Archive for February, 2012
iPods are awesome. Really, they are. Cutting-edge technology, bringing our favorite music and video to us at the touch of a button, any time we like. Which is why it sucks when they occasionally decide not to work.
Thinking of introducing your iPod to a concrete wall at maximum force? Relax – we got you covered. iPod troubles are one of the most common technology problems we deal with at Geek Squad. Here are some easy tips that might help you get it going again.
Symptom: It won’t turn on at all
Very common – and often very easy to fix. First, try resetting your iPod. This is like rebooting your computer. Worried you’ll lose your Guns and Roses collection? Don’t be. With a reset, none of your media or settings are lost.
After your iPod reboots, try it out and see if everything is working again.
If you’ve held down both buttons for 20 seconds or more and your iPod still isn’t doing anything, try plugging it into your computer. When you plug it in, it should receive enough power to start it up and start charging the battery. If your iPod doesn’t turn on when you plug it into your computer, try using a different USB port or a different iPod cable.
Symptom: My computer won’t recognize my iPod
Your iPod works great, but your computer doesn’t see it when you plug it in.
First, make sure the latest version of iTunes is installed on your computer. Typically, iTunes will update itself automatically, but if this has been disabled (or you aren’t sure), you can always download the latest version from the iTunes page on Apple’s website. You may also want to launch iTunes before you plug in your iPod.
If this doesn’t work, try using a different iPod cable and or plugging it into a different USB port. If things are still a no-go, you may need to uninstall iTunes and reinstall it (accessible from the Add/Remove Programs list in the Windows Control Panel in Windows).
Still not working? Have you checked to see if the iPod is recognized by a different computer? No? Well then, give that a try. If it works, you know that the problem is with the first computer, not the iPod.
Symptom: locked out
Did you set a password on your iPod Touch – and then (in)conveniently forget it? Locked out and jonesing for your musical fix? No sweat. Follow these instructions, and you’ll be grooving to the beat soon.
To start, we’ll need to put your iPod into “recovery mode,” and restore it using iTunes. First, power your iPod off. Hold down the power button until you see “slide to power off” on the screen – then do so. Next, launch iTunes on your computer. While the iPod is still powered down, hold down on the “home” button on the front of the iPod while you plug the iPod into your computer. Within minutes, an iTunes message will pop up, indicating an iPod in recovery mode needs to be restored. This will wipe the iPod clean of files, and reload the music from iTunes. This might take some time (especially if your iPod needs a software update), so sit back, make a bowl of popcorn, and relax as iTunes restores your iPod, updates it to the latest version, and then re-transfers all your media back onto it.
Done! Easy, right? Well, maybe not so easy, but now you know some tips on how to get your iPod up and running again. For additional tips check out the Troubleshooting Your iPod Tech Tip on our website.
If you still need help or have questions, get in contact with a Geek Squad Agent online at geeksquad.com, call 1-800-GEEKSQUAD to schedule an appointment, or visit a Geek Squad Precinct in a Best Buy store near you for help on getting your iPod up and running again.
-Agent Nikolas J.
Agent Nikolas is a husband and a father of two boys who love to beat him at Geometry Wars. His favorite piece of technology, strangely enough, is the slow cooker in his kitchen. When he isn’t removing viruses from your PC he is probably out playing in the Wisconsin snow or camping next to a nice lake somewhere.
Picture this: You wake up in the morning and turn on your computer to watch the latest news and check in with your friends (or catch up on the latest cat videos you may have missed). Instead of your nice welcome screen you are confronted by the dreaded Blue Screen of Death!
What do you do? Panic? Smack the computer? Roll your 12-sided die? Perhaps you should check out Safe Mode!
What is Windows Safe Mode?
Windows Safe Mode loads Windows in a “stripped down” version – just the essentials for running the operating system. Safe Mode avoids loading all extra drivers and applications that may have come installed on the computer. It also does not load most antivirus software, communication programs like Skype and Yahoo! Messenger, and other software that may have built up on your computer over time.
