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Comcast network recently blocked outbound email on port 25 due to unsolicited spamming and is causing Outgoing email from Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird and other Pop3 programs to stop sending messages.

PROBLEM: Can’t Send Outgoing Messages From Comcast Network

FIX: The fix is to change your Outgoing (SMTP) Server settings from Port 25 to Port 587

If you cannot SEND MAIL

1. Open OUTLOOK
2. Select TOOLS
3. Select ACCOUNT SETTINGS
4. Highlight the account in question and select CHANGE
5. Select MORE SETTINGS
6. Select ADVANCED
7. Change from PORT 25 to PORT 587
8. Save everything and restart Outlook

Other email programs will have similar settings. Look for PROPERTIES or PREFERENCES and find the outgoing mail server option.

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Steve’s PC Repair is very familiar in all phases of system maintenance on all types of computer systems. If your in the Portland area please feel free to call (503) 380-2027 if you should need any help with the maintenance of your computer.

Here you will find some simple ways to help maintain the security and performance of your system. Please remember to do a full backup on your system and to create restore points for your computer before you start.

You may wish to bookmark or print this page before you start.

Go to the Windows Update Site and install any critical updates your system may need. Doing this helps makes sure your computer is protected from the latest threats to the Windows O/S.

If you do not already have a anti-virus program you can download Microsoft Security Essentials (Free) Here.

No spyware scanner catches 100% of all spyware so running more then one scanner increases the chances of catching spyware on your system. You do not have to run both all the time but you should check for updates and do a full scan with each scanner at least once a month.

Ad-aware Download Ad-Aware Free Edition here and Super AntiSpyware Download Super AntiSpyware.

Note: I have stopped telling users to use spybot search and destroy because of issues I have seen where it leaves some systems unbootable after cleaning some viruses.

Use a Browser Immunization program to help protect you while your surfing the net. Programs such as Spywareblaster keep a list of thousands of known malware websites and won’t let your browser download spyware/malware from them.

Over time the Windows Registry get full of junk from old data your system no longer needs. In addition to the registry other parts of your system also fill up with data that your system no longer needs or uses. A good cleaning program removes all this junk and helps Windows run fast again. One very popular program to remove all this junk is CCleaner. You can run this program about once a month to keep your system running along.

Over time all Windows based systems suffer from drive fragmentation. This is where your data gets scattered all over your hard drive and Windows takes more and more time to find it each time you ask for it. By defragging your drive at least 1 time a month you will help get your system speeding along.

Many problems start when programs are installed wrong or simply do not work, causing the system to become unstable. By using system restore before you install a new program you give yourself a easy way to return your system to the way it was if something goes wrong.

By taking the above steps your system should be more secure and run a bit faster and more smoothly.

For a Free Computer Repair Quote Call (503) 380-2027

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I visit anywhere from 3 to 4 customers everyday to help them with their computer problems. And time after time I see first hand a number of mistakes people make in keeping their personal or business data secure.

1. No backups.
What would you do if all your data was just gone one day?

2. Same passwords for every account and website.
One simple guess or somebody looking over you as you type a password could mean all your online accounts could be exposed.

3. No encryption of sensitive data.
If your computer got stolen or left behind somebody with a Windows boot disk could see everything on your computer.

If you have any of these issues then you should take steps today to safeguard all your data. if you do not know how to fix the listed problems yourself then you should hire a computer tech to help you.

It will be worth the time and money spent. As you will always pay more if you loose your data or a hacker gets a copy of your information.

Tags: Computer Repair, bsckups, passwords

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After my first installation of Windows 8 I was a bit disappointed by the lack of a start button.  After performing some research I found a couple of options.  Of them Classic Shell seems like the best application.  Classic Shell offers the same functionality of the classic Windows start menu button, it’s open source and completely free.  A full list of features is available on the Classic Shell web site.

Installation

Download Classic Shell to a location you can easily find the file.  Install the program by double clicking on the downloaded file and following the instructions on screen.  There is no malware or hidden toolbars in this application so you can choose the default options.

Once you have completed the installation log off of your computer.  When you log on next time you will see the desktop instead of the tile start menu.  The classic start menu will appear on your taskbar’s left side where the start button traditionally would be, and offer a variety of options to further customize your experience.

I recommend clicking on the bottom option to enable all settings and then navigating to the Windows 8 Settings tab.  In there I ticked the option called “Disable active corners” to All so that the screen would not activate the sidebar menu if I navigated the mouse to a corner.  This seems to make the desktop less quirky since we may hit the edges while working with applications.

Further customization

Under the “Start Menu Style” tab there are several options to change the look of your start menu.  I prefer the default, but it’s nice to have these options available if you wanted to revert to a Windows 7 or Windows XP style start menu.

