Blog Posts

Sync your PC and phone calendar

11/10/2018

It's nice to add a calendar event on your computer, then access it and even edit it on your phone and visa versa.

In my line of work, I like to add my week's jobs on my computer's calendar, because I like the big monitor and using a keyboard. The good news is, I don't need to print out my schedule, because it will sync perfectly to my phone's Outlook calendar. If I want I can also create jobs on my phone's Outlook calendar and then it will sync to my computer's Windows 10 calendar too, so my family can see where I am. If you need help with any of this, call Computer Champ on 0430 984 522. Here are the steps:

Go to outlook.com and create a free account. Make sure you select the right time zone, when prompted.
On your computer, open your Windows 10 calendar app, go to settings, manage accounts and add the new account that you created in step 1.
On your phone (Windows \ Android \ iPhone), download the Outlook app, then add the new account that you created in step 1.

That's it. Now in the phone's Outlook app, you just click the calendar icon (bottom right) to see the calendar. If you want, you can have lots of calendars with the one account (Eg personal, work etc). Also, you can share your calendars with other people too. This is done on outlook.com.

Note: I use Windows 10's calendar instead of Microsoft Office's Outlook calendar, because there's a known bug in Outlook's calendar: when you create a calendar event in Outlook, you are unable to edit the event on your phone.

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Speed up your slow computer

31/8/2018

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Speed up your computer with Adelaide computer repairs, located in Christies Beach

This is how to have a fast computer. If you need help with these steps, call Computer Champ on 0430 984 522.

Firstly when buying a new computer, I suggest an Intel i5 8th generation CPU, or an i7 if you use AutoCAD software, video rendering software, or like to have heaps of programs open and you have lots of cash to buy it. For most people though, an i5 is the perfect balance between processing performance and price.
Check your hard drive for errors. This is very common in laptops! You can try repairing it, or better yet, just replace it.
Install a SSD (Solid State Drive). What a difference this makes! It makes everything open, read and write significantly faster!
Make sure your hard drive is not full. If it is, move some of it off onto an external hard drive, or replace it with a bigger one.
Increase RAM (Those little green Random Access Memory modules) These days for Windows 10, you need at least 8GB of memory, so that you can have several programs open at once, without your computer freezing up.
Change the UEFI/BIOS so that it only boots in UEFI mode. This requires you to also reinstall Windows 10. This makes the computer start up much faster. Older motherboards may not have this function. So in that case, get a new computer.
Reduce hidden start up items.
Back up your data, then do a clean re-install of Windows 10.
Create a new user profile, copy your old profile across to it, then delete the old profile.
Uninstall heavy and problematic anti-virus programs, such as Trend and AVG. Replace them with something lighter, such as Kaspersky or Avast, or Use Windows Defender and Malwarebytes.
Make sure your disks are being optimized (defragmented weekly)
Make sure the CPU is not being maxed out by some rogue program.
Run Ccleaner to delete temporary files from the file system and web browsers.
Scan for viruses and Malware.
Uninstall programs that you don't need.
Tweek your computer's performance settings.

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Get a fast computer delivered for $1,100

13/8/2018

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Get a fast new computer from the best computer repairs in Adelaide, located in Mile End

Computer Champ can build you a faster and more affordable computer than those you'll find in the stores. Delivery is free. You can customise what specs you want or we can suggest something for your computer needs. Desktops/towers generally outlast laptops, have higher specs and are cheaper & quicker to repair or upgrade.

Thermaltake / Gigabyte Tower $1,100 (as pictured above) GET IT NOW!

The strengths of this computer are definitely the processor and solid state drive, making this fast, cutting edge and long lasting. It also has plenty of storage and memory.

Processor: Intel Core i5-8500 (3.0GHz) 8th Generation, CPU
Motherboard: Gigabyte B360M-HD3
RAM: Team Elite 16GB DDR4 240
Storage: WD Blue 240GB SSD & WD Blue 2TB HDD
Graphics: Integrated Intel HD Graphics 1GB – support for up to 3 monitors
Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64 bit
Connectivity: 4 x USB 3.1 / 1 x USB 3.0 / 4 x USB 2.0 / D-SUB / DVI / HDMI
Dimensions: 205 (W) x 380 (D) x 390mm (H)

Price is for the tower only. 1 year warranty. Can supply and deliver a monitor, keyboard & mouse too. If you need data transferred from your old PC, email setup, printer installed etc, it's only $90 per hour with a 2 hour cap. This particular computer is not aimed for gamers, but those who want a fast, quality made computer. If you also want to play the latest high end games, then we can simply add a nice video card to it. Call Computer Champ now on 0430 984 522.

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Recommended Antivirus programs

19/9/2017

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Avast Free is my favourite antivirus. It does a great job to protect your computer from viruses and doesn't slow the computer down much. However when I install it, I deselect all the optional features. The only components I install are the File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield and the Mail Shield. I then go into the settings and turn off the sound notifications and reduce the pop up notifications to 1 second. It runs in the background to protect your computer.
Malwarebytes is my next favourite, which can happily co-exist with Avast (or Windows Defender). As soon as I install it, I go into the settings and turn off the premium trial, which turns it into a permanent free version. Malwarebytes targets adware and spyware mainly. I always scan a customer's computer with this after I've serviced their computer. You need to scan it manually, since the free version doesn't run in the background.
Kaspersky is my favourite paid antivirus. It is an excellent antimalware & antivirus program. It also doesn't slow down the computer as much as other antivirus programs. The only downside is it can sometimes be a bit of a pain to renew every year.
Windows Defender (on Windows 10). If you're a seasoned Web surfer, don't download much free stuff, don't go to advertisement littered sites, keep your wits about you and are careful, then Windows Defender is all you need. It comes with Windows 10. No annoying pop ups, no recurring bills and doesn't slow your computer down.

I've found that McAfee is just average at detecting viruses. Trend slows the computer down too much and Norton, although much improved is just not as good as Kaspersky. I used to like AVG (which has since been bought by Avast), but it sometimes slows the computer down and/or email retrieval, so now I avoid it.

Remember to back up your data, then unplug your external hard drive. Yeah, I know, she'll be right mate... aha.

For help with setting up your antivirus or removing viruses, adware etc. call Computer Champ on 0430 984 522.

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Turn off updates in Windows 10

4/8/2017

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Windows 10 updates - laptop repairs in Christies Beach

If you have Windows 10 and you have a limited Internet connection, you can turn off most of the Windows updates quite easily. Only the critical updates will be downloaded. You just need to set your connection as metered:

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet (left hand side) > click on your Wi-Fi or Ethernet name (top right).
Turn on the "Set as metered connection".

Extra notes:

Some programs or apps may give you notifications that you have a limited Internet connection and my behave a little differently.
Definitely do this when you're connected to a mobile hot spot / tethered connection.
Only from the 4th version of Windows 10 (Creators Update - Version 1703) can you set an Ethernet connection as metered.
If you connect to another Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection you need to set that as metered too.
Windows Apps wont update, but desktop programs like Chrome will continue to update.
Disables peer-to-peer uploading of updates.
Tiles may not update.
Alternatively if you just want to control when the updates occur so that your computer doesn't restart whilst you're working, then just change the active hours: Got to Settings > Update & security > Change active hours (on the right hand side)

For help with your computer, call Darrin at Computer Champ, on 0430 984 522.

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How to back up your files in Windows

4/7/2017

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Backup data, recover data, transfer data with computer repairs in Mile End

The big rule is always have 2 copies of anything you can't afford to lose! If you need someone to set it up for you, call Computer Champ on 0430 984 522. Otherwise, read on...

Just keep in mind that external hard drives can fail too, not just the ones inside your computer. So keep a copy on your computer as well as in your backup external hard drive.

Method 1 - Use the software that comes with your external hard drive.

Pros - after the initial backup, it only backs up new or modified files. This saves storage space and is quicker. Can be set to backup at a time that you choose.
Cons - There is often only one free component that you can use. The rest of the software prompts your to purchase it. Can get infected by viruses if you don't disconnect.

Method 2 - If you have Windows 10, use File History

Pros - Once set up, it backs up every hour, by default and only backs up new or modified files. It also keeps different versions of your files that you've saved. This is similar to Apple's Time Machine.
Cons - If you ever need to restore your files from File History, it adds a date-time stamp to the end of all your files, which looks a little ugly. Can get infected by viruses if you don't disconnect.

Method 3 - Use Backup and Restore (Windows 7) - (In Windows 7 and Windows 10)

Pros - Iv'e never seen a virus get into this backup yet. Can schedule a time for it to back up.
Cons - It copies everything, every time it backs up. So you have to periodically remove the earlier backups to stop your external hard drive from getting full. Can't easily go through your files and search them without using the software, since it saves everything into a single file.

Method 4 - use a batch file (Computer Champ's favourite easy method)

Pros - No purchasing prompts, no date-time stamps, easy to go through your files and search them and only copies new or modified files.
Cons - Just need to double click on the desktop shortcut to run backup when you need to. Can get infected by viruses if you don't disconnect. Needs to be set up by someone who can write batch files. If the external hard drive's letter changes, the backup wont work.

Method 5 - use the cloud (online backup)

Pros - it does it automatically and your files can't be stolen or damaged and are often encrypted for security. Examples - OneDrive, DropBox, Norton Online Backup, iCloud for Windows, etc.
Cons - Slow to backup and restore. If you have a lot of files, then you'll need to pay a monthly fee.

Extra Notes

Plug your external hard drive into a USB 3.0 port (It's blue inside) for faster transfer speed.
Each time your backup has finished, you must disconnect your external hard drive, to ensure no viruses ever copy themselves to it.
Yes you could drag and drop, or copy and paste, but that's tedious!
If you're a Mac user, then Time Machine is the way to go.
If you're a iPad or iPhone user, then turn on iCloud, or backup to your computer using iTunes.
If you have an android tablet or phone, copy and paste to your computer or use Kies.
I think methods 1, 2 or 3 are the best for most people, although I prefer using method 4 (batch file) and my son uses method 5 (drop box). Pick one, try it. Give it a go, mate. If your computer breaks, at least you'll be able to get your files and pictures back. Better safe then sorry. Be smart.

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Sync your PC and phone calendar

Speed up your slow computer

Get a fast computer delivered for $1,100

Recommended Antivirus programs

Turn off updates in Windows 10

How to back up your files in Windows

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