Windows Safe Mode is part of on all versions of Windows beginning with Windows 95. It’s a great utility to help diagnose boot-up issues, and allows you access to the system when it won’t boot up normally.
When and Why Would I Use Windows Safe Mode?
Sometimes installing new programs, updates or hardware drivers can confuse Windows, causing it to be unusable. For example, let’s say you installed the latest antivirus software, and now your computer has problems turning on. By using Windows Safe Mode, you can boot up your computer and try to uninstall that program in order to get your machine back to normal.
Windows Safe Mode can also be a way to try and remove basic viruses. Since Windows Safe Mode only loads the basics of your computer, many viruses will not load when booted. This can allow you to go through the computer and try removing infected files.
What are the Dangers of Safe Mode?
Since Windows Safe Mode does not load all of the normal Windows files, you can accidently delete files that are normally protected – ones that are critical to Windows running at all. If you are using Safe Mode to remove files, make sure you only delete files that are not important. (Not sure if the file is important? Here’s a tip: Google the file name and see what others say.)
Getting into Safe Mode is another task in itself – not one for the faint of heart. (Check out our Do-It-Yourself section for instructions on doing so.) If you still have problems, or would rather have someone else do it for you, you can get help from Geek Squad Agent by visiting your local Best Buy, calling 1-800-GeekSquad or chatting with an online support Agent at www.GeekSquad.com.
-Agent Devin C.
Double Agent Devin C can be found trekking in his Geekmobile in North Carolina and policing technology on a daily basis. When he is not saving clients from their technology issues, he can often be found glued to his computer chair with the warm glow of the monitor providing all the artifical light he needs to power his robot brain.
You may have seen pcAnywhere, Norton, and Symantec mentioned in the news lately. It appears that a group of hackers had stolen code from Symantec dating back to 2006 and the code in question was used on a couple of the company’s popular software titles.. We’re here to explain what all of this means to you.
Since January 23rd, Symantec has been working with law enforcement agencies to find out exactly what a group of hackers was attempting to do with source code from 2006. The good news for Norton/Symantec users is the code being used by the hackers is older code. Users of older versions of the Symatec software won’t be vulnerable to possible hijacking/malware attempts from hackers.
Currently, only code from Norton Utilities and pcAnywhere have been released, so we’re urging users of these products (pcAnywhere especially) to make sure their software is up to date. pcAnywhere version 12.5 is the most up-to-date version of that product available. Symantec has been working fervently to patch their products so that the old code being leaked doesn’t put any of its users at risk. Because of the constant updates they make to their Norton Antivirus and Internet Security packages, leaks of that 2006 source code won’t be very useful for hackers. So if you’re using Antivirus/Internet Security from Symantec, don’t worry – you’re at very little risk.
Want more information? For any users of Symantec products, please visit: http://www.symantec.com/theme.jsp?themeid=anonymous-code-claims&inid=us_ghp_banner1_anonymous
For users of pcAnywhere, please make sure you’re patches are up to date by visiting: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH180472
-Agent William G.
Most users have passwords that are combinations of a family name, pet, or hobby paired with numbers from a PIN code, or birthday. Using familiar elements makes passwords easier to remember, but also much easier for hackers to guess, hack, and steal. Also, most passwords don’t get changed often enough; this makes it easier for users to become victims of identity theft.
For creating a secure password, Agents typically recommend one of two strategies:
Route one: Take two completely random dictionary words (that mean nothing to you) and combine them. . It also helps to capitalize at least one of the letters. Then throw a few random numbers between those two words, or at the end, and you’ve created a pretty secure password. For example:
Teeth + server + 1890 = Teeth18server90 (far more secure than password123)
Route two: Use a password generator to create a VERY secure password that would take days/months/years for someone to hack. Unless you’re a corporation, government agency or other high-value target, hackers typically won’t try for that long. The downside to this route is that these passwords are much harder to memorize, but, if you keep the password under 10 characters, it CAN be done. PCTools has my personal favorite online password generator. It’s secure, free, and easy to use. Find it here: https://secure.pctools.com/guides/password/.
