While most spam is not harmful, it all too often pops up in our inbox against our wishes. You probably want to know how to avoid spam?  Before we dive into it, it is important to understand that an email address that has already been spammed is not savable.  Once spam finds your inbox, you are at risk for all sorts of spamming.

Therefore, you need to create a new email address to avoid spamming.  Since most spammers simply guess at email addresses to find you, avoid choosing an easily conceivable one.  Consider adding numbers or additional initials to your address.  And of course, use discretion when distributing your email.  Giving your email address out on the Internet or by other measures on a wide scale is the best way to attract spam.

Even with these measures, some spam may still make its way to you.  In this case, never “unsubscribe” to a sender.  This is merely a way for them to know they have found you, and you are again at risk for more spamming.  Even opening the email could be a detection method – do not let curiosity get the better of you.  Simply delete the email.

Spam occasionally disguises itself as a message from a contact in your address book.  Although this is more difficult to detect, taking a moment to read the subject line can be an effective preventative measure.  If it seems suspicious, contact the sender before opening to confirm its legitimacy.

There are many email providers that will sort spam away from your inbox automatically–accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail.  As long as you know the settings your provider is using for this, it can be very helpful.  Make sure to approve these settings and occasionally check your spam folder for mistakes.  Spam blockers are also available for purchase on a private basis.  A bit of shopping around can help find the one most appropriate for you.

If you continue to have spam problems despite your best efforts, you may want to seek professional help.  TalkLocal can connect you with a local computer repair business that can help you get rid of spam. Fill out an online service request to talk to a professional in minutes!

Having a working sound system is crucial to watching movies, listening to music and just enjoying your computer so when the sound on computer is not working, it can be brutal. Without a sound system, listening to music and enjoying computer games becomes impossible.  You may also miss important business calls and instant messages without a sound notification.  Don’t let sound problems slow you down.  Here are a few notes on major causes for why the sound on your computer is not working and some advice for how to fix the problem.

Obvious Things That Are Easily Overlooked

First, check to see that there is a power supply connected to the speakers if you are using an external form of sound system. Then check to see that the speakers themselves are not faulty by trying the speakers with another electronic device such as an iPod. Also check to see if the volume controls on the speakers themselves are not turned down. Finally, check to see that the speaker system is plugged into the correct port.

Computer Does Not Recognize the Speaker System

There is a chance that the computer may not notice that it is connected to a speaker system. This problem is fixed by accessing the computer’s control panel, clicking on the sound configuration system, and choosing the correct speaker system.

If the choice for the desired speaker does not appear in the sound configuration menu, check to see that the jacks (plugs) for the speakers are not faulty by trying them on to another computer. Keep in mind that some speaker systems may be defective.

Sound Card Problems

The sound card is the internal computer device that facilitates the exchange of audio signals. It is a crucial component that is responsible for a working sound system in your computer. To ensure that the sound card works properly, connect a working pair of headphones or ear buds to the computer and test the sound by playing an audio file. If that still doesn’t work, chances are that your computer system is suffering from bad hardware.

Bad Hardware

If above recommendations do not resolve the issue and sound on computer is not working still, it is likely that the sound card or the speakers are defective. At this point it is recommended that you call for help from the local experts. TalkLocal can help with finding the correct local expert to fix your computer quickly, saving you time and energy in a stressful situation.

Recent power outage did more damage than you thought.  Your computer wont turn on after power outage and you have no idea what to do. The damage is usually done to the file system while the computer is in operation. Typical operations include, but are not limited to: downloading a file, playing a game, and making PowerPoint slides. A sudden loss of power interrupts the operation, possibly corrupting the file system that was being used.

Depending on the file system that was being used, consequences of a power outage may differ. Sometimes a game system or a document that was being used may simply become inaccessible due to file corruption. Sometimes the necessary components for the computer system itself may become damaged, resulting in a dead computer.

How to Prevent the Damage

Use of a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is advised if working under a prediction of a power outage. UPS is a battery device that usually only supplies power long enough for you to safely shut down the computer, preserving the files being used during the power outage. Typical UPS batteries cost around $100, and are expected to last for somewhere between 4 to 6 years.

UPS units also provide surge protection up to and around 6,000 volts. UPS works to counteract any power spikes or dips in the power supply, helping the computer last longer with limited power.

How to Fix Your Computer

Further complications to the computer system following a power outage may vary greatly with each case and a direct help from the local experts is recommended. TalkLocal can help with finding the correct local expert to fix your computer quickly, which saves you time and energy in a stressful situation.

When working at home on your laptop, you often might be thinking, “Wow, my laptop is really hot!”  Overheating laptops can be a serious problem for a variety of different reasons.  If your computer gets too hot, it could crash.  However, an overheated laptop can have more serious impacts than just on computer performance.  Overheated laptops have caused house fires, burned users, and studies have even linked hot laptops to male fertility problems. Yikes! Here are some tips that explain why your laptop is really hot and how to keep it cooler:

Check your fans

Because laptops are designed to be compact, all of their internal parts are more tightly packed giving them a tendency to overheat. It is important to make sure the fans are running properly for this reason. You can do this by downloading diagnostic software from the website of your laptop manufacturer, or from another reliable online vendor.

