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.

Many issues with computer speed do not need professional repairs; a simple change of machine settings and some easy clean-up activities can increase the rate of computer functions.  Before seeking additional help, try taking the following actions that are basic ways to speed up your computer:

1) Reduce the number of start-up programs.  Unessential programs may be launching every time the computer is started.  Only allowing necessary ones to open will increase PC start-up speed.  You can manage this directly from your machine or download available programs to aid you in the process.

2) Regulate the number of desktop icons.  Littering the screen with too many of these icons consumes space, decreasing speed of performance.
Stop using screen savers.  These files take up a large portion of space, impeding more important tasks.

3) Eliminate theme sounds on your desktop.  Like screen savers, audio files occupy a significant amount of space that slow down your other projects.

4) Decrease the bytes of color and number of pixels on your display.  The lower settings of these are hardly detectable to the eye but will slightly increase the operating speed of your machine.  If you wish to open or run something where better color or more pixels would be beneficial, then temporarily increase the quality.

5) Defragment files on your hard drive (files are originally stored on your hard drive in various places by clusters). Regrouping the files will allow the computer to read files faster. A fragmented file must be reassembled every time it is accessed, decreasing its opening speed.   Defragmentation takes a bit of time, but it will run on its own once started.

6) Delete unnecessary programs and files.  An application that is never used employs valuable space on your computer and slows down computer activity.  Temporary files are also undesirable and can be cleared from your machine.  On a PC, Windows Disk Cleanup can perform this for you.

These regulatory activities and simple changes to settings can advance the speed of your machine without professional consultation.  However, some issues are more complex and require additional expertise. In this case, go to TalkLocal to find high quality computer repair businesses near you. In a matter of minutes, TalkLocal can connect you directly to a repairman that can fix your problem.

Most people keep lots of personal information in their inbox, so a hacked email account can cause a real headache.  Sometimes hackers will sell your information or use it to steal money from you directly.  Even if they can’t find valuable information in the emails, hackers will often send an email to your entire contact list asking for money.  In a common scam they impersonate you and claim you’ve been robbed while traveling, and thus are desperate for money to get home.  Often gullible friends and family will fall for the scam.  Hackers can also lock you out of your account, keeping you from accessing your contacts or emails.

How to Protect Your Email Account:

1.  Have a strong password. Use a combination of letters and numbers.  Don’t use the name or birthday of a loved one because it is easy to guess.

2.  Have a difficult security question.  Most people want to make sure they won’t forget the answer to their security question, so they select one with an obvious answer. The downside is that other people will also know or be able to guess the answer.  Make the question about something personal and private.

3.  Keep your password to yourself.  Don’t tell your password to anyone, and don’t write it down anywhere easily accessible to other people.

4.  Avoid “phishing emails.”  Some hackers send emails to try and trick you into giving them your password.  Sometimes they’ll impersonate the administrator of your mailing account and prompt you for your password.  Other times they’ll send you emails promising you that you’ll be able to hack someone else’s account after you sign into to their mail server using your email ID and password.  There is no such mail server, and your email administrator will never ask for your password over email.

5.  Avoid spyware.  Spyware can secretly run on your computer and record all your keystrokes and screenshots.  So if you type in your password, a hacker would be able to access it.  Try to always use your email account on your private computer, and make sure that you have a good anti-malware program.  If you have any questions about which malware program is best for you—or want to get rid of a virus—use TalkLocal to find a computer repairman near you.  If you are using a public computer—like in an internet café—you can use clicks on the mouse to confuse hackers.  For example, if your password is t4et155ress (an example of a secure password) you can first type “115”. Then click your mouse to the start of the text and type “t4et”; then click to the end of the text and type “ress.”  Even if the computer has spyware on it, the hacker will not know your correct password because spyware usually records keystrokes, not movements of the mouse.  This trick can be a bit of a nuisance, but it is a great precaution to preve your email doesn’t get hacked

If you do all these things your email information should be safe.  But if you ever find that your email has been hacked, you should immediately report it to the administrators of your email account and alert all your contacts so they do not fall prey to a scam.  If you have lost any emails or data, TalkLocal can help you retrieve those as well.