952-681-7969 or click here to submit a request online

Few tips for those that Google until they give up (aka…the Google tech, YOU!):

Google is a great search tool, no question. Be careful of searching for repair tactics to do yourself, sometimes the instructions are a bit tougher for you to follow if you are not technically minded. I say this because we have many clients who have tried to remove their own viruses and make it overall…worse for us to repair. Let’s make it easier for us to repair and help you learn a bit about viruses and save yout time and money. How do we make money? By helping our social network learn and share this information with their not so technical friends who don’t want to remove the virus themselves (and that will call us!). So please remember to share this blog if you find it of value. We appreciate your support!

If you are reading this and do not have a virus and want to buy our antivirus protection plan, click here to submit a request! We will remote in and set up the programs and configure the programs for you.

Ok Lisa, I’ve read enough, I want to hire your company to help with these instructions and help remove the virus —-> click here for help to remove your virus

Now..on with the show!

We are getting many calls from people in regards to the new virus that is out, that is striking hard and quick and destroying fast…and getting through just about every antivirus program out there (of course, we know the product we support is much better!). This blog will help you learn how to back out of the attack, then get good support and protection Contact us here to get help NOW!  You might want to print this blog as you will not be able to use your internet after you’ve been attacked. Follow these instructions and you should be in a better position with your virus.  If you are NOT comfortable doing these intstructions on your own, feel free to call in (952-681-7969) a ticket and we will walk you through them all, our virus removals are $99 and our antivirus protection plan is $69.99.

Part I.

• Turn off your computer the minute you notice you have been attacked
• Turn on the power and then immediately start tapping your F8 key fast and keep tapping until you see “Advanced boot options”
• Click on “safe mode”
• You will see your computer go through some dark lines of code, and eventually up up showing your desktop. Be warned, the text and icons will be large.
• Go to your start menu icon (lower left corner of your computer) and find “search” (you may only have two choices, search and run). So far, the virus has not attacked the search options (yay!) . If you are using Windows XP, it should be a choice that you will see and it should still work. If you are using Vista or Windows 7, you should see your search area right above the “start icon” (lower left hand corner, should be a circle”. (see pic below).
• Search for “system restore”

(XP pic coming later today)

• A system restore wizard box will pop up. Once you start the system restore wizard, it will give you options with what date you can restore your computer to.
• Usually you want to select a restore point that is from before the day (or many days before) your computer was infected.
• The system restore wizard is only a few boxes and will start once you get it going. Your computer will shut down and then take a few minutes and come back up.
• If after your system restore is done and you see all of your icons again, you are not out of the water!!! Don’t think your system is virus free, what we basically did was do a “time machine” effect on the computer and set it back, but the virus may still be in there, just dormant, or hadn’t destructed the computer yet (you haven’t clicked on anything to cause it to start destroying). Missing icons on a computer is what the virus did to your computer = destruction!
• At this point, see if your internet works.  You can try to run your virus programs and see if you have any viruses, but I will let you know…that it’s a good idea to look into stronger protection other than what you already have for antivirus, becuase it didn’t really work very well did it? Nope!
• Call That Girl if this is a success. Alert us of this blog and you followed our instructions. We will remote in for FREE to do a spot check for you to insure the bugger is gone. AND offer you our antivirus protection plan at $69.99 that includes FREE virus removals moving forward.

Few tips…

• Keep your antivirus up to date and paid for
• Update your “Java” on your computer (the viruses are getting in via this program on occasion)
• Keep in mind, this is a helpful blog. We are not responsible if this time machine effort does not fix your computer or made it worse. We have found it works one many computers we have done a system restore on.
• Friendly reminder…back up your data if it’s important to you. We are not responsible for your data loss if you attempt the system restore and it fails.

Key search words:

• All my programs are gone
• My programs are missing
• Where are my programs
• My desktop icons are missing
• All my stuff is missing
• I can’t get on the internet
• Where is my internet
• Virus removed all programs
• virus removed all my files
• virus removed all my icons
• virus removed all start menu shortcuts
• virus removed all desktop icons
• virus removed all shortcuts

 Please share with your social networks on the options below. Thanks again! ~Lisa

1.)  I have to put on the list…is hire us to help you buy it. We can do a remote session with you, remote into your computer and help you find a few computers online that fit your needs, your future computing needs and your budget. Things we can discuss are if your old software is compatible, your printer is compatable, what hard drive size is right for you, backup solutions, antivirus programs you need and just answer every question you have. We book usually 30 minutes for this consult, at $59 for this consultation, we find we save you money because most people go to a store and listen to a sales person and walk out of the store OVERBUYING. Working with us gives you the straight answers because you are paying us. If you want an expensive computer, we will make sure you get it and show you a few different models. If your budget is tight, we can find you many models that are inexpensive and you can get more bang for your buck if you do it right.

2.) Don’t overbuy! Simple, a sale person is making commission so be prepared if you go into a store to be upsold to death. Be sure you’re buying what you need and can afford. What do you need? Everyone wants fast fast fast….most computers out now come standard with what you need and they are pretty fast.

3.)  They say skip buying the store’s extended warranty. I am on the fence with this becuase I do think people in business should buy it, mostly because it’s your business computer and you need it fix asap. For home users, it’s iffy…if your last computer worked great for 8 years, this one will probably last that long too. Figure out your repairs you made for the past 8 years (for hardware) and it is equal to what you paid for it, you might want a warranty. If way less, you may not need it. Most extended warranties are $100-$200 and it’s just like insurance, you don’t use it you lose it. Many give you a new battery on the plan, so make sure you get that if anything!

4.) Do you really need Microsoft Office? What do you need with this program that a generic can’t do for you? People today are telling me that the Office programs are very expensive and if you don’t need Outlook, why not try the generic version of Word/Excel/Powerpoint? Try openoffice.org Using these free tools can save you up to $120 if you were going to buy the home and student version of Microsoft office. 

5.) Finally the last way to save money. Can you setup the computer yourself? Don’t hire Dell to do the home install…their rates are much higher than paying us or a local company to come out and do the set up. They don’t have many extra’s in their install package, we actually sit and help you figure out all the bells and whistles. Many people hire us to help them or do it themselves until they get in a pinch. We do computer set ups for pc and macs and don’t mind getting on the floor and figuring out all the cords. If you are in business, having a professional company do the set up is worth the money. If you are a home user, it’s worth it if you don’t know what you’re doing. We save you headaches!

To book an appointment with us, please submit a request on the link below. We look forward to helping you before, after or when you have a computer headache and aspirin isn’t helping!

http://www.callthatgirl.biz/submit-a-request/

To move to a iPad/Tablet for work, I guess I can’t say anything but go for it! I know many folks are doing it and loving them (esp those on the road). But for a main computer for work? I have yet to see anyone do it 100%, but maybe? If you are one of those folks reading this, please comment below. I would love to hear your stories! The reason why I guess I can’t get off my computer is that I like doing 20 things at once and having all of my “apps” (aka…programs) at the bottom of my screen organized so I know where everything is, and I enjoy the keyboard way too much. The ipads and tablets don’t give this larger handed gal much room for typing 100 wpm. I would sorely miss that, I would have to have an extended keyboard and that point, why have a tablet? I might as well just whip out the laptop.

I’m a ferocious typer. I am an insane multi-tasker. The devices for me would only be for “fun” meaning, I’m on a trip and just want to use it to play with the apps, surf the web and check on my social media. I would never use it for work at this point.

To close, what is your choice? Tell us below! Share your knowledge with others, the good, the bad, the everything! Maybe you can shed some light on this topic, switch me over? (doubtful!, but you never know).

Here is what information I have right now on the phone scams…

Company #1: A company in India-Global IT, is calling people around the United States telling them that their computers are sending out viruses–they say they are the Job Workers from Windows (hah…or Microsoft).

Company #2 I  Tecnocura, Technocure or Tecno….cure something/ company who tired to get one of my client to log into ammyy.com to clean up harmful things on their computer (told me to by a client).

Bewarned, if anyone calls you alerting you that you have harmful things in your computer or your computer is sending out viruses, it should only be your internet company.  If you are fearful of them calling you, tell them you will call them back and insure it’s a local number or Qwest/Century Link, etc. These scammers have 800 numbers and will beg and plead with you to call them back, they will do anything they can to get you to remote them in and hook you into paying.

To watch a video of another repair tech (like me!) who caught one of these companies calling them…the tech did a fake out. It’s a long video, but it really goes to show how far these guys will go to get your money.

http://hackedgadgets.com/2011/10/27/hacked-gadgets-has-fun-with-computer-scammer-called-global-it/

Tip: Hang up on these fools asap!

If you think you have been a victim of this crime, feel free to call us and tell us about your experience. We will do a virus spot check for FREE because we want you to feel comfortable that you are not sending our viruses.  You should be able to get your money back from your bank if you were one of the unfortunate. These guys can be pushy and hard to get off the phone. Just hang up!

Regular price, $75

Click here to book an appointment now

Welcome 2012! We are very excited for this year, mostly because all of our seeds got planted last year, now let’s grow this garden already! It’s been 5 years of building this business and it’s finally happening-seeing my little business turn into a company. It’s wonderful to see all my hard work just flow. And without the help from my past clients, referring partners, social media contacts and social media overall….this business would not be where it is now. So thank you for your help!!

News!

I just hired a new FT assistant in our St Louis Park location, we also hired some pt techs, we are more than ready to help support the entire Twin Cities, Rochester and Winona communities withour home visits, in shop repairs or of course, our remote support services. So to celebrate and help you, help us…I am offering the first tune-up/cleaning of the new year now. I know many of you bought new iPads, tablets, phones and computers…while that older computer you had is just sitting there, there are many things you can still do with it. Get it tuned-up first, then get it going as a great 2nd computer in the house!

Or…if you own a business and your main computer is slow, our remote tune-ups only take about an hour, get it cleaned up while you’re in a meeting!

Rules!

• Telephone/Remote support only (we remote into your computer via the internet)
• Must book the appointment by January 14, 2012
• Appointment can be scheduled at anytime after January 14, 2012
• Licenses and hardware needed to improve/protect computer is not included

The computer cleaning includes:

• Our 22 point checklist (cleaning, maintenance checks)
• Removal of programs, anti-virus slowing your computer down
• Virus Spot Check
• IE 8 Upgrade
• Review of your computers memory and hard drive space
• Installation/configuration of Microsoft Security Essentials
• Time to ask us those little questions you have on your mind

Feel free to forward this email to any of your friends and family.

To book an appointment, please fill out the form below or call us at952-681-7969

Click here to submit a request

Gearing up to work in a social media marketing effort is more than tweeting, updating status on Facebook and writing an email newsletter. There are many important points if you are going to start using social media such as…building your network, giving value to your readers, gaining trust from your followers to continue to read your content (and more importantly, SHARE your content), set up your website to help you, not hurt you, generating interesting topics of interest, managing your contacts and overall….just figuring out the right equation that works for you and your company. I did it, or so I think I did (social media is my #1 way of landing clients).  I have the equation down anyway with what works for Call That Girl and I would love to share it all with you as my holiday gift.

If your company is interested in figuring out how we do it successfully or you just want some basic knowledge, click on the link below and fill out the form and we will get the eBook to you next week after Christmas. I hired a special “social media assistant” to help with this venture as I am spreading this message to literally 1000′s of people on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google + all in about 15 minutes. Getting new fans is half the battle, keeping them interested in staying in your network is the bigger battle!

Happy Holidays Everyone! I wish you the best holiday season and a prosperous 2012! Feel free to shoot me any questions about social media, I always try to help if I can. If you want to hire me for a special hour consultation or to help you create a game plan, I can work it into my schedule. Call That Girl is not a social media company, we only do computer repair and services. I personally do LinkedIn and social media counsel for fun. You can email me at lisa@callthatgirl.biz

To receive the eBook in PDF format (great for reading on your iPad or tablet too! Click here Feel free to email or share it as you like if you know someone else who may benefit from reading it.

Now for those needing a new desktop computer…business or residential users can learn a bit from this blog.

First tip: If you have a monitor, keyboard and mouse that works, just buy a new desktop computer. Many computers come with a new keyboard and mouse in the box anyway, but unless you want a new blingy monitor, you just need the tower/computer itself.

Second tip: Make a budget and stick to it. A basic desktop model that is good for a family/solo is normally in the $400 to $600 range. You can go to Dell’s website and get a basic “no frills” computer for under $300!  An average desktop model is around $500. The better systems for “Multimedia experience” is around $650 and up. If you’re into streaming Netflix or using your TV as your monitor, then you will want to spend a bit more to get better visuals from your computer. So, figure out how much you want to spend and stay in that budget.

Third tip: If you go to a big box store, don’t get talked into all the “extra’s” that they sell you.

• Their “optimization” package (we do this remotely and do a lot more in the time you’re hiring us than they will)
• The “data transfer” tools (buy an external hard drive and do it yourself and have a back up system or hire us, way cheaper and more fun to work with!)
• Their anti-virus programs (buy ours, it’s fabulous!)
• The warranties. If you are buying a basic computer for that low of cost, you don’t need to pay $200+ for a warranty (unless you run a business and want next day service for your hardware parts).  The computer usually has a one-year warranty for hardware and after that, the parts are cheap enough to replace at any hardware repair store. AND…the software is never included in the warranty! That means that software that runs your computer “Windows” is not covered. So if you have an operating system crash, they won’t pay for it unless it’s due to hardware failure!

Fourth tip: Don’t worry so much about processor speeds or hard drive space. All new computers are keeping up with the industry and giving you what is standard. Although…if you are a music or picture fan, then yes…you may want a bigger hard drive. Most are shipping standard with 320, 500 or 640 gig hard drives, some are shipping with 1TB drives (WOW, that’s HUGE), but in our world of data hoarding, music and video collections and 1000′s of pictures, you may want one that big. For those into graphics and speed, you already know what you’re looking for and that is a whole blog post on it’s own to be honest.

Fifth tip: The extra’s–wifi and usb ports. Most computers today come with everything you need, but if you can find a good computer with wifi and extra usb ports, WIN. If you want to use your computer next to your TV and do streaming, you may want to get one with wireless already installed. (from what someone told me, it’s not good to have a computer right next to your TV, but I will look into that one). You can never go wrong with finding a computer with extra USB ports, I always max mine out and have a 4 port extender LOL. Everything needs USB power, so more the merrier there.

Sixth Tip: RAM/Memory. Yes, be sure to get the most bang for your buck here. Most computers are coming out with 4 gig as a standard, but if you look around enough, you will find some great deals that have 6 or 8 gig of RAM installed. GET THOSE. In a few years, we will look back and wonder how we lived on 4 gig. Just a few years ago, how did we live on 1 gig? Prepare for the future, get what you can now. If you can ask the sales rep or look online, see what the computer can max out with for RAM. Some are being shipped with 16 gig of RAM and I saw one the other day at 32 gig. WT???? Those are very expensive, but hey…if you are faster than your computer, you might want those options lol.

Email me with any questions, I hope this helped many of you in your buying decisions! When you get your new computer and would like us to help you set up and transfer your data/set up your computer, give us a call. We can even help you remotely with this! 962-681-7969.

1.) Figure out a budget. Remember that with a new computer, you may need to buy new software. The Office suite can run up to $300 for the full package, so keep that in mind.

2.) Test out laptops in stores first if you are buying online. Buying online gives you no sense of how the computer feels, weighs or views in bad/good/extra light. Once you see the one you want at the store, then go find it online and order there if you are getting a better deal. Some stores have the same computer on their own website cheaper!

3.) When you are at the store…. make sure to check out the next few things:

• Keyboard. Play with the keys and make sure you can type ok and see the keys. Some laptops today have the shiny look and feel and it’s hard to view and use those! Or they have the “bouncy” keys and it’s even hard for me to type on and I can type 100 wpm!
• Weight. Pick up the laptop and make sure you can carry it without problems. Many folks end up buying 10 ton weight laptops and they are very hard to drag around.
• Screen. Check out the screen and make sure there is not too much glare. If you plan on working outside, many screens have too much glare and you can’t read the screen in natural light, even too much overhead light can be bothersome.
• Screen width. Many folks hate the wider screens. It is not an issue for me, but for those with the regular monitors, it’s quite a change. Test opening some stuff on the computer and make sure you like how it looks.
• Memory. Try to get 4-8 gig of RAM if you can. Most new computers are coming out with at least 4, but if you can get a good deal with 6 or 8 gig, go for it! You should be fine with that for many years to come. But with how fast technology is changing, who knows…8 gigs might be slow soon, hah!
• Hard drive size. Most new computers come with 32o to 1TB hard drives. If you are a data hoarder (like me!), then getting the biggest hard drive possible that meets your budget is best. If you don’t keep a lot of stuff, then a smaller one is just fine.

That’s the quick and dirty…many folks also ask about the processors…my answer is you’ll be ok probably if you can find a computer that fits your needs with the list I gave you. Those are much more important for the standard/average user.

If you are buying a new computer and need help with the set up, data moves, antivirus protection plans or data back up, please let us help you. Our remote support rates are very affordable and will get your computer up and running quickly!

Give us a call at 952-681-7959 or…

Click here to submit a request

Good morning everyone! Many of our clients will call in for a computer cleaning and in our aftercare call, we sometimes tell them that they need to buy more memory (RAM) for their computer to give it a smidge more speed. Many times, the memory recommendations we offer, can make the computer 4x faster! That’s more than a smidge! Why is this happening? Well, it’s becoming common to see computers bought in 2003 still alive and kicking well. They just need some more “gusto” to make them work with the applications and current technology trends we all love and adore now. More hardware memory equals a better computing experience overall. Even though our cleanings help immensely, more memory sometimes can help with what we can’t take care of.

Let’s start with why you may need more memory first before we show you the video on how to install it yourself. For starters,  you may have an older computer (5 years old) and it’s been running fine but it’s getting slow. Sure, we can do a cleaning on it, and get it faster and after our cleanings, our clients are very happy with our services, but many need to buy more memory/RAM to get that old computer zipping very fast. The cause of the slowdown is many times, these computers only have the bare minimum that came factory installed. If you have XP, to run with the big dog programs such as Office 2010, you should try to get your computer to at least 1gig of RAM or 2gig if you want your computer really fast. For the older computers, the RAM is usually very inexpensive and recommended if the computer seems stable. If you are having other problems with it, like a lot of noise coming from the computer or seeing crashes often, this is a sign of a computer that may need to go to the land of refurbished computers and I don’t recommend putting much money into them.

Vista is another culprit of low memory. Most factory computers shipped with just 1gig of memory/RAM and that is just too darn slow for Vista. As the complaints are high with Vista, you can help it by just adding in the max memory your computer can take.

How to check your memory, I could write up instructions, but here is a short video from Crucial (the company we buy memory from online).

How to Install Memory (RAM) in a Laptop / Notebook

How to Install Memory in a PC Desktop Computer

http://www.crucial.com has a nice scan tool that you can run and check what type of memory your computer needs. It also tells you what is installed and how much more your computer can take. It also offers a check out system for you to buy it and get it shipped right to your home/office. It’s our favorite at Call That Girl and we have had great success with Crucial.

If you need help with purchasing or installing, feel free to give us a call! This is so easy to do, we can walk you through it over the phone. No kidding!

If you need our help or want a computer cleaning, please submit a ticket today here or call us at 952-681-7969