#computersnewwest

Computer related tips and tricks as well as industry news and alerts to keep you safe while connected.

Concept Computers

Aug 3, 2020
1 min

Student Computing

School is right around the corner, it's time to get your gear in order. So, what's the best laptop for a student - budget-savvy appreciated? We highly recommend the Lenovo Chromebook. These are highly durable, transportable and efficient machines! Drop-resistant, spill-resistant and loaded with G-Suite for Education at a price that suits your budget - it's pretty much a no-brainer. To speak to us about all your student computer needs, come see us in-store at 1257 Marine Drive

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Concept Computers

Jul 26, 2020
1 min

Beep Beep

Is your computer talking to you? ...it shouldn't be. If you're hearing beeping from your computer, it is telling you (in short) that something is wrong. In fact, there are beep codes that tell technicians exactly what is wrong, but the long and short of it is, your computer has encountered an error and it needs to be fixed. While these beep codes are widely available, we do not recommend trying to diagnose and fix these errors yourself based on your research. Enter Concept Co

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Concept Computers

Jul 24, 2020
1 min

Two Types of Hard Drive Crashes

The term "crashed hard drive" is used when your spinning hard drive is no longer able to read the data stored on the unit, and data must be recovered. There are two types of crashed hard: a logical and physical. A logical crash occurs when the data itself is no longer readable due to a software error or file corruption. In this case a recovery software can be used to make multiple attempts to read each file, which, while time-consuming can offer the best chance of recovering

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Where NOT To Skimp When Buying A Gaming PC

Concept Computers

Jul 12, 2020
1 min

Where NOT To Skimp When Buying A Gaming PC

Buying a new gaming computer can be a costly endeavour. Of course everyone want to save money where they can, but one area NOT to skimp on is the ability to upgrade. Computer game technology advances rapidly. In the end, if you need to replace your entire system every few years to keep up with new technology, you are spending far more money than you would had you left room for expansion ports and storage bays. We highly recommend ensuring you have the latest motherboard avail

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Concept Computers

Jul 5, 2020
1 min

Do You Mesh With Your Wifi?

The internet is a pretty integral part of most home or business computer system set-ups these days. If your home or business is like most, you're likely dealing with multiple devices and therefore a wifi network. But what do you do when your wifi can't reach everywhere in your space? These wifi-less areas are called dead zones and they can be endlessly frustrating for both home and business patrons. Thankfully, with the increasing popularity of mobile devices there came the d

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Concept Computers

Jun 28, 2020
2 min

Email Battles: IMAP vs. POP3

Email: what is the difference between IMAP and POP3? When you're setting up your email in a new mail client (email reader, mail user agent i.e. a program that accesses your email) like Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail you will come across an option asking you to choose between IMAP or POP3. Choosing the correct option is important if you want to be able to access your email when and where you need it. So what's the difference? IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) keeps a CO

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Concept Computers

Jun 21, 2020
1 min

Summering with Your Laptop

Happy Solstice! Now that summer is officially here, you're probably thinking some sort of getaway. For many of us, these little excursions often come with the necessity to check in on work, or even entertain the littles and our computers get thrown in with the luggage. Here are a few tips for travelling with your laptop: 1. Make sure you have an appropriate travel bag (laptop backpack) that is waterproof. 2. Keep important data on a flash drive and store it apart from your co

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Concept Computers

Jun 14, 2020
1 min

A Not-so-fresh Start

Do you know about Windows Fresh Start? In theory, it is a useful option for Windows users that allows them to keep personal files, but wipe and reinstall Windows. Yes, you would still have to reinstall programs, but your data will remain. WAIT! Before you hop-to on your buggy computer... Since the May 2020 update, it has been increasingly apparent that the Fresh Start option does not work. Users have reported that the "Get Started" button is not there. There is a link for add

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Concept Computers

Jun 7, 2020
2 min

Yes, Macs get Viruses

Can Macs get viruses? You bet they can! It is a common misconception that Macs are immune, but this is an old and incorrect adage. PCs still comprise the majority of computer sales so it is not surprising that most viruses are written for them, but with the undeniable popularity of Macs these days we should also not be surprised that we see more and more of these baddies on our radar. Here are a few of the top Mac viruses you should watch out for: 1. The Shlayer Trojan: this

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What's That Noise? And Other Hard Drive Questions...

Concept Computers

May 31, 2020
2 min

What's That Noise? And Other Hard Drive Questions...

