A few weeks ago, I discovered Mozy.

Mozy is an online remote backup service that gives you up to 2 GB of space on their servers for FREE where you can backup your files. Even better, it will keep the backups up-to-date automatically, similar to the way Mac OS X’s Time Machine works. I’m a huge fan of Time Machine, and wish that Windows had something as elegant. Mozy comes close. Instead of keeping a huge archive of backups like Time Machine, Mozy keeps a backup of only the latest versions of files. This will probably be good enough for most users’ needs.

If you need more than 2 GB of space for your backups, Mozy offers monthly and yearly payment plans for as low as US$4.95 a month. For businesses, there are Mozy Pro plans. I’ve been more than happy with the MozyHome free plan, so give that a try before deciding whether a monthly plan is for you.

How Does It Work?

To start backing up, you need to first install the Mozy software, which is available for both Mac and Windows. Once installed, the easy-to-use interface lets you choose which files you want to backup on the Mozy servers. There are some predefined backup sets that you can choose to let Mozy decide how to do it. For example, if you want your e-mail to be backed up, choose the Outlook or Apple Mail backup set. Other sets include Firefox Favorites, IE Favorites, Word Processing Documents, iCal, Keynote Presentations, and many others. Backup sets make it easy, as Mozy will figure out which files need to be backed up for you.  A Perfect Set it and Forget it Concept!

Mozy Unlimited Backup – $4.95/Month!

Mozy also lets you choose any files and directories on your computer easily by right clicking the file / folder and telling MOZY to add it to your backup set. Click on the screenshot to the left showing my backup configuration on my Mac, where my Ruby on Rails code resides. I checked the “rails” folder and a few of the subfolders underneath.

Once you tell Mozy which files and directories you want backed up, you can set a schedule for how often Mozy will send backups to its servers. Or you can let Mozy perform the backups whenever your computer is idle. Note that Mozy will only backup changes to your files and keep the revisions in case you want to roll back the version to a previously saved one. It won’t waste time by uploading files that haven’t changed since the last backup. Nice.

Mozy allows you to include more than one computer in your account. I’ve got my server, which runs Windows, and my laptop, which is a Mac. Mozy backs up the database backups from the server, and my website code from my laptop. Both the Mozy website and the Mozy client software keep track of how much data is being stored from each computer. The website will even tell you when each machine was last backed up, so you don’t need to log in to each computer to check the status of your backups. It’s a simple feature that’s makes the service even more convenient to use!

Click for a Larger View

Click for a Larger View

What Doesn’t Mozy Do?

Mozy is not a “file archive” service. It is a remote backup service. What’s the difference? A file archive service lets you upload files where they will be stored and never changed unless you change them yourself. A backup service like Mozy will keep backups of the latest versions of your files. If you delete a file from your computer that Mozy had been backing up, then Mozy assumes that you don’t need it anymore. From their FAQ: “If you delete the working copy on your machine and then run a backup, Mozy will assume that you no longer need a backup copy, since you got rid of the working copy, and will mark the file to be removed from our system in 30 days. (We keep it on file for 30 days, just in case you change your mind.) After 30 days, you cannot get these files back.”

So, you can’t upload all your vacation pictures to Mozy and then delete them from your hard drive. If that’s the kind of service you’re looking for, then Mozy isn’t going to help.

Also, you can’t share files with others. You can’t backup a file to Mozy and tell your friends to download it.

Let Mozy Do What You Should Have Been Doing All Along

Mozy is a backup system for your files. If your computer gets stolen, or your hard drive goes up in smoke, or a meteor crashes into your house, Mozy will be there to restore your files to the way they were a few days or hours before tragedy struck. That’s what Mozy does, and it does it automatically. Tell Mozy what to backup, and it will do it all by itself, without asking you to do anything. Set it and forget it.

In my opinion, Mozy does what computers should do for us. Why should I have to worry about such mundane tasks as keeping backups of my files, keeping track of which files have changed recently, and finding a safe place to store my backups? Our computers need to be more autonomous, making decisions for us. Even the most tech savvy computer users make bad decisions when using and maintaining their computers. It’s about time that software starts doing these things for us, and Mozy is one of those products that does that for me. MozyHome is free, so give it a try.

Mozy Unlimited Backup – $4.95/Month!

Mozy Unlimited Backup – $4.95/Month!

Monthly coupon code – FEBRUARY

The monthly code for 10% off annual and biennial MozyHome Unlimited and MozyPro signups is FEBRUARY. Just type the code into the promotional code box at signup to get the discount!

Confession: Yes, the links in this article are referral links! such as this one  >> Mozy Unlimited Backup – $4.95/Month! << I can make a few dimes and nickels by recommending a product I love to you. Nevertheless, my opinions are sincere. Managing data is a nerdy thrill for me, so Mozy is an exciting service because it’s an elegant solution to an important problem. Anything that manages data automatically for me is awesome! Mozy was recommended by Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Times and PC Magazine, so my glowing praise is hardly original.

We can do this for you for a flat price of $99!  We will pick up your old PC, set up the hardware and Drop it back off and set it up 2-3 Days later.