To help you remember your very secure password, you may want to use a password manager. These handy tools securely store all of your passwords on your PC or Mac so you don’t have to manually enter them when they’re needed. Tools like LastPass can store and change passwords for all of your favorite websites, and it is available on a variety of platforms – Mac, Windows, Linux, and most smartphones – and works well with a variety of web browsers (Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Internet Explorer). It is key to NOT use one of these programs on a shared or public computer because anyone using the machine would automatically have access to all your passwords.
Finally, we recommend you change your password(s) every month or two to avoid situations where your password is compromised, and you don’t find out until it’s too late (emails sent out on your behalf, Facebook data erased or copied, money stolen). The easiest way to remember this is to set a calendar reminder. If you use a calendar program like Outlook, iCal, or Google Calendar, just create a recurring event (once a month, or every two months) to alert you with a reminder to change your most important passwords. (Extra tip: Include the links above in the event, so you can have quick access to the sites to change and/or manage them.)
Agent William G. has been an Agent with Geek Squad since 2004. If he’s not working on computers remotely or contributing to the Geek Squad Intelligence Blog, he can be seen skateboarding in the city streets of Atlanta.
Email spam has always been an ever-present problem since the dawn of the email age. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk to your inbox. Guest-Author Agent Stephens from Geek Squad UK discusses in today’s post how to identify, prevent, and deal with spam. Read his original blog post here.
SPAM: Funny Name, Not-So-Funny Results
Almost everyone with an email account gets spam messages on a regular basis — especially if you sign up for company newsletters, or tick the “yes, please contact me” box when completing an online purchase. But don’t worry. We’re going to help you spot and deal with email spam like a full-fledged Geek Squad Agent.
How do I prevent spam?
What do I do if email spam gets into my inbox?
If something that looks like spam gets through your email filter (for instance, an email entitled “I can haz your moneys and your house?”), don’t be afraid of it. Simply select the offending message and click your email application’s ‘Report Spam’ button. This will add the sender to your block list and send all emails coming from that address straight to your spam folder. Since most spam doesn’t come from the same sender, the filter also stores key phrases, words and other information to help it to increase its effectiveness.
Spam: Easily Treatable.
Email spam can be effectively dealt with and prevented. Be vigilant with every email you open, every attachment you download and every link you follow. It is also important to keep a good internet security suite installed on your PC.
TRENDNet, maker of several IP Cameras, recently discovered a vulnerability in several of their SecurView cameras that allowed for online access in real-time by hackers. Fortunately the company released a quick firmware update to resolve the issue.
Was that just the sound of your jaw dropping? Yes, even digital cameras aren’t safe online. This should serve as a handy wake-up call that — in our Web-connected world — it’s not just your computer and phone that need security updates!
Almost every device that connects to your network, from your TV and DVD player to your security system, run on basic software called “Firmware”. This software controls all functionality of the device – kind of like an operating system, like Windows or MAC OS. In the case of networked devices, it controls how your devices communicate with the network and can allow you to access the device remotely.
As technology changes, this firmware sometimes needs to be updated. Occasionally a security threat is found that makes your device (and the network it is connected to) vulnerable to a hacker attack or manipulation. Manufacturers usually take care of this problem by releasing a free firmware update for your device, and making it available through their websites. It is important to check for these updates on a regular basis to ensure you always have the latest firmware.
If you own a TRENDNet IP Camera, TRENDnet has released the following information on their website on how to update the camera’s firmware, where to obtain the update, and how to get in touch with them if needed:
TRENDnet’s security team understands that video from some TRENDnet IP SecurView cameras may be accessed online in real time. Upon awareness of the issue, TRENDnet initiated immediate actions to quantify the scope of the issue, initiate corrective actions, and publish updated firmware which resolves the issue.
Only select cameras purchased between April of 2010 and the present may be affected and require a firmware update. Eighteen camera models have been identified. A list of the identified products is available on TRENDnet’s homepage: http://www.trendnet.com
How can Consumers Upload new Firmware?
Updating firmware takes a few minutes. New firmware for all of the listed models is available at the following link:http://www.trendnet.com/downloads
How can Consumers Contact TRENDnet?
TRENDnet has created the following dedicated email for all inquires related to this reported issue. Customers with any questions related to this issue such as how to update your camera’s firmware are invited to contact TRENDnet at the following email: ipcam@trendnet.com
For more than 20 years, TRENDnet has built a reputation for offering trusted, security IP camera solutions to consumers worldwide. We have worked hard to create a brand delivering network solutions that people trust. TRENDnet extends its deepest apologies to consumers which may be impacted by this issue.
To find updated drivers for major brands, check out our driver Do-It-Yourself page. For a quick tutorial on how to update firmware, check out our 2 Minute Miracle at http://gslink.us/KcM0E1. For assistance in updating firmware, or additional questions, chat with an Agent at http://www.geeksquad.com, call 1-800-GEEK-SQUAD, or visit a Geek Squad Precinct at Best Buy store near you for a consultation.
-Agent Patrick B.
Agent Patrick B. has been an Agent with the Geek Squad since 2005. When he isn’t overseeing the Geek Squad Intelligence Blog or the Geek Squad’s Social Media presence, he can be found wandering the streets of Minneapolis for a fresh new source of caffeine to fuel his all night gaming sessions.
Technology is changing. And it evolves more quickly every year, putting your beloved laptop or desktop further and further from the lightning fast bundle of awesome it was when you bought it.
Geek Squad Agents often hear: “It was so fast when I got it, but it’s really slow now!” Don’t start digging a hole in the backyard yet.
Computer sluggishness is often software related. You might have picked up malware, which can be removed by a professional. It could also be the result of resource mismanagement problem like too much software running at the same time. If you look at a list of software on your computer, you may find more has been installed over the years than you thought. Sometimes a simple optimization – the oil change of the computer world - could be enough to clean up the clutter and put some life back into the old box. You can often do this at home and can be as simple as uninstalling programs you no longer need and disabling things like browser toolbars and extraneous startup items.
But maybe you’ve optimized your computer and it’s still as sluggish as a frozen snail. There’s probably more going on than a software issue. Maybe a piece of hardware is starting to malfunction and needs to be replaced. Or maybe your computer hasn’t quite caught up to the present day and needs a loving hardware upgrade. It’s important to consider the age of your pc, upgrade potential and cost, and your computer’s relative value, before investing hundreds of dollars in upgrades. New hardware can be a either good investment or a waste of money. Some careful analysis will often help you determine the best course of action.
RAM (random-access memory) is the least expensive hardware to upgrade and may be a good starting point if your machine has 2 gb (gigabytes) or less. You can spend less than a hundred dollars on new RAM and gain a significant performance increase because the amount of RAM in your computer dictates how many applications can run comfortably at the same time. Visit bestbuy.upgradebase.com to see if your computer could benefit from a memory upgrade.
The next thing you might consider replacing is a failing hard drive. Your drive may be on its last legs if your machine has extremely slow performance, experiences random shut downs, and occasionally refusals to boot. A hard drive is the device that holds all of your personal information and operating system, which is why it is important to save your stuff. If you backup your machine regularly, replacing a hard drive can be a good thing. Newer hard drives often offer significantly more space and may give you a performance boost. A new hard drive will cost between 100 and 200 dollars and if you’re handy with a screwdriver, can be easy to install. You will also need a copy of your operating system to install on the blank drive. If you don’t have these discs, contact the manufacturer of your computer to order them.
