Tag Archives: Computers

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Why Onsite Computer Support is a Convenient Service

Businesses are becoming more and more mobile these days, there are restaurants on wheels as well as boutique stores, so it’s no surprise that computer repair services are also going that route.  Below are a few points of how onsite computer repairs and support benefit the customer, whether it’s at their home or business, it is a very convenient service.

No Waiting/Same day service- When you take your computer to a repair shop, you have to wait in line until you receive service. Then you have to leave your computer and wait for them to repair it, and depending on the service it can take a couple days before you have your computer back. The benefit of onsite computer support is all that waiting time is eliminated and you and your computer problem becomes the priority of the technician.

All Services available– Any service you would receive at a computer repair store, you can receive onsite too. If you have a virus infected computer, the tech can remove it with a software. If you need to set-up your network, a tech will have all the tools to connect and hook up modems.  Even if you need to replace a hardware such as an LCD screen or a exhaust fan, a tech can replace those things just as long as they can find the inventory.

Saves your time- You don’t have to commute to find a repair store. You will also save time by receiving same day service, you won’t have to leave your computer on a shelf and wait for the computer technicians to get to it. When you schedule an appointment for onsite repairs, you will be serviced

No Extra Charge- Most computer techs don’t charge you extra to provide this service. The cost is the same as if you were going to a repair store. Which makes it a great benefit because there are no hidden fees for the convenience

Convenience-The above mentioned points describe how convenient onsite computer support is for the customer. The onsite repairs are done in the comfort of your home or business, which means less work for you.

At Heroes and Geeks computer repair services in Los Angeles, we provide onsite repairs for our customers. We provide onsite computer support in all major Los Angeles county cities such as Culver City, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and Pasadena.  We want to make computer repairs easy and convenient for customers.

Stay tech savvy, my friends


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Ways to Fix Your PC before you Call an Expert

The truth is computers always behave worse in the most demanded situations. Like, when you are in the middle of something important or playing your favorite game, and suddenly the system shuts down. Most of the time in situations like this, people get so frustrated that they go out to purchase a new computer system or are ready to pay for a computer repair because they’re desperate for a quick fix. With little bit knowledge it is simple to fix the common computer problems. Some of the general issues that could happen in a computer system often and can be resolved instantly and are mentioned in brief below.

  • Try to figure out the problem online, the internet is a great free how to base and you can find the answers for your computer problems easily. Google can be of extreme help and guidance especially when it comes to detailed issues and specific error codes.
  • The windows integrated attribute roll back feature will undo the latest changes done within the registry and other software and hardware setup of your computer without impacting your personal stuff, files and photos. For beginners, it is something new to learn and you will find easily system restore through the control panel.
  • If you cannot enter the windows normally, try to use your system in safe mode that actually keeps the background utilities and drivers to a minimum and could be used to uninstall devices and programs and run fixes.
  • If your PC crashes while you’re in the middle of something important and there is no specific software or hardware program that prompts it, it could be possible that the motherboard or processor was overheating. It would be advised to invest in another fan to keep computer components stay cool.
  • A vast range of problems could occur due to viruses, malwares and spywares driving to slow performance and random reboots. It is always good to keep your antivirus software’s up to date for better performance and efficiency and the best security to protect your computer data.
  • If you computers performance is very slow, this could be because you have lots of programs running in the background all at once. Simply fix this by- right click on the taskbar, open up the task manager and see what is using your computer’s CPU and RAM time and if any one of them does not make much sense, simply end that process for better performance.
  • If there is any unnecessary entry in the task manager, more chances are there that they have been introduced along with windows. Go through the start up folder on start menu to find out and remove anything you don’t need for a time being. For more control over the windows startup process, just do one thing that is type ‘msconfig’ in the start menu search box and enter and the respective dialog will allow you to make detailed changes to which tools and services can automatically be introduced at the same time as of the  operating system.

If you have other computer repair issues, you can simply call Heroes and Geeks computer repairs in Los Angeles. They will provide you with easy solutions to resolve any of your computer problems.

