If you’re still running Windows 7, the clock is just about to strike midnight. And while your operating system won’t exactly turn into a pumpkin, it will lose vital security support that could leave you at serious risk.

As of January 14, 2020, Microsoft closes the door on Windows 7, meaning that the operating system (OS) reaches end of life, and Microsoft no longer issues security patches or any other regular updates for it.

There are still roughly a quarter of Windows users running the soon to be outdated OS, and if you’re one of them, you’ll want to scramble to get upgraded as soon as possible. 

Why Should I Upgrade to Windows 10?

If you’re thinking why shouldn’t you just keep using Windows 7 since it’s not going to suddenly stop working, we’ve got some compelling reasons to upgrade to Windows 10 sooner (like now) rather than later.

• You’ll be an easy data breach target: Nearly 60% of data breaches in the last two years were due to an unpatched vulnerability. Without any new patches coming, you’ll be perpetually at risk.

• Out of compliance: Running an outdated operating system puts you out of compliance with data privacy regulations like PCI and HIPAA.

• Hardware/software compatibility issues: Software and hardware manufacturers aren’t going to keep supporting an outdated operating system and soon you’ll begin having serious compatibility issues.

• You’re left out of productivity enhancements: Sticking with an older OS means you can’t take advantage of security and productivity improvements offered in Windows 10. 

Looking for ways to upgrade? We’ve got your options next.

Ways to Upgrade to Windows 10

When upgrading to Windows 10, you do have a few different options that you’ll want to consider. One upgrade option might be more cost effective for you than another, so it’s a good idea to see what’s on the table for your upgrade choices.

Option 1: Upgrading Your Current Computer

If your current computer isn’t too old and it meets Windows 10 system requirements, then you can purchase the software and upgrade your current PC.

You can purchase and download the operating system directly from Microsoft, starting at $139.00 for Windows 10 Home or $199.99 for Windows 10 Pro.

If you’re wondering if the extra money is worth going with Windows Pro, we’ll go over some of the additional features. Windows Pro comes with everything Windows Home has, plus:

• BitLocker and Windows Defender Antivirus

• Remote desktop capability

• Azure Active Directory

• Management tools for single sign on and more device control

• Sandboxing and additional security features

Option 2: Buying a New Computer

If your current computer is 4-5 years old, then it may make sense for you to upgrade it in conjunction with the end of Windows 7. Just about any new computer you purchase will come with Windows 10 already installed.

Generally, the consumer PCs will come with Windows 10 Home and the business-class PCs will come with Windows 10 Pro. 

Option 3: Subscribe to Microsoft 365

If you’re an Office 365 user and you have several business computers to move from Windows 7 to 10, then you might want to consider an upgrade in your cloud service subscription to Microsoft 365. 

Microsoft 365 includes:

• Office 365 Business Premium

• Windows 10 

• Mobile device manager (Microsoft Intune)

• Additional security features

Microsoft 365 Business is $20/user/month. So, if you’re using Office 365 Business Premium already, that’s an additional $7.50/user/month, which might be worth it to you for the additional benefits.

But if you’re currently using Office 365 Business (not Premium), it’s a much bigger jump of $11.75 (more than double) per user/month.

Option 4: Switch to Windows Virtual Desktop

If you are planning to replace your computer and want to consider cloud options, Microsoft recently introduced the Windows Virtual Desktop, which comes with Windows 10.

A virtual desktop still needs to have a physical device to access it, like a computer or mobile device, but that access point doesn’t need to be nearly as robust and can be fairly stripped down since all your programs and storage will be based in the cloud. 

The Windows Virtual desktop basically lets you take your computer with you anywhere you go because you can access it from anywhere. One drawback may be that you need an internet connection to connect to a virtual desktop. 

Pricing is not quite as straight forward because it depends upon a variety of factors and includes purchase of an Azure plan. They do offer a free trial and offer customers “pay as you go” pricing. It’s best to discuss this option with an authorized reseller. 

Get Help with a Smooth Upgrade to Windows 10 Today!  

Upgrading your operating system can be tricky and if it’s not done right can result in problems with data migration or upgrades getting stuck during the process. Save yourself the trouble by having Pro Tech Guy upgrade your PC for you. 

Contact us today to schedule your Window 10 upgrade. Call 508-364-8189 or reach us online.

The top reason that both enterprise and small businesses choose cloud services is to reduce costs. 

Cloud services are known for offering more features and flexibility for a lower price, which has been a big bonus for small businesses trying to build their business and keep their overhead low.

One of the cloud technologies that offers the best cost savings are VoIP phones. Voice Over Internet Protocol has been around for a couple of decades, but it was the recent rise in cloud services and improvement in wireless networks that helped them become such a transformative business technology.

79% of U.S. businesses use VoIP phones.

Five years ago, approximately 42% of U.S. businesses were using VoIP at one location or more, and now the figure is nearly double at 79%.

Great voice quality, “answer anywhere” flexibility, and features like auto attendant and voicemail to text have caused businesses to make the switch to cloud-based VoIP and enjoy significant savings in the process.

What Are the Cost Savings of VoIP?

