How many times do you hear “How can I VPN from my home computer into the company network?”  This question arises a lot because the methods to go about VPN are endless.  There are so many different types of software that utilize VPN technology which has you install the VPN client on the computers that need to connect to the computer network.  Then, Windows has its own Windows remote connection software that comes with the Windows operating system. 

Now, GoToMyPC has gotten into the VPN game with its own GoToMyPC Hamachi VPN technology.  Just like any VPN access, it allows mobile or home users to connect into servers, network files, and database files.  Better yet, for non-commercial use, you can use this VPN technology for free for up to 16 computers.  This software is easy with the tech setup since no VPN hardware is required; it’s a secure connection; networking is easy; and it’s free.

If you have ever used LogMeIn or GoToMyPC, you’ll know it’s easy to setup.  You install it on your target computer or server you want to access, and then access your remote computer with your username and password.  Then, you’ll be able to select your target computer to access the info.  The same way is applied for the VPN setup in terms of accessing the network files.  This is definitely recommended for a cost-efficient VPN solution.

Google doesn’t stop.  The powerhouse now will be offering high-speed Internet connection.  Instead of TimeWarner’s Roadrunner Cable or Verizon’s DSL or FIOS, you can order Google’s ultra high speed broadband Internet.  So, what’s the difference?

Speed is the difference here.  Google will be offering a 1 Gigabit connection to homes that will be competitive according to Google.  Downloading a movie can take just less than 5 minutes.  Sharing files or performing online backups will take a fraction of the time.  The broadband network will offer a speed that is not even offered by TimeWarner and Verizon.

What to look for or watch out for?  This new product is slated to come out in a few months, but could be pushed back until 6 - 9 months.  Only select buildings in New York City will be selected for the Internet service.  Plus, we wonder if the 1 Gigabit connection might be shared throughout the whole building like how the Cable Internet service is offered.  Then, the overall speed will be slower than expected. 

Further, Google’s motivation for getting into the Internet industry might just be to show the Federal Communications Commission how to push the envelope with the speed and innovation of the broadband industry.  But, then again, if Google can push Verizon and TimeWarner into better technical support service, then that’s not a bad thing.  We’re hoping that Google will increase the overall speed of the Internet and slash pricing since that’s what competition usually does.

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.

The favored Colts will be playing the storyline Saints for the 2010 Super Bowl.  But, what are us New York Giants and Jets fan to do?  We can watch the commercials to keep us interested.

As for the computer support or technology service commercials, these are the ones that typically revolutionize the computer industry.  Take for instance, the Apple commercial in 1984 that took the world by storm, with the woman runner throwing a javelin into the screen while hundreds of drones looked on.  It was symbolic for waking up the drone-like IBM or PC industry with the Apple computers.  From that point on, Apple became the company with shocking commercials along with the gift to spread rumors to hype up their products.  They might have another commercial up their sleeves to shock the PC world.

Also, many years ago, was the eTrade commercial where monkeys traded stock.  It was portraying how easy the website was to use for stock trading that even a monkey can do it.  Be on the look out this year for the baby and his baby friends to scare of some more “Shankapotamus” folks and easily perform trades.

Then, you can also expect to see some more GoDaddy almost-censored ads.  Its original ad had a Godaddy Girl have a waldrobe malfunction while pleading to the jury about their domain and hosting services.  They have bought 2 ads - 1 in the 1st quarter and another in the 4th quarter.  Watch out for more skin or at least more well-endowed Godaddy Girls.

Enjoy the Super Bowl!  Hopefully, the younger brother, Eli Manning will turn it around for the Giants next year!

A typical computer network has a server that hosts e-mails and file sharing.  The setup cost for the hardware could range from $4,000 and up while the setup fees and ongoing maintenance could be in the thousands also.  A new alternative has been cloud computing.  With this new method, there is no need for server equipment, server anti-virus and anti-spam software.  Everything is administered in the cloud, or online.

With Google Apps, for instance, you can share e-mails, contacts, and calendar for $50/per user annually.  With this pricing, you can anti-spam protection.  You still need anti-virus protection on your computer.  Best of all, the tech setup is pretty straight-forward.  How does it work?  Instead of Microsoft Exchange server, you use the Google website as your Exchange server which syncs between Outlook and Google.  So, if you don’t want to use the Google website, you can continue to use your Outlook.  The cool factor is that you can sync your Blackberry with it as if it were a Blackerry Enterprise Server.  This means you can sync everything from your Blackberry on the fly.  iPhones can be synced with the emails also.

As per file sharing, you can do that also as well as limit access to certain folks.  The challenge or issue with the cloud computing is that you’ll need a fast Internet connection in order to quickly access and download files, e-mails, calendars, and contacts.  If your Internet is slow or down, your business is down as well.  So, you should still keep an external hard drive handy for quick back-ups.

Overall, cloud computing is here to stay and will foster as Internet speeds get faster and faster.  Google, Amazon, and Yahoo are the leaders right now as the cloud computing providers.  If interested, you can take a trial run first to see if you’re interested.   Feel free to contact one of our cloud computing computer experts for more info.

