January 11, 2011

Setting up a Business Network

Filed under: Data Doctors, E-mail, Internet, PC, Passwords, Tips, Wireless Internet — admin @ 3:32 pm

Setting up a small business network allows you to get more out of your systems and components, you’ll be able to access the internet on any computer, as well as share files on computers within the network.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have the correct equipment for your needs, If you want your business wired, Ethernet cables will be needed, if you choose to go wireless, a wireless router will be required. You are also able to use a combination of the two.

There are two ways you can set up your network:

PEER TO PEER

When using a peer-to-peer setup, each computer acts as both the client and server, and is able to communicate directly with the other computers on the network. You will only need a router, and have the computers on the same work or homegroup, and enable print and file sharing. Windows offers a Network Setup Wizard that you can access to walk you through your setup.

CLIENT-SERVER

A client-server setup allows several computers to connect to a single sever where public data can be stored. This is more typical in a larger office setting. For this set up a server is needed, a computer with a ‘server-friendly operating system’ can be used. (For little companies, Windows XP, Vista or 7 Professional will work just fine.) Making sure everything is hooked up properly is the main thing, as well as making sure all of your client computers have separate names.

Setting up a business network is all a matter of preference and layout, call your local IT Company with any questions or concerns!

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-set-up-a-small-business-computer-network/

April 26, 2010

LET’S GO! HOW TO SPEED UP YOUR COMPUTER

Filed under: Computer Performance, Data Doctors, PC — Tags: computer professional, computer virus, Microsoft Windows, optimization service, PC, PC Users, speed up your computer, Windows, Windows Desktop — admin @ 8:56 am

When you first logged on to your new PC, you felt like you were flying down the Autobahn in a tricked out German sportscar.

Today, your once-speedy vehicle seems to plod along like a Model T with a hand crank.

A slowed-down computer is nothing unusual. With time, PC users with Microsoft Windows watch their speed decrease. The system simply requires more time to respond to your commands to open files, surf the ‘net and perform other tasks.

There are a few steps you can take to boost your speed. It may not return to its original pace, but you may see significant improvement.

First, and most critically, make sure you have sufficient and proper hardware to support Windows.

Next, consider making time for some simple housekeeping. Is your Windows Desktop littered with files? How many of them do you really need or consistently use? Several dozen files on your Desktop use lots of operating memory, and that slows the computer down significantly–and needlessly.

Make sure you keep alert to those nasty viruses. They can create havoc beyond speed issues.

In addition, keep on the lookout for spyware and adware. They can be loaded into your computer (without your knowledge!) by companies that want to find out more about you. These programs are seldom created for malicious reasons, but they can slow down your computer. If you just purchased a new computer and it seems slower than it should, you could be right. When one buys a computer from a supplier like Dell or HP, the standard computers come with ‘bloat ware.’ Trial ware that companies pay to have on the computer in hopes the user will buy it. With each of the trial programs it may add to the number of processes at startup.

This remains true as you install and uninstall programs some pieces of the program may remain on your computer, even after it tells you it fully uninstalled.

Remember that it’s easy to get over your head as your deal with these issues. A computer professional can help you address the speed issue safely and effectively.  Data Doctors optimization service tunes up your computer, getting it back up and running. Due to Data Doctors not believing in the ‘quick fix,’ our optimization service includes scanning of all hardware and software. This ensures that we get to the root of the problem.

February 10, 2010

What files should I delete to speed up my computer?

Filed under: Computer Performance, Data Doctors, PC — Tags: beware third party cleanup programs, computer hard drive, Computer Performance, computer's hard drive, Data Doctors, data doctors mpls, data files, delete programs, deleting files, hard drive, improve computer performance, minnesota, not enough memory, shorewood, technology help, uninstall programs, wayzata — admin @ 11:44 am

There is a major misconception amongst non-technical computer users that deleting files from your computer will somehow improve the performance.

A computer that has 100 data files will run no faster than a computer that has 10,000 data files stored on it purely based on the number of files. The only impact that a large volume of files will have on a computer is that it will fill up your computer’s hard drive. Think of it like your refrigerator; it stores the ingredients that you use for cooking, but has little to do with how fast you can prepare a meal.

If your computer’s hard drive is getting close to full, then getting the ‘urge to purge’ makes sense but don’t expect any tangible performance gain.  If you are seeing a Windows error that indicates “not enough memory,” your hard drive may be so full that there is no more room to store the file you are creating. That will affect performance.

You can easily check space availability on your hard drive by opening up My Computer and right-clicking on the C: drive, then selecting Properties. A pie chart should come up with the blue section representing your data and the purple section representing your free space. If the purple section is a tiny sliver, then it’s time to start removing unneeded items; if not, don’t get too concerned about deleting old files.

The quickest way to free up large quantities of disk space is to uninstall unnecessary programs, which take up lots more space than documents and spreadsheets. Pictures, music and especially video files are the most common ‘data’ files that can take up significant space only if you have large quantities of them.

To remove unneeded programs, start by looking for an Uninstall option in the Programs section of each application from the Start menu. If you don’t find an option there, you can open the Control Panel, click on the Add/Remove programs icon and work from there.

A Word of Warning!

Removing items can be very dangerous. We constantly see customers in our stores that are suffering from ’self inflicted deletion wounds’ because they started mass deleting files and programs that they didn’t recognize. Honestly, if you do not know what it is, do not delete or uninstall it!

A more relevant cleanup process that can improve performance is built into the Windows operating system and should be performed at least every couple of months. The Disk Cleanup utility (Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools) will track down lots of extraneous files that build up as a natural course of using your computer and get rid of them all at once.

Beware of companies that may try to sell you a magical program that will clean up your computer for you. A Windows based ‘Registry’ system is extremely complicated, so these ‘cleanup programs’ must guess what needs to stay and what it thinks it can remove. If they guess wrong, you end up with a much bigger problem that can be very costly to fix. All too often, we see folks bringing in crashed systems that say ‘everything was working fine until I installed XXX cleanup program’ so be very mindful of any third party programs that claim to perform miracles for only $29.95!

To get more information or to have help cleaning up your computer, contact your local computer help center!

photo credit: HowardLake

November 25, 2009

Turkey Day

Filed under: Data Doctors — Tags: business, computers, Data Doctors, hours, wayzata — admin @ 10:28 am

Happy Turkey Day from Data Doctors in Wayzata.

Here is the update on our hours for this week:
Wednesday 25 – closing at 2pm
Thursday 26 – CLOSED
Friday 27 – 11am to 6pm
Saturday 8 – 10am to 5pm
Sunday – CLOSED

We hope everyone one has a fun and safe turkey weekend!

September 29, 2009

Welcome to the new Data Doctors Mpls Blog!

Filed under: Data Doctors — Tags: adware removal, computer checkup, computer repair, computers, slow computer, solutions, spyware, virus removal — admin @ 12:27 pm

Data Doctors in Wayzata provides comprehensive computer and networking services for your home and small business. We’re also the home of the Data Doctors Quality Care program.

Staffed with Certified computer technicians specially trained in customer service, you can expect expert care to help you with:

* Improving the performance of a SLOW COMPUTER.

* Virus, spyware and adware removal.

* Component repair or replacement for your desktop or laptop.

* Wireless networking advice and supplies.

* Data recovery.

* A NEW computer that is just right for your needs.

Come in for a FREE COMPUTER CHECKUP or call to arrange a HOUSE CALL to provide the solutions you need!

We are your prescription in Wayzata for computer and network health!