If you’ve replaced the RAM and the hard drive, or replacing them won’t help, things will start to get expensive. Though every situation and household budget is different, I use the ‘rule of three’ when deciding the fate of my computers. If the computer in question is over 3 years old and repairing or upgrading it will cost more than 300 dollars, it may be time to send your old friend to the great recycling plant in the sky. Your local Best Buy is happy to recycle your used electronics for free and our friendly PC sales team can talk you through the transition. Geek Squad can also assist you by transferring your data from your old machine to your new one. For the remainder of the month of February, when you purchase a Microsoft Premium laptop, the data transfer is free!
As always, for a more complete optimization, hardware consultation, or virus removal your local Agents can give you a hand. Like mad scientists, we bring dead things back to life using the power of electricity. (Insert maniacal laugh here.) Call 1-800-GEEKSQUAD, chat with an Agent on www.geeksquad.com, or stop by your local Precinct at Best Buy to learn more with a free consultation.
-Agent Laura M.
Every day, Counter Intelligence Agent Laura M, of Precinct 329, heroically removes malware and saves the personal lives of computer users in Maple Grove, MN. She has a vitamin D deficiency from playing too many video games. She likes animals and books.
It’s the time of year when football fanatics and non-sports fans alike come together for some highly anticipated entertainment, which provides the perfect opportunity to party. Whether your guests will be there to watch the intensity of the sport or to rate the never-before-seen commercials, Geek Squad makes it easy for you to tackle your party with these tech tips.
Gather Your Roster: There’s no better way to watch the big game than with a big crowd, so make sure all of your friends are on time for kickoff by sending them an email invitation to your party. Create an email-able football-themed invite on a website like Evite.com, Smilebox.com or Pingg.com. Choose from dozens of football templates, customize it with your text and send it out to your network – for free! These sites are quick and simple for the time-constrained party planners and will rally spirits before game day.
Bring in Reinforcements: Buffalo wings. Nachos. Chips and dip. You know your guests will be expecting these tasty treats, but what’s your game plan for cooking them? Geek Squad Agents suggest using your apps to make your apps! Smartphone apps, such as Cook’s Illustrated (iPhone, free), Healthy Recipes – 200k Recipes From SparkRecipes (BlackBerry, free), Party Food Recipes (Android, free) and Weber’s On The Grill (iPhone, $4.99) have thousands of simple recipes that are sure to score you the extra point with your party guests.
Go the Distance: Make sure your television is the right distance and height from your couch so you and your guests feel like you’re front row center on the 50 yard line. Geek Squad Agents recommend you should be able to comfortably see the screen without moving your eyes from right to left or up and down. If you prefer a more precise measure, they recommend a distance that’s about two times the size of the screen. For example, 4 feet away from a 24-inch TV or 8 feet away from a 48-inch TV. The height of the TV is also very important for optimal viewing. Geek Squad suggests putting the TV at a height of about 48 inches and no more than 15 degrees above eye level. However, higher mounting is an option and should be used if you have an extremely large viewing area.
Call an Instant Replay: Corporations throw down the big bucks for airtime during the big game because they know commercials have become as much a part of the tradition as the game itself. Use your DVR to create your own instant replay on your favorite spots. You’ll be sure to catch every ad so you can take part in the “best and worst” chatter with your colleagues on Monday. If you’re going to be away from your TV and forgot to set your DVR to record the big game, don’t worry. Wireless TiVo is available – just set your box via any high-speed Internet connection. And with the TiVo Desktop service, you can transfer the program to a portable device or computer and catch up on the action in between meetings or travels. You can even program your DVR from your phone using apps, such as those from TiVo (iPhone, free), DirecTV (iPhone, Android, free) and Verizon Fios (iPhone, Android, free).
