Spring Cleaning? Don’t forget your PC!

With the hint of spring in the air, your energy levels are up, and so is your productivity. You’re on a roll at work and suddenly—it starts freezing. And we’re not talking about the weather.

PC users have at least one thing in common—we’ve all experienced the distracting error messages, load time lagging, buzzing and whirring that alert us to double-check our backup system just in case the dreaded “blue screen of death” appears. While these signs don’t necessarily mean your PC is going to quit on you anytime soon, they are symptoms of a straining hard drive and an overworked machine.

But it is spring after all… why not extend your spring cleaning regimen to include your PC as well? Follow these simple tips to organize your files, purge unnecessary data and back up important information so your PC is working efficiently and smoothly—and so are you.

Hoard no more
Just because you don’t have old newspapers piling up in your living room doesn’t mean you’re good at letting things go. Remember those photos you downloaded last year or that game that you never play anymore? Those are still on your PC if you haven’t deleted them, and they’re using up valuable space.

Go through all of your programs and files and delete (or back up before deleting) the ones you don’t need or use anymore. Remember, deleting a program from your desktop does not mean it was deleted from your computer—make sure you go through the Start menu to uninstall each of the programs that you want to get rid of. And if you accidentally remove something you need, all of the recent versions of Windows have System Restore, which allows you to restore your PC back to an earlier time to retrieve the deleted information.

Get organized
Now that all of those unnecessary programs and files are out of the way, it’s time to organize the ones you still have. Organizing your files will speed up your productivity by helping you find what you need a lot faster.  There are many apps you can find to help you automatically organize programs and files on your PC, a good one is DropIt.

Back it all up
Everyone knows how important it is to back up your data, but it’s easy to get lazy about it. While you’re organizing your files, it’s a good idea to check and make sure that all of your important information can be recovered in the unfortunate event that your hard drive crashes.

The volume of data accumulated by most businesses can be overwhelming, making it hard to know what you should bother to back up on your PC. It’s a time-consuming process, but you have to take the time to prioritize the types of files you have and assess which ones you couldn’t run your business without—namely financial documents, contacts, and confidential information.

After you decide what to back up, the next decision is how. BizTech offers automatic online data backup from MozyPro.

Speed it up

If, after all of your attempts at cleaning and organizing your PC, it is still going slow, give BizTech a call!  Often times, you will have a virus or malware that you didn’t even know was affecting your computer.  Our experts will diagnose and troubleshoot the problems, and get your device back on track.  We can even take it to the next step and internally clean your computer.  Dust bunnies inside your computer can lead to component failure, fan failure, and slow performance. Find out more about BizTech’s PC repair services.

Make it a habit
Just as you should practice spring cleaning once a year, the process of purging, organizing, backing up data and cleaning the inside of your PC should also be a regular occurrence. The longer you put it off, the more you’ll pay for it later. Stay on top of your organization and your PC will thank you by working better and lasting longer.

These tips are brought to you by the HP Technology at Work Blog

How to configure Windows automatic updates

If you are a Windows user, you should make sure that the Automatic Update feature is configured to automatically download and install updates on a regular schedule.  This will ensure that you have the latest patches and security updates from Microsoft- which can help protect your computer from new and emerging security threats.

For Windows XP users:

To enable Automatic Updates

1. Use Microsoft Internet Explorer to visit Microsoft Update.
2. On the right side of the page, Internet Explorer displays the current status of Automatic Updates:
   • If Automatic Updates is turned on, your computer is protected. Windows XP will automatically install updates. You don’t need to follow the rest of these steps.
   • If Automatic Updates is turned off, click Turn on Automatic Updates.
3. In the Automatic Updates window, click OK.

For Windows Vista/7 users:

1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Update.
2. In the left pane, click Change settings.
3. Under Important updates, choose the option that you want.
4. Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updatescheck box, and then click OK.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

You can also choose if you want to allow anyone to install updates by selecting the Allow all users to install updates on this computer check box. This applies only to updates and software that are installed manually; automatic updates will be installed regardless of the user.

For Windows 8 users:

In Windows 8, Windows will turn on automatic updating during setup unless you choose to turn it off. You can check this setting and turn on automatic updating in Control Panel. Just open the Search charm, enter Turn automatic updating on or off, and tap or click Settings to find it. You can use Control Panel to turn automatic updating on, and you can also control what Windows does with recommended updates and updates for other Microsoft products.

These tips were found on the Microsoft Windows website & compiled by BizTech Network Consultant, Dan Mizen.

Getting lost trying to use Windows 8?

Windows 8 is out in force.  If you haven’t experienced Microsoft’s newest release, you certainly will soon.  My maiden voyage occurred at Christmas.  I’ll spare you the gory details of my fumblings in front of relatives, as my niece’s brand new still-in-the-box laptop was handed to me to load Microsoft Excel.  I’ll simply say that the following Hotkeys may make your navigation to familiar territory easier than mine was…especially if you have an audience!

• Windows Key + X  -  If you only remember one, remember this!  It will open a menu which includes items such as: Control Panel, Command Prompt, Task Manager, File Explorer, Power Options and Show the desktop.

• Windows Key + D  - Simply shows the desktop

• Windows Key + E  -  This opens ‘My Computer’

• Windows Key + Tab  -  Allows you to cycle through your open apps. 

• Windows Key + F  -  Opens up a search of files

• Windows Key + R  -  Opens ‘Run’

This tip was brought to you by BizTech Networking Consultant, Larry Tussing

Larry Tussing Joins BizTech as an Infor VISUAL & Network Consultant

Toledo, OH – January 16, 2013:  BizTech, a provider of information technology and business software solutions, is pleased to announce the addition of Larry Tussing to its team.  Larry has joined BizTech as an Infor VISUAL & Network Consultant. In this role, Larry will assist clients by providing a variety of technical support services.  Utilizing Larry’s combined experience of supporting Infor VISUAL ERP software and IT systems management will allow BizTech to better serve their clients.

“Larry has significant experience supporting ERP and IT Systems.  Also, he has a thorough understanding of the effects of technology in a business environment,” said Joe Zalewski, Managing Partner and COO at BizTech.  “His versatility will definitely be an advantage for both our VISUAL and Network support clients”.

Larry resides in Pemberville, Ohio and will work from BizTech’s corporate office located in Toledo, Ohio.  Larry has 25 years of experience as an IT Manager in a manufacturing environment, with 14 of those years using and supporting the Infor VISUAL ERP software.  Prior to joining BizTech, Larry worked as the IT Manager for Kennametal Inc.  and Clarke American-Lincoln.  Larry’s strength lies in his versatility and understanding of supporting IT and ERP in manufacturing facilities.  In addition to his many certifications, Larry has an Associates Degree in Computer Science from the University of Findlay.

About BizTech

Founded in 1999 and located in Toledo, Ohio, Business Technical Consulting, LLC (BizTech) is dedicated to providing complete Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)and Information Technology (IT) solutions that deliver value to our clients. Long-term Partnerships with our clients are forged by investing the time to understand business objectives, so that we can deliver valuable results that will help their organizations to be more productive and profitable.  BizTech delivers results with solutions from industry leading manufacturers such as Infor, Microsoft™, DELL™, HP, Citrix® and Cisco. BizTech is an Infor VISUAL™ ERP Channel Partner, a Microsoft™ Registered Partner, a Citrix® Authorized Solution Advisor, and Comptia A+ Certified.  The BizTech Team has one simple goal: to partner with your company in a joint effort to improve your business processes and increase your profitability.

Integrate your devices with Mobile BI

Have you ever wished that you could check your work email, data or apps from your smartphone or tablet? You can, with BizTech's Mobile BI (Mobile Business Intelligence). 

We can integrate your tablet or smartphone with your corporate network to safely allow access to email, calendars, data and applications on your secure intranet and internal networks to help you work on the go!

Find out more about Mobile BI smartphone and tablet integration

National Clean Your Desk Day

If you see some co-workers cleaning on this coming Monday, January 14, 2013, it may be because of 'National Clean Your Desk Day.'  This got us thinking...how often does the typical office-worker clean his/her desk?  From the looks of the desks around our office, not much.

