Orange County Computer Services - TH2 Technologies

TH2 Client Video Testimonials

2012-01-19T14:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! We are so excited to share with you what our clients have to say about us...

TH2 Client Video Testimonials

Tad Duke of The G&D Group
http://youtu.be/ctNeWute2Tg

Dr. Jason Ballou, Ballou Dental Arts
http://youtu.be/rL5rUBz0lVM

USB Technology

2012-01-18T02:28:00.000-08:00

One of the most common features that computer users have enjoyed since the PC became popular is the USB port. Universal serial bus or USB that was developed and put into use in the mid-1990s. USB was designed to carry both data and two PCs and/or portable devices.

The creators of USB set out to create a standardized connection unit for computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, cameras, printers, etc. Over time however USB's usage expanded to include things like video game consoles, controllers, cell phones, and in some cases television sets. In fact the technology is so popular and in such high demand that the tech has seen two major upgrades. USB 2.0 released in April of 2000 and USB 3.0, the most recent release.

USB 3.0 allows for extremely fast transfer rates between computers and secondary devices which makes it great for moving things like movies and other media library items from one device to another. USB 3.0 can also be used to charge things like cell phones and video game controllers.

If you're looking for a new computer and expecting USB 3.0 to be included be thorough when looking over the machine you interested in. Many of these machines were built before USB 3.0 was released and/or affordable and you may wind up with USB 2.0 if you're not careful. Should you have any questions about USB technology, your USB ports, or computers in general please be sure to contact us so that we may be of assistance.

TH2 specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery, Orange County IT Support, and Orange County Computer Services.

Touch Screen Computer Monitors

2012-01-16T02:08:00.000-08:00

Most laypersons are unaware of their existence but touch screen computer monitors have been available for several years now. Additionally most recent computer operating systems support touchscreen monitors and applications but until recently many of these monitors were very expensive and didn't always work as advertised.

As the technology surrounding touchscreen monitors has advanced and become more commonplace prices have steadily dropped making them more affordable and of course more practical for both home and business use. Their three basic systems that are used in monitors to recognize a person's touch.

Touchscreen Technologies:

All three technologies have advanced to the point were they all work well with all of the applications designed for them and can save people at home and in the office a lot of time. Best of all, touchscreen monitors and the operating systems that support them, including the upcoming Windows 8, also support mouse and keyboard functions giving users the best of both worlds which helps increase productivity.

Should you have any questions about touchscreen monitors or should you wish to incorporate them into your business or home please be sure to contact us so that we may help you.

TH2 specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery, Orange County IT Support, and Orange County Computer Services.

Is It Time For A New PC?

2012-01-13T00:48:00.000-08:00

When the need for a new computer arises consumers face a myriad of choices. There is of course a plethora of different companies who manufacture computers but there's also the issue of cost, performance, reputation, and in some cases whether or not to build a computer from scratch or to purchase one from an electronics store.

Generally speaking the more tech savvy the individual the more likely it is that they'll opt to put together a computer from scratch. Visiting electronics stores like Fry's and Best Buy will allow such individuals purchase individual pieces of a computer which usually add up to less than what a prebuilt machine costs. For the other 90 something percent of individuals who aren't extremely tech savvy both of these retail chains as well as several others carry some very fine prebuilt PCs. Technology has advanced so rapidly and come so far that even budget PCs boast above average power and resources so an individual no longer needs to be wealthy in order to afford a great PC.

The one other choice individuals face when the time comes for new computer is the issue of operating system. Unless an individual is building their own computer there is a 99.999% chance that the computer they purchase from a retail outlet will be installed with Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system. There are alternatives however and some stores and online retailers will allow individuals to select their operating system.

Should you be in need of a new computer and need some help in determining what you need in a new machine please be sure to contact us so that we may be of assistance.

TH2 specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery, Orange County IT Support, and Orange County Computer Services.

Operating Systems: A Major Upgrade Is On Its Way

2012-01-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

A computer's operating system is extremely important especially whereas business computers are concerned. While it can be extremely inconvenient and even quite troublesome for home users who run into issues or deal with an outdated operating system, businesses who face the same headaches face a number of others as a result. A business utilizing an outdated or irreparable operating system throughout their office or network face an uphill struggle as well as some difficult decisions. The high cost of purchasing a new operating system for one computer is expensive enough but purchasing a large number of licenses for the entire office/network can range from strenuous on a businesses finances to downright impossible when dealing with smaller businesses.

In years past businesses have avoided operating system upgrades not only because of cost but because of compatibility issues and integrating functionality as well. Of course it goes without saying that the majority of businesses utilize some version of Microsoft's popular Windows operating system. While Windows has continued to improve over the years in some aspects functionality, ease-of-use, and compatibility, issues have plagued almost every new release since the release of Windows 2000. This is especially true of Windows Vista which not only wasn't initially compatible with a lot of the things that Windows 2000 and Windows XP were but the operating system required far more resources and power to run than its predecessors did. For this reason alone the vast majority of businesses avoided upgrading to Windows Vista and held on tight to Windows XP until the release of Windows 7.

While Windows 7 is definitely a huge improvement over the lackluster Vista, there are still some businesses utilizing Windows XP. While these businesses may not need the most modern operating system for their networks they do face a number of challenges especially when dealing with the compatibility of new technologies. Introducing networking and business technologies to a network of XP computers can be challenging and in some cases impossible.

Recently however Microsoft placed a heavy focus on its upcoming Windows 8 operating system which promises to be as different from Windows 7 as Windows XP was from Windows 98. At the Consumer Electronics Show of 2012, Microsoft not only showed off some of the features of Windows 8 but proudly announced that all computers built with Windows 7 would be immediately compatible with Windows 8. While there was no mention of how or if XP and Vista computers will be capable of running Windows 8, the fact that Windows 7 machines will have no problem running the new operating system likely means that computers just a few years older than those most likely won't have any problems either.

Windows 8 is the operating system that businesses have been waiting for. Not only are its resource requirements extremely low and not only will they have little to no problem running the new operating system but the operating system itself will be powered by applications much like those found on cell phones and will also be Kinect compatible which will allow users to control a computer with their hands in their voice as well as a mouse and a keyboard. Businesses who have remained apprehensive about upgrading their operating systems, especially those still running Windows XP, should seriously give Windows 8 heavy consideration. It's due out at the end of 2012 which gives business owners plenty of time to plan for and begin budgeting for a major operating system upgrade.

Questions about Windows or another operating system? Need help with an operating system upgrade? Be sure to contact us and that we may be of assistance

TH2 specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery, Orange County IT Support, and Orange County Computer Services.

Hosted Exchange Services Are Vital Keys To Business Success

2012-01-09T14:19:00.001-08:00

Today's competitive marketplace necessitates the need for businesses to utilize hosted exchange services. Such services are necessary to not only "keep up with the Joneses" but to meet and exceed business and consumer expectations at every turn. Utilizing hosted exchange services allows businesses to store their data online and have access to it any time from any location on the planet. Such services not only prevent data loss but are also helpful in supporting the ongoing productivity of a company as well.

With every seconds that passes there is a greater number of companies that enter into the foray of online business. With greater competition comes a greater need to extend business hours which means even if a company doesn't pay employees to work around the clock, many of the higher-ups in a specific company as well as the owners will find themselves having to work well into the evening and even on some weekends and holidays. In order to do so however and in order to have access to their company's data while away from the office they'll need hosted exchange services of some sort.

Hosted exchange services also allow businesses to communicate, without interruption, with all of their employees, business partners as well as their existing and potential client bases. These types of services therefore allow persons working within a company to stay in constant contact with each other and their client bases during travel and in their time spent away from their workstations and offices.

While there are a will undoubtedly be some business owners, especially those who own small businesses, who believe that they they will be unable to afford hosted exchange services, the truth is that the technology has advanced so rapidly and is offered by a myriad of different companies that even small business owners should have no problem finding a company that offers hosted exchange services at a very fair price.

Business owners who want to stay on the cutting edge of technology both for the benefit of themselves and their client base need to seriously consider adopting hosted exchange services if they have not already. The few businesses that opt out of these types of services generally struggle to survive or disappear after a relatively short amount of time. A simple search on the Internet and a few hours scrutinizing those results should give any interested business owner more than a few phone numbers to call and a few firms to speak with. In today's business world of the quick and the dead what choice to business owners really have?

TH2 specializes in Orange County data recovery, Orange County IT support, and Orange County computer services.

