Wi-Fi uses short-range radio waves to provide a convenient way to access the internet in your home. While the technology can seem magical to many of us, it’s not. It has a limited range, experiences interference, and dead zones are the result. The easiest way to locate them is to take a walk around your home with a wireless device and look at the quality of the connection.A dead zone is any area of your home that should be covered by your Wi-Fi signal, but isn’t.
 
What causes dead zones?
 
1. Your house is too big (I feel so sorry for you). A large home can be challenging to cover adequately with a conventional wireless router. If the router is in one corner of the house, the opposite corner may not have adequate coverage.
 
2. Your home’s construction may be interfering. Older construction with plaster and chicken wire walls can block Wi-Fi signals. Metal filing cabinets, refrigerators, and  other obstructions can block wireless signals.
 
3. Other electronic devices can interfere with signals. Old cordless phones can create interference, microwave ovens can cause issues, etc. Other culprits include baby monitors, wireless audio systems, and security systems.
 
4. Your might have a problem outside the house. If you live in a densely populated area, the wireless signals put out by your neighbors may cause interference or your ISP might have a problem outside the house that needs to be addressed (and they might not acknowledge it).
 
5. Your router might be in intermittent failure. If your router is old it might be operating at a decreased capacity.
 
How to solve the problem of dead zones
 
1. Move your router. At least get it up higher. Or find a convenient central location. You’ll be much less likely to suffer from wireless networking deadzones if your router isn’t at one end of the house or in the basement. Be creative and find a location that works for complete coverage. Also, you might need a newer, better router.
 
2. Remove obstructions. Do you have any electronic or large metal devices near your router? Consider moving the obstruction and measuring the results.
 
3. Purchase a wireless repeater. A wireless repeater or extender receives the wireless signal from your router or wireless device and rebroadcasts it. I have found these fairly effective especially if setup, located and used correctly.
 
4. Use a cable. Though it may be unsightly without a lot of work, you can connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable. Anytime you are “corded” rather than “cordless’ you’re likely to have a better connection.
 
Dead zones are a common occurrence, particularly in larger homes, but reading this article and following the simple instructions or having a qualified Computer Service Firm do it can fix a pesky problem once and forever.
 

The Differences Between Refurbished and Used Computers
 
There are many times when a new computer is either overkill or simply too expensive. Perhaps your needs or your budget are limited. If you’re interested in using a computer to surf the web, use a word processor or spreadsheet, and stay on top of your email and Facebook accounts, a new computer might be more than you need. A used or refurbished computer is a viable option.
 
It can be a little nerve-wracking to purchase a computer from a stranger on Craigslist. That’s what makes refurbished computers so attractive.
 
While there are no official definitions to separate ‘used’ and ‘refurbished’ computers, there are some generally accepted guidelines. A used computer is considered to be a computer sold ‘as-is’ by a private party. There is typically no warranty included. In most cases, no work has been done to the computer to bring it back to factory standards. You have little recourse if the computer develops an issue.
 
A refurbished computer is analogous to purchasing a certified used car from a dealer. The computer should be  put through a rigorous testing process, parts should be replaced as necessary, and a warranty included. A refurbished computer will be approaching the quality of a new computer at a lower price. It can be the best of both worlds.
 
The hard drive should be wiped clean, and the operating system is re-installed so there is ZERO user history. Refurbished desktop computers also often get a new mouse and keyboard (if not they should).  Any problems are  discovered and corrected.
 
This is very different than purchasing directly from the previous owner. A computer purchased on Ebay or Craigslist from an individual looking to sell might contain a history that you don’t want to be associated with.  Sometimes, people will hold onto a computer until a significant problem occurs and computer problems can be quite challenging to rectify. Spending money to purchase someone else’s problem might not be a good strategy. And, getting a refund may be difficult. Used computers can be a gamble.
 

Like anything else, purchasing a used or refurbished computer has both advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the pros and cons of purchasing a used desktop or laptop computer can make it much easier to reach the best decision. Good decisions can’t be reached with bad information.
 
