Newsletter — Page 2

November 2016 Newsletter

November 19, 2016 By Rob Marlowe

Welcome to our November 2016 Newsletter:

This issue is later than usual as we’ve been extraordinarily busy at Gulfcoast Networking. Things appear to be settling back to normal. Look for the December Newsletter to show up a lot closer to the first of the month.

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

We’ll be running special hours during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Hours will be as follows:

Wednesday, November 23rd: Open 9:00am until Noon
Thursday, November 24th: Closed for Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 25th: Closed for Black Friday
Saturday, November 26th: Small Business Saturday – Special Hours 2:00pm – 5:00pm

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Small Business Saturday is the Saturday following Black Friday. Black Friday has been traditionally been the start of the Christmas shopping season, but the large retailers have pushed earlier each year, often opening on Thanksgiving. You can already find “Black Friday” promotions online. While some excellent deals are available on Black Friday, you need to be careful. One of the tricks that the big box stores play is to get “special” TVs and other electronics that have been “de-featured” just to make a low price point for the sale. You get a low price, but you don’t get all the features that show up on similar items the rest of the year.

Small businesses are still generally closed on Thanksgiving so that their employees can enjoy the holiday with family. You can get excellent personal assistance from shop owners who actually know their products at small businesses. We encourage you to visit the small local retailers on Small Business Saturday and do your Christmas shopping at them.

We’ll have limited store hours (2-5pm) on Small Business Saturday and we’ll be looking over things this next week to make sure we’ve got some great stocking stuffers available at great prices.

SURVIVING WINDOWS 10 UPDATES

Microsoft has changed the way they send out updates and the resulting “new” updates are much larger as a result. Some of the updates take an extraordinarily long time to download and install. We are modifying our long standing recommendation that you turn your machine off when you aren’t actively using it. You may want to consider leaving your Windows 10 machine on, possibly overnight, once in a while, especially on the second Tuesday of each month.

This should allow your computer to process the updates in a better fashion. One symptom that Windows updates are having an issue is when your otherwise very fast machine becomes glacially slow. If you have any question, give us a call and we can walk you through a quick check to see if this is likely the issue with your computer.

STEPS TO TAKE WITH A NEW COMPUTER

If you come home on Black Friday with a new Windows computer, there are several things you need to consider:

Make sure you have a set of recovery disks. All computers used to come with a set of disks so that you could reinstall Windows and all the drivers if worse came to worse. That is generally not the case anymore. Hard drives are mechanical devices and they will fail eventually. You need a set of recovery disks. You can generally burn a set of disks using a utility that should be installed on your computer. These disks “should” save you in the event of a hard drive failure. A better solution is to call the computer manufacturer and get them to send you a recovery disk set. Figure to spend $20-$30 dollars. Some manufacturers, such as Dell, actually send the recovery set on a USB flash drive. Recovery with a Dell flash drive is actually pretty slick and you don’t have to keep feeding the computer one disk after another.
Make sure you have a good anti-malware program on your computer. Most computers come with a 30-90 day trial version of an anti-malware program. We recommend Avira Antivirus-Pro for our consumer clients. It is just $39.95 a year and is highly rated. We stock it and we can help you install it.
Remove any pre-installed programs that came on your computer that you don’t expect to use. All of these programs take up a lot of space and some of them can slow your computer down. Games that you don’t expect to play are a prime example.
Consider purchasing one of our Safe Computing Plans that bundle technical support and anti-malware protection in one affordable package.

Finally, if you don’t see exactly what you want, or you aren’t sure what you want, feel free to talk to us. We can help you decide what computer would be right for you and we offer a wide range of both brand name and custom built machines that you might find perfect.

We hope this newsletter has been worth your time. Look forward to our December issue in a couple of weeks.

Rob Marlowe, Senior Geek
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc.

October 2016 Newsletter

October 1, 2016 By Rob Marlowe

Welcome to our October 2016 Newsletter:

You can tell it is fall. The colors on the license plates are changing.

