guard and look for these six common malware symptoms.

Slow System Performance

Malware is designed to “listen” to your system and gather information based on what you type. This includes form data, passwords, credit card information and much more. The extra software that runs in the background to gather this data often causes your system to slow down. You may notice programs opening slower than usual, delayed boot times and increased loading times on web pages.

Altered Home Page

If you notice your browser’s home page has been changed, scan your system for malware immediately. Malware sometimes redirects you to a different page for searching and opening pages. When you use this new home page, you open your system to the virus and anything you enter is likely being sent to hackers. Another sure sign your computer is in trouble is if your home page immediately changes to something different after you reset it.

Random Pop-Ups

Pop-ups are annoying, but they’re even worse with malware. You may notice random pop-ups even when your browser isn’t open. Usually, they deal with legitimate looking software, warnings that your computer is infected and different products for you to buy. If you notice pop-ups that have nothing to do with the site you’re visiting or they occur when your browser is closed, you could have a malware infection.

Internet Connectivity Issues

Malware sometimes reconfigures your Internet settings to re-route your traffic through an unsecured proxy. By doing this, any data you enter on secured sites is visible to thieves. Sometimes this backfires and results in Internet connectivity issues such as not being able to connect, dropped connections and slower page loading times. If you notice any of these issues, check your network and Internet settings immediately to check for changes.

New Software Installed

Anytime you install a new program, check your list of installed software. Malware sometimes attaches to other programs, including legitimate software. It installs in the background as you install the other software. While it doesn’t always show itself in your program list, some types do. If you do see something that doesn’t belong, uninstall it. If it is reinstalled after restarting your computer, you definitely have malware.

System Tray Invasion

Most people never pay any attention to the icons in the system tray. Malware creators know this. Since malware is actually a type of software that runs in the background, it sometimes creates an icon in the system tray when it’s running. If you notice any of the other symptoms, check your system tray to see if anything odd has appeared.

Since malware is extremely sneaky, your anti-virus may not catch it, especially if it installs as legitimate software. It isn’t until you run a full system scan that your anti-virus catches any trace of it. By this time, it may be too late as malware can and does disable anti-virus software. If you do suspect you have malware, download and install malware software on your system and run a full scan immediately. Software such as Malware Bytes is free and compliments your anti-virus for added protection.

Apple Hits the Market Again: Introducing iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

September 12, 2014 by Kyle Kenyon

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Apple Hits the Market Again: Introducing iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

The long expected iPhone 6 was finally revealed on September 9th 2014…along with another iPhone; the iPhone 6 Plus. The iPhone 6 comes with a 4.7” screen, while the 6 Plus comes with a larger display of 5.5”. Both these phones will be available for sale on September 19th. The on contract price $199 for the iPhone 6, $299 for the 6 Plus and the iPhone 5S will still sell for $99 and the 5C will be of no charge for anyone on a contract.

Features

The biggest improvement features are the large high-resolution display for both options of the iPhone 6. The iPhone 6 has a 720p display, while the 6 Plus has a 1080p display, which is quite impressive.
The screens are definitely bigger, but Apple made sure they were still sleek and slim. The thickness of the iPhone 6 is 6.9mm and the 6 Plus is 7.1mm thick.
The battery of the iPhone 6 is considerably better because they let go of that power draining quad-core processor and converted to a new A8 processor. In addition, it runs the phone at double the speed of the 5S. It also has the M8 coprocessor, which will keep things running smoothly (pun intended) The M8 coprocessor is focused on fitness and motion tracing as it is able to process those neat featured on its own dedicated chip.
The iPhone 6 features a new 8 megapixel (MP) iSight camera, which has a tone flash and a speedy aperture. The new phones’ camera features focus pixels that can auto focus on subjects like a DSLR would. The auto-focus will work for videos, too. The face detection feature has also been improved considerably. Image stabilization (optical) has been enhanced and the camera has been improved to take pictures even in low lighting. It also has a better slow motion function and the iOS 8 comes with a time-lapse option for taking videos in hyperlapse mode.