Here Comes Windows 8

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

It seems like yesterday that Windows 7 was released and it feels like just last week that Windows Vista, its predecessor, was released to the public. In truth Windows Vista was released way back in 2006 while Windows 7 was released over two years ago in October of 2009. This is important to keep in mind because Windows 8 is coming and it's coming quickly.

Any new release of Windows usually has major implications for businesses and gets individual users quite excited. The public beta of Windows 8 is due to be released in February of 2012 which means the release candidate and the retail release aren't far off. Windows 8 promises to bring a whole host of changes to the Windows operating system and some even claim that it will revolutionize the OS as well.

Computer users can look forward to the following things in Windows 8:

USB 3.0 support, without the need to load drivers

"Windows To Go" which allows Windows 8 to be run from flash drives
Multiple monitor support with the new ability to natively display different background images on each display and customized taskbar(s) on each of the connected displays.
A new user interface based on Microsoft's design language named Metro.
The Start Menu will replaced with a new Start Screen where there are tiles that contain shortcuts to applications.
Windows Store, an online marketplace for buying, selling, and advertising applications.

While there are many other new things that Windows 8 promises to give us we'll have to wait a little longer to see what those things might be and to see if it will be worth the upgrade when it is first released. Many businesses opt not to upgrade to a new version of Windows until the first service pack arrives or until the price drops but this version of Windows promises to be special and much more efficient which might entice apprehensive business owners to move forward with an upgrade right away.

Should you have any questions about any Windows operating system please be sure to contact us and that we may be of assistance.

AMD & Intel Processors: Which Ones Are Best?

2011-12-18T04:09:00.000-08:00

For over a decade now tech savvy individuals and computer professionals have debated whose processes are better, AMD's or Intel's. What many are surprised to learn is that while there is some definite differences in both chipsets, the two brands are often indistinguishable in some areas to the average computer consumer while identical in others.

While there are similarities between both brands of processors, the differences are fairly striking. Intel processors for example are the kings of raw speed though AMD processors aren't exactly slow. In contrast AMD processor sometimes feature a greater cache than do their Intel brethren which can be helpful when you're running multiple, processor intensive applications on your computer.

The technology aspect aside, the biggest difference between AMD processors and Intel processors is price. While Intel certainly offers some budget chipsets with modest speeds and decent performance, AMD usually offers the cheaper of the two and has a greater variety of processes available for people operating on strict budgets.

What type of processor you choose will be determined by both your budget and how fast and hard you need your computer to work. If you are uncertain of what processor is right for you and be sure to contact us that we may be of assistance.

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Out Of Control IT Costs

2011-12-16T02:02:00.000-08:00

These days IT department costs can quickly spiral out of control and are often the subject of debate at business meetings. IT technology has advanced so far and has changed so much in the last few years that employing and managing an entire IT department has become costly and a waste of time.

Now that entire networks can be automated, monitored and maintained by an off-site/outsourced staff there is really no reason to employ an entire IT department anymore. Businesses who choose to outsource their IT/network needs do so because they know it will save them a ton of money and an equal amount of trouble. Gone are the days when business owners need to take risks in hiring persons claiming to be experienced or IT professionals. An outsourced IT or network firm is the only way to guarantee that a businesses network will be handled by competent professionals.

The need for paying high-priced IT employees overtime when a problem arises is also negated by the network automation outsourced firms provide businesses. Should you be a business owner who needs to save time, money, and trouble by hiring experienced professionals to monitor your network please be sure to contact us so that we may be of assistance.

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Linux Operating System: Saving Businesses Money And Hassle

2011-12-14T12:02:00.000-08:00

Business owners have a lot to consider and even worry about when it comes to the computers they intend to use their business. Among the chief concerns and considerations is the operating system they're interested in or interested in upgrading to. While the vast majority of business owners select the Windows operating system there are other alternatives available.

While Windows is compatible with everything, the cost of individual licenses Microsoft asks for becomes expensive very quickly. Business owners considering an office wide upgrade often run into the same problem as upgrades are almost just as expensive as a new operating system and sometimes require a new one as well.

What many business owners are unaware of is that there are a myriad of different Linux operating systems out there, most of which are free even for businesses. Linux has come along way over the past decade and many of the builds available are compatible with many of the programs that run on Windows. Moreover those that have compatibility issues usually offer a free Linux-based "clone" program that that mirrors the Microsoft program needed for business.

Utilizing Linux is not only a cost-effective business solution but more often than not Linux builds are more stable and reliable than anything Microsoft has ever released. Should you have questions about Linux operating systems or should you be interested in migrating your business over to a Linux-based system please be sure to contact us for assistance.

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Time For A New Computer: Know What You Need

2011-11-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

So the time has come for a new computer and you're not sure which computer is right for you nor are you sure what you need to get by. Technology advances rapidly and there is someway different types of not just computer brand names to choose from but processors, RAM, video and sound cards, and even different types of USB inputs they can be difficult to determine what you need, especially if you're not very computer savvy.

If you're a business owner you probably going to be looking for ways to find cost-effective machines without spending a fortune. The good news for business owners in need of employee computers is that desktops are relatively cheap and businesses don't need fancy things like high end video/sound cards or tons of RAM "he is get their jobs done. In many cases business owners may not even need individual desktops but instead can now buy terminals.connect to a server in the office. Terminals can see the business quite a bit of money and can be just as effective as individual machines. In most cases PCs with modest power will work well in an office.

If you're an individual on the hunt for new computer than you first need to determine what you're going to be using this computer for. It goes without saying if you're a gamer then you're probably savvy enough to know you need a fairly high-end machine to play the newest and most popular releases. The majority of individuals however utilize computers simply for sending and receiving e-mails as well surfing the Internet. If you happen to fall in this group you can get away with a relatively inexpensive computer. This is because even modestly powered computers are quite powerful and can run video and music applications without so much as a hiccup. They're also more than powerful enough to handle modern web content anything you might receive via e-mail.

Should you have any questions about what type of computer would work best for you or your business please don't hesitate to contact us is will be happy to point you in the right direction.

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Is Anything in Life Really FREE?

2011-10-31T12:05:00.000-07:00

Warning: If You’ve Downloaded Free Software From The Internet, Your Computer May Be At Risk For Viruses, Hackers, and Spyware!
We’ve all heard the saying that the best things in life are free, but I’m not sure they were referring to software. Freeware (free software, not to be confused with open source software) such as the AVG anti-virus free edition, Spybot, and Ad-Aware are all programs you can download for the ultimate discount: free.

However, you get what you pay for. While these programs may work just fine for someone’s home computer, they are not business class tools and should not be trusted to completely protect your computer or network from viruses, spyware, hackers, and other problems. Every month we receive calls from clients who are infected with a nasty virus or spyware who had these programs installed and running, and were under the false assumption that they were protected.

WHY FREEWARE DOESN'T PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER

In most cases, freeware is a light version of a software program that you pay for. Take the AVG free edition for example. AVG offers a free edition of their for-fee software as a way of introducing you to their fully-featured product.

Only download freeware from trusted sources and read the terms and conditions carefully; you may be agreeing to allow outsiders to monitor your computer!

YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN

As you might expect, freeware comes with zero guarantees or promises to function correctly, to be compatible with your system, or to safeguard you from threats. You’re not a paying customer so you’re on your own to resolve any technical problems you encounter, and you certainly won’t get support if your computer gets infected. Since many free applications are plagued with bugs and incompatibilities, you may end up with a mess on your hands and no one to blame but yourself.

Additionally, freeware programs are not always current with the most up-to-date protection, and don’t always update themselves automatically or perform scans and tasks on a regular schedule.

Bottom line: you get what you pay for. If the files and functionality of your computer or network are of high-importance, then investing in a trusted, industrial-strength software program is a smart and worthwhile investment.

Linux: The Free Alternative To Windows

2011-10-28T04:33:00.000-07:00

While Microsoft windows is the most commonly used operating system there are other alternatives. A lot of individuals and even businesses who operate on small, tight, and strict budgets often have several computers that employees utilize throughout their office. The majority of these computers will utilize Windows as their operating system though the problem lies in the licensing costs associated with running Windows.

Microsoft does not allow one serial number to appear on more than one computer. They consider computers that do so to be part of casual piracy and as such has consumers to pay additional licensing fees for any additional computers that want to run Windows. These fees can be a real burden on businesses of a smaller nature.

