The Way It Computes . . .

Welcome to the blog, where I answer your burning 'tech' questions, and give you some homest advice.

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5 Frequent Small Business Tech Mistakes

Small business tech mistakes are one of the primary reasons why 70 percent of businesses struggle with expanding. Here are five common problems to avoid.

We all have our specialties, and maybe tech isn’t yours; that doesn’t mean it has to slow you down, it should help you succeed and grow . . .

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Why are there soo many updates?

We’ve all been here before, you’re minding your own business, using a device you own, and out of nowhere, BOOM!, this thing is demanding an update.   Now sure, you’ve been told that updates are for your own good, right? But what about that time you started an update, and it messed up your computer? Surely that wasn’t good for you. Right? Wrong. Updates are put out by software developers to fix issues with their software, simple as that. Unlike medical testing, software companies don’t know what issues they’re going to run into in 6 months. Users often find issues, or ‘bugs’, and as the world’s hackers get better, the security that keeps them out has to get better too! Now that all sounds great, but why does it mess up your computer sometimes? The truth of the matter is, your computer was already messed up.  It may have looked like it was working, but in tech speak, ‘the operating system had been corrupted.’ Think of the software as a brick wall. If the wall has a strong foundation, you can build it nice and tall. If, however, the older (and lower) part of the wall is in poor repair, then adding more bricks at the top is going to bring the whole thing down. It’s no ones fault really, like all machines, computers need regular maintenance. Earlier this year, Equifax got hacked, and leaked millions of American’s private financial information. The sad truth of the matter, there was a security update, designed specifically for the vulnerability the hackers exploited, released 2 months before the hack. Like the old adage goes, it’s better safe than sorry. If there’s an update pending, I’d advise you accept.

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Do I need to turn my computer off?

The short answer is no, but it’s far more complicated than that.

When your computer turns on from being shutdown, there’s a surge of electricity. It’s the initial rush of power to get everything running. With an older computer, and the aged parts that go along with it, that surge can cause damage. 

That being said, heat is a far greater threat to the health of your computer. A well maintained computer will have an efficient cooling system, enough to protect it from itself. Now of course, over time, the age of the parts may reduce the efficiency, but it’s dust and humidity that will tag-team to cause damage. 

When your computer is running, it creates a static electro charge. The fans also create an airflow to pull air from outside of the computer, which brings dust and debris. With the two happeneing simultaneously, dust, hair and other debris often get trapped inside. That dust makes it much harder for your computer’s cooling system to do it’s job. The dust and hair mesh over most of the components, which works out like a blanket on the hot parts. The only way to solve that, turn off your computer.

Last major point, if we’re talking about a laptop, obviously leaving it running will drain your battery when you pack it up. Kind of a waste of juice, plus the long term effects on your battery’s performance.

So long answer, no, you don’t have to turn your computer off, if it’s well maintained and if it’s a laptop, you plan to replace the battery every 12-18 months (Or live with a less than great battery life). Otherwise, you’re better off shutting down when you’re done.

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This is what’s known as ‘The BSoD’ or ‘The Blue Screen of Death”

This is the screen that pops up when Windows runs into a serious (maybe even fatal) issue. Even if your computer restarts and works fine, this screen is your computer asking for help.

It may be something simple as a bad driver, or update poorly installed, or it may be something major, like your hard drive crashing, power supply failing, motherboard overheating .  .  .

If you ever see this, don’t ignore it, your computer will not survive for long otherwise.

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Welcome to our blog

Hey there,

We’re going to be publishing answers to your questions, as well as tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your tech.

Stay tuned for more . . .