Blog from Micropro

Now, that you can find anything in Google is a common knowledge. But you can actually find some things much faster than you think. We put a little video together to show you some of the most common Google shortcuts we’re using ourselves and hope you also find them helpful.

Note: if you’re using Google Chrome you just need to type these into the address bar (ie you don’t even need to go to “Google” homepage).

1. Check the weather

Just type in “weather” and the location you’d like to check the weather for and you’ll get the forecast. We’ve checked several times and it’s quite accurate.

2. Convert currency

Simply type the amount in the currency you’re converting and the denominator of the currency you want to convert to and you’ll get the instant number. Alternatively, you can just type “currency converter” and choose the currency you want to convert to from the drop-down menu.

3. Convert units

Need to ml to oz or km into miles? Just type “unit conversion” or type the units you want to convert from the amount and units you want to convert to right into the address bar.

4. Quick translate

Just type in “translate” followed by the word or phrase and the language to translate to and Google will give you an instant answer.

5. Flight times

Check arrivals, departures and flight information quickly by typing in the flight number. You’ll see when the plane is landing, when it has departed and if it’s delayed or not.

Hope you’ll find these shortcuts useful.

Regards

MicroPro Computers Team

Have you ever received a phone call from someone claiming they’re calling you from Microsoft or any other well know company? Unfortunately, we’re seeing more and more cases of this phone scam coming through our door and it doesn’t look like it’s going to end any time soon. In some cases your computer might get a virus installed on it which will then trigger it to stop working. Here are some points on how to recognise a phone scam and what to do if you receive one of these calls.

The nature of a phone scam

The most common current phone scam is for an operator to call you claiming they’re calling from Microsoft. They then proceed to tell you that your computer is infected and they need a remote access to your computer to clean it. You will then be asked for your credit card number as this service is not free. At the end of the day you will have given your computer access and a credit card number to a third party with no intention of giving you a service in return.

How to act when you get a call

If you get a call from someone claiming to call from a big company:

• Ask for their contact details and tell them you’re going to call back. If you’re not competent to talk about computer matters ask a member of a family to check the number for you.
• If the caller asks for your credit card number during the call, take down their number, hang up and report the number to your local authority
• Never provide remote access or your credit credit card information to a representative calling you on the phone
• If in any case in doubt – hang up

 What to do if you have fallen victim to the scam

• Change all passwords: your computer, email & most importantly online banking. You might want to use another computer to do most of these
• Scan your computer for viruses & malware
• Check the last received call & report the number to your local Gardai

You can get more information on the nature of these calls on the Microsoft Website. If you cannot access your computer after you’ve received a scam call you can contact our workshop on 01 4930514 or pop over for us to check it out for you.

Please make sure that especially the senior members of your family are aware of this. As we’ve said before – this problem is on the rise and we get to talk about it several times during the day.

Another Friday is here with another 5 great tips to help you work a little better and more efficient. This time: your printer. Not using it that much these days? well, maybe you should read on and see why you should use it at least once a month or so.

1. Keep the printer away from loose objects, pets and anything else that can get inside the printer and block it. There have been several instances where we had to clean dog and cat fur stuck to printer or there’s often a paperclip or similar that’s stuck inside and doesn’t let the printer to do anything. Make sure that your printer is in a clean place or just cover it up with something while you’re not using it to avoid dust and other from getting in.

2. You’re not out of ink. Sometimes there’s still a bit of ink & toner left even if the printer indicates otherwise. Take the toner out of the laser printer and shake it lightly, put it back in and you might get another 20 pages out of it. Ink printers can do this as well, just make sure you don’t get the ink on you and turn it ink-side up when shaking side-to-side.

3. Use original cartridges only when possible. Remanufactured and re-filled cartridges although might appear cheaper might cost you the printer at the end. The warranty doesn’t cover your printer if you use the remanufactured cartridges. Also, some generic cartridges might be filled with ink that’s liquid (and not gel-based as most original ones) and once the printer is switched on the ink can burst inside (caused by the electric charge the printer sends to reactivate the inks).

4. Give it a clean. Printing blanks? Most of the time this could be caused by the dried out inks. No need to replace the costly inks though. Just try to clean the heads of the printer a few times if needed. You don’t have to physically open the printer to do this, just use the settings feature on your printer, refer to the manual, or easier – just give us a call.