Whether or not you call internationally, there are significant cost savings when you switch to VoIP that come from a variety of areas. Here are the types of cost savings you can expect when you upgrade to an internet-based phone system. 

Hardware & Service Savings

If you’ve ever dealt with a PBX system that’s landline-based, you know that the equipment can get pretty pricey, and it can easily cost over $1,000 to get set up. Besides having the phone extensions wired to each specific desk, you need to purchase handsets and other necessary hardware.

With VoIP, you can save approximately 75% on the operational costs of your phone system, including hardware and servicing. The start up cost is also very minimal and can easily cost less than $20 to get started.

You don’t even need to purchase a handset unless you want to because VoIP phones can be answered via computer headset or mobile device.

Local & International Call Savings

While, those companies that make international calls can save up to 90% on their calling costs with VoIP, you can also save pretty significantly on local calls (up to 40%). You’re not paying any of those fees and taxes that are tacked onto analog phone bills, and that adds up to less monthly calling costs.

Gain Great Phone Features

VoIP phone systems offer the types of features that only expensive enterprise-class plans used to offer. It’s a great example of how cloud technology has leveled the playing field for small businesses.

Here are some of the top features you can enjoy.

Local and Toll-Free Numbers

You can both have a local presence and a national reach through use of local and toll-free numbers. You have the freedom to choose the numbers you want and can also transfer existing numbers to use with a VoIP cloud PBX.

Auto Attendant

One of the most popular features is the auto attendant that can act as a virtual receptionist, transfer calls based upon department or take messages via voicemail.

Ring Groups and Simultaneous Rings 

Keep your customers routed to a real person and reduce the risk of missed calls. Ring Groups let you forward a call with multiple ringing options and Simultaneous Rings can ring all phones in a department at the same time. 

Voicemail Transcription

Save time and know immediately which calls you need to return first. Voicemail transcription sends you the text of a voicemail by SMS or email, reducing the amount of time it takes to go through your messages. 

Customer-Facing Features

Features like professional voice recordings, after hours greetings, and a hold music library help to enhance your customer experience when they call. These also add to the professional reputation of your company.

Call Handling

You get all the familiar call handling features with VoIP that you do with analog phone systems, plus some! Here are several that PTG Voice offers:

• Call record

• Call hold

• Call transfer

• 3-way conferencing

• Outbound caller ID

• Call screening

• Call announce

• Call transfer

• Speed dial

Easy, Web-based Administration

It’s easy to do things like change hold music, adjust a dial-by-number directory, or review detailed call reports. Everything is accessible from a web-based administration interface.

Learn More About PTG Voice VoIP Options 

If you’d like to learn more about PTG Voice or get some help customizing your VoIP system, Pro Tech Guy can help. 

Contact us today to learn more about how an internet-based phone system can benefit your business. Call 508-364-8189 or reach us online.

Two big trends that impacted small businesses over the last few years are mobile computing and cloud services. 

Cloud services are now the norm rather than exception when it comes to choosing software for your office and they’ve allowed companies to do more while paying less.

The use of mobile phones and tablets at work has also been a big trend that’s transformed business workloads. Approximately 87% of companies now expect their employees to use personal devices at work, and they’ve enabled businesses to work from anywhere.

Companies that were the first to take advantage of those tends where the ones that jumped out ahead of their competition and gained some significant advantages. It seems in a time when tech is evolving so fast, the early adopters are the ones that can really boost their bottom line. 

Small businesses that are considered “digitally advanced” experience year over year revenue growth nearly 4x higher than those that aren’t.

So, what big impacts are coming to further transform the way we work in 2020? What trends should you watch for this year? We’ll go through the ones everyone is taking about.

Emerging Technology to Take Advantage of Right Now

Technology has been a great equalizer for small and medium-sized businesses. It’s enabled them to afford productivity tools that previously were only in the price range of enterprise corporations. That trend of getting more for less continues with the new tech trends coming in 2020.

Here are the top trends and how you can take advantage of them before your competition. 

AI Redefining Customer Service

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being deployed to help companies serve their customers better and do it 24/7 without needing to add additional staff. AI can improve the answers it gives based upon customer feedback and can even employ use of “personality packs” to avoid sounding so robotic.

One of the ways you can take advantage of this at your business is through use of Facebook Messenger chatbots, which allow your customers to interact with your company through direct message. Chatbots can answer questions, book appointments, take survey’s, and more to improve your customer interaction.

Democratization of Expertise

Democratization of expertise is a fancy way of saying “simplify the complex.” The term refers to removing the need to hire programmers or others with specialized experience to accomplish certain tasks. Which is basically putting more technology power into more hands and removing barriers like price and expertise. 

A way that you can take advantage of this trend right now is by trialing Microsoft Power Apps. This platform makes it simple for anyone to create custom business apps for their company without needing to know a single line of code. Pricing is also affordable for most small businesses, starting at $10/user/app/month.

All-in-One Connected Cloud Platforms

When most companies first started using the cloud, they started with one service, then added another, then another. Until they ended up with multiple cloud services that might not communicate well or have shared security policies. 

As companies go full cloud, this is something that has to change for them to take advantage of automation and data sharing across platforms, which is why you’ll see more small businesses creating a connected platform for the future.

