Adobe Flash Player is needed to view many videos on the internet, so it is a hassle if you are unable to install it. If you are experiencing an error calling itself “Error 1722” while attempting to install Adobe Flash Player, it is most likely because of a conflict with your anti-spyware program. You will have to make changes to the settings in your program in order to install Adobe Flash Player. Read on to learn how to fix Adobe Flash Player Error 1722.

If you are using McAfee, you should try changing your settings to the following:

1. Go into the Anti-Spyware Standard Protection panel.

2. Select Protect Internet Explorer favorites and settings.

3. Exclude the following processes: InstallAX.exe , FlashUtil10h.exe , Uninstall_flash_player.exe

Different anti-spyware programs will have different options, but you will probably have to do something similar with any anti-spyware program. Just open your anti-spyware program, find the internet settings, and exclude the processes listed above from the blocked list.

Find Professional Help

If you have played with the settings in your anti-spyware program and are still experiencing Adobe Flash Player Error 1722, you might want to consider contacting a computer repair professional. With the help of TalkLocal, you can receive phone calls within minutes from up to three, high-quality computer professionals in your area, who are available to help you when you need them.

The battle of Chromebook vs. netbook is more than just a battle of electronics. Depending on your needs, the winner you select will be your go-to device for entertainment and work. So how do you decide? Going to an electronics store and playing with one of them can only get you so far. Check out some information about each item that might help you decide which meets your individual needs.

Chromebook vs. Netbook – Meet The Contestants!

Chromebook

– This laptop comes from a partnership between Google and two hardware manufacturers (Samsung and Acer). It’s the first laptop that runs on Google’s operating system, which is called Chrome OS (hence the name).

– Chrome OS is a type of Cloud storage. This means your information is basically stored online. In this case, it would be stored through Google.

– The latest Chromebook — series 5 — only has 16 GB storage. That isn’t a lot, but you have to keep in mind that they’re designed for most of your data to be stored in the Cloud. You could keep data on your computer and still access it anywhere through your Google account, which helps with data transfers.

– The keyboard is a bit different than the typical keyboard; for instance, it has a “surf the web key” in place of the caps lock.

– The Chromebook relies heavily on Internet access because of its Cloud-based OS.

Chromebooks are good for people with Internet access, who produce a lot of data they want to be able to access from anywhere.

Netbook

– A netbook is basically a smaller laptop. It’s lighter, more portable and it has a smaller screen and keyboard.

– Netbooks don’t have some features that a regular laptop would have, but those features have been deemed unnecessary. For example, netbooks don’t have CD/DVD drives. In the past, everything we wanted to upload to our computers was on a disk. Now, though, we have the Internet and the USB feature instead. When netbooks were made, it was assumed we could get everything we need onto the computer.

– Since they are so small, the CPU and GPU have been downgraded from the space of a normal laptop.

– Processing speeds and storage capacity have been going up in netbooks since they first came out.

– There are many different brands of netbook, so you can pick which one you like best. You can also get them with different Windows operating systems on them. If you don’t want the brand new Windows 8 OS, you can stick to 7 or even XP.

If you travel a lot, you might find a netbook is the best fit for you.

Get An Outside Opinion

The ultimate decision is based on your needs. If you need more information, we can help you find local professionals that can help you. TalkLocal makes it easier to get back to work (or play) with your brand new laptop – whichever one you pick.

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If you keep seeing error messages and security alerts on your computer regarding spyware, you may be asking, “What is spyware and how do I get rid of it?”

Spyware is an overarching term for programs that perform activities on your computer without your permission. The activities range in nature, but are generally negative and undesirable. You can accidentally infect your computer with spyware by downloading a free program. Spyware can send your personal information—such as browsing history, downloads, and even your name and address—to another computer as well as change your computer configurations. It can be hard to diagnose spyware because of its many effects, but some common symptoms are listed below.

​​Symptoms of Spyware

​​Slow or Crashing Computer

Spyware tracks your computer activity, which can cause it to crash or lag. If you notice your computer crashing more frequently, or perform slower than usual, spyware may be occupying your computing power.