There’s also an option under the tab called “Skin” where it’s possible to change the look of the menu.  Smoked glass is my favorite look.  I unchecked the box called “Reduce Glass Color” as it makes the menu integrate its color-scheme with the Windows theme.

We hope this information helps you get started with Windows 8.  At Steve’s PC Repair we are prepared to tackle all the issues that come with running Windows 8, so if you run in to trouble us contact us anytime.

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Before I explain why you should be using Dropbox, allow me to elaborate exactly what Dropbox is. Dropbox is a free service that allows you to sync your files like your photos, videos, and docs anywhere. The service works on multiple platforms including PC, Mac, and mobile devices too. This means that any file you save will by automatically synced to all of your devices. To get started using the service, simply go to http://dropbox.com and signup. Download the service and install. Once that’s complete, easily click and drag your files into the Dropbox folder. Now, your files can be accessed on any of your devices, anytime, anywhere! OK, so now that you know what Dropbox is and where to get it, let me explain why you should be using it too.

5 Reasons Why You Should Use Dropbox

1. Access your data from any and all of your devices. The service is so easy to use, if you have a family of iDevices just download the service on each device and easily access your data. Dropbox also works on Android and other operating systems too.
2. Use Dropbox for school or work. Have a file you can’t afford to lose? With the Dropbox service, you can easily save and manage your files anytime and anywhere.
3. Backup your computer with Dropbox. Easily keep an entire backup of all of your important data in the cloud with Dropbox. Safely and securely backup your data using the Dropbox service and never lose data again. Sync your data to the cloud using the Dropbox service.
4. Share a file with a friend or colleague. The Dropbox service allows you to share files or entire folders with other users. Share photos with family and friends or collaborate ideas, files, and folders with work colleagues too. Using the Dropbox service is easy and fun.
5. Lastly, use Dropbox for travel. Trust your most important data on the Dropbox service. Simply upload anything you’ll need to access anytime and anywhere in the world. The Dropbox service uses modern encryption and is completely secure with your data. For more information on the security of Dropbox, visit this link: How Secure Is Dropbox?  Now that you know enough about Dropbox, try it out for yourself. Visit their website, download and install the Dropbox service.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this article, thanks for reading our blog!

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I recently upgraded my tablet to Windows 8. I had initially experimented with the preview release and was impressed by some of the new features, such as speed, security and power savings. The upgrade cost was only $40.00 (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/buy) which made the switch quite worthwhile. I was also able to download Windows 8 and install it from Microsoft’s web site, so it was a very convenient process. No discs and no need to wait for a shipment.

Faster and more efficient

Windows 8 offers a host of improvements and some significant quirks. In terms of boot up and shut down speed, Windows 8 wins, especially on UEFI compliant (newer) hardware. My boot-up time went from about 15-20 seconds to 8-10 seconds. Your mile may vary as this tablet is using a solid state drive, but nonetheless a substantial improvement was realized. Shut downs are practically instant most of the time unless a lot of programs are running.

Applications also seem snappier, especially when rendering of graphics or fonts are involved. This is because Microsoft overhauled their font rendering engine and toned down the resource-heavy Aero interface found in Windows Vista and Windows 7. In addition to that, Microsoft also put a lot of emphasis on efficiency because Windows 8 will be run on tablets.

Battery life should also improve on laptops, as a lot of the improvements take away from some of the heavy lifting processors and video cards have to perform when running Windows 8 vs. Windows 7. This allows for greater energy savings, faster resume from sleep mode and more.

Security is serious business

Windows 8 introduces significant improvements in how memory is isolated to improve protection against malware. It also adds in a more secure boot process that protects against some of the most malicious software out there. This means a lot of the current malware in circulation will not be effective in attacking Windows 8.

Microsoft has also made improvements in the security of Internet Explorer in version 10, which should be less exposed to conventional attacks. In case you do see a malware attack, it’s comforting to know that right out of the box it comes with anti-virus software through Windows Defender (which is actually a re-packaged version of Microsoft Security Essentials).

There are some drawbacks

For many people the new default interface is not ideal. The menu and lack of a start button on the desktop can be confusing and less than intuitive. These problems have generated a lot of bad press for Windows 8 as it seems like Microsoft entirely reinvented the wheel in their user interface. The account system can also be confusing.

Fortunately a number of developers have introduced alternatives to restore the start button in Windows 8, some of which include disabling the entire tile interface and adding back the start menu. This customization allows users to have an experience similar to previous versions of Windows while realizing the benefits of Windows 8. Users can also opt for a local account instead of a Microsoft account if they do not want to use the cloud-based services.

