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Archive for 2013

Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Windows 7 No Internet Access but Connected Network

One of the most frustrating network errors that you might experience is when your computer seems to be connected to the network, but still has no internet access. For Windows 7 computers, there are fortunately a couple of quick and easy fixes that don’t take a long time to try out.

Power cycle your devices

1. Power off your modem, router, and computer all together.

2. Activate the modem, router, and computer in that order, leaving approximately a minute between each device activation. This will allow them time to boot up correctly and accept connections before moving on to the next device.

Update the network driver

1. Click the windows menu and enter the Control Panel.

2. Click Hardware and Sound on the left side.

3. On the top of this page click Device Manager.

4. Click the network adapter that you are currently using and right-click it to choose properties.

5. In the properties window, there should be a Driver tab. Within that tab, click the Update Driver button. The rest of the process is automated. Be sure to restart your computer after the updates have been installed.

Fix the TCP/IP stack

Fortunately, Microsoft has created a simple way to fix the TCP/IP stack. All you have to do is follow this link and click the “Fix it for me” button. This will download an automated fix to run, but you can always follow the manual steps below if you prefer.

Additional Help

If none of the above steps worked for you, then you should either contact your internet service provider (ISP) about how to solve the issue or use TalkLocal to instantly contact a quality computer repair professional in your area. Either way will help solve your problem efficiently and get you back on the internet as soon as possible!

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

How Often Should Lawn be Mowed?

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

It may still feel like winter, but spring is just around the corner! And that means blowing the dust off of our gardening tools and preparing to freshen up our lawns and gardens. As we begin to see more sunlight and less snow, mowing the lawn will once again become a regular routine. But how often should we mow the lawn? Does it even matter? As it turns out, it does.

How Often Should Lawn be Mowed?

Several factors should be taken into consideration when deciding when to mow your lawn: fungus prevention, moisture preservation, tilling or spreading fertilizer, proper trimming, and beauty. Most lawns should be mowed once per week, but if you use fertilizer, your grass will grow more quickly. Be careful not to cut more than one- third of the height of the grass. If you violate this rule, you risk damaging your lawn because you will be cutting off some of the stem of the grass blade. This results in a yellowish tint to your grass. Furthermore, over-cutting the grass will put it at risk of fungus and disease.

Other factors for judging how frequently your lawn should be mowed are the type of grass, the season, and your location. For example, if grass is cut too short during the summer months, the stems will be exposed to more heat and are likely to burn, turning brown.

Proper Tools and Procedures for Lawn Mowing

When you mow the lawn, make sure you use a proper lawnmower, rather than a trimmer. A trimmer can cut into the soil and weeds will grow where the soil is disturbed. A lawnmower’s blades do not reach down as far as the soil, and so it will not encourage weed growth. A lawn mower’s blades should be set at least an inch off of the ground to ensure that you do not cut the stems of the grass.

Make sure you keep your lawnmower’s blades sharp. A dull blade can catch and pull the grass out from the root. Also, do not mow your lawn when it is wet. Mowing in wet weather will leave your lawn uneven in height and make it look patchy.

Additional Help

Your lawn should be mowed regularly, not only for the aesthetic appeal but also to prevent patchiness, damage, disease, and unwelcome insects from taking up residents in your lawn. Contact TalkLocal to put you in touch with professional landscapers in your local area. We will connect you with up to three landscapers who will be able to properly care for your lawn. It only takes a few minutes!

Posted in Landscapers | No Comments »

Gum Disease Remedies

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Gum disease can be a painful experience that needs to be treated immediately if you want to return to a normal quality of life. When you have gum disease there is infection and inflammation on your teeth and gums. Gum disease begins with plaque from your teeth and when the bacteria from it mixes with saliva it can cause the disease. If left untreated gum disease can get much more serious over time. If you think you have gum disease you should take action. Here are some common symptoms and helpful gum disease remedies.

Gum Disease Symptoms

Gum Disease Remedies

1. Vitamin C deficiency can cause gum disease. Eat grapefruits, oranges, kiwi, mango, strawberry, red peppers, broccoli. All of these foods contain higher amounts of Vitamin C. You can also take Vitamin C supplements in pill or powder form, but it is always better the receive vitamins and nutrients from your diet.

2. Vitamin D has an anti inflammatory effect, which could help reduce the swelling in your gums. To receive more Vitamin D get lots of sun exposure, drink Vitamin D-infused milk, or take a supplement.

3. Reduce your stress. Stress causes plaque to build which can lead to gum disease.

4. Tea tree oil has natural antibiotics in it. Brush with this oil to reduce bleeding and gingivitis.

5. Drink pure cranberry juice with no added sugar. Cranberry juice can help to prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth.

6. Gargle with warm saltwater. This acts as a natural “saline” cleanser to reduce plaque build-up on your teeth.

Continuing Problems

If you have more questions about your gum disease you should try to talk to a professional, so that you can get the best help possible. The easiest way to get in contact with reliable local dentists is to use TalkLocal. Just tell us your problem and within minutes we will connect you with up to three high quality professionals in your area who will be available when you need them.

Posted in Dentists | No Comments »

Can’t Print from Internet Explorer

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Is your printer not responding to commands from your web browser? It can be incredibly frustrating when you can’t print from internet explorer. Typically, these issues occur because outdated servers have difficulty printing from Internet Explorer. If your printer works with other programs but you cannot print or print preview with Internet Explorer, try the steps below.

What to Do If You Can’t Print from Internet Explorer

In order to be able to print from Internet Explorer, you must disable Protected Mode in Internet Explorer.

1) Open “Tools” in Internet Explorer.

2) Click on “Internet Options”

3) Click on the “Security” tab

4) Uncheck “Enable Protected Mode”

5) Click OK and then exit Internet Explorer

6) Reopen Internet Explorer and print your selection

If this method does not work, try opening Internet Explorer as an administrator so that you have permission to print:

1) Open the “Start” menu and find Internet Explorer.

2) Right click on Internet Explorer and select “Run as Administrator.” You may or may not be prompted to fill in the administrator credentials.

3) Open Internet Explorer again and try to print preview the page and then print.

Additional Help

If you can’t print from Internet Explorer after disabling Protected Mode, or even when signed in as an “administrator,” you may want to seek professional help. TalkLocal will connect you with up to three high quality computer technicians in your area, who will be available to help you when you need them.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

The Big Apple’s Local Hero: New York, New York

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

After launching Seva Call in 11 cities across the East Coast, Seva Man finally feels ready to move to the biggest and brightest city in the United States. We are proud to announce that we are finally bringing our services to the Big Apple, the city the never sleeps- New York, New York!

Did you know that over 8.5 million people live in New York City? Lucky for these residents, they will now have Seva Call to help them find local businesses!
“Want to be liberated from hours of searching the internet and yellow pages, repeatedly calling companies until you find one you like?”, asks Seva Man. “Meet me at the statue of LIBERTY!”
Seva Call will now save the busy New Yorkers time and aggravation by connecting them with service professionals in minutes.

Seva Call will also help the thousands of businesses in New York City connect with residents. Businesses can choose which clients to accept from Seva Call in order to fill their schedule and expand business.

Get excited New York! With Seva Call, you can save time finding the local professionals you need so you’ll have time to take a walk in central park or ice skate at the Rockefeller Center. Maybe you can even change your name from The City That Never Sleeps to The City that Catches a Wink Sometimes! Once again, Seva Man saves the day. “Live from New York, its Seva Call!”

Posted in Seva Call | No Comments »

Can I Claim My Child as a Dependent?

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Can I Claim My Child as a Dependent?

Claiming a child as a dependent has many related tax benefits, including a personal exemption for each dependent. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides this personal exemption based on the actual costs that have been incurred. Other benefits include a reduction of taxable income and additional tax reductions. A taxpayer may claim someone as a dependent if a specified relationship exists – the most common being that of a parent and child. A foster child or a stepchild may also be claimed as a dependent. There are a few restrictions though.

Restrictions to Claiming a Child as a Dependent

1. To claim a child as a dependent, they must be under 19 years of age for the years where they are claimed as dependents on the tax return. However, this number gets extended to 24 if the child is a full-time student for at least 5 months out of the year. A student is an individual who physically attends a university or institution. A student who takes classes online does not qualify for this.

2. The dependent must live with the parent for at least half of the tax year. Even if you are away from your home due to illness, business, vacation, education, or military service, your child is still deemed as living with you during this time. Similarly, even if the residency requirement is not met, a noncustodial parent may claim a dependent if this parent makes child support payments to the custodial parent. However, the custodial parent must first agree in writing to not also claim the child as a dependent.

3. The degree of financial support is also a requirement – a child who does not provide more than half of its own financial support and does not file a tax return may be deemed a dependent. If he or she pays for more than half of their financial support, they are not eligible to be claimed as a dependent.

Additional Help

Having a child can be expensive. Fortunately, our government recognizes the sacrifices that parents make (at least monetarily). Claiming a child as a dependent has some benefits, as well as requirements that mean these benefits don’t reach every person. If you are unsure as to whether your child can be claimed as a dependent, feel free to find professional help on the matter. If you need help finding a competent and reliable personal accountant or CPA, consider using TalkLocal to find a tax specialist for you. TalkLocal is a free service that will connect you with top-quality accounting companies in your area within minutes. Just enter in your specific problem, location and availability, and up to three companies will call YOU directly, saving you the time and stress of finding one yourself.

Posted in Accountants | No Comments »

What if I Forgot my Router Password?

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

What if I Forgot my Router Password?

Losing or forgetting your router password can present a big problem, as routers do not have password recovery systems like websites do. If you did not follow proper security practices when you set up your router and left the factory default password on, you will need to check your router’s factory default. You can find the factory defaults for all major companies here. If you have changed your password from the factory default, consult the manual that came with your router to find out how to change the password. If you have lost your manual, you can try these general instructions for how to change the password on most routers.

1. You will need to get onto the console of the router. Most routers from major companies will come with something that you can plug directly into a router with a serial cable.

2. Once you have done this, you will be able to change the settings. If this requires a password, try the above site to look for the default password. If you are able to get in, you will need to get an output or dump of the configuration.

3. Follow the steps to change the password.

4. Make sure the password is complex, but not so complex that you will forget it easily. Try incorporating capital letters, number, and symbols into your password so that it will be harder for someone else to guess.

Additional Help

If you are not able to change your password, you may need to contact a computer repair professional to help you access your router. With the help of TalkLocal, you can be on the phone within minutes with up to three high quality computer repair professionals in your area, that are available when you are.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Chiropractic Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

The carpal tunnel is the passageway through which the nerves pass from the arm through the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition in which this passageway becomes inflamed, causing pain and disability. CTS is one of the most expensive work-related injuries, costing a patient approximately $30,000 in lost income and in medical bills.

Cause and Symptoms of CTS.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually the result of consistently repetitive and forceful motions of the wrist, causing the tendons in the carpal tunnel to swell up and pinch the nerve. Due to this pinching, many people feel painful tingling in their fingers, lose strength in their thumb movements, or possibly even feel pain shooting up the arm. If traditional medicine is unable to alleviate your symptoms, you may be interested in learning about chiropractic treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Chiropractic Treatment for Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

While chiropractic treatment may differ, depending on your specific situation and condition, and on the professional you consult, most chiropractic treatment plans include immobilizing the wrist in a splint, applying ice packs to reduce inflammation in the tendons, and resting the hand and wrist. Your chiropractor will also recommend specific activities to avoid or ask you to take time off of work, since work may worsen your symptoms if you continue to use your hand and wrist.

Joint manipulation may help lessen the pain, and so your chiropractor will help you to strengthen and increase the flexibility in your wrist using simple exercises. He or she may also directly manipulate the tissues around the carpal tunnel to restore flexibility and freedom of movement to your wrist.

If the conservative approach to chiropractic treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome does not alleviate the pain and improve your quality of life, then you may need to consider carpal tunnel surgery, which releases pressure on the nerves by cutting the transverse carpal ligament. After surgery, over 90% of people recover completely and have demonstrated a very low chance of carpal tunnel syndrome recurrence.

Additional Help

If you think you could benefit from chiropractic treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, then you should contact a chiropractor as soon as possible. TalkLocal can do all the hard work of searching for you, connecting you with a high quality local chiropractor as soon as possible.

Posted in Chiropractors | 1 Comment »

Different Types of Refrigeration Systems

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

There are many different types of refrigeration systems on the market, and the more you understand about these systems, the more likely you are to make a well-educated and informed choice when it comes to servicing or purchasing a new system. Depending on your style of living and your accessibility needs, you’ll most likely want a certain type of refrigeration system.

Top Mount Refrigerator

The top mount refrigerator is the classic and most common type of refrigerator today; the freezer is at eye level and the fresh food compartment is located at the bottom of the unit. You can find this type of refrigerator in a variety of different colors and sizes, making it the most flexible type of refrigerator you can purchase. You’ll undoubtedly be able to find one that fits the dimensions of your home, as well as your kitchen decor.

Side-by-Side Refrigerator

The side-by-side has a refrigerator and a freezer that run from the top to the bottom of the unit. Side-by-side units are notably easier to use for children and people in wheelchairs, because there is equal access to both the freezer and refrigerator. The doors also require less space to open and close, making it more convenient to use in small kitchens. These refrigerators also come with customize-able and adjustable bins on the doors.

Bottom-Mount Refrigerator

If you like having your fresh food at eye level, then you may want to purchase a bottom-mount refrigerator. These models feature a freezer on the bottom. Since most people use the refrigerator more than the freezer, the fact that you must bend over to access the freezer is usually not a concern. However, these refrigerators are very difficult to access from a sitting position or from below since you must lift packages up, making it less child- and wheelchair-accessible.

French Door Refrigerator

This modern design is becoming increasingly popular today, combining a bottom-mount freezer with a side by side refrigerator on top. This style combines all of the positive features of bottom-mount and side-by-side refrigerators.

Additional Help

Ultimately, if you’re looking to purchase a refrigerator, you’ll want to consider how it will fit into your lifestyle. If you’re trying to decide between two different types of refrigeration systems, you may want to discuss your choices with an appliance expert. TalkLocal can connect you with a local high quality appliance expert in just minutes so you can make sure your choice is the right choice for you home!

Posted in Appliances Repair | No Comments »

Natural Carpet Cleaners

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

We all know how important carpet cleaning is; it refreshes your dingy and stain-filled carpet to reveal its shining cleanliness. While most professional cleaning companies can reach this goal, they typically use heavy duty chemicals. More and more people are staying away from those chemicals and switching to more natural and “green” alternatives. Here are some reasons why you should look into hiring a professional who deals with natural cleaning products instead of these harsh chemicals.

Why Use Natural Carpet Cleaners?

When using cleaners made with chemicals, toxins are released into the carpet, the environment, and the air you breathe. This means that you, your children, and your pets are all inhaling unsafe chemicals, such as these:

This is exactly why you should switch to organic, natural carpet cleaners, as well as companies that use them. They still do a fantastic job cleaning your carpet, and the cleaning products will smell nice, but will not be releasing unhealthy chemicals into your household and potentially harming your loved ones. Using these green products is also great for those who are medically sensitive to chemicals and have allergic reactions to them.

What to Look for in Natural Carpet Cleaners

When looking for home products or companies who use natural products, look to see that the products are biodegradable and nontoxic. A pH balanced cleaner is also gentler on the environment and your carpet fabric.

Additional Help

If you need help finding a local carpet cleaner and who uses organic and natural products, use TalkLocal to connect you with up to three reputable professionals in just minutes!

Posted in Carpet Cleaners | 1 Comment »

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