For your small business, this means taking a look at IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) platforms like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure to act as an all-in-one platform upon which to build your cloud services. Working with an IT consultant can ensure you’ve got your bases covered and are ready for the future with one integrated cloud workflow.

Smarter Ransomware

No one wants to see this tech trend, but it’s here anyhow. 75% of companies infected with ransomware in 2018 were running up-to-date endpoint protection. The problem is that AI is being used by malware creators to design even more sophisticated threats. 

What can you do? Make cybersecurity a main tech priority in 2020 and look for the software that has advanced threat protection and more sophisticated tactics, such as:

●      Artificial Intelligence

●      Machine Learning

●      Application Whitelisting

●      Sandboxing 

Faster Networks (Wi-Fi 6 & 5G)

Get ready for much faster connections without that annoying lag time and networks to have the capacity to handle more connected devices.

Both Wi-Fi 6 and 5G will change the speed at which we connect to our data, along with adding better integration of mobile and IoT devices into our business networks. 

You can get a jump on the productivity boost that’s going to come from faster networks by buying a Wi-Fi 6 router for your business and looking into 5G compatible mobile and other smart devices now, so you’ll be ready.

Stay Competitive with IT Help from Pro Tech Guy 

New technologies can be exciting rather than confusing if you have the right “guy” on your team. Pro Tech Guy offers solutions for small businesses for streamlining their productivity and maximizing their return on their IT investment.

Contact us today to do a 2020 technology review. Call 508-364-8189 or reach us online.

When it comes to cybersecurity, we often think of desktops, laptops, and wireless routers first as they’ve historically been the targets of hackers and their malware, viruses, and other malicious threats.

But mobile use has risen dramatically over just the last few years, and the hackers have taken notice, unleashing new threats that are squarely aimed at compromising your mobile device and the data it contains.

60% of Google searches are performed from a mobile device.

One of the reasons that mobile use as become so prevalent, outpacing desktop use in some areas, is thanks to the rise of cloud services. They’re designed to allow people to connect to their data and applications from anywhere, especially from tablets and smartphones.

The more people use mobile, the easier it is to use. Take Google for example. When they saw that mobile searches were on track to overcome desktop searches, they started penalizing websites that weren’t mobile friendly in their search rankings, causing businesses to ensure their websites were as easily visited by a smartphone as a desktop computer.

Enter the cyber criminals.

They also followed this trend of “less desktop, more mobile” and started designing phishing ploys, malware, and viruses to exploit mobile devices. This includes everything from people’s habit of downloading mobile apps without really questioning their security to the growing use of online banking apps and mobile wallets.

2020 brings along with it a whole slew of security threats to your mobile devices, but if you’re properly aware, you’ll be much better prepared to defend against them.

Watch Out for These Emerging Mobile Device Threats

If you want to safeguard your credit card details and avoid having all the data on your device scrambled due to ransomware, it’s important to secure your phone with anti-malware, back up your data, and take other protective precautions.

Here are the top dangers you’ll want to protect your device from in 2020.

Banking Trojans

With the rise of mobile wallets and use of online banking apps has come an increase in banking trojans which are designed to steal your banking or other financial credentials. 

McAfee reported a 77% rise in banking trojans in 2018 and this continues to be a major threat for all mobile users that do any type of payments or online banking from their smartphone. 

The trojans are designed to dynamically download either through a malicious app or link. 

Fake Event Apps

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup a malicious app called Golden Cup was advertised as a way to live stream the World Cup games. But what it actually did was install spyware on victims’ devices.

Watch out for hackers taking advantage of similar sporting or other big events, like the upcoming Summer Olympics. Thoroughly research any mobile apps before you download them to make sure you’re not taken in by a fake.

Android-based Backdoor Threats

A new malware family called TimpDoor initially appeared in 2018 and grew exponentially since then, becoming the leading mobile backdoor family. The app communicates with users by text message trying to get them to download an app that’s outside the Google Play Store.

The app then does things like run in the background even after the app is closed and uses devices as an entry point to connected internal networks.

Data Leakage

Legitimate mobile apps can be dangerous as well if they don’t handle security responsibly. Often users give sweeping permissions to a mobile app when they install it without even realizing it.

These apps are typically free and send all types of personal information back to their remote server, most likely for advertising use.

Make sure to check security and data sharing settings for any mobile apps you download so you’re not sharing more than you realize. 

Mobile Ransomware

Ransomware has long been one of the top cyber threats for company networks. Data is encrypted once a network is infected by ransomware, making all data unusable. Ransomware has closed schools, hospitals, and businesses while victims try to get their systems back online, some paying hundreds of thousand of dollars in bitcoin for the ransom.

Mobile devices are a new target of attackers and mobile ransomware increased 33% in 2018 and was expected to continue rising into 2020. Ensuring your mobile device has strong malware protection can help prevent an infection. 

Lax Mobile Security

Lack of proper mobile security is also a big threat to device security in 2020. As mobile devices have taken over more of the workload from PCs, they require just as strong protection.

Many users don’t use PIN codes to lock their screens and don’t have a way to lock or wipe the device if it’s lost or stolen. The prevalence of BYOD (bring your own device) policies have complicated the situation.

The best way to improve mobile security at work is through use of a mobile device management software that allows you to safeguard device access to company data.

Get Help Securing Your Mobile Device 

We’re now accessing just about all the same data on mobile phones as we do on our computer. Is your device properly protected?

Contact Pro Tech Guy today for a mobile security consultation. Call 508-364-8189 or reach us online.

Cloud technology has made two fairly significant impacts on small business; 1) It’s helped to level the playing field and allowed them more advanced computing capabilities for a lower cost, and 2) It’s made it easier to run an office from anywhere.

80% of businesses say that using the cloud has improved their operations, and 40% of small and medium businesses say it’s more cost-effective than using in-house 3rd party applications.

What cloud services do is host applications on a virtual server rather than your hard drive, making them easily accessible via any internet-connected device. This offers a number of cost saving advantages for small businesses, including:

• Only pay for the users you need

• Easy to scale up or down

• Data is available no matter where you are

• Makes remote working easy, reducing physical office costs

• Low start up costs without any expensive software or hardware to buy 

The next evolution beyond accessing your programs, like Office 365 or QuickBooks Online, via the cloud, is accessing your entire computer environment the same way.

Hosting your Windows operating system, files, folders, settings, etc. in the cloud is referred to as a virtual desktop, and Microsoft is betting this is going to be the next logical step for many companies.

They announced the worldwide availability of their Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) on September 30, 2019, and is promises to make a big impact on companies of all sizes. And just as cloud computing was a game-changer for small businesses, WVD could be just as significant.

Windows Virtual Desktop Overview

Windows Virtual Desktop is able to deliver the only multi-session Windows 10 virtual desktop experience that’s also highly scalable, available on any device, and always up to date.

WVD hosts your computer work environment on an Azure virtual server, which allows it to be available from any of the following: 

• Windows

• Android

• Mac

• iOS

• HTML5

Just imagine hiring a new employee and instead of having to find an unused computer, clean it of any old data and then load the software needed onto it, you could instead just pull up a WVD environment that you had already saved as a template with the proper software loaded. Provision it for the new employee, and then they can access their “new work computer” from any device in minutes.

Virtual desktops allow you to take your computer with you anywhere you go without having to physically carry anything around or email files back and forth to yourself. 

The Benefits of Using Virtual Desktops

It can be a big decision to go completely virtual with your technology, because of the fact that you do need to have an internet connection in order to access it. But cloud applications have definitely been embraced by large and small businesses alike, and they also have that same requirement.

It seems that cost savings, operational efficiency, and ability to run a more mobile office outweigh concerns about offline access for many businesses, because most of what they do requires an internet connection already.

Here are some of the considerations when deciding whether to go completely virtual with Windows Virtual Desktops. 

Lower Hardware Costs

Because your OS and everything loaded onto it is hosted on a cloud server, the physical computer you may use to access it does not need to have the same high-performance specifications. It’s simply being used as a conduit to access the WVD. This means savings on hardware.

Easily Work from Anywhere

Have you ever traveled for business and tried to bring the files you needed with you on a laptop or tablet? You do your best to work remotely but find it’s just not as productive because you don’t have your main computer with you with all your “stuff” on it.

That problem is completely eliminated with a virtual desktop because you can log into your computer desktop environment from anywhere, even from a hotel’s business center, and it’s just like sitting in front of your keyword at work.

Easier, Less Costly Administration

Trying to administer things like software deployment and update management can be time consuming across multiple devices and there’s always a chance that a computer hasn’t applied a security patch, leaving your network vulnerable. 

Using virtual desktops significantly reduces the time it takes to administer multiple staff computers because it can all be done from a central control panel and applied to the virtual desktop environments instantly, saving time and money. Plus, it ensures that the operating systems and software are always up to date. 

Data Security Compliance Built In

Whether you’re worried about getting hit with a ransomware attack or you need to ensure compliance with HIPAA or another data privacy guideline, WVD can make data security compliance easier.

Microsoft Azure holds more compliance certifications than any other cloud provider, including ISO/IED, HIPAA, IRS, ITAR, and many others.

Need Help Migrating Your Data to a Virtual Desktop? 

If you’re intrigued about the possibility of making your office completely mobile with Windows Virtual Desktops, Pro Tech Guy can help you make it happen. We can easily get you set up and migrate your data to the new cloud environment. 

Contact us today to discuss how virtual desktops could help your business save. Call 508-364-8189 orreach us online.

Windows 10 is still a fairly young operating system, being less than 5 years old now. But in that short time, it’s been widely well-received and is currently the #1 operating system in the world with a market share of 54.3%.

While this OS was designed to make diagnostics easier, that doesn’t mean it’s without issues that users may run into from time to time. And when that happens, the last thing you want to do is be on the phone with Microsoft technical support forever.

The experts at Pro Tech Guy have put together this helpful troubleshooting guide based upon our years of experience offering technical support and computer repair services in the Framingham, MA area.

Before you get frustrated, try these troubleshooting tips, and they may just save the day.

Boot and Startup Issues 

One of the scariest PC problems to have is when you can’t get your computer to boot. You feel locked out of your device and can be at wit’s end trying to get to a login screen. Here are some tips to try.

When Your Windows 10 PC Won’t Turn On

First try the obvious:

• Make sure the power cord is secure and hasn’t become loose from your computer

• Check to ensure the plug is securely in the outlet

• Check another electronic device in the same outlet to ensure it’s working

• If using a surge protector, make sure the switch didn’t get turned off

• Change outlets to check if it will turn on with a different one

• Disconnect all peripherals (printers, additional screen, etc.) and try again

If you’ve tried everything and your computer is still not turning on at all, it will need to be looked at, and you can bring it in to Pro Tech Guy.

You Have Power, but Can’t Boot to Login

Booting issues can be caused by a number of issues, from file registry problems to hardware incompatibility. If you can’t boot normally to the Windows 10 login screen, here is an alternate method to try.

Boot in Safe Mode: Safe mode allows you to bypass some potential driver or software problems that might be causing the issue. To enter Safe Mode, you first need to enter the Windows Recovery Environment (winRE):

1. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your PC.

2. Press the power button again to turn on your device.

3. On the first sign that Windows has started, repeat step 1 to turn off your PC again.

4. Press the power button again to turn on your PC.

5. When Windows restarts, repeat step 1 for a third time, holding the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your PC.

6. Press the power button again to turn on your device.

7. Allow your device to fully restart. You will enter winRE.

You’ll be presented with a screen, and you want to choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

Once your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options, select option 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Screen & Performance Issues 

You See a Black Screen Before Signing In

If your screen is black or stuck on the welcome image and the sign in is not coming up, here are a few things you can try.

Windows Key sequence to wake the screen: Press the CapsLock or NumLock key to see if you get a status light. If you do, press the Windows Logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B, if this works, you’ll hear a short beep and the screen will blink or dim while Windows is refreshing it.

If You don’t see the status light: If you try the above and the status light doesn’t turn on, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn it off, then unplug the power cord. After 30 seconds reattach the cord and restart your PC.

Control/Alt/Delete: This trick is particularly helpful if Windows 10 is stuck on the welcome screen image at start up but not giving you the login form, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and it should pop up.

Remove Third-Party Antivirus Software: According to Microsoft, certain third-party anti-virus software has been known to cause black or blank screens. Remove the software and see if the problem persists. Windows Defender (Windows 10 built-in antivirus), will kick-in if there’s no other antivirus app.

Frozen PC When Browsing Online

It can be frustrating when you’re trying to research something and you hit upon a page with a ton of videos and ads, it can completely lock up your entire computer, making you think you have other performance problems.

Installing an adblocker (such as AdBlock) as a browser extension can quickly clear up this issue and give you back your browser.

Slow Wake with Open Browser Tabs

If you’re trying to wake up your computer and finding that it’s taking forever, it could be because you left open pages in your browser. Even if you minimized it, this can cause a memory drag, slowing you down.

You can save your open pages without the memory issue if you use Microsoft Edge. The browser has a save tabs feature you can access at the top left that quickly saves and restores all open windows. 

Sluggish Computer

Having a slow computer is frustrating and it can be due to any number of issues. Here are several things you can do to try to improve your system performance. 

• Check storage: If you have low disk space, it’s going to negatively impact your PC performance. Go to the Start button, then Settings > System > Storage, this will let you see your disk status and give you options for cleaning it up.

• Make sure automatic page file management is on: This setting has to do with how Windows 10 uses memory. Use your search, and type “advanced system” then choose View advance system settings. In the System Properties, select Advanced, and Settings in the Performance area. Select the Advanced tab and then Change in the Virtual memory area. Ensure that “Automatically manage paging file size for all drives” is checked.

• Adjust visual effects: Those fancy animations and other visual effects that aren’t really necessary can eat up your PC resources. Turn some of them off by searching on “Performance” in the search bar, then select Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows. On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance and Apply.

If You’re Still Having Problems, We’re Here for You! 

If you’re still experiencing problems, give us a call! The Pro Tech Guy team can perform expert diagnostics on your Windows 10 PC to find out what’s wrong and get it taken care of for you. We also offer fast emergency services!

Having Windows issues? Call us at 508-364-8189 oruse our contact form.

When you’re in the middle of a project and something goes wrong, you don’t always have time wait on the phone for Apple tech support to help. You just want to get the issue fixed fast, so you can continue your work.

While MACs have a reputation for being fairly user-friendly and glitch-free, that doesn’t mean they don’t still have their issues. This is compounded by the fact that they can be rather pricey as compared to Windows PCs, so users tend to keep them in use longer. And as with any computer, the longer you use it, the more problems can crop up.

Knowing a few tips and tricks to troubleshoot issues can save you a lot of time and frustration. The Pro Tech Guy team put together this handy MAC troubleshooting guide to give you tips for solving some of the most common issues that can be corrected if you know what to do.

We’ve included our years of computer repair and technical support experience in this guide and hope that it’s a helpful reference for you when you’re in a pinch. 

Boot and Startup Issues 

One of the most frustrating computer problems is not being able to turn your computer on or have it boot properly.

If Your iMac or MacBook Won’t Turn On

First try the obvious:

• Make sure the power cord is secure and hasn’t become loose from your computer

• Check the plug into the outlet to make sure it’s secure

• Check something else in the same outlet to ensure it’s working

• If using a surge protector, make sure the switch didn’t get turned off

• Change outlets to check if it will turn on with a different one

• Disconnect all peripherals (printers, additional screen, etc.) and try again 

If you’ve tried everything and you’re still getting a black screen, it will need to be looked at, and you can bring it in to Pro Tech Guy.

Your Mac is Stuck at a Grey Screen and Won’t Boot

If you get the screen loading with the Apple icon and your computer won’t go past that point, there is most likely something wrong with the booting process. This can be a software issue, hardware issue or something else. Here are some things to try.

Boot in Safe Mode: This will run additional diagnostics during boot to try to fix any issues. Hit the power button and press and hold the Shift key. You can release the Shift key after the Apple logo has gone and the login screen appears.

If this works and you’re logged in properly, you can run a file check by opening the Terminal and typing ‘fsck -fy’ and hit enter. This will take a few minutes. 

Boot in Diagnostic Mode: The next thing to try is running your Disk Utility by booting in Diagnostic Mode. Hit the power button and press and hold Command+R.

If this is successful, you’ll have the ability select a Disk Utility Option to run a diagnostic. Select your hard drive and click “Verify.” Then wait for it to finish. If you see a problem, click “Repair Disk.”

Reset the NVRAM: This is a common fix for many different types of problems, which include booting issues. Hit the power button and press and hold Command + Option + P + R until you hear your computer restart, then release the keys. 

Reset the SMC: If the NVRAM reset doesn’t work, next you can try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC). This one involves removing the power cord and has the following steps:

• Shut off your Mac

• Remove the power cord completely for 20 seconds

• Reattach the power cord

• Boot your computer

Screen & Performance Issues

Your Computer is On, but the Screen is Black

This one can drive you crazy at first because you might think your computer isn’t booting. But if you hear the normal sounds, it could just be that it’s stuck but is actually booted.

If this happens, try putting it to sleep with a keyboard command and waking it up again. Hold the S and Power button for 15 seconds and let go of the keys once you hear the fan stop. Then wait another 15 seconds and try to reboot it.

Stuck Programs or Spinning Wheel

There are two ways you can clear up programs that are hogging all your resources and causing your screen to freeze up.

• Force Quit: Hold Command + Option + Escape, the Force Quit Application window will come up, choose the stuck program and click “Force Quit.”

• Activity Monitor: Use the Finder to go Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor. When you open the Activity Monitor, it will show you all the processes currently running and how much memory they’re taking. You can force quit apps from the window

Sluggish Computer

If your computer has gotten slow, you may be low on disk space. Apple recommends having a minimum of 10% free. You can check this by selecting the Apple icon at the top left and choosing About This Mac, then Storage. 

This window will also have a “Manage” button that will help you identify ways to free up disk space such as optimizing storage and reducing clutter.

One other possible fix is to add memory. On iMacs, you can find a Memory option when you access About This Mac and view whether you have available slots. Often an upgrade in memory can significantly speed up your computer.

If All Else Fails, Call A Pro! 

If you’re still experiencing problems, give us a call! The Pro Tech Guy team can perform expert diagnostics to find out what’s wrong and get it taken care of for you. We also offer fast emergency services!

Having MAC issues? Call us at 508-364-8189 or use our contact form.

Smart technology is bound to be on many family wish lists this holiday season if the trends are any indicators. The US smart home market is expected to reach 40 billion USD by 2020, and 57% of Americans say they save at least 30 minutes per day by using smart products at home.

With faster internet speeds coming both from the introduction of Wi-Fi 6 and 5G, we’re only going to see more internet-connected gadgets to make our lives easier coming in the near future.

One of the most popular smart home items is a voice activated assistant, and Amazon’s Alexa leads the pack in popularity with over 60% of the market share. 

In their efforts to stay on top, Amazon announced 15 new smart devices at their hardware event at the end of September, and they’re all ones that are currently available, just in time for the holidays!

If you’ve been wondering what’s going to be a hot ticket item this holiday season, we bet that several of these Alexa-powered products will be showing up under trees and in stockings this Christmas.

Here’s a rundown of some exciting new Amazon gadgets.

New Amazon Alexa Smart Products… Just Out!

From a glowing Echo just for kids to a “secret agent-like” wearable ring, there’s something for everyone in the newly released Amazon smart products. Here are some that look like they’ll be big hits this holiday season. 

Echo Glow – Smart Lamp for Kids ($29.99)

Bringing a colorful and more fun look to smart technology, the Echo Glow multicolor smart lamp is going to be a popular addition to many kids’ rooms this year. 

By pairing it with another Alexa device, like an Echo Dot, you can add voice control to the lamp. It includes fun features like Rainbow Timer and the ability to add color and lighting effects while playing or listening to music.

Echo Flex – Plug-in Mini Smart Speaker ($19.99)

If you like the thought of having a smart speaker, but don’t have much space or are looking for a budget price, the Echo Flex is designed just for you. It plugs directly into an outlet and is about the size of a pluggable air freshener.

It also has a handy built in USB port for charging phones or adding an optional accessory like a nightlight or motion sensor.