Clean out your vents

Laptop vents are narrow, so it is already difficult for the heat they generate to escape.  This problem can worsen when the vents get clogged with dirt and dust. You can fix this problem by blasting them with compressed air, which you can purchase at office supply stores. You can also try cleaning the vents using a lightly damp cloth, never a wet one.

Check your BIOS settings

Software settings inform your computer when it is too hot and trigger the fans to start working.  Computer manufacturers sometimes release BIOS updates with revised temperature settings that can help optimize cooling.  Check your laptop manufacturer’s website for information on BIOS updates, but proceed with caution because BIOS software is more complex than basic computer settings.  It may be safer to consult an expert for help with BIOS updates.

If you try these ideas and your laptop is still hot, or if you need further laptop assistance, visit TalkLocal, which will find you local computer repair professionals and have them call you back within minutes.

There’s lots of great free software out there but is free software safe to download?  Free software can help  you with everything from doing taxes to malware removal.  But you should be careful every time you download something new on to your computer.  Free software can be great, but some free software can cause your computer serious problems.  Some hackers like to cloak their viruses in free software, and sometimes even well intentioned developers of free software can cause you problems if they didn’t work all the bugs out of their software.

When it comes to free software, do your best to stick with reputable software download sites.  Man of the House recommends Cnet’s Download.com, Tucows.com, or ZD Net Downloads.  Also, most reliable software sites provide user reviews. If the website you’re considering downloading from doesn’t provide user feedback or shows mostly negative user feedback, then it’s best to steer clear.  And just generally speaking, it’s a good idea to err on the side of caution.  If the site looks sketchy in any way, it’s a good idea not download from it.  Also, make sure that you have malware protection up and running before you download anything.

Sometimes, despite caution and research, you can still end up downloading something that causes problems on your system.  If that’s the case, you should first uninstall the software and reboot your computer.  If you really want to use the problematic software, try reinstalling it, assuming you have antivirus software up and running.

Sometimes antivirus software can mess with the process of installing new applications. You can scan the free software with your antivirus program before you download it.  This allows you to disable the real time scan option while downloading the software.    If, once you’ve done all this, you still have problems with the software, its best to uninstall the program completely and look for a different application.

Sometimes, problematic programs may refuse to uninstall.   In this case, Windows users can use Windows’ System Restore.  This will reset all your programs—without affecting your data—to a specific date.  To use the Window’s System Restore, go to Search System Restore at Microsoft.com and follow the directions for your type of Windows.   If you don’t have Windows, try to manually remove it from your installation directory.  You’ll also want to clean up your registry, because most applications install information there, as well.  For this you can use a free (but certified as reputable) registry cleaner.

If you have any question about which software is reputable, or have any issues dealing with buggy software you’ve already installed you can also use TalkLocal to find reliable local computer help.

Are you having problems with your wireless network not connecting? Your wireless network will not connect and all you see see is a message that says “wireless connection unavailable” or “wireless network not connected” ever popped up? Your wireless network might not be automatically connecting to the internet for various reasons.

Your computer detects the network, but will not connect to the network or the internet. Despite a good signal, there is no wireless connectivity. Or, you are unable to acquire a stable network or the network ports might not be working.

The problem could be your computer or the wireless router. Try to connect to the internet from another computer using the same network.

Your computer must first be able to detect any available wireless networks. The wireless adapter detects surrounding wireless connections, so make sure you enable the wireless adapter on the computer.

Check if the wireless router is assigning an IP to your computer. Also, the wireless router’s range must be able to reach your computer in order to connect to the internet. Enhance the signal of the wireless router if need be. Start out by connecting to the wireless network with your computer or laptop close to the router. If the router is not working properly, try to reboot the wireless router.

Tinkering with your settings can help connect you, as well. You may need to remove the existing SSID network and then redo the SSID information. Also, turn off your firewall and uninstall any antivirus system temporarily. Reinstall it once you are connected.

Most wireless connections are secure, which means you need a WEP/WPA password to access the network. The WEP code is usually located on the modem. You might not have entered the WEP code correctly into your computer. Temporarily turn off wireless security and then turn it back on.

If you need further assistance, call TalkLocal to help connect you with a local IT technician that will solve your connection woes.

Not many people are aware that there is malware that affects Mac. Recent events have proven that Mac users may be at risk of Internet fraud such as malware.  While using the Internet, Mac users are being directed to sites falsely claiming that a virus has infected their computers.  The site then goes on to offer them protection against the damaging effects of the alleged virus.  This software has been referenced as MacDefender, MacProtector, MacSecurity, and MacGuard.  The end goal is to obtain the credit card information of the victim for use in other schemes.