What many individuals and even small business owners do not realize is that the majority of Linux operating systems are free of charge and run 99% of the applications that Windows does. The most popular among Linux operating systems is Ubuntu though many others like Red Hat remain popular as well. They operate very similar, and in some cases look very similar, to a Microsoft Windows environment and in the rare case that a program will not run on a Linux operating system there's always WINE (wine is not an emulator) which runs inside of Linux operating systems and allows programs that run in Windows to run under that operating system. Even when WINE cannot be used to combat compatibility issues, there's usually a Linux alternative such as OpenOffice available for free.

Linux operating systems are far more stable than their Windows counterparts and run more efficiently. Furthermore they require far less power and memory to run and run well. All of the aforementioned make Linux operating systems a fantastic and free alternative to Windows.

Should you have any questions about your operating system, the installation of one, or about whether or not Linux will work for you or your business please be sure to contact us that we may be of assistance!

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Using External Hard Drives For Personal Backup

2011-10-27T02:46:00.000-07:00

There's almost nothing more important in the world of computers, especially where businesses are concerned, as backing up data. Backing up data however is handled differently by both businesses and individuals. Businesses not only have individual computers to consider but an entire network as well which includes servers among other things.

Individuals on the other hand who want an inexpensive way to backup their data can do so in a number of ways. Some of these methods have become inconvenient and expensive over the years as new technologies have emerged. In the past and to some degree today, some individuals will utilize CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs to backup their data which might include music, work files, pictures, etc. While this method certainly works even the mighty Blu-Ray disc caps out at 50 GB's and my not offer enough storage space for some people. CDs and DVDs offer even smaller amounts of storage space which in this day and age are very practical. Buying all those disc is hardly practical.

The most efficient way for an individual to backup their data from a home computer is to utilize external hard drives. Hard dirves ranging in size from 500 GB's to 3 TB's can be purchased from any electronics store and range in price from $50-$300. Even the smallest external hard drive offers individuals the opportunity to backup large portions if not all of their data for a relatively low price and an item that will pay for itself after one session.

Once computer data is gone it is extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to recover and so backing up data frequently to external hard drives is one of the best ways to preserve your data. Should you have any questions about data backup or recovery please be sure to contact us so that we may be of assistance.

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Computer Post Failing

2011-10-26T01:20:00.000-07:00

Computers are fickle machines and even the best made machines can givet out on you at any time. This is true of even the most expensive machines and those machines which receive constant care. When a computer no longer starts it can be extremely stressful and frustrating. This is especially true if the computer is less than one year old.

The scenario is a familiar one. An individual goes to push the power button on the computer and either hears very little or nothing. Most notably the beeping and the noise of the hard drive starting are absence. When computer fails to post there are number of things you can do to determine the cause.

First of all if you're not a computer savvy individual contact a professional computer repair service or if you are somewhat savvy and experience with PCs, you can do the following:

Unplug your computer and remove its RAM. Restart the machine and listen for beeps. If you hear beeping and you needn't worry about your motherboard being the issue. You can also try removing other daughter cards and hardware devices and rebooting after each disconnect. If your computer posts after removing one item then you'll need to have that item either repaired or replaced in order for your machine to boot up properly.

The troubleshooting process regarding post-failures can be complicated and full of stress so when in doubt always contact a professional even if you fancy yourself a savvy individual.
Be sure to contact us if you have any questions about or problems with computers that aren't posting.

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Don't Be In Such A Hurry To Buy A New Computer

2011-10-25T04:09:00.000-07:00

When people and even businesses begin to have problems with their computer or number of computers they tend to rush out and purchase new computers without giving pause to consider that those computers experiencing problems may simply need to be cleaned up or upgraded.

It's an inescapable fact that all computers experience slowdown at some point during their life cycle and will ultimately perform slower as the years go on as more processor and RAM intensive programs are installed and used. It's also a fact that computers are inundated with Malware and spyware and occasionally viruses as well. Both of the aforementioned issues often cause people to "freak out", run to the nearest electronics store, and purchase a new computer or computers provided they have the funds to do so.

If you have found yourself in this situation or should you ever, the first thing you should do is contact someone who offers professional computer services. Having a professional evaluate your machine or machines will give you a good idea of whether or not you actually need to purchase a new computer. Computers that are just a year or two old can usually have their RAM upgraded or can be cleaned so that they're free of Malware and spyware. Registries can also be cleaned out which can significantly improve computer performance.

Should you be considering purchasing a new computer because your current machine's performance is less than optimal be sure to contact us so that we may help you determine whether or not you need a new computer.

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Misconceptions Regarding Computer Viruses

2011-10-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

There's often a lot of misconceptions associated with computer "viruses". This misconception stems mostly from a lack of knowledge and computer savvy. The lay person will tell you when they're having problems with their computer that it's infected with a "virus". While they may certainly be right more often than not the infection or problems their computer has been dealing with is often a result of other things.

These other things known as Malware and spyware are often referred to as viruses by the vast majority of people. Malware and spyware have been called viruses for nearly a decade now and labeled that so frequently that even many savvy industry insiders refer to them as viruses. It shouldn be noted however that computer viruses however are much more dangerous and malicious than Malware and spyware. Why all three can potentially damage computer and steal important information, Malware and spyware are more a nuisance than anything else.

Malware and spyware are easily contracted even by the most savvy and experienced computer user but thankfully most are easy to get rid of. You can protect yourself from Malware, spyware, and even viruses by running a good security suite on your computer and in business, a company's network. The security suites will keep most infections out and stop them at the door and those that do find their way through into a system or a computer can be easily removed by the suite by running a system scan.
Should you have any questions about Malware, spyware, or viruses please be sure to contact us that we may be of assistance!

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

The Future Of The Personal Computer

2011-10-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

The personal computer has evolved greatly over last three decades. In the early 80s we had the Commodore 64 and Apple IIe. By the time the 90s rolled around we had Windows and Linux driven personal PCs. By the end of the 90s personal computers took on a whole new role within the home and transformed into entertainment centers that were just as important and frequently used as television sets.

Over the course of the last decade and in the first years of this one many have been quick to write the personal computer off and call it a thing of the past. Many so-called experts have predicted the death of the desktop and laptop several times over the last 10 or 12 years. Of course following each prediction the home computer undergoes another metamorphosis and gives people, families, and businesses more reasons to continue using them.

While these experts continue to tout portable machines as the future of both personal and business computing the truth is that both desktops and to lesser extent laptops will continue to thrive. Desktop and laptop machines will continue to thrive in both homes and businesses because of their computing power, their storage capacity, and they're open ended systems that allow for upgrades both software and hardware wise. While portable devices continue to grow in popularity there is no end in sight to the desktop and laptops we love using at home and at work.

Should you have any questions about your desktop or laptop via for personal or business use please be sure to contact us so that we may be of assistance!

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Data Back Up And Recovery

2011-09-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing that we stress more than anything else it's the importance of backing up your data and backing it up frequently. No matter how much we stress this however computer users, both private and professional, either don't create backups at all or don't do so often enough. The result of this inaction is the loss of important and sometimes crucial data.

There are really no legitimate excuses for not backing up computer data especially for business owners. There are flash drives, CDs, DVDs, and of course Blu-Ray discs that can all be utilized to back up varying volumes of data. While these mediums work well for smaller amounts of data when you go beyond what a Blu-Ray disc is capable of holding, which is 50 GB's, you'll need to look at options that accommodate larger file sizes.

What this essentially means is that you'll need servers that are large enough and powerful enough to back up important data on a regular basis. You also need an IT team to manage this network of servers and monitor data backup and data recovery. While this might seem an expensive and intimidating venture, many companies like ours now offer IT management services and data backup and recovery services as well.

Should you have any questions about data backup and recovery please be sure to contact us that we may be of assistance!

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Network And Computer Infections

2011-09-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

Even the most secure, expensive, and well protected computers and networks are prone to infections. All these infections ranging from spyware to malware and even the occasional computer virus can seriously hamper a computer's ability to function not to mention a network's overall performance. The performance of a business network and the computers employees work on can be effected so greatly as to also affect employee performance and productivity. Left unchecked employee morale can also be effected when employees are forced to work so slowly they become frustrated.

This is why it's important to have your business network and all of its computers routinely monitored and checked for such infections. While the majority are removed easily and quickly from networks, some of the more modern and sophisticated infections replicate so quickly and hide so well that they're very difficult to remove. There are even some types of malware and spyware that infect important operating system files and essentially lock out a computer preventing any user from doing anything on that specific machine.

We assist businesses of all sizes in both the prevention and removal of dangerous computer network infections. Even if you don't have a problem with any infections at the current time that doesn't mean that you won't ever and it's a good idea to be proactive with these types of things, especially when your business and reputation are on the line. You have any questions about spyware, Malware, or viruses, please be sure to contact us so that we may help.