Reasons to purchase a used computer:
 
1. Price: This is the most obvious advantage of purchasing a used computer – and the primary motivator for most people. Due to the “slow economy” many people and businesses are looking for used computers as a way to save money. It’s most likely the primary reason you are reading this article and considering a used computer. While older computers typically have lower specifications, they often provide far more capability than the average user requires. Even the most basic computer can be used for word processing, spreadsheets, using the Internet, or viewing photos.
 
• Unless you have a regular need for high-end applications, most desktop and laptop computers are overkill. Further, if you have fast internet speed you can often survive on an older computer with less “spec.”
 
2. Convenience: If you’re purchasing a used computer from a local computer business, it’s much easier to get repairs done. Try taking a new computer back to Wal-Mart for repairs. You’ll likely have to box up your computer and head for the post office. How long can you afford to wait? And yes, new computers sometimes have problems. In buying a used PC from a local shop hopefully you’ll be starting a relationship with a repair person there, also.
 
• A used (or new) computer is much easier to have serviced when purchased from a local provider rather than over the internet.
 
3. You won’t pay for things you don’t need. The primary difference between a current computer model and one that’s 3-years old is a faster processing speed, more ram and better graphics. These improvements aren’t necessary for 75+% of computer users. Why pay for more than you need? Also, many used computers already have expensive office and antivirus software and that is another expense you will not incur.
 
4. Windows 7 unavailable. Many users don’t like Windows 8. If you walk into Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, etc. the only machines available have Windows 8. If you buy a used computer you can find one with Windows 7.
 
The disadvantages of a used computer:
 
1. Warranty: New computers include a warranty. If you’re purchasing a used computer from an individual or shop, they likely won’t include a warranty; however, purchasing a used computer from a computer business might include a warranty. Remember to ask!
 
2. The latest technology: If you need access to cutting-edge technology a new computer might be a better option. Consider what you truly need before making a decision. If you’re not sure what you need, ask someone with the necessary knowledge.
 
3. Lifespan: A re-furbished computer can potentially last as long as a new computer, but the used computer might naturally be out of date before a new computer. Again, assess your personal requirements and risk tolerance and the cost benefits of both.
 
4. The seller might be selling you a machine that has had a motherboard repair or might have been compromised in some other fashion. Similar to a used car the computer might have a past the seller might not know or be forthcoming about.
 

When using a search engine, there are several types of results that are returned. These results have different purposes. Knowing the difference can help your web browsing and your business. (You can click the images below to enlarge).
 
Paid Results: With most search engines, the first few results are usually paid results. This means that the companies or web pages listed actually paid the search engine for that positioning. Typically, these companies agree to pay a set amount every time someone clicks on the link. This is the largest portion of Google’s income, paid search results.
 
These paid results can also be seen on the margins of web pages and search results. Look at the photo to the left: The paid search results are circled in red.
 
Organic Results:
 
The organic search results can be seen circled in blue.
 
The various search engines have proprietary algorithms to rank web pages. The main purpose is to give the search engine user the most relevant possible results to their inquiry. There are hundreds of ranking factors search engines consider when deciding which result to populate in organic search results. These ranking decisions are controlled by an algorithm — which is a step-by-step procedure for performing calculations often controlled by software.
 
While the algorithm used to control search engine rank is unreleased here are some “suspected” ranking factors:
 
• Keywords: Google, Yahoo, Bing, and others, check to see if the right words appear on the web page for the primary topic. For example, a page about football would be expected to have certain words associated with it. The words quarterback, score, field, weather, players, etc., are all words associated with the topic of football.
 
• Links: Links to and from the website are also examined. The quality of the links is highly relevant. For example, a link from Harvard University likely carries more weight than a link from an unknown community college. In our football example, a link from another football website is probably a more important link than one from a car dealership, for example. This a voting system of sorts and fundamental to the original development of a successful search engine (Google – Founded September 4, 1998).
 
• Media: It’s generally accepted that pictures, video, and audio files increase the ranking of a web page. People tend to prefer a multimedia experience vs. one with only text. Also, it’s recommended to name photos since search engines have a hard time deciphering images vs. text.
 
• Age of the website. Older websites often tend to get more ranking credit than those there were recently created; however, this is not always true. A new site that is highly informative and popular can often outrank an older one with less activity and stale content.
 
