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How to change your web browser homepage

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Frequently we are asked \”How do I set my homepage in my web browser\”. We made a video to show you exactly how to do that!

This video covers:

  • Suggestions on what to set your homepage as
  • How to set one or multiple pages as your homepage
  • Setting your homepage in Internet Explorer
  • Setting your homepage in Mozilla Firefox (skip to 2:30)
  • Setting your homepage in Google Chrome (skip to 3:50)

 

We hope you enjoyed this free informational video from Jester\’s Computers.

If you find yourself needing additional help with your web browsers or your computer in general contact us at (717) 642-6611 or visit our contact us page to send us an email.

 

wifi

What can’t I connect? A network Troubleshooting Guide

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by Ayse Stenabaugh

 

By Ayse Stenabaugh

So, your internet is chugging along one day until suddenly you attempt to use the internet and you receive the dreaded “page can’t be displayed” warning instead of the website you were trying to visit. Never fear! Before you take your computer to a repair shop there are a few basic troubleshooting steps that even the non-computer savvy can complete to try to resolve your issues first.

 

restartRestart your devices

More often than not, restarting your computer and your modem and router (if you have one) will resolve your issue.

To properly power cycle your devices follow the steps below.

  1. Shut your computer down properly (always shut down by going to start > power > shut down)
  2. Turn off your modem. Your modem is usually provided by your internet service provider and will usually have a phone line or coax cable running to it. To turn it off simply unplug power from the device until you no longer see any lights. If you still see lights after unplugging search for a backup battery that may be installed on the modem and remove that for 30 seconds and then replace it.
  3. Once your modem is unplugged or turned off, if you have a router you will need to turn that off as well. If you don’t have a router separate from your modem you can skip to step 4. If you have Wi-Fi extenders or repeaters you will want to turn those devices off now as well.
  4. Now once your devices are off wait 30 seconds and reconnect power to your MODEM ONLY.
  5. After 3-5 minutes your modem should be fully rebooted and you can plug in any routers and/or Wi-Fi extenders or repeaters that you are using.
  6. Last boot up your computer again and try to re-connect to your network

 

What can’t I connect? A network Troubleshooting Guide

Try another device

To determine if your network is the problem try another computer or device on your network. If you can connect using another device on the same network the problem is most likely in the device itself. See the next suggestion for more troubleshooting tips if this doesn’t resolve your issue

Try another network

Like most electronic devices your modem or router can fail too. Try connecting your device to a friend, family member or neighbors network next. If you still can’t connect then the problem is likely within your computer or device.

What can’t I connect? A network Troubleshooting Guide

Still not working? If your computer performed updates recently it may be a driver issue. If not, your wireless card or device may be failing. Either way at Jester’s Computers we can diagnose your issue for just $32.50 or less. We troubleshoot and repair most issues within 24 hours so why not bring your computer in for support. You can contact us at (717) 642-6611

custombuildad

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Should you buy a custom-built desktop PC instead of mass production PC?

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By Ayse Stenabaugh

With so many options for computers deciding on the one that is right for you can be stressful. Due to their proprietary nature, you won’t find many custom-built desktops, however, many computer repair businesses offer custom build desktops. There are many differences between buying a computer that is pre-built to having one custom build by a computer technician that you can trust. We can’t speak for other companies that built their own computers, however, read on below to learn the difference between a desktop computer being purchased from a big box store compared to ones that we build here at Jester’s Computers

Meeting your needs – You will likely be purchasing a computer that is faster than your previous system but even then, the specifications can be confusing. If you purchase an already built system you are relying on the manufacturer to provide you with enough speed for the applications you will be using.  If you purchase a custom-built computer, in most cases, your technician will ask what types of applications you will be running on the device, to ensure that the computer will meet or exceed the minimum system requirements.

\"disc\"Getting the software, you need – Contrary to popular belief Microsoft Office’s Word, Excel, Outlook etc. do NOT come with a new computer. Some companies will bundle Office with the computer but the price is always built into the computer’s price. You can always re-install Office if you have your license and the disk. If you can’t locate your software and product key and Office it is still installed on a working computer, your technician may be able to retrieve the information to install Office on your new computer. Some new computers don’t come loaded with programs that many people require including Flash, Java and Adobe reader. If these programs are already installed many times they will require updates along with Windows right out of the box because updates come out frequently and its unlikely that you will be purchasing a device that hasn’t been sitting long enough to accumulate some necessary updates.

Getting your computer setup – You may be surprised at how different things look on a new computer especially if you are using a new operating system. At Jester’s Computers, we transfer your old computer data to your new custom built desktop PC for no additional fee ($65 value). We also tweak your operating system to run more efficiently and setup things like your email and your printer for no additional fees. If you prefer to have someone come to your home to setup your computer we offer that service for an additional fee as well.

