This morning I noticed my iPhone was downloading the Apple iOS6.1 update. Remember to update you need to connect using wireless or iTunes. I use wireless (WiFi).
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 if you require help with your computer.
No problem too small.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Reminder: Activate Windows Media Center Pack with your product key
Today I received an email with the subject “Reminder: Activate Windows Media Center Pack with your product key” reminding me to activate Windows Media Center Pack. I thought this was weird as I’d already activated the Windows Media Center Pack. I decided to check to see whether or not this was a scam email.
From what I see this isn’t a spam or scam email. Just an unusual reminder from Microsoft for something I’d already done months ago. Equally as weird is if I follow the instructions provided they wouldn't work as described. I don't get to the "add features" form. A bit disconcerting however over the years I've found quite a few instructions from Microsoft don't work as expected and what I see on my screen doesn't match the instructions. It could however mean the difference is that I've already activated Windows Media Center Pack.
If you receive unusual emails from any source it is best not to trust them and to check the email out thoroughly. In my case I checked all the links and the domain they went to, which included who the domains were registered to. The activation key’s last characters corresponded to the key I’d already used and would be almost impossible for a scammer to know unless they’d already infected my computer, so the information was legitimate and unlikely to be from a source other than Microsoft. Even then there was no need to click on any link in the email. It does take effort to review a suspect email, but the time taken can save you a lot of angst.
Take care on the internet.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
From what I see this isn’t a spam or scam email. Just an unusual reminder from Microsoft for something I’d already done months ago. Equally as weird is if I follow the instructions provided they wouldn't work as described. I don't get to the "add features" form. A bit disconcerting however over the years I've found quite a few instructions from Microsoft don't work as expected and what I see on my screen doesn't match the instructions. It could however mean the difference is that I've already activated Windows Media Center Pack.
If you receive unusual emails from any source it is best not to trust them and to check the email out thoroughly. In my case I checked all the links and the domain they went to, which included who the domains were registered to. The activation key’s last characters corresponded to the key I’d already used and would be almost impossible for a scammer to know unless they’d already infected my computer, so the information was legitimate and unlikely to be from a source other than Microsoft. Even then there was no need to click on any link in the email. It does take effort to review a suspect email, but the time taken can save you a lot of angst.
Take care on the internet.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro Australian release date not yet specified.
The release date for the Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro in the United States and Canada has been set to be February 9th. It was a surprise the UK wasn’t included in the release. Only time will tell when Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 Pro will reach Australian shores.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
MyAnswers: How to test the memory on your video card.
The following MyAnswers solution 2306 is now available:
A client had a trojan on their computer which they removed and shortly after the Windows 7 desktop started display weird rubbish on the screen. My feeling was it was nothing to do with the trojan but possibly a faulty video card. Here is how I tested the video card and fixed the computer.
Click here to obtain the solution.
Click here for related solutions.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.MyAnswers.biz
(An Online Connections service.)
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Harvey Norman selling Nexus 4 from 1st of February
Google’s flagship mobile phone the Nexus 4 has been out of stock on the Google Play Store since well before Christmas. According to Harvey Norman’s site, Harvey Norman will be selling the Nexus 4 from the 1st of February.
What is unusual is Harvey Norman is advertising the Nexus 4 with 16GB for $496. The price on the Google Play Store is $399 for the 16GB Nexus 4 and $349 for the 8GB Nexus 4. There is also a delivery fee when purchasing from the Play Store.
According to media reports the Nexus 4 is expected to be generally available in February, but again we have to wait to see if that happens.
For those interested in the Nexus 4 perhaps waiting and seeing what is announced at Mobile World in February may be prudent. There are rumours a new model may be in the wind for the same price. As with all rumours you never know if they’re true or not, but given Mobile World Congress is at the end of February it may be prudent to wait.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
Convert you home videos from DV and Mini DV tapes before you find it becomes too difficult.
This week I had an interesting task to assist a client import their videos from their Sony TRV355E video camera. The video camera is quite an old video camera and uses full size DV tapes.
The client had an older notebook running Windows XP which had a FireWire 1394 port, but it was found we couldn’t get the communication to work. The quality of using USB streaming wasn’t good enough and using a video capture device would have also produced lower than desirable quality videos.
In the end I was able set the client up with the ability to bring their videos from their old video camera into their newer Windows 7 computer.
I decided it was a good time with my own home movies to convert older mini DV tapes and store the videos as files on a hard drive (duplicate copies on separate devices for backup). Right now it was easier to use old hardware and software with the video camera but it won’t be too long before the older computer will be obsolete and I may not have an easy method to import the videos and the highest possible quality.
If you have old home movies on tapes or old technology, now is a good time to review the technology you are using. It won’t be long before DVDs are considered old technology so think ahead and convert your movies to files that you can at least have available for the next 5-10 years before we have to again convert them because technology continues to change. If you have already converted your old movies to DVDs then perhaps revisit your movies. You may have converted the movies and reduced the quality when you converted from DV or Mini DV tapes.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Windows 8 Pro upgrade ending on January 31 2013
If you’re thinking about upgrading your computer to Windows 8 Pro because of the special offer, please keep in mind the upgrade offer is finishing at the end of January. Whilst I don’t currently know the Australian price, I’ve read the US price will be $199USD so we should be expect similar pricing here or perhaps a little more due to GST and US prices generally add tax to the price at purchase.
If you need assistance upgrading to Windows 8 Pro please contact me.
Kelvin Eldridge
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Doncaster, Templestowe, Eltham and the surrounding area.
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