Tech Tips Everyone Should Know – 4/16/2023. There are billions of computers in the world today. In fact, 286 million computers shipped globally in 2022, and that was a 16% drop! Those figures make it obvious how many of us have access to computers, yet that doesn’t mean we all know the simple shortcuts available to us. This article rounds up top tech tips that can benefit every user.
Tech Tips #1: Search Google smarter
Google is the market leader with over 85% of Web search traffic. But did you know you can search this popular online engine even easier? When you know you are looking for something on a particular site, you can narrow your search. Go to the Google search bar as normal, then, in the search box, type “site: www.website.com” (without quotes) with your search term. This refines your search.
So, if you wanted to find an article on coaching on the Forbes website, you would search “site: forbes.com and coaching.” You’ll see that all the responses you get back come from the Forbes domain.
Tech Tips #2: Undo your mistakes
We all make mistakes while working on our computers. Here are some ways to undo the common ones.
“Unsending” an email is possible in Gmail. Go to Settings and set up the Undo Send section to give yourself 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds. Then, save your changes, and you’ll have this option enabled in the future. It doesn’t technically “unsend” the email but delays sending it for a few seconds so you can stop it if need be.
You can also reopen a closed browser tab by using Ctrl+Shift+T on your PC or Command+Shift+T on your Mac. This reopens the last tab you closed. If you closed a bunch at once, you can also reopen them from your browser’s History dropdown menu.
Then, there’s Ctrl + Z for just about everything else. Pressing the control button and Z key together undoes your action in many Web browsers and operating systems. It will depend on your application and how far you can go back with this shortcut.
Tech Tips #3: Capture your screen
Some modern PC keyboards come with a “print screen” key, which you can use to get a screenshot of the desktop windows. If you want to crop that screenshot, on Windows 10, go to Start and type Snipping Tool in the Search bar. You’ll get a box you can drag to any shape over your screen.
You can also take a screenshot on a Mac by pressing Command + Shift + 4. To crop the screenshot size and shape, you’ll press Command + Shift + 5.
One more little secret
How many times do you find yourself picking up your USB cable and trying to put it in the wrong way? You can stop doing so by looking for a symbol on the cable near where you’ll plug it in. It’s only found on one side, and it’s not for decoration. The symbol should be facing you when you plug in the USB. This will get it in the first time, whether you’re plugging in a vertical or horizontal cable.
These tech tips can help you be more efficient and effective with your technology, but you may still want help in other areas. Reach out to our IT experts today. We’re here to help. Call us at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page.
Content Creation – Choosing the Right Laptop 3/27/2023
Are you an influencer? Or do you aspire to join the more than 50 million people making content for YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram? If you want to be a content creator, don’t struggle with a computer that isn’t up to the task. Considering these factors can help you land the best laptop for your needs.
Yes, the average person can take a video on their smartphone and post it for friends to enjoy, but when you’re serious about your video editing or creating high-quality, long-form content, you’ll need more.
To make your content look professional, pay attention to these factors. It will help you choose the laptop that sets you up to be the next Spielberg.
Video card
Pay attention to the video card. Also known as a graphics card, this is the piece of the computer that renders images on the display.
A laptop typically has a less robust video card than a desktop. That’s because laptops are often thinner. For the benefit of mobility, you compromise on the space available for a beefier graphics card. The card may also run slower because the card needs to be efficient without setting the laptop on fire.
So, when selecting a laptop with plans to edit video, do your research. You can easily find rankings for “laptops with good graphic cards” online. You can get away with an RTX 2080 (that’s a few generations old). Ideally, though, you’ll want the RTX 3080 or Intel Iris Xe.
Processing power
The laptop’s processing power can also play a role in your video editing success. A lot of video editing software needs multi-core processors. You can think of it as having many arms to get different things done at once.
For a PC laptop, go for at least an Intel i9 CPU. For Mac, a modern MacBook Pro with an M2 Pro CPU is a good choice.
Memory
For your laptop to be able to do many things at once, you also need powerful memory. Random access memory (RAM) is what you’ll be comparing here. RAM loads the operating system, runs video editing software, and performs other background functions.
At minimum, you’ll want 16GB of RAM, but the more you have, the better. Obviously, the budget will factor in here.
Storage
Your storage capacity also impacts how efficiently you can do all that you want to do.
If you’re working in Full HD (1920×1080), you could have some big project files to move around. The more storage you have, the easier this will be.
You’ll be choosing between hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). SSDs are good for working on the fly. They can run faster, as they don’t use any mechanical parts, but they can cost more.
A good idea is to work off your SSD for your current editing needs. Meanwhile, you can store archived videos and completed footage on a second hard drive. This can be on the laptop if there’s space, or you can attach an external HDD.
Display
Whether you are the star of your content or someone else is, you’ll also want to consider laptop display size. There are two main display types: Twisted Nematic (TN) and In-Plane Switching (IPS) panels.
TN panels cost less, but you can lose color accuracy on angles. The IPS panels give you more color at more angles, but they cost a little more.
Connectivity
You might want to attach an external HDD or connect to a larger desktop monitor. In that case, look for accessory ports and external display connectivity.
Need help deciding on the laptop that best suits your content creation needs? Our experts are here to help. Connect with us today at (651) 456-8655 or visit our contact page.
Custom PCs Built by Twin Cities PC Repair – 3/24/2023. We have another happy customer coming to pick up their custom built PC!
Whether you are a home user, a business, a gamer, or a specialist such as a photo and video editing company… We can build a PC for you – really, no matter what your specific requirements are, we can make sure you get the best machine to match your productivity requirements. In conjunction with your hardware requirements, we can determine the software that you need as well. We will ensure that we don’t clutter and slow down your new PC with unwanted programs. Often times, ‘out-of-the-box’ computers are heavily loaded with software including trial software that you will never use which can slow down the performance of your machine.
You will be dealing with the same custom PC builder during the consultation and build process. You will also be dealing with us for any support that you may require. We are experienced PC builders and we can provide references from past clients who attest to our expertise and approachable manner.
Custom Built Computers With Affordable Computer Repairs And Service
Save yourself time and hassle in trying to choose between the mass-manufactured PCs on the market.
You can be assured that your machine has quality, stable, hardware components and configuration.
You won’t be paying for software/hardware that you don’t need or want.
Your machine won’t be slowed down by space hungry software that you won’t use.
You will be paying for a machine that will do what you want it to do… Quickly too!
Here’s our most recent build configuration (Pictured):
Intel Core i5-13600K 14-Core CPU.
Integrated Wi-Fi.
16GB DDR4 3200 (PC4-25600 Memory.
1TB PCIe Solid State Hard Drive.
500W Power Supply.
Black Mid-Tower Case w/ Top USB Ports.
27” Eye Care Monitor Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS 75Hz Adaptive-Sync HDMI D-Sub Frameless.
Windows 11 Home 64-Bit.
Open Office Productivity Software.
Adobe Reader.
12 Month Warranty.
We are experienced in building custom computers to meet your specific needs using quality, stable components at an affordable price. Our custom PCs are built to last. If you are interested in a new screaming PC, please call us at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page.
You drop your computer in the bathtub, or your basement home office floods and the desktop is under water. Or you spill your tea across the keyboard. If any of this happens, you can guess right away that you’ll be dealing with liquid damage. Only it’s not always that obvious. Knowing the common signs to look for can help you diagnose liquid damage in your devices.
If you are right there when your computer is exposed to liquids, unplug it immediately. Wet components can short-circuit and cause issues for your motherboard, hard drives, and more.
Still, you might not know immediately that liquid damage is to blame. You might live in an area with high humidity. Or maybe someone in the family watches Netflix while in a steamy bathroom. That’s when you look for signs that there’s moisture inside your computer.
Signs you can see yourself
Liquid spilled inside your keyboard can make keys or the trackpad stop working. Even a few liquid droplets can cause the keyboard or trackpad to start responding to your touch erratically.
You might also experience screen issues. This depends on where the liquid penetrates your laptop. Look out for:
images not displaying properly;
pixel discoloration;
a display that won’t turn on.
These are pretty obvious signs that you need to get help. You might also see some discoloration on the outside of the computer. The white or green residue is not a good sign.
Another scary indicator? The computer won’t turn on at all. That suggests that internal components are damaged, and you’ll need to take action.
Signs that repair shops can see
Most people should not be opening up computers on their own. Even if you think there might have been liquid damage, it’s safer to take the computer to a trained expert. That way, you won’t do more damage trying to see what’s wrong in the first place.
At a computer shop, the person doing the repairs will look inside for corrosion around connectors and your motherboard. They’ll be looking for that white or green residue you were hoping not to see on the exterior.
Another sign? The liquid damage indicator shows exposure to water or liquids. The indicator is a small device inside the computer that’s used by manufacturers to deny warranty coverage (despite the consumer’s protests, the laptop never got wet).
What to do with a wet computer
Unplug it. Get help. The sooner you take a liquid-damaged computer in for repair, the more likely it is to recover. Work with a professional IT repair shop to diagnose and repair your device issues. We’re here to help. Call us at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page. Check out our additional laptop services HERE.
When looking to buy a laptop, one of the main things you have to decide is how much storage you need. That’s a challenging question for many of us to answer. Let’s discuss the factors that matter and how to decide.
The short answer, for many people, is that you don’t need much laptop storage. Having 512 GB available is often enough for a regular user, but it’s going to depend on how you’re using the laptop.
For example, if you use cloud email, your account likely comes with cloud storage. Using cloud-based applications such as Google Docs also saves storage space.
If you’re using the laptop to stream videos on TikTok or YouTube, or watching your series or movies on Netflix or the like, you’re also taking advantage of the cloud. Very little data is actually stored on your computer.
Even so, remember to account also for your operating system. Microsoft and Apple recommend 32 GB of storage space to accommodate their OSs. Otherwise, you could encounter performance issues.
Also, if you edit videos or work in graphic design, you’ll likely want a lot more available storage.
How storage space impacts your computer use
Storage space is the capacity your computer uses to store files and data. So, when you have a lot of data, images, or video to hold and work with, more storage helps the PC recall them more quickly.
If you are a digital hoarder, that can also factor into your storage needs.
When thinking about storing photos, you’d have to have many albums to make a dent. If the average image size is about 4 MB, it would take 1000 photos to use up 4 GBs of space. But video eats up a lot more space. An hour-long 1080 p video could occupy 10,000 MB (10 GB).
If you regularly download new apps and games, you can quickly fill up your storage space. Purging unused files and apps consistently frees up space.
Considering the cost of laptop storage
More storage can mean a bigger price tag, so you’ll want to balance your storage needs against your budget constraints.
If you can spend freely, go ahead and get more storage. Otherwise, you’ll want to weigh hard disk drive (HDD) and solid-state drive (SSD) upgrades.
HDDs offer more storage for less cost, but slower reading and writing. SSDs can be three to four times as expensive, but you do get greater speed. SSDs are also typically quieter, more durable, and consume less energy.
One option is to buy a laptop with a smaller SSD and get an external HDD to meet both your speed and storage needs. HDDs can be better for data recovery and for storing large amounts of data you’re not accessing often.
Need help making decisions about your laptop purchase or storage needs? Our IT experts have the answers you need. Contact us today at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page.
Patrick, owner of Twin Cities PC Repair, has decided to do his Flash Labor Sale yet again!!
With the cost of goods & services ever increasing, Patrick has decided it’s time he gives his customers a little break on the pocketbook… You’ll receive the same great responsive service at a discount of 25% off his normal $85/hr carry-in labor rate. This brings our labor rate down to $63.75/hr, that’s $21.25 off per hour!
Just book your device drop off anytime between 3/2/2023 – 3/23/2023 and we will automatically apply the discount to your estimate & invoice.
To book your device drop-off, simply click the button below or click HERE. For more information on our services or Flash Labor Sale, call (651) 456-8655, or visit our Contact page.
Better than the Big Box Boys – Certified Techs, Fast Turnaround: PC Computer Repair, Virus Removal – Bloomington Location – Remote Services Available
You’ve found the best place in town for responsive, reliable, friendly, and effective residential computer repair. Our expert technicians are trained on the latest techniques to solve your technology problems.
Too often, computer users get lured into the marketing of big box stores and franchise chains that care only about their bottom line! We strive to create real lasting relationships with our customers so you know you can count on us as your go-to computer shop.
Aspects of our business that set it apart from the rest:
Accurate & honest labor billing Guaranteed satisfaction or you don’t pay us Friendly, honest communication, no “geek-speak” Professional, experienced, and certified technicians Locally owned and operated
Microsoft Windows PC Computer Repair
Apple iMac and MacBook Computer Repair
Data Recovery
Viruses, Malware, Adware and Ransom-ware Removal
Cracked and Broken Laptop Screen Replacements
Open Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM & Afterhours by Appointment
Vertical Monitors – What are the Benefits? – March 2023
Horizontal is the norm when we’re thinking about televisions or computer monitors. Yet vertical monitors are an option. Consider these advantages of going vertical.
On a horizontal monitor, there is more width than height. The usual 16:9 horizontal monitor is great for watching movies, but when it comes to other processes, there’s a lot of wasted space. If you have a vertical monitor setup, you can enjoy a better viewing experience.
You’ll find it’s easier to scan websites, view search engine results, and read online content or long blocks of code. If you’re big into cryptocurrency, you might enjoy displaying data in an easy-to-read form, plus, you’ll be able to react more quickly.
You can also have a full view of photographs or a project if you’re trying to design something with a vertical layout.
Vertical screens can also reduce eye strain. With this setup you reduce the range of movement, which can save your eyes from getting as tired.
Further, you might be able to save space with a vertical monitor if you have less room on your desk.
A vertical monitor can be appealing if you use two monitors at once. Having dual monitors can increase productivity. You enjoy added viewing space to multitask, browse the Web, watch videos, or games. If you’re working from home, you may also find it easier to collaborate with colleagues with a second screen. When you set up one screen to be vertical, you can benefit from the best of both worlds.
Going vertical is Easy
You don’t have to buy a special monitor to take advantage of a vertical setup. While many screens are only capable of a horizontal display, you may be able to adjust the way it is mounted. You can get a stand or mount that allows you to easily rotate the screen. As long as it is a VESA-compatible monitor, you can easily make the choice of horizontal or vertical. Then, you can change the layout in the operating system’s display settings. Windows, MacOS, and Linux all support vertical screen rotation.
Some monitors have mounts that allow physical rotation, which is a good way to test drive the vertical monitor. That way you can see how it compares to a horizontal layout for your needs. Keep in mind, though, that this repositioning of the monitor will affect your stereo speakers. You’ll need to attach an external pair of speakers to have them work with the new orientation.
Vertical monitors aren’t for everybody; if you game a lot or want to watch movies or do 3D modeling, you might prefer the horizontal screen. Many computer games, for example, are programmed for horizontal play, and opening that game up on a vertical rotation can cut off or compress your visuals.
One other common criticism of vertical screens is that they catch glare from nearby light sources more easily. So, if you don’t want to deal with glare, stick with horizontal.
Our IT experts are here to consult on your computer needs. We can advise you on your screen choices and so much more. Contact us today at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page.
Our phones can recognize our faces. Digital watches can detect that we’ve been in an accident. We can put on a virtual reality headset and feel as if we’re swimming with dolphins. With all this technological innovation, why are home printers still so frustrating? This article explains why and how to make the most of the situation.
Hewlett-Packard released its home DeskJet inkjet printer in 1988. These printers spray liquid ink onto the page through printheads. Home laserjet printers followed shortly after. They use lasers to create static electricity to attract and melt toner onto the paper.
And here we are, thirty-five years later, with pretty much the same printer technology. Although now, you might also consider a multifunction (all-in-one) printer. These print documents and can often also scan, copy, fax, and email documents.
But we’re still saddled with clogged inkjets and leaking ink cartridges, plus paper jams, or a printer that can’t recognize the paper that you’ve now taken in and out of the tray 16 times in a row. Why?
Manufacturer priorities for printers
Printer manufacturers often lose money selling you the printer. Printer technology is quite complicated, but you’re getting the device for the price of parts. That’s because the manufacturer banks on making their money back on the sale of the ink.
Because they’re looking to make money off ink sales, printer users now endure:
ink cartridges that run out quickly – yes, they’re putting less ink in their cartridges these days;
printers designed not to work as well if you use off-brand cartridges;
having to perform printer maintenance that uses up more ink.
Even if you do invest in top-quality, on-brand ink, you could still encounter problems. Connectivity issues or error messages when you change paper are common.
That’s because the internal workings of the printer can be outsourced to the lowest bidder. Printer longevity is not the goal, so there’s less incentive to develop robust networking components or print drivers.
Plus, printing is hard
It’s not all down to printer manufacturer choices. Printing is a complicated process. Many moving parts need fine-tuning to apply the right pressure and position the ink. Plus, people could be using glossy photo paper one minute and recycled paper the next. At the same time, humidity or air that is too dry can also impact the paper and how the printer can move it around.
So, what can you do? Prefer a laser printer, which uses dry powder, if you’re going to print mostly in black and white. You’ll pay more upfront, but you’re no longer hostage to the ink-cartridge dilemma. If you need to do color prints, you might find it’s cheaper to actually go to your local print shop or big-box store.
If your Wi-Fi connectivity conks out, connect the USB cable that shipped with the printer. It may not be as pretty, but it will get the job done.
Want to save hours of your life troubleshooting your printer woes? We can help. Contact our experts today at (651) 456-8655 or visit our Contact page to send us a message.
We also carry a full line of remanufactured ink cartridges and can save you some money on ink & toner refills!
News of data breaches is all too common. This company apologizes for six million accounts breached. That company acknowledges hackers accessed 35,000 users’ personal identifiable information. But the question that probably matters most: Is your data breached, too?
The company should contact you if your information is in a data leak, but you can’t rely on that. You can also find out if your phone number or email address has been leaked by visiting https://haveibeenpwned.com/.
HaveIBeenPwned has uploaded various breaches and consolidated the information to make searching easy. Enter your address and get a list of breaches that compromised that email. You’ll get a summary paragraph as well as a description of data compromised in each breach.
It is not uplifting reading!
Next, the question is what to do about your breached information.
Steps to Better Security
First, change your passwords for those breached accounts. If you use that same password to access other accounts, change those passwords, as well, even if they are not listed as leaked.
Always avoid reusing passwords. Yes, it can be a hassle to remember many different access credentials, but you risk exposing many accounts if you keep reusing one email address and password combo over and again.
Make using unique passwords for all accounts easier by using a password manager. A manager can store your many passwords in one place and generate strong ones to use. You can often download an app to your mobile device, which gives you the convenience of filling in your credentials when you’re on the go, too.
The next step is to use two-factor authentication (2FA).
Understanding 2FA
This adds a layer of difficulty for hackers trying to access your accounts. Even if they had your username and password, they would need a second way to verify your identity.
Using 2FA requires you to provide one of the following before you can gain access:
something you know (e.g. the answer to a secret question);
something you have (e.g. your smartphone);
something you are (e.g. your fingerprint).
A bad actor would need to have not only your leaked credentials but also your other “something.”
A common approach to FA is an SMS text message or voice-based authentication. You enter your credentials, then the site follows up with a text or phone call providing a separate code you must then enter. This is not the best method, however. Scammers can hack the SIM card associated with your device, and then use your number to make and receive calls and texts.
Software tokens for 2FA are a safer solution. You’ll download and install an application on your phone (e.g. Google Authenticator, Authy or Okta Verify). It can generate a unique verification code that is valid only for 30-60 seconds.
Want to learn more about password management and soft-token 2FA. We’re here to help. Contact us today at (651) 456-8655 or send us a message from our Contact page.
Gaming on Laptop Dust: Life and Performance- 1/24/2023
Let’s be real: most gamers rely on performance and higher usage frequency to achieve success and move on to the next level. These are two factors to take into consideration when discussing why a computer, specifically a laptop, should be periodically cleaned. And I’m not talking about PUPs, bloatware, viruses, or other software stuff. I’m talking about hardware and dust and debris accumulation. And you can “game” the accumulation of dust at some point!
Here’s an example case
Last week I had a client come in with a high-end ASUS ROG gaming laptop. He complained about higher than normal operating temperatures, especially under higher than normal GPU loads. In my process of diagnosis, I opened up his laptop and noticed both the CPU and GPU fans were caked with dust, and the GPU fan was not spinning. My conclusion was that rather than clean the fans and heatsinks, the best plan of action, being that the GPU fan was bad, was to replace both the GPU and CPU fans. Most fans have a lifecycle, and it’s my belief that if a laptop has two fans, it’s always best to replace them both at the same time. They are rather inexpensive. This saves you the cost and effort of replacing the other fan shortly down the road. The client agreed, and we proceeded with the quotation for the work to be performed. In terms of fan replacement, traditional productivity laptops are fairly straightforward. However, higher-end gaming laptops are a bit more difficult and involved. There are multiple theories we can come up with as to why the GPU fan failed, but two theories come to mind in this case. 1.) The fan simply reached the end of its lifecycle. 2.) The buildup of dust and debris caused excessive heat and resistance on the fan. I’m more apt to think #2 was the case here based on the overall age of the laptop.
Not every case is the same
Now, I’m not saying that every case will require fan replacement. In most cases, you’ll only need thorough dust removal within the chassis. Taking a can of compressed air and blowing it through the laptop vents is absolutely the wrong approach. This just moves the dust around the inside of your computer, which blankets the motherboard. It can also cause dust to wad up in the fan’s spin zone, causing an obstruction. Doing the job the right way involves opening up the laptop chassis and disassembling down to the motherboard level, removing the fan(s), cleaning the fan(s), removing the heatsink, cleaning the fins on the heatsink, and removing and reapplying thermal grease to the GPU and CPU. We then reassemble the laptop and run it through a benchmark test to monitor temperature levels.
If you are experiencing excessive operating temperatures or fan noise and are unsure of the inner-workings of your computer, feel free to contact the professionals at Twin Cities PC Repair at (651) 456-8655 or send us a message from our Contact page.
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Here’s an example case
vents is absolutely the wrong approach. This just moves the dust around the inside of your computer, which blankets the motherboard. It can also cause dust to wad up in the fan’s spin zone, causing an obstruction. Doing the job the right way involves opening up the laptop chassis and disassembling down to the motherboard level, removing the fan(s), cleaning the fan(s), removing the heatsink, cleaning the fins on the heatsink, and removing and reapplying thermal grease to the GPU and CPU. We then reassemble the laptop and run it through a benchmark test to monitor temperature levels.
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