How to update to Windows 11

You will need a good internet connection and a bank 8GB USB drive or larger. If you are upgrading a laptop, make sure it is plugged in and not running on battery only.

Download Windows 11 and select Create Windows 11 Installation Media

Plug your blank USB into your computer and then click on the Windows 11 installer and select create a USB installer. This will take a while, just follow the instruction, they are self-explanatory.

In the shop, we perform a full tuneup and a full backup prior to updating to Windows 11 but since you probably will not have the equipment for that you need to at least uninstall old programs you no longer use and optimize your hard drives, and backup your computer.

Now to perform your Windows 11 update, after creating your backup, reboot your computer and plug in your Windows 11 installer USB. Click on the setup.exe like the image below.

Now just follow the USB installer directions and your Windows 10 computer will be updated to Windows 11.

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Backing up your files is the best way to protect your files and data. Once you have a great backup system installed, you’ve already taken the most important step in protecting your computer – but there are threats beyond data loss that you can prepare for.

Malware (short for malicious software) is software that is developed to disrupt or damage a computer system. It can appear in a number of ways and can be used to gather private information, delete data or even lock people out of their own files. According to Kaspersky Labs, there are more than 200,000 new malware threats per day!

One such malware, Cryptolocker, has been making the internet rounds over the past several weeks. The software is called “ransomware”, as it encrypts the files on infected computers so users can’t access them. When someone tries to open a file on a computer infected with this malware, they are alerted that they must pay $300 for their files to be unencrypted so they can access them. Deleting the malware or refusing to pay the ransom will leave their files encrypted.

As a trusted partner in data protection, Carbonite Backup wants to ensure that our customers are aware of these threats and know how to prevent them from infecting their computers and servers. Here are some tips that can help you avoid malware and other types of viruses to protect your files:

• Be an email skeptic: Malware is often spread through email links or attachments. Don’t open attachments or click on links from people or companies you’re not familiar with.
• Free software – too good to be true?: Downloading free software is tempting, but it may include spyware and other malicious content. Only download software from trusted vendors.
• Down with the pop-ups: Block pop-up windows and don’t click on links or buttons within them.
• Bump up your browser security: Go into your web browser settings and make sure your security settings are set to medium or higher.
• Beware of illegal downloads: While it’s tempting to watch a movie that’s still in theatres on your computer, many files shared on illegal file-sharing sites have pieces of malware attached to them.

These are just a few tips that can help you avoid the headaches to protect your files and other negative effects of malware. Need more information on backup software? Contact Us or Open a Support Ticket, we are here to help.

Reprinted from an article

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A surge protector is a device that protects sensitive electronic equipment from harmful voltage spikes and power surges. It absorbs excess energy much like a sponge absorbs water. They are different from power strips which provide power extension and extra outlets but offer no protection against power spikes or surges.

What is a power surge?

A power surge is a short-term increase in voltage (or voltage spike) due to lightning strikes or unusual line conditions, like when power companies switch power distribution across grids. It’s important to periodically replace your surge protector (once every 3-4 years is recommended in most cases) since power surges wear down the protective components inside the surge protector over time.

Why is surge protection important?

• The average household gets 350 power surges per year.
• Overvoltage, brownouts, power surges, and voltage spikes occur five times a day on average.
• Small, frequent power surges cause cumulative damage to connected electronics, shortening the product lifespan.
• Power surges are the number one cause of data loss.
• Over 50% of equipment failures can be attributed to power surge/failure.
• The right surge protection will save your electronics and extend the life of your products.
• Choosing a surge protector will safeguard all your valuable electronics; many are backed by Connected Equipment Warranties.

What is a connected equipment warranty?

A connected equipment warranty covers equipment that is damaged by transient voltage while properly connected through a surge protector to a properly wired AC power line with a protective ground. Brands that offer CEWs will repair or replace any equipment damaged by a power surge, spike, or lightning strike while properly connected to their surge protector, up to the listed amount.

What are the basic features of a surge protector?

• Joules of Protection range from 300 to over 4,000 joules to protect all devices from lamps to 4K televisions
• Multiple Outlets: 1, 3, 4, 7 6, 8, and 12 outlet variations accommodate any setup throughout your home
• LED Indicators indicate whether the surge protector is properly grounded and whether your devices are protected
• USB Ports charge mobile devices rapidly and safely
• Cord Length: Choose the length that best fits the setup in any room of your house
• Protective Housing resists impact, corrosion, and scratches

How many joules of protection do I need?

Below 1,000 joules protect:

• Lamp
• Digital Alarm Clock
• Cell Phone Charger
• Phone/Answering Machine
• Small Kitchen Appliances

Between 1,000-2,000 joules protect:

• Laptop/Notebook
• Tablet
• Router
• Printer
• Power Tools

2,000 joules and above protect:

• HDTV
• Desktop Computer
• Stereo System
• Gaming Console
• DVR/Blu-ray Players

What is a spike? What causes them?

A spike is a significant increase in voltage that can enter electronic equipment through AC, network, serial, phone or coaxial lines, and can damage or completely destroy components.

Spikes are most often caused by:

• Lightning
• Unusual power line conditions
• Noisy electrical surroundings
• Disturbance generated by users

Have any questions about protecting your computer equipment? Contact A1 Computer Repair

Reprinted from Amazon’s “What Is a Surge Protector” Article

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Affected users were warned not to reboot their machines

An antivirus program labeled itself as malware, causing some computers it was running on to stop working.

After an update, essential components in two Panda Security antivirus programs became corrupted, leading them to be mistakenly identified as malign and quarantined.

Panda said a fix had been released and warned that rebooting affected systems could exacerbate the issue.

Steps to Fix You Computer: http://www.pandasecurity.com/uk/homeusers/support/card?id=100045

It asked those affected to get in touch so it could help fix their machines.

One security expert noted the irony. “People’s first response is to turn [their computer] off and back on again, but in this case, it seems like the wrong thing to do,” said Prof Alan Woodward, of Surrey University.

The “last thing” people would expect to cause their computers to break down was its security software, he said.

Corrupted files

Panda Security said that the signature file in both its PCOP and its Retail 2015 packages became corrupted.

Read the Full Story at: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-31851125

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The only program we use and the only one we recommend is Duplicate Cleaner from Volcano Software and it is great! it is very easy to use and easy to group and delete duplicates.

It Finds Duplicate Files by content, name, or date. It Finds similar images and compares music by tags. It will search your documents locally or on the network.

Duplicate Cleaner will deep scan for all types of files – photos, music, films, video, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, text files – you name it, if it appears twice on your computer then Duplicate Cleaner will find it. Once these files are found you are provided with helpful tools to enable you to select which copies to delete or move. These files can be deleted to the recycle bin or moved elsewhere.

You can Download Duplicate Cleaner Here, there is a free version and a Pro Version. The Pro Version is only $29.95 and if you have a lot of files to manage, I suggest grabbing the pro version.

The post Clean Up Your Computer By Removing Duplicates appeared first on A1 Computer Repair.

Computer errors are very common and every computer user may face different kinds of issues so they should learn about the solutions to common computer-related problems. The common factors that cause problems in computers are viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, adware, corrupted registry, faulty hardware, low memory, low capacity hard disk, low CPU speed, and stuffing computers with a large number of software applications. In this article, I have compiled a list of the most common computer problems and their solutions.

The computer is very slow

This is a very common issue and it arises due to several factors such as too many programs running at the start-up, low RAM, low processor speed, spyware running as a background application, errors in the Windows registry, and the buildup of the garbage files on the hard disk. Scanning your computer with up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware program, cleaning and repairing the Windows registries, increasing memory, deleting temporary files, deselecting the programs at start-up, and uninstalling unwanted software applications can solve this problem to a very large extent.

The network server is not accessible

In a networked environment, every computer depends on the server for login authentication, files access, internet, and printing access, and sharing server resources. The downtime and the communication failure with the server are very problematic and frustrating for the users. Check both ends of the network cable and make sure that the attached RJ-45 connectors are properly plugged into the LAN card and hub/switch. Ping the server’s IP and make sure you get the reply from the server. Ensure that your server is on and working fine. A large number of the running applications on the server and simultaneous access to the server from a number of users can slow down the performance and speed of the server. Scan your PC with an up-to-date antivirus program because certain viruses and spyware are responsible for the communication failure. Replace your LAN card with a new one and assign a different IP address and try to connect with the server.

The computer locks up or freezes

Missing .dll files, viruses, faulty registry, defective RAM and spyware slows down the performance of the server and it locks up frequently. Scanning a PC with the anti-virus and anti-spyware program, cleaning and repairing the registry and increasing RAM can solve this issue.

The computer won’t boot

Faulty power cable, power extension, and power supply all contribute to this problem. Checking one by one each of the above components can pinpoint the problematic part. Simply replace that part with a new one and you’re computer is okay.

Computer reboots itself

Defective cooling fan, power supply, RAM, viruses, and spyware can cause this to happen.
Memory usage is maximum in computer

Whether the memory is less than the recommended memory to run certain applications, swap memory chips with each other, or scan your computer for viruses and spyware, increasing the page file and physical memory can overcome this problem.
Browser’s home page has changed itself

This is most likely a spyware problem and scanning computers with an up-to-date anti-spyware program can fix this issue.

The computer’s clock losing time

If you see that your computer’s clock is losing time frequently replace your CMOS battery.
My computer can’t get connected to the internet

Check IP address, and gateway address, scan your PC for viruses and spyware, check network cables and make sure that the server’s or gateway’s firewall application is not blocking HTTP requests from your PC.
Computer making noises

Faulty RAM, VGA, hard disk, Sound card, Processor, and other components produce noises. Make sure that each hardware device is connected correctly to the PC and if the problem is still not resolved then replace the faulty hardware component with a new one.

The post Computer Errors are Very Common appeared first on A1 Computer Repair.

Ransomware is malicious software used by cybercriminals all across the world to get hold of your computer and computer files for ransom, demanding payment from you to get them back in normal working condition. Although ransomware is not a common malware, over time it has proved to be a very effective one. Various new variants of ransomware are swarming in the digital market these days, all specifically designed to frighten the victim into paying a fee to get their computer back in a normal working state. Lately, many cybercrooks have started targeting it locally, making it even more dangerous than before.

However, you can save your system from giving in to the ransomware attack by employing these simple, yet effective steps-

Back up your valuable data

This one is an overall security tip on which you can fall back if your computer system is attacked by ransomware. Have a regularly updated backup of your valuable data so that even if you do become a victim of ransomware, you don’t have to lose all your vital data. In such a case, you can easily restore your system and refurbish all your important documents from backup. Having a regular backup regimen is really important for you, preferably on an external hard disk or any backup service.

Use a robust security suite

It’s always good to have a strong backing of a robust Internet security software program to help you pick out the identity thefts, suspicious activities, and unsolicited dangers. These days many new variants of viruses, malware, and ransomware have hit the digital world, escaping even from the strong detection systems. Hence, it becomes really essential to have an added layer of protection to help detect the ransomware or mitigate its effects after the attack. Install CryptoPrevent as well as a commercial-grade anti-virus like ESET Nod 32.

Patch/update your software

The ransomware authors and programmers heavily rely on the people who are running outdated software. This outdated software is vulnerable itself and it makes the whole computer system susceptible to any malicious attack, which can exploit other programs on your computer to silently get into your system. So, keeping all your software updated can decrease the potential threat of ransomware. For this purpose, you can turn the update notification system of your software program, which will timely alert you about the security updates and patches.

Disconnect from the Internet immediately

Getting a ransomware note from an unknown source can prove to be a real threat to your computer system. In such a case, don’t panic; rather disconnect your system from the Internet so that your personal information isn’t transmitted to cybercriminals and hijackers. The best action could be to simply shut down your computer system and re-install the software and data backup after turning it on. This way, you can not only start afresh but your computer system will be saved from literal damage by a malicious program.

In the end, all you have to do is to stay alert and use a robust security suite to prevent ransomware attacks. Though, following these steps will help you avoid your computer system from becoming a victim of ransomware.

Article Credit Tech Genie @ http://blog.techgenie.com/security-how-to/five-steps-to-avoid-ransomware-attack.html

The post Avoid Ransomware Attacks Using These 5 Steps appeared first on A1 Computer Repair.

It’s extremely frustrating, but there are things that can help. The first culprit that we usually see impeding start-up time is malware infection. These insidious bits of software do everything they can to take over processing priority, and you’ll especially notice the performance hit at start-up.

Another common culprit is simply too many (legitimate) programs stampeding to load at a start-up, unbeknownst to you. These are the programs that load in the system tray by default, and 90% of them–especially non-Microsoft processes–don’t really need to load at start-up, though they set themselves to do that. Finally, one of the more common culprits is low RAM.

Many computers ship with the bare minimum needed to run Windows (this keeps the price enticingly low at the store), but does not exactly make them perform well on a daily basis in practice. It is fairly inexpensive to upgrade the RAM in your system.

That said, if you REALLY want to speed things up, you can choose to switch out your hard drive for the newest variety, an SSD hard drive. These hard drives have no moving parts and are super-fast. We have these installed in almost all our computers at home.

On our big rig, this change alone changed the boot time from almost seven minutes to less than 30 seconds. They are smaller and somewhat more expensive than traditional drives, but if these trade-offs are worth it to you, the speed you will enjoy is quite nice.

So if your computer is slower than molasses on a cold day, We can fix this! Just let us know.

The post Why Is My Computer SO Slow to Start Up? appeared first on A1 Computer Repair.