Save Money by Reusing Old Hardware – Compare $99 to the price of a new Networked Attached Storage (NAS) Device $300+

While you can always do this yourself manually by getting one of the free Linux distributions or free BSD operating systems and setting it up, it’s much faster and easier to simply use one of the NAS server operating system distributions listed on this page. The software quickly converts your abandoned or no-longer used computer, by removing the existing operating system, installing the new one, setting up the partitions, and installing various servers so that it can be used as a file server. All you need to do after installing it is to attach that computer to the network, then log into it using a web browser from another computer on the network to configure it. When you’re done, all the computers connected to the network will be able to access that server, save and retrieve files from it, etc.

It’s a quick and easy way to re-use/recycle old computers so that they can actually be useful again. Of course if you really need reliable and huge storage, you may want to replace the aging hard disk on that old computer with newer, larger capacity ones. But if you simply want some quick and easy way to pass files between members of your household, and aren’t too worried if the old computer finally dies while still containing data, then you can use your old computer hardware as-is.

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Our Phone Number - (267) 536-9259

How does a computer store your data?
A hard drive is the primary computer data storage device, which spins at extremely high speeds to read and write information to one or more fixed disk platters.

WARNING!
If your hard drive emits unusual noises (clicking, grinding or metal scraping), turn it off immediately! This symptom typically indicates a head crash that can destroy your data and reduce the options for a successful data recovery attempt.

Most of the time, data loss is only temporary

Call us now for a free consultation to evaluate your particular situation. We can help you decide what course of action to take and help relieve the panic and stress common in data loss situations. Data recovery is only a phone call away 267-536-9259.

Why Choose PhillyHelpDesk.com?

Our highly trained staff is able to perform data recovery from storage devices that have experienced everything from file corruption, viral damage, file deletion, user error, and even the early stages of mechanical damage.

PhillyHelpDesk.com is a Philadelphia-based, locally owned, client-focused company. We are a full service Laptop Repair facility that offers competitive rates for any brand of Laptop, Notebook, or Tablet: PC and Mac. We take pride in our ability to provide an accurate diagnosis, and then propose a plan of action that gives our clients the most economically feasible options available. Our Standard Service turnaround is faster than most of our competitors, and our Express Service may have you up and running in hours, not days. You’ll appreciate our honesty and reliability. We certify a no pressure – stress free, experience, and we’ll clearly communicate with you during the entire repair process.

Philadelphia Laptop & Notebook Computer Repair and Support.

Whether it is for general repairs, cleaning, or installing upgrades, we can help. We are a full laptop and notebook repair company in Philadelphia that offers competitive rates for any brand of laptop repair for home users, students and business of all sizes.

Before getting started with any repair work, we make sure that the laptop is thoroughly analyzed. This includes a complete system hardware check, to make sure that the problem is not being caused by any failing components. After running initial hardware tests, work will begin to replace parts or solve software problems.

We offer quality repair and support for all makes and models of laptops and notebooks. You can rely on our team of highly trained technicians.

Common Laptop Repair Services Performed

• Power Jack, Power Cord and Motherboard Repair and/or Replacement
• LCD Screen, Backlight, Inverter and Hinge Repair and/or Replacement
• Data Recovery, Data Transfer, Hard Drive Repair and/or Replacement
• Virus, Spyware, Trojan, Worm and Adware Identification and Removal
• Windows and Apple Operating System Repair and/or Reinstallation
• Laptop Keyboard and Touchpad Repair and/or Replacement
• Memory (RAM) Replacement and Computer Upgrades
• Repair Physical Damage from Drops and/or Liquid Spills

More information on specific laptop repair by brand.

• Apple Computer Repair
• Sony Laptop Repair
• Dell Laptop Repair
• Gateway Laptop Repair
• Laptop LCD Repair
• Compaq Laptop Repair
• IBM Laptop Repair
• Toshiba Laptop Repair
• Acer Laptop Repair
• NEC Laptop Repair
• Fujitsu Laptop Repair

If your Windows Operating System (OS) is mired in viral and mal-ware contamination, or if it seems as if your computer is running like it’s pulling a heavy lead weight, PhillyHelpDesk.com is your best resource for resolving any, and all, Windows’ problems.

PhillyHelpDesk.com specializes in fast and reliable repair of all Windows OS and Vista OS. We will troubleshoot your Windows OS, migrate your data, perform a thorough cleanup, as well as apply upgrades to all Windows OS and Vista OS, and install a state of the art Internet security program to keep you protected.

PhillyHelpDesk.com will have your PC Operating System running smoothly and efficiently as if it were new.

• We also provide Instant Messaging/E-Mail trouble-shooting
• Internet connection trouble-shooting
• PC-to-PC and PC-to Mac conversion assistance

Internet Security

PhillyHelpDesk.com has the tools to protect your computer and keep it protected.

Virus and Spyware programs can slow down your Computer and compromise data integrity. If your Computer is behaving poorly, there is a strong likelihood that Virus and Spyware programs are to blame. If your computer is not working as well as it should, we’ll identify and remedy the problem.

Norton, McAfee, AVG & One Care – Not highly recommended

Independent research from multiple established and reputable sources has shown that Symantec’s Norton, Network Associates McAfee, Grisoft’s AVG, and Microsoft’s One Care are some of the biggest hogs of computer resources. These programs have been shown to be the leading cause of slow system startup. These programs install multiple background services and agents, and often run constant performance reducing scans while you are trying to work.

Avast Internet Security – The industry leader

Leading independent research and our own professional experience has shown that one Internet security software solution stands out above the rest. Avastoffers numerous advantages over all other anti-virus and security programs. Avastis proven to score the highest in a number of critical areas. Detection rates of malicious files and code are the highest industry.

