Mondola Computers

12/09/2021

WIFI CALLING

I know lots of people, especially in the Wokingham area, suffer from a poor mobile phone signal, and miss calls, or struggle to make calls in their house.

I just want to make you aware of a feature called WiFi calling that is available in some operators.

A lot of the big companies are offering it by default on contracts, but, if like me, you were on a SIM only deal, you may need to shop around.

Honestly, it's a game changer.

Calls made in the house, and no longer having to walk half way around your block to get that text message you need because you've enabled tighter security for various accounts.

The setting is located in the following (this is from Android):

• Settings
• WiFi & Network
• SIM & Network
• Your active SIM
• WiFi Calling

Or search for similar in your phone / phone's settings.

Hope this helps (photos attached to also help).

(y)

02/05/2019

21/04/2019

If your password is amongst the ones listed, probably a good idea to change it...

(Y)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-47974583

A list of all-too-predictable choices for breached accounts includes 123456 and "Liverpool".

26/03/2019

Knowing where to tap.

http://jeffacubed.com/the-boilermaker-story-or-knowing-where-to-tap/

I've said for a few times now how I don't proclaim to do a quick job...
..I endeavour to do a quality job as quickly as is possible.

I do also believe my prices are reasonable.

In 1993, I built my first computer. It did not work. I tweaked and altered it, until it DID work.

Prior to this, we had ZX81s, Acorn Electrons, Amstrad 464s, and Amstrad 6128s in our house. All of which I regularly tinkered with (these were the original days of tinkering before Raspberry P*s came along).

I also regularly tinkered with Spectrums, Commodores, and Atari's.

You would call this "knowledge".

I'm not going to give this away so you can find it via a YouTube video.

I'm also not going to overcharge you for it either.

I encourage anyone to "have a go", but keep in mind, your average YouTube video will feature the "Happy Path".

I've encountered the numerous labyrinths of "Unhappy paths", and as a result, I know how to fix them.

I usually collect the machine, diagnose, and quote. I don't estimate.

Hope this helps.

(y)

“The Boilermaker Story”, or Knowing Where To Tap by Jeff Arsenault | Feb 29, 2012 | Technology | 0 comments I heard an (old) story recently that re-emphasizes the importance of intuition, creativity, and know-how. The intent of this story is to show that know-how is more important than a title. ...

24/02/2019

TWO RECENT JOBS
===============

I thought I had posted how I would be only offering a limited service, but for some reason, it doesn't appear to have shown up.

OK, so two of the most recent jobs that I have undertaken.

Both have involved failed hard drives.

FIRST WAS A LAPTOP
==================

Suspected a virus. Could not connect to the internet, applications would crash. I attempted a few things, assuming the hard drive was OK, but was getting nowhere.

● Extracted hard drive.
● Tested hard drive - failed.
● Communicated fact to customer and asked whether data had been backed up.
● Gave options to customer.
● Ordered replacement hard drive.
● Recovered data from failed hard drive
● Installed Windows 10 to new hard drive and applied all Windows Updates
● Updated BIOS and Drivers
● Added Anti Virus, Anti Malware, and Anti Spyware.
● Reinstalled programs.
● Recovered data.

Laptop returned.

SECOND WAS AN ALL IN ONE
========================

Machine was reporting as failed. Customer had attempted numerous recover options.

● Diagnostics reported all was fine, including hard drive.
● Attempted various recoveries, none successful.
● Extracted hard drive - reporting as failed.
● Reported options to customer, including the fact that Windows 10 was not installed on the device, despite Microsoft offering it as a free upgrade.
● Ordered replacement hard drive.
● Extracted data from failed hard drive.
● Initial replacement hard drive was faulty.
● Ordered immediate replacement hard drive of higher spec, same day delivery.
● Unable to install OS to new hard drive.
● Inspected inner workings of all in one more closely.
● Observed hairline fracture in cable to hard drive.
● Order replacement cable (long delivery).
● Returned higher spec drive.
● Ordered replacement standard drive.
● Commenced installation of Windows 8.1 to replacement drive whilst awaiting replacement cable.
● Applied Windows Updates.
● Reinstalled customer's preferred choice of Anti Virus.
● Reinstalled customer's applications.
● Restored customer data.
● Replaced faulty cable.

All in One returned.

