Clean Your Cache!

a computer monitor sitting on top of a desk

Has your favorite browser been running slow lately? Not loading pages? Not updating the web-based application you use daily? Popping up errors when you try to input data in an online form?

All of these issues can be caused by a lack of maintenance of your cache files.

What are Cache Files?

Think of cache files as copies of your activity online. Every website you go to leaves information on your hard drive — the current version of the page or web-based application, data you share or enter, log-in information and more — to make any subsequent return visit faster and more user-friendly.

Why Should I Clean My Cache?

Imagine your internet connection is a tube. Every time you go to a website, a brick is laid inside that tube. At first, there’s no issue and your internet continues to perform optimally. However, the more places you go, the more cache collects, until your access to the internet slows down to a trickle, causing pages and/or photos not to load, search engines to fail, and more.

Cleaning out your cache files on a regular basis will prevent such issues.

Do I Need a Professional?

In most cases, absolutely not. This is something you can easily do yourself! Each browser has a different process to clean out cache, though, so check out the links below for your preferred browser:

Like most people, you probably have more than one browser on your computer. You just have to perform this clean up in one browser to eliminate unnecessary cache.

What If My System is Already Slow?

Cleaning out your cache is the ideal first step forward. Once you’ve cleared everything out, close your browser and restart your system, as some files can linger after they’re removed in the browser and will only permanently disappear once you’ve done a restart. Then your internet experience should be smooth sailing.

Performing this maintenance on a routine schedule will keep your internet access flowing, your data safe and save space on your computer, making for a happy user experience.

Need more help? Contact us.

Tip of the Day: Tweaking Computers

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Computers have changed a lot over the past decade. They are becoming more user-friendly and easier to manage. Newer computers such as smartphones and tablets aren’t as tweakable as older-style computers, nevertheless, all types can be tweaked in certain ways.

Many people don’t understand computers on a deep level and don’t have the time to learn about them. Throughout the workday of an average computer user, there is seldom time to search the internet for solutions to the little annoyances that creep up from computers; even if one can find the time to do so, search results can be vague and relatively useless. However, if the tips below are followed, one could minimize the frequency of those little annoyances that creep up:

Manage boot-time programs

Whether a newer or older-style computer is being used, there is almost always an option to prevent programs from running at boot time. Boot time is when a computer is powered on. When a program is installed on a computer, sometimes it’s automatically enabled to run as soon as the device is powered on. Learning how to disable programs from running at boot-time will help a computer to run faster. It can also help reduce conflicts on a computer overall.

Disable antivirus features

Again, for all types of computers, antivirus software can be overwhelming if not appropriately configured. Many antivirus features are automatically enabled after the software is installed. There could be too many features running within the software causing conflicts. Understanding antivirus software will help mitigate these issues. When installing software downloaded from the internet, great care should be taken. Regardless of what style of computer is being used.

Watch for malicious software

Usually, when a device gets infected with a computer virus, it’s because the software was downloaded from a malicious website set up by criminals. Software that initially looks good is commonly tainted with malicious software.

Add RAM memory

Lastly, no matter how much one pays for a new computer and how many great features it has, if it doesn’t come with sufficient RAM memory, one can count on a dull experience during use. Lack of RAM memory can cause sluggishness and various conflicts. Laptop and desktop computers’ RAM memory is generally easier to upgrade than smartphones’ and tablets’ RAM memory.

Please contact us for a consultation if assistance is needed with the tweaks suggested above.

Computer Tip of The Day: Knowing When to Replace Computers

a person is holding a remote control in front of a rack of wires

If it has been a few years since you replaced the computers in your office. You may be wondering how you will know when it is time to replace computers.

In general, depending on what you use them for, and how heavily they are used, business computers will need to be replaced every 3-5 years. This is in order to ensure maximum productivity.