It is tempting to take your Windows XP or Vista computer, and just upgrade it to Windows 7.  No questions asked, just to do it.  Windows 7 is the best operating system yet, according to our Windows tech team, and so why not upgrade?

Before blindly upgrading your computer to Windows 7, check your computer manufacturer’s website to ensure all of the drivers are available for Windows 7.  You might be finished with your Windows 7 upgrade, and then realize you don’t have sound or wireless capable.  Not a good upgrade, eh?

Also, you’ll want to make sure to get the right version of Windows, either a manufacturer-based one for your computer, or a regular Windows 7 one from the store.  Basically, make sure you don’t put in a Dell Windows CD if you have a Sony!

Overall, you can upgrade directly from Windows Vista to 7.  But, with Windows XP, you’ll need to perform a full installation of Windows 7 so back up your files first.  Also, make sure your computer meets the minimum Windows 7 system requirements.

If you need help with your Windows 7 upgrade, feel free to call an NYC Windows 7 expert. 

Windows 7 has lots of cool features that are overlooked.  Did you know that Windows 7 can burn CDs and DVDs all by itself?  You don’t need Roxio or Nero to burn files any more.  Just use version 7’s own software.  This new feature has forced Nero to offer free software in the hope that users will buy the upgraded version.

Also, the Windows 7 operating system has an ISO burner built in.  An ISO burner allows you to copy software from the Internet and make it bootable.  For instance, if you need to download Windows or a Ghost image software, that needs to be booted into to work, the ISO burner via Windows will do that for you.  In previous Windows versions, you needed a third-party software to buy in order to install the ISO burner software.

So, as you can see, there are some neat little features built into Windows that allows you to work within Windows instead of shopping for must-have software, especially for burning CDs and DVDs.  Windows 7 sure is turning into Microsoft’s best kept secret, or as we like to say, their saving grace after releasing Windows Vista.

The iPad, yes it’s a glorified iPhone, or in others’ minds, the Kindle-killer.  What does this all mean?

At 1.5 pounds with a 9.7″ screen, the iPad is a touch-screen laptop.  Well, it’s not big enough to go in your pocket, or have a webcam to make video conference calls, but it can act like an iPhone or iPod on a larger scale.  No more squinting at downloading apps with this larger-than-life iPhone.  The cool factor is not only having a touch screen, but having 10 hours of battery life and just prices out at $499 - $829.  Also, you can run all the apps from the apps store, grab iBooks (also like Amazon’s Kindle book reader), listen to music and watch videos.   Plus, there is a keyboard dock that turns your laptop into the smallest, slickest desktop.

The thumbs-down part comes when talking about speed and space - only 1GHZ of processing speed and only 16-64GB of space on a flash drive.  How does Apple come out with a product that has 64GB of storage at top capacity?  For a device that is aimed at competing against the Kindle for downloading books and for downloading songs, surely one will run out of space quickly unless plugging in an external hard drive.

Overall, this device is another revolutionary Apple product, but just because it is a Kindle that can do computer functions too, and has an extraordinary docking station that seamlessly still showcases its beautiful screen.  At its pricing, it’s worth having as a floating laptop with a dock for quick e-mails, Internet, and to use for reading books on the go.  Other than that, get a netbook if you want a cheap, lower-speed laptop as an extra device.  And you won’t have to wait 2-3 more months of hype-blasting from Steve Jobs.

Setting up the Time Capsule from a Windows computer should be simple, but sometimes you could get into serious trouble if you don’t follow the right steps.  Here is a Time Capsule set-up guide to set up wireless, the hard drive, and a printer from a Windows computer:

1. Connect your Time Capsule device to your modem.  Make sure to turn off your modem first and then turn on the Time Capsule.
2. Install Airport Utility 5.4.2
3. Choose your Apple Airport from the Windows networks list
4. Open Airport Utility and select your Time Capsule
5. Choose broadband and if you’re using a static or DHCP client - usually it’s DHCP
6. Make sure to set up the password encryption to WPA/WPA2 Personal since Windows Vista or above is not a big fan of WEP.
7. Go into Manual Setup to click on the “Disks” in order to select yours and create a secure password.  You can also share a printer from this section.

That’s it!  This tech support guide should get you well on your way to setting up your Time Capsule from your Windows computer.

Firewall routers used to cost a fortune, typically in the thousands.  Now, Sonicwall has produced the Sonicwall TZ100 that is a little bit more expensive than a high-end router, at approximately $450.   So, do you need a firewall like this?  Does it act like a router also?

With the emerging threats of viruses, spyware, hackers, and other threats, the Sonicwall TZ200 Wireless-N prevents such security vulnerabilities.  Plus, it provides the industry-fast speed of Wireless N as well as providing 5-ports to connect desktops to.  You can VPN into your home office or computer network with this by using secure Sonicwall software.  Overall, this acts as a powerful wireless router with advanced security protection against the latest threats.  Depending on the vendor, you might also receive content filtering technology which will allow you to decide which kinds of websites are restricted.

You’ll receive 9AM - 5PM tech support from Sonicwall and the setup requires some tech expertise.