TH2 Technologies specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County It Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County It Network - Orange County Managed It - Orange County Outsourced Business It Support

Orange County SEO: The Importance of Title Tags

2011-09-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of different techniques for getting higher search engine rankings for your website. In fact one of the quickest and most effective methods that you can use to create a visible increase in your rankings is to use accurate, keyword-specific title tags. The title tags on a page are what appear in a clickable link on the search engine results page (SERP) which means that changing them to something more accurate and eye-catching can result in more clickthroughs also.
Of the different ways that search engines rate content on a web page title tags are definitely one of the top three that are given the most algorithmic weight. Title tags are just as important as the page’s visible text and the links that point to your pages, if not more so. Most SEO professionals have understood this for a long time, but when webmasters create content it’s one of the most frequently overlooked design aspects for enhancing search engine hits.

Some people might wonder if they should list their company name in addition to their site’s keywords in the title tag of a page, and the answer is unequivocally yes! If your company name is a well-known brand this can be even more important, and if it isn’t then getting wider exposure is never a bad thing.
Much more than just the company’s name should go into your title tag, though. Descriptive phrases will enhance your brand and your search engine traffic at the same time. This way not only do you attract traffic from people who already know your company’s name, you get visits from people who have never heard of you but are looking for what you have to offer specifically.

Title tags should also include specific keyword phrases. For example, if your company was “Jim’s Bait and Tackle”, a company that sold fishing gear, you might want your site to appear if people search for phrases like “cheap fishing bait” or “best fishing poles”. Keyword research is the best way to figure out what your ideal keywords should be. You might want to be even more specific, if your company is a local brick and mortar store you might want to target traffic by your geographical area. In that case your keywords might include phrases like “Boston fishing poles”.

There is more than enough space in a title tag to include most of your keyword phrases. So in this example, you might use title tags like “Jim’s Bait and Tackle – cheap fishing bait – boston fishing poles”. 10 to 12 words in a title tag tend to be an ideal size. You can use hyphens between separate phrases or try and make it look like a readable sentence like “Jim’s Bait and Tackle in Boston carries cheap fishing bait and fishing poles”. It really depends on your personal taste as well as what it seems like people might be more likely to click on. You might want to try each one at different times and see if one set gets more clickthroughs than the other if you’re unsure.

Another helpful technique is to write your page’s tags after the content for a page has already been written by yourself or by a professional SEO copywriter. The writing will often lead to keyword ideas naturally, based on the phrases that are suggested by the site’s text. It’s not recommended to use an exact sentence pulled from the copy as your headline or the page’s title, though, it’s much better to use a unique set of phrases.

Most importantly, make sure you’re not letting your design software take over and set the page title tags for you. Often your website content management systems (CMS) and blog software will use the same title tag for every page, and that’s a quick way to kill your search engine traffic. Make sure every page has its own unique set of keyworded title tags and that your software allows you to customize this information. If not, there should be plenty of programs on the market that can handle the job!

Watching Television On Your Computer

2011-08-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

Though they've been around for quite a while, nearly a decade or so, TV tuners for computers have largely flown under the radar of the average computer owner. Their popularity has remained "underground" with tech enthusiasts and with those individuals who wanted an all-in-one entertainment device for specific room in their home.

More recently however TV cards for computers have risen in popularity among Joe and Jane average computer owner. Keep in mind that by computer we don't simply mean a desktop or a laptop but all of the portable computing devices that are popular these days. Of course TV cards are still available and enjoy an immense popularity with owners of desktops and laptops but now those with touchpads can utilize a TV tuner for their portable device.

What consumers need to keep in mind however is that not all TV tuners/cards are created equally nor do all operate on different platforms. Thankfully the technology surrounding TV on computing devices has progressed far enough so that the majority all display beautiful HD visuals but customers must consider the power of their computer or portable device and whether or not it is capable of handling a specific TV tuner. Processing power and RAM as well as video power in any given computing device will determine just how well a TV tuner will work on a device.

The majority of these cards are easy to install in desktops, laptops and many other types of computers both stationary and portable. If you will own a computer that does not yet have something like this installed please be sure to contact us that we may be of assistance!

TH2 Technologies Specializes in:

Orange County Data Recovery - Orange County IT Support - Orange County Computer Support - Orange County Computer Services - Orange County Computer Consulting - Orange County Network Support - Orange County Managed Services - Orange County IT Network

Get Rid Of Slowdown In Your PC By Adding RAM

2011-08-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

If you've ever owned a computer then some point in time you've sat down in front of your machine and thought something to the effect of "wow, things are running really slow". While spyware, Malware, viruses, and even registry errors are commonly attributed to a computer's poor performance, there are other things that commonly cause a computer to run slowly.

One of the most common things that slow computer down is old age. This in conjunction with the introduction of new or more modern software can really place strain on a machine that's just a few years old. The good news however is that most people won't need to run out and purchase a new PC. Older machines usually have empty slots inside of them for more RAM and things like video cards and sound cards. Adding things like new video or sound card to an older computer that doesn't have those can free up some memory that's used to run those things off of the motherboard. It is RAM however that can really increase the performance of an older machine.

RAM or a computer's memory is often thought of as a PC's ability to handle and manage its workload. While having a speedy processor is definitely advantageous, it is the RAM that really determines how fast and efficient a computer operates. By filling in empty memory slots with more RAM a computer owner can not only increase the efficiency of their machine but it's life as well. In many cases after adding more RAM to their machine, individuals find that the problems with slow down or lag completely disappear giving them more time to save up for a new machine a year or two down the road.

Should you have any questions or need assistance adding more RAM to an older machine please don't hesitate to contact us so that we may be of assistance.

TH2 Technologies Specializes in:

SEO Myths & Misconceptions: What's Important On A Website

2011-08-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

There a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding Orange County search engine optimization. The origins of these myths and misconceptions usually stem from a vast misunderstanding of how SEO works and then spread like wildfire from person to person. One of the most common misconceptions regarding search engine optimization deals with what's most important on a website.

Some people will tell you that its images while others will tell you it's keywords strategically placed throughout each page. While keywords and images are definitely important in Orange County search engine optimization, the most important thing a website can have is strong content. Search engines may find a website based on its keywords and its meta information but it's the content that allows it to actually be indexed and ranked. Websites that try to subvert this method and place keywords throughout their website and in their meta information that have nothing to do with the actual content of the website will not be ranked.

SEO professionals often tell their clients or persons interested in their services that "content is king" which is 100% true of every website and every search engine. All the keywords in the world don't matter if the content on a website isn't strong or is misleading in some fashion. Things like pictures, flash movies, and other types of calls to action are a must when optimizing a website for search engines however they're all secondary.

Should you have any questions about the importance of content on a website or about SEO services please don't hesitate to contact us so that we may be of assistance!

Operating System Repair And Installation

2011-08-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

The layperson will think of them as Windows, Mac OS, or even some form of Linux but Orange County computer repair specialists generally refer to these things as a computers operating systems. A computer's operating system is essentially its foundation or brain if you will. Without an operating system installed on the computer, a computer is nothing more than a box full of wires and silicon chips.

As a computer's operating system is so valuable it is important to have a trusted professional Orange County computer repair person or firm at the ready should yours ever give you any problems. Though most are built fairly sturdy these days even the most comprehensive operating systems are prone to problems. These problems can range from minor errors that are easily corrected the total system crashes or failures. Unless you're an extremely tech savvy individual fixing even minor operating system problems can be very difficult.

Here at TH2 Technologies our team of computer repair specialists are well trained and possess vast experience in repairing and installing operating systems. Furthermore all of our technicians are capable of working with any operating system be it some version of Linux, Windows, or Mac OS. Operating system problems, especially the bigger ones, can be detrimental to both businesses and even individuals. Don't take any chances by trying to fix your operating system yourself as this can lead to more problems than it solves. If you have problems with an operating system in your home or business please be sure to contact us so that we may be of assistance!

Orange County IT Support: Outsourcing Saves Money & Hassle

2011-07-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

When a business outsources its Orange County IT support it does so for two primary reasons. The first being its cost versus employing an entire IT staff in-house and the second being the issues that often accompany employing such a staff. This is true of any business whose daily operations depend on a large computer network, regardless of company size.

Businesses that contact us for Orange County IT support do so primarily as a cost-saving measure but also request our services in order to eliminate the hassles that are often present an in-house IT staff. Moreover outsourcing IT support grants businesses of all sizes access to IT technology that they would normally not be able to afford or utilize within an experienced staff. The latest IT technologies allow for simple and repetitive tasks to be completely automated so that any IT staff in-house that remains can focus on higher-level projects or those projects which demand a large portion of their time.