A crashed hard drive is a big fear of any computer owner. There are a few signs you can watch out for so that you know when to take your machine in BEFORE the catastrophic data loss. The biggest tell is noise. Yes, your hard drive will make some normal hums as its disk spins. It SHOULD NOT sound like a jet engine taking off, nor should you be hearing clicks, beeps, buzzing or grinding. You may also start to notice intermittent computer crashes, missing files or strange error

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Concept Computers

May 24, 2020
1 min

Keep Your Drivers Up-to-Date

If one of your peripherals or hardware is not working properly, you may want to check if your drivers are updated (or installed). Device drivers act as a translator for the language your device (like a printer, for example) speaks and that of your computer. Without an updated or installed driver, the two machines will not be able to communicate. If you are installing drivers, be sure to only visit the manufacturer's website for downloads. Need a little help? To speak to us ab

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Concept Computers

May 21, 2020
1 min

Another Buggy Update from Windows

Seen this lately? it could be due to yet another buggy Windows 10 update. The latest roll out, KB4556799 has been anecdotally a bit of a mess for some users. Forums and social media pages have been wrought with complaints of: - the blue screen of death - reboot loops - audio drivers missing - troubleshooter not working - some buttons in settings not working - missing files - impacted gaming performance - broken web browsing Interestingly, Microsoft has noted that these issues

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Concept Computers

May 12, 2020
1 min

Replace Your Screen, Not Your Computer

Cracked, defective or blanks screens don't need to mean the end of your laptop. Often they can be replaced, saving you money and helping you do your part for the environment. They key word here is, often. As computers get smaller, it is becoming increasingly difficult to replace laptop screens. Some screens are adhered to the besel with proprietary adhesives that require heat guns to remove, often resulting in the entire upper besel needing to be replaced. Planned obsolesc

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Why You Should Upgrade Your Operating System

Concept Computers

May 3, 2020
2 min

Why You Should Upgrade Your Operating System

You've been using your version of Windows or Mac OS for a loooong time. You know it. Your comfortable with it. Why bother to change it? Well, there's a few reasons actually. 1. Security - Microsoft and Apple do their best to provide updates for the valid operating systems they offer, but in general you're getting the best security updates on the most recent version of operating system. After a while, these companies will stop creating updates for these operating systems (an

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Correct your CAPS LOCK... without re-writing the whole sentence

Concept Computers

Apr 28, 2020
1 min

Correct your CAPS LOCK... without re-writing the whole sentence

Have you ever written a paragraph in a document with the caps lock on? Maybe it was intentional at first - you thought it would help emphasize your point. But then, you looked back and it just looked like you were yelling at your reader. Maybe you were just multi-tasking and didn't really notice, or maybe you were just being lazy and didn't want to turn the caps lock off... Whatever your reason, if you decide those caps lock sentences aren't doing much for you, there is a li

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Concept Computers

Apr 24, 2020
1 min

Accessible Computing

If you or a loved one is living with a disability, computing can be a challenge. Thankfully, advances in technology have made the task infinitely more accessible. There are a variety of software and hardware available including: - screen readers - dictation software - adapted and on-screen keyboards - inhalation / exhalation (sip and puff) systems - joysticks - trackballs - body wands and sticks - tongue mice - electronic pointing devices - touch screens - adapted keyboards

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Concept Computers

Apr 24, 2020
2 min

Be Virus Saavy

We're all aware of the global pandemic right now, but that hasn't slowed down the viruses available to your computers. Here are a few of the top recent badies you should watch out for: 1. Cyborg Ransomware (AIDS - Aids Info Disk Trojan) - this is a new variant of an old virus that uses fake Windows 10 software updates to install a ransomware. Ransomware threatens to publish the victim's data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid. Protect yourself by not o

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Concept Computers

Apr 24, 2020
1 min

Upgrade Your Wifi

You're stuck at home, so naturally wi-fi is essential. But are you stuck in one small corner of your house? You've called your internet provider, they've taken you through their motions and still... not much to write home about. It may be time to upgrade your wifi hardware. We upgrade from weaker and unstable wi-fi routers to ultra high-speed wireless mesh networks with far greater speed and range so you can comfortably take your laptop from one end of the house to the other

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What is Reserve Storage for Your Operating System?

Concept Computers

Apr 24, 2020
2 min

What is Reserve Storage for Your Operating System?

Did you know that your computer automatically sets aside 7 (or more) GB of storage space just in case space becomes scarce? It is called "reserve storage" and it is set aside because when storage space is low your computer can stop functioning optimally. Updates can fail to download or install properly and then all those bug fixes, patches or updates that are supposed to keep your operating system working tickity boo... don't. The storage space isn't just sitting there doing

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Concept Computers

Apr 24, 2020
1 min

Regular Maintenance to Prevent Disaster

The best way to prevent this... is with regular service and maintenance. That means making sure you have all the right updates and packages, remove junkware, monitor the performance of your system, keep on top of anti-virus updates and scans and be on the lookout for any other tell-tale signs of viruses or other performance problems. Yeah, it's a lot. But the alternative is often costly and endlessly frustrating. Concept Computers offers monthly service plans that takes those

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CONCEPT

COMPUTERS

North Vancouver

Vancouver

Lower Mainland

604-986-7680

604-971-5250

Concept Computer Corporation