Stay tech savvy, my friends

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Tips to Speed up your Slow Computer

Slow computers are a pain to work with and with modern technology you don’t have to. There are many reasons why a computer slows down, if its due to old age than most likely it is time to replace your computer because technology changes fast and drastically and old computer parts don’t tend to be compatible with new computer parts. If the slowness is due to regular use, than you can easily fix it and get your computer running like new again.

Before trying out these tips to speed up your computer, it’s important to save all your opened files and close any programs you are running. This will protect you from losing any data. It also helps to have your windows operating system as well as anti virus protection updated .You can update OS once in a while by going to start button, then click on control panel and then click on system and security to update your computer.

Follow these few tips to transform your computer’s speed from the tortoise to the hare.

  • Download all the latest Windows updates, hotfixes and Service Packs-they help your computer to run better.
  •  Remove resource hogs: Uninstall unused programs: Start button->Control Panel->uninstall programs-look for programs you don’t recognize or no longer use and uninstall them.
  • Viruses/spyware/malware- If your computer is infected with these destructive software than you want to remove them as soon as you can, they incredibly slow down your computer. This will free up space on your hard drive and RAM and improve speed.
  • Don’t run unnecessary programs at start-up: this will speed up startup time.
  • Remove drivers you don’t use anymore in device manager.
  • Switch to a faster Operating system-such as Windows 7, Mac, and Linux
  • Free up your computer’s memory by deleting temporary files stored on your computer from sites you have visited. Go to my computer-> right click on c drive->click Properties then select disk cleanup.

Your computer is supposed to work for you and not slow you down. When you have a slow computer and the above tips don’t alleviate the slowness, and then take your computer to a computer repair shop such as Heroes and Geeks in Los Angeles to have a computer tech examine it.  If the above mentioned tips don’t help fix it, you might be in need of an upgrade to improve the performance and speed.
Stay tech savvy, my friends

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Computer Systems Repair, Cleaning and Maintenance

Computer cleaning and maintenance is a key preventative measure to avoid computer repairs. Preventive cleaning and maintenance assists in avoiding overheating, lock-ups, accidental crashes and data loss and will save money and effort in the long run. Accumulated dust and grime can easily spread germs from one user to the next. The lint, dirt, carpet fibers, dust and smoke particles settles on the computer components and can cause damage if not regularly cleaned.

To avoid hardware failure, its important to keep the fans dust  free. When the fan is clogged up it won’t run properly and the purpose of cooling the computer down will be lost and can cause overheating problems. It is always recommended to at least clean your computers insides twice a year. Though, the cleaning also depends on the environment and accumulation of grime and dust and accordingly the cleaning should be performed frequently. Although, cleaning the internal part of the computer is doable by the average computer user, its not recommended and should be done by a computer repair professional who knows the ins and outs of a computer.  Its a high possibility they can cause harm and accidentally shift the drives, cords, and rams causing a computer problem.

For conducting a complete system clean up, it is mandatory to remove all the external electrical cords and cables and clean the power supply. In fact, before cleaning process you can also wear an anti static wrist strip to decrease and transfer static electricity from your body to computer. For removing dirt, food particles, dust and hair from keyboards and the fan exhaust, it is safe to use a small vacuum cleaner or a air pressure duster. These cleaners create static electricity that could be dangerous for the internal components of the computer so make sure not to get too close with them as it can affect in loosening cable connections.

Cloths that are used to clean eye glasses and lenses could be used to clean monitors and screens and make sure not to use papers and paper towels or any old rag to clean any of the delicate surfaces. Don’t apply any cleaning solutions directly in touch with computer components. You can also use artistic brushes to clean those areas where it is difficult to reach certain places. For external surfaces and for computer case, you can use any of the household cleaner to clean and wipe it.

Overheating is one of the biggest issues in most of the computer systems so make sure to take out the battery before cleaning a laptop or for a standalone computer, remove all the plug-ins and chords. The major causes of such problems are dirt or dead exhaust fans or even the environment itself. Make use of a cotton swab as well as an air duster to clean and remove unwanted particles from the vent cavities.

