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Passwords, Pins and Security Codes oh my!

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Windows Passwords & Pins

When you login to your computer you may or may not have a password. Some computers will allow you to use a fingerprint scanner and some touch screen computers will even let you touch certain areas of a picture to login instead of using a password. It is important to remember that this does NOT replace your password and you should still remember your alphanumeric password that was first created. Windows 10 now allows users to login using a 4 digit pin code – again this does not replace your password and to perform some repairs and actions within Windows your alphanumeric password will be required.

The dangers of BIOS passwords

For added security some users enable a BIOS password which is a password stored on your motherboard that must be entered BEFORE Windows loads. If you require additional security such as this please don’t make the mistake of forgetting this password! If you happen to forget this password, you are more than likely going to need to send your computer to the manufacturer to have the password removed or reset. If you don’t need the additional security, we recommend removing the BIOS password entirely and using a Windows password instead!

Most Websites require passwords!

If you use email, you have a password.  If you use Facebook you have a password for that too! Any website that you use that provides you access to account information or your personal data requires a password for security purposes! Often when we ask for an email password customers reply with “I don’t have one”. While you may not need to enter a password or login information on your personal computer (because you have allowed your web browser to save your password for you) it doesn’t mean that you don’t have one. If you were to login to another computer, you would be required to enter your login credentials including username (or email address) and password.

Most web browsers will give you the option to save your password so that you won’t need to enter it each time you visit a website. This can be a very useful feature! Keep in mind that Firefox and Google Chrome will allow you to view saved passwords where Internet Explorer will let you save them but won’t give you the ability to view them later on.

Security & Password Resets

If you forget a password you can usually attempt to login to the website that you are trying to access and choose the “forgot password” option. In most cases when you first setup your account you were asked to enter alternate contact information such as an email address or phone number that you are able to access. Using the information you provided, you will be given a clue (such as a partial view of the email address or phone number provided) and you will need to fill in the missing information. If you provide the proper information a reset link is emailed or a security code is sent to your cell phone (landlines will usually receive a phone call with an automated code). Once you receive that code and enter it on the screen (or click the reset link in your email) you will be asked to create a new password. If you are resetting an email password and you receive your email on another device, you will also need to enter the new password before you will receive emails in that location.

If you have a need for technology assistance contact Jester’s Computers located at 5135 Fairfield Road at 717-642-6611 or visit us on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com or on Facebook! We are a family owned and operated computer repair shop that provides affordable and fast service!

computer w-coffee

New Computers – What you should expect

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Buying a new computer can be exciting especially if you are upgrading from what you previously had. Turning the new computer on can be a bit intimidating after being comfortable with your previous computer and the programs that you previously used. Here are some things that you can expect from a new computer and things you may need to setup with your new PC.

First things first….

Your new computer might have Windows 10 on it which will require a little getting used to but in general it is a fairly easy system to learn to use (much easier than Windows 8 was!). When you first setup your new computer you will probably need to setup user accounts and select some default settings for your device. Once that is completed you will be presented with an unfamiliar desktop which will likely contain some trial software.

Most manufacturers pre-install an Antivirus trial which can range from 30 days to 1 year. If you have your own antivirus you will need to uninstall what is on your new computer and install your antivirus (from the disc or website that you obtained it from). If you are still using your old computer, you will want to check to ensure you can install the software on multiple devices. If you purchased AVG from us at Jesters Computers, we will transfer your AVG to the new computer (or add a license if you will be using the old PC).

If your old computer had any additional software such as Microsoft Office, QuickBooks, Photoshop etc. you will need to install this software on your new computer. If you’re looking for an alternative to Office you can download Open Office for free from www.openoffice.org.

Setting up existing devices…

You may already have a printer, scanner or other devices that you used with your previous computer. These devices will need to be installed and configured to be used with your new PC. We highly recommend visiting the manufacturers website (HP, Brother, Epson etc.) to download the latest drivers and software that are available for your PC. Make sure to visit the correct website (many download websites exist that will bundle junk software with the software you are trying to download) and choose the correct operating system (Windows 10 etc.) if you aren’t sure what you have or whether or not you need 32-bit or 64-bit you can right click on “My PC” or “My Computer” and then choose properties. Your computer will display your operating system information.

Using the web on your new PC…

By default, a Windows 10 PC will come with the new Microsoft Edge browser. Searching your computer, you can also find that Internet Explorer is also pre-installed. We recommend using either Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome on your computer for faster browsing and increased security. Once they are downloaded you will need to make them your default web browser. To do this, click in your search box (where it says “I’m Cortana. Ask me anything.”) and type default. From the search results choose “Default Programs” (choose the one with the gear). Under Web Browser click the plus sign (or the existing default browser listed) to set your default and choose the browser you wish to use.

