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How much RAM (thinking) memory should I have?

4/26/2016

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Bigger is better, right?  Not always.  Sometimes bigger is just the same and that can be the case with RAM.  RAM (Random Access Memory) is the part in your computer that helps you computer think faster.  

Just like everything else in computers the memory is always getting bigger.  Just a few years ago machines would come with 1G of ram or less.  Now you won't find a computer with less than 2 Gigs and probably more.

In the past, one of the most common upgrades for computers was RAM.  Increasing the memory from 1 gig to 2 gigs would make a huge difference.  We still get a lot of people wanting to upgrade their memory.

Now upgrading your memory may not help you.  If you are a typical user that runs the internet, email, Word and Excel spreadsheets it really doesn't take that much memory.  Once you have enough memory to run your programs more won't really help.

For example:  A high usage program like Adobe Premier does run 28% faster with 8 gigs of ram instead of 4 but if you upgrade to 16 gigs you only get an additional 3% increase.

If you are a big online gamer then it is time to consider more RAM, other than that contact me and we can discuss if more RAM will help or if something else would be a better investment to make that machine faster.


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Never (almost) trust a popup on the internet

4/18/2016

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Here is the latest threat to take your money:  You are going along on the internet and suddenly a black screen pops up to say your are infected and gives you an 800 number to call.  Sometimes it says it is from Microsoft or an antivirus program.  It doesn't matter.  All of these are fake.  Even if companies wanted to watch your computer that closely it would be illegal.

If you call this 800 number you will get someone who's job is to get you to let them on your computer so they can scare you into paying them to clean it up.  EVERYTHING they say is a lie and the only thing they want is your money.

The page that pops up on your computer is, usually, very hard to close.  Just restart your computer and 90% of the time everything will be fine.  If you are one of the 10% that still have problems don't call the number on your screen.  They will try to charge you 2-300 dollars to clean what they put on your computer in the first place.  Call a reputable computer company.  Of course my choice would be for you to call Computer Solutions but if not just make sure whomever you contact has positive reviews or a solid reputation.

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Free vs Paid Security Software

4/12/2016

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There are a lot of free security programs for your computer but every one of them also offer paid versions.  Are the free ones worth it?  It depends on how much time you want to spend working with your security software.  Here are a few problems with the free software:

1)  It isn't a complete solution:  Most of the time the antivirus portion is there but none of the other components like firewall, browser guard, phishing protection or spam protection is there.  If you search hard enough you can find a free program for each of these but you would then be running 4 programs instead of one.

2)  Many free programs have to be manually updated.  If you don't remember to do this your protection will be outdated in a day or two.  You may only remember after it is too late.

3)  Most of them don't scan on their own so that, once again,.there is something you have to remember to do.

That being said, the free software is better than none.  If you need help getting something on your computer let me know.

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New Virus be cautious of Word and invoice attachemts

4/4/2016

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There is a new virus going around the email circuit called the Lockkey virus.  This is  usually distributed through email as, either a word document, or something that looks like an invoice.  When the attachment is opened it triggers the virus and encrypts all of your pictures and documents on the computer.  Then it will tell you that you can get your documents back by paying them money.  Usually around $300.

The encryption they use is unbreakable other than by them.  We can remove the virus so that the computer is usable again but you will either have to recreate the documents, recover them from a backup or pay the ransom.

One way to avoid this virus is to NEVER open an email attachment unless you know the sender meant to send it to you.

One way to keep this kind of thing from being much of a problem is to have a good backup system so you have something to recover.

If you do get an infection like this, turn off the computer as soon as you notice.  If not it could affect other machines in the same house or office.
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    Author

    Larry Goodman is the owner and founder of Computer Solutions.  In his spare time he likes to play on and shop for computers.

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