​Different Settings or Programs

Spyware can change the settings on your computer like your toolbars or homepage. It can also download additional programs without your knowledge. With spyware, you can attempt to change these settings back, but they may revert to the wrong settings again after you restart your computer.

​Many Advertisements

If you find yourself bombarded by pop-up ads or experiencing more ads than usual, then your computer may be infected with spyware. The advertisements may appear when you start your computer or even when you are offline.

​1-900 Number Charges

Some spyware can stop your internet connection and command your computer to use a 1-900 number. Check your phone bill to see if you have mysterious charges for a 1-900 phone number.

​​Getting Rid of Spyware

If you believe your computer has been infected with spyware, look to see if your computer manufacturer offers a free anti-virus software. If you are a Windows user, you can download Microsoft Security Essentials to protect your computer from spyware and other harmful software. If the symptoms do not improve after anti-virus installation, you may need to have a professional take a look. TalkLocal can help you find computer repair services in your area. Just fill out an online service request, stating your problem, location, and availability. TalkLocal will connect you to up to three service providers who can help you in a matter of minutes!

 Is your HP TouchPad not charging? Maybe your new HP TouchPad is not charging correctly, or maybe you get an error box that says that the connected charger isn’t supplying enough power to charge the device. Don’t worry, this is a pretty common issue that is pretty easy to solve.

HP TouchPad Not Charging?

The HP TouchPad’s twist-to-lock plug adapter is actually a universal charging device. The top can screw off so a second attachment for non-US power prongs can be added. If the top isn’t fastened tightly enough, your device will either show the error box or simply won’t charge. If your HP TouchPad is brand new, the issue is probably the barrel connector.

How can you be sure it’s connected? You have to unscrew the top, screw it back in, and make sure it snaps back into place. You may notice some writing on the side of the connector; make sure its aligned right.

If its still not working, grab another micro USB charger and connect it to the TouchPad.

Additional Help

If you are still having problems with your HP TouchPad not charging, then you may want to speak with a professional computer repair technician. Use TalkLocal to be connected with up to three, reputable technicians in your area. Our service is free, and it only takes a few minutes!

If you thought all you had to do was decide between Mac vs Windows, then Google has thrown you for a loop this time. Their new operating system, Chrome OS, runs on their specialized Chromebooks, offered through Samsung and Acer. Chrome OS is completely different from the Windows operating systems of the past.

However, there is now a new Windows OS that might be what you’re looking for if Chrome OS is not. This leaves you with a choice: Chromebook vs Windows 8.

Chromebook:

– Chrome OS is completely different from your typical operating system. It is based on cloud technology, meaning the majority of your information is saved via Google’s online cloud. This is great, because you can access your data pretty much anywhere. However, you must rely heavily on internet with this operating system.

– Chromebooks are set up differently from laptops and netbooks with Windows 8. The keyboard is different and features a whole new key based on Google’s uses.

– Chromebooks essentially use everything Google. Microsoft Office does not come on Chromebooks because these machines rely on the Google devices for similar uses. If you are not comfortable using something other than Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, you may reconsider the Chromebook.

Windows 8

– Windows 8 is the first Windows OS that is operable on all tablets. This means you are not very limited to a certain device.

– The interface is tile-based, meaning everything is organized into tiles on your screen. It might look terrifyingly new, but it’s really just a more animated version of Windows 7. It has the same features of Windows 7 that you love, but they are organized in a modern format.

– Windows 8 runs Microsoft Office just like all other Windows operating systems. That said, without the cloud technology of the Chromebook, you’ll have to find other ways to make your information accessible in other places.

In a nut shell, Windows 8 is an upgraded, animated, modern version of previous Windows operating systems, while Chrome OS is completely new. Depending on your storage and device needs, your answer to the Chromebook vs Windows 8 battle is completely based on personal preference.

When In Need Of Computer Help…

If you need more assistance with your computers or more information on computer operating systems, TalkLocal can help you figure out what works best by connecting you with professionals in your area. Just tell us what you need, where you are, and your availability, and we’ll connect you with the right professionals.

