You might need to wipe, or erase, your Blackberry for a few reasons.  Maybe you’d like a clean start after all your old downloaded apps take up too much space.  Perhaps, you are transferring from Blackberry Exchange Server to Blackberry Internet Service.  This may be done if your blackberry is no longer connected to your company server and you just want to use your blackberry for personal use going forward.  Or maybe you’ve played with your blackberry too much to the point where you’re not sure how to revert back to something that’s operational again.

Here’s how you wipe a Blackberry Bold:

1. Settings->Options
2. Security Options
3. Click the Menu Key
4. Choose Wipe Handheld
5. Continue
6. Type: blackberry

That’s it.  Then, your e-mail, settings and software will disappear.  You’ll essentially have the factory configurations like when you first received your blackberry.   Be sure and back up your pictures, music, files, e-mails, contacts, and calendar if you don’t have them stored elsewhere.  The tech support rating on performing this wipe is very easy.  Just follow the steps above.

Quickbooks Online is a great way to access your Quickbooks from any computer.  You can also simultaneously access your database with more than one person.  No more wondering if someone else is in the Quickbooks, or worrying about connecting to your company network to access the QB file. 

If you currently use Quickbooks on your server or computer, should you upgrade to Quickbooks Online?  There are several pros and cons to consider whether to stick with your Quickbooks Professional, Premier, or other computer version or to go online with the Quickbooks Online version.

Pros to go with Quickbooks Online:

1. Don’t worry about which computer you’re on.  Just go online and there’s your info.
2. Faster access to your info versus clunky network connection and redirection.
3. Always get updated versions.  Always have a backup online.
4. Less wasted time with upgrading and reinstalling versions.
5. Less money over time without having to worry about buying new versions.
6. Ability to access QB with your iPhone or Blackberry.

Cons with going to Quickbooks Online:

1. Has limited customizable features, such as invoice and receipt creations.
2. Cannot e-mail paid invoices.  It won’t show amount paid.  Instead, you have to e-mail statements.
3. Credit card information from computer version doesn’t transfer over for privacy reasons.

Overall, Quickbooks Online is the preferred way to go.  You can check it out for free for 30 days before you commit.  Definitely a no-brainer for the traveler or company that needs simultaneous use without worrying about tech support.

What is RSS?  It is a way to view content, news sites and blogs, from many different websites at the same time.  For example, if you want to stay on top of computer tech blogs, but don’t feel like performing a search or going into your Favorites or Bookmarks every time, you can subscribe to a RSS feed.  The RSS feed would then queue all of the computer tech blogs for you in one place for you to read.  Essentially, the RSS feed becomes your updated Google search and repository for your search query.  This way, you don’t have to continually search the Internet or update your favorite website.  The RSS feed is a step ahead of you.

Should I use RSS?  If you’d like to check out different sources for news, sports, or other media, then yes, RSS is for you.  It’s the lazy man’s way to acquire info.  It’s worth checking out unless you are selective about your sources, such as only wanting to use NY Times or Google.

How do I use RSS?  You’ll need to download and install an RSS Feed Reader.  This will allow you to read all of the news and weblogs out there to get your info.  This reader will let you search and organize your queries.  3 popular RSS Feed Readers are:

1. FeedDemon - lots of features and great interface, but weak with news sources
2. NewzCrawler - comprehensive, but clean and easy to use
3. Google Reader - minimalist and easy to use

RSS is easy to setup and does not require technical support.  Give it a try and wait for the news to come to you!

It is easy to find many computer repair companies when you do a Google search.  But, how do you find the best computer repair company for what you’re looking to accomplish?  The way to search for the best computer repair place relies on 3 main factors:

• What is the computer issue or IT project you’re encountering?
• Where do you work or live?
• What is your budget?

When you perform a search, be sure to be as specific as you need to be.  For instance, if you’re looking to enlist a technician just to remove a virus or spyware, make sure to be narrow with your search query.  “virus removal” or “spyware removal” are 2 good searches to perform for this.  If you have a specific project for your company, you may type in “new server install” or “e-mail migration.”  You do not have to put in quotes by the way.