With a great deal of IT infrastructure now being delivered through the Internet along with significant IT cost reduction, the majority of businesses are outsourcing at least a small fraction of their IT support.

If you are a business owner looking to save money in one of the most, if not the most costly department within a company, be sure to contact us for more details regarding our IT support services!

Don't Panic: Easily Fixable Computer Issues

2011-07-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

The staff here at TH2 Technologies sees a plethora of common computer problems every day, many of them that don't require professional attention. Although we pride ourselves on offering affordable Orange County computer services, paying a technician to come into your office for some problems is a waste of time and money. Many of our technicians are called out to a job only to find that something wasn't plugged in or set up properly.

Before you panic and call upon our Orange County computer services there are a few things you can do for a few common problems that will usually allow you to resolve the issue yourself.

Computer won't power up: Though there are a lot of issues that can cause a computer not to start up, one of the most common issues our technicians encounter are computers that either aren't plugged in or plugged into power strips whose on/off switches are set to off. The solution to this is fairly simple. Be sure that your computer is plugged in and that it is plugged into not only a working power strip but an electrical outlet that is receiving power as well. This is important to remember because it's not always an issue with a power strip or the computer but sometimes an internal electrical issue.

If everything is plugged and electricity is being delivered to both the outlet and the power strip, tech savvy individuals can open up their computer and inspect its computer's power supply. If however you're not a tech savvy individual and you don't hear any beeps, fan noises, nor see lights lights you'll definitely need to call a professional.
Your computer boots up but your monitor displays nothing: There are number of things that can cause a monitor to display nothing and remain blank even after a computer has been properly booted. Again the first place you'll want to start if this happens is your power supplies. Be sure to check that your monitor is both pluged in and pluged into a power strip or electrical outlet that's receiving power. If everything is plugged in and you still don't see anything on your display try hooking up another monitor to your computer. This will tell you immidiatly whether or not you have a problem with your monitor.

Also take a few moments to check that your DVI, HDMI, and RGB (depending on which type you use) cables are hooked up to both the back of your computer and the back of your monitor properly. Cables that aren't fastened into their slots have a tendency to wiggle loose which can cause a monitor to display no image. Providing you've checked all of the aforementioned and you still have no display on your monitor is possible that there is an issue with your computers video card. If such is the case then you likely need some type of Orange County computer services in order to have that dealt with.
You regularly get the blue screen of death: Users who find themselves confronted with the blue screen of death on a regular basis may have a problem with their RAM. Before you call a technician out it's a good idea to open up your computer and pull a stick or two of RAM out. Taking your RAM into a local computer store should allow you to find someone willing to test it for you. If your RAM is faulty you'll need to replace it but provided you get a proper replacement in your computer you shouldn't see any more issues with the blue screen of death. If you do however be sure to call a professional.

Should you have any questions about any of our computer services or any of the aforementioned tips please do not hesitate to contact us that we may be of assistance.

Orange County Computer Services For All Businesses

2011-06-27T12:10:00.000-07:00

Having reliable Orange County computer services at your disposal is invaluable when you run a business of any size. A decade ago the majority of businesses were just beginning to incorporate large computer networks into their offices and needed very little support or service for them. These days are quite different however as even the slightest hiccup in a businesses network can cause downtime for clients, employees, and can be detrimental to the relationships a business has with its clients.

With so much riding on a businesses computers and its network, Orange County computer services have never been more important. The trouble however comes in not finding computer services but computer services that come highly recommended, are trusted by local businesses, and are priced competitively/fairly. TH2 technologies prides itself on offering all of the aforementioned things as part of its standard Orange County computer services. We service businesses that are large, small, and everywhere in between and we do this all of their rate as well.

Orange County Computer Services

Troubleshooting
Secured Wireless Solutions
Spam Filtering
Remote Access & VPN Solutions
24/7 Monitoring
On-Site Support
Managed Services
Remote Helpdesk
Network Security/Firewalls
Computers/Servers
Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware
Network Design
Web Hosting
Sales and Implementations
Email Hosting
Preventative Maintenance Agreements
Continuous Data Protection
Migrations
Automated Off-Site Data Backup
Complete Technology Solutions
Cable , DSL, T1
Servers and Computers
Hardware Leasing

Should you have any questions about any of our services please do not hesitate to contact us so that we might be of help!

Hosted Exchange Services By TH2 Technologies

2011-06-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

With the economy the way it is, all businesses are looking for ways to trim the fat and to cut costs without losing out on efficiency and productivity. Fortunately for businesses that rely heavily on computers for their daily operations, data storage, and interoffice communications there are now options available that allow technology costs to be cut dramatically and the headaches surrounding in-house computers, data storage, and communications to be completely eradicated.

TH2 technologies recognizes the difficult position many businesses are finding themselves in these days and as a result have built a hosted exchange service from the ground up that is designed to save companies both small and large a lot of time, a lot of money, and a lot of technological headaches. Businesses unaware of hosted exchange technology are often excited when they learn that it allows them to have their data stored on our servers and communications programs set up throughout their offices that are both efficient and easily manageable.

Communication tools in our hosted exchange services including e-mail, messenger, and allows employees to access address books and their task managers from different places through various types of an office media.

Saving money without sacrificing efficiency or productivity and utilizing powerful communication tools are what every company wants and needs. If you are still spending money on storing data in house and using outdated or even archaic forms of inner office communication be sure to give us a call or contact us directly to learn more about our hosted exchange services.

More Bang For Your Buck: Orange County Search Engine Optimization Services

2011-06-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

Although we are widely recognized as one of the leaders in Orange County computer support we also offer some services that many of our clients are unaware of. One of our most popular services that often flies under our clients radar is our Orange County search engine optimization services. Clients who have taken advantage of this service however will tell you that their business and its website have benefited from it greatly.

Along with our Orange County search engine optimization services we also offer website design packages so that all of our clients can have a state-of-the-art, unique, and easily recognizable website. While many search engine optimization firms charge upwards of $100 an hour we're far more competitive and fairly priced. Our SEO carries only a $55 hour rate! Though you'll pay far less when you utilize our Orange County search engine optimization services, you're going to get a lot more for your dollar than you will when you go with a larger cookie-cutter SEO firm. Best of all, we give every client a free marketing analysis!

SEO Information

What is SEO? - SEO is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines via the "natural" or un-paid ("organic" or "algorithmic") search results.
What percentage of people use Google for their searches? - Nearly 90 percent of all the growth in search volume has was captured by Google in 2010. Even more impressive is the fact that of the 137 billion estimated total searches performed in the U.S. last year, 85 billion were done on Google!

How many potential clients are finding your website?

If Internet marketing or a new website is on your company's agenda be sure to visit our website for information on rates and packages and of course if you have any questions at all please feel free to contact us anytime.

Orange County Network Support Done Right

2011-06-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

There are a large number of companies all of whom offer some type of Orange County network support. The problem is not all of these companies offer services that are comprehensive, fairly priced, or immediately available. In fact more often than not companies who offer network support for businesses set up several hoops that you must leap through just get started. When your network needs support, it usually needs it right away.

At TH2 Technologies we believe that not only should you get immediate access to Orange County network support the moment you sign on for the service but that your network evaluation should be free as well! Rather than call an independent computer or network technician who might not do the job correctly the first time consider giving us a call. We offer a 100% fix it right guarantee but the good news doesn't stop there. We also guarantee that we will respond to your request for help within 60 minutes or less, something you won't usually see happen with independent technicians.

Our free network evaluation not only helps our clients but helps us determine what the needs of your network and your business are. If you've got more than five computers on your business network and are experiencing downtime, errors, and any other issues be sure to contact us so that we may be of assistance!

Backups?

2010-10-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I know it has been a little while. We have been working on some very cool things recently that have demanded more of my time than usual. On the up side, I have some very exciting news to share.

TH2 Technologies had partnered with Asigra to bring our clients the latest in cloud backup technology. We are now equipped to bring you a premium service at a discounted rate. Let’s talk some about the service, how it works, and why it’s important.