Echo Show 8 – Smart Display ($79.99)

You may have noticed all the commercials lately for visual voice assistant and video call displays like the Portal. Amazon’s product in this arena is the Echo Show 8 smart display.

It takes Alexa a step farther by adding visuals and you can use it to do things like watch TV or movies, video calling and messaging, and show off photo albums from Amazon Photos.

Echo Loop – Smart Ring with Alexa ($129.99, invitation only price)

If you like wearables, the Echo Loop is a smart ring that allows you to make quick calls, fast answers, and speak to Alexa. You currently have to request an invitation to purchase the Day 1 editions and quantities are limited. 

The ring is water-resistant, made with titanium, and gives you one-click assess to Alexa while you’re on the go.

Echo Frames – Eyeglasses with Alexa ($179.99, invitation only price)

Another wearable that might make you feel like a secret agent is the Echo Frames product. These are also available to be purchased for Day 1 edition by invitation.

The frames are designed to be used with prescription lenses and they give you hands-free access to Alexa to make calls, set reminders, listen to podcasts, control smart home devices, or just about any other Alexa activity. 

Amazon Smart Oven ($249.99)

Not only will Amazon’s new Smart Oven give you voice control and preset assistance for cooking a meal, it will also tell you when dinner’s ready or when the oven has reached the preheat temperature.

Even without the cool voice connection, it’s a pretty handy appliance as a 4-in-1, including being a: 

• Microwave

• Convection Oven

• Food Warmer

• Air Fryer

Echo Buds – Wireless Earbuds ($129.99)

People have been ditching the wires when it comes to connecting to the sound of their smart devices. Amazon has introduced their own wireless earbuds with immersive sound, active noise reduction, and… Alexa too. 

The Echo Buds are designed to reduce background noise and provide dynamic audio. Beyond working with Alexa, you can also access other voice assistants with them like Siri or Google Assistant.

Echo Auto – A Gift to You if You’re with Nationwide

This product wasn’t announced at the Amazon event, but it might make a nice gift for you or someone else, and it’s free if you happen to be a new or existing Nationwide insurance customer.

Nationwide recently announced that they were giving the Echo Auto (List: $49.99) for free to over a million customers, no strings attached. The Echo Auto is designed to fit in a car vent and brings Alexa capabilities to you while you’re on the road. You may want to check your email for a note about the offer or contact your agent.

Enjoy Your Technology Securely! 

When it comes to internet-connected devices in the home, that also means there’s risk of a hacker gaining access to your network if you don’t have security set up correctly. Pro Tech Guy has a Cloud Care Premiummanaged antivirus and malware protection for computers, and we can also help with you secure settings for your smart home gadgets.

Contact us today to ensure your home network security. Call 508-364-8189 or reach us online.

Your iMac’s Bluetooth has gone out again and your keyboard isn’t working, so you reboot and it’s back to normal. Your Windows PC has locked up for some reason and the memory is crashing…. time for a reboot.

Rebooting has become the “go to” fix when we encounter issues with our computers, and for many types of problems we run into, that reset can often clear them up.

But what happens when you’re continually rebooting or if when you do, the problem comes right back? Not everything can be solved by simply switching your computer off and back on again. Certain issues require professional computer repair, and generally pretty quickly before your PC crashes for good.

Certain problems might seem small when you first encounter them – a strange warning that pops up and then goes away, a millisecond of a grey screen, a weird noise that keeps recurring – but they can often be symptoms of much larger problems that can serious impact your device and the data it stores if they go unchecked.

Warning Signs that You Need to Have Your Computer Serviced 

140,000 hard drives crash in the U.S. every week. Once that happens, there’s a good chance that you could end up losing all your data. You want to have problems taken care of before they end up in a major crash, which is why it’s important to know the warning signs that signal a trip to the PC repair shop is needed.

When Your Computer is Consistently Sluggish 

If your computer consistently locks up and you’re left silently screaming in frustration while staring at a spinning wheel or hourglass, it’s a sign that you need to take it in for a PC tune up. Computers that get slower over time can signal a few different problems, and a computer Pro can identity which ones they are.

Some potential reasons for a slow computer include:

• Not enough memory

• Virus or malware infection

• Beginnings of hard drive failure

• Too many programs running that aren’t properly optimized

Weird Lines on Your Screen

If your computer screen starts flashing weird lines or patterns for a second, then goes back to normal, this could be an indicator that your graphics card is failing.

Hardware that stops working correctly can cause all kinds of other internal issues, such as sudden reboots and difficulty booting your computer at all. This is definitely something you want to have checked out before it gets worse.

Strange Errors Keep Popping Up

Do you randomly see strange error messages popping up that you don’t understand, but you don’t notice anything wrong so you just quit out of them? Just because you haven’t noticed a usability problem yet, doesn’t mean one isn’t headed your way if you leave the problem unaddressed.

It’s a good idea to call a pro when you start seeing recurring error messages, we’ll often know exactly what needs to be done to fix it, because we’ve fixed it for someone else.

Random Freezes and Restarts

As computers age, one of the problems that can arise are random freezes that require you to reboot or the computer rebooting on its own. You might suddenly lose all ability to input from a keyboard or mouse or get cut off during a video conference due to an unexpected reboot.

