First Things First

First Things First
You just purchased a new computer-  Sweet!  here's the most important thing to know at this point: Computers are not TOASTERS-  you can't just take it out of the box, plug it in, and start using it without any consequences.

Instead, think of your computer as something closer to a NEW PUPPY-  you need to prepare a safe place to put it, protect it with a new surge protector, schedule its various maintenance services to run regularly, innoculate it with essential security patches (for Windows and Microsoft programs, Adobe programs, Apple software, Java, etc.) feed it a diet of healthy Internet use, and train it (actually train yourself) what is good and bad for your computer (and how you use it).

 This is your game plan:
* (For towers and desktop computers) Keep a MINIMUM of 3"-4" of space around and above it for cooling air to flow
* Keep it off the floor, where dust settles and is likely to be sucked inside
* (For laptops) NEVER place a laptop computer on a pillow (or any soft surface) likely to close off its limited cool air vents!  Laptops overheat all the time, and can last only hours to weeks before irreparable damage occurs.
* Plug any computer, tablet, laptop, or phone into a known good surge suppressor (less than 3 years old) to protect it from lightning strikes or power spikes.
* Keep liquids, pop cans, water glasses, vases, etc. FAR AWAY from your computer- spilling can result in a destroyed computer, and even in electrocution (you don't want to find out!).
Periodically dust and blow out the cooling vents of your computer with compressed air cans sold for this purpose.

This game plan will take you a long way towards enjoying a computer that keeps running sweet over the long haul.

NOTE: If you need help NOW, call us at KandiComp at (320)235-2701. or visit us on the web at www.kandicomp.com

Stay tuned for, Turning It On (The first time's always the best).

Squashing "OOPS" Bugs

Squashing "OOPS" Bugs

Yes, your computer's got "bugs"- Some are due to "OOPS's"- the mistakes we make.
There are the classics- spilling coffee on/in the laptop, or dropping/sitting on it.  But there are many more OOPS's that no one taught us to avoid- some of them are:

• Ignoring apps when they want to update
• shutting off a computer with the power button
• continuing to click the mouse on something if it is slow to respond at first
• installing, but not properly configuring security programs
• plugging the power cord directly into a wall outlet / not using a surge protector
• ignoring error messages
• never backing up files
• using 1 simple password to secure everything
• going anywhere, doing anything on the Internet without thought of consequences...

Most of us are never through the course of purchasing, setting up, or using our computers (this applies to tablets and smart phones too) taught this one essential rule:

• Your computer is not like a toaster- you don't just unpack it, plug it in, and use it; rather, it is like a new baby or pet- it needs to be placed in a safe location, properly protected, "innoculated" with updates; when something goes wrong it needs immediate attention, and it needs to be handled with respect and healthy consideration.

Most OOPS problems can be avoided altogether with a little applied knowledge and maintenance.  You can experience sweet computing.  In coming blogs, we'll talk more about computer care and the rewards for doing it well.

NOTE: If you need help NOW, call us at KandiComp at (320)235-2701. or visit us on the web at www.kandicomp.com

Stay tuned for, "First Things First"

Squashing "Incompatibility" Bugs

Squashing "Incompatibility" Bugs
 
Yes, your computer's got "bugs"- Some are due to incompatibilities.
Most programs were made to run well on a limited number of operating systems- i.e.: they work great on Windows 98 and XP, not at all on Windows 8.1. Likewise, most printers work well on Windows 8.1, many on Linux, some on OS X. And it's never smart to randomly run 2 security programs on the same computer- they may fight each other!

Don't worry, Friend- you can squash "Incompatibility" Bugs, and you can have a computer that runs sweet.  This is your game plan:

1. Read the packaging (for your program or peripheral)- On it you will find the words, "System Requirements".  And beneath those words it will tell you what operating systems it runs on (for instance, a Windows XP printer may not work on Windows 8.1), how much memory and how much hard drive space your computer will need for it to run well.  If your computer doesn't meet the system requirements, you may need to upgrade parts of your computer.
2.  If it's a hardware part or peripheral, try to stick with the same manufacturer. It is more likely they have designed their products to work in harmony together.
3. Install 1- let me say it again, ONE full featured Internet security program from a trusted company (KandiComp recommends Bitdefender, Kaspersky, or Norton) to protect your computer. These programs are not designed to cooperate with the programs made by competing companies, and may actually disable protective components of one another, leaving your computer less protected than before (I'll say more about security in a later blog, so stay tuned).

This game plan will take you a long way towards enjoying a computer that truly runs sweet.

NOTE: If you need help NOW, call us at KandiComp at (320)235-2701. or visit us on the web at www.kandicomp.com

Stay tuned for, "Squashing OOPS Bugs".

Squashing "Lack of Forsight" Bugs

Squashing "Lack of Foresight" Bugs
Yes, your computer's got "bugs"- Some are due to lack of foresight. No one meant for them to happen; but no one could have foreseen how the cool programs they designed would have to face new challenges over time beyond their original design.  Microsoft and Apple started out creating operating systems for hobbyists at the dawn of the "microcomputer age".  They did not dream at that time that Windows and what eventually became OS X would one day help manage the world's digital infrastructure (the same concept holds true for all programs in general).  For them, as the public demanded new and better features, they experimented, added on, patched, glitched, patched again, re-wrote, and republished their offerings.  Great programs happened, all made by flawed human beings- like us.
So we all have buggy computers, in part due to lack of foresight in the place of a rapidly changing technology landscape.
Don't worry, Friend- you can squash "Lack of Foresight" Bugs, and you can have a computer that runs sweet.  This is your game plan:

1. Read the program's User Manual- get to know what the program can and can NOT do, and don't exceed its limitations.
2. Join a web forum hosted by the program's publisher- get to know how other members deal with program glitches.
3. Do your homework- visit websites that rate popular software (i.e.: office suites, website builders, games, and security software) to see how testers rate their performance; then make a better informed purchase.
4. Read the package for your program (or printer, scanner, camera, joystick, etc.)- On it you will find the words, "System Requirements".  There it will tell you what operating systems it runs on (for instance, a Windows XP printer may not work on Windows 8.1), how much memory and how much hard drive space your computer will need for it to run well.  If your computer doesn't meet the system requirements, you may need to upgrade parts of your computer.

