Archive for the ‘Wireless Networking’ Category
“Cool. I didn’t know it could do that!”
That’s a phrase Agents hear every week. Most customers spend a good deal of time preparing for their major tech purchases – comparing features, checking system compatibilities, measuring dimensions and reading product reviews. The strange thing is that many seem to forget how their new gizmos can simplify their lives between the time they say “I’ll take it” and they get it out of the box at home. Yeah, it’s all in the manual, but who has time to read the manual?
We do.
Here are some tips and tricks you may have forgotten since the salesperson mentioned them back at the store. Never hurts to be reminded…
There’s so much more you can do with a smartphone beyond making calls.
So many people said technology would kill reading as a pastime. But e-readers and tablets have only increased our appetite for the printed word. Here are some steps you can take to help your devices help you.
These days televisions are for more than watching shows and movies. High-definition displays and internet connectivity mean getting the most out of your TV is a bit more complicated than making sure all the cables are hooked up correctly. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Web connectivity has made gaming systems more fun than that old Nintendo machine you grew up playing.
If you aren’t sure that you are getting everything out of your new computer, home theater or gaming system, we can help.
Agent Ron G. has been battling the forces of unruly technology run amok since 2001, prior to Geek Squad’s acquisition of Best Buy. When not busy creating video & technical training content for Geek Squad Agents in the field, Agent Ron enjoys home brewing, international travel, and learning how to cook new cuisines.
The digital age has revolutionized everything around us — including cooking dinner. Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or a skilled chef, there are a number of smartphone apps, online resources and gadgets that can make your time in the kitchen much less frantic, and much more productive and fun.
Keeping up on the latest recipes, techniques and events from your favorite cooking sites can mean a lot of clicking and digging through things. This is where RSS (Really Simple Syndication) comes in very handy. RSS lets you create a newsfeed from the sites you are interested in, letting you keep up on new content from those sites without digging through them one-by-one. Most websites and blogs offer RSS feeds and there are a number of free RSS readers available free.
Another option are services like Pocket (http://getpocket.com) — a internet browser add-in that allows you to bookmark a page for reading later. Adding Pocket (Android, iOS: free) on your smartphone, tablet, and computer makes it easy for you to check out your recipes wherever you go.
Cooking shows are popular today. So is internet video. Put them together, and bam — you’ve got a world of culinary options.
The old tried-and-true method for finding videos of your favorite cuisine prep is Youtube — and why not, since it has such a huge base of contributors? But if you are looking for something with a little better quality (no shaky cam, lighting, good sound and smooth cuts), then check out HowCast & VideoJug — two DIY based video sites that both have a wide range of recipes & quick, helpful tips demonstrated by experts. And if you want to take a master class in a subject? Check out Craftsy — where world renowned experts like Peter Reinhart and others hold online seminars on artisan bread baking, cheese making, cake decoration and more – for around the same cost as your average cookbook today.
Want to drink in the latest and greatest of cooking online, before you make the plunge on a recipe? Foodgawker and Tastespotting are here for you, providing colorful rows upon rows of pictures from the latest in food blogging beauty. See something you like? Click through to the food blog, with recipes and ample pictures to guide you through duplicating that recipe in your home.
Video conferencing software is making it easy to visually connect with family and friends in real time. So whether you need tips on doing mom’s turkey gravy or just cannot make it across the country to a reunion dinner with your friends from school, it is easier than ever to be there using Skype, Google+ Hangouts and FaceTime.
Agent Ron G. has been battling the forces of unruly technology run amok since 2001, prior to Geek Squad’s acquisition of Best Buy. When not busy creating video & technical training content for Geek Squad Agents in the field, Agent Ron enjoys home brewing, international travel, and learning how to cook new cuisines.
It’s that time of year again. Time for togetherness and fellowship, Holiday parties and Open Houses, seeing old friends, entertaining relatives and sitting down for large, traditional meals. In today’s world, your guests will bring more than cheese balls and fruit cakes – many will be visiting with their own devices and special technology needs.
Knowing this, isn’t it better to be ready to deal with them? Don’t let technical hiccups involving visiting relatives and their devices add the blues to your holiday festivities. Let Geek Squad help you, with some tips and tricks on how to wrangle those unruly devices and make them behave.
Toward that end, Agent Laura M. put together a three part series last holiday called “Holiday Tech Tips.” We thought it might be a good idea to rerun the series, so let’s start at the beginning:
Holiday Tech Tips: Welcoming Guests Into Your Home and Network
Frustrated with your computer or cell phone? Embarrassed to ask your kids/grandkids for tech help? You’re not alone. According to AARP, 33 percent of Boomers report frustration with technology. Here’s some tips to help you take control of your technology.
One of the most popular computer questions people have about their computer is “Why is it running slowly?” Through the years, we have narrowed down the list of possible reasons to ten:
1) Too many programs are running at the same time.
It is common for users to download utilities, applications, and other programs that run in the background. The more programs that are running – whether you see them or not – the less “attention span” your computer has to do other things you are asking it to do.
Avoid downloading web browser-helpers, more than one anti-malware program, or applications that claim to “speed up” your internet or your computer, as each one added will slow down your performance. (It’s also a good idea to uninstall programs that you do not use to increase your machine’s processing speed.)
2) There’s not enough free RAM.
Random-access memory (RAM) is what your computer uses for temporary working and thinking space. The more programs running at time, the more RAM is used. If your computer is running slowly, it could be because too many programs are running, and not enough RAM. To make your computer run faster, run fewer programs at a time or upgrade your RAM.
3) You have a virus/malware infection.
Internet slowdowns and slow computer operation can be a symptom of an infection. To find out if you have a malware problem, use an anti-virus and anti-spyware application to find it – like the free scanning tool we have available in the Self-Help area of our website.
4) You have low hard drive space.
Lack of hard drive space often affects older computers, or computers that do a lot of video editing or design work. Hard drives, which store all of your computer’s information, have a finite amount of space. Once they’re filled up, the computer no longer has the ability to manipulate files. The computer will slow down, eventually becoming unusable.
Generally, Windows will alert you to “low disk space” if this is the case. Moving some of your less-used files – such as pictures, music, and movies – to an external hard drive would free up some of your computer’s hard drive space and make it run faster. Deleting temporary files and performing a disk cleanup are also good ways to reclaim wasted space. Another solution? Install a bigger hard drive.
5) Restart your computer.
Every once in a while, it is a good idea to restart your computer. A computer cannot complete some of its updates until you restart. Restarting your computer can also free up memory resources tied up by buggy programs.
6) Sharing a wireless network.
If your internet is running slowly, but your computer is running quickly, you could have a lot of activity on your wireless network. Check to see if anyone else on your network is doing something that uses a lot of bandwidth (like streaming video or playing online games), as this can make your computer run slowly. You should also make sure your wireless network is secure so someone else isn’t using your Internet bandwidth. If your wireless network is not secure, Geek Squad recommends you create a password to secure your data and ensure strangers don’t join your network.
7) Too many “bells and whistles.”
Animated pointers and hi-resolution images of your favorite vacation spot may look nice, but they can also slow your computer down. Since animations and images load into memory every time you start your PC , there is less processing power available for more important tasks.
8) You have a scanning program running.
When a scanning program such as an anti-virus, anti-spyware, or automatic backup is running, your computer may respond slowly. We don’t recommend disabling these, as they are an important part of your computers safety. These programs should be run at least once a week, but don’t plan on using your machine while they are running.
9) Your computer barely meets your software’s minimum requirements.
Software usually has a list of requirements for things like processor speed, operating system, memory (RAM) and hard drive space. These specifications are the absolute minimum levels needed to make the software run. If your computer just meets the requirements, the software will run, but it might not run well. Try to meet or surpass the system “recommendations” of your software, rather than just meeting the bare “requirements.”
10) You have a fragmented hard drive.