In addition, users should be serious and cautious about the cleaning and maintenance of their computer at regular intervals for achieving a productive computer. Preventive maintenance not only helps to make it look clean and new but helps it stay cool, and efficient. For external computer surfaces, using antibacterial wipes will help kill germs.  Regular cleaning of your computer parts and cell phones too, which are the most touched items but most neglected when it comes to cleaning,  will prevent bacteria spreading and avoid illness. Keep these maintenance tips in mind to avoid a computer problem in the future.

Stay tech savvy, my friends

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What are Common Computer Problems that can be Repaired at an Affordable Price

Not all computer problems are created equal. Some are quick and easy fixes while others are grueling and technical. When you come across a computer problem, it can be a frustrating experience. This is because most of the time there are no warning signs that your computer is failing on you. Also computer problems seem to happen at a time when you are in the most need of your computer.

The most common computer problems that people face and can be fixed easily by the user are:

  • Computer doesn’t power on: This could simply be due to a poor power source. If you’ve experienced your computer suddenly shutting down or not turning on, you could have had a power fail, just find a different power source.
  • OS or software stops responding: This can be due to a virus infection, so simply restart your computer and run a virus scan.
  • Computers freeze in action: When this happens, you have to hold the power button down until the computer turns off, than wait a few seconds and turn it back on. This is a warning sign that means you could be running out of RAM space or there could be a possible virus, which than you should clean up your computer as soon as it turns back on.
  • Input-Output devices not operating: When you start typing but the words are not registering on the computer screen, this can happen if your computer is not connected to your keyboard. You can unplug and replug the keyboard cord into your computer and restart the computer.

Below are common computer problems that a tech can repair at an affordable price:

  • Computers speed is a snails pace: This is due to not cleaning up the clutter your computer collects with regular use. Your computer has a limited amount of memory space, when it’s at its full capacity it has to process more to get past the clutter and follow the demand. A computer tech will use a computer cleanup software to remove unnecessary files and programs to create space.
  •  Hard Drive failures- issues with hard drives are usually related to mechanical problems such as SBS(shaken baby syndrome), when you are too aggressive with your computer while shifting it around, you could have possibly loosened it from its connecting port. Also an electrical surge could have shocked it causing it to fail. If the hard drive needs to be replaced than this can cause this service to be costly.
  • Malware attacks: When you have malicious software on your computer, it needs to be removed right away before it damages your important data, a tech can easily remove these viruses with a virus removal software.
  • Network Connection issues: This problem is common and the cause varies. It can be due routers not being connected to the power source, or the information on the modem not matching up with information on the computer, or even the firewall blocking connection.

Some of the above computer problems can be easily fixed by the user, while other common issues you will need to seek the guidance of a computer geek. Heroes and Geeks computer repair services in Los Angeles offers affordable pricing for these common computer problems.

To get the computer repaired faster, it helps if you inform the tech what exactly you were doing before the computer failed on you. This can help the tech diagnose the problem and result in a better way of fixing it.  Computer problems don’t have to be a frustrating experience, they’re just machines that can easily be fixed. If you pay attention to the common problems that occur, you can save yourself some time and money, next time it happens again.

Stay tech savvy, my friends

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How to Find the Best Computer Technician in Los Angeles?

Before hiring any computer technician, it’s important to know the  good qualities they should have. If you are going to trust someone with your computer and the important data it contains, you should want to hire the best. When a technician comes to your home or business to repair the computer, they should obviously have the basics down such as good hygiene and preparedness as if they are going on a job interview. To find the best computer technician in Los Angeles and anywhere else for that matter, they must have the following qualities.

First and foremost, a good computer technician has to be professional:

They should act as if they are on a job interview, if they want to get hired for the next service that the client might need. If the tech is going to an onsite computer repair- such as a business or a home, they have to be on time and if they are running late even by one minute, they should give the customer a call to let them know. A professional tech will act and speak politely, and be respectful of the customers home and computer. A professional tech will come prepared and have all the tools and equipment to do the job.