Go Mobile: If you can’t watch the big game, never fear, your smartphone could be the answer. There has been an explosion of sports applications for smartphones and tablets. The apps can give you the latest updates, scores, news, standings and live game details. iPhone and Android devices offer a variety of free apps including ESPN ScoreCenter, NFL Mobile and WatchESPN.
De-clutter Your Coffee Table: You want space for all your snacks and drinks, not all those remotes! A Geek Squad Agent can show you how to de-clutter your coffee table by consolidating your remotes with a universal remote. Operating the many complex components of your entertainment system is as easy as the touch of a button. Universal remotes can also control your lights and electronic blinds in your new home theater. Geek Squad offers Remote Control Setup both online and in-home.
To learn about programming a universal remote, check out Geek Squad’s how-to videos on GeekSquad.com:
For help with all your sports technology needs, call 1.800 GEEK SQUAD to set up an onsite consultation, find an Agent or location near you at www.geeksquad.com, or visit the Geek Squad Precinct at Best Buy and other locations to speak with an Agent directly. We provide our services wherever and whenever you need them – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Have you ever had that sick feeling in your gut when you think you deleted a really important file and aren’t sure if you can get it back? Trust me – I’ve been there, and it is the worst. Since that fateful day, I learned to back up duplicates of all my data on external drives.
My backup drives run the gamut from small flash drives to full-sized external hard drives. My data didn’t seem to care where it was stored as long as it had a home. However, as I started to accumulate more than just a few flash and hard drives, maintaining my backup library started to bug me. I hate clutter!
Enter “THE CLOUD”
Cloud-based backups allow users to securely save important files to an online data backup server. These systems allow users to store their data on professionally maintained servers while providing secure access to it anytime from any computer – and many mobile devices – with an Internet connection. Clearly just the thing for a data security maniac and neat freak like me.
Sound too good to be true? Well, depending upon how things play out in the next few months, it may just be.
Though cloud-based storage solutions like Norton, Sugar Sync and Carbonite are great options to backup your important data off-site, what happens if the company managing the storage system is shut down or closes for some reason? What happens to your data?
What happens to my data?
Users of the MegaUpload service are finding out the hard way at this moment. The target of legal action by the U.S. Justice Department, MegaUpload recently had their assets frozen. While some users of MegaUpload may have used it to illegally share movies and TV shows, over 50 million users who used it for legitimate purposes have had their data swept up in this legal dispute. Attorneys for MegaUpload and the companies it used to host client data say the U. S. Attorney in charge of the case sent them a letter giving them permission to start deleting data from its servers as early as Feb. 2nd.
What does this mean for users? Pictures, spreadsheets and documents for private citizens and small businesses could be deleted without advance warning. For small business owners who don’t have a local backup, the loss of client data could be devastating to their livelihood. While users have had limited-to-no access to their data since January 19, MegaUpload is continuing its fight to keep user data from being deleted.
This situation reinforces the advice of data security and privacy professionals when it comes to choosing a cloud storage provider. They emphasize users should focus on well-known, established companies as service providers. Publicly-traded companies are very good options because they will be more risk averse than start-ups. Using a company you already have a relationship with –your ISP for instance – and one based in the United States is also a good idea.
For more on the risks of cloud storage see this article from National Public Radio’s business show, Marketplace. For more on choosing a cloud storage company, see this article from PC World Magazine. Can you imagine if this had happened to you?
Cloud storage is a great part of a backup solution, but this underscores why it should not be the only option. Storing your data is too important to trust to a single method. I think cloud storage is pretty awesome, but I will not give up on the clutter and safety of the old fashion external hard drive – and neither should you.
Keep your data safe! Back up today – locally, and online. You’ll be glad that you did.
-Agent Timothy E.
To learn more about how to ensure your data is backed up safely and securely, visit your local Best Buy and talk to a Geek Squad Agent about all the different ways to back up data — or visit us at support.geeksquad.com (24/7) and we can help back your data up for you!
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