It’s important to defragment your hard drive to help the computer organize itself better and make sure it runs smoothly. Think of your hard drive as someone who really likes to be organized but is always in a big hurry. Because you hard drive is low on time, it might save bits of a file here and pieces of it there, rather than all together. This works fine for a while, but eventually everything is scattered, and it takes your hard drive longer to find everything and get moving. Defragmenting is like a really big clean up. Your hard drive will put everything back in the right place and, as a result, will be able to move more quickly.
That’s it! If you’ve follow these ten steps, it should help you resolve a decent amount of your slow computer problems. There’s always more to learn, and lots to do in order to keep your computer running smoothly. Of course, there’s always help from Geek Squad, if you need it, but don’t be afraid to try some things on your own as well. We’ll always be available for you at www.geeksquad.com, at 1-800-GEEKSQUAD (1-800-433-5778), or at a Geek Squad precinct in a Best Buy store near you.
Agent Wiebusch carries badge number #3881, and has thwarted rogue technology issues since 2004, helping clients in store, in their home or business, and now online. When away from computers, he enjoys playing sports, playing videogames, and tinkering with motorcycles, classic cars, and anything else fast.
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.
In this, the first post of a three-part series of this week, we will discuss how to make it easy to keep your visiting family connected with a dedicated guest wireless network. A guest network not only makes connecting all those devices a snap, but also separates your personal network from the family’s devices. This helps keep your data, and your peace of mind, safe and secure.
Connect for the Holidays
So, how did you spend your Holiday Season last year? Trying to connect the 10 different devices of 10 different relatives to your home network? Wrestling with a new digital camera or smartphone? Trying to understand what you’re going to do with an iPad? If you’re tired of being overwhelmed by an onslaught of new technology every year, we have glad tidings. It is our mission to help the holidays go smoothly and help the excitement of your shiny new toys last beyond reading the first page of that poorly written instruction manual.
“Grandma, I want to use the internet.”
Every year more and more devices are designed to connect to the internet. Handheld gaming devices, iPods, laptop computers, and digital cameras are just a few of gadgets your extended family may be bringing to your house this holiday season.
Let your relatives share their ugly sweaters on Facebook, watch their favorite YouTube videos after dinner, and keep things simple and secure by creating a wireless network specifically designed for visitors. A “Guest Network” is a small section of your home’s wireless network that is set up for use by temporary guests in your home. Perfect for your holiday gathering!
What do I Need?
Setting up guest networks can be easy, but you have to have the right gear. Almost all dual-band routers support guest networks, as well as a few newer routers that do not have dual band capability. You’ll want to check your wireless router’s specifications to verify it supports a guest network.
What do I do?
Setting up a guest network is actually easier than configuring a wireless router, and routers that support guest networks have all the tools you’ll need, already built in! To start your guest network, you’ll need to visit your router’s configuration page, specifically the page for wireless settings. IF your router supports guest networks, you’ll see an option under the wireless settings to enable a guest network. You’ll be able to turn on a guest network, set up a password to control who is allowed to connect to it, and even limit the number of users connected simultaneously. By setting up this guest network, utilizing a simple password, you won’t need to share your encryption key with your family. This second network will keep your network isolated, protecting the information on your computers, and helping to keep everything safe and secure.
If diving into your router’s configuration doesn’t sound like something you want to try, fret not! Geek Squad Agents are standing by 24/7/365 to configure it for you. For help with setting up your guest network, contact us at 1-800-GEEK-SQUAD or visit GeekSquad.com. We set up guest networks in our sleep and would be glad to help!
-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.
Claire is the host of Food Network’s 5 Ingredient Fix (Saturdays at 12:30pm) and Food Network Challenge (Sundays at 8pm).
In this Two Minute Miracles video Geek Squad Agents Lee Weisbecker and Mike Nelson explain different ways you can connect your home theater components, such as a Blu-Ray player, to the internet.
This can happen from interference from other devices or your phone / cable company making adjustments to their systems.
Not to panic… most connection issues can be resolved by following a few simple steps.
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