San Diego CA – Microsoft Security Essentials is a good antivirus and antispyware software that is FREE. FREE is good especially when it works. I have Microsoft Security Essentials on my main laptop computer now and have had it for a month and it has been working as an anti virus – spyware software should. It scans once a week for any viruses on my hard disk drives and best of all it intercepts them when I’m on the web. Three times in the past week it has identified and removed viruses or spyware picked up on web sites I was visiting.

My machine originally came with Norton Antivirus. I find this to be a satisfactory program that does the job. It came free with my laptop preinstall and I used it until the free trial was over. It wasn’t that expensive to renew but I just couldn’t bare parting with the money when I knew there was free stuff out there that worked just fine. If you want to use the Microsoft Security Essentials I’ll show you how it’s done. I’m using Windows Vista for this example and it is very similar to installing it on Windows XP as well.

First of all go to your control panel. To do the go to the lower left corner of your Desktop and select the Windows Start Button. Once you select the Start Button, on the right side in the grey area of the menu bar that just popped up, you will see the words Control Panel. Select it. When the Control Panel window comes up look for the Programs and Features Icon. The icons are in alphabetical order. Select the Programs and Features Icon to view the installed programs in the folder. Look for any Antivirus and Antispyware software that is installed on the machine. If you’re not computer savvy enough to know what programs are the Antivirus and Antispyware Programs you might want to call a tech. If you’re in San Diego call Green Coast. When you find the programs you want to remove, click on them one at a time. There might be just one or maybe more than one and there may be none at all. Select each one – one at a time – by clicking on it once and when it’s highlighted go to the top of the screen and on the menu bar select Uninstall or Uninstall/Change depending on the software. Uninstall the Software until there are no Antivirus or Antispyware programs installed.

Close out of the Control Panel. Open a Web Browser like IE – Internet Explorer or Firefox. Go to http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/ to download the file from Microsoft. Sometimes the links change. If it is no longer there go to a search engine like Google and type in Microsoft Security Essentials and it will take you to Microsoft’s Download Page. It should be the first choice if not it will be very close to the top. At the download page on Microsoft’s Website select the big blue DOWNLOAD NOW button. A File Download Security Warning box appears, select Run. The file will be downloaded to a temporary folder.

You may be asked to allow the download and to continue select ok or yes. Sometimes the Microsoft Security Essentials box will not come up on the screen but will instead stay on the bottom task bar in a minimized state. If it did not open look for the Microsoft Security Essentials program at the bottom of the Desktop and open it up. Select “Next”, then read the MICOSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS and select I Accept. If you do accept. Then on the next window select Validate to Validate your copy of Windows. Then select Install. The window will then have a checked box that states “Scan my computer for potential threats after getting the latest updates”.  Make sure it stays check and select the Finish button.

The program will automatically download and update during the install. It will take several minutes. Once it has finished downloading it will start a scan of your hard disk drives to detect any viruses or spyware on your computer. The more files you have the longer it will take. If you have to you can cancel the scan and then restart it before lunch or before you go home and check it when you return. When the scan is over it will hopefully tell you that there were no threats detected. If there are viruses or spyware detected make sure you select to remove them. When the install and scan is complete the screen will show that Real time protection is On and Virus and Spyware Definitions are Up to Date. It will also a scheduled scan set for Sunday at around 2:00 A.M. You can change these settings under the Settings Tab.

You’re Done! Good job!

All information is believed to be correct but not guaranteed.

The Microsoft Windows 7 release date was October 22, 2009. On Microsoft’s website on the Windows 7 page it says,

“Your PC Simplified – We designed Windows 7 to simplify your everyday tasks, work the way you want, and make new things possible.”

I like the “Simplified” and I hope it lives up to the hype.

Some of the major features out of the dozens and dozens that Microsoft is promoting Windows 7 has are; Pin, Snap, HomeGroup, Plat To, Windows Touch, Live Taskbar Previews, Windows Search, Internet TV, Improved Memory Use, and View Available Networks. There were a total of 54features listed on Microsoft’s Website all of them are listed below.

Windows 7 Features

Microsoft lists the top 10 reasons to upgrade your Windows Vista to Windows 7.