Windows Reinstall

PhillyHelpDesk.com will reinstall all Windows programs, regardless of version.

If your Windows Operating System (OS) is experiencing catastrophic problems, or if your computer is running as if it’s pulling a heavy, lead, weight, PhillyHelpDesk.com is your best resource for resolving any, and all, of your Windows’ issues.

PhillyHelpDesk.com specializes in fast and reliable reinstallation of all Windows OS and Vista OS. We will troubleshoot your Windows OS, migrate your data, as well as apply upgrades to all Windows OS and Vista OS.

PhillyHelpDesk.com will have your PC Operating System running smoothly and efficiently and we guarantee our Windows reinstallation.

• We also provide Instant Messaging/E-Mail troubleshooting
• Internet connection troubleshooting
• PC-to-PC and PC-to Mac conversion assistance

PhillyHelpDesk.com is a Philadelphia-based, locally owned, client-focused company. We are a full service Apple computer repair shop that offers competitive rates for any brand of Apple computer. We take pride in our ability to provide an accurate diagnosis, and then propose a plan of action that gives our clients the most economically feasible options available. Our Standard Service turnaround is faster than most of our competitors, and our Express Service may have you up and running in hours, not days. You’ll appreciate our honesty and reliability. We certify a no pressure – stress free, experience, and we’ll clearly communicate with you during the entire repair process

Hardware Support

• Out of warranty Apple repair & hardware upgrades
• Apple repair and hardware support for all generations of Apple laptop and desktop equipment including all MacBook Pro, PowerBooks, iBooks, iMacs, eMacs, G3′s, G4′s, and G5′s, any PowerMac, or Performa machines, iPods, iPhones and more
• Peripheral Trouble-Shooting – i.e. scanners, printers, cameras, iPod, iPhone

Software Support

• Mac OS 9 and OS X installation, troubleshooting, cleanup, re-installation
• Mac OS Transition/migration
• Mac OS upgrades
• Messaging/e-mail trouble-shooting
• Internet connection trouble-shooting
• Mac-to-Mac and PC-to Mac conversion assistance
• Software support, installation & trouble-shooting for all Apple applications

Networking Services

• Apple and Apple/Windows network setup and administration
• Network backup & data protection
• Wireless AirPort (and other wireless equipment) installation, setup and troubleshooting
• Printer networking and sharing

PhillyHelpDesk.com offers networking solutions

Training & Support

• Basic and advanced Mac operating systems
• Basic and advanced Apple applications
• E-mail and internet use
• Backing up and managing files

Onsite Apple Repair and Support

PhillyHelpDesk.com will come to you! We’ll go to your office or home to work on your Apple equipment, whether you have one computer or 100. We also work on mixed Mac/Windows networks.
Apple Data Recovery

We provide professional Data Recovery service for all Storage Media including Hard Drives, Servers, Tape Backup, Removable Media, USB/Firewire Drives and more.

Run Windows on your Mac, but not with BootCamp!

We can show you how to run Windows, and Linux side-by-side with Mac OS X on any Intel-powered Mac, without rebooting.

Run Windows programs like native Mac applications.

• Open Windows files with Mac programs and Mac files in Windows programs.
• Share files and folders between Windows and Mac OS X
• Browse through Windows folders and access files without launching
• Use any and all hardware designed for PC only
• Run PC games on a Mac with support for 3D graphics

Apple Training & Instruction

Basic to advanced instruction for all Mac Operating Systems, applications, Internet use, data back-up and file management. Learn how to run Windows or Linux on a Mac.

Networking is not the only difficulty a home user can face. An inoperable or poorly performing computer in a residential setting can be devastating. Our goal at PhillyHelpDesk.com is to get your computer running well so that you can get back to doing what you need to do, while striving to keep your data safe and secure. We can help save priceless photo memories from a family vacation or crucial documents for a home office.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

We provide onsite technical support services for business professionals, business owners, and small and medium-sized businesses. We can troubleshoot all office computing issues ranging from email functions to securing networks, from performing backups to resolving any hardware or software issue you may encounter. Help ensure your success by protecting your hardware investment with dependable service from PhillyHelpDesk.

Data & System Protection

Computers are like cars, they must be regularly cleaned and optimized to prevent major problems from occurring. Backing up data is critically important for a business. Let us work with you to implement a backup plan that will quickly restore sanity in the event of a crash.

Technology Purchasing

Be sure you are making the right decisions when planning a major tech purchase. The exact equipment needed to accomplish your business goals is not always clear, but we can shine some light on the situation. Just tell us what you want to accomplish and we’ll find you the right system(s). We have no brand loyalty, so if a company or system isn’t up to par, we’ll let you know before you find out the hard way.

Web Presence

Whatever your online goals may be, we can help you reach them. If you don’t have a site yet, we can get you one that fits your company’s specific goals and budget. Or if you have an existing website that you want to refine, refocus, overhaul, or upgrade, we can help with that too. Our staff members have a 10+ years of Internet experience; we’ve been there for the entire dot-com ride.

Staff Training

We’re happy to train employees, guarding against the financial expenditure of staff members struggling to accomplish computer tasks in a timely fashion. More importantly we stress safe computing habits, such as performing routine data backups and keeping systems in good working order through proper maintenance.

Privacy & Security

Keep your company computers free from ads and secure from prying eyes. Many programs you or staff members install can be bundled with software that spies on your computer use for marketing purposes, identity theft, or fraud. Learn safe computing practices like how to keep the sensitive information stored on your PC safe. Having the latest virus protection installed is of paramount importance. On average, one in seven e-mail messages contains malicious code. Websites can spread viruses simply by browsing them.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Call now and let us set up your computer – after one year the cost of your tune up will pay for itself!

You already pay your bills online and get electronic statements, but there are even more ways you can stop killing innocent trees and wasting time and money dealing with paper. It’s time we went paperless.

Reduce Unnecessary Postal Mail

Junk mail and catalogs are two of the biggest sources of annoying and unwanted paper. Instead of contacting every company who sends you a catalog or piece of mail and asking to be removed from their mailing list, there are services who help you opt out en masse.

Credit card offers and direct marketing mail
At Optoutprescreen.com, you can request to be permanently or temporarily removed from credit and insurance offer mailing lists. At DMAchoice you can register to opt out of direct marketing mail you don’t want as well. The Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Alert also includes information on how to stop receiving unsolicited mail and telemarketer calls.

Catalogs
For a cheap $20 per year, the Mailstopper service (formerly known as GreenDimes) will help you get off catalog mailing lists and they’ll also plant five trees in your name. I haven’t used Mailstopper personally, but several of my friends have. In fact, Googler Matt Cutts blogged about how he reduces junk mail using Mailstopper and other services like CatalogChoice.

“Print” and Scan to PDF

Instead of printing documents onto paper and filing them away, “print” them to PDF files. Mac users already have a “Save as PDF” option built into every Print dialog by default. Windows users need a little extra software.

Use use the free CutePDF Writer, which adds a PDF “printer” to your options. Choose it and you’ll save the document to PDF (instead of printing it on paper). You will then have a file instead of a sheet of paper that you can file away in your Documents folder.

Most desktop search software, like Google Desktop or Mac OS X’s Spotlight can search inside the contents of PDF files, so you don’t need any extra software to find PDF’s you’ve saved.

If you’ve already got an important bit of paperwork in your hand but you want to digitize it, you need a good document scanner. I’m still loving my Fujitsu ScanSnap, a portable document scanner that I bust out for contracts, legal agreements, and other already-in-paper-form documents.

A Word on Backing Up Your Data
Of course, once you start digitizing important paperwork, you’ve got to have a good backup system in case your hard drive fails or computer crashes. While fires, flood, and coffee spills can just as easily happen to paper, computer disasters are always possible. Be sure you’ve got automatic local and remote backup for your data just in case.

Digitize Your Signature and Email Instead of Fax

The biggest source of paper in my work life is contracts and client agreements that need to be signed and returned. While people generally say “sign this and fax it back to us,” you can do it without getting paper involved. First, create a digital version of your signature with a transparent background. Then, get the documents via email, and email (or eFax) them back with your signature added to them. (While there are lots of different kinds of electronic and digital signatures, this type will work for common consumer scenarios. It won’t work if you need something notarized or to appear with an original signature.)

Bypass Paper Entirely and Capture Information Electronically

Many of us walk around with mini-computers/digital cameras in our pockets thanks to smartphones, and we can use them to bypass paper entirely. Instead of jotting your grocery shopping list on a scrap of paper, use Gmail Tasks, Remember the Mlik or your list manager of choice on your phone. Transcribe whiteboards to PDF or even fax documents using previously-mentioned Qipit. Also, popular note-taking application Evernote makes it dead easy to capture ideas, lists, and notes without killing a single tree.

What Little Paper You HAVE to Keep

Getting rid of ALL the paper in your home or office still isn’t possible in a world where receipts, birth certificates, house deeds, marriage certificates, and other important information still needs to be in-hand. To keep your financial paperwork volume down to a minimum, check out Get Rich Slowly’s guide to what money records you need to keep and for how long. Then, keep your filing cabinet’s contents lean, mean, and organized.

Call now and let us Tune Up your computer – after one year you our the cost of your tune up will pay for itself!

These tips can be done anytime, and even as often as every couple months if you like, but you should do them all at the bare minimum of once per year! So here are some essential tune-up tricks to speed up your PC. Best of all they are all free!

This tune up guide will walk you through the following steps to get your PC running speedy again. Most of these steps take only a few minutes to complete and make a big difference in your computers performance. I have used everyone of these and they all work great.

1. Registry Cleaner
2. Updated Virus Software
3. Spyware Checker
4. Disk Defragmenter (Defrag)

Your computer works hard for you all year, and just like a car it needs periodic maintenance. These four tips will help your computer keep running smooth and behaving like it should. The whole process can be done in under an hour, and most of it can be done while you are multi-tasking and even using under other applications or surfing the web. I do not count the HD defragment process here because that should be done when the computer is not in use as it takes hours.

Ok so without further ado, lets get started:

1. Slow Startups? – Clean that registry!

Your Windows PC loads a bunch of tiny programs everytime you start up the machine. Some of these programs are actual applications and some are little programs used by the system. Every time you install a new program or update your OS you create a new Registry entry. The System Registry is a todo list for your computer. If your PC is a year or older, chances are you have installed (and uninstalled) lots of software, sometimes (like when visiting a website requiring a plug-in or a spyware application) without even realizing it!

The Registry list can get cluttered and filled with bogus, removed and out-of-date entries that the computer has to check every time it starts up. I ran this cleaner on one PC and found over 1500 registry items that were no longer there. For everyone of these items the system has to look and see if the item is where it is supposed to be, then if it isn’t it skips to the next one. A single item doesn’t take very long but they can add up quick!

Problems with the Windows Registry are a common cause of Windows crashes and error messages. Registry problems can occur for many reasons, including references left behind after uninstallation; incorrect removal of software; missing or corrupt hardware drivers; or orphaned start-up programs. This will significantly increase the Registry size and slow down your computer, because Windows will need more time to load, search, and read data from the Registry.

First you’ll want to scan your registry and it wil show you how many broken entries are there.

This may take a while depending on how old your computer is and how many entries you have.

2. Is your PC sick? – update your virus software!

Most people who buy a new PC get a trial version of virus software such as McAffe or Norton. These are great products but they do require a registration fee and subscription. So maybe you let it lapse and decided not to pay for it. Well good news again! There is free / no-subscription software out there that will handle this for you.  It updates almost everyday and keeps you up to date with the latest virus definitions. They also offer some other great products such as anti-spam and anti-spyware. Run a scan, it will clean up any viruses that have penetrated your system.

3. I Spy Evil Software! Spyware Checker

Remember that silly free cartoon screensaver you just had to have, or that great “free” music sharing program you installed. Well guess what, there is a good chance that you have installed software that has some nasty secret software in it called spyware! Spyware can send back your private information to people you probably do not want to have it. you may have noticed a bunch of new pop-ups, or your home page has suddenly changed, or maybe you have so many toolbars now you barely have room to view webpages? Time to run a spyware checker.  Once downloaded then let it update and run, it will make sure no nasty spyware has wormed its way onto yoru computer.

4. Last but not least – the dreaded defrag

This is a super important system tool that has been around for many versions of Windows. As files get copied and moved around your computer they sometimes get broken up into smaller pieces. This can make certain programs or files run horribly slow! You should do a little prep work before you defrag your drive. And because a defrag of a large drive (even 60 gigs) can take several hours! So heres what you should do.

1. Empty your web browser cache folder.
2. Remove old programs you don’t use anymore (especially old games which take up a lot of room).
3. Empty your recycle bin.
4. Delete any other old files to make as much free space as possible and so you dont end up wasting time defragging some old dancing baby video you don’t even want.
5. Change your energy saving / screensaver settings not to sleep or shoutdown for at least 4 hours. (Right click desktop > properties > screensaver tab)

Ok now I recommend you wait until you are done using your computer for the day, like right before you leave the office or go to bed, before you start your defrag. the defrag tool will use alot of the computers resources so its hard to do other things when its running.  Click Analyze to see of the computer recommends defragging, if so, continue and it should be done when you get back. Just make sure your done for the day, because its much better to leave it run without pausing, as you may be moving a critical file.

Sound like a lot of work?  We offer everything in the article above for a flat rate of $49.99 and can perform all of these task from the convenience of your home.  Sure you can do all this yourself – But WHY?

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The average desktop PC uses about 100 watts of power while it’s running. Computers still take a long time to start up, so I understand why some people leave their PCs on rather than shut them down after every use. But when you start to add up the costs, leaving your computer on actually adds up to quite a bit of money over the course of year. With the improvements in Sleep mode in Windows Vista SP1 and the excellent power management built-in to Mac OS X, you can save money, power and have a PC that starts up quickly. Continue reading to find out how.

Windows Vista SP1 and Mac OS X have similar and very effective sleep modes. Both operating systems put the computer sleep in about 10 seconds, powering down to a state where they only use a few watts of power. Unlike when they perform a full reboot, both Macs and PCs power out of sleep mode to a full, usable desktop in about five seconds.

There are several reasons you should use power management on your computers. First, if we assume a modern desktop PC uses about 100 watts of power, we can calculate the yearly cost of leaving a desktop computer on all the time. According to the US Government’s Energy Information Administration, the average cost of electricity was 10.31 cents per kilowatthour in December 2007. If we divide 100 watts by 1,000, we find that a desktop computer uses .10 kWh. Multiplying .10 kWh times 24 tells us that a computer uses 2.4 kWh per day it’s left on. Here’s the cost breakdown per week, month and year, based on the average price noted above.

Cost of leaving a desktop computer running

Let’s assume you use your home computer 4 hours per day and you put it in sleep mode regularly, you’d save more than $75 in electricity costs per year. However, money isn’t the only reason to put your computers into sleep mode. Global Warming is a worldwide problem, and we’re all acting in our own best interest by cutting power use wherever we can. If the climate change argument doesn’t sway you, try going into your home office, closing the door and shutting your computer down. Hear that? That’s the wonderful sound of silence. You don’t generally notice the white noise a computer creates when it’s running, but the silence is noticeable, especially when you need to concentrate. Finally, if you live in a hot climate (like I do) and your office is on the sun side of the house (like mine is) the summer heat reduction alone is enough to justify powering down your computers.

I should mention that there are alternatives to using a desktop computer. Laptops typically use about 20% of the power of an equivalent desktop. Shutting your computers down completely is also an option, especially if you only tend to use them once per day. Call now and let us set up your computer – after one year you our the cost of your tune up will pay for itself!

We can resolve hardware failures, lost data, wireless network setups, media center installations and on-site tutoring and consultation.

24/7 Nationwide Onsite Computer Service

• Lost Your Data?
• Your Network Down?
• Computer Won’t Boot up?
• Nasty Virus Activity?

Your Personal Technology Consultant

Each call we do not only provides you a qualified onsite technician but also includes our award winning helpdesk team managing the process and ensuring your satisfaction. We are not just a technician dispatch service, we are a customer service Help Desk unlike any other in the computer service industry.

Our Philadelphia based Service Management team provides you with plain language no charge consultation helping you to understand the costs and the risks associated with every task and gives you the accountability you need to ensure you are satisfied before, during, and after the service visit.

Our goal is to leave you in better shape than before the issue arose. So, we will not only advise on the best way to resolve your issues, we will also help you to know how to prevent them from happening again.

You can either call us at (267) 536-9259, or contact us via our online form, and you will receive phone call within minutes during most times of the day.

If you have a computer or network issue you’re frustrated with, call us at (267) 536-9259, we can help!

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Pickup & Delivery – N/A

On-Site – $199.99

• Visit your location to design a lifestyle solution with you
• Review your current devices.
• Recommend integration options, upgrades and purchases.
• Apply the cost of the consultation to a discount on resulting service and product purchases.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Pickup & Delivery – $49.99

On-Site – $99.99

• Install an internal or external PC component, such as a graphics card, hard drive, optical drive, MP3 player, printer or scanner.
• Install any included software that is necessary for functionality on one computer.
• Configure the PC component for applicable use.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Pickup & Delivery – $49.99

On-Site – $99.99

• Determine computer compatibility for, install/repair and configure 1 software title .
• Perform necessary software updates.
• Create desktop, start menu and quick launch bar access shortcuts.

* Software NOT included

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Remote Assistance -  $99.99

Pickup & Delivery – $149.99

On-Site – $199.99

• Transfer your data to your new computer or other media.
• Install and configure online data backup.
• Connect hard drive to computer, install and configure software to create a backup schedule that fits your needs.
• Create initial backup.
• Transfer data from your computer to a storage device or medium, such as network-attached storage, an internal or external hard drive or another computer.
• Creation of a Windows System Restore Point.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Pickup & Delivery – N/A

On-Site – $99.99

• Setup and configuration of your new printer – covers both local and network printers.
• Resolution of your printer issue to get it printing properly again.
• Answer any questions you have about printer features and functions.
• Help with wireless printers setup.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Pickup & Delivery – $69.99

On-Site – $129.99

• Connect one existing and active email account to a computer or mobile phone.
• Reduce spam and protect against spyware and phishing emails.
• Troubleshoot an existing email account.
• Includes repair, configure and update the e-mail client.

* Must have all necessary passwords available and a working internet connection.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Pickup & Delivery – $74.99

On-Site – $149.99

• Physically set up one PC or Mac computer system, including the computer plus monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers.
• Organize wires and cables with your cable ties (ties not included).
• Install one new software application (software not included).
• Install one peripheral or external device (device not included).
• Configure your new computer to access your existing Internet account and one existing e-mail account.
• Test your computer to make sure it is functioning properly
• Back up or transfer your computer data (up to 10 GB) to another medium (e.g., CD or DVD, internal or external hard drive, network-attached storage or another computer) and Import the data into an installed program or location.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Pickup & Delivery – $99.99

On-Site – $199.99

• Perform system updates and improve PC speed and performance, including startup and shutdown optimization, Windows updating, menu navigation improvement, quick launch and taskbar cleanup and program shortcut creation.
• Enable basic security functions, including antiphishing and pop-up blocking activation in Internet Explorer.
• Remove unwanted programs and trialware Create desired user accounts (if applicable).
• Test and verify PC hardware and software functionality.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Pickup & Delivery – N/A

On-Site – $99.99

• Set up, configure and secure your router; safeguarding your personal information and securing your broadband signal from use from others.
• Configure internet, including ISP (internet service provider)
• Install and configure networking adapter on 2 computers/devices – (PC, Laptop, Gaming Console, Network Blu-Ray/DVD Player, Network-Enabled TV, etc.).
• Secure network from neighbors and outsiders.
• Enable devices to share the internet,files, printers and other media (i.e. photos, videos, music, etc.).
• VoIP (voice over IP) set up and optimization.
• Repair network and internet connectivity if necessary.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Pickup & Delivery – $99.99

On-Site – $199.99

• Comprehensive data backup with archiving to external hard drive.
• Reinstallation of Operating System and latest device drivers.
• Installation of the latest service packs and all critical updates.
• Installation of all client supplied software titles.
• Complete hardware diagnostic check.
• Advanced hard drive and memory error testing.
• Thorough cleaning of entire computer system inside and out.
• Internal dust removal especially from CPU and Exhaust fans.
• Restoration of data back to computer system from extenal hard drive.
• Restoration of Email accounts including address book.
• Optimization of Internet settings with browsers favorites restored.
• Up to 1 hour of setup and instruction included.
• Reconnection to printers, scanners etc. with latest software & drivers.
• 30 day unconditional guarantee (excludes hardware failure).
• Set up, configure and secure your router; safeguarding your personal information and securing your broadband signal from use by others.
• Configure internet, including ISP (internet service provider).
• Secure network.
• Enable devices to share the internet,files, printers and other media (i.e. photos, videos, music, etc.).