• On page Engineering. Factors on the landing page such as readability, page load time, geo-locational information, etc. contribute to how high in search results pages appear.
 
Local Results: If you’re searching for the term “plumber”, you’re likely to get several results for plumbers in your area. Google knows that if you’re searching for the word plumber, it’s likely you’re looking for one that’s nearby. These local results typically include the company name, address, and phone number in a format that is unique when compared to other types of results.
 
See the green-circled area to the left.
 
Those are the three main types of search results. Paid search results are great, if you need or desire fast results. A bidding process determines the cost of paid search results. More valuable keywords will cost more.
 
Organic search results are free and can be even more valuable than paid search results. It means you have a great, relevant, and valuable web page. Getting to the top of the organic rankings can be challenging though. In many cases, expert assistance is required.
 
You’re more likely to appear in your local listings if you manually complete the listings form and fill it out completely to 100%. The search engines will eventually find your website and construct a listing for you. However, a listing that has been claimed by the business owner and filled out to 100% completion usually shows up more often in search results. The option to include photos, and in some cases even video, can improve the odds of appearing in the local listings. For more information on SEO please visit our website here.
 

While SEO techniques can be highly advanced, there are many things the average website owner can do to improve the ranking of their website(s) in the search engines. For less competitive keywords, the below advice might be enough to meet your needs.
 
All websites would be well-served to have the following, at a minimum:
 
1. Take measurements: You wouldn’t try to lose weight without getting on the scale once in a while. Avoid doing the same with your SEO efforts. There are a variety of toolbars and websites, like Alexa and Woorank, that can help to track the results of your SEO efforts. GTmetrix has a good website speed/load-time test.
 
2. Choose the right keywords: What is your website about? What is your desired web traffic likely to search for? How popular and relevant are the appropriate keywords? Spend the time to choose the right keywords. There are many tools available to research keywords, including Google’s own tool.
 
3. Create internal links: Internal links are free and easy to create. You’ll keep your audience on your website longer and have more opportunity to create a long-lasting relationship with your traffic. Link back to your older material so people know it’s there.
 
4. Create relevant external links: Link to authority sites. You never know when you’ll get some links pointing back in your direction. Search engines expect that you’ll have some external links.
 
5. Have a sitemap: Sitemaps can make it a lot easier for the search engines to find all of your web pages. Search engines rely on indexing programs referred to as ‘spiders’ to crawl through your website. A sitemap makes it easier for these spiders to find everything quickly and efficiently.
 
6. Use image descriptions: The search engines can’t figure out whether you have a picture of a dog or a rocket on your website, yet. Making use of ALT tags is the best way to let the search engines know what your picture is all about. ALT tags were originally created to help those with vision challenges identify the content of images via text-to-voice programs.
 
7. Quality content: Have the best content you can create . . . then be sure that it’s updated regularly. Adding new content is the best way to keep your website fresh and to show the search engines that you’re serious.
 
8. Make use of social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN, Pinterest, and all the rest are great ways to people to share your content with others. Think of it as free advertising. Learning to use these tools effectively is a feat in itself. Do the necessary research to do a good job.
 
9: Make sure you get good citations to directories that are relevant to your industry. I always outsource this to a company called Whitespark and use their citation finding tool or have them do the service for me.
While competitive keywords can potentially require a tremendous amount of expertise, time, and money to achieve success, there are many things the average website owner can do to improve the rank of his or her website. Put these 8 ideas into action and see what happens.
 
Skipping these SEO basics will get you nowhere fast and you’ll lack the foundation necessary to get the maximum number of visitors to your site.
 

All computers require periodic cleaning. This is true for both laptop and desktop computers. It’s not just physical dust and debris; there are also junk files, malware remnants, temp files, program fragments and other computer software that needs to be tidied up on a regular basis. Here are the basics:
 
1. Computer screen: Turn off the monitor and find a dry, clean cloth. The cloth should be non-abrasive and lint-free. Then use the appropriate cleaner and apply it directly to the cloth, not to the monitor. This avoids drips that can damage electrical components. Gently wipe down the screen with gentle pressure. When cleaning a laptop screen, be especially careful not to get drips in the speakers or keyboard. In the absence of a cleaning agent, water can be used, preferably distilled. Otherwise use a non-ammonia based glass cleaner.
 
