If you need to reinstall your Windows, you can use your computer’s Windows restore CDs.  That is the ideal way to reinstall Windows since it includes a full list of drivers, loaded software for your hardware devices.  With just the Windows CD, you still have to install of the drivers after. 

If you don’t have the manufacturer restore CDs, you can order them from your computer manufacturer.  If your computer is still under warranty, you will receive them for free.  If out of warranty, you’ll need to pay a fee around $50 - $85 for the restore CDs.  This is an overlooked small fee, compared to the $199 - $299 fee that Windows costs. 

So, next time when you need to reinstall Windows, start looking or buying your manufacturer’s CD and save some time and money.

If your computer cannot boot all the way into Windows, there is a chance your hard drive is dead.  And if you listen closely to where your hard drive is enclosed, you might here the unfortunate clicking noise.  The clicking noise means that your hard drive has a bad or failed part inside of it.  Typically, it could mean that the head of the drive that holds your files could have failed or is partially failing.  Or the read/write actuator arm has moved and is coming down on the head, causing a noise. 

If one part has failed, there is usually a chance of recovering the files by replacing this part.  You should enlist a professional data recovery company for this.  Without the proper dust-free environment and machinery, you could further damage your hard drive, rendering any type of recovery useless. 

The difficult data recovery subjects are when one of the hard drive’s parts collides with another part.  When that happens, the important parts, such as the platters might be affected.  The platters are practically the only part that is irreplaceable since it contains the data.  When a part fails such as the head, and if it has a domino effect of falling down on the platters, the platters could break in pieces and your files will be unrecoverable.

In sum, if your drive doesn’t have a domino effect, and your platters are in good shape, your files have a good chance of recovery.

Yes, most if not all files will be able to be transferred fine from a PC to a new mac.  Microsoft Office files, such as Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, and Outlook will be able to workeded with on a mac by having Microsoft Office for Mac installed on the mac.  Pictures, such as .jpeg’s and .tiff’s will be viewed by the Mac operating system software or viewable within iPhoto. 

The tricky software to transfer are accounting software (i.e. Quicken, Quickbooks), photo editing software (i.e. Photoshop, Illustrator), and other proprietary software.  Why is it tricky?  Because you’ll need to get the same software that is made for the mac.  Or you can cheat like most people and just install Parallels on the mac so you can load Windows programs on it.  This way, you won’t have to worry about buying software you’ve already bought for your PC.

When making the switch, you can copy the files to DVDs or back up files to an external hard drive.  Just make sure the external hard drive is compatible for both macs and pcs so the file transfer is nice and easy.  If you’re uncomfortable with the file transfer, you should contact a trusted computer pc to mac professional.

If your laptop screen is very dim or faint, it could mean 3 things:

1. You mistakenly hit the the dim screen key combination
2. Your screen light / bulb or screen itself is failing
3. Your inverter board is failing

How do you fix it?  For option 1, you can hold down the “Fn” key and tap the up arrow key until the screen is bright enough.  For options 2 and 3, you’ll have to replace these parts.  The screen costs anywhere from $300 - $500 and the inverter board costs $100 - $150.  It is not easy to determine which part might have failed so it is recommended to take your dim laptop to a trusty computer repair technician.

If your computer crashes, your documents, pictures, and music might be gone if data recovery isn’t successful.  However, there is a second chance for your music if you have your music on your iPod.  iTunes does not have a way to sync from your iPod to your computer or iTunes.  It is a one-way transfer that iTunes performs: copy your iTunes songs to your iPod.  Otherwise, people might be sharing their playlists to avoid paying for iTunes fees and licenses.

But, what if you need to recover your songs, music, or videos from your iPod?  Or if you want to transfer your songs to a new computer?  There is a new software available called CopyTrans that will make your life easy when you want to copy over your iPod content. 

How does it work?  Install the CopyTrans software on the computer you want to copy over your iPod info.  Then, select some or all of your info and either copy it to a folder in your computer or directly import it for iTunes to play, view, or open. 

For a limited offer of $50, you may purchase the CopyTrans suite which includes recovering your music, pics, videos, and libraries.  You may also clone your iPod’s content for periodic backups.   Or you may purchase each software individually (i.e. Music, Photos, or Libraries) for $20 each.

This is definitely a lifesaver and we’ll be using this in our trusty tech tool support chest for a long time.

We get this tech inquiry all the time: Can I replace one of my laptop keyboard keys that fell off?  Sometimes, the key is pulled off by a touch of the finger.  Other times, a child might mischeviously rip a key off for fun.  So, it’s only one key.  It can just be put back on, right? 

Well, one some rare models of laptops, the key can be re-inserted or snapped back in.  However, most models are made were the keys are either practically soldered in or once the key comes off, its contacts are never the same and cannot be re-inserted.  Most fallen keys are ruined once they are disassembled.  

So, what can you do?  You really have to buy a new keyboard and have laptop repair technician install it, or install it on your own if comfortable.  When installing a replacement keyboard, you must be sure to ground yourself to not shock any components, and have a flat head and phillips screwdrivers handy.  The keyboard replacement typically consists with removing 6 - 8 screws and flipping off the keyboard/LCD plastic off.  Smaller laptops might entail removing the front frame, LCD panel, and other parts to locate the keyboard removal.

If you’re a naysayer, and want to put back a key, please note that if it cannot snap back, your key re-insertion is temporary at best.  And please don’t consider crazy glue!  Your key would be a permanent letter statue after crazy glue has its way with it.

If your computer doesn’t start up fully or reboots upon startup, there are many ways to figure out the issue and correct it.  You might have a virus, Windows corruption, software driver conflict, or hardware issue.

One helpful way to determine what he issue is with enabling the Boot Logging option.  You may do this by hitting F8 at startup and then selecting “Boot Logging.”  If your computer is still not starting up, restart your computer, hit F8 again, and select Safe Mode. 

After booting into Windows fully, go into C:\%SystemRoot%\ntbootlog.txt and read to find out which driver, hardware device, or software is the culprit.  Then, resolve the issue or ask a certified Windows tech to do the computer repair work for you.

Verizon DSL service is a good way to get on the Internet for your home or office.  It is also a cost efficient way to ensure the speed you pay for is actually the speed you get.  This is in contrast to Time Warner’s Internet Service where your paid service is shared with your building’s users.  So, you might not be getting the speed you paid for.

Enough about speed.  The biggest thing to watch out for with Verizon DSL, or for Time Warner’s Cable, is the activation date.  We get a lot of people asking our computer Internet technicians to come out to set up their computers for the Internet; however the Internet service is not activated yet.  Typically, the Internet companies ship out kits, including the modem, filters, cables, and sometimes routers.  Just because you receive the kit, it doesn’t mean your service will automatically work.

You’ll need to confirm with Verizon or TimeWarner that your service has been activated or else the modem will not pick up the Internet signal.  This is similar to the phone service where you need to make sure the phone service is activated or plugging your phone into the phone jack will not help at all.  This may seem obvious to make sure the service is activated, but the date you get is typically delayed.  So, the next time your Internet service is about to be set up by an Internet setup tech, make sure your Internet service is really activated.

If you’re computer screen, whether desktop or laptop, went horizontal, don’t fret.   This computer issue just means you mistakenly hit the wrong combination of keys.  You can correct it by making your screen vertical again.

Hold down the CTRL and ALT keys and hit one of the arrow keys.  This should bring you screen to the right position.  If this doesn’t work, right-click on your desktop, click Properties and Display Properties.  You should see something like Rotate or Directional which you should be able to switch

This is a question we hear often: My PC died.  Should I get a Mac now?

The answer stems from several factors?  Please read the below factors to determine if you should make the switch from PC to Mac:

1. Do you have the patience to learn a new operating system?
2. Do you have the patience to learn new software and settings?
3. Will you software be compatible on the Mac?
4. If you’re geared towards graphics, music, and overall multimedia, the  Mac is for you.
5. If you’re just geared towards Word processing the PC will be more than sufficient.

These factors should help you decide if moving towards the Mac is right for you.