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Pickup & Delivery – $99.99

On-Site – $149.99

• Install antivirus and antispyware software with current definitions and application updates.
• Perform system updates and improve PC speed and performance, including startup and shutdown optimization, Windows updating, menu navigation improvement, quick launch and taskbar cleanup and program shortcut creation.
• Enable basic security functions, including antiphishing and pop-up blocking activation in Internet Explorer.
• Remove unwanted programs and trialware.
• Create desired user accounts (if applicable).
• Test and verify PC hardware and software functionality

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Pickup & Delivery – $99.99

On-Site – $199.99

• Install antivirus and antispyware software with current definitions and application updates.
• Remove all viruses, spyware, malware and rootkits on the computer .
• Repair any operating system issues (boot issues, blue screens, etc.) using industry standard tools.
• Apply system tweaks and modifications.
• Perform operating system critical updates.
• Test operating system for proper functionality.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

How can you help me troubleshoot computer problems without coming to my home, or me bringing my computer to you?

Easy. We can do everything over the Internet and phone using our secure, remote log-in technology. We are able to access your computer directly, with your permission of course, and fix the problem right before your eyes. It’s fast and secure, and you don’t need to do anything. We take care of solving the problem for you.

Is your remote computer repair service secure and confidential?

Absolutely. We use a 256-bit encrypted connection between your computer and our computer. No one else can see or interfere with our repair service. This means your computer is fixed in the privacy of your own home or office. No need to unhook cables and transport your computer elsewhere, or let strangers into your home.

How long will does service take?

It really depends on the service you select and the condition of your computer. Our goal is to solve your computer issues as quickly as possible. We understand your time is valuable and that computer problems eat into your busy day or can even disrupt your way of life. For your convenience, you can schedule an appointment directly from our website.

What’s this going to cost me?

Our prices are flat rates so your costs are based solely on the Service Plan you select. You will always know your total costs before we begin.

What makes you different from other computer repair companies?

Everything. Our goal is to provide the highest level of customer service to you. That means fixing a majority of the problems in the first contact. Most places require up to a 2 weeks return time, while others charge an arm and leg to come to your home and fix your problem. We know that when your computer is down, you want a solution fast—and that is what we deliver. By using remote technology, we fix your computer while you stay in the comfort of your home or office. You don’t have to do anything, except contact us to schedule an appointment. We will take it from there.

Are your remote Computer Repair Technicians browsing the contents of my computer, looking for confidential information??

No. Every one of our remote Computer Repair Technicians are trained to respect your privacy and security. You can even watch your monitor and see everything they do on your screen.

Can you see my login credentials?

No. Even though we can remotely see your desktop, all we see is a series of dots when you type into the login window. This information is encrypted and is never transmitted to us. Once the session is over, it cannot be used again by us or by anyone else.

After you repair my computer, can you or someone else log back on without my knowledge?

No. Our remote tool automatically removes all access rights once you close the service session. That means we cannot access your computer without starting a new session and receiving your permission again.

Are the files you have transferred to my computer free of popups, spyware, and viruses?

Yes. All repair tools used by our support technicians are industry leading technologies free of malware. These tools are transferred to your machine for troubleshooting purposes. Our technicians will remove these tools after your service has been completed, unless otherwise stated.

We can resolve hardware failures, lost data, wireless network setups, media center installations and provide on-site tutoring and consultation when we return with your machine.

24/7 Nationwide Onsite Computer Service

• Lost Your Data?
• Your Network Down?
• Computer Won’t Boot up?
• Nasty Virus Activity?

Your Personal Technology Consultant

Each call we do not only provides you a qualified onsite technician but also includes our award winning helpdesk team managing the process and ensuring your satisfaction. We are not just a technician dispatch service, we are a customer service Help Desk unlike any other in the computer service industry.

Our Philadelphia based Service Management team provides you with plain language no charge consultation helping you to understand the costs and the risks associated with every task and gives you the accountability you need to ensure you are satisfied before, during, and after the service visit.

Our goal is to leave you in better shape than before the issue arose. So, we will not only advise on the best way to resolve your issues, we will also help you to know how to prevent them from happening again.

You can either call us at (267) 536-9259, or contact us via our online form, and you will receive phone call within minutes during most times of the day.

If you have a computer or network issue you’re frustrated with, call us at (267) 536-9259, we can help!

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

GoToAssist Express Remote Support Made Easy™

Citrix® GoToAssist® Express™ enhances productivity by enabling individuals and small businesses to provide instant, Web-based technical support to their customers. Immediately solve your customers’ technical problems by viewing and controlling their computers remotely, saving precious time and cutting travel-related expenses.

GoToAssist Express delivers affordable remote-support functionality with easy-to-use features, strong security and a fast ROI. Plus, it downloads on demand so you can provide support to anyone, anywhere, without having to pre-install the software.

Key benefits:

• Increase customer satisfaction by providing immediate support.
• Reduce time and money spent on traveling to and from customer offices.
• Provide service even when your customers are away from their computers.
• Support both PC and Mac users from one computer.
• Easy setup and fast connection speeds get you in and out of sessions quickly.
• IT consultants: Use GoToAssist Express to support more clients online.
• Software companies: Provide more efficient and cost-effective customer service.
• IT managers: Perform remote administration and streamline internal support tasks.
• Accounting technology professionals: Implement software and support clients all year.
• Computer gurus: Quickly provide tech support to friends and family members.

Security

GoToAssist Express users can rest assured that their data is secure. Screen sharing and remote control of customer computers is 100 percent permission-based, and data is fully encrypted end-to-end using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and government-approved 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption.

…for more information you can take a look at the GoToAssist Website Here.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com

Remote Assistance (click here for details) is Available Nationwide – whether you’re sitting in your home on in a hotel room on the road.

