Monday, September 18, 2017

CCleaner version 5.33 is known to contain malware. Please update to 5.34 or higher ASAP.

Today Avast/Piriform announced that they have discovered a malware infection in their CCleaner windows software.  Their blog post can be found here: BLOG  We highly recommend that you update to their newest version ASAP and run a Malware-bytes and Windows Defender scan to make sure.  The updated version can be found here: LINK

Piriform was recently purchase by the security software company AVAST.

Monday, August 14, 2017

Sync Text Messages from Android/iPhone to PC like iPhone and iMessage does with a Mac!

I don't know about you but as a PC/Android user, one of the things for which I've always wished, and have been envious of Mac/iPhone users for, is the ability to send text (SMS) messages from the PC or phone seamlessly.  Thanks to Pushbullet, there is finally a way.

Simply:

  • Download the PushBullet App on your iPhone or Android device.

  • Install, sign in with your Google account (Any old gmail account will work.  Same credentials and everything!)

  • Allow it all necessary permissions the app requests.  (And make sure to say yes when it asks if you would like to sync SMS.  That's the whole point of this tutorial!  Basically, say yes to everything the app requests up first launch.  Those are the correct configuration choices, "yes", all the way.)

  • Next, download and install the PC PushBullet app.  Sign in with your Google account and presto, you're finished!


You can now see your SMS messages on the Desktop PC as well as send SMS messages from the PC!    The nice thing is, they don't make you use their app/interface.  The sync happens in the background so keep using whatever SMS messaging app you prefer on the phone.

One last thing.  Because of the nature of SMS messages, just like with iMessage, your phone must be on in order to send them.  Even if it's from your PC.  Since most of us keep our phones on 24/7, it doesn't matter!  Just don't expect this to be a backup if your phone is out of commission.

Pushbullet Desktop App



 

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Hurry, Windows 7, and 8.1 Users!

Microsoft will not be putting in the work necessary to make new hardware work with older versions of Windows. The old operating systems will lack the latest updates and they might not function properly.

This new policy doesn't mean that Windows 7 and 8.1 are no longer supported in general. The two operating systems will continue to get updates through January 14th, 2020 and January 10th, 2023, but that's only if you're using hardware that was current with those operating systems. Here's is an informative table to keep you up to date...Contact Mobile Computer Wizard if you have ANY questions! We would love to help!



 

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

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.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

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


Friday, April 8, 2016

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

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

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