\"stop\"Eliminate the junk – Computer manufacturers tend to install an enormous amount of what we like to call “Bloatware”. Many of these programs are trial programs that not only take up storage on your device but may be slowing it down right out of the box. A custom-built computer will include only the main operating system and very little else (which is a GOOD thing!).

Warranty & Support – Nobody wants to contact support to wait on hold just to end up talking to someone that is difficult to understand. When purchasing a custom-built computer be sure to ask about what support you are provided with afterwards. Here at Jester’s Computers we perform all hardware repairs within the first year and in most cases, we replace the part on the spot rather than waiting for your device to be replaced through the manufacturer. Additionally, most parts carry warranties above and beyond the 1 year period which are still in effect, if you purchase a pre-built computer you won’t receive any warranty on the internal hardware above the manufacturers 1 year warranty.

\"costbenefit\"Cost – Typically a custom PC will cost a bit more than ones that you can find in the store. You will also find that the parts that are used tend to be a higher quality than most computers found in the store. Consider this, most technicians purchase parts that have been reliable and are trustworthy and familiar to them. This means that you are not only receiving better quality but better support as well.

If you are interested in purchasing a new custom-built machine be sure to view our systems page for Jester’s Computers which can be found on here.

For fast, quality service you can rely on for your computers contact Jester’s Computers at (717) 642-6611 or visit on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com

 

no signal

How to troubleshoot no display on computer monitor.

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There can be a number of reasons why a desktop computer monitor is not displaying an image. Before taking your computer or monitor to your local repair shop you can try some easy troubleshooting steps below to help determine the cause of your display issue.

Please Note: We have received a large number of support requests related to this article. While we do offer FREE troubleshooting tips on our website we are unable to offer free one-on-one support. If you’re interested in paid phone/remote support feel free to contact us.

If Monitor Displays “NO SIGNAL” or “SELF TEST” – this means that your computer monitor is working properly but isn’t getting a signal from the computer. Start troubleshooting your issue by ensuring that both ends of the video cable that goes between your computer and your monitor are pushed in the whole way. Your monitor cable will look like one of the three examples below. If you have a VGA or HDMI cable be careful not to screw the adapter in place too tightly. You also want to be careful not to pull on the cable until the screws have been loosened completely from the back of the computer. 

VGA
VGA
dvi
DVI
HDMI
HDMI

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitor power light is off –  If your monitor is not displaying a power light then you might have a problem
with your monitor. Ensure that the power adapter to the monitor is plugged in completely. Test your power outlet with another device such as a lamp to ensure the power outlet works. If you havMonitore another cable that matches your monitors power cable you can try using that or take your monitor to a local repair shop to see if they can test your monitor. If you have another monitor that you can plug into your computer you can test that just to rule out any potential issues with your computer.

My monitor has power but I have no display – usually this points to a video card or display driver issue. You can first check to make sure your video cable is plugged into the proper display port on the back of your computer. If you have two separate areas on your computer that have the same display adapter your computer has on-board video as well as a video card. Try plugging into the video card (usually away from other connections) first and if no-signal or self test is displayed on your monitor try the other port. 

What should you do if I still have no display on my computer monitor?

If the above don’t resolve your issue you may need to take your computer to a local computer repair shop for additional troubleshooting and support. Your technician will want to see your computer tower first to ensure that the display output from your computer is working properly.

If your computer displays properly on another monitor your technician can check to ensure that your screen resolution isn’t set too high for the monitor your normally use.  If the resolution is within normal ranges your monitor may need repaired or replaced. Replacing your out of warranty monitor may be the most sensible option depending upon the monitors age and specifications. 

If your computer does not display properly on another monitor your technician will need to perform further diagnostics to determine if other components including motherboard, memory or power supply are contributing to the lack of display. 

If your computer requires a new video card the cost of the repair will depend upon the quality of parts purchased and the video requirements that you need. If your using your computer for gaming or programs that are graphics intensive the cost of your video card will be higher. Basic video cards can cost as little as $49.99 or even less but you don’t want to sacrifice too much quality for price. The video cards that we purchase for the average gamer is around $150. Part installation fees can vary from repair shop to repair shop at Jester’s Computers we charge $15 for part installation.

 

Script Error

How to fix script errors in your web browser

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Recently we have seen an increase in the number of users complaining about script errors appearing in their web browser.

What are script errors?

Many websites use JavaScript on their pages to display certain features and content. JavaScript errors commonly occur on websites that contain advertisements on them which fail to load due to an error or incompatibility with the web browser you are using.

Who is being affected most by script errors?

Those who are using Mozilla’s Firefox web browser are reporting an increased number of script errors from websites that are using flash. Websites that contain heavy advertisements or rotating banners have been more commonly affected. If you are using Embarqmail, Centurylink Email or Comcast email services and access your email through their website you have probably experienced theses script errors advertisements trying to load on the page.

How can I resolve problems related to script errors?

There are a resolutions that you can choose from to take care of your script errors

  1. Use a different web browser – The website may be incompatible with the browser you are using trying using a different one (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or Safari we do NOT recommend using Edge browser which is built into Windows 10)
  2. Use an extension to block scripts on specific pages – If you must visit the website and a different web browser doesn’t work for you, try searching for an add-on or extension for your web browser that will allow you to indicate which pages aren’t allowed to run scripts
  3. Don’t access that website – If you don’t need to visit that website and have another resource available to you that may be an option. If your email providers website is where you are experiencing the issue you can read this article we wrote about switching email providers to avoid these and other further problems.If you are unsure how to use extensions or would like assistance with performing this actions we described above and have internet access in most cases we can usually resolve your script errors remotely for our $10 minimum charge

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Passwords, Pins and Security Codes oh my!

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Windows Passwords & Pins

When you login to your computer you may or may not have a password. Some computers will allow you to use a fingerprint scanner and some touch screen computers will even let you touch certain areas of a picture to login instead of using a password. It is important to remember that this does NOT replace your password and you should still remember your alphanumeric password that was first created. Windows 10 now allows users to login using a 4 digit pin code – again this does not replace your password and to perform some repairs and actions within Windows your alphanumeric password will be required.

The dangers of BIOS passwords

For added security some users enable a BIOS password which is a password stored on your motherboard that must be entered BEFORE Windows loads. If you require additional security such as this please don’t make the mistake of forgetting this password! If you happen to forget this password, you are more than likely going to need to send your computer to the manufacturer to have the password removed or reset. If you don’t need the additional security, we recommend removing the BIOS password entirely and using a Windows password instead!

Most Websites require passwords!

If you use email, you have a password.  If you use Facebook you have a password for that too! Any website that you use that provides you access to account information or your personal data requires a password for security purposes! Often when we ask for an email password customers reply with “I don’t have one”. While you may not need to enter a password or login information on your personal computer (because you have allowed your web browser to save your password for you) it doesn’t mean that you don’t have one. If you were to login to another computer, you would be required to enter your login credentials including username (or email address) and password.

Most web browsers will give you the option to save your password so that you won’t need to enter it each time you visit a website. This can be a very useful feature! Keep in mind that Firefox and Google Chrome will allow you to view saved passwords where Internet Explorer will let you save them but won’t give you the ability to view them later on.

Security & Password Resets

If you forget a password you can usually attempt to login to the website that you are trying to access and choose the “forgot password” option. In most cases when you first setup your account you were asked to enter alternate contact information such as an email address or phone number that you are able to access. Using the information you provided, you will be given a clue (such as a partial view of the email address or phone number provided) and you will need to fill in the missing information. If you provide the proper information a reset link is emailed or a security code is sent to your cell phone (landlines will usually receive a phone call with an automated code). Once you receive that code and enter it on the screen (or click the reset link in your email) you will be asked to create a new password. If you are resetting an email password and you receive your email on another device, you will also need to enter the new password before you will receive emails in that location.

If you have a need for technology assistance contact Jester’s Computers located at 5135 Fairfield Road at 717-642-6611 or visit us on the web at www.jesterscomputers.com or on Facebook! We are a family owned and operated computer repair shop that provides affordable and fast service!

Computer-Diagnostics

Diagnostics

We will inspect your computer for hardware or software damage and will give you an estimate for the repair. Our diagnostic rate is $65 per hour. The majority of our diagnostics are completed within a 1/2 hour. We will notify you if your diagnostic extends beyond the minimum 1/2 hour.

Diagnostics
  • Through diagnostics, we are able to determine if physical hardware is preventing your system from functioning properly, or if the software installed on the computer is causing a conflict.
  • If the diagnostics prove that a part has failed we will offer you our best recommendation for a replacement part or system. You will receive an accurate quote for the repair and you may choose to complete the repair or pay the diagnostic fee.
  • If the diagnostics prove that software has caused a conflict on your system we will recommend the service that will correct the problem. Most computer problems are software problems that do not require part or computer replacement. If you wish to not repair the computer you will be required to pay only the diagnostic fee.

Will there be a charge for diagnostics?

We do our best to provide the best advice!  We will always attempt to provide you with expected costs for repairs based on the information provided to us. Once we go through the process of checking your device in we ask all customers to sign an agreement that includes our minimum diagnostic fee of $32.50

Specific errors or uncommon technical issues may require diagnostics and troubleshooting before a resolution can be determined or achieved. Unless otherwise agreed we will inform you if we anticipate your diagnostic to take longer than a 1/2 hour.

You can view all of our computer repair services by visiting our services page here. 

Can diagnostics be done in my home or office?

In many cases diagnosing your computer on-site is only recommended after we have done initial diagnostics and troubleshooting in our office. This helps us to determine if the issue is isolated a device or connection that is only being used in your residence or business. 

If you are unable to bring in your device and you have high-speed internet access we may at our discretion offer remote-support diagnostics. Ask us about local drop-off and pick-up as well as on-site services if in-shop service doesn’t meet your individual needs.

If your wireless printer or home network needs troubleshooting you will require on-site services which are billed hourly. 

windows 10 logo

Professional Windows 10 Upgrade Installation

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WE CAN STILL UPGRADE YOU TO WINDOWS 10 FOR FREE!*

Although the Windows 10 upgrade is no longer available as a free upgrade through your PC ,we can still manually install the software for you! We offer upgrades to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or Windows 8 machines with a valid active Windows key for just $65. *Installation is $65 the cost of the Windows 10 software to you is FREE!

Are you not quite comfortable upgrading to Windows 10 on your own?

Do you have concerns about configuring your printers and other devices to be compatible with Windows 10?  

We can answer all of your questions about upgrading to Windows 10 and we can ensure compatibility of your hardware and software before your upgrade your device. Be sure to present any questions you have regarding compatibility prior to 

What do you get with a professional installation?

Yes – upgrading to Windows 10 from a compatible Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 computer is free until July 29th at which time Microsoft will begin charging for software to upgrade your device to Windows 10. Upgrading your computer usually takes just a few hours and can be done by the user without a professional however, many of our customers appreciate our knowledge and experience which provides you with the following benefits.

  • Hassle free installation – don\’t worry about answering any of the setup questions incorrectly we setup your computer with Windows 10 and ensure that all available hardware drivers are installed and updated.
  • Resolve common problems – not all upgrades are free of problems and we know exactly how to resolve them quickly to ensure that you get your computer in most cases the same day.
  • Custom Configuration – We know learning a new operating system isn\’t always the most fun so we\’ll do everything we can to make the experience less frustrating by setting up your default programs and creating shortcuts to places you commonly access.

Professional installation is usually $65 if you also get a clean-up at the regular price of $99 we discount your Windows 10 upgrade $15 making your Windows 10 upgrade installation and setup only $50! 

What if I already upgraded to Windows 10? Don\’t worry we can still customize your Windows 10 installation even after the upgrade has been completed. We offer several options to tweak your device, if you receive another service on your device we will include tweaking your device for free, or we can just tweak your device for our minimum half hour fee of $32.50.

What if I need more help once I\’ve been upgraded to Windows 10?  One of the great things we offer is one-on-one instruction with our technology educator Ayse. She will work with you at your pace and skill level to help you learn how to use your device while gaining confidence on the computer. We offer a Tweak and Teach package where we tweak your device and provide a 10-15 minute mini lesson showing you how to use the basic feature of Windows 10 an answering any questions you have. If that\’s not enough time we provide full hour individual classes in our shop for just $25 per hour.

3d cleaning equipment

Computer Clean-up

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If your computer is running slow, has never had maintenance, is experiencing errors or is suspected of being infected with a virus or malware we recommend having a clean-up done on your computer.

Clean-ups are a flat rate of $99. During the month of March and September we offer a $20 clean-up discount to help drive the importance of computer maintenance while helping to offset the cost of regular maintenance for our regular clients. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to receive special offers and computer tips and tricks right in your inbox! 

Our clean-ups are performed by a technician and each device receives one-on-one attention during service. Our clean-up service requires several hours to finish and are typically completed within one to two business days. Our services don’t require an appointment, We encourage first-time clients to read below for important information including information that may be required to complete your service. Please also visit our contact us page to see our hours and to ask any additional questions you might have. 

Please note: If you require rush services we can accommodate you for an additional rush fee. 

  • Virus, Malware, Spyware removal– We run scans behind your antivirus and the majority of the time we DO find malicious software. Malicious software can include Potentially Unwanted Programs or “PUPS” which you may not have realized were being installed with other software.  
    • Have you noticed your homepage in your web browser has changed to a different website?
    • Do you have toolbar’s installed in your web browser that you don’t use?
    • Are you experiencing strange behavior in your web browser?

  • Shut off programs that don’t need to run– Almost every program that’s installed tries to start-up with the system. We will leave on only the programs that need to run which will free up system resources.
    • Have you noticed that your computer is taking a lot longer to startup or boot up than it use to?
    • Do you have programs loading when the computer turns on that you don’t frequently use such as iTunes, Dropbox, Skype, OneDrive, Google Drive or iCloud?

  • Delete temporary files – We will remove temporary internet files that are stored on your hard drive every time you surf the web. These files take up space on your hard drive and need to be manually deleted.
    • Do you want to delete unused files on your computer that are taking up storage space?
    • Do you want to ensure that you are loading the most current version of websites when browsing the internet?

  • Hard drive optimization / Health Check– We will defragment your hard drive which will improve the read and write speed of your hard drive. It will re-organize the files on your drive so they can be accessed more quickly and in some cases will free up unused space. We will check the health of your hard drive and do a disk error check to check for corrupt sectors on your hard drive.
    • Do you notice that your hard drive activity light is solid or constantly busy?
    • Does your computer freeze or have you experienced a significant loss of speed?

  • Windows Updates- Your computer should keep current with all Windows update to minimize security risks. We will download and install all of the updates and ensure that your system installs all updates successfully.
    • Does your computer constantly fail when installing windows updates?
    • Does your computer do updates and then blue screen?

  • Registry Cleaning– We will clean your registry with tools that you can trust and delete entries remaining from uninstalled programs. This can speed up the computer because it won’t be trying to load programs or files that are non-existent.
    • Are you receiving pop-up errors from Windows when you turn your computer on or login to your user account? 
    • Do you have other registry cleaners or tune up utilities on your computer? Many of them do more harm than good we will let you know if your software could be harming your computer

  • Physical cleaning– We will blow your desktop computer out with compressed air to ensure that dust doesn’t cause over-heating issues. We will also clean your laptop screen and blow off your keyboard as well as any accessible air vents. 
    • Has the inside of your desktop computer ever been cleaned of dust and debris
    • Do your computer fans appear restricted or does your computer radiate more heat than you feel it should?

Important Information

Is it possible that a clean-up won’t resolve my issue?

In some severe cases, a cleanup will not completely remove an infection. In some cases viruses can completely infect personal data, corrupt your operating system or erase your hard drive. In the event that we are unable to clean your computer, we will usually install re-install Windows without charging for your clean-up however if you would like us to save any personal data (when possible) prior to re-installing Windows, additional fees may apply. We always encourage users to back up any important data and although we will never delete personal data without consent we are not responsible for the loss or corruption of personal data.

What if my computer has a hardware problem?

If we detect a hardware issue with your computer we will discontinue our clean-up immediately and report our findings to give you our recommendation. The most common hardware problem detected during clean-ups are signs of hard drive failure. We keep a variety of hard drives in stock and while your drive is still functioning we may be able to clone your old drive to a new one without losing any data including programs.

What if I have a problem after my computer is cleaned up?

In some cases, files that programs use to run are infected, cannot be cleaned, and are deleted. This may cause programs to need to be re-installed in order to restore complete functionality. It is your responsibility to notify us of any issues that remain after a clean-up and if we are notified within 3 business days we will attempt to resolve your issue at no additional charge. 

Will a clean-up affect data stored on my computer?

We will never delete personal data from your computer however hard drives are mechanical devices that can fail at any time. If you have any personal data on your device we highly recommend asking your technician about backup options. We are not responsible for data that is lost on your device due to hardware failure during service or after service is completed. Even brand new hard drives and storage devices can experience failure in fact hard drive failure rates are higher during the first year and after 3-4 years of use.

laptop

Laptop Repairs

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Laptop repairs are more limited than desktop repairs and labor tends to be more expensive. We offer several services for laptop repairs and what we can\’t do in our office we can ship your device to our partners or the system manufacturer for further diagnostics or repair.

Screen Repair / Replacement

If your computer led, lcd or laptop touch screen is is cracked we can locate replacement parts and repair your device.

If your computer screen has lines, shatter marks, brightly colored spots, burnt out pixels  or flickers on or off your screen may be repairable by either replacing the screen cable or screen. 

Screen repair cost varies depending upon the cost of parts and the amount of labor required. Most screen repairs can be completed for $200 or less however touch screens can be more. Due to the nature of the repair most parts are special order and repair time can vary.

Sometimes the cause of a screen issue can be due to an issue with your on board video. Laptop video cards are built into the motherboard and require board level repair or replacement. If this is the cause of your issue we may recommend replacement of your device depending upon the devices age. 

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