PC Computer Guy - Tech Talk

I have received several calls from clients asking what they need to replace their computer with, since Windows XP is “dead” as of April 8th, 2014. As a side note, Office 2003 support ceases the same day.

This however does not mean those with Windows XP computers will simply stop running on in April 2014. It doesn’t mean you will lose the data in it, or that it will burst into flames. Rather, when you turn your computer on, April 9th 2014, it will function the same as it did for the years before.

What Microsoft is saying is simply they will not provide tech support for it, nor will they provide any future updates. The majority of us have never called Microsoft for support anyways, so if you are in that boat, then all it means is you won’t get updates anymore. Continue reading at: http://www.pccomputerguy.com/Tech-Tips-Podcast-Windows-XP-is-Dead

Should I turn my computer off, or leave it on?

This is perhaps the most, if not one of the most questions we receive.

The reason so many people don’t know the answer to this question, is because there are so many different answers out there! And most of them are not wrong, they are just not entirely correct.

The full answer is this:

“It depends.”

Now that’s not much of an answer is it? Let’s take a closer look.

The computer can be broken up into 2 “types” of parts, electronic and mechanical.

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Frequently these days I’m asked “should I replace my laptop with a tablet?” The answer is “That depends.”

The “depends” boils down to the question, “What do you want to use it for?” Your answer here determines if it would be suitable to replace a laptop with a tablet.

 Continue reading at:  http://www.pccomputerguy.com/Tech-Tips-Podcast-Replace-Laptop-With-Tablet

I get asked what I think about Mac often. So let me start by saying that I'm not writing this article because I have a chip on my shoulder. I am sure some of the mac fans out there will view what I have to say here as sacrilegious, which actually gets to one of the core points I will be making.

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A “Virtual PBX” is an internet based phone system that allows for tons of professional features often at a fraction of the cost of running your own PBX.

What does such a system get you? Think of all the fancy stuff that happens when you call a large company. For specifics, let’s look at what we’ve done at PcComputerGuy with our Virtual PBX hosted through Jive Communications.

First, you start off with a SIP based phone. These IP phones connect to your existing internet connection. Some of them are even wireless such as our Cisco SPA525G2 SIP phone.

Then you partner with a company that you plan on hosting your phone service. We again choose Jive. We tried Ring Central and were not pleased with the customer service or quality of the calls.

Each system has it’s own way of configuring the features of your phone system, but think of it very much like a corporate level phone system complete with extensions, call queues, forwarding to cell phones, custom music and more.

Continue reading at: http://www.pccomputerguy.com/Tech-Tips-Podcast-Virtual-PBX-Phone-Systems 

Typical viruses are more of a nuisance than a threat. They might cost you some money to get the virus cleaned up, but usually the worst that happens is windows needs to be reloaded – you may lose a program or two. That isn’t the case with these nasty guys. 

CryptoLocker and GameOver Zeus are both actually the work of the same Russian cyber-gang. Agencies across the world, including the FBI, are on the hut for them; including Evginiy Bogachev reported mastermind of the viruses.

Continue reading at: http://www.pccomputerguy.com/Tech-Tips-Podcast-Protect-yourself-Online-Cyber-Threats 

With black Friday coming in just a few days and Christmas around the corner – the yearly question is being asked: What should I buy?

I will provide some general computer recommendations to try and assist anyone looking for a new computer for the holiday shopping season. Obviously specifics are impossible as there are a wide range of different requirements, but the following recommendations should fit most people.