On Site (click here for details) and Pickup/Delivery Service (click here for details) Areas Include: Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia, Northwest Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill Roxborough, Cedarbrook/Stenton, East Mount Airy, Flourtown, Wyndmoor, North Philadelphia, Parkland and Mount Airy (click here to see a map)

Stop clicking on random links in emails and on webpages. Have an end in mind and be conscious when you’re websurfing. Everyone has a head cold from time to time, but when you’re getting the flu 4 times a year, there may be a better way to keep yourself healthy.

Use a good anti-spyware program like MalwareBytes. Use a good Antivirus like Avast, ESET, or AVG and KEEP THEM UPDATED! Keep Windows updated with its regular security updates. That’s about it.

Don’t depend on the software to perform magic. Make sure you abide by rule #1 : Be conscious of what you click on while surfing.

Do you offer on-site service?

Yes. We offer onsite service. Most upgrades, repairs, maintenance, and some troubleshooting can be performed on-site.

Everybody uses Microsoft Office.

While Microsoft Office is pretty much the de facto standard for office productivity, there are people who choose not to use it. I am one of those people.

Back when Microsoft Office 97 was the latest version of the package, I was a firm believer in using Microsoft Office. However, Microsoft began to change the behavior of the product in ways I did not like. I eventually found myself using StarOffice.

Below are some alternative office products and links to where you can find them:

* OpenOffice

* StarOffice

* Corel Office

… and many more …

StarOffice is available free for educational organizations and as part of the Google Pack. OpenOffice is open source, which translates to free.

Internet Explorer is the only program that can browse the web.

Internet Explorer is synonomous with the Internet.

Microsoft may like it if you believe this, but the fact remains that this statement is just plain wrong.

Internet Explorer is just one of many web browsers, albeit the most common one. A web browser is a program that allows you to view websites. Here are some other web browsers:

* Mozilla Firefox

* Opera

* Safari

* Netscape Navigator (discontinued as of 1 March 2008)

If my computer is more than four or so years old, I need a new one.

While many computer manufacturers would like you to believe that this is true, it is not always the case. It might be that your computer simply needs a fresh start. That is, it needs to have all files on it backed up, everything erased from it, and everything put back on again. Perhaps it needs a few nuts and bolts tightened.

The process is much like renovating an old building. You don’t just simply knock a building down because it is 10 or 20 years old. You move everyone out, and make the building better.

You will find my rates for such a renovation very reasonable. Just look under Our Services and Flat Rate Services above.

How do I know that I need a new system?

Most users will purchase a new system when their current system is too old to upgrade or they don’t want to spend more money on their current computer. The best reason to purchase a new system is because your current system is inadequate for your needs because it won’t run the software you need it to run.

What type of computer do I need?

This depends on what you will be using the computer for most. Some users will purchase a computer strictly to play games on, others will edit videos, and some will just want to surf the web. Depending on your needs, we can build a new system for you at a reasonable cost.

Is it cheaper to upgrade my existing system or buy a new one?

It is usually almost always cheaper to upgrade and existing system instead of purchasing a new one. However, sometimes it may not be cost effective to upgrade because the computer you are upgrading is too old.

What types of systems do you offer?

We will work with you to build a system that fits your needs and budget.

Will you teach me how to build my own computer?

Yes. We can teach you how to build your own computer, step-by-step, at your house or business.

What types of data recovery services do you offer?

Some of the date recovery services we offer are the following:

* Unable to boot

* Virus attacks

* Inaccessible drives or partitions

* Unable to run or load data

* Data corrupted

* Hard drive failure

* Hard drive crashes

What if you can not recover my data?

If we cannot recover your data there is no charge to you.

What are the chances that you will be able to recover my data?

Depending on the severity of the problem, chances of recovering the data vary.

Will I be able to transfer files from one computer to another in my network?

Yes. By using the built-in functions of Windows or Mac OS, you will be able to share files between computers connected to your network.

Can I share my printer with more than one computer?

Yes. This can be accomplished many different ways. You can share the printer from within windows, purchase a network compatible printer, or purchase a router with a print server. We can set this up for you.

Is a wireless network safe?

Yes, but the network and the computers that are on the network have to be configured correctly for it to be safe. On the wireless station, WEP (Wireless Encryption Protocol) can be used to encrypt the signal that is being sent and received. On the network computers, passwords and permissions should be setup.

Can you troubleshoot an existing small network?

Yes. We can troubleshoot most home and small business networks even if we did not originally install it.

How do I know if I need an upgrade?

* Do you find yourself fidgeting while your processor, or one of your peripherals, goes on and on doing something?

* Is your computer too under-powered to run the applications you want to run?

* Is your hard drive too small to store all your “stuff”?

* Do you need to send and receive faxes from your computer and you can’t?

* Do you want sound you don’t have?

* Do you want something for your computer you don’t have.

* If you can answer “no” to ALL these questions then maybe you don’t need to Upgrade your computer.

What types of hardware upgrades do you perform?

We offer all types of hardware upgrades from simple video card installations to changing out the motherboard and CPU to setting up your mp3 player.

Is it cheaper to repair my computer or buy a new computer?

This really depends on how old your computer is and also what is wrong with your computer. Sometimes it isn’t worth spending the money to fix your old computer or is actually cheaper to purchase a new one.

http://www.phillyhelpdesk.com