Both, the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 Plus will be available in the colors gold, silver, and space-gray.

Jump On Cloud Backup

March 24, 2014 by Kyle Kenyon

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Losing data can be devastating. Whether it’s vital business records, or precious photographs, if, for whatever reason, they’re lost, it can spell real trouble. Not to mention, losing data from your laptop or desktop is done much easier than you might think. Interestingly, the top three causes of lost data are: physical damage, viruses & malware and (most common) accidental deletion.

The worst part is recovery is quite often not possible, which is where cloud backup will save your life (or your business!)

So why use a cloud backup?

Cloud-based backup solutions, such as Backblaze, are the most reliable form of data storage around today. When you upload your data, from your laptop or desktop, to their cloud storage, you’re ensuring it is being protected against cyber-crime, system crashes and even natural disasters!

The most obvious benefits of using cloud storage are:

· Highly-secure data protection: The security of the data stored is paramount. By using the highest-level security and encryption services, customers are assured that all data is protected and, just as importantly, recoverable at any time.

· Automated Backup: A cloud backup solution is only good if you upload everything regularly, right? Wrong. Backblaze will automatically backup everything from your laptop or desktop, so you don’t need to remember to do a thing.

· Cost-Effective: It’s hard to put a price on personal data, it’s priceless after all. However, business data can be much more easily calculable. Backblaze provides an unlimited service for $50 per year, for your laptop or desktop – this includes your USB storage devices as well. That’s not all, though; by using cloud backup you will be saving the cost of storing the data yourself.

· Eco-friendly: For those looking to lower their carbon footprint, cloud storage offers a much greener option to those spending vast amounts of money on energy bills and server storage.

· Ease of Use: Backblaze cloud backup solutions offer a simple service that is really easy to get to grips with. If you’re not computer-savvy, it’s no problem.

Why choose Backblaze?

All of the above clearly demonstrate the importance of cloud backup, and why you need it for your laptop or desktop; but what makes Backblaze so special? Well that’s simple, they offer so much more than the other leading cloud backup providers. A lower annual fee, unlimited storage, all data and file types backed-up by default, no maximum file size, are among a whole host of benefits Backblaze brings to the table. It’s these offers, along with an exceptional customer service that make Backblaze the best choice when it comes to cloud backup.

Windows XP – Why you need to upgrade now!

March 12, 2014 by Kyle Kenyon

Windows XP has been with us for over 12 years now and, as one of the most popular iterations of the Windows operating system, it is still used by millions of people all over the world. Since its release all those years ago, Microsoft has produced 3 other operating systems (Windows Vista, Windows 7 & Windows 8), although none have managed to recreate the success seen with XP.

But the end is in sight for Windows XP. The 8th of April 2014 marks the retirement date of this most popular of operating systems. From this date Microsoft will cease to provide either free or paid support for Windows XP users. For the everyday XP user, this means that security updates will no longer be available, no more bug fixes and no more service packs. It is possible to continue to use Windows XP, however, as it becomes increasingly slower compared to its contemporaries, less able to run new software, and more prone to attack and infection, is it really worth the risk?

So, what are the options? Upgrading to one of the newer operating systems is the best choice in the long run. Choosing either Windows 7 or 8 will allow you a much greater freedom when it comes to speed, ease-of-use and security. Both operating systems offer a much faster startup, better security with less intrusive updates, and a much more intuitive user experience overall. Where the two differ comes down to user preference. Aesthetically, Windows 7 will appeal to those who love (or have loved) the easy user interface of Windows XP; the layout is similar and it will, therefore, offer a reassurance that Windows 8 might not. However, Windows 8 is perfect for those who want something a bit more immersive. Its touchscreen interface and use of apps and tiles make it the perfect choice for those who enjoy using tablets and touch screen laptops.

Ultimately, it’s the user’s requirement and preference that will determine which of the two replacement systems will be the better option, but it is clear that those still using XP would do well to think about moving on as quickly as possible. The bell for Windows XP is tolling…

Looking to upgrade now?

Microsoft Windows 8.1 – Full Version

$104.99

Microsoft Software