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.