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March 22nd, 2012

Computer Repairs Las Vegas: Home Group Protection

In the area of Las Vegas, computer repairs are more expensive than they are in many other cities. Learn how to set up a trusted home group. Small organizations can easily save money on computer repairs in Las Vegas by doing the following:

1. On the lower right side of the screen, click on the networking icon. It will show you a link to the open network and sharing center. The details of your connection can be viewed from this window.

2. On the left, click on the home group link. If you are currently configured as a work group or public network, you will have to click on that link to change the setting to home group.

3. Click the join now option. Decide which types of files you want to share. Get your password ready to inert into the prompt box. The person who set up the home group must distribute the password to all members.

Having a home group does not automatically prevent computer repairs in Las Vegas; however, setting up a secure method for sharing files within a small network will reduce your exposure to a variety of threats.

Reducing the risk of infection when sharing files may reduce your need for Las Vegas computer repairs.

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March 19th, 2012

Maintaining Computer Settings: Computer Repairs

Many technical problems do not require Las Vegas computer repairs. Windows 7 offers a one-stop shop for both troubleshooting and automatic updates. It is called the action center, and it is an incredibly helpful tool for all computer users.

The action center can be found in the control panel. The control panel is accessible through the start menu. After you navigate to the action center, you will notice any security or maintenance issues that need to be resolved.

There are three other important items that should be reviewed while you are in the action center:

1. Backup and Restore: This option might allow you to avoid Las Vegas computer repairs by taking your computer settings back to a point in time before the problem developed.

2. Windows Update: This link alerts you to important updates that will keep your computer running smoothly.

3. Program Compatibility Troubleshooter: This panel will enable any old programs you have to run on the new Windows 7 platform. If an advanced link appears, toggle on the link until the box for “apply repairs automatically” is ticked.

Consumers and businesses can often avoid using a technician to perform computer repairs in Las Vegas just by going to the action center and performing these recommended actions.

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March 17th, 2012

Computer Repairs or Drivers?

Installing hardware can cause unexpected problems, but there is no reason to conclude that Las Vegas computer repairs are the only solution. Three common situations indicate that a driver may be the cause of your problem. It is certainly worth going through this process of elimination before assuming that you need computer repairs in Las Vegas:

1. Do you have problems with new hardware working properly? Check for compatibility between the hardware and the operating system. If there is an issue, finding the correct driver may restore communication between the hardware and the OS. The computer may have to be restarted after the driver is installed.

2. Are the new drivers updated? Make sure that your drivers are set to be automatically updated. However, new hardware devices might not automatically update properly. Type the word update in the start menu search box and look for the Windows update option. Click to adjust the settings for automatic updates.

3. Did the driver work and then suddenly stop working? Check the Windows update option in the control panel, and view the available updates. If this does not work, a reinstallation of the software might bring the driver into the system properly.

Getting answers to these questions can save you time and money on Las Vegas computer repairs. Make sure to look into the status of your drivers if there are problems with your software programs or hardware devices.

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March 13th, 2012

User Account Control: Las Vegas Computer Repairs

Your computer can be damaged if you access administrator privileges without enough skill. At the same time, using them might be unavoidable, so Windows 7 set up some security protections. Previously, viruses and worms entered the system because programs could install and run without authorization.

In Windows 7, the default setting is the standard user account, which protects users against performing administrative actions that were not intended. This preventative feature can help you avoid unintentionally allowing malicious programs to enter your system and cause damage that would require professional computer repairs in Las Vegas.

There is both power and danger in using administrator accounts. Administrative permissions have serious consequences when used incorrectly. Anything can be changed with an administrator account. Drivers can be installed and updated, VPN connections can be created and configured, and many other administrator tasks can be performed. There is power in performing administrative actions, but problems may occur if the administrator account settings are improperly executed, which could easily require costly computer repairs in Las Vegas.

The user account controls are accessible through the control panel. You can enable or adjust advanced settings, but some changes may harm your system. If you are unsure of how to use these tools, make sure you find a trustworthy remote technician to help you avoid these dangers.

This will prevent unnecessary Las Vegas computer repairs.

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March 7th, 2012

Avoid Computer Repairs: Check the Basics!

Las Vegas computer repair services are expensive and time-consuming. Small business owners might feel disappointed if these repairs turn out to be preventable.

If you are having problems with your computer, there are two basic items that are likely to cause the problem. If you forget to check these items, you may end up spending money on Las Vegas computer repairs needlessly!

1. Assume that the connections or drivers are responsible for the problem. If you do not know the signal route from the external cable to your computer, take a few minutes to learn it. Once all of these physical connections are secure, check the drivers.

2. There are both software drivers and hardware drivers that must be up to date in order to function properly. Drivers communicators between the various internal components in the computer. The most common cause for the system to suddenly stop working is a driver update that has been ignored! Expensive Las Vegas computer repairs should not take the place of a simple update.

These steps will enhance the performance of your personal computer or networking system and tighten security. Taking preventative measures can save hundreds of dollars on computer repairs in Las Vegas.

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March 2nd, 2012

Computer Repairs Las Vegas: Secure Networking Tools

Costly computer repairs in Las Vegas can be prevented by learning about some standard security tools for networking. Telnet and the old ftp protocol do not provide encryption or authentication. These methods can be dangerous, so here are some alternatives:

1. Secure Shell
This is a tool that can be used in the Windows, Linux or BSD platforms. In Windows, an SSH program must be installed with a program such as PuTTY. Linux normally comes with the program installed.

2. Virtual Network Computing
VNC is used to connect across different computer platforms. For example, if a Linux computer wants to connect to a computer using a Windows platform, VNC can do this. Windows computers usually connect to each other using the remote desktop. VNC has weak encryption or none at all, but it can be tunneled through secure shell.

3. Port Forwarding
This is the method by which the VNC protocol may be tunneled through secure shell.

4. NX Client
NX client is a cross-platform tool that employs the native use of secure shell. This dramatically improves security when establishing an encrypted administration session with another computer.

Las Vegas computer repairs could be required if your network uses an unprotected connection and a virus invades the system.

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February 18th, 2012

Microsoft Word: Computer Repairs Las Vegas

Computer repairs in Las Vegas may provide you with a responsive computer system that can access many of the advanced features in Microsoft Word. Follow these instructions to learn how to make the page numbers begin on the cover page:

1. Insert Cover Page: Click the insert tab. Click the pages tab first, and then click on the cover pages option. Here you can select whatever page suits your tastes. Cover pages can be inserted at any time, and it does not matter where you are in your document at the time.

2. Click in the Header Area: When you do this, the design tab appears and you can open it. Go to the options tab and uncheck the box for a different first page.

3. Click on Page Number: This option is on the far left side of the design tab underneath header and footer. Scroll to the top of page selection and place the numeral on the right side of the header. It should appear as the number 0.

4. Click on Page Number: This time, select the format page numbers option. Look for the page numbering options and select continue from previous section.

This basic skill allows you to determine where the page numbers will appear. Experiment with these options for even more precise control before assuming that you need Las Vegas computer repairs.

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February 9th, 2012

Microsoft Word 2010: Mail Merge for Business
Prepare a form letter that is to be sent to everyone on your list. It contains the salutation and date, but does not contain any information that is specific to any given recipient.

Go to the tab called mailings and select start mail merge, which will bring a list of options to the screen. Select the last one, which is called “step by step mail merge wizard.”

On the right side of the screen, you can select the kind of mail merge you wish to perform. This can be done in several forms. It can be done via letters, envelopes, labels or even through email messages! Look to the bottom of the panel where there is a link that says “next: starting document.”

After you have made your selection, you are given three choices. You can use the current document, start from a template or start from an existing document. There is a button next to each of these choices.

Open your form letter and click the “next: select recipients” link. If you do not have a list ready, just select “type a new list,” and click create. If you choose customize columns, you can deselect any items you do not want to be printed. Save the data.

Move the cursor to the address block position and click on the address block link. Reformat the page to your liking. Follow the next steps until you see “edit individual letters” and then choose“merge records all,” which will let you preview before printing.

Please give us a call when you need computer repairs in Las Vegas!

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February 6th, 2012

Excel Tips for Las Vegas

Microsoft Excel 2010 enables users to customize their ribbon. This is handy for arranging icons in a manner that maximizes your workflow. It also makes life a little easier.

To begin, simply scroll over any area in the ribbon. Right-click and select the option that says “customize ribbon.” This will take you to the customize screen where you can simply highlight icons and add them to a group in the column to the right. If you remove the check on any of the main tabs, the tab will also disappear from your ribbon.

Tabs are the main headings, and groups are the subdivisions that actually appear on the ribbon. Be aware of the pull-down menu on the top left side of the page, which shows all of the available icons in Excel. There are quite a lot of them, and they are worth exploring.

The quick access toolbar can be moved so that it is located either above or below the ribbon. The pull-down menu, which looks like a black arrow facing down with a single line above it, provides an list of items that can be checked or unchecked.

The quick print icon is very popular to have displayed on the quick toolbar because it does not appear anywhere else on the ribbon. Choosing the “more commands” option from the quick access toolbar will take you there. Anytime you need to have the items rearranged on your ribbon, make sure to remember your options.

Please give us a call for any computer help needs or computer repair issues in Las Vegas!

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February 2nd, 2012

Microsoft Outlook: Attaching Files, Business Cards
Using Outlook email provides several advantages including the ability to send picture files that might be too large for other email applications to handle. Hotmail, yahoo and other email services are often unable to process certain files in email attachments for a variety of reasons.
Outlook is effective at providing users with functional and professional-looking correspondence.

If the file is formatted in rich text instead of HTML or plain text, the file will appear as an icon inside of the body of the message. It will probably be placed between the last line and the signature. Just drag it below your signature line to preserve that classic-letter look.

If the attachment is HTML or plain text, it will appear inside what is called the attached line, which exists underneath the subject line. You can also attach a picture file. The GIF file format often triggers a virus or junk filter alert, but JPEG files will usually get through.

Certain files types include programming code. Examples include HTML, GIF or moving picture files, which can still be sent through email. However, taking certain precautions will improve the outcome. Zipping up the files might help you get through these alerts. The zipped files render the file types inside invisible to the email system.

To attach a business card, just go to the insert tab and look at the three icons stacked to the left of the table icon. They are arranged vertically. Selecting the top icon will allow you to insert a business card.

Please give ITS a call for computer repairs in Las Vegas

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