2. Keyboard: Use a can of compressed air and spray between the keys. In many cases, this is sufficient to clean out the crud under the keys. In most extreme cases, it may be necessary to pop out the keys with a pen. The underlying surface is then easily cleaned. Removing the keys is not recommended with laptops! However, a laptop keyboard can be replaced by your local computer repair shop. The key surfaces can be cleaned in a similar fashion as the monitor. Again, apply the cleaning agent to the cloth, not directly to the keyboard.
 
3. Cleaning Inside a Desktop: Most desktop cases are easily opened with a screwdriver or with the simple twist of a few thumbscrews. A can of compressed air can then be used to clean the fans, CPU heat sink, vents, motherboard, expansion slots, etc. Be sure to blow the debris away from the system when possible. If you have a laptop computer it also needs the inside of the case cleaned out periodically but I strongly recommend you take it to a qualified computer repair professional or computer repair shop for this. Tell them you want the fan basins cleaned out and the heat sink taken up and new thermal paste applied. This should be done once every three years and more often if you smoke or have long-haired pets in the house.
 
4. Clean the computer of‘software debris’: Depending on your preference, Windows has many utilities to keep your computer in good working condition; and, there are also many software programs available to help with this task. These programs tend to do a better job than windows utilities and are easier to use. One example is CCleaner. CCleaner provides a means to fix file problems, registry errors, repair broken shortcuts, delete junk files, etc. Running these utilities once every few weeks is one way to keep your computer running smoothly but it’s not a total solution.
 
5. Remove Malware: Although this may come as a surprise to many — your antivirus is no match for today’s infections. Some (and often many) will inevitably slip through your AV software. I suggest running a stronger aftermarket malware removal utility such as Malwarebytes to remove minor infections. Furthermore, you should take your computer into a qualified repair shop once a year for a professional virus check and removal.
 
Periodic cleaning of your laptop or desktop is a good way to keep your computer running smoothly, extend the life of your machine, and increase your overall computer using experience.
 

While there are many advantages to using a paid-email service, there are many great options for those seeking a free email service. It’s not always easy to determine the differences, but a little bit of research can go a long way to finding the perfect service for your requirements.

What to look for:

1. Security: Where intentional or inadvertent, most of us store a plethora of personal and confidential information in our email accounts. Passwords, bank account / credit card information, and tax returns are just a few examples. Be sure your free email provider has multiple layers of protection.

2. Features: What does the service in question offer beyond the ability to send and receive email? How much storage is included? Is there a messaging app? A calendar feature? Is the ability to filter and sort your incoming email important to you?

3. Support: Does the provider have a good reputation with regards to help and support? It can be more than a little inconvenient if your email is down and no help is available. If you’re looking for service stability, the more popular services are usually a better bet.

Popular Free Providers:

1. Gmail: Google is everywhere. It’s difficult to not have a Gmail account. At the very least, a Gmail account is required for any real functionality with Youtube. Gmail includes a messaging and calling feature. There is even the ability to get a unique phone number that can be linked to your cell or home phone. Gmail arguably has the greatest functionality, but limits users to 10 GB of inbox storage.

2. Yahoo email: Yahoo email is still very popular, though has fallen out of favor in recent years. Many email users appreciate the ability to avoid the nesting that is forced upon users of Gmail. Yahoo boasts unlimited inbox storage, but lacks the cloud storage feature of Gmail.

3. Mail.com: This relative newcomer also has unlimited storage and the ability to utilize aliases to protect your identity. The maximum attachment size is 50 MB, falling between Gmail’s 20 MB limit and Outlook’s 300 MB limit.

4. Outlook.com: There’s a lot to like about Outlook’s email offering. Unlimited storage, 300 MB maximum attachment size, and 7 GB of cloud storage. While Outlook lacks Gmail’s video chat feature, it does include aliases, an RSS reader, and social media feeds. Outlook is growing in popularity and many users look to alternatives to Gmail and Yahoo email.

