With over 15 years of real-world computer and programming experience, I can assist you with any Windows-related computer or laptop issues. I have many professional references that I can furnish upon request.
I pride myself on providing advice tailored to your specific needs with reasonable and ethical suggestions/advice. I can provide written estimates on pricing based on your verbal description of the issue. The services I offer are below are for both Windows and Mac computers
Flat-rate services assuming no major issues occur: - Virus scanning/cleaning - 1 hour - Setup online and/or on-site backup services - - General maintenance services including removing unnecessary programs, services, etc. - 1 hour - Install a new wireless router - 1 hour
Fees below vary based on your specific situation: - Ordering parts and building a custom new computer - Networking, wireless, router help and troubleshooting - Computer building/assembly and repair - Buying advice relating to upgrades, software, computers, etc. - Provide personal in-home or in-office training
Rates are normally $40/hour although first-time customers will get a discounted rate of $30/hour.
There is an easy, safe, and secure way to allow me temporary remote access to your computer. While many tasks can be handled remotely, if I need to visit you on-site there is an additional fee of 60-cents per mile of driving to your location if I need to do the work on-site.
If you have any questions, please feel to email me at tech (at) thetruesource (dot) com or call me using the link below.
Jun 15
Quickly install several programs!
It is a real pain to install a lot of programs after re-formatting your computer or setting up a new one. Fortunately, there are a couple great services that can simplify the process of downloading and installing all those applications onto your computer. Both services do essentially the same thing but offer slightly different software installation options.
The most convenient part of using these services is that they always install the latest version of whatever software you select, skip all toolbars/needless features, etc.
Dramatically improve security and protect against spyware/viruses
Open Microsoft Internet Explorer …. Tools > Internet Options …. …. Privacy tab …. …. …. Advanced button (not the Advanced tab) …. …. …. …. Enable “Override automatic cookie handling” …. …. …. …. Under “First-party Cookies” choose Accept. …. …. …. …. Under “Third-party Cookies” choose Block. …. …. …. …. Enable “Always allow session cookies” …. …. Advanced tab …. …. …. Scroll down to “Enable third-party browser extensions” and turn this off (screenshot below). This will turn off all of your Google toolbars and special options at the top of MS Internet Explorer. But trust me, you are much better off with all of these features turned off!
Configure Avast Anti-virus
Settings
Part 1
Right-click the blue and white “A” icon in the system tray and select “Program Settings”
Sections:
Appearance
“Animate the icon when scanning” = off
Sounds
“Disable avast! sounds” = on
Update (Basic)
Set both radio buttons to “Automatic”
Click ok
Part 2
Right-click the blue and white “i” icon in the system tray > VRDB > Select “Disable VRDB generation”
Right-click again on the blue and white “i” icon in the system tray > VRDB > “Merge with main Avast Icon”
Yearly Avast update
Every year, Avast will tell you that your anti-virus will expire. They currently do not charge for anti-virus for home use so all you have to do is re-register with them to get a new key/code. FYI, they do not sell your information.
Submit your ACTUAL/REAL email address. Once you submit the information, it could take up to 24 hours for Avast to send you the code.
Once you receive the code, right-click the blue and white “A” icon in the system tray and select “About avast!”
Click “License Key” button
Copy and paste the long code that Avast provided you in their email into this Registration code window and click ok.
That’s it, you are good to go for another year.
Cell Phone Email Addresses
Email addresses for cell phone providers:
Notes: - SMS = text messaging, MMS = multimedia/picture messaging - Limit your text messages to a TOTAL of 160 characters.
Alltel
SMS/MMS: phonenumber@message.alltel.com
AT&T
SMS: phonenumber@txt.att.net
MMS: phonenumber@mms.att.net
Nextel
SMS/MMS: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com
Sprint
SMS/MMS: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
T-Mobile
SMS/MMS: phonenumber@tmomail.net
US Cellular
SMS: phonenumber@email.uscc.net
MMS: phonenumber@mms.uscc.net
Verizon
SMS: phonenumber@vtext.com
MMS: phonenumber@vzwpix.com
Virgin Mobile
SMS/MMS: phonenumber@vmobl.com
Computer Terms
gb = gigabyte. One gb equals about 1 billion bytes.
Internet connections - Internet connections comes in many different shapes, sizes, and speeds. The three primary types of connections are cable, DSL, or telephone modem, although FIOS (fiber-optic) is soon going to increase in popularity. All of these connections require a special, connection-type-specific modem.
DSL (digital subscriber line)- This is a highly popular type of internet connection. DSL allows you to use your regular telephone lines to obtain a high-speed connection to the Internet. Because DSL works at a different frequency than your normal phone lines use for voice, you can continue to send faxes and talk on the phone without any interruption to your phone conversation. Generally the phone company will give you a simple line filter/adapter to plug into the telephone outlet and each phone to ensure a clean telephone line and limit
Everything in bold below is what I consider an essential program that you should have.
Ad-Aware Free - Cleanup utility - Free Excellent utility to remove spy/ad/mal-ware from your computer. Works best when used along with Spybot Search and Destroy and CCleaner.
Apple iTunes - Music player and management - Free Excellent music and video management program. Doesn’t support many video and audio formats, which is a bit of a bummer. But otherwise works perfectly.
Avast Anti-virus - Anti-virus/Anti-Malware - Free (for home use) Perfect for home use. After installing the program, follow these instructions and go to the Avast section.
CCleaner - Cleanup utility - Free Easily removes garbage and temporary files from your computer. Recommended to run this once a week.
Right-Click on the C drive (sometimes it is called Local Disk C:) > Properties
A pie chart will show you how much space you have on your computer and how much is used up.
You should have at least 3gb (gigabytes) free on your computer at any time for optimal performance.
How much memory/RAM do you have and what can you upgrade to?
Go to http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/index.aspx (Crucial.com is an excellent source for good quality memory. Their prices aren’t necessarily the best, but they certainly are not unreasonable. They are a reliable and safe company to work with and buy from.).
Click the checkbox under “Download the Scanner” button.
Then click the “Download the Scanner” button itself.
Save that file/program to your desktop.
Once it is done saving, run the file/program from your desktop by double-clicking it.
After about 5-10 seconds, your internet browser will open to the Crucial.com website. This page will hopefully show you how much memory you have in your computer and how much you can upgrade to. My recommendation is to have a minimum of 2gb of RAM which should be around $30-50 or so.