The best computer techs don’t belittle you:

A good tech will want to teach you and explain to you how things work. They should not make you feel stupid. They are working on your computer and so they should let you know what the heck they are doing to it. A good tech will answer all your questions and explain things not using so much computer lingo but so the average person can understand the process.

A good computer tech has to care for your computer and its data as if it’s their own:

The tech should respect your data and ask you whether you have backed up your data or not and if you want to back it up before they try to repair it. Most lost data is usually retrievable even a failed hard drive so don’t let a tech tell you they will reformat your hard drive before retrieving your important documents, programs, etc..

A good tech will be fair and honest:

A professional tech will only resell legally licensed software. The tech should only sell you the hardware you need and not push sales on upgrades you don’t need. A tech should be upfront with pricing and follow through with the quote price unless the description of the damage was not what the actually damage was and then this would result in a different price. Also a good tech will be fair and admit when they can’t fix the problem as well as if they made a mistake, and should not charge you for the time spent.

Communication is important to a professional tech:

A computer tech relies on communication to properly diagnose and fix your computer. The tech you hire should ask you enough questions to get an idea of what the computer problem might be, this will help diagnose the problem and also give you the correct quote for the repair. A good tech will walk you through the repair phase and allow you to watch the process if you wish to know. The tech should communicate how long the repair service will take them, that way you know how long you will be without your trusted sidekick and portal to the world.

When shopping around for a computer technician it will be hard to know if they will carry these qualities or not, so best thing to do is ask lots of questions and pay attention to how the techs communicate their services. Also if the tech has a computer repair store, you can go “window shopping” to see their work performance and get a quote. If you don’t have time for that, you can go on a service review website and search in your local area, such as, “computer repairs Los Angeles”, for a technician with high review scores and read the reviews to get an idea of the service they provided to other reviewers. To ensure you hire a good technician, ask yourself what do I want in a technician.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.

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How to Remove Computer Viruses, Spywares and Malwares?

One of the main reasons that people run into computer hassles and troubles these days may be because of viruses and other dangerous spywares available on their system. Such malicious software’s not only causes people systems to run damn slowly and lose data but also allow hackers an easy access to their personal information. As many people believe in storing a back up of their data including bank information and passwords saved on their computers, it is extremely necessary to use antivirus software and engage more in virus prevention and removal activity.

When it is specifically about viruses and malicious spywares, the best prevention could be trespass. As developers and hackers of malwares have been becoming underhanded and dishonest day by day, it is easier for users to accidentally download or install such software on their computers. Umpteen advertisements are there looking like they are virus removal packages but in reality when actually downloaded they are the viruses. In order to maintain the authenticity and security of your system, it is mandate for people to use such programs that can detect, prevent as well as help to remove malwares before they can do any damage to your systems.

Installing and downloading an antivirus software suite is not as easy as it seems. If someone has an antivirus protection, it is still vulnerable and susceptible to both hackers and spyware. Make sure that your system has only one antivirus program installed otherwise the more number of such software’s would be present in the system, the more chances are that they will see each other’s definition databases for viruses, attack each other and slow down the system’s performance and efficacy. Though, most of the antivirus software suites will not allow other to be installed if it detects another program already available in the computer.

You might be able to remove malwares and viruses manually if you are computer savvy but until you are clear on how to remove registries and files, this is not advisable. The files linked with such spywares will never be removed completely if you don’t remove them manually. They will for sure make an appearance again. You can search online and find scanning programs that won’t cost you and once downloaded will perform a legitimate scan of your system providing details about the viruses and other files associated with the software. They can be extremely effective and fruitful especially in the removal of computer viruses, spywares and malwares and many of them are available at absolutely free of cost online.

It is highly recommended to not buy the programs that arise as pop up messages in your system. The more likely software would be a malware attempting to cheat you into buying your products. Many a times, it happens that you pay much for that product and end up with an issue on your system. In all, one of the best fights against hazardous and malicious programs you can use is free scanning programs that works well to remove all latest software patches harming your system along with preventing it from getting infected in the long run.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.

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Where to Repair HP, Dell, Acer, Sony & Toshiba Laptops in Los Angeles?

Laptops are useful tools in our lives, they are light and portable. We use them for work and school as well as entertainment. When shopping for a laptop it’s important to shop for something that has the specs that will benefit you for the purpose you will use the laptop for.

Laptopmag did a survey on which laptop brand is the best and worst for 2013, the laptop brands that they surveyed were the following: Acer, Apple, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba. They used seven categories to critic the general quality of the laptops. The categories were the  ease and navigation of the  touchpad/ keyboard, design and style of laptop, how innovative the laptops are, the ratings of tech support service, quality of the  display and audio, options of utilities and software and value and selection.

The results show Apple ranked number 1 for the past four years in a row and probably should not be in the competition due to the fact that it’s like comparing apples and oranges-pun intended. Lenovo laptops ranked second for the third year in a row and scored high in innovation and customer service. Asus jumped up in ranking from last year’s 5th place to this years 3rd place with top marks in innovation .HP landed in fourth place and Samsung in 5th place. The poor ranking laptop brands were Acer, Dell, Sony and Toshiba In last place. Toshiba scored very badly in innovative category and design category as well as having poor tech support service which made it the worst laptop brand for 2013. Use the findings of this survey as a guide of what qualities to look for in a laptop.

When shopping for a laptop, keep in mind what you will use it for and what features you prefer, that way you can find the right laptop for your purpose. Things to consider are:

  • How portable do you want  your laptop , do you want to take it everywhere you go, if so you should consider  laptops that transform into tablets.
  • If you plan on using your laptop for watching TV shows and streaming movies online, then a large display would be a feature you search for.
  • If you are a gamer, than you should look for a computer with a good quality video card.
  • Do you use photoshop on a regular basis, if so then you want your laptop to have lots of RAM.
  • If you like being wireless, a strong battery life is an important feature

All laptop brands no matter if they are the best or not will break down with regular use and human errors. Laptop repairs can be easy and painless if you shop around. There are many places to chose from to repair your laptops, you have national repair services such as Best Buy, who have techs that don’t know much just follow a manual and then you have small independent repair services that have years of experience like Heroes and Geeks Computer repair in Los Angeles. Both repair shops will get the job done, but the giant company will rob you for repairs and Heroes and Geeks charges fairly with quality service. The best way to avoid repairs is not buying the most expensive laptop but to take good care of it.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.

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How to Care for Your Computer and Tips to Keep Your Computers Running Well

When it comes to housecleaning, the last thing we consider to clean are our useful computers. We usually neglect cleaning our computers, even though we see and use them regularly, this could be due to the fact we don’t know how. At Heroes and Geeks computer repair in Los Angeles, when someone drops off their computer for repair, 9 out of 10 times the computer is in dirty conditions. We’ve seen it all, laptop screens with fingerprint marks, accumulated dust clinging to fans, food particles in between keyboard keys, and scratched and scuffed up computers. Computers are fragile and expensive equipment and we should take better care of them.

To get started on your computer cleaning, you can purchase a computer cleaning kit at any computer goods store or online. The tools you should look for are a pressurized duster, a computer brush, an lcd cleaning spray or wipes, and a microfiber cloth. The pressurized duster is good for blowing away dust from the fan and even your keyboards. The brush will be useful for sweeping away dust and crumbs from the keyboard. Wipe away fingerprint smudges from your monitors with an LCD cleaning spray or wipes. The microfiber cloth will be useful for regular dusting and wiping off your computers LCD and surfaces.

The following are tips to keep in mind to care for your computer and prevent unnecessary damages:

1. To prevent overheating your computer or laptop, use your devices in a well ventilated space. Make sure your computers exhaust fan is not being blocked by anything so the air can flow freely and keep your computers cool. Also, the fan and the insides of a computer can collect a bunch of dust after a period of time, so it’s best to get it cleaned and dusted by a computer repair professional– some offer onsite services. Once or twice yearly, internal cleaning will help keep the computer cool and dust free.

2. Avoid eating and drinking next to your computer. Food particles can get trapped underneath your keyboards keys and can block a key from functioning. A small paint brush can be used to sweep in between your keys to remove dust and food particles from your keyboard. Liquids and electronics don’t mix, if liquid comes into contact with your computer, you can damage the motherboard, short circuit the electrical wiring, and it can cause permanent damage to some computer parts. If you must have a drink next to your computer, put your beverage in a container that can be sealed and also place your beverage a few feet away from your computer. Prevention is key to avoid food and liquid damage to your computer.

3. Keep dust and dirt away by regularly wiping down all surfaces of your computer with a microfiber towel. Remove finger print marks from your LCD monitors by using a computer cleaning spray and a towel. Combat germs and bacteria from spreading by using disinfectant wipes on your keyboard, mouse and even your cell phones and also by washing your hands before touching your computer.

4. Don’t yank on the power cord when unplugging from the power supply that can damage the plug by bending the prongs. Pull from the plugs base and not the cord. Protect your power cord from stepping or rolling on it, have the cord behind the desk and away from walking space or chairs

5. Protect your computers from scratches and stains by being careful and being aware of your surroundings. Don’t leave sharp and heavy objects near or on your computers. Prevent stains by washing your hands before using your computer as well as avoiding eating near your computer.

Follow the above mentioned tips to keep your computers running well and looking brand new. Regular upkeep of your computer will prevent unnecessary computer repairs. Prevention is the best method of combating computer damage.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.

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How to Find Affordable Computer Repair Services in Los Angeles?

Computer repairs are thought to be an expensive service, but that is not the case. It all depends on the type of damage and how much the parts cost to replace, and which company you choose to deal with. There are cheap repair shops like mom and pop and then you have your pricey national stores like Best Buy. They both fix your computer problem, but the cost is very different, most of the time you’re paying for is labor cost. The truth is if you shop around and ask for a quote from different repair shops you will get varying costs, from costly to inexpensive. Fixing your PC by a skilled technician can be less expensive if you shop around.

There are a few ways to find affordable computer repair services. First, is by online research, and second, you can ask around and seek referrals.

If your budget is tight, the best thing to do is ask your friends, family, and coworkers if they know of a computer tech. Someone will know someone who knows someone that knows how to repair computers. This is a small world we live in and it is high possibility for you to have 6 degrees of separation to a computer tech. This in turn can result in a discount for the services you seek. You can also ask your peers if they know of cheap computer repairs, this way you can compare prices and ensure you are charged fairly.

When searching for computer repairs, first search in your locality, if you are searching in google, you would search, “computer repair in Los Angeles”. If you want the repair to be convenient, you should search for a service shop near your home or business. The next thing to consider is search for a computer repair that has many different services available. Since most of the time you won’t know what the computer problem is, you want a repair shop that is knowledgeable in many aspects of repairs from hardware to software problems, this way you can also bundle up different repairs which can then result in an affordable package deal.

When searching online, you can also view social networking sites for different computer repair shops and compare prices and reviews from previous customers. The smaller the computer company business is, usually the cost is more affordable. The big computer business such ad Best Buy and Staples usually have higher pricing, due to the fact they have higher labor costs and overhead. So if you want to save some money go with the small shops.

Some Computer Repair services offer monthly maintenance plans that can be necessary if you have a business to run and you are constantly using your PC. These monthly maintenance plans include remote and onsite computer repair, which is beneficial for busy businesses. The average home user usually won’t need a maintenance plan unless there are lots of PCs in the household. Monthly maintenance plans is more beneficial for businesses both small and large.

If you want to find an affordable computer repair in Los Angeles call around for pricing. Ask your friends and family for a referral, someone is bound to know a computer tech and this will save you some money and your computer problems will be less miserable.

Stay tech savvy, my friends.