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

Microsoft has released the “Anniversary Edition” of Windows 10. This update automatically downloads and installs on most Windows 10 machines. By all accounts, Windows 10 continues to be “a keeper” as an operating system. We have some corporate clients that are staying on Windows 7 Professional for software compatibility reasons, but there is absolutely NO reason to fear Windows 10 if you are buying a new computer for home use.

HOW OLD IS TOO OLD

For business use, a new computer should be good for 3-5 years. There is a point of diminishing returns in trying to keep an older machine running. Moore’s Law holds that processing power doubles every 18 months. A four and a half year old machine is vastly slower than a new machine at the same price point.

For personal use, you can stretch things out a bit, particularly if your computer needs are modest. Someone who uses their computer primarily for facebook and email can get away with an older, slower machine. Even here though, there are limits. A good rule of thumb is that you should NOT run a machine that is no longer receiving updates from Microsoft. What does this mean?

If you are running Windows XP or anything older, you need to retire that machine ASAP. Windows XP SP3 lost all Microsoft support in April of 2014. Additionally, it is becoming much more difficult to find anti-malware software that will run on Windowx XP. An XP machine is simply NOT safe to put on the Internet.

If you are running Windows Vista, your Microsoft support will end in April of next year (2017). We STRONGLY recommend that you replace a Vista machine before next spring.

Windows 7 is good until January of 2020. Windows 8 is good until January of 2023. Windows 10 is good until October of 2025.

In the cases of Windows 7 – Windows 10, you will likely need a new computer well before the expiration of Microsoft support.

We are often asked about upgrading the operating system. In the case of the free upgrade from Windows 7/8 to Windows 10 that was offered up until a month or so ago, it was generally okay. Upgrading an XP or Vista system to Windows 10 is not recommended for several reasons: The lack of drivers, the likelihood that old hardware will fail sooner rather than later, and the cost of buying a copy of Windows 10 are the major reasons NOT to consider upgrading an old machine. You are simply better off to buy new.

A good example is a machine that one of our business clients had upgraded from XP to Windows 7. The processor benchmark for this old machine is 727. A new basic machine today likely comes with a processor that benchmarks in excess of 5000! The old machine will be painful to use and the new one will fly. If you are spending a bit extra for one of today’s performance machines, the difference is even more striking.

Older machines typically had a 32 bit OS and maximum memory of 2 or 4gb. Back in the early XP days fifteen years ago, that was fine. It is NOT fine today. To put this into perspective, we recently delivered several computers with 16gb of memory installed and room to double that to 32gb. That works out to about ten times as much memory as the maximum usable memory just a few years back. Add to that the fact that you can literally hold one of the new machines in the palm of your hand instead of lugging a 50 lb tower around and the contrast is even more striking.

LATEST THREATS

We’ve been seeing a number of email messages from “Scanner@” or with a subject of “Invoice” or “Receipt”. Virtually all of these messages contain malware.

Please do NOT open any messages of this type unless you can absolutely positively confirm that you are both expecting such an email AND that they are coming from a reputable source.

DOWNTOWN STUFF

The Chamber’s annual Bike Fest is this coming weekend. Even if you don’t own a motorcycle, it’s worth coming downtown to check out the cool rides. You can get more info at: http://www.coteeriverbikefest.org/

We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Rob Marlowe
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc.
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)

September 2016 Newsletter

September 1, 2016 By Rob Marlowe

Welcome to our September 2016 Newsletter:

With this issue, we are going to shift the focus of our newsletter a bit, concentrating more on news from the Gulfcoast Networking shop and sending out less general information.

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

We are cleaning up our showroom and trying to get rid of quite a bit of slow moving inventory. Our “Clearance” table is chock full of all sorts of goodies, all priced at $4.95 each. Items currently on the table include a wide selection of mice and older, but still good, wireless network adapters. Come down and check out the bargains.

NEW COMPUTERS

Are you looking for a new computer? Let us help you pick out something that meets your needs. We’ve got access to everything from very basic systems to screaming high performance systems.

LATEST SCAMS

Check out this article from CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tech-support-hacking-scam-pop-up-on-computer/

This article is a real good description regarding one of the scams we see all the time. If you see one of these popups, turn off the machine, wait 30 seconds and turn it back on. If you get a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, hang up. Whatever you do, DO NOT let them into your computer!

We have also seen an uptick in the number of viral messages showing up. They almost invariably involve an attachment. It bears repeating, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER open an attachment that you aren’t expecting.

PROTECT YOURSELF

We’re trying to train our Safe Computing Package clients to simply call us any time they see something odd on their computer. Especially if we’ve pinned your computer, we can jump right in and solve it with no muss, no fuss and no charge. If you aren’t a Safe Computing Package client, that can be cured. One affordable annual payment covers your Anti-virus software, unlimited remote technical support, and unlimited telephone support.

Our business clients can take advantage of our Managed IT solutions. We become the client’s IT department and handle everything from real time monitoring to helpdesk functions, online backups, and anti-virus solutions.

COOL DOWNTOWN STUFF

This month’s featured event is the September movie in the park. It’s described as the “Invasion of Sims Park” and includes the showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and a “possible” incursion by members of the Tampa Bay Squad.

For more information, check out the event details on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1183615028338273/

MISC. NOTES

I’ve been a fan of Robert X Cringely for quite a few years. He recently did an article on Autonomous Cars that you might find interesting: http://www.cringely.com/2016/08/25/self-driving-car-old-enough-drink-drive/

We are starting September off with a Tropical Storm. The best information during Hurricane Season can be found on the National Hurricane Center’s Website: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

While Hurricane Season brings with it periodic storm alerts, it typically brings no reason to panic. That being said, keep informed when there is a storm churning somewhere near us and take evacuation orders seriously. A hurricane bearing directly down on Pinellas or Pasco County will result in evacuation orders effecting hundreds of thousands of people. If you wait too long you will be joining the parking lots that SR 52 and SR 54 will become as all of those people try to get out of the storm’s path. Try to avoid going to public shelters. You will be much better off if you can hang out with friends a bit further inland.

Our current plan for September 1st is to work until lunch time and close up before the weather deteriorates too much. Given that there are no evacuation orders likely, we’ll be hanging out at home. My phone extension will track me down if you leave voicemail. We’ll re-open on Friday once the weather improves. Naturally, I’ll be checking my email regularly.

We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Rob Marlowe
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc.
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

June 2016 Newsletter

June 1, 2016 By Rob Marlowe

Here’s what’s inside our June 2016 Newsletter:

SECURITY ALERT – A NEW TWIST ON TECH-SUPPORT SCAMS

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

SITES OF THE MONTH

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – HOW CAN I CONTROL WHO SEES MY POST ON FACEBOOK?

The Gulfcoast Networking Team

SECURITY ALERT – A NEW TWIST ON TECH-SUPPORT SCAMS

For some time, scammers have known how to trick innocent computer users into divulging sensitive information (which they can later use for malicious purposes) by calling and offering to “fix” the victim’s computer. To sound convincing, these crooks make up phony reasons why the computer needs to be repaired. Now the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been hearing reports of people getting calls from scammers claiming to be from the Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN) saying that the victim’s email has been hacked and is sending out fraudulent messages. The criminals further claim they must fix the problem immediately or the user will be subject to legal action.

GPEN is a real organization that strives for cooperation in the enforcement of cross-border privacy laws. Its website has issued the following statement as part of an alert addressing this scam: “GPEN and PrivacyEnforcement.net do not contact individual consumers via phone or email.”

The alert further cautions you to not send money, give financial information, or follow instructions if contacted by someone claiming to be from the site. Here are some additional tips from the FTC:

~Don’t give control of your computer to anyone who calls you offering to “fix” it.

~If a caller pressures you to act immediately, hang up.

~If you have doubts about who is contacting you or why, call the company the person is claiming to be from directly with contact information you already have.

Remember, scammers will always try, but they don’t always have to succeed. Cut them off, and they won’t be able to get what they’re after.

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

In addition to the GPEN scam mentioned above, we have heard from a number of people who have gotten a call from “Microsoft” telling them that their computer has been infected and needs to be cleaned up. If you get one of these calls, hang up IMMEDIATELY.

Other people have gotten popups telling them something similar and instructing them to call Microsoft at a specific phone number. If you get one of these, hold the power button until the computer turns off and then restart it.

For good measure, I fixed a machine this past weekend that used the computer speakers to tell the computer owner that the machine was infected. Again, this is a scam and the computer needs to be checked out, but not by calling the number suggested.

How can you protect yourself from these threats? The best solution is to have a tech company that you know and trust that you can call any time you have a question. Gulfcoast Networking offers both consumer and business support plans that provide telephone support, anti-malware protection, and other features designed to keep you and your computer safe.

For Consumers:

We offer a range of Safe Computing Packages. These plans are affordable and designed to keep you and your home computer out of trouble.

For Businesses:

We offer a full array of IT management services. These include real-time monitoring of your network, anti-malware protection, backup solutions, telephone support, on-site support, email, and web hosting. We can even roll in a subscription to the latest Microsoft Office products. Your business then has one number to call for all of your IT needs and questions.

All of our consumer and business support options include remote technical support, allowing us in most cases to solve your issues without you having to bring a computer to us or us driving to your office.

We would love the opportunity to talk to you about how you can simplify your life by letting Gulfcoast Networking handle your IT needs. Give us a call at 727-847-2424 or drop us a line via the Internet.

GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

Quick & Tasty Lemon Blueberry Layer Cake
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775859866140/

Freeze Fresh Herbs & Save For Later Use
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AdviISXosq0bRDcd6ZdQIGo5jooCP9Ckg3cT988yulLeZW4PaUeDuiA/

Make This Unique Domino Wall Clock
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775859866196/

You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started?
To sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/

FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

Stack

In this addictive game, you try to stack colorful moving blocks right on top of each other. While seemingly simple, Stack is surprisingly challenging.

Learn More Here: http://www.ketchappstudio.com/

The Pit Pal BBQ App

Created to help cooks create more consistent BBQ, this app enables you to monitor your cooking, store your information, and take photos of the end product.

Learn More Here: http://www.thepitpal.com/

Zillow

This useful app helps you learn everything you want to know – including pricing, features, and nearby schools – about residential real estate all over the U.S.

Learn More Here: http://www.ketchappstudio.com/

SITES OF THE MONTH

Solving The Retirement Mystery
http://1.usa.gov/25ckk1Q
Fewer pensions and longer lifespans mean Americans need to take control of their own retirement. This site takes a mystery-solving approach to helping you “discover” where you can find money now and in the future. Review it to learn how to save, make your money last, and find planning help.

Farm-To-Table Recipes
http://bit.ly/1syds0v
Summertime is farmers’ market time, but what do you do with all that delectable produce once you get it home? Visit this site to find some great ideas for cooking many fresh fruits and veggies. Try making some fresh asparagus soup, cherry cobbler, or fresh tomato salad. Yum!

Creative Online Marketplace
http://etsy.com
If you haven’t yet discovered Etsy, stop by to find unique goods sold by creative entrepreneurs for yourself or a friend. Shop for clothing, accessories, jewelry, craft supplies, home décor, and more. Or, if you’re the artistic type, consider promoting your creations with an Etsy shop of your own.

Tips For Traveling Light
http://onebag.com
Packing light when you travel can help you save money, increase your mobility, and keep track of your belongings. Yet, lightening the load is easier said than done. This site provides detailed suggestions for what and how to pack, to keep your luggage burden down to just one bag

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2016/1606_VIDEO_A.htm

Cyclists Chased By Ostrich
One thing not to worry about on a bike ride: an ostrich chasing you down – right? Not for the two confused cyclists in this video!

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2016/1606_VIDEO_B.htm

Twin Strangers
Watch as a young woman finds her unrelated look-alike. The resemblance is uncanny, especially when they change their looks to appear even more similar.

SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – HOW CAN I CONTROL WHO SEES MY POST ON FACEBOOK?

Question: I want to post some personal news on Facebook, and don’t necessarily want all my friends to see it. How do I choose who can view it?

Answer: There are a couple of ways you can go about selecting who views your posts on Facebook. The first way is to choose a default setting that your posts will automatically adhere to. To do this, follow these steps:

1. From your home page, click the down-arrow in the upper-right corner.

2. Select Settings.

3. In the left-hand column, click Privacy.

4. In the main content area, under “Who can see my stuff?”, select “Who can see future posts?”

5. Click the audience selector, and choose your preference. If you’ve created friend lists, your selection can be even more specific.

6. This selection will now be used for every post unless you change it.

To change your default selection, create your new post as you normally would. Then, follow these steps:

1. Click the audience selector, and choose your preference for this post only.

2 .Click Post.

3. Your post will be viewable only by the people you selected.

You can even change the audience for an item you’ve already posted. To do this, simply find the post on your timeline, click the audience selector, and choose a new selection.

We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Rob Marlowe, Senior Geek
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

May 2016 Newsletter

May 3, 2016 By Rob Marlowe

Here’s what’s inside our May 2016 Newsletter:

SECURITY ALERT – THE NEXT-GENERATION IN RANSOMWARE

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

SITES OF THE MONTH

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – HOW CAN I TELL IF MY COMPUTER IS DYING?

The Gulfcoast Networking Team

SECURITY ALERT – THE NEXT-GENERATION IN RANSOMWARE

The newest ransomware (malicious software that interferes with your computer’s functioning and requires a ransom to restore it) is even more problematic than previous types, because it not only prevents access to your documents ? it locks you out of your computer entirely. This file, called Petya, is typically transmitted via email. If you open the attachment, or follow the link, it begins running on your computer.

Once this happens, you’ll see a series of things happening, including the Blue Screen of Death, the Windows Check Disk running, and a screen showing a skull and informing you of the ransom you have to pay to get your computer to function again. If you choose to pay the ransom, you’ll have to use another computer to do it.

Fortunately, you have a couple of other options to try. Take your computer to an IT technician, who may be able to recover your system. Or, if possible, shut down your computer immediately when you see the Blue Screen of Death. At this point, you may still be able to salvage your files.

Of course, the best strategy is to prevent the file from infecting your computer in the first place. To do this, use standard malware prevention techniques:

*Be wary of all email you receive, especially from people you don’t know. Don’t open any attachments from an unknown source and don’t follow any links unless you know where they go.

*Use complex, varied passwords and keep them private.

*Only download software from known, trusted websites.

*Keep your operating system, browser, and all applications up to date. Regularly install security patches and other updates.

*Use an anti-virus and anti-malware application, and run it regularly to ensure continuous protection. We sell and support products from AVG, Avira, and F-Secure.

*Perhaps most importantly, back up all your files regularly. Use a reliable offsite backup and recovery service.

For individuals, we recommend Carbonite Personal Edition. We are a Carbonite dealer and can get your backups set up and configured.

For businesses, depending on your needs, we recommend either AVG Cloudcare Backup or a Barracuda Backup Server. We represent both of these companies as well and will be happy to discuss your needs with you.

While there is a lot of potential danger in computer and online use, there are also many steps you can take to protect yourself.

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

Do you have questions about Windows 10 or your computer? Feel free to call us. We’d be happy to answer your questions. Our office number is 727-847-2424.

GO PINTEREST-ING! – COOL STUFF TO PIN ON YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS

Egg Carton Ladybug
Is Easy Kids’ Craft
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775859864947/

Use Mason Jars To
Plant Herb Garden
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/Ac3OckT5w1YJ_70rPiyLRcMwAlo4KOMk8mvUQ1Sn1-LuWwvncTAfUyA/

Yummy Candy Eggs
In Fun Brownie Nest
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775859393377/

You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started?
To sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/

FREE FEATURED APPS – THESE THREE ARE WELL WORTH A LOOK

BrightNest

This app gives targeted suggestions for household projects based on info you provide. You get instructions and can love, complete, or schedule tasks.

Learn More Here:
https://brightnest.com/posts/home-maintenance-there-s-an-app-for-that
Blocky Raider

Get ready for your newest game addiction. Make your way through the blocky temple while avoiding spikes, traps, lava, and other exciting obstacles.

Learn More Here: http://www.fullfat.com/games/blocky-raider/

SITES OF THE MONTH

Support Team USA
http://teamusa.org
With the summer Olympics coming up, check out this site to meet the athletes, get a refresher on the sports, stay updated on the team, and get Rio de Janeiro travel updates. You’ll find exciting stories, photos, and videos. Get even more goodies when you sign up for Team USA updates.

Springtime Salads
http://allrecipes.com/recipes/96/salad
As the weather warms up, you don’t want to be inside for hours preparing food. This site offers recipes for easy, delicious salads. Try one of the Main Dish options for a quick dinner, or search by different criteria to find a super salad to accompany your next meal.

Avoid Bug Bites
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/avoid-bug-bites
You may know that you can catch certain diseases — including Lyme disease, West Nile disease, and Zika — from bug bites, but you may not know how to prevent it from happening. This helpful site describes how to avoid bug bites, as well as what to do if you get bit.

Ultimate Road Trips
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/road-trips
If you love road trips, you won’t want to miss this site. From iconic Route 66 destinations to the best motorcycle rides, you’ll find beautiful National Geographic pictures and great information here. Be sure to explore the Top 10 lists (like the top 10 food road trips) and Road Trip Tips.

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2016/1605_VIDEO_A.htm

Kitten Versus Turtle
Watch the hilarious antics of a kitten who doesn’t know quite what to make of a turtle taking a slooooow walk across the floor.

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2016/1605_VIDEO_B.htm

New Mountain Coaster
This Canadian mountain coaster is like a roller coaster in the woods. Enjoy all the ups and downs from a user’s point of view.

SHORT TUTORIAL/FAQ – HOW CAN I TELL IF MY COMPUTER IS DYING?

Question: My computer has been giving me problems lately, but I don’t want to spend the money on a new one if I don’t have to. How do I know when it’s time to give up?

Answer: Generally, a computer should last from three to five years, but could last much longer. To be sure it’s really time to say goodbye to your trusted technology, look for the following signs:

*Frequent program glitches are a classic sign of a dying computer. You may notice that your computer slows down, freezes, crashes, or sends error messages. This is particularly worrisome if several programs are acting up and the problems persist even after rebooting.

*Problems with your mouse, monitor, or flash drive can also be warning signs. If you’ve checked to make sure the cables are firmly connected to your computer and the devices still don’t act properly, your computer could be starting to go.

*A noisy hard drive or system fan is likely caused by malfunctioning parts, which could be due to wear and tear on your computer. Depending on the age of your computer, you may want to replace the parts or buy a new one.

*Error messages like “disk boot failure” could indicate hard drive failure or a corrupt operating system.

*Sluggish performance could be symptomatic of a nearly full hard drive, a computer virus, or an underlying hardware problem.

*Frozen pixels or weird lines on your laptop’s screen could be a sign of imminent screen failure.

Just as you’d take your car to a mechanic when it’s acting up, take action when your computer is not performing normally. Have it checked out by a computer technician and ask if repair or replacement makes the most sense.

If your computer is acting up, bring it in for a complete multi-check. We’ll take care of popups, check out the hardware performance, and make your computer perform the way it should. If hardware is going, we’ll help you decide if it makes more sense to fix it or replace it.

We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Rob Marlowe, Senior Geek
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published
herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability
for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors
or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)

Contact Info: