Blog from Micropro

Sasha Bond

Feb 17
0

10 handy Google Chrome shortcuts to save your time

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Are you currently using Google Chrome? We always recommend Google Chrome over any other browser for one simple reason – it’s quick. And it’s super handy too. However, there are little hacks to make your life easier and your search faster even if you’re already using this browser.

1. Control the Tabs. Use Ctrl+T to open a new tab or Ctrl+Shift+T to reopen recently closed tabs – great for those moments you close a tab accidentally.

2. Use the address bar. You can use the address bar to search for what you’re looking for on Google without typing the actual address. Need to jump to the address bar quickly? Use Ctrl+l and you’ll get to the address bar without using a mouse.

3. Zoom in and Zoom out the whole page using Ctrl++ or Ctrl+-. This is really handy if you need to read a smaller text or see the detailed picture, Ctrl+0 will return you to the normal page size.

 4. Open the link in a new tab using Ctrl+click combination. It’s so useful when you’re reading an article and want to check the link from the article later. Or if you want to read something on the page later.

5. Search for a specific word on the page. Now, this combination applies to any browser or page: just use Ctrl+F and a search panel will appear where you can enter what you’re looking for and find it instead of scanning the page for ages.

6. Use Chrome Incognito mode when you log into Facebook, Twitter or email from someone else’s computer. You can also use this mode to get your friends to use a browser on your computer. To open the Incognito mode simple click Ctrl+Shift+N. Incognito mode doesn’t keep your passwords or search history.

7. Use Google Chrome Address Bar instead of a calculator. Just try a simple calculation now. You can also use it as a translator by typing the word you want to translate and in which language (“I love you in German” for example). Or get an instant currency converter by typing the amount of currency you want to convert and to which currency you want to convert it to (“2300EUR to GBP” for example).

8. Delete your browsing history in swift. The Ctrl+ Shift+Delete combination will open a window that allows you to clear your Cookies, last visited pages, passwords and cache. You should delete your browsing history every now and then to free up the space on your computer (yes, these are saved as physical files) and for diagnostics.

9. Save a web page as a PDF or print it. Want to save the page for later or want to use it as an offline example? You can save it as PDF. Just click Ctrl+P and choose “Save as PDF” instead of a printer. Or just print it!

10. Make Chrome faster. Sometimes you can be stuck on one page or a page will not load for you properly. This could be due to many background processes in Chrome. To check what’s running in your browser, click on the options on the top-right corner, select “More Tasks” and then “Task Manager”. See anything on the list you don’t recognise? Select it and press “End Process”.

Is Google Chrome the only thing you ever use on your computer? You might consider getting a TOSHIBA Chromebook. What is it? TOSHIBA Chromebook is just like any other computer but it relies on the Operating System based on Chrome – yes your browser. All of the apps are run in the Cloud (ie via the Internet) – so you don’t really need to install any programs and all your information is always backed up automatically and is available everywhere (under the password protection off course).

TOSHIBA Chromebook currently in stock for €279 incl VAT.

Want to find out more about the Chromebook? Give us a call on 01 4930514.

Feb 12
0

“My printer won’t print”. 6 reasons why your printer is not working and how to fix this

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How to fix a broken printer

Interestingly, this is one of the most common questions we get asked over the phone in MicroPro and it’s something we usually are able to solve right there and then.

1. “Is it plugged in?” to quote the Chris O’Dowd’s character form the IT Crowd. It’s as simple as that and you’d be surprised how many times we’ve made this mistake ourselves, especially at the early hours of the morning. Make sure your printer is plugged in, the electricity is turned on and, if it’s a remote printer, that it’s actually turned on.

2. Check the ink cartridges. All printers are different but most of them will tell you if the ink cartridges are empty. If you have a simple printer without an LCD screen, check if there’s a little light that’s blinking above a a graphic that looks like a drop. Most of the time this indicates issues with inks: they might be empty or placed incorrectly. If this is your first time to use the printer, make sure that you have placed the inks correctly and that you have removed protective film from them.

 3. Check the paper. Did you run out? Some printers might not print if there are even a just a couple of sheets of paper or on contrary too many sheets. Fill the paper storage about a half-full capacity and you should be on the safe side.

4. Make sure nothing is stuck in the printer. Got a paper jam? Sometimes it might be caused by something being stuck in the printer. If you have a multi-function printer, you may want to lift the lid under the scanner and see if there’s anything that doesn’t seem to belong: paperclips, paper bits, food – these can sometimes fall in through the upper paper compartment. If it’s a simple printer without the scanner, take out the inks and tilt the printer forward giving it a bit of a hit. This way, whatever could possibly be stuck in it will fall out, but you will also not get printer inks all over yourself.

5. Check the error messages. Is your printer displaying an error message? That’s the easiest way to find out what’s wrong with it. Just Google the error message (most of the time it’s a code) with the name and the make of your printer and you will get a fast answer.

6. Shooting blanks. Your printer makes all the right noises but only returns blank pages? Or, the images appear smudged, uneven, wrong color, etc? Try to clean the heads of the printer. No need to take out the dusting cloth yet, this is something you tell the printer to do from the computer or the printer itself. Just look for the “Maintenance” section in the manual for your printer, or Google “how to clean the heads on [your printer name]”.

Hope this advice will help and you will find exactly what you need to fix your printer. Didn’t find a solution? Give us a call on 01 4930514

Looking for a new printer? We’ve got a special on a Epson Expression XP-225  Multifunction printer/scanner/copier – €69.99 including VAT. Come and take a look for yourself.

Jan 27
0

Your Invoice: ID31WX175T

Posted by | Internet Safety | No Comments

MicroPro-Computers-Phishing-example-itunes-invoice

So, you’ve received a strange invoice from iTunes charging you for “Space Cube”. And it’s a hefty 38.59 GBP as well.

What’s this, you think? If you have kids, you might already be looking suspiciously into their direction. However, this is nothing more than a scam created to get your Credit Card details.

How does this work? A fake company sets up a fake email address, picks up a reliable source or a brand (in this example it’s iTunes) and send you a bogus invoice. Certainly, you’d like to find out why you’re charged this strange amount, and there’s a helpful link at the bottom of the email for you to do just that. But that link takes you to a completely different page to what you have anticipated and reads and records your card details for the scammers to use instead.

To cut the story very short: do not trust every email you get. A strange invoice from the iOS App Store is easy to check:

1. Log into your iPhone (iPad)

2. Got to the App Store

3. Tap on “Purchased” & view all.

Don’t see that strange game on your purchased app list? Nothing to worry about.

Have other scam examples to share with us? Not sure if the email you have received is safe? Let us know.