It can be a horrifying thing to lose all important data on a flash drive. Hopefully you have your files backed up, but if you don’t, this article will help you recover lost data on a flash drive. 

If you accidentally deleted your lost files off of your flash drive:

1. Open the trash (Mac) or recycling bin (Windows).
2. If the file(s) is in there you can right click it to restore it to your flashdrive.
3. If it’s not, you can try purchasing a file recovery software to search for any recoverable data. Do not save anything else to the flash drive until after you attempt to recover the data. This will prevent you from writing over any leftover parts of your lost data that has not been deleted.

Another possibility is that your lost data is hidden:

1. In order to unhide your files:
2. Click on Tools at the top of your screen.
3. Click Folder Options.
4. Select Show Hidden Files

If neither of these two options worked to recover your lost data and you are using a windows computer you can try this method:

1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type cmd then press enter
4. Change the directory.
5. Go to the directory of your flash drive
6. Type ATTRIB -S -H *.* /S /D then press enter

If none of these methods have worked for you, it still may be possible for you to recover your lost data. If you contact a computer professional they may be able to recover the data on your flash drive. You can use TalkLocal to request a computer professional in your area and receive a call within minutes.

Having one monitor is okay, having two monitors is good, but having three is amazing! If you have multiple computer screens to work off of you can multitask and be more productive because you wont have to switch windows in one screen.  But setting up multiple monitors can be kind of a headache.  Adding one monitor is easy but the more you add the more of a headache it becomes. Here are some tips to help you set up three monitors on one computer.

How to:

In order to configure three monitors on one computer you can buy either video cards or VGA cables.  When trying to do something like this there are couple things you should consider and do.

The first and probably the most important thing is to buy your monitors.  You should try to get the same model, size, and build so that you don’t have to strain when looking at them all.   You should then install graphics cards into the computer.  Before you do this make sure you aren’t violating your warranty. Inside should be 5-8 PCI slots on the side facing the back of the computer box.  You can just insert the video cards and close the computer back up.  After the cards are installed you can set up the monitors.  You should just connect them with the cables to the back of your computer.  You computer should recognize them and detect them immediately.  Once recognized you can configure them.  Just click on the desktop, go to properties, settings, and then click on the secondary monitor.  You can arrange them however you want. Then to add the next one you can click on a new monitor, and then on “extend my window desktop onto this monitor”.  Apply these settings and you should be good to go.

To add the third monitor you should buy a PCMCIA video card to go into the side of you computer.  As soon as you insert it you should be good to go.  Many people also buy Ultramon which allows you to have a taskbar in each computer.  This program will help you when using three monitors by making your life easier

Continuing Problems

If you are having issues trying to install three monitors even after reading this you should seek professional help.  Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with a reliable local IT service company within minutes.  Simply input the problem you are helping and your availability and TalkLocal will do all the work.  You will be connected to a professional almost immediately.

If you’re like us here at TalkLocal, you have numerous web pages in your web browser’s favorites folders. You have spent ages compiling an archive of your favorite news sources, blogs, personal accounts, work pages, and entertainment and music websites. Switching web browsers should not reset that online personality. It is surprisingly easy to import your favorites from one web browser into another. Here is how to export Internet Explorer favorites to Google Chrome:

1. Open a Google Chrome Window.
2. Click the wrench icon on the right of the browser toolbar.
3. Click Bookmarks >> Import Bookmarks and Settings.
4. Click the drop down arrow by From.
5. Click Internet Explorer.
6. Note: The default will import multiple settings along withFavorites/Bookmarks; uncheck the boxes for settings you do not wish to import it.
7. Click Import.

You can follow steps 1 through 3 to import favorites from other web browsers as well; it’s all the sites you love in all the browsers you use. These steps are easy to follow, but there can be other issues with using multiple browsers, or newer browsers with older software and hardware. If you are having any issues with your web browser, TalkLocal can connect you with up to three computer technicians in minutes, with just a phone call.

A Toshiba laptop Microphone problem can often be a cause for frustration. A dysfunctional microphone could have a variety of causes, and this article will give you an overview of the most common causes and how to fix them.

Check volume of microphone

First, make sure that the volume of the microphone is turned up to an audible volume. Open up theControl Panel, and from there go to Hardware and Sound. From there, click on Sound, and then select the Recording tab. There should be your microphone in the list of devices, and it should have a check mark on the picture.  Now, select the microphone and click on the Properties button, then select theLevels tab. Drag the slider to the right to increase the microphone level, and try speaking into the microphone to test it out. If you’ve maxed out your microphone volume, then it might be another problem that’s causing your microphone to not work.

Driver issue

The next option you should try is uninstalling your microphone driver and letting Windows pick the correct driver automatically. Click on your microphone under the Recording tab and click on Properties. Under the box for Controller Information, click on Properties again and then the Driver tab. Uninstall your current driver, and then click on Update Driver… Choose the Automatically update the driver to search for updates through the Internet option, and then go through the steps above to check the volume of the microphone.

Hardware issue

Since the microphone is built into the Toshiba laptop, it’s best to not try and fix it yourself. If you still have a warranty on your Toshiba laptop, you could always send it back to Toshiba to get it fixed. However, make you back up all your important files, since they will re-install your system and wipe your hard drive.

If you don’t have warranty, or you want to save all the files on your computer, you could always use TalkLocal for free to find a computer technician to fix your microphone for you right now, on your own schedule.