There is a reason your computer is acting up like this. It could be a conflict with a particular part, for instance if you’ve just added memory, or be due to a number of other factors that an IT tech can diagnose and identify.

You Suspect a Virus or Malware 

Today’s advanced viruses and malware are much more difficult to fully eradicate yourself with a self-help virus program. If you haven’t fully removed the malicious code from your system, it can cause more problems for you in the future and infect other devices that share your same network.

It’s best to have virus removal handled by a professional that can guarantee your system is completely clean and free of any malware.

Your Computer is Making Weird Sounds

If your computer is getting louder and starting to make strange clicks, whirs, or other weird sounds, there’s a good chance that a part needs to be fixed or replaced. If you don’t get this addressed, it could potentially mean overheating and hard drive failure.

Bring Your Sick Mac or Windows PC to Pro Tech Guy!  

We offer fast and affordable computer diagnostics to find out just what’s going on with your PC. We work on both Windows and Mac devices and can help you with everything from component repair to fast emergency services.

If you’re experiencing any PC problems, don’t wait until things get worse, contact us today! Call 508-364-8189 or reach out online. We proudly serve Framingham, Natick, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellsley, Ashland and surrounding Metrowest area.

Who doesn’t love sneak peeks into upcoming features coming to your computer soon?! While it’s still fairly early and nothing is yet set in stone, there are whispers out there about the next feature release for Windows 10 which is expected sometime around April of 2020.

The release is referred to as 20H1, and Microsoft has of course been hard at work getting it ready for its spring debut to users around the world.

As of October 2019, Windows 10 had over 54% of the global operating system market share and that’s bound to go up prior to this release, because Windows 7 is reaching end of life and losing all support come January 2020. 

So, what exciting new features can you look forward to in the next Windows 10 feature update? Read on to find out!

Features Planned for the Windows 10 20H1 Update this Spring

The Spring 2020 feature update is expected to bring improvements to the update process (yes, more of them!) and encourage more Cortana interaction, among other things. 

Here’s a run down of Windows 10 features to look out for.

A New Cortana Experience

You’ll now be able to type messages to Cortana instead of asking by voice. The brand new chat-based UI will sit in a resizable panel that you can move around your desktop just like other windows.

Your conversation history with Cortana will appear like an online chat and you’ll be able to see results of your queries by opening Cortana from the task bar.

Microsoft also promises an improved experience with Cortana due to updates of speech and language models. 

Cloud Download Option When Reinstalling Windows 

If you need to reinstall Windows 10, you’ll now have an additional option to download and reinstall the operating system via a cloud download. When going to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and choosing to reset your PC and remove everything, you’ll see Cloud Download appear as a choice.

A benefit of using the cloud download option if that you can save time on updates later because you’ll be downloading a more recent cloud-based copy of windows 10.

Get More Detail into Your Disk Type

SSDs are getting more popular, which is most likely one of the reasons for this next enhancement. The Windows 10 Task Manager will now show you your disk type: either SSD or HDD, which will give you more visibility into the hardware on your system if you use multiple disks.

Rename Virtual Desktops

If you like to keep your workspace organized by using Window 10’s virtual desktops in the Task View, you’re going to be pleased with this next update. Instead of just having them default to Desktop 1, Desktop 2, etc., you’ll now be able to name them yourself and get this… you can even use emojis in the name!

Optional Updates Controls

Windows 10 feature updates in 2019 brought more control over your computer’s update process so you aren’t stuck having an update slow you down at a bad time. Microsoft is continuing to give the user more control in the 2020 update with a new way to view optional updates.

Option updates will have the ability to be accessed in one screen by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates.

Decide How Much Bandwidth Updates Use

Another update control you’re going to see this Spring is the ability to control how much bandwidth is used to download an update. This can keep a large update from spoiling your movie streaming by hogging up all the bandwidth.

You’ll be able to set either an absolute Mbps value or percentage for: 

• How much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the background

• How much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the foreground

New Tablet Experience

If you’re using a Surface or another 2-in-1 PC with a touch screen, you’re going to get a new screen that’s closer to the classic Windows 10 desktop that can make it a bit easier to get around if you’re not using a mouse or keyboard.  

File explorer will be optimized for touch control and the taskbar icons will be spread out a little more. You’ll still have the Tablet Mode if you want it, but it won’t be defaulted to.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

If you’re a Linux fan, then you’re going to be very happy with this feature update that brings a WSL version 2 that uses a real Linux kernel. Benefits include:

• More powerful Linux environment on Windows 10

• More features

• File system performance increases

• Full system call compatibility

Make Devices “Passwordless”

You’ll have a new option in Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Page that allow you to make your devices passwordless. What this means is that everyone on your PC would be required to sign in with a PIN or another Windows Hello sign-in method, such as fingerprint or face ID.

Need a New PC Before the Next Windows 10 Update?

If you plan to upgrade your computer before the Windows 10 feature update hits next year, come to Pro Tech Guy first before you go the big box stores. We can offer great deals on custom builds (standard, tiny desktop, gaming) so you get a computer that fits your needs perfectly. 

Contact us today and let’s discuss your dream PC at 508-364-8189 or through our website.