Portland Super Geeks

How to run Windows on your iPad

2011-03-09T17:46:52Z

Apple’s iPad is a wonderful entertainment device and has started a tablet revolution. Businesses of all sizes are trying to figure out how to leverage this light, portable, and small device to enhance productivity. While it can do a few things natively with apps written specifically for it, it still isn’t compatible with what 90% of computer users use: software written for a Windows PC. Imagine if you could take your iPad with you while traveling and still access your company’s accounting, Point of Sale, or any other business software you need access to? Or better yet, what if you could access your Windows desktop and run any application installed there? With the right hardware and software, you can!

Any version of Windows “professional” since XP has a built in feature called Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). This allows users and IT pros to remotely connect to other Windows desktops to run applications or manage that PC from another one. In today’s world of virtualization, RDP is playing an even more important role. Don’t confuse this built in feature with non-native remote apps like GoToMyPC or logmein. Since this feature is built into Windows, you simple enable it and no other software is needed. It also operates much faster and smoother than any third party application can. RDP client software is available for just about any type of device and operating system, including the Apple iPad. Once you install an RDP app on your iPad (or Iphone for that matter), you simply type in the address of your Windows PC and press connect. Your Windows desktop will now fill the screen of your iPad and allow you to see and run any software that you would normally run while using your Windows PC! This assumes you are using Wifi on your iPad and are on the same internal network as your Windows PC.

What if you’re outside of your corporate network and want to accomplish the same task? The iPad has built in VPN software and will allow you to connect to your company’s firewall first, then allow you to launch the RDP software and still connect to your Windows desktop! This will work over 3G or Wifi and provides a secure, encrypted connection between you and your company’s network.

Computer Repair, Portland, OR - Is your personal data safe?

2010-11-29T02:15:59Z

Do you use a notebook PC as your primary computer? If so, this likely means that you have all of your important information stored on the hard drive of that PC. Of course you are making backups in case of hardware failure, but are you prepared if you lose your notebook or have it stolen? I’m not referring to restoring your data back to a new drive; I’m talking about having your personal data accessed by the person now in possession of your computer. With identity theft rampant these days, it probably wouldn’t take long for your sensitive data to wind up being sold for some nefarious purpose. There are numerous methods that can slow someone down if they have your computer, such as bios passwords, password protecting certain files, etc, but there is only one sure fire way to make certain that your data can’t be accessed: encrypting your entire drive. Fortunately, Microsoft has a terrific solution that is very easy to use called Bit Locker. The crucial choice when you buy a new PC, is to specify the version of Windows 7 that has this feature. Windows 7 Ultimate edition is the only one with Bit Locker. You also want to make sure the hardware that you are purchasing also has a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip on the motherboard. This is where the encryption keys are stored. After enabling TPM in the bios of your PC, you simply right click on the C: drive and choose “Turn on Bitlocker”. The encryption process will take some time. When it completes, your entire drive will be encrypted and will only be accessible by your PC with the TPM chip that contains your keys. This means that if your notebook PC is lost or stolen, the drive can’t be removed and read from another PC. To prevent the drive from being accessed by booting up your PC, you will also want to enable a PIN code. This will prevent the computer from booting without that PIN being entered. At this point, your drive is completely protected in the event of loss or theft. Without that PIN code, your computer WILL NOT boot up. *You can also encrypt any drive attached to your PC as well with Bitlocker, like external USB hard drives or USB thumb drives!

Here is a great step by step guide from Microsoft:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766295(WS.10).aspx

To enable a Bitlocker pin code, you will need to make a change to a Group Policy (computer boot configuration) setting and assign yourself a PIN code:

To enable TPM & PIN at boot:

Click on the Windows button and type gpedit.msc

Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Bitlocker Drive Encryption > Operating System Drives

and open the key:

"Require additional authentication at startup"

Then enable that Key and set"Configure TPM startup Pin: < to "Require startup PIN with TPM"

To set the actual PIN:

Click on the Windows button and type CMD At the prompt, type: manage-bde -protectors -add c: -TPMAndPIN

Computer Repair, Portland, OR - Unique service for new computer purchases

2010-07-23T21:17:45Z

So you have decided it’s time to purchase a new computer. Now what? PC or Mac? How many gigahertz, megabytes, and pixel inches do I need? All the geek speak! Then you might get your new computer home and realize you have to somehow figure out how to get all of your applications, settings, favorites, and data transferred to your new machine. If you have a home network with other computers and printers involved, along with Internet access and a wifi router, the challenge becomes even greater. We have a solution for you. It’s called our Computer Concierge Service. It’s our flat fee service where we take care of the entire process for you. We’ll sit down with you and find out what your needs are. From there, we’ll help you configure your new computer so you get the best value and get exactly what you need. We can help you acquire the computer locally if you like, or we can work with one of our preferred vendors such as Dell, HP, or Apple and get you the best price possible. When it arrives at your home, we’ll unbox it, plug all the cables in and get the transition process started. When we’re done, everything will be setup and working just like you need it to. Our Computer Concierge Service is only $150.00. Consider us the next time you’re thinking of purchasing a new computer!

Computer Repair, Portland, OR - Best bang-for-your-buck upgrade

2010-07-17T21:30:39Z

I'm frequently asked by users what is the best thing they can do to speed up their computers without breaking the bank. Depending on the age of the computer, sometimes it makes sense to purchase a new one and take advantage of technology advances. Many factors can influence this decision, in particular if you are needing to use newer software that requires more computing power. However, if you are just wanting to make your current software run faster, make your computer boot quicker, and overall just have everything run faster and smoother, have I got a deal for you!

The main bottleneck in computers these days is the hard drive. It's usually the only mechanical part in your computer. While advances in other components have advanced very rapidly over the years, hard drives for personal computers have not. Enter the Solid State Drive (SSD). These speedy gems use solid state memory chips instead of spinning platters and deliver performance increases for your operating system boot time, application loading times, battery life, and make no noise! The "read" performance of SSD drives are 7-8X faster than a standard spinning drive. What this means for you is that your computer will boot up in half the time, when you double click on a program, it will load almost instantly, and you will get extended battery life on your notebook. You really have to see one in action to appreciate how much faster things run.

SSD drives come in a 2.5 inch form factor and can be installed in most desktop and laptop computers (PCs and Macs). The only requirement being that you have a SATA controller. Cost per gigabyte is more than spinning drives, but well worth the investment if you are looking for a speed upgrade in your current computer. Two models that I have recently installed and have been impressed with are the Intel X25-M and the Crucial Real SSD C300. Both come in a variety of sizes/price points.

We can take everything off of your current hard drive and move everything over to a new SSD drive in about one hour. Contact us to speed up your computer!