If you are coming up to the five-year mark, you may want to consider replacing all of your computers preemptively. Thus, before you start encountering problems. However, your computers will also begin to give off other signs indicating that they will soon need to be replaced. Here are a few of these signs you can look out for in your office.

Computer Problems Are Disrupting Your Day

One of the clearest signs that you should consider replacing your computers is if you have begun to spend more time fixing your computers than using them. Your computer should help you get work done, not disrupt your workday.

Thus, if it seems like you are constantly battling your computer because it won’t connect to your WiFi, it keeps crashing, or you are continually encountering the blue screen of death, then it is likely time for a replacement. The fact is that computers don’t last forever. When they begin to become more troublesome than they are helpful, it is likely time for a replacement.

Speed is Everything

Another obvious sign that it is likely time for a new computer is if your computer has become painfully sluggish. In today’s fast-paced work environment, speed is everything. This means that it is critical that you have a computer that is fast and up to the task of getting everything done in the day that you need it to.

However, computers slow down over time, and you may begin to find that pages take forever to load. Or you can make a coffee run before your computer is done booting in the morning. These are signs that it is time to replace your computer. Being a slow computer can have a negative impact on the overall productivity of your business.

Contact us to learn more about how you will know when it is time to replace the computers in your office.

6 Tips for Conserving Battery Power

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There’s nothing more frustrating than having your battery die on you just as an important deadline looms. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to conserve your laptop’s battery. Here are six tips for keeping your battery power going.

Display Auto Turn-Off

Set your laptop so that your display turns off by itself if your laptop is not used for a specific amount of time. This can be one minute, five minutes, ten minutes, or whatever. This way, your battery won’t drain while you are on a bathroom break.

Reduce Brightness

Even when the display is on, reducing the brightness will help save a lot of battery power.

Disable Wifi

If you do not need the internet and can work offline, disable the wifi. Having your laptop connected to the internet causes a strain on the battery. A lot of things will be going on in the background. For example, Windows may be updating its software.

Remove External Devices

If you are not using them, remove any external drives or devices from your laptop. Take out any USB sticks and DVDs. Do not use your laptop to charge your phone. All of these things take up precious battery power.

Use the Battery Saver

Turn on the battery saver feature that is built into Windows if you need to save battery. Some manufacturers install additional features to help you save and conserve battery power.

Shut Off Background Noise

Focus on one thing at a time when your battery power needs to be conserved. Shut off things that are running in the background by using your task manager to figure out what is using up the CPU. Don’t have multiple windows open at once; if you do not need a program at the moment, close it instead of minimizing it.

For more information, contact us today.

Computer Tip of the Day: Knowing Your Computer

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Computer terminology can be confusing, especially for those who have not worked with computers very much. There is an advantage to knowing your computer. When computers break down, it can save time and money to have an understanding of their individual components. This is due to the fact that a technician might not have to be paid to resolve the problems. Research on the internet can be done to find solutions to computer problems using the names of computer parts as keywords in an internet search.

Sometimes knowing the parts of a computer isn’t enough. It helps to learn how to interpret error messages and error codes that a computer spits out. Computer error code details can usually be searched on the internet to learn more about what the error code means.

Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a computer regardless of whether it’s a desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone, 8 separate parts should be kept in mind. That is a power supply, hard drive, RAM, CPU, motherboard, keyboard, mouse, and screen. This is necessary because if one does not know the difference it will be more difficult to obtain help on free computer-help forums. Additionally, to search keywords on the internet in general.

For example, the display that allows one to see data stored on a computer is called the monitor or screen. When an error code is displayed on the screen, it would cause confusion to say, “My hard drive is giving me a certain error code,” or, “My screen has a computer virus.” It’s a common issue that the different parts of a computer are confused. The recommended terminology is to say, “My screen is displaying an error code”. Also giving specific details of the error code. Although the source of the problem might originate with the computer’s hard drive, the error code for that will typically be displayed on the screen.

Please contact us so that we may help sort out any issues with your computer.