There are numerous free email providers, many more than listed above. Be sure to examine all the options before making a choice. Compare features, security, and support to find the one that is the best fit for you.

In this day and age, nearly every computer user has had the misfortune of dealing with some type of computer malware –although some don’t know it. In my computer service career I have rarely run across a machine I can’t reveal some type of malware infection on. I’d say about 80% of the computers I see at my shop have at least one malware infection. When I tell people they usually respond in shock with “WHAT . . . . but I have antivirus software . . . how can this be?” My answer – very easily.
 
That’s why I wrote this blog post — to shed a bit more light on the subject . . . . and a few other misconceptions surrounding the programs that are SUPPOSED to prevent malware infections.
 
1. There’s no such thing as a 100% effective anti-virus program. There are literally thousands of new malware programs being released each day. It can take time for the developers of your antivirus program to develop methods for dealing with these new programs. In the interim – you can be infected.
 
2. No antimalware program can replace good web browsing and computer management habits. It’s not just downloading pirated copies of expensive software or movies from file sharing sites or pornography where all infections come from. This is a myth. They are often rolled into relatively benign free utilities that most people think will help them in some way, shape or form. It can be difficult to determine if such files are safe, useful utilities (some are) or actually serving as a virus-spreading mechanism.
 
Other popular places to get infected are sites where there are free games, music, apps, movies, recipes, or anything else you don’t have to pay for. Often times malware and virus infections will come in through these websites as drive-by downloads and slip right past your antivirus software.
 
3. Antivirus software is both proactive and reactive. The software available today is able to use heuristics to examine the behavior of a computer file. Even if a specific known virus isn’t identified, the file can still be determined to be malware. This is a great method of early detection when dealing with new malware but not even close to 100% effective.
 
4. Files and software on your computer that have been damaged by malware can’t always be repaired. While it is possible for a highly skilled computer repair shop owner to remove the infections from your computer completely repairing all your files or software to their pre-viral state isn’t always possible. That’s why back-ups are so important!
 
5. One is better than two. Never do this, period. Anti-virus software is very heavy software and running two antivirus programs simultaneously slows system performance to the extent it can actually expose your compromised system to infections.
 

Cryptolocker is the nastiest virus I’ve seen in my computer repair career. It ups the ransomware stakes by encrypting your files and holding them hostage until you pay the ‘ransom’. Understand that your files can be lost forever. The virus is most commonly spread through email attachments. Phishing attacks have also been used against companies.
 
You might be thinking that someone will certainly break the encryption and put an end to the problem. However, the encryption is an asymmetric RSA that requires both a public and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt the files and the private key is used to decrypt the files.
 
Keep in mind that this is the same type of encryption that the US government uses, and by most accounts, the NSA is unable to break this style and level of encryption! Without the private key, there is no way to unlock your files. The types of files that are encrypted vary with the particular variant of the virus. But the virus appears to target businesses, based on the targeted file types but also affects many non-business users as well.
 
The current cost to release your files is $300 but I’ve seen some variants of the virus seeking up to $500. Paying the ransom might or might not be successful in releasing your files. Many times it is NOT. I would not suggest paying the ransom. The success rate of recovering files this way is not high. The lesson here? Back up your files. Period. The virus infection, like other virus and malware infections can easily be removed by a qualified computer repair shop for around $125. The problem here is the encrypted data. If you data is backed up – although you’re not perfectly protected against the infection – you’re protected against data loss. See my blog for more articles on how to back up your data.
 
A new version of the virus, referred to as Cryptolocker 2.0 was recently discovered at the end of 2013, though the original version is still in full-force. Both versions asymmetrically encrypt files with particular file extensions and then request a ransom.
 
There are a few differences:
 
1. The earlier version uses RSA-2048, while 2.0 uses RSA-1024. However, the latter claims to use RSA-4096.
 
2. 2.0 only accepts Bitcoins for the ransom payment. The previous version accepts Ukash, MoneyPak, cashU vouchers, or BitCoin.
 
3. 2.0 was programmed in C#. The original Cryptolocker was programmed in Visual C++. This strongly suggests that the original programmers were not part of the new version.
 
4. Cryptolocker didn’t attack video and music files; the latter version does.
 
Experts are uncertain whether the same programmers created the 2.0 version or if it is merely a copycat. Though most believe it is was not created by the original programmers. There is one certainty; both can be detrimental to your files. Avoid opening email attachments unnecessarily, back up your files at regular intervals, learn good web-browsing habits — and run an effective and up to date anti-virus program.
 

Of all the important computer tasks that people regularly ignore, backing up their data and important files must be at the top of the list. At my computer repair shop in Louisville, KY at least once a week I deal with a customer in a panic because their computer or laptop won’t start and it is the only device that contains all their data. With computers, things can go very wrong, quickly. Hard drive failure is a very common occurrence and now there is computer virus going around that destroys data.
 
Backing up your computer and keeping your files safe should be a regular part of your computer maintenance routine. The frequency will depend on the importance of your files – the value you place on them. It’s advisable to backup immediately after uploading anything you consider important. A common sense test would be to ask yourself how you would feel and how would it affect you if the file was gone. For most users, once a week, bi monthly, monthly or even quarterly is a reasonable schedule. Again, depends on the value you place on the newly created files.
 
Perhaps, part of the problem lies with the fact that people aren’t sure how to start or what tools and software to use. If I have any advice along these lines it is one thing: keep it simple. I recommend keeping your data on two devices. Your machine and one other device. If it’s at your home or facility or at someone else’s (meaning the cloud – which simply means your data is transferred to someone else’s facility via the internet not into outer space) makes little difference really unless you’re concerned against protecting against a flood or fire. In which case you do need a copy at another facility – but you still don’t have to use the cloud. You can give a copy to friend, or put a copy in your bank box for example. No need to send it via the cloud to someone stranger’s facility.
 
I do not use a cloud back-up. The only solid, logical reason to do a cloud back up that I can think of is to protect against fire. Rather than losing control of my data and sending it to ”who knows where” I simply have a third copy of my data on a flash drive in the bank box. This is simple and logical to me and makes me feel happy. 
 
I also keep the backup itself simple and logical (by my way of thinking, anyway). I transfer (copy and paste) five folders and my accounting file to an external hard drive about once a month. That’s it! The folders are: My Documents, Business Documents, My Pictures, My Videos, and Favorites. I use QuickBooks accounting software for my businesses and each business has one file that I save to the external.
 
My backup method is very simple as I think it should be. I am in control of my data and my back-up and quite frankly I don’t think this needs to be automated process. Automated back-ups can fail and drain system resources I’d rather use for actual creation and production. But as my grandmother, who lived to be 100 always said “to each their own.” Here are some more back-up options for you to consider.
 
1. External Hard Drive: The most common method for backing up computers at home is the use of an external hard drive. These devices come with software to make backups automated but you don’t have to use it. You do have to option of using the backup software, or just dragging and dropping your data or if you prefer – cut and paste. This is a very inexpensive option a 500GB external Hard Drive is about $59 bucks now.
 
2. USB Flash Drive: You’re not likely to be able to fit all the contents of your hard drive on a flash drive but this isn’t the way you should be doing a back-up anyway, in my option. The capacity of these little drives is impressive. You can get a 64 GB or 128 GB flash drive which is enough to back up all of my important, irreplaceable data. It’s a great way to go, frankly.
 
3. Online Storage: Dropbox is one such option. This software also allows file sharing with other people. The first 2 GB of space is free. There are other comparable solutions — Cabronite and others. I don’t use cloud back-up so I can’t give you many options here but Google it and I’m sure you’ll get a Google-zillion results. Search criteria: “best online back-up” –read some third party reviews and articles about your options.
 
4. Windows Backup and Restore: While previous versions of Windows had backup utilities that left a lot to be desired, the back and restore utilities in Windows 7 and 8 are actually OK but this my least favorite way to back up data. I would pass on it.
 
5. NAS – Network Attached Storage: NAS is a good option sometimes for business users and it wouldn’t be entirely incorrect to think of this as an external hard drive for a network of computers. Unless you enjoy complicating your life more than it already is I would stay away from this for home use.
 
If you need help with computer data backups in Louisville, KY call On-Site Louisville Computer Repair Co. today.