You will upgrade to Windows 10 and you will like it.

May 24, 2016 by Lynn Thames

Microsoft really wants you to upgrade to Windows 10. As a matter of fact, it is a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 users until July 29, 2016. Microsoft has never offered free upgrades before. In the past, you had to buy a new computer or buy a license for the new operating system costing around $120.
There is a lot to like about Windows 10. It works with computers and tablets. It’s interface feels more modern than previous versions of Windows. Your older computer will run faster with Windows 10. I am now recommending most users upgrade. Contact me for help deciding or going forward with the upgrade.

However, users should have control over whether to upgrade or not.

Microsoft recently changed the pop-up that wants to upgrade to Windows 10 ever so slightly so that now when you click on the red “X” to dismiss it, you have given tacit approval for Windows 10 to install.

Let me explain. For months, the pop-up users of Windows 7 and 8.1 have been receiving looked like this:

It looks like you have no choice here – Upgrade now or Upgrade tonight. But if you clicked on the red “X” at the top right of the windows, your computer did not upgrade.

That doesn’t work anymore.

Now, the pop-up has changed so that if you click on the red “X”, it sends the message to Microsoft that you want to upgrade!

The new window looks like this:

To stop the upgrade, you now have to notice the sentence “Click here to change upgrade schedule or cancel scheduled upgrade.” Clicking the red “X” schedules the upgrade.

There are other ways to block the upgrade such as third party programs that will stop Windows from upgrading. Contact us for details.

Call us for guidance on the Windows 10 upgrade:

– My computer upgraded, things look different. HELP!
– How to make sure your computer upgrades correctly
– Preventing the upgrade.

610-733-6842

Excel – Beginners and Beyond

February 25, 2015 by Lynn Thames

Come March 18th at 10:00am to 19 E. Spring Ave. Ardmore, PA 19003 for an informal class in the Excel basics and beyond. Bring your laptop. Class limited to 8 students so sign up quickly! Bring your laptop! Registration by Paypal only. Click the Buy Now button below to pay through Paypal.

Rash of telephone scams affecting Windows and Macs

January 24, 2015 by Lynn Thames

My last blog post was on a pop-up that Mac users have been getting with a fake tech support number to call. Lately, Windows users have been getting phone calls from fake technicians claiming to be associated with Microsoft. If someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support, or affiliated with Microsoft, calls you:

Do not purchase any software or services.
Ask if there is a fee or subscription associated with the “service.” If there is, hang up.
Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you can confirm that it is a legitimate representative of a computer support team with whom you are already a customer.
Take the caller’s information down and immediately report it to your local authorities.
Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support.
If you tell the scammer you have a Mac, they will still try to get you to gain control over your computer. Do not let them!

Read more at this link. Microsoft is going after these scammers legally. Report the scam here:

Federal Trade Commission – ftccomplaintassistant.gov
State’s Attorney General – naag.org/current-attorneys-general
Better Business Bureau – bbb.org

Have you seen this pop-up? It’s a scam.

January 21, 2015 by Lynn Thames

If you see the pop-up below while on the internet on your Mac, DO NOT call the number. If you call the number, DO NOT give the “technician” remote access to your Mac. This is a scam to get control of your computer and have you sign up for technical support.

It is important to understand that no website can scan your computer for malware or suspicious activity. Mac OS X will never display such a message within your web browser.

Press Command-Option-Esc to display the Force Quit Applications window. Force quit your browser to make the message go away. Restart your computer.

Read a great explanation of this scam here.

What to do before calling Tech Support

January 6, 2015 by Lynn Thames

People often call because some piece of technology is not working for them. We all know how frustrating that can be. Often, the fix is something simple. Here are some things to try before calling for help:

1. Shut down the computer/phone/printer/tablet. Turn it back on. Simple, right? This one easy step can fix many problems especially if you haven’t turned the device off and on again in awhile. Printers rarely get turned off and on so they are receptive to this action.

2. If your internet isn’t working, turn off the modem/router and turn it back on. This can be a tad tricky depending on if you have a modem/router combination or you have 2 separate devices. If you have a modem/router combination, there should be an on/off switch on the back of the modem/router. If there isn’t, pull the power cord out, wait 10 seconds, and then plug it back in.
If you have a separate modem and router, unplug both devices from power. (please tell me you can figure out which is the power cord). Plug in the modem first. Wait 2 minutes until all the lights are on or flashing. Then plug in the router. Try your internet again. This works even if one device is not connecting but all other devices are.

3. OK, this one is embarrassing but please make sure it’s “plugged in” or the battery hasn’t run out. No more needs to be said.

4. Got an error message? Take a picture with your smartphone. Those cryptic error messages can sometimes be very helpful in solving or at least diagnosing the problem with your computer.

5. If your printer isn’t working, try these steps:

Turn off the printer. Unplug it from power. Wait 2 minutes. Plug it back in and turn it back on.
If it’s wireless, reset your modem/router as described in Step 2.
If it’s connected by a USB cable, disconnect the cable from the computer and reconnect it.

Microsoft Office Keyboard Shortcuts

July 13, 2014 by Lynn Thames

Microsoft makes lots of good free stuff available. Here are some useful keyboard shortcuts for Office 2013.

To do this: Press
Go to “Tell me what you want to do” Alt+Q
Open    Ctrl+O
Save Ctrl+S
Close    Ctrl+W
Cut Ctrl+X
Copy Ctrl+C
Paste Ctrl+V
Select all Ctrl+A
Bold Ctrl+B
Italic Ctrl+I
Underline Ctrl+U
Decrease font size 1 point Ctrl+[
Increase font size 1 point Ctrl+]
Center text Ctrl+E
Left align text Ctrl+L
Right align text   Ctrl+R
Cancel Esc
Undo Ctrl+Z
Re-do Ctrl+Y
Zoom 0Alt+W, Q, then tab in Zoom dialog box to the value you want.