Both jobs were completed whilst recovering from hip surgery. I did offer both customers the options to go elsewhere, and explained how work would be slowed down due to the fact I could not sit down for more than 15 minutes at a time.

Fortunately, I was able to complete the first job prior to surgery.

The second job I completed in frequent short burst following surgery.

Still to my same high standards.

I do still try to help out, whatever my health is.

I also took on a THIRD job, Unfortunately, it was immediately after my surgery. I could not identify the cause, so I returned the machine with options for how to move forward.

(y)

18/02/2019

Just thought it was worth me posting this.

My mantra, for my business is thus:

"I don't do quick fixes, I strive to do a quality job, as quickly as is humanly possible..."

I have a normal daytime job, so I do the work at evenings or at weekends.

I collect and return wherever I can.

Out of the three, requests, imagine you can only choose two.

So...

1) I can do a good job, at a cheap price... but it won't be fast.

2) I can do a good job, fast... but it won't be cheap.

3) (I don't really include this one). I could do a cheap one, and it will be fast, but... no... sorry, I always strive to be at least, "good", but always aim for quality.

There was a food company near me and they strived, "To cook and deliver quality food, as quickly as possible..."

Honestly, I usually diagnose and quote in advance.

If, after the quote, I find for whatever reason, I am unable to do the work. I say so. Usually with alternative options.

If, after the quote, I find it's a bit more expensive, I absorb the cost, to a certain extent.

If, after the quote, I find it is going to take longer than expected, I feed this back, with options to either go elsewhere, wait, or reduce price.

I hope this makes things clearer.

There are many other computer repair businesses out there.

I aim to do an honest quality job, as quickly as I possibly can...

25/12/2018

Merry Christmas

28/08/2018

LAPTOP ADVICE

Hi all, just wanted to post some advice regarding laptop usage.

The design of most laptops mean that there's a lot of components situated within close proximity inside the laptop. The each get hot, and it's an accumulative effect.

There's a fan in the laptop that spins. Usually this is situated on the underside of the laptop.

It draws in cool air from outside, and blows out the warm air emanating from the components inside the laptop.

In order to work effectively, this air flow needs to be unrestricted.

There's usually little rubber pads on the bottom of a laptop. They allow for the laptop to have a small gap underneath it where the cool air can be drawn in.

The exit vent is usually on the side of the laptop.

Sadly, with the increased use of tablets, we have become accustomed to using devices everywhere.

Sadly, even with the name of "lap" top, they were not designed for this use.

They work well on a flat hard surface which will provide the gap for air to be drawn in and unrestricted flow for the hot air to exit.

Using it on your lap, or on your bed can restrict these points, causing the components to get increasingly hot which can cause damage to the laptop or worse still a potential fire hazard.

Also, items like crumbs and hair and dust get drawn in to the laptop along with the air and can clog the fan up, restricting it's effectiveness also.

Compressed air can be blown through the vents regularly to restrict this, whilst trying to get into the habit of using the laptop on clean surfaces and not eating whilst using it.

Just trying to keep you and your laptop safe.

Again, if you are unable to do this, make sure you are backing up so you have copies of your data for when your laptop overheats and dies.

(y)

24/08/2018

Had a spree of computer jobs, followed by a well earned break, but back in business again now.

Recent work has included:

● Computer rebuild - install hard drive and install Windows 10 Pro
● Laptop screen replacement and chassis strengthen
● Computer power replacement
● Data recovery and dust removal
● Microsoft Office Account creations and sign ins changed in Windows 10
● Laptop setup and encryption

:)

15/05/2018

LAPTOP DIAGNOSED AND NEW LAPTOP SETUP

Customer had a Laptop that was slow and was exhibiting some strange behaviour.

● Checked health of the drive - all tests PASSED.
● Checked filesystem - no errors found.
● Checked system files - no errors with system files
● Applied Windows Updates
● Uninstalled resource hogging Anti-Virus
● Replaced with lower footprint Anti-Virus
● Cleared Internet Cache and Temporary files
● Reset Windows to default settings
● Installed correct drivers

SOFTWARE / O.S. / HARD DRIVE FAULTS ELIMINATED

● Ran hardware diagnostics once software faults had been eliminated so as not to pollute the results.
● All board diagnostics failed

Advised customer to contact point of sale first and then manufacturer to arrange a repair.

Customer wished to have a new laptop setup whilst the current one underwent repair.