The service itself (like any “cloud backup” solution) is provided to the client through a piece of software that runs on one machine on the network. This software and service together can go to the computers and back them up to a locally attached drive, and them push a copy of that to TH2’s servers over the internet. This gives you a local copy for fast restoration of files and an off-site copy in the event of catastrophic failure due to fire, water damage, or anything else that may cause the hardware on-site to fail unexpectedly. If you haven’t heard the statistics, that’s probably a good thing. There is an 80% myth out there that states something to the effect of ‘80% of businesses that suffer a catastrophic data loss will never recover.’ I have never seen the study where this number (the magic 80%) is derived from, and when asked I reference this site: http://johnglennmbci.com/quotes.html. Most of the links from his site to the references are broken, but I can attest that the numbers on the site are referenced directly out of published documents by well known companies. While there is some variance in percentage from study to study, one thing remains true: if you lose your data and don’t have a backup, you are in for a very hard time, especially if you are a small to medium business.

So, now is the easy part. Just give us a call, we can look at your backup solution, and let you know what we think. Then we’ll give you a quote on what it would take to get you backed up offsite. Every night. Some people ask about Mozy and what we think about their service. You know that we’re now a service provider, so Mozy is a competitor, but I can honestly say that a company that charges a flat yearly fee does not care about your data, they care about your money. It is more profitable for Mozy if you have less data stored, because they price per GB is high if you only have a few Gigs stored. Their policy’s are conducive to this model, where if you delete a file, Mozy will remove it from their server after 30 days. Say you want a file that you JUST realized you deleted. 31 days ago. Too bad. There policies are designed to drive profit, just like anyone’s, but the difference is that our policies (and most pay per GB platforms) are in line with your needs as a business. We look forward to talking to you, and getting you protected.

Time for a new Comptuer!

2010-07-02T17:13:00.000-07:00

Hey friends! I just finished a new build today. I was trying to get on the band wagon and put together a sub $500 computer again. I had a few requirements. DDR3, Intel (and those 2 choices brought me to the new Core i3,5,7 line only) and SLI/Crossfire support. I think I did really well!

I left off the PSU and Optical Drive, because they are cheap, and you could just use the same ones from the other build, or try and find decent parts that are on sale. Some of these parts are on sale right now, and I would have chosen a different RAM module if these were at full price. Anyways, I would like to start doing weekly builds for anyone that keeps up with this. As always, you can get in touch with TH2 Technologies to have a custom build for you.

This particular build is good because it over-clocks, and is very feature rich. 1080p support, and sound over HDMI. This would also be a mid case, but if you wanted to shrink it into a mini, it would easily fit, and make a great HTPC (Home Theater Personal Computer). This is just a very future proof, feature rich board with a very decent, latest version processor in it. All for under $500 (with DVD Drive and Power Supply). Have fun, and let me know that you think!

The Six-Core battle

2010-04-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

The hardware junkie in me just can't resist. I know I'm a bit late to the table, and no, I don't have one of these to play with. I wouldn't kill for one, but I would probably be willing to dish out a good flogging. Anyways, down to the good stuff.

Intel and AMD have both announced their Six-Core monoliths. The 6 core Core i7 980X and the Phenom II X6 1090T are the new players, and they clock in at 3.33 GHz and 3.2 GHz stock. Not that it makes that much of a difference, and the way these 2 processors actually handle data is vastly different as well, and they have different die sizes (Intel's 32nm and AMD is at 45nm). But, that may not make up for the price difference, with Intel's setting you back a grand ($999) and AMD sits you at $285. Another nice thing about AMD's is that it's still compatible with the existing (and widely used) AM2+ pin set, only requiring a BIOS upgrade. If you have an ageing system (not TOO old) that could use a face lift form 2 cores and were holding out, now is the time to get in. Intel’s chip outperforms AMD's, but at the price, you could buy 2 and a motherboard to support both, and have a 12 processor system.

I'm excited to see these hitting the market. Some of you may know I'm considering my own system build. I was going to go with a quad core AMD system (because they started making those sub $100 quads) and then decided to go the i3 route. It's hard, I don't have any MAJOR parts yet except RAM, but I can E-Bay that. AMD's new offering makes me wonder if I should. =D I’ll keep you posted for sure.

New Hardware

2010-04-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

New hardware isn’t hard to come by these days. I just so happen to be a big fan of hardware, and try very hard to stay on top of what’s new and bleeding edge. One of the biggest releases lately is the Fermi line of nVidia Graphic Cards. Most businesses will wonder what a Graphics card has to offer, and in most cases it tends to be very little. TH2 Technologies just so happens to deal with several dental offices though and they use High-Res images to show patients their teeth or to even create 3D models of their mouths. Graphics cards are used to display the images and models on high definition screens for their clients, and they need to look good. A graphics card is the only way to accomplish this. One of our doctors has a computer hooked up to 2 monitors and a 47” 1080p flat screen.

Another thing that a graphics card can provide is video acceleration in programs like Adobe’s Creative Suite. CS5 is designed to make use of all Quadro FX and the GTX 285 series cards and helps easily integrate project files from After Effects and Photoshop into Premiere Pro and edit in real-time, even while applying more than three layers. The Quadro series allows people who use AutoCAD to work faster and improve productivity.

To see if a graphics card can be an easy way to increase performance with your office applications, call TH2 Technologies. We can evaluate effective ways to leverage new technology for better productivity for a small investment.

Sources:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/bfp_autocad_2011.html
http://www.nvidia.com/object/builtforadobepros.html

We are growing again

2010-04-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

Not only does TH2 Technologies Eliminate Technology Headaches, we also Level the Playing Field with technology. One of the ways we do this is by offering online/internet marketing services.

We welcome Jenn to our team! She is an expert in Search Engine Optimization. Our personal testimony...in a few short months, she has taken our google ranking from page 10 to page 2...and she's determined to see us make it to the top of page one!

Email jenn@th2tech.com to learn more.

Microsoft Security Essentials

2010-03-29T13:19:00.001-07:00

As I said in my last blog, I am running Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). I have been now for a bit more than a month. I liked it enough to uninstall Symantec from my Wife’s computer as well, and installed MSE. I ran a quick scan after the initial update and, low and behold, 6 security vulnerabilities! Out of the box (so to speak) this thing caught and removed 6 things on her computer that Symantec had missed. These were Facebook games (for those of you who don’t know that some software on Facebook contains spyware) that could and possibly were sending back usage information. After a short talk with my wife about safe browsing habits, I started thinking about how many business out there run Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) and assume all is well. I assumed all was well, and I’m an IT guy. The computer we do our banking on was compromised. Literally, the program could have sent that info back to their servers. And that is scary.

So, I would like to discuss the ups and downs, the pro’s and con’s, and the do’s and do not’s of Microsoft Security Essentials.

1) MSE is not/cannot be centrally managed. This means no definition server, no reports server, and no server pushing out scan times, collecting reports or ensuring client security. This is the single most detrimental drawback of this program. This will prevent it from being able to run effectively in a corporate environment as a Symantec replacement.

2) MSE is rated as one of the best free software security solutions by AV-Comparatives.org, with a summary of their review here: lifehacker.com

3) MSE is not very flexible with scan schedules. You can schedule one kind of scan to run either daily, or every day. You cannot schedule a full scan on the weekend, and a quick scan every day of the week, or a quick scan that runs once every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. For a small office, this would create additional administrative overhead, where IT Administrators would have to manually run full scans if they wanted that to happen at all.

4) MSE is FREE!! For some of the best protection a home (or even a small business owner) could want all for free. Can’t get much better than that! MSE has high performance, speed and usability for the best price out there.

Overall, I am very glad I change my house over to MSE. I don’t need central management at my house, or even to schedule different scan for different days. I have a quick scan scheduled daily for each computer, and run a full scan when I feel like it. What an awesome solution for most home office users. This is easy to use and easier to install. If you feel as though you would like some help setting it up, configuring it, or just checking that everything is right, give us a call. TH2 Technologies is more than capable of setting you up on your free security solution today.

Orange County Computer Services by TH2 Technologies

Free Programs can make life Easier, Cheaper

2010-03-04T16:26:00.000-08:00

There are several applications and programs that people use every day to make their life easier. The hard part of this for normal users is twofold. Often times, regular folk don’t know what programs are available, where to get them, and which are good vice which will load a virus or crash your computer. This is the first problem, and it’s a legitimate one! It is smart not to just load any program you come across, and people learn this one way or another over time. The second problem is that when you get the program, you have to learn how to use it, and make it work for you in cool and innovative ways. Say you use QuickBooks, and your whole business rides on that database. You are paying $50 a year for 5 GB of storage (see here) for their online backup, which is great if your database is that big. Most small business owners have much smaller databases, and you can’t store any other type of file on the backup. The FREE service Dropbox can store up to 2 GB (up to 3 GB free, with a small amount of effort) online, encrypted, and available for download with a username and password using a web browser. There is a slight bit more setup involved, but well worth the savings and advantages in the long run.

