We are now Thumbtack members

Thanks to Tommy I found and investigated this site called Thumbtack. The site is very much like Craigslist but for services (PC services to be specific). You can find other services thru this site as well.

Fast Affordable Dependable Repairs no tech babble

Using Piriform's CCleaner to Help Computer Performance

A common complaint I hear from customers is that their computer runs slow. While there are many different culprits for such a common problem, some free solutions are available to help alleviate poor computer performance. One of these free solutions is a helpful computer program called CCleaner. CCleaner is created and updated by Piriform, and it comes at no cost to the user. Although CCleaner comes with a number of simple features that perform different tasks for users, the focus of this blog will be on its “Cleaner” feature.

CCleaner’s “Cleaner” feature is safe and easy for anyone to use at its default settings. Without getting too technical, the cleaner feature basically removes useless files that have been acquired over time via web surfing and other programs on the computer as well. Running CCleaner to eliminate these useless files improve both web browsing and general system performance. The best part is that all the cleaning is done in one simple click upon opening CCleaner.

To install CCleaner, simply go to Piriform’s website and download it: http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

During installation, be sure to uncheck any offers from Piriform that puts undesired tool bars or software on your computer. Follow the rest of the prompts to complete installation.

After installation is complete, open CCleaner if it is not open already. Ensure all your web browsers are closed, and then click “Run Cleaner” at the bottom right of the CCleaner program.

 CCleaner will automatically perform all the necessary tasks in removing unnecessary files that clutter your computer, and then it reports everything cleaned back to the user. Depending on how much “clutter files” CCleaner found and removed, your computer performance will be optimized and should seem a bit faster (especially when web browsing).

Make sure to open and run CCleaner often. Run the “Cleaner” daily if you can, but no longer than weekly is recommended.

A final note on CCleaner is related to its “Registry” feature. I do not encourage users to use this feature unless he or she knows how to implement a Registry Back up on their computer. The reason is because any program that “optimizes” or “tweaks” the registry can possibly obstruct or seize system functionality. Knowing how to implement a registry backup upon failure mitigates this small risk.

Aside from all that has been said, CCleaner has other helpful features and more information about them is on Piriform’s website and CCleaner FAQ. Be sure to check out the information there if you wish to learn more. Although CCleaner may not be the only solution for a slow performing computer, it stands as a simple solution that alleviates common performance issues. Certainly a free program worth being on every desktop!

Simple ways to make your PC faster

Make your pc faster?
This is hands down the number one complaint we here when people bring their pc in for a tune up. One of the simpliest things to do is msconfig.

msconfig (from start - type in white box about start icon for vista and windows 7 and start->run in xp and below) is a baked in windows interface that shows you what is set to come up at boot time (and shut down). Check it out! Most of the things NOT in windows\system32 or windows\system can be disabled by unchecking the box next to it. Most times it takes more than one reboot to see the benefits of this change. Give it a try. It can make a big difference!

How to Bring Back the Old Facebook News Feed

Upon logging on to Facebook today, I was mildly annoyed at the forced changes Facebook had imposed on my “News Feed.” What’s the story with the Stories feature? All it does is make me scroll a mile down the page to get to the old News Feed I’m used to. I’m not the only one aggravated either because it seems half my friends list made a point to express their frustration over these changes. Furthermore, I couldn’t help but to smile upon some features that FB had added which are ever so similar to Google’s new social media website: Google+. For example, now you are able to select which of your friends are your “Close Friends” and which are “Acquaintances.” Classifying your friends into their own separate circle of friends looks a lot like Google+’s “Circles” feature that works in the same way, and it has been around long before these recent FB changes.

We can be angry all we want, but the underlying fact is that we can either bite the bullet on more forced changes by Facebook, be rebellious and join Google+ (which will yield a much smaller friends list), or we can just quit our e-Social lives completely until the next social media site is worth logging into. Although I personally choose the first option until the last one becomes fruitful, I have noticed a trick to get rid of the pesky “Stories” feature that spams the start of my News Feed:

-To the left of your Facebook page you will see “Lists,” and mouse over it. Click “MORE” at the top right of the borderless “Lists” box.

-Your Facebook page should now refresh and list all your “Lists.” Now, Look to the top right and you should see “Create a List.” Click it.

-Name your list something like “Friends,” “Homies,” or “REAL News Feed.”

-After you create the name, click “Add Friends,” then add ALL your friends to it and click Done.

 Note: If you were the star quarterback or prom queen in high school then it might take awhile to add your 5,000 friends.

Your new “list” will appear to the left when finished. From here on out you will have to click that new list you made over to the left, and it will mimic the old “News Feed” you had before Facebook rudely interrupted the look-and-feel you had before.

If you find this helpful, be sure to “Like” our Company Facebook Page and/or share this blog to help your friends restore the old “News Feed.” We will keep you informed on other helpful news and tips in the future.  

-  Tommy