● Backed up current laptop
● Setup new laptop
● Installed Anti-Virus
● Installed all Windows Updates
● Reinstalled programs
● Installed other protection software
● Restored data to laptop

Returned both laptops to the customer.

:)

14/05/2018

MULTIPLE ISSUES SOLVED

A customer came to me recently with a number of issues and queries that needed resolving

● Offered advice on options to comply with GDPR.
● Offered assistance with storage full message related to cloud storage.
● Demonstrated how to scan from multiple network connected devices connected to the scanner as well as through the scanner's interface itself.
● Resolved issue with WiFi extender.
● Resolved issue with laptop being unable to print to the network attached printer.

All back up and running for now.

:)

21/04/2018

MACHINE CLEANED

Customer had a really slow machine.

* Checked the health of the hard drive - all healthy.
* Removed unneeded rogue programs.
* Applied all Windows Updates.
* Fixed some issues with the Windows 8.1 Operating System.
* Reset the Internet Explorer browser.
* Monitored resources and identified that Kaspersky Anti-Virus was using too much (100%) of the computer's resources.
* Uninstalled Kaspersky through the uninstaller program.
* Forced the uninstall of any remaining Kaspersky items following the standard uninstaller.
* Installed free version of Avira Anti Virus.
* Checked System Files and identified an issue with a system file related to the Printer.

Returned machine, running at much more sensible resource levels.

15/04/2018

PHOTOS RECOVERED FROM LAPTOP

Had a customer who was not able to recover their photographs from their laptop.

● Didn't bother checking the health of the drive as it was only photo extraction that was required, not repair of the laptop. Sometimes, checking the drive can limit the success of the recover process.
● Removed the drive from the laptop and mounted in such a way as to maximise chances of recovery.
● Managed to access the files that were locked due to the drive locking itself.
● Extracted the files to several places for redundancy, including the customer's chosen location.
● Returned the pictures to the customer, all recovered,

😀

07/04/2018

LAPTOP POINTER AND KEYBOARD FIXED

Customer had a laptop where the pointer and keyboard had stopped working.

● Ran initial checks - hardware was fine.
● Windows itself was a little baffled though, it was trying to update itself but failing for several reasons because it could not identify what version it actually was, what version it needed, and hence whether it had permission to overwrite files.
● Windows quickly used up all of it's resources trying to rectify itself.
● Removed resource hungry Anti Virus that was clouding the diagnosis.
● Ran some initial cleaning to remove bits of spyware and malware that the Anti Virus had failed to prevent.
● Manually downloaded the latest major Windows Update and installed it.
● Applied all remaining Windows Updates - Mouse Pointer and Keyboard usage returned.
● Installed less resource hungry Anti Virus.

Returned laptop and advised customer to allow laptop to shut down instead of always closing and opening the lid so that Windows Updates can actually be properly installed to keep the machine protected.

:)

04/03/2018

LAPTOP CLEANED

Customer's laptop was running slowly and was full of errors.

° Checked the hard drive thoroughly : all was healthy
° Checked that Windows 10 was supported on the laptop: it was.

° Ran various scans and cleans and removed several hundred infections.
° Removed the expired Anti-Virus.
° Installed several Windows Updates until Windows was up to date.

° Installed Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware, and Anti-Spyware software.
° Removed rogue software.

° Ran scans to verify all was clean.
° Updated a number of applications to latest versions.

Returned laptop up to date and running smoothly.

31/01/2018

DESKTOP PC RESTORED

Customer had a PC that was running slowly and wished for a diagnosis.

° Collected the PC, where I saw it running inaction.
° Checked the health of the hard drive which reported OK.
° Removed some rogue pieces of software that were hogging resources and prohibiting diagnosis.
° Ran some initial cleaning and removed over 2,000 infections.
° Identified that Windows 10 was not supported on the machine.

Contacted customer once again with results of the findings and available options. A wipe and reinstall of the supported Windows 8.1 Operating System with data restored from two accounts into one was preferred.

° Backed up data from the two accounts.
° Prepared Windows 8.1 installation media.
° Prepared the disk for Windows 8 installation.
° Installed Windows 8.1 and applied all Windows Updates.
° Installed Anti-Virus, Anti-Malware and Anti-Spyware.
° Installed other applications.
° Restored data and shortcuts.

Returned the desktop and advised the customer on Microsoft Office reinstallation and Memory Upgrade options.

:)