CONCEPT

When you get a new computer, you're probably hoping all your old files, data and programs come with it. Many people are surprised to learn that programs don't transfer the same way as your files and settings. Files and settings can be imaged and copied onto a new hard drive. But computer programs form a relationship with the registry and with files in your computer's operating system. They don't simply exist to be accessed. This means that a program must be re-installed on a

We came across a really great question on Rick's Daily Tips that we thought we would share! A subscriber asked: I have a question that’s probably going to sound dumb, but I’m curious. I’ve been using computers for a long time and I’ve deleted a lot of files. Where do they go after Windows deletes them? Rick’s answer: That’s actually a very intriguing question, Judy. And I don’t think it sounds dumb at all. Before I answer the question as asked, I believe it’s important to ex

Microsoft has announced that the new Windows 11 will be available for install (or pre-installed on new machines) starting October 5th. The new operating system will feature the ability to download and run Android apps on your PC, and a fresh update to Microsoft Teams, new start menu and a cleaner look. Don't expect to wake up on October 5th to the new OS. The updates will only start rolling out slowly then. Prior to receiving the updates, you will need to ensure that your mac

School is just around the corner. You have your laptop ready to go. But have you set it up for success? Here are a few things we recommend before taking off to campus: Take your laptop in for a "tune-up". Nothing is worse than getting to school only to find out your computer runs slow, lags, makes weird noises or crashes when you use your note-taking system. Have one of our qualified technicians clean-up your machine to have it running in tip top shape for class. Invest in a

Once upon a time, PC gaming was not a spectator sport. Those days are long gone. If you are a super badass gamer and you want to show off your skills, you can broadcast your game via an online streaming service. Alternatively, if you want to learn from some of the best, you can just sit back and watch the action. To be the streamer though, your computer needs a few basic requirements. Be sure your system has at least: Intel Core i5-4670 or the AMD equivalent 8 GB of RAM Direc

That time of year is just around the corner! As the summer comes to a close, it's time to start thinking about supplies for your return to school. Of course, one of your most important supplies being your computer. Here are a few things to think about when shopping for your back to school tech: Portability - if you're hopping around from classroom to classroom, or even building to building, you want something that is easily portable, light and fits into your backpack BUT you

Email scams are nothing new, yet people still get sucked in by them all the time! One such scam that we've seen resurface lately is the Facebook email scam. The text can vary slightly, but it will generally look like this: “Recently there have been reports citing copyright violations of your Facebook posts, so we require you to urgently contact Facebook Support to resolve this issue before we shut down your page. Get in touch with Facebook Business Support: https://somefraudu

In case you haven't noticed, it's been pretty hot lately, and if there's one thing your computer doesn't like, it's heat. During these hotter months, it may be worth investing in an added fan to your system, especially if you run a high-performance machine or engage in demanding tasks like gaming or graphic design. These tasks work your CPU hard and consequently put out a lot of heat. Add that to the ambient summer temperatures and that's a lot of stress on your system. Keep

Have you ever turned on your computer, gone to login and realized... you can't remember your password? What about your PIN? Nope, can't remember that one either. No problem, there is a procedure for this, but the caveat is you have to have access to another device that can either receive text messages or you can check your email from. If you find yourself in this precarious position, click the "I forgot my password" link below where you would normally input your password. You

Having secure passwords is a big deal these days. So much of our lives are online and cyber crime is going strong! One of your best lines of defense for your personal accounts is a complex password. Many people will choose one strong combination of letters, numbers and characters and then use it for everything. The problem is, if that password becomes compromised, then all your personal information is at risk. So what is the best option? We love password managers! These handy

Cookies can be delicious, but also useful if you set your permissions properly! No, we're not talking about the baked goods. In the computer world, cookies refer to small data files that websites use to tailor your experience (but also to track your activity). Briefly, these small data files get stored on your computer when you visit a website and then get read by the site's server. They make it possible for you to login, or remember your username so you don't have to re-ente

The new Windows 11 announcement is here! Microsoft announced it's new operating system as yep, you guessed it, Windows 11. The system will be available as an upgrade to existing Windows 10 users this Fall. It will feature: - Microsoft Teams as available to BOTH Android and Apple users - New gaming technology that boasts auto HDR to enhance visuals in a video game There will of course be a fresh look and menu to look forward to as well! Concept technicians are available to hel

Data loss almost never happens at an ideal time and it can be devastating - so HOW does it happen? The information on your system's drive can be lost via: - human error - viruses / malware - power failure - physical damage to the drive We often see data loss when users accidentally (permanently) delete files, there are power outages/surges, liquids are spilled on the device, viruses or malware deletes or corrupts files or devices are dropped. The best prevention for data loss

The Windows rumors are flying this week as Microsoft announces a "What's Next for Windows" event on June 24th. The new Windows logo shadow looks suspiciously like the number 11 and the event is set to start at 11 am... we wonder what the next version of Windows will be called??? While new Windows versions don't have the best reputation for smoothness, we highly recommend getting on-board with Windows 10 if you are still one of the few clinging to earlier versions. For the tim

Some (not so) fun facts about computer viruses: 1. About 70% of virus engineers work for organized crime operations 2. Hackers write approximately 6000 new viruses each month 3. More than 90% of emails are spam 4. MyDoom is the most expensive computer virus in history; it cost an estimated $38.5 billion in damages and was the fastest spreading computer virus known 5. One of the largest computer security breaches in the US happened because someone dropped a flash drive Makes y

Wifi giving you troubles? Here are a few things to try before giving your service provider an earful: - reset your modem/router - unplug the modem and wait at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in - check for updates - out-of-date drivers can really mess with a component's ability to function properly - test other devices in your household - if they are not having connectivity problems, it's most likely your errant device - move your device or router - dead zones in you

It's a common misconception that MACs don't get viruses, but THEY DO! In fact, one recent study claims that MAC viruses increased by 1000 percent in 2020. And this year, many machines have been infected by the mysterious Silver Sparrow malware. So, how to prevent them? Just like a PC, the first step is a trusted anti-virus program (JUST ONE! Multiple anti-virus programs can actually work against each other) and the next is regular maintenance of your machine. Luckily, Concept

During COVID we're spending more time online than ever before, including many seniors who may not have much knowledge of how to protect themselves from cyber threats. Here are a few tips to keep you and your loved ones safe online: 1. Secure your access: use complex passwords, or better yet, pass phrases of at least four words or 15 characters. Be sure to use a different password for every site. This can get tedious to manage, so consider using a password manager, which store

Meet Flo. A masterpiece of minimalist design, Concept's Flo series runs as cool and as quietly as it looks. High air flow capabilities and clean cable management allows maximum cooling, allowing the system to be easily pushed to the outer limits of performance. And it does so in near total silence. Built around an unlocked Ryzen 7 5800X 8-core, 16-thread processor with a clock speed of up to 4.7 GHz, coupled with a generous (and expandable) 16 GB RAM and a 1 TB NVME solid sta

In honour of Teacher's Week, we thought we'd feature some computer essentials for school computers that you should look for to enhance your (and your teacher's) school experience: - Storage capacity: your storage needs will vary depending on the type of classes you are taking, but in general, aim for 1 TB; if you need more space, purchase online storage or grab an external hard drive - Processor: if your classes demand a lot from your computer, like image rendering or video e