Geography is very important.  You should be sure to put in your location, such as “virus removal nyc” or “new york company IT support.”  If you’re looking for company or home support for IT maintenance or ongoing support, your search should be more general such as “nyc IT maintenance” or “new york city tech support.”

Budget always comes into play for every computer user or network.  Typically, the best support will come from IT companies due to the quick response time and professionalism.  You might find cheaper prices with one-man IT folks, but the response time and skill-level could be lacking.  Be sure to choose your IT company based on professionalism, reviews, and personality.

Have you receive the error message, “Your copy of Windows is not genuine?”  Your Windows 7 Ultimate operating system might show this message due to spyware, viruses, bad Windows update, or if the operating system is a hacked version.  However, most likely, Windows 7 Ultimate has been recently showing this error message due to a botched Windows update.

To resolve this error, our computer experts have been able to search high and low to find the Windows 7 Ultimate not genuine fix.  Just run it and hit the button to remove the activation when prompted.  Then, the program will take care of the rest.  This program essentially removes the activation key display in the Computer Properties area, and allows the computer to download/install Windows updates again.

Hopefully, you will not have to come across this computer issue, but if you do, you’ll now how to resolve the PC problem.

Your sacred Mac can run slower and slower while using it.  There are several ways you can speed it up to give it the burst of speed you’re looking for.

Here are the top 5 ways to speed up your slow Mac:

1. Unclutter your desktop - Having tons of files and folders on your desktop can slow down your startup.  You should, instead, put these files in to folders in your home directory and create desktop aliases to them.  This will allow your computer to start without having to load these files in memory every time.
2. Clear out the temp items - As with a PC, it is very helpful to remove the files in the Caches, Log files and Temporary Items.  These temp items sometimes hold corrupted files or misdirected links.  By removing them, you refresh your computer’s cache or temporary storage.  You can accomplish this removal task by going to Home/Library/Cache. 
3. Upgrade the RAM - Over the years,  you have surely increased your applications and iTunes Library among other process-hungry items.  An easy, way to ensure your speed is increased is to install more RAM in your Mac.  You can ask a Mac hardware technician if your Mac can be upgraded and what the cost is.
4. Get rid of Login Items - If you’re not using any of your Login Items, get rid of them.  That way, your Mac won’t have to load them every time.  You can still access them later, but they just won’t be in the background taking up memory.  You can remove them by going to System Preferences->Accounts->Login Items.
5. Remove Firefox Extensions - Firefox gets a bit overcrazed with its tons of extensions.  Every time you have an extension loaded in Firefox, that makes your Internet browsing a tad slower.  Get rid of the unnecessary ones by launching Firefox->Tools->Add-ons.

These 5 tips should help speed up your Mac.  If you still need Mac support afterwards, you should bring your computer to a mac specialist to diagnose possible hardware issues as well as a full system check.

Traveling with your computer can be a drag if you don’t have the right supplies.  As spring approaches, well, at least mentally, while the snow still falls, you might be planning a winter get-away.  If so, you should check out the gadget checklist below to make sure you have the Mac or PC must-haves when traveling.

Extra power:

• Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter - Connect your Mac charger at 40,000 feet so you don’t run out of power on the plane.  It’s just $50.
• Belkin mini-surge protector - Add more wall power outlets in your hotel with this 3-outlet + 2 USB charger ports.  You can charge your blackberry or iPhone while also charging your laptops.  This is so much more convenient - all in one wall outlet versus struggling to play scavenger hunt with all of your hotel outlets.  Only $25.
• Universal Travel Adapter - If traveling internationally, be sure to purchase this $10 slim-line travel adapter.

Nice-to-have USB items:

• Keyboard light - Plug in a usb-light so you see your keys or not disturb your travel partner by turning on the room light.  Just $10.
• Mini speakers - Enjoy better sound than your laptop supplies with these iHome USB speakers.  $50.
• Humidifier - Feel dry on the flight or in the room.  Plug in this USB-humidifer.

Having the right supplies for your Mac or PC will give your computer enlightenment..  If you’d like some more tech support tips for traveling, feel free to contact one of our computer experts.

If you have to back up your files due to some dreaded virus, or you just want to have a secure backup, don’t forget about backing up your important e-mails.  If you solely work off of Gmail, Yahoo!, Hotmail, MSN, or another online e-mail service, then you don’t have to worry about backing up since your e-mails are stored online.  However, if you use Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail, Thunderbird, Entourage, or Mail, then, you have to know where your e-mails and contacts are stored so you can back them up.

Here’s where the major e-mail software clients are stored:

• Outlook - In Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<Profile>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook; In Windows Vista/7: C:\Users\<Profile>\AppData\Local\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
• Outlook Express - C:\Documents and Settings\<Profile>\Application Data\Outlook Express\{ID} or C:\Documents and Settings\<Profile>\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{ID}\Outlook Express.  Contacts are found in: C:\Documents and Settings\<Profile>\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book
• Windows Mail - C:\Users\<Profile>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail.  Contacts are found in:  C:\Users\Contacts
• Thunderbird - C:\Users\<Profile>\AppData\Local\Thunderbird\Profiles\xxxxx.default\Mail
• Entourage - Home\Documents\Microsoft User Data\Office X Identities\Main Identity\Database
• Mac Mail - Home\Library\Mail

To back up your e-mail, make sure you are out of the program you backing up from or else it won’t let you back it up.  If you need further help with backing up, you can contact an e-mail specialist.

This nasty Windows XP Professional blue screen can pop up randomly to frustrate you when you’re working in a document or surfing the Internet.  Here’s how to resolve the Windows blue screen of death, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL:

1. Find out the exact error message.  You can do so by: Right-Click My Computer and Properties.  Select Advanced Tab->Startup and Recovery and turn off Automatically restart under System Failure.  Click OK from the 2 boxes.
2. Re-create the issue and document the error code.  Reboot and re-create that nasty blue screen of death so this time your computer will give you enough time to read the error message.  Look for the name of a file that is causing the issue (i.e. usbport.sys) that is located on the bottom of your screen. 
3. Reinstall the problematic driver.  Since this error refers to a driver issue (software installed for hardware component (i.e. wireless card, sound, video, etc.), we now have to find which driver is associated with the file (i.e. usbport.sys) indicated on your blue screen.  Go to My Computer->Properties->Hardware->Device Manager and from here select the problematic device.  If you see any yellow ! exclamation marks, this device might be the problematic one.  If you’re not sure, you can search the file / driver issue by clicking the device, select Properties->Driver->Driver Details and you’ll find all the files that make up the driver.  Go through each driver until locating the same file listed in your blue screen.  Once you found the same file name, reinstall the driver by right-clicking the driver and select Update Driver.  This will allow you to reinstall it or search on the Internet for a newer one.

If you need further technical support for this computer repair, be sure to contact your local NYC computer repair shop.

Whether your laptop is new or at 4 years old, there are little tech tricks to have your computer working another year.  We have many computer users coming into our computer repair shop begging “Please just get my laptop running another year!”  This sometimes can be a difficult challenge if the laptop has no power or has completely failed.  However, our tech experts have lots of tricks up our sleeves as shared in our Top 5 recession-proof tech tricks below:

1. Laptop doesn’t have power or lights: Take the battery out, unplug charger, and hold power button for 10 seconds.  Keep battery out, plug in charger, and turn on.  Sometimes, the power needs to be reset this way and can save the laptop with no extra investment in parts.
2. Laptop keeps shutting down due to overheating: Instead of replacing a $300 - $500 motherboard, go to Staples and purchase a $30 cooling plate to put under your laptop to cool your laptop, and lengthen it’s life.
3. Laptop’s audio/sound doesn’t work: If your internal sound card has failed, do not replace it and spend hundreds of dollars.  Instead, buy a $40 USB sound speaker for your laptop.
4. Laptop doesn’t turn on and has blinking lights: Take out one of the RAM modules - a bad RAM (or memory) module might prevent your laptop from starting.  No parts necessary - just remove the suspect RAM!
5. Laptop’s internal wireless has failed: Replacing the wireless component in a laptop could cost hundreds of dollars for the part and opening up the laptop.  Instead, install a PCI slot - wireless card.  The tech setup is easy and only costs $50 - $70 for the wireless card.

The next time you bring your laptop into a laptop repair shop, ask them if there is a more affordable computer repair.  Chances are, there is and you will be able to run your computer for at least another year and beyond.