If your desk is cluttered- first go through the stacks of papers.  If it is a lot of mail, sort it and throw away what isn't needed.  Stackable trays can help you sort papers by what is important, what needs filed and what you still need to look over.  If you have a lot of small office supplies cluttering your desk, get some drawer organizers to keep them in their place.

If you take a lot of notes on paper or have post-its all over, digitize them!  Included in Microsoft Office 2003 and newer versions is the wonderful Microsoft OneNote.  It is a very efficient program you can use to take notes, organize projects and conduct research.  Find out the Top 10 Benefits of of OneNote.

Once the clutter is gone, take a minute to think about what is on your desk/keyboard/mouse/phone that  you can't see...  A few years ago, a study was done by the University of Arizona that found an office desktop had 400 times more bacteria than the average office toilet seat!  All that bacteria can put you at risk for becoming sick, especially if you eat at your desk.

Your keyboard is probably filled with food crumbs, hair, dead skin cells, etc.  That is an easy fix- shut down your computer, turn your keyboard upside down, and shake it out.  A can of compressed air works great, too.  Then, you can wipe the keyboard down with antibacterial wipes or isopropyl alcohol.  A cotton swab works well for between keys.  Then, make sure to wipe down your phone, mouse (get in the grooves), all the buttons and knobs on the computer/monitor/speakers, and your actual desk and drawer handles.  It may be a good idea to wipe down your writing utensils, staplers and scissors too.

Now, run to your office closet and get out the antibacterial wipes and sprays.  It is time for a deep cleaning!

Top 10 Benefits of Microsoft OneNote

1. Organize, store and search your ideas, information and notes in one easy-to-use location.
2. See results as you type with improved Search functionality and view prioritized lists of Search results.
3. Take notes while working in Word, PowerPoint, or in Internet Explorer and automatically link them.
4. Use quick filing to organize notebooks, ideal when you’re working on multiple projects.
5. Easily organize and jump between your notebooks with the improved notebook Navigation Bar.
6. Easily take notes while working in other applications with the Dock to desktop feature.
7. Apply styles and formatting to selected text in another paragraph with the new OneNote Format Painter.
8. Use the customizable Ribbon – new to OneNote – to access your favorite commands more quickly.
9. Easily access Save, Print and Share features and commands quickly with the new Microsoft^® Office Backstage^™ view.
10. Post your notebook online and access, view and edit it from virtually anywhere with Office Web Apps on Windows Live SkyDrive.
    
    
    
    
    Microsoft OneNote is included in Microsoft Office 2003 and newer.  For more information, email us a info@gobiztech.com 

7 Ways to Help your PC Last Longer

A primary concern for most business owners is how to get the most bang for your buck. When you’re purchasing expensive technology, this becomes an even more valid point of consideration. Buying computers is one of the larger investments you have to make in order to effectively run a business. To avoid surprise crashes and loss of data, it’s not recommended to hold onto a frequently used computer for more than four to five years. However, there are things you can do to help prolong its life span and enable it to perform better over time, saving you money in the long run.

1. Keep it clean
Dust, dirt, food and other particles tend to accumulate in the crevices of keyboards, mice and monitors. If not removed, these particles can scratch hardware components and eventually build up enough to cause overheating, shortening the life of your computer. To avoid this, make sure to dust and clean your computer and its accessories on a regular basis. Compressed air is a great way to get small particles out of keyboards and tight cracks.

2. Keep it dry
PCs and liquids do not go together well. Never drink or rest water, coffee, soda or anything liquid near a desktop or notebook. A spill could mean you’ll be buying a new one much sooner than you had planned.

3. Give it space
This tip applies mostly to laptops/notebooks. The nice thing about them is that they’re portable. On business trips, it can be tempting to set them down on a hotel pillow or bed while you’re casually answering emails or doing research. But soft, padded surfaces do not allow airflow into the ventilation holes underneath the notebook, which leads to overheating. To limit this risk, make sure you always rest your notebook on a cool, solid surface, allowing air to travel underneath it.