Final thoughts

Windows 8 is a solid upgrade and offers a lot of worthwhile enhancements over Windows 7, but it needs some work to be easily usable. Microsoft should allow users to easily return the interface to the desktop as the default login destination and return the start button to the task bar. Assuming that users want to completely re-learn how to interact with their computer, rather than letting them customize the experience when they first setup the computer is the biggest problem with Windows 8.

If you need assistance repairing, upgrading to Windows 8 or setting up your new Windows 8 computer contact Steve’s PC Repair. We can help make the experience a smoother transition with fewer headaches.

For a Free Computer Repair Quote Call (503) 380-2027

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Help!

I have the FBI virus on my computer.

How did I get FBI virus?

This FBI ransomware virus gets into the system through various security holes and vulnerabilities found when user visits infected websites or downloads infected files. If you don’t give attention into your computers security, these vulnerabilities appear with time. Also this might happen if you don’t update your software in time.

Why FBI ransomware is a big problem?

This virus is a big issue to user, because it completely blocks ability to use computer. It leaves user under a locked screen where he can only see the fake FBI virus alert. This alert says, that if you will pay $100 fine through MoneyPak, your computer will get unlocked in 24-72 hours. However, it is a scam, and probably your computer won’t be unlocked even if you pay the fine.

A new Internet virus is holding computers across the United States and beyond hostage.

The ransomware, called Reveton, installs itself onto the computer without the user’s knowledge. Then, the computer freezes. A bogus message from the FBI pops up on the screen saying the user violated federal law. To unlock their computer, the user must pay a fine.

The FBI will never insist that you need to pay a fine to the FBI to unlock it. That’s not a law enforcement tactic. So don’t provide any money, don’t provide any personal information if your computer is locked up by this type of malware.

Contact a computer professional to remove the malware from your computer and make sure that it’s fully removed and there are no lingering effects.

If you’re a victim of this virus, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, at www.ic3.gov. The IC3 is a partnership between the FBI and the National White-Collar Crime Center.

Steve’s PC Repair is very familiar with this virus threat and we can remove it from your computer and help you protect your computer from future virus threats.

For a Free Computer Repair Quote Call (503) 380-2027

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I often hear the question from my customers, “My Computer is getting old.  What do you recommend I do if I can’t afford to buy a new one?”  Here’s what’s happening and what you can do.

The major issues that deteriorate the performance of older computers are:

1) Insufficient Memory (RAM):

Machines that are in the 3-5 year range of life have low amounts of RAM by today’s standards.  This is because as time goes by, all those Windows updates you’ve been getting have actually made Windows bigger, thus needing more RAM.

You may also have installed new software (programs) over time.  Newer software has more features, and so is often larger than older programs, thus needing more RAM.

2) The Hard Drive:

This is the storage device inside your computer.  It is a mechanical device and like any mechanical device, the more usage you place on it, the more it wears down.  It can become increasingly inaccurate as it reads and writes data, thus causing file corruption, data loss and a slowing down of its operation.  What can you do?

Defragment Your Hard Drive! This will make your hard drive last much longer and help your machine run faster.  Why?…. Over time, the data on your hard disk gets fragmented and spread out all over the disk.  This means the drive has to look all over the place to get your files and has to work much harder, stressing and slowing it down.

All versions of Windows have a built-in defragmenting utility, but in my professional opinion, 3rd party “Defraggers” do a better job.  I like the free “Defraggler” program, made by Piriform Software.

What if this doesn’t help? Then it may be a good time to replace the hard drive.  This gives you multiple benefits.  The most important preserving your data.  If you wait until it fails, you will lose your data, such as your pictures, documents, emails, address books and videos.

The second benefit is performance.  With a new hard disk, you have the chance to reinstall or upgrade your Windows to a newer version.  A fresh installation of Windows gives you a huge increase in performance.  Your PC will “run like new”.  Also, the newer hard drives are faster than older ones, giving you a further boost in speed.

3) Old Software and File Buildup (junk files):

A lot of the software that came with your PC is outdated and is taking up space.  You may also have lots of programs running in the background that you’re not even aware of.  Some of these programs came bundled with programs that you downloaded, but piggybacked themselves into the download and installed themselves without your knowledge.  The biggest culprits here are Toolbars (Bing, Google, Yahoo, Ask, etc.).  You should uninstall these unneeded programs, but be careful, if you’re not sure, don’t touch it.  Give us a call for a Free Computer Repair Quote Call (503) 380-2027

Finally, there are many files that get created automatically in the background by the programs you’re running.  These are only temporarily needed, but are left behind even after they’re no longer needed.  Clearing these out with a good cleanup utility, like “C-Cleaner” can help regain performance.  This free utility is also from Piriform Software, the same people that make “Defraggler”.

For a Free Computer Repair Quote Call (503) 380-2027

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