5. Print something at least once a month. Got an ink printer? Sometimes, inks can cake up or dry up and when you actually need to use the printer you might get a lot of blank pages (as per above). So, to avoid this from happening make sure that you print something once a month or so, just to keep the inks from drying up.

Need new inks? Just give us a call, we have the best selection of cartridges and toners in Dublin, and if you’re a returning customer we might as well throw in a discount. Give us a call and see if we have your inks in stock.

We bet you didn’t know about some of these iPhone tricks. Here are 7 ways to help you use your iPhone more efficiently. Note: you need the latest iOS 8 to use these.

1. Quick “Do not disturb” mode. 

Activate the “Do not disturb” mode that disables all the notification pop-ups and sounds by simply swiping up on the screen and tapping on the “moon” symbol.

2. Get LED notifications when your phone is locked or asleep

Don’t want to get visual notifications but don’t want to miss an important call? Activate the LED notifications on your phone. Go to Settings > General > Accessibility.

3. Snap photos while filming a video

Want to snap a photo to Instagram and post a  video to Facebook? Notice a little white circle next to your record button? Press it to make a photo without stopping a video.

4. Block a caller or messenger

If you’re getting some unwanted calls from a telesales company, for example, you can easily block their number by tapping the “i” button on top of their contact screen.

5. Un-delete an email

If you seldom go on an unread e-mail frenzy you know the feeling: unintentionally deleted emails. Just shake your iPhone and tap “Undo Trash” if this happens.

6. Talk to Siri hands-free

Go to Settings > General > Siri and set Siri to respond when you say “Hey Siri” out loud. Communication on the whole new level!

7. Find a movie in the cinema with Siri

Need a break and want to see a movie? Ask Siri what’s playing nearby and it will show you the list with the nearest cinemas and movies.

For more great tips check out Apple’s iOS tips & tricks page.

Need your iPhone fixed? We fix all of the models with super quick turn around: from changing the screen to replacing the battery – just drop us a line or give us a call on 01 4930514 to see if we have a part for your phone in stock.

Just got a laptop or a computer and want to make sure that it will serve you a good few years? In addition to the timely upgrades like more memory or a new battery, you might want to consider these simple computer maintenance tips too.

1. Make sure you have a proper Anti-Virus when you purchase your laptop

Most of the computers come with the Anti-Virus out-of-the-box. But usually, it’s just a trial version that is installed. A month later, when the trial runs out, you forget to update or upgrade and then it will start letting through some viruses.

When you purchase a laptop from us, we usually set it up for you and get you a Free AVG Anti-Virus that you can easily update. Also, keep all the computer applications updated as much as possible – that will make them run faster and more efficient.

2. Keep it clean

We mean it. If you like putting on make up, eating crisps or drinking coffee or fizzy drinks – you might want to keep those separate from your laptop. While a computer is not as bad (the keyboard on the PC is usually inexpensive if you spill something), the laptop keyboard houses all of the connections underneath it and caked up make up, spilled sugary drinks & crumbs are the most common reasons why some laptops end up in our workshop after stopping working all together. Best – you’d need a keyboard changed, worst – the whole thing will stop working.

3. Keep all the external items out when transporting

If you like carrying your laptop around then you should consider taking out all the USBs, chargers, SD cards or others. If you accidentally drop the carry case or break too hard in the car it might cause all of these to jam inside and potentially harm your laptop. Just take everything out, shut it down and then put it all neatly in the laptop case, preferably in different compartments.

4. Don’t block the fan

Have a laptop? Avoid putting it right on a duvet, bed, lap. Put a book or a magazine under it at least and let it breathe. Have a PC? Make sure it’s not standing right on the carpet or right against the wall. It will collect all of the dust from the floor or the one flying around while you’re hoovering. Oh yes, if you like smoking inside, it’s also a big no no around a laptop or a PC as the ashes & tar can cake up inside them. All of this can cause overheating and very slow performance speeds.

5. Leave it in for a deep clean

You leave your car for service every now and then to make sure that it runs smoothly, right? Well, you ought to do the same to your computer. When you leave your computer for a full service it will be cleaned inside out from all the sneaky little viruses, unneeded programs & files and all the dust will be blown out to avoid overheating. Usually, this takes a day.

If you haven’t done any of these in the last year or so, you probably want to get your computer serviced. it will be cleaned and vamped up and will work almost as new: faster, more efficient and will have a longer life.

Give us a call to check how long it will take for our engineers to give your computer a full service: 01 4930514.