Unless you had your data transferred from your old PC to your new PC (This can be done at Jesters Computers for a flat fee of $65), your favorites, passwords, etc. will not be on your new computer and you will have to re-enter and save this information on your new PC. It’s important to note that any website you use online that requires you to login such as email or Facebook will ALWAYS require you to enter a password. If you can’t remember your password, you can click the forgot password link found on the login page. Any customizations or settings changes that you made on your old PC will also need to be done on your new computer.

If you check your email online through your web browser, you won’t need to do anything special to setup your email besides logging in. If you previously used a program such as Windows Live Mail, Thunderbird or Outlook you may choose to setup your email through a similar application. Windows 10 has a built in “Mail” program which is a basic program to check your email. The Windows Mail program will automatically setup your email with most providers however some may require additional information to complete the process.

Learning how to use your new PC

If you need some one-on-one assistance to learn your new computer, contact Jester’s Computers to schedule a class with Ayse our very own computer tutor! In addition to computer classes Ayse also can show you how to use other devices such as smart phones or tablets!

For fast and affordable computer service visit Jester’s Computers located at 5135 Fairfield Road or visit us on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com. We can be reached at (717) 642-6611 and on our Facebook page!

 

 

 

 

10 things about Windows 10 you don’t want to miss!

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10 things about Windows 10 that you don’t want to miss!

  1. Start Menu Shortcuts\"start

    By default Windows 10 will only display Settings, Power and All Apps on the start menu. So where have your documents, pictures, and user folders gone? While these folders aren’t displayed by default a few clicks will allow you to enable them.

    Click on the following Start Menu > Settings > Personalization > Start

    From the list on the right choose the last option that says Choose which folders display on Start. From here you will be able to add File Explorer, Settings, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, HomeGroup, Network and your Personal (User) folder on.
  1. Sharing Windows Updates with other PCs

    \"sharingDefault Windows 10 settings include allowing your computer to share Windows Update files with PC’s on your network or other PC’s online. This can be especially disheartening if you’re using a metered connection (Paying for the amount of data being used, usually overage charges can be quite hefty). However, if you are on a metered connection and have several Windows 10 computers that will need updates this can save on your data usage. This feature can be disabled with a few short clicks.

    Click on the following Start > Settings > Update & Security

    Under the Windows Update selection you will click on Advanced options. Next you will select Choose how updates are delivered. You will then see a slider button with an on / off option. When turned on your computer will share updates with PCs on your local network or PCs on your local network and PCs on the internet (based on the radio selection below). When turned off this option will prevent Windows 10 updates from being shared with any other computers. 
  1. Finding Programs and Apps and making them easy to access ­­

    \"findingAt first glance you may find yourself in a panic when trying to locate your programs and apps. Don’t fret there are several ways to find your programs in Windows 10. The easiest way to locate both programs and files in Windows 10 is to use the built in search conveniently located beside your start menu button. Just start typing the name of the installed program (Not yet installed Apps from the Windows store will also appear here!) and you will see the program appear in the list. For a more traditional approach to locating your programs you can click your start menu button, then click on all apps and scroll down through the alphabetical list of programs and apps until you locate what you were searching for.

    Now that you know how to locate Programs and Apps making them easy to find for the future is a snap. There are several ways that you can create shortcuts in Windows 10. You can pin items so that they appear in the “most used” list at the top of your start menu. If for an even quicker access you can also pin items to your task bar to appear at all times (the same location where open programs appear at the bottom of the screen).  Although it will take a few extra steps, traditional desktop shortcuts can also be created fairly easy. 

    To pin items to the start menu or task bar right click the program or app after locating it via the search or start menu. A menu will appear and you will have the option to Pint to Start or Pin to Taskbar. If you want to create a desktop shortcut you will have to choose the Open File Location option from the same menu. Once File Explorer opens with your application in view, you will have to right click on the application in File Explorer then highlight Send To and choose Desktop (create shortcut) from the menu. 
  1. Using Task View

    \"usingA brand new feature in Windows 10 is the ability to create several virtual desktops. This feature is especially useful for those who tend to run many different programs at once. Task View will let you view open programs and setup a seemingly unlimited number of desktops (we stopped trying to max them out once we reached 42 additional desktops.) When you click on Task View you will see open applications within your current desktop at the top. Below you can select one of your virtual desktops. Here you can open programs that won’t appear open on your other desktops. This is great if you are working on multiple projects or want to keep say a personal and work desktop separated. One important thing to note is that your desktop icons will remain the same no matter what desktop you are on and you can’t set them to be different. Hopefully in the future Microsoft will listen to the many requests to also name the virtual desktops, currently they are labeled Desktop 1, Desktop 2, Desktop 3 and so on.

  2. New and improved Snipping Tool

    One of my personal favorite additions to Windows 7 and 8 \"newincluded the project Snipping Tool. This program allows you to easily take screenshots of your computer screen with the ability to select the area that you want to capture. Windows 10 takes this tool to the next level by allowing users to set a delay. This is ideal for those trying to screenshot menus which can’t be captured without clicking on something on-screen beforehand. Once a screenshot is captured you can use a pen, highlighter and eraser to make changes to the image before saving the file or copying the picture to your clipboard for easy pasting.

  3. Managing your Privacy in Windows 10

    \"managingOne of the biggest concerns users have using Windows 10 is the amount of user data being shared with Microsoft. While some privacy features are useful (such as the SmartScreen Filter) others appear overbearing and invasive. Configuring your Privacy settings can be done during setup but if you missed that or purchased a computer with Windows 10 already installed, they can be changed inside windows as well.

    To access Privacy Settings Click Start > Settings > Privacy

    Some settings will appear to the right of this screen however you will want to go down the list on the left which includes General, Location, Camera, Microphone, Speech, inking & typing, Account info, Contacts, Calendar, Messaging, Radios, Other devices, Feedback & diagnostics and Background apps.

    Some suggested settings to check out include:

    Speech, Inking & typing > Click on “stop getting to know me” if you don’t want your computer to collect information about you like contacts, calendar events, speech and handwriting patterns and typing history. Turning this feature off will also disable dictation and Cortana.

    Feedback & Diagnostics > If Windows is annoying you asking for feedback you can disable that here or set it to annoy you less frequently. You can also limit the amount of diagnostic and usage data that is sent to Microsoft from here.
    Background Apps > Here you can see apps that run in the background and use system resources. This screen will give you the option to turn apps off so that they won’t run unnecessarily. Turning apps off here will also prevent them for receiving info and sending notifications. 
  1. Managing Smart Tiles on the Start Menu

    \"managingIf you came from Windows 8 you will be familiar with tiles already if you were previously a Windows 7 user the smart tiles will be a new concept for you. If you open your start menu you will see a number of tiles that rotate on the right hand side of your start menu. By default you will likely see Calendar, Mail, Microsoft Edge, Photos, Cortana, Weather, and Store. Scrolling down will display the Xbox app as well as Groove Music and Movies & TV. All of the apps shown here are from the Microsoft Store.

    Apps (Which is just a fancy word for programs) that display on the start menu can be removed or modified by right clicking on the apps tile. You will see several options including unpin the tile from the start menu, re-sizing the tile, turning off live tile (this will stop the tile from rotating) and the ability to pin to taskbar.

    If you prefer a different order you can reorganize the apps on the start menu by clicking and dragging the tiles to a new position within the menu.
  1. Using the search

    \"usingWe already talked about using the search to locate programs and files. The search feature is nothing new to previous users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.  Windows 10 takes the search one step further by allowing you to instantly search the web and app store as well.  When searching you will notice that your search will be divided into three categories best match, web and store. You will find that you can even use the search to perform conversions by typing questions such as how many inches in a foot! You can find out the weather by typing what’s the weather. (Certain features must be enabled for this to work!

    If you click on your start menu without typing any text in you will see some popular topics from Bing news. Clicking the three dots at the top of the search window will show you additional options including the ability to check for updates and hiding popular news. If you want to re-enable the news after disabling it just click on the dots change the settings.
  1. Explore the Store

    \"exploreOne of the most commonly asked questions from Windows 10 users is where is Solitaire? While the popular card game isn’t built into Windows a newer more vibrant Microsoft Solitaire Collection is readily available and free from the store. To find it you can go to your start menu and click on store from the right side of the menu or just search for Solitaire Collection from the search box on the taskbar. Once you locate your desired app from the store you can click on install to download the program to your computer. Your downloaded program will appear to the left of your start menu below most used 
  1. Accessing the traditional Control Panel & More!

    \"accessingDon’t panic! The traditional Control Panel, Programs and Features (to add or remove programs) and more are just a click away. To access these as well as Mobility Center, Power Options, Event Viewer, System, Device Manager, Network Connections, Disk Management, Computer Management, Command Prompt and more just right click on your start button to access the hidden menu! You can also use this menu to shut down your computer or sign-out of the current user account.




    If you like this article please share it with your friends and family! You can also contact Jester\’s Computer Services to setup a one-on-one technology class. If you\’re not in Jester\’s local area but would still like a class and have internet access we are now offering remote classes as well where we will be able to share computer screens and use either the built in text chat, Skype or   phone to communicate during the class! 
updates

The importance of updates and why you should consider an alternative to Internet Explorer

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Microsoft and individual software makers release updates for their products to patch security holes and improve functionality of the software. If you are not updating the software when prompted, you are leaving your computer vulnerable. Some windows updates require a system restart and even after restarting there may be additional updates that need to install.

Windows Updates

Microsoft regularly releases system updates the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Any critical system updates will download and install as they are released. To check for windows updates you can follow the instructions below

Windows XP is no longer supported and will not receive regular system updates. If you are still using Windows XP you should consider upgrading your computer to help minimize the risk of online threats.

Windows Vista / 7 – Click on your start menu and type in windows update the windows update option will populate in your start menu list and once selected you can check for Windows updates. Be sure to install any critical system updates and restart the computer if necessary. You may also see some additional recommended updates which you can install at your convenience.

Windows 8 / 8.1 – Press the windows ÿ and S keys together (located to the left of your space bar between ctrl and alt) or locate the search window by moving your mouse to the top right hand corner of your screen to bring up the charm bar. Now press the magnifying glass (search) and make sure “everywhere” is selected in the drop down box. Type Windows Update in the box and choose check for Windows updates.

Software Updates

Programs may also need updates to add additional features, improve performance or patch security vulnerabilities. Users are being targeted through false update prompts for popular programs such as Adobe Flash player. To ensure you are receiving the update for your programs and NOT a virus you can update directly through the application or by visiting the software developers website.

To update through the program open up the program that is prompting you for an update. For example Adobe reader. Once you locate and open Adobe reader you will see an option to check for updates in the program under the “help” option . If you are unable to find where to update through the software visit the developers website for adobe you would visit www.get.adobe.com. Another program that

frequently updates is Java you can visit the java website to look for any updates by visiting www.java.com/download

Alternate Web Browsers – Updated 6/25/2016

Windows 10 users will now see a new default browser – Microsft’s Edge browser. While we like many of the new features Windows 10 has to offer the Edge browser is not one of them. In the past we have always recommended installing a third-party web browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Each of these are used independently from Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge and can be used in place of Internet Explorer.

In Windows 10 you will need to take an additional step to change your Default browser. Follow the steps below to change your default browser in Windows 10.

  • Click on your start menu and then choose settings
  • Select system
  • From the selection available choose default apps
  • Scroll down to where it lets you select your default browser
  • Click on the default browser (or plus sign if you don’t yet have one set) and select the browser you want as your default.

If you would like to download one of the web browsers we suggested be sure to verify that you are downloading these and any other applications you may download in the future from a trusted website before continuing. To download one of these browsers visit the websites below from the developers trusted link.

Chrome – www.google.com/chrome
Firefox – www.mozilla.org/firefox

For quality computer repair services visit Jester’s Computer Services located at 5135 Fairfield Road. Visit www.jesterscomputers.com or call (717) 642-6611 for more information!

 

What you need to know about Windows 10

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With Windows 8’s everlasting negative reputation, Microsoft is on the verge of releasing the failure operating systems predecessor: Windows 10, in just two years. With Apple’s increasingly seamless experience across devices, Microsoft has had to reinvent the wheel to keep up with their competition. In Windows 10 not only will you see many of the annoying Windows 8 features eliminated you will also begin to see Windows 10 become the standard across platforms integrating the cloud and synchronizing across devices such as the Xbox One, Windows Tablets and Windows Phones.

START here

Let us go ahead and get the elephant out of the room! The poorly thought out Start Screen is no longer in Windows 10 and you will be pleased to know an even better start menu is back! This start menu integrates the old style with the Windows 8 start screen apps to create a combined view that lets you easily access everything from one convenient location. For those who DID enjoy the Windows 8 style you can still disable the start menu should you choose to do so.

Search away in the integrated search box located in the start menu. Just like previous version of Windows (Vista & 7), you can search for files, applications and even internet results just by clicking the start button. You do not even have to click in the box to start typing just click and type and see results based on your entry.

Modern Apps

Anyone who has used windows 8 can appreciate the repair the major design flaw among the modern apps displayed in the system. Many users who wanted to enjoy the desktop view they were accustom to would be greeted by the realization that the “modern apps” would not open in desktop view but would take up the entire screen forcing you into the touch screen Modern Windows side of things.

Anyone who multi-tasks will be grateful that Windows 10 will no longer have two viewing styles. Instead, the standard desktop view will launch both standard and modern applications. Modern apps will launch in a new window on the desktop, just like standard Windows applications do.

What to expect if you want Windows 10

Windows 10 is currently only available as a preview and according to Microsoft will be available for consumer purchase later in 2015. [UPDATED 2/15] Microsoft has recently reported that they will be providing free upgrades from Windows 7 and Windows 8 for the first year of the new operating system’s release. Until then there are a few things that you need to consider about upgrading. We always recommend a fresh installation over an upgrade to avoid incompatibility and to maximize performance.

Do not assume your old devices (such as printers) will be compatible with Windows 10. Devices that are compatible with Windows 8 will likely be compatible but older devices may not be. Check with the devices manufacturer before you upgrade to ensure that you will not have to replace your device. In addition to your devices, you should also ensure that your software or programs would run on the new operating system. You can usually find this information by contacting the company who made the software or by visiting their website.

If you are looking to update your Operating System you can expect to pay anywhere from $130-$250 for the operating system although, Microsoft has not yet commented on any pricing for the OS yet. This does not include any additional costs to install or setup your computer. Currently there are over 1 million testers using Windows 10and Jester’s Computer is a beta tester. This means that the final version could still have many changes from the current preview version.

For answers to your computer questions you can contact Ayse at help@thecomputertutor.info or by calling (717) HELP-4-ME. The computer tutor offers one-on-one technology classes and consultations.

For local computer repair services, can contact Jester’s Computer Services at 717-642-6611 or email to customerservice@jesterscomputers.com

Windows 8 Recovery

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Windows 8 computers do not ship with recovery disks. You must use the manufacturer’s built-in utility to create and burn your own recovery disc set. Windows 8 is not very repair friendly. When things go wrong and Windows 8 automatic repair fails you are left with two choices.

Choice one is a factory refresh.  A factory refresh will restore your computer to its original state and preserve your existing files.

Choice two is a factory reset; this option will restore your computer to its out-of-the-box state and delete all your personal data. Both choices will require that you re-install all of your programs, printers etc.  These options are not fail-safe and often do not work. This leaves your computer in an unusable state. Your only choice at this point is to recover your system with your recovery disks. If you find yourself in this situation and did not make recovery disks, your only recourse is to order them from the manufacturer, often at a cost. Unlike previous editions of Windows, you cannot use any Windows disk to reload your operating system and activate it with the license on your sticker. Windows 8 PC’s from most major computer manufacturers do not have a “Microsoft license sticker.” Your license is embedded in a chip on the motherboard electronically and must match the recovery disks from the manufacturer.

In a previous article, we discussed a system image. In a way, restoring the system image is more convenient and thorough than using recovery disks. A system image is an exact snapshot of your computer when the image was created. This saves you the time and hassle of reloading all your programs, inserting license numbers, installing your printer and even setting up your email. A system image will restore your system to the state the computer was in when the image was created, often in less than one hour. This beats spending a day reloading your system and tweaking it to the way you like it.

It is in your best interest to create your recovery disks. Make no mistake – when Windows 8 fails to boot and cannot automatically repair itself, you will need those recovery disks. The day will come so be prepared. Create and save a system image to preserve your files and settings, and/or backup your data. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, take your computer to your local repair shop and asked them to do it for you.

We are hopeful that future editions of Windows will return us to the day when using the computer did not require a PhD and repairing a computer to fix the problem at hand did not require you to start from scratch all over again. The good folks at Microsoft need to listen to the end-users and stop making the operating system more and more complicated to use. If this trend continues, Microsoft might as well shutter their offices as more and more of their customers migrate to Linux. Linux is not buggy and is free!

If you need quick, quality, computer repair services, contact Jester’s Computer Services located at  5135 Fairfield Road, Fairfield, PA or you can reach us by phone at (717) 642-6611 or send an email to: customerservice@jesterscomputers.com (see our ad on this page)

If you need computer advice or would like to seek help, Jester’s Computer Tutor provides one-on-one classes and assistance in your home as well as on-site service calls for troubleshooting and networking.  Please contact them at (717) 435-7463 or online at help@thecomputertutor.info. You can also visit their website at www.thecomputertutor.info or like them on Facebook to receive free tips & tricks!

 

By Bob Jester, Owner/Technician