Being able to connect your TV to the internet opens up so many more options of activities to yourself.  You can watch Youtube videos, Google your questions, and do various other things all while sitting on your couch, in front of a much larger screen than your laptop.  In order to connect Sony Bravia to the internet you have to take a couple of steps.

The Bravia comes equipped with an internet video link that should stream from the internet directly at no extra charge, and should require no additional devices.  In some cases people have issues getting their internet to connect with their TV.

Problems

There are a couple things going on that could affect your ability to connect your Sony Bravia to the internet

1)     Your internet is too secure.

2)     You need to Ping the internet.

3)     The TV isn’t receiving the right IP address.

Solutions

If you have a password protected internet network you may need to take the security measure off in order to be able to connect with your TV.  Usually the television will ask for the password but in the case that it cannot connect to do even that much, you will need to change the settings of your Internet security.  You could also try to reset the Internet router to see if the TV will connect after that.

If you still cannot connect you should try to Ping the IP address of the TV from your computer.  This way your TV will simply act like a computer monitor and show whatever is going on on your computer screen.  You can use a VGA or output cable to connect the television and laptop.

A third problem could be that the TV isn’t receiving the right IP address information, and therefore is unable to connect with the internet.  You will have to manually configure the network settings.  You can reset the IP address and try connecting your TV to the internet again.

Need Additional Help?

If you cannot seem to get your Sony Bravia connected to the internet it may be time to get professional help.  If you are looking to get in contact with a local computer technician, just use TalkLocal.  All you have to do is input your problem, your availability, and location and TalkLocal will do the rest.  We’ll find the professionals for you, and them them to you directly!

Tired of waiting too long for your pages to load while surfing the web? We might have a solution for you. If you’re a Firefox user who is frustrated by slow-loading pages, keep reading. We have some steps for you to follow if want to speed up Firefox loading page.

How to Speed Up Firefox Loading Page

1.      Type “about:config” into your address bar and hit return.

2.      Look through the results shown to find “network.http.keep-alive.” If it says false, double-click on it to change it to say true.

3.      Next, look for “network.http.version” and make sure it is set to 1.1.

4.      The next thing to look for is “network.http.pipelining.” This needs to be set to true.

5.      Find “network.http.proxy.pipelining” and set that to true as well.

6.      When you get to “network.http.pipelining.maxrequests,” change its value to 8 by double-clicking it. This will allow your browser to process eight requests at once, rather than the default four requests.

7.      This last step is optional. Right-click anywhere on the screen, and select “new” and then “integer.” Change the name to “nglayout.initialpaint.delay” and set its value to “0.” This value represents the amount of time the browser waits before it processes your request and relays the information it has received.

Is Your Firefox Browser Still Too Slow?

After completing these steps, your Firefox page loading time should be much faster. Enabling the “pipelining” feature allows your browser to process more than one request at a time, therefore speeding up page loading. However, if you are still experiencing problems that are beyond your ability to fix at home, contact your manufacturer or a service professional to help you out. Try using TalkLocal to be connected to local computer technicians in just minutes. We will find up to three professionals in your area who will call you, ready to help — for free!

Upgrading the graphics card in a laptop will result in better graphics quality. Despite being a difficult and time-consuming process, it can be done DIY-style. Here is an easy, step-by-step process to upgrade the graphics card in your laptop.

Upgrade Graphics Card In Laptop

1. Check with the manufacturer to see if the graphics card can be upgraded. Some older laptops might have irremovable graphics cards that are soldered, or might have very specific graphics cards.

2. After verifying this information, start disassembling your laptop. Newer laptops will give you easy access to your video card by simply removing the bottom of the laptop. However, older laptops might be different, and you may need to remove the hinge on the monitor.

3.  Remove the keyboard. Detach the keyboard by removing the screws that hold it down and unplugging the connector. Be sure to keep track of which screws come from which part of the laptop so that you can easily reassemble your laptop after you are finished.

4. Remove the laptop’s display monitor. Unscrew the screws and unplug any cables, such as the video and WiFi antenna, that are attached to the bottom half of the laptop. Remove the optical drive by pushing down the latch on the bottom of the laptop.

5. Remove the screws of the shell and take off the protective shell of the bottom half of the laptop.

6. You are now ready to remove your old graphics card by removing the screws that hold it in place and put in the new one.

7. Simply reverse these steps to reassemble your laptop with your new graphics card. You will also need to install any necessary drivers from the new graphics card’s manufacturer.

External graphics cards are also available if this task is too tedious or time-consuming for you.

Have A Professional Replace Your Graphics Card

If you perform the upgrade operation properly, you will not be disappointed. However, do not hesitate to contact an IT professional to help you upgrade your laptop’s graphics card. TalkLocal can connect you with the best IT technicians in your area in just minutes. Let us help you find the right professionals when you need them!

Do you get extremely frustrated when you’re listening to some awesome music on your computer and all of a sudden there’s another sound playing in the background? Is it annoying when you can’t figure out where it’s coming from? What if that noise continued all the time, nonstop, as a constant popping? You would lose your mind wouldn’t you?

Why You Hear a Popping Sound

The popping, cracking, and breaking up of audio in speakers seems to be a very common occurrence.  This could be a result of many different things such as the sound card, plugins, or sound drivers.  While there is no guaranteed way to prevent a popping sound from computer speakers, there are a few things you can try.

How Prevent Popping Sound from Computer Speakers

1. Double-check and make sure your headphones and speakers are properly plugged in.  Improperly plugged in devices can result in crackling and such unnecessary noises.

2. Also check to see if the speakers make similar sounds when plugged into a different computer.  If not, it may be the computer and not the speakers.

3. Make sure that the surge protector is properly seated.

4. If none of these steps help, you can try to sync digital audio between devices with different levels.

5. Furthermore you can attempt to check the sound drivers.  To do this, go to the Start Menu > My Computer > Properties > Hardware > Device Manager > Sounds > Sound Card > Drivers. Uninstall the drivers, restart the computer and then reinstall them.

6. In the rare case that none of these solutions helps you, you may need to either update the sound card or replace the speakers.

Find Professional Help

Before taking any drastic steps you should definitely consult a professional.  In today’s economy there are hundreds of choices that you can make to get help, but only the best are available through TalkLocal.  Just tell us what you need, where you are, and when you are available, and we will connect you with up to three computer technicians. They will call YOU, ready to help — for free!

Apple products are renowned for their speed, usability, and sleek designs.  But what happens when your device starts to act up? These products seem perfect, so it can be very annoying when they are not performing properly — “Why is my Mac so slow at startup?” If your Mac computer is slow when starting up there may be a couple different things acting wrong.

Problems

There are a few possible things that will slow your mac down when it starts up:

1)     There may be too many applications during Login.

2)     The disk is too full.

3)     Your Mac needs maintenance.

4)     The hard drive is failing.

Solutions

If you have too many applications during login, it will cause your computer to be unusually slow at start-up.  You should clear them out or change their settings so that multiple applications do not have to start up when you login to your computer.  By only starting the applications when you need them, you will save both time when starting your computer, as well as battery life, because the applications will not be running 24/7 in the background.

Another problem could be that your Disk is overloaded with programs and installations. You should reset SMC and PRAM and then run the disk utility so that you can see exactly what is going on in your computer.  If you see any programs taking up space that you don’t use and are unnecessary, you should delete them.

In the case that your computer needs maintenance, you should look up which operating system you have.  The pre-Lion systems have a different method of repairing the hard drive from Lion’s method.  You should look up the instructions in your operating system manual.

In the most severe case, where you have a traditional hard drive disk rather than a solid-state drive, this could be a indicator that your hard drive is failing.  In this case you should seek professional help.

Additional Help

If you are having issues with your Mac you can go to Apple’s help site or find a professional.  Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable, local computer technicians within minutes.  You don’t have to do any work! Simply input your problem and availability and we will do the rest! You will receive up to three calls from qualified computer technicians who can help you out.