There is a very good list of free programs here: lifehacker.com. There is even a free antivirus and spyware suite from Microsoft that was very well rated and reviewed that I use on my computer. No kidding, I replaced my Symantec with Microsoft Security Essentials and I like it better. If you are as tired of paying for programs, don’t pirate them. Get their free alternatives that work better. TH2 Technologies can help you find them, install them, and set them up. Give us a call.

Orange County Computer Services by TH2 Technologies

Blue Screen of Death

2010-02-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

Many of our customers have been getting in touch with us lately about this. More and more common on XP systems is the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). It's a sad sight, both for users and administrators alike. Not always easy to troubleshoot, and often times even harder to fix, the BSOD usually means one thing, you're going to have to re-install your operating system. TH2 Technologies is able to do this for you, and more often than not, we can save your files as well.

The recent influx of blue screened machines is likely due to a patch that Microsoft pushed for a vulnerability. This patch works against Malware or Spyware that is hiding on a system, causing it blue screen. It's not Microsoft's fault (Well, it kind of is...), but it really brings up an interesting topic. There really are A LOT of people out there running their computer every day for tasks such as online banking, payroll, insurance, and even hosting massive client databases with private information who have spyware on their computer and don't know it. There are several easy and fast ways to protect yourself. Get in touch with a TH2 Technologies specialist to protect your system, business and client's information today.

Orange County Computer Services by TH2 Technologies

VoIP Telephones

2010-02-18T16:38:00.000-08:00

How many people out there are interested in it? Do you know what VoIP (or VOIP / Voice over Internet Protocol) is, what it does, or how it can help you reduce business (or even home) overhead? VoIP is a form of internet phone (to put it simply). Instead of your calls going across the regular phone lines, they travel across the internet, and when they reach a local switchboard (where you are placing the call to), they are then transferred to the local telephone lines. This is far more cost effective for the providers, because every call is like a local call, and those savings are passed on to you and your business. Most home users would pay an average of $53 dollars a month (with tax) for unlimited nationwide calling for a regular phone line (Call waiting, voicemail, caller ID, etc). Many VoIP solutions can offer the same service to home users (Vonage anyone?) for $32 a month (also with tax), some going as low as free lifetime use after you purchase the equipment (Ooma).

This type of service only scratches the surface of what there is out there, and we here at TH2 are working to provide our clients with viable solutions, and even give them the option to keep their existing phone systems and numbers in place. We have taken a few clients phone bills and matched services for them with quotes. One company would save $900 a month, all while keeping their current configuration. This was very important to them, as they had spent quite a lot of money on a very complex phone system and phones.

If you would just like to see that you can save by switching to a VoIP phone system, give us a call! We would be happy to get you a quote.

Orange County Computer Services by TH2 Technologies

$500 Computer

2010-02-09T17:54:00.000-08:00

Today I made the $500 computer, and I am extremely excited about the build. I compiled the build on Newegg.com exclusively. They tend to have the best prices, and it can save a lot of money to buy from one place (Shipping can add a lot to the cost, and can be cheap/free after a certain amount). The hardware is future proof, with the new AM3 socket and DDR3 RAM. The hardware is close to $500 without the operating system. If you were to get a copy of Windows 7 Home Premium would put the cost above $500, but there are several free, open source operating systems available. Ubuntu us a very popular free Linux distribution; Mint is another, and has a lot of eye candy.

So, the build is as follows:
MSI 785GM-E51 - $80 - (Integrated ATI Graphics with 1080P video and onboard HDMI connector) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130247
AMD Athlon II X4 630 - $102 - (Quad core running at 2.8GHz) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704
4GB (2x2GB) OCZ Gold RAM - $92 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227479
Rosewill Green Series 430W PSU - $40 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182202
1TB Seagate Barracuda HDD - $95 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
Rosewill ATX Mid-Tower - $30 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147147
Rosewill 120mm Fan (2x) - $9 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200048

Comes to $448 total. You still need a monitor, but most people have one from an old PC. The motherboard supports the major standards, HDMI, DVI and VGA. That means your current monitor will work until you can get a new one to replace it, if you would like to at all. It also has a PCI-E 2.0 x16 slot, so you can outfit it with an awesome graphics card later, if you ever want to game with it, or maybe use it with 6 monitors?

Good luck and happy building!

Computer Hardware

2010-02-04T09:27:00.000-08:00

Computer hardware is coming down in price. Building a decent quad-core rig for less than $500 has, until recently, been a goal of only the most advantageous of us. Though, in the last few months, there has been a wave of new hardware that is incredibly affordable. This hardware makes it easy for average consumers to have a powerful quad core, HD capable computer. Later this week, I will be configuring a mid tower with the AMD quad core CPU, making sure it’s HD (with HDMI out) ready, and with at least 1TB of storage. I will also outline the pros and cons of building your own computer. Keep watching for updates, and we are excited to embark on this endeavor with you.

Offsite backup? What’s that?

2010-02-01T09:54:00.000-08:00

Offsite backup. You may have heard the term at the office, possibly come across it on the internet once or twice. You may even use a program like Carbonite. No matter what your exposure to the idea of backup, there is one thing everyone can agree on, your data is important to you.

That data consists of family pictures, home movies, important documents from or for your clients, an address book that you have spent several years making, and the list goes on and on. Do you have more than one copy of these files? Are those copies on different computers? Do you have copies on an external hard drive? With how integrated our lives have become with technology, and how easily data can be deleted, if you aren’t afraid for your files now, you will be when you suddenly can’t access them. Offsite backup is a solution where you have a copy of your data on your computer, but it is also copied to another secure location on the internet. Having this secondary copy is how you know that these files will be around long after your computer isn’t.

No one wants to talk about it, because it’s a scary thought. What if your house were to flood or catch fire? Home owners insurance may cover damages, but what about loss of data? It can cost thousands to recover files from a dead hard drive as a result of water or fire damage, if your files can be recovered at all. Offsite backup can cost as little as a dollar per month for 2 GB of online storage. If you were to store 2GB of data online for 83 years, you would still not have paid as much as you would to recover the data off of a failed or broken drive.

TH2 Technologies is actively working to provide an Offsite Backup solution for our home and business clients that would be competitively priced and managed locally by TH2 Technicians. If you aren’t sure your data would be safe in the event of an emergency, get in touch with us by emailing me, ricky@th2tech.com, or following TH2 Tech on our Twitter Account. I can send you updates and info on pricing, and together we can make sure your memories and important data are around for a lifetime, and more!

Server 2008 R2 and Exchange 2010

2010-01-08T17:40:00.000-08:00

TH2 Technologies is happy to announce that we officially have Exchange 2010 up, running, and fully functional. We are working on a excellent hosting solution that we could provide to our clients at a competitive cost right now. The setup was a fun process, and Exchange 2010 has so many easy to use high availability features built in that it just blows me away. Regardless of demand, we are eager to put another server online to be able to implement these features, and provide consistent and continuous services to our clients through this setup.

Being able to access your email anywhere at any time, all with a familiar face is one of today’s biggest demands for a hosted solution. Our solution would provide this, allowing you to use Outlook, Thunderbird, or any other mail client you prefer. There would also be access through Outlook Web Access (Web based), just in case you need to check your mail on the road or from someone else’s computer. The other big hitter is Smart Phone integration. We are already using this feature successfully with 2 iPhones as mobile test devices! Contact and Calendar synchronization, and email on the go will allow our business users to stay connected where ever they go.

This service is a big step forward for TH2 Technologies, and just another way that we are staying on top of our competitors by providing the services you ask for on cutting edge platforms. We hope you are as pleased as we are with the tremendous amount of progress we have made, and hope you will continue to follow us as we push forward to the latest and greatest in business oriented solutions

Where did those files go?

2009-12-30T11:49:00.000-08:00

If you have deleted files or if you accidentally formatted a hard drive and now all your files are gone, don’t despair! TH2 Technologies has the equipment and software to recover files from many different situations. We recently had a client bring us his computer after installing Windows 7. He was going through the install with Asus Tech support, and ended up losing all his files without a backup. He immediately turned the computer off, and gave us a call. We were able to recover a lot of pictures, videos and documents from the hard drive, even though it had been formatted and new data was written to the disk.

If you find yourself in a position where you have just deleted something, or recently realized that you were missing files, you should do what this client did. Turn the computer off immediately. This will increase the chances that the data is not written over, and is recoverable directly from the hard drive.