1. Get quicker access to all of your stuff
2. Do more and wait less
3. Better compatibility
4. Share files and printers among multiple PCs
5. Stay entertained effortlessly
6. Easily create and share movies
7. Keeps your PC better protected with fewer interruptions
8. Touch and tap rather than point and click
9. Supports more TV, movies, videos, and music in more ways
10. Manage devices more easily

After reading the Windows 7 promotional material on their web pages I for one will not upgrade any of my computers to Windows 7. The benefits are too small for the trouble. I will gladly buy a computer with Windows 7 on it and hopefully by then they have most of the bugs worked out.

There are 3 Upgrade Versions and Install Versions of Windows 7

Windows 7 Home Premium
Windows 7 Professional
Windows 7 Ultimate

Best of luck with your Windows 7 decision and if you need help with any computer repairs, software troubleshooting, and general IT services in San Diego make sure you contact Green Coast Information Technology, Inc.

All information is believed to be correct but not guaranteed.

Let’s just be honest, there are way too many versions of Windows Vista. Six versions of Microsoft Windows Vista is just five too many. Is there really a purpose for it other than the Microsoft marketing department telling the board of directors it will make more money? Yeah, I know, why would you sell someone who doesn’t need Windows Vista Ultimate when they only need Windows Vista Home Basic? Good question, you wouldn’t with the current six version layout. You would pick the solution that’s appropriate for the application it is intended for keeping in mind the lesser versions are less expensive.

Why not, other than for marketing reasons make one version or maybe two versions if you had to absolutely have two. There could be a Business Version and a Home Version. I like the one version idea better. I mean if you look at the marketing reasons isn’t it a lot easier to make one version and package it all the same. It has to be. One CD, One Manual, One Box, Inventory would be a snap, support for the software giant would be far easier. Why six versions?

Let’s go over the versions of Windows Vista:

Windows Vista Starter – a budget version of Windows Vista for emerging markets.

Windows Vista Home Basic – a budget version of Windows Vista for home users.

Windows Vista Home Premium – an enhanced version of Windows Vista that includes premium entertainment features.

Windows Vista Business – a budget version of Windows Vista for business users.

Windows Vista Enterprise – an enhanced version of Windows Vista for business users.

Windows Vista Ultimate – an enhanced version of Windows Vista that includes the best features of all Windows Vista versions.

Why not have a version of Windows Vista for people who like vanilla ice cream, another version for people who like chocolate ice cream and one more for people who like strawberry ice cream. Better yet let’s just have a version of Windows Vista for all 31 flavors of ice cream that Baskin Robins sells. Yes’ this is a rant and thanks for letting me get it out. Whooooo – I feel better now.

This is a ridiculous amount of versions of a single operating system. It complicates the technical PC environment more than helping it. Now there are six versions of an OS with 6 different databases of patches, 6 upgrades, 6 software and hardware incompatibility problems, 6 different knowledge bases and tech support areas. I mean let’s get real. I know that the fixes to problems for one version should fix the problems for all but in many cases they will be specific fixes for the specific version of the OS. The intricacies of the different versions working with hardware and drivers as well as software programs will make some of the problems unique to that version only.

I didn’t upgrade to any versions of Windows Vista and stuck with Windows XP Pro on all of my business machines and home machines. Windows XP Pro was very stable and worked great with little to no issues. I had to eventually buy some new machines and found they only came with a version of Windows Vista. On one of the laptops I purchased I asked for the Windows Vista Ultimate to be installed to make sure I had all of the features for the laptop and its tablet features. I figured I wanted the fully loaded package for a high powered Lenovo X-61 Tablet with every option and upgrade possible. I was very disappointed with the speed and the incompatibility with programs I felt should have worked. After 6 months I ordered the XP Pro version for the X-61 and wiped the hard disk out and loaded the XP Pro Image. XP Pro worked great.

I then purchased 3 home computers and 4 work computers all with Windows Vista Home Premium. They all came with that version by default. I have to say they all worked and are still working great with minimal issues. I think with most Microsoft GUI software’s it’s my experience to not be the first ones to run out and get it. Let others do that and work out the bugs in the OS so that when you buy it or get it with your new computer the bugs have been long worked out.

Windows 7 please don’t disappoint.

All information is believed to be correct but not guaranteed.

RAM which stands for Random Access Memory is memory that can be read from or written to in any order. Usually RAM comes in chip form. It is usually located on the Motherboard located in a PC Computer or Apple Computer. Memory is small chips on long thin circuit boards that will in most cases stand vertical in parallel rows on the Motherboard or main system board. Some memory types are DRAM, SDRAM, DDR, DDR2, RDRAM and SRAM to name a few. Random Access Memory is packaged in several different ways and some of them include, RIMM, DIMM, SoDIMM and MicroDIMM to name a few varieties. RAM is always changing and being improved to be faster and cheaper as well as smaller.

When your computer is turned on it goes through a boot process and the operating system files that are on your hard drive are loaded into the RAM located on the Motherboard. The RAM is much faster than the hard disk drive and as you access programs on the hard disk drive like Office and Internet Explorer they are loaded into the Random Access Memory “RAM” so your computer runs a lot faster than if all the active programs worked directly off of the hard disk drive.

It’s almost like when your brain stores all the information of your life experiences and when you recall a memory or think of something to complete a task at work, your pulling it from storage into your thoughts. This is the same as pulling up a program or file from the storage “the hard disk drive” and loading it into RAM “Random Access Memory” for quick access.

All information is believed to be correct but not guaranteed.

When a computer locks up while trying to get work done or just enjoying the fun that a computer can offer it’s very frustrating. From a technician standpoint it can be one of the hardest computer problems to troubleshoot diagnose and repair. I have been a computer technician since 1988, most of that time right here in San Diego, and a computer that locks up can be difficult to diagnose with 100% certainty. Most PC repairs can be completed on site and usually are as simple as replacing a power supply, replacing a failed card, adding memory or removing a virus and other strait forward fixes.

Computers that randomly lock can take some time to troubleshoot. I usually like to take these machines back to the shop for further analysis. Because there are usually no clear triggers that make the computer lock up, trial and error and actually using the machine and watching carefully when it locks up will be the clues that help a technician solve the problem. I’ll start off by making sure the power source is good and that there’s not large power consuming devices draining the A/C power that is shared with the computer. If there is a plug in space heater in the mix this could be the culprit. Also if there is a refrigerator, microwave and two laser printers all on the same line this is an issue.

Making sure the cooling fans inside the power supply and case are functioning properly is a must. You can view the power supply fan while the machine is on at the back of the case at the power supply fan vent. Shutting the computer down and opening up the case and then turning on the power to see if the CPU fan and any other fans are working properly is a good next step. If any fans are out replace them and if it’s the fan in the power supply that’s not spinning replace the whole power supply. Also making sure that there’s no dust and debris buildup on the internal components and air flow portals is very important. I’ll take the machine outside and blow out the dust with compressed air, always being careful not to over spin or backward spin the cooling fans with the compressed air.

Next it’s a good idea t make sure all the cards, chips and cables are secured tightly in place. Once all this is done start up the PC and see how it runs. Try and make it lock. If it doesn’t what you have done has solved it. If it still locks try and make the machine as plain vanilla as possible. Meaning remove all cards and parts that are not necessary. Shut the computer down and disconnect DVD-ROMS and CD-ROMS, unplug USB devices, remove cards that are not necessary and so on. Now start the computer up and try again. If it stops locking then one of the devices is the problem. If it continues to lock up there’s a different problem. Run a disk cleanup on the hard disk and do a defrag. Check for viruses and spyware. Run the latest operating system updates from Microsoft if using a Microsoft OS. See if this helps. If none of these help you have your hands full. Dig in, roll up your sleeves and put on you technicians cap because it’s going to be a long day.
All information is believed to be correct but not guaranteed.

This is a tutorial video that will show you how to increase the performance of Internet Explorer Version 7 by deleting your browsing history. Many times computer users don’t realize that files and history are stored on a computer’s hard drive every time you use the Internet. The more files and browsing history that are stored on your hard drive by IE7 the slower your performance will be while on the Internet. This tutorial will quickly show you in video format how to remove your browsing history.

IE7 Runnng Slow Video Tutorial

All information is believed to be correct but not guaranteed.

Web Services in San Diego California

At Green Coast Information Technology, Inc. in San Diego California we offer web services at reasonable rates. Our Web Services include web design, web site building, SEO – Search Engine Optimization, Blogs and Social Media. Please review our hourly rate sheet and give us a call or contact us if you have any questions.

Web Design, Web Site Building, SEO, Blogs and Social Media:        $ 125 per hour

Web Site Packages Include:

Basic Web Site $ 499.00 Setup
$39.00 month hosting

5 Pages (All Pages Search Engine Optimized)
Content provided by you
Contact Page
Website created in Joomla Software
10 GB Space
300 GB Transfer
100 Email Accounts
10 MySQL Databases

Business Builder Web Site $899.00 Setup
$59.00 month hosting

15 Pages (All Pages Search Engine Optimized)
Content provided by you
Contact Page
Website created in Joomla Software
Blog built into site
3 Posts created in Blog (All Posts Search Engine Optimized)
Content provided by you
RSS Feed setup and installed on all pages
150 GB Space
1,500 GB Transfer
500 Email Accounts
25 MySQL Databases

Business Leader Web Site $1499.00 Setup
$99.00 month hosting

30 Pages (All Pages Search Engine Optimized)
Content provided by you
Contact Page
Website created in Joomla Software
Blog built into site
10 Posts created in Blog (All Posts Search Engine Optimized)
Content provided by you
RSS Feed setup and installed on all pages
Social Media incorporated into site
** (you must create the external social media portals and have them accessible)
Community Builder
Email Marketing Portal
Unlimited Space and Transfer
1000 Email Accounts
Unlimited MySQL Databases

*Dedicated servers for hosting available on request.

Add Ons

Social Media Package $399.000 Setup

Create Twitter Account for your web site
Create FaceBook Page for your web site
Create LinkedIn Page for your web site

SEO

All web sites and blogs created by Green Coast Information Technology are Search Engine Optimized.

We have 3 packages designed to drive traffic t your web site:

SEO Basic $249.00 month

Post 1 article every 2 weeks (2 per month) about your business and place them on the web in 10 strategic locations. Content provided by you or we can create articles from generic content about your business in the subject you request.

SEO Premier $499.00 month

Post 1 article every week (4 per month) about your business and place them on the web in 10 strategic locations. Content provided by you or we can create articles from generic content about your business in the subject you request.

SEO Gold $999.00 month

Post 2 articles every week (8 per month) about your business and place them on the web in 10 strategic locations. Content provided by you or we can create articles from generic content about your business in the subject you request. 1 video per month featuring you or someone you want to represent you talking about your business. Video promoted on the web in essential locations.

San Diego Networking 

San Diego Network Services – 24/7 

At Green Coast Information Technology, Inc. in San Diego California we offer computer network installation, troubleshooting and repair services at reasonable rates and warranty our work. Our network technicians are experienced, professional and offer the best customer service in the business. Please review our hourly rate sheet and give us a call or contact us if you have any questions.

Network Installation, Troubleshooting and Repair: 

Networking Services Include:

Server installation
Server management
Workstation installation
Workstation not connecting to network
Cable installation
Connectivity issues
Internet connection
Installing printers on the network
All other network problems ……..

San Diego Printer Repair

On Site Printer Repair         $ 100 per hour (plus parts if needed)

We work on Laser Printers, Bubble Jet Printers, Inkjet Printers, DeskJet Printers, Dot Matrix Printers, Line Printers and most other kinds of printers. Call us with details of your printers make and model.

Printer repair consists of:

No power
Error codes on LED display
Paper Jams – Front Jams – Middle Jams – Rear Jams
Print quality issues
Noisy printers
Connectivity issues
All other printer problems ……..

We service all major brands of printers.

San Diego Computer Repair

Computer Repair

San Diego Computer Repair Services – 24/7

At Green Coast Information Technology, Inc. in San Diego California we offer computer repair services at reasonable rates and warranty our work. Our technicians are experienced, professional and offer the best customer service in the business. Please review our hourly rate sheet and give us a call or contact us if you have any questions.

On Site Computer Repair         $ 100 per hour (plus parts if needed)

Computer repair consists of:

Computer won’t turn on
Computer won’t boot all the way
Computer locks up
Computer shuts down while working
Error code on the display
Peripheral malfunctioning
Hardware failure
Software error
Software programs not running correctly
Slow or sluggish computer
Virus attack
All other computer hardware and software errors

** San Diego Laptop Repair

We work on all brands of  P.C. Computers including clones

Please contact us for service or call 619-977-5983.