4. Protect it
Viruses could be the biggest threat to the health of a notebook or desktop. One of the very first things you should do when you buy a new computer is install anti-virus software. Some popular, effective applications include Microsoft Security Essentials and McAfee.

5. Give it more memory
Painfully slow processing is a sign that your computer may be starting to fade on you. Add extra RAM (random access memory) to relieve the strain of an overloaded machine. Once it stops relying on hard disk memory, your computer’s performance will become exponentially faster.

6. Keep it uncluttered
All of the programs that you don’t currently use on your computer are taking up valuable space. Getting rid of them will improve performance and save memory. Most PCs have a “disk cleanup” function that will delete “unseen” files and empty caches. You can also go through your files manually and remove anything you haven’t been accessing.

7. Choose it wisely
There are many things to consider when purchasing a computer. If you’re looking for a desktop or notebook that can stand the test of time and endure harsh environmental conditions, a computer such as the HP Elite PC may be your answer. All Elite products must endure 115,000 hours of durability testing to prove they’ll be able to give you many years of reliable service.

Unfortunately, no matter how well you take care of it, the reality is that no computer can live forever. To decrease your risk of a catastrophic crash, make sure you don’t wait too long to buy a replacement. After several years, most computers start to display glitches and show signs that they could be struggling. To be on the safe side, you should plan on replacing your desktops and notebooks about every four years.


These 7 Tips were gathered from HP's Technology at Work Newsletter

Tech Tips to Increase Work Productivity

• Use Windows keyboard shortcuts
• Start with using just a few; Ctrl+C (copy); Ctrl+V (paste); Ctrl+S (save).
• Get rid of Spyware
• Spyware slows down your computer- getting rid of it can make your life much easier.
• Use more than one monitor
• Using dual-monitors greatly increases your productivity- no more clicking to different tabs on your spreadsheets, and copying/pasting into different documents becomes a cinch.
• You could even have one screen for your emails, and another for other tasks.
• Sort your email inbox
• Creating folders and filters can help you manage your chaotic inbox.
• Use calendars
• Using your calendar in Outlook or Google Calendars keep track of your meetings, appointments and other important tasks that you don’t want to forget about.

Simple Steps to Keep Your Laptop Battery Charged

It can be really frustrating when your laptop battery loses juice at an inopportune time, so here’s some tips on how to prolong the life of your laptop battery:

• Avoid multi-tasking. Here’s a great way to drain the battery: Work on a spreadsheet while your e-mail is running in the background and your latest favorite music is playing. In addition to preserving battery power, forcing yourself to focus on one task at a time is a great way to practice your prioritization skills.

• Turn down the lights and the heat. Dim your laptop’s screen to the lowest level that’s suitable for you. Closely related, the lower the temperature, the more efficient your laptop’s operation. To keep the temperature as low as possible, clean out the air vents with a cloth or a keyboard cleaner.

• Optimize the power. If you’re running Windows, visit ‘Power Options’ on the control panel and select ‘max battery’ to decrease the strain on your laptop’s battery.

• Defragment your computer regularly. Defragging is the process of reducing the amount of fragmentation in your files, and being proactive about it significantly reduces your computer’s to-do list, thereby saving power. This post will walk you through the process. You can also set this up to run automatically.

• Become a minimalist. When you’re on battery power, don’t run unnecessary programs in the background. Even if you cannot see them, they are taxing your laptop and its battery. The same goes for USB devices such as your mouse. If the devices are not in use, shut them down or remove them.

• Go into hibernation. Standby saves power, but hibernate saves even more.

• Baby your battery. Like a pet, your battery needs exercise. If your battery is charged, do not leave it dormant. Instead, be sure to use your charged battery at least once every couple of weeks.

And finally, invest in a more efficient laptop. Like automobiles, technology evolves on a regular basis, with each wave of innovation more efficient than the one that preceded it. In terms of better battery performance, a new laptop is one of the quickest fixes around.

Thinking about getting a new laptop? Contact a Solutions Advisor at 419.539.6922 or via email to find one that is right for you!

-Content from HP's 367AddisonAvenue Blog-