With the tools that TH2 Technologies uses, we can usually tell within an hour as to whether we will be able to recover data or not. TH2 also understands that data recovery is often an emotional and very personal process. Computer hardware can be replaced, but the memories that it stores in the forms of pictures, movies, and documents cannot. We always treat your data with the utmost respect and privacy, while keeping you constantly updated on our progress and the health of your data. We hope the next time you accidentally delete a folder or files, you will give us a call, and let us get it back for you.

Virtualization; The First Steps

2009-12-23T08:51:00.001-08:00

TH2 Technologies is very excited to announce that we have successfully migrated to a virtual infrastructure! We are using VMware’s ESXi 4.0 as our Hypervisor (the Host’s Operating system), and have already begun standing up more virtual servers to provide our clients with some exciting new opportunities. Our main focus right now is Exchange 2010 hosting. We have it installed on a Server 2008 R2 platform already, and are in the process of configuring and migrating our own mailboxes to the server right now.

This new platform offers us several other advantages that are unique to a virtual environment. We can give resources dynamically to servers, and test various different open source alternatives to popular software. We are going to be able to look into more cost effective deployments for many small businesses, to include a local storage solution for a fraction of the cost of a commercial solution.

We at TH2 Technologies are so excited to be taking this step, and we are always looking for new ways to stay on the cutting edge. We have learned a lot about the conversion to virtual environment, and are eager to pass that experience and knowledge on to our clients. If you would like to know how going virtual can help you and your small business expand with very little to no money invested in new hardware, give TH2 Technologies a call! We can evaluate your current hardware, and provide you with a quote on what it would take to make the switch to the cutting edge.

Orange County Computer Services by TH2 Technologies

Is this compatible with Windows 7?

2009-12-10T10:11:00.000-08:00

One of the best new features with Windows 7 that absolutely ensures compatibility with older programs is Windows 7 XP Mode. XP Mode is supported on Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate. You also have to be running a processor that supports either Intel VT (Virtual Technology) or AMD’s AMD-V (AMD-Virtualization). All newer processors support these technologies, and some older ones do as well. And as always, there is an easy way to check.

XP Mode runs a virtual XP Machine in the background of Windows 7. What is truly cool and cutting edge about this technology is the fact that you can run your applications that you have installed in through XP Mode from the Windows 7 desktop. What this means is that after you install the application, you run it just like any other! This makes for seamless integration into your operating system and fluid operation for your high paced environment.

Windows 7 already has several compatibility features built in that require very little extra effort at all. Windows 7 XP Mode just adds that extra layer of availability just in case your business has an XP exclusive application you need to run. This effectively removes the question, “Is this compatible with Windows 7?” because the answer will always be, “Can you run it on XP? If you can, then it’s compatible.” This is a service that can be installed and configured remotely by TH2 Technology’s technicians, which make it convenient for any client. If you are on Windows 7 and your legacy applications are giving you problems, give TH2 Technology a call and we can help!

Remote Support

2009-12-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

Hey friends, it’s Ricky again. This week, TH2 got hands on. I am so excited that Jeff and I make such a good team. Working with one another, Jeff and I get more done than either of us could in twice the amount of time, whether that means remotely or on-site.

Speaking of remote support, I’m very excited about the remote support tools that TH2 has at its disposal. If you are in need of help, and have internet access, TH2 can be at your computer with an extreme quickness. We use GoToAssist Express and Remote Desktop to support a majority of our users, and the ease of use with these tools is unbelievable. The best part about GoToAssist is that because it is Java based and browser initiated, it is completely platform independent. That means, no matter what operating system you have, we are able to deploy rapid support directly to your machine.

These tools are just a couple out of a large library that we have access to when providing you with support, on demand, when you need it most. No matter what your problem, big or small, we have tools to help.

Virtualization, be there or be square

2009-11-23T15:59:00.000-08:00

These next few weeks we have something very exciting going on. If you want to talk about the cutting edge of technology for businesses of all sizes, virtualization is it. With so many terms floating around associated with server (or even service) virtualization, it can be a daunting and intimidating thing for small businesses. TH2 Technologies wants its partners to know that as Orange County computer repair techs, we not only understand it, but are making an example of ourselves by transitioning our infrastructure. That’s right, TH2 Technologies is making the switch to a virtualized environment, and we are inviting you to follow our lead!

For those that don’t know, virtualization is a technology that allows a single server to run multiple, separate “virtual machines” or “virtual servers” on one server. These virtual servers are fully functional versions of operating systems, but are allocated only a portion of the “Host” machine’s actual resources. This allows a server to be better utilized by dividing and divvying resources to tasks. This also prevents a business from investing unnecessary amounts of money into brand new servers while still gaining additional resource capabilities!

TH2 is in the process of migrating one of our servers to VMware’s ESXi. ESXi is a “hypervisor”, and once our server is running ESXi, we will be able to add at least 2 more virtual machines. This is allowing our Orange County computer support specialists to run more servers, and better utilize our current resources, without an actual investment in additional hardware! Give us a call, and we can see how virtualization can help your business stand up that extra server you have needed, but just haven’t been able to afford.

TH2 Technologies also offers Orange County computer support and repair services such as:

Spyware/Malware removal
Virus removal
Spam filtering
Hardware and software troubleshooting
24/7 Monitoring
Drive installations
RAM Installation
Desktop repair
Laptop repair
Hardware repair
Software installations

Windows 7 Excitement

2009-11-13T09:43:00.000-08:00

Hi! My name is Ricky Carleton, and I am TH2 Technologies’ newest employee. I am so excited to become a part of this family, and can’t wait to meet all of our clients.

TH2 Tech is doing a lot of very exciting things right now. One of the hottest things on the market is Windows 7. This is a time of strong transition for many small networks, specifically those running Windows XP. XP is not far from its End of Life (EOL) now that Windows 7 is on scene, and this will inevitably force small businesses to upgrade. We here at TH2 just did our very first full office rollout of Windows 7. The office was 10 computers, and the install went very smoothly. We upgraded one machine first, and installed all the software that the office uses to make sure that everything was compatible, and then rolled out the other 9 machines right after. The biggest difference this is going to make for small businesses is that Windows 7 actually runs better than Windows XP on a majority of systems, including old ones! Buying Windows 7 licenses is vastly cheaper than replacing an ageing desktop with a new one, and can give your whole network a much needed face lift without the massive investment in brand new systems that you may not actually need. TH2, the premier Orange County computer support team is more than happy to provide any interested parties with a quote on an upgrade for networks of all sizes, and survey your hardware to let you know if any hardware upgrades are necessary or not.

This was a great opportunity for TH2 Technology to really show what we are capable of. We will continue to be on the cutting edge of technology, enabling our small business clients to compete at a big business level.

TH2 Technologies is your number one source for Orange County computer support. We can help you with the following:

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Orange County Computer Services | Orange County Computer Repair

TH2 welcomes Ricky Carleton

2009-11-02T22:39:00.000-08:00

TH2 is very excited to welcome Ricky Carleton to our team. Ricky brings extensive knowledge and expertise in systems administration and network management. He is a great additon to our company. Welcome aboard Ricky.

Welcome To The Official TH2 Technologies Blog

2009-10-30T15:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the official TH2 Technologies blog! TH2 Technologies is a company whose goal it is to remove the headaches and hassles of owning, fixing, and dealing with computers that don't perform as they should. We do this by offering a large number of different and comprehensive Orange County computer repair services. Here at TH2 Technologies it is our goal to provide our customers with unparalleled, honest, and friendly Orange County computer support. We know how difficult it can be to find Orange County computer services that are fairly priced, and services that you actually need.

Our blog will be updated on a regular basis and we plan on using this blog to keep customers and those looking for help with their computers up to date with tips on keeping a computer clean and running smoothly. We'll also be sharing with our readers, company news, important tech related information, as well as any special offers we might have. We encourage all of you to visit this blog regularly and to leave your comments and questions below.

Orange County Computer Services

Troubleshooting
Secured Wireless Solutions
Spam Filtering
Remote Access & VPN Solutions
24/7 Monitoring
On-Site Support
Managed Services
Remote Helpdesk
Network Security/Firewalls
Computers/Servers
Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware
Network Design
Web Hosting
Sales and Implementations
Email Hosting
Preventative Maintenance Agreements
Continuous Data Protection
Migrations
Automated Off-Site Data Backup
Complete Technology Solutions
Cable , DSL, T1
Servers and Computers
Hardware Leasing

Should you have any questions about any of our Orange County computer services or Orange County PC repair services, please don't hesitate to contact us for help. Be sure to stop by our Orange County computer services website too for our full list of Orange County computer services.

We can help you with the following: