Here Comes Windows 8

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?

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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