NOTE: If you need help NOW, call us at KandiComp at (320)235-2701. or visit us on the web at www.kandicomp.com

Stay tuned for, "Squashing Incompatibility Bugs".

Squashing Bugs Before They Squash you

Squashing Bugs Before They Squash you
Yes, your computer's got "bugs"- Some are due to lack of forsight.

Others are due to incompatibilities.

Still others are due to the mistakes we make- turning off a computer while in the middle of its doing something important, long power outages in "sleep mode", accidentally deleting important files, etc.

But most bugs today are designed by criminals to infect your computer; and once infected, to make it "throw up" your precious personal or business information. It ends up sent to the criminal, who uses it to commit identity theft and fraud against you- and can even hold your precious data hostage for ransom!

You owe it to yourself to recognize that bugs are a part of using computers today, and that it falls to YOU to protect yourself from them.
How? Stay tuned for, Squashing "Lack of Forsight" Bugs


NOTE: If you need help NOW, call us at KandiComp at (320)235-2701.

Computers Are Such a PAIN!

Computers Are Such a PAIN!

"I'm ready to take it out in a field and shoot it." Many KandiComp customers have said something like this about their sick computers over the years- one actually did take a shotgun to his laptop (bad for the environment- hazardous waste inside)!

At KandiComp we've noticed a many-years-old trend that seems to hold true: most computer problems are software problems. Many years ago I (naive "computer guy") that I was imagined the computer fixit shop I might one day own would need to be full of parts to replace worn out or defective hard drives, Floppy drives, CD-ROM drives, modems, Zip drives, or memory (this parts list kind of dates me, I guess). No Friends, computers for decades have been made too well overall to wear out quickly.

No, buggy operating systems (Windows 98, Vista, 8, etc.) and unintuitive programs cause a large part of the computer pain we experience. And now, more than ever before, criminals are robbing us blind with the help of programming bugs and vulnerabilities in them.

The bad news: your computer has "bugs" too.

The worse news: You could suffer grievious loss of what is important to you on your computer because of them.

The good news: You can deal with computer bugs, and can enjoy sweet computing as a result.
Stay tuned for, "Squashing Bugs Before They Squash you".

NOTE: If you need help NOW, call us at KandiComp at (320)235-2701. Or visit our website at www.kandicomp.com

Why 2 years to post a blog?!?

Why 2 years to post a blog?!? (This is a confession, so give me a break please)


I fix computers for a living. Day after day after day. For over 34 years now, in one form or another. I've replaced old ones, prototyped and built them, upgraded, networked, programmed, tested, removed Malware infections, recovered data, cloned, secured, and performed forensic examinations on them. And more.

What I've seldom ever done consistently is enjoyed them. Oh, I've marvelled at their awesome and increasing power, decreasing price, and cool programs. When I bought my first computer game, I thought I'd morph into the ultimate gamer- awesome! But work got in the way. After 8-12 hours of daily looking at a 1-color 10" plasma screen, by the end of the day I had little enthusiasm for looking at one some more. Over time, family, then friends and neighbors (and eventually their families, friends and neighbors) turned to me (the "computer guy") to work on their computers.

My wife Beth and I wrestled with either staying employed where we were and turning away the growing influx of after hours computer work on the side- or starting our own computer services business to serve our growing clientele. So in 2004 we incorperated KandiComp and repaired computers on the dining room table in our apartment. We've grown tremendously since then, but that's another story for later. But I wasn't really enjoying all computers could do yet, so the blog I started for you a couple years ago didn't get the attention a blog needs.

So what changed? YOU DID.You visit each other across the globe live by Skype, like each other on Facebook, meet to strategize in Google Hangouts, recommend one another via LinkedIn, pay your taxes, buy your groceries, order your medicines, and get your degrees online. You proved to me that computers are still awesome for games and getting work done- but they've become awesome and essential for so much more. So I, the late bloomer when it comes to enjoying computers, have been checking out all the cool stuff about them and they are indeed awesome. I'm hooked. I want to share not only my discoveries with you, but also how to make sure you have the best experience available on your computer, tablet, and smart phone.

Most people who call KandiComp the first time are NOT having a good experience. While this time I told you something about the PLEASURE today's computers can offer, next time I want to say something about the PAIN. I feel your pain, Computer Friend, and can help you find your sweet computing place once again.
Stay tuned, and tell me what you most enjoy or appreciate about your computer, tablet, or smart phone.

Stay Tuned

Stay tuned to see why it took me 2 years to post to this blog (and what changed)!

Computers- Pleasure or Pain
Right in the middle of your project, the "Blue Screen of Death" appears on your screen- again. The link to the funny video you wanted to check out told you to install a special player or codec first- then your computer got infected and locked up- it hasn't worked right since.  Days after you checked your bank balance online, your credit card company called to say, "Was it you who tried to spend $5000 on clothes at Walmart?"

So you tell me: Are computers a pleasure or a pain?