Google Takeout!...And possibly your photos.

I know we've all been there.  Trying desperately to get all the pictures out of someone's iCloud account.  It's frustrating.  Thankfully using the iCloud for PC app seems to work and we can, relatively, easily get those photos into a computer from the mystery that is the internet. Today though, this isn't about iCloud, it's about Google/Android.  What happens when you're in the same situation on Android.  Someone has been using Google photo backup or uploading all of their photos to Google Photos and has deleted them from the phone.  They want their photos on the computer but doing so requires selecting each individual photo in small groups and downloading.  The answer, Google Takeout!!

Google Takeout is a service offered by Google which allows you to download basically any information you have ever uploaded to the cloud via your Google account. Be it a list of your searches, YouTube videos, Hangouts messages, Google Drive files and of course, photos.

Step 1: Navigate to https://takeout.google.com/, login to your account if you aren't already

Step 2: Select which item(s) you would like to download.  If you have a large amount of the selected item(s) it may take some time for Google to prepare your download.  Thankfully, you don't even need to leave the page open or your computer on!  Make sure to select how you want your files delivered.  This brings us to the next point.

Step 3: Get your files.  Google will email you when the files are ready. You have a few options for how you would like to receive your files.  A neat .zip format where you can even select the size of the .zip files you would like to receive in a range between 1 GB and 50 GB archives.  Or you can have them added directly to your favorite cloud drive service, Google Drive, Dropbox, or even OneDrive!  

So that's it.  If you want to get any files from google onto your local computer simply go to https://takeout.google.com/ and your files are just a few clicks away.

Your Wireless Router Could Bottleneck!

Time Warner is now Spectrum and as a result, internet speeds have increased.  The base level of speed should be up over 100 Mbps with options to go higher than that.  Cox has had broadband cable modem speeds over 100 Mbps for years now.  If that's the case in your home or business in San Diego, you may be missing out on that speed wirelessly.  If you are not running a modern dual band router you may have capped yourself out at half the speed.  Many folks could still have a 2.4 GHz router and if so, you may be capped at 54 Mbps.  That's still fast, but why not be faster!  Let us know what model router you have and if we can help.

 

Kurt Rein
MobileComputerWizard.com
858-345-0382 Office

San Diego Computer Repair

Setting up a VPN as a Secondary Connection

(For those who know how to set up a VPN)

-Open up Network and Sharing

-Change Adapter Settings

-Right click VPN Connection Icon

-Hit Properties

-Click on the Networking Tab

-Click on the IPV 4 properties

-Hit the advanced tab

-UNCHECK the :use default gateway on remote network" box

-Then hit OK

There you have it!
From everyone here at our San Diego location, Happy Computing!!!

--

Debra Fisher

Mobile Computer Wizard

619 255 1215 or 858 345 0382
deb@mobilecomputerwizard.com

San Diego Computer Repair

Forgotten Apple ID for iCloud Password Lost Equals Big Problem

Our clients in San Diego are finding that losing access to your iphone Apple credentials or not being able to recover them can be a huge problem.  The built in iCloud features are in place to encrypt your data, back it up and to prevent a thief from easily stealing and selling your device.  I'll say this for any and all accounts, if it's Yahoo, Google, Microsoft, Dropbox or Apple, make sure that your know your password, have the reset info get sent to your cell phone.  If it's that important, have Mobile Computer Wizard help you set up 2 step authentication.  Be safe!

Kurt Rein
MobileComputerWizard.com
858-345-0382 Office
San Diego Computer Repair

Windows 10 and the Upgrade Process - revised

Clients in San Diego are constantly asking us about Windows 10.  It's been out for 6 months now and this is based on nearly 100 experiences with the upgrade process and the operating system itself.  We want to first firmly say that we love Windows 10 and think it's great, it's upgrade process itself that we want to define. 

 

Windows 10 is wonderful when installed from scratch and not via an upgrade from Windows 7 or 8.   Meaning all settings and data are pulled off, backed up and re-configured as a new installation.  In contrast, when running the built in upgrade, only about 85% of the upgrades go through successfully without a hitch.  Nearly 100% of the time an upgrade does not make the computer run better, existing programs and settings tend to misbehave, often unresolvable without a complete reload of Windows. 

 

Our advice is this:  Windows 10 is great, but it will not revolutionize anything you do, if you want it, great, we'll help you do it the proper, but more time-consuming way.  We as a company won't help you upgrade from Windows 7 or 8, unless done the proper, but longer way as we know the likelihood of potential problems.  We simply do not want to send you down a path of frustration.  If you have already ran the upgrade and it works well, you are in the minority, consider yourself lucky!  We feel Windows 10 should only be used on a new PC or if you are willing to have your existing 2011 or newer PC wiped clean.  We are happy to assist you with the choice to get Windows 10 via a new computer or to help you understand the costs of installing Window 10 the best way.  The license is free until June 2016, so you have time to decide.  If you are annoyed by the constant reminders from Microsoft to upgrade, we eliminate most of that remotely.  Call or email us for help.

Kurt Rein
MobileComputerWizard.com
858-345-0382 Office

A Note About Windows 10 Upgrades

Clients in San Diego are constantly asking me about Windows 10 and the upgrade process on their Windows computers and laptops.  It's been out for a few months now and this is based on dozens of experiences with the upgrade process and the OS itself we have experienced out in the field, in the shop and on our own devices.

Windows 10 is lovely, when installed clean.  It's free until June 2016.  Clean meaning ALL settings and data is pulled off, backed up and reconfigured.  However, so far only about 85% of the upgrades go through successfully without a hitch and nearly 100% of the time an upgrade does not make the computer run better.  My own laptop when I upgraded from Win 8 to 10 and it worked, but not better.  I then later wiped it all out and did Windows 10 clean and it's great now!  But, that comes at a multi-hour cost.  My advice is this:  Windows 10 will not revolutionize anything you do, if you want it, great, we'll help you do it the proper, but more time-consuming way.  I'm on the fence as the owner of the company to nearly forbid anyone here to 'upgrade' existing computers without doing a fresh/clean install.  Once again, the odds of it being 'better' are low to none.  Sorry to jump around there, but Windows 10 should only be used on a new PC or if you are will to have your existing 2011 or newer PC wiped clean.  Either way, data, settings and config need to be backed up and restoration is required.  For some this is an hour, for others it's a few hours.  I hope that helps guide you!

Kurt Rein
MobileComputerWizard.com
858-345-0382 Office
San Diego Computer Repair

Microsoft Windows Update KB3097877 breaks Outlook

We have calls pouring in around the San Diego area on users running Windows PC's using Outlook.  Seems as though a Windows Update released Tuesday 11-11-15 breaks Outlook.  Specifically, it looks like KB3097877 is the problem.  Here's a link.

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/482486ba-a378-4dcd-bd21-08ae19760b93/crashes-since-111115-updates-in-both-outlook-2010-and-2013-when-viewing-html-emails?forum=officeitproprevious

Kurt Rein
MobileComputerWizard.com
858-345-0382 Office
San Diego Computer Repair