Apple is planning to correct this issue by offering an update to find and eliminate the dangerous software for its users.  For the time being, however, Mac users can take these steps against attacks on private information:

1.  If a message containing information or instructions on installing defensive software appears while you are using the Internet, close your browser immediately.
2.  If the software begins to install automatically, cancel the installation and delete the installer from your machine.
3.  If the software has already been installed, do not provide your credit card or any other information.  Delete the software from your machine.

Remember, the claim that a virus is attacking your machine is NOT true.  The danger is in the software that it calls “protection.”  Do not in any condition purposely download these programs.

If you encounter trouble completing any of the previous steps, more professional action is advisable.  TalkLocal can easily connect you with a computer repair service to help protect your Mac against security breaches.

Although we try to keep our computers in top shape, sometimes accidents occur that put our data in danger.  Therefore, it is essential to regularly back up files we don’t want to lose.  There are several options for backing up a hard drive, depending on how much and what type of data you wish to store.

Most computers offer an internal back up system (Windows XP Back Up for PCs or Time Machine for Macs).  This is a fairly easy way to make sure your files do not get damaged if performed at regular intervals.  However, only doing back up on the machine itself poses a risk if there are major physical damages to your hard drive.  This type of back up is a good start, but additional measures should also be taken if you are serious about your data.

Another back up option is an external storage device.  This can range anywhere from a CD or DVD to a flash drive or larger external hard drive.  Your choice of these depends on the amount of data you wish to store.  In order to put information on these accessories you insert the device into your computer (by disc drive or USB), wait for your machine to recognize it, then simply drag and drop the files you want to store into the device.  The advantage of this method is that if your original hard drive is severely damaged, you have another place to find your data.

A more recently popular type of storage is online back up, known as cloud storage.  Here you store your data online through cloud storage providers.  A plus to this kind of back up is you only pay for the space you use, instead of buying another device that you may or may not fill up.  This type of storage also has merit in the fact that it is not a tangible agent.  If a physical disaster were to destroy your possessions, you can simply access your files from any location with an Internet connection.

Many computer repair services also offer back up assistance.  If you have any questions as to which method is best for you or how to perform any of the back up, simply use TalkLocal find computer repair services in your area.

Data recovery and backup sounds daunting to the average user, but many of the same principles that govern hard copy paper files apply to electronics ones as well.

Electronic files, like paper files, have a real storage location. They are stored on a specific part of the hard drive, a USB flash drive, or even over the internet on someone else’s hard drive. Most problems happen when we lose track of the file. One way to retrieve the file is to use the search function under the PC Start button or on the top of the Mac bar. You can also open up word processor or an application that can look at recently accessed files. On the other hand, some files are commonly left in the Download folder and not in My Documents. Some downloaded files may also be stored under the temporary internet folder.

If you a delete file, you can go to the recycle bin to restore it. If you have emptied the recycle bin, the file is not permanently gone, but the location of the file is no longer known to the computer. This stage requires the use of a data recovery program that will find the physical location of the file on the hard drive.

Regular backup of data could prevent a future problem like this. In addition to saving often while working on a file, it is fast and easy to make electronic copies of files. Windows has an automatic backup utility that can be accessed through the control panel. It is also possible to create electronic copies of files and store them over the internet with Google or Microsoft. These copies can even be accessed from any computer with an internet connection.

Finding, restoring, and duplicating electronic files is not difficult, but it is difficult to decide on a course of action. You can seek immediate help by submitting a short service request online to TalkLocal. Just list your problem, location, and availability and TalkLocal will connect you with up to three high quality IT services in your area.  Within minutes, you will receive a phone call from someone who can give you the help you need, when you need it.

There are a variety of reasons  why you may be having trouble with internet connection.  Before you seek professional consultation, you can take a few steps to diagnose the issue on your own.

First, restart your computer.  Something may have gone wrong when the network connection was established, but it can easily be fixed with this action.  If you still are unable to access the Internet, shut down your computer, unplug the router, and unplug the modem.  After a few seconds, reconnect these devices in the reverse order you unplugged them.  You may want to give the system a chance to gear back up before attempting to start your computer again.

The problem may also be that your router is malfunctioning.  In order to troubleshoot this, connect your Ethernet cord directly from the modem to your computer.  If your Internet connection works properly in this format, you have a faulty router.

If at any point you have had a virus corrupting your system, the deletion of the virus may have attacked your network connection.  Some viruses are designed to violate other computer processes if eliminated.  A free program such as LSPFix can correct this.  However, you may need to perform a repair install on your system.  This can be accomplished on a PC by utilizing the Windows Install Disk.  By choosing the option to repair files, you can replace corrupted ones and reestablish the means to a proper network connection.

Establishing network connections, especially for the first time, can often be very frustrating processes.  If extra assistance is required, simply utilize TalkLocal to get in touch with a computer repair service near you. Just go to the TalkLocal website and fill out a service request stating your service need, location, and availability. After you submit, TalkLocal will match you with up to three high quality service providers who can help with your specific problem.