Scan your TV for Viruses

Every device that has a connection to the internet is at risk for malware. Not even our TVs are safe from virus infections these days.

Samsung recently tweeted a reminder to regularly scan your TV for virus infections:

Scanning your computer for malware viruses is important to keep it running smoothly. This also is true for your QLED TV if it’s connected to Wi-Fi!

Prevent malicious software attacks on your TV by scanning for viruses on your TV every few weeks.
Samsung Support USA (@SamsungSupport)

HDTVs and Smart TVs have been a recent target of a number of attacks and exploits. Several CIA and Russian government hacking tools have also been shown to use exploits in TVs as monitoring agents. Any way you slice it, you should be scanning your TVs for viruses.

How do you scan a TV for a virus?

Every brand has a different methodology for scanning for viruses. Most are available within Settings or Diagnostics / Diagnosis within the Security section. There are also several third party TV virus scanning applications you can download within your TV’s app store.

The method Samsung outlines for all their Smart TVs is to go to Settings and then General. Once you are in the General Settings, scroll until you find System Manager and then click on the tab labeled Smart Security and find the Scan button. This will start the built-in anti-virus scanner to run a full system scan of all the software running on your smart television.

Most Smart TVs run local software that can be exploited and infect and monitor your wireless network. If your TV is connected to the internet or your wireless network you should look into the best ways to run a regular scan on your TV. We recommend running a scan at least once per week on any internet connected device as part of a sound security plan for your home or business.

If you need any help securing your home or business from malware, virus or network attacks contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com.

SSD prices have never been lower!

The NAND flash industry (the companies that make the storage part of SSDs) have been in massive competition in 2019. There is a massive oversupply of flash memory to built SSDs out of. Because of that, the price per GB of a SSD (Solid State Device) has fallen below $0.1 per GB.

We have purchased many SSDs under $50 for a 512GB drive. Prices for SSDs have fallen by over half since last year. Prices on SSDs have been falling dramatically over the last one and half years.

If you have been waiting to purchase a large SSDs until prices fall further you should probably purchase them today. There are market signals showing that the NAND flash industry is trying to correct the oversupply. Additionally there has been a lot of consolidation of manufacturers and end suppliers of SSDs to try to stabilize the price reductions.

SSD prices can’t get much lower, so if you want a large drive, get it today.

If you need help upgrading to an SSD or cloning your existing small SSD onto something larger give a call to Chandler Computer Repair Company at (480) 240-2946.

Firefox glitch kills all extensions

Did you just notice that none of your extension in Mozilla Firefox are working? We have seen multiple clients have issues with the new update where all Firefox extensions are automatically being disabled.

According to Firefox’s Bugzilla bug tracker users started having issues almost immediately after the latest updated was pushed live.

There does not seem to be much you can do since the extensions are being listed as legacy extensions due to verification issues. Non-verified legacy extensions are disabled by default and there is no method other than verifying them to enable them. The glitch appears to be part of that verification system (specifically with the certificates) so no extensions are able to be verified.

Expect Mozilla to release a new version of Firefox soon as this is a massive bug.

Update after the fact: Firefox hotfix patch to fix extension glitch

Mozilla just launched (a day later) Firefox 66.0.4 which resolves the verification certificate issue that disables all extensions.

If you cannot resolve the issue, give us a call at (480) 240-2946 and we can help you get your Firefox extensions working properly.

Microsoft releases personal data collection tool

Windows 10 users will be able to see precisely what data Microsoft is collecting on them. The new tool called Windows Diagnostic Data Viewer gives you a full breakdown of all data Microsoft collects on you.

It is known that Microsoft collects data about your hardware and software installed on your computer. They also collect data on your computer’s configuration, such as, settings you change or modifications you make.

The application was initially released as an early preview to Windows Insiders before being released in the Microsoft Store.

Windows 10 Update Requires 32GB free space

The new May 2019 update for Windows 10 is coming soon. Microsoft has just announced that you will need more storage space to upgrade Windows 10 to the May 2019 Update. Back in Windows version 1809 (the October 2018 Update) Microsoft increased the free space requirement before upgrade to 16GB but as of May it will be changing to 32GB.

If you are running the 64-bit version of Windows 10 this is a 12GB increase in free storage requirements and a 16GB increase for the 32-bit version.

Most computers will have enough storage out of the box to support the new Windows 10 May 2019 Update but if you main storage volume is filled up with data files you have have issues.

You can read about all the new requirements for the latest version of Windows 10 here https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/minimum-hardware-requirements-overview

If you are having a problem updating to the new May 2019 Windows 10 Update or you would like some assistance with the update, please give us a call at (480) 240-2946 . Chandler Computer Repair Company is a Chandler, AZ based computer service company with offices through our parent company in many other major cities. If you need computer assistance please contact us.

Windows 7 Impending End of Support

Windows 7 users are starting to see pop-up messages directly from Microsoft (update) telling them that support for Windows 7 is coming to an end. Windows 7 has been out for 10 years and after January 14, 2020 there will be no more support for Windows 7 (you can read about this announcement on our parent company’s blog https://www.karlstechnology.com/blog/end-of-life-for-windows-7/ ).

The pop-up message from Microsoft reads:

After 10 years, support for Windows 7 is nearing the end.

January 14, 2020 is the last day Microsoft will offer security updates and technical support for computers running Windows 7. We know change can be difficult, that’s why we’re reaching out early to help you backup your files and prepare for what’s next.

Microsoft is not going to force any user to stop using Windows 7, and there is nothing to stop you from continuing to use Windows 7. But you will not get any security updates or patches for any bugs, issues or future updates (hardware drivers from Microsoft, etc).

If you would like to upgrade to Windows 10, give us a call at 1-800-620-5285 and talk with one of our support specialists to figure out the best way to move away from Windows 7.

To read more about the new Windows 7 pop-up message read the latest updates on betanews.

Latest Windows Update doesn’t work with some Anti Virus Software

The latest Windows 7 and Windows 10 April 2019 Windows Update is having issues with some Anti Virus vendors. Microsoft has acknowledged that both versions of Windows may have serious issues if incompatible anti virus software is installed. Microsoft has detailed in their support document for the latest update: https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/4493472/windows-7-update-kb4493472 :that it has worked with multiple anti virus software vendors to figure out why their update is causing issues for some users.

McAfee Anti Virus is one of the software that will trigger bugs in Windows 7 and Windows 10. The bug appears to degrade performance significantly and seems to effect Windows 7 upgrades more than Windows 10. There is no known fix for this issue and Microsoft and multiple vendors are currently working on resolutions. Microsoft is saying if you are running one of the problem antivirus platforms that you should not upgraded to Windows Update KB4493472 or if you have you should disable your antivirus (which is not a good idea).

A better idea might be to disable the problematic anti virus and download a temporary free anti virus, like Avira, until Microsoft can resolve their issues with your anti virus of choice.

Latest Update:

If you want more information on antivirus products that are having issues with this latest Microsoft Windows bug, see this article on ghacks:

https://www.ghacks.net/2019/04/19/add-mcafee-products-to-the-list-of-security-products-that-dont-play-well-with-latest-windows-patches/

Apple models obsolete in 2017

Some Apple models obsolete in a month

Every quarter Apple adds certain models of their devices to its vintage and obsolete products list which means those products will lose official Apple repair support and have limited software upgrades. Apple is adding four popular products to the vintage and obsolete products list.

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)

See tech specs here.

MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)

See tech specs here.

Mac mini (Early 2009)

See tech specs here.

MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)

See tech specs here.

Why Apple retires hardware

Apple usually begins this process or retiring support for hardware that has not been manufactured for at least 5 years because repair parts are no longer available. Some of these models are almost 7 years old and were very popular but replacement parts for them are getting very hard to find.

How Chandler Computer Repair Company can help

If you have an older Apple product on the Apple Vintage and obsolete products list and need replacement parts contact us. We have many sources for hard to find parts and have become resourceful at locating even the rarest of items. We can also assist you in transitioning to a new system if the cost of repairs is too high.

New Microsoft Surface Studio

The New Microsoft Surface Studio

Microsoft has finally decided to enter the desktop market with the Surface Studio, their very own, all-in-one PC. Microsoft managed to wow the audience as it was unveiled at the recent Microsoft Conference. The desktop features the thinnest LCD of it’s size ever produced at a 12.5mm. The device looks similar to Apple products of the past, with it’s rather, simplistic look, with something new, a multi-touch display. Only one cable is necessary for the device to function on it’s own. The 28 inch display outputs 13.5 million pixels, which manages to be around 63% more than 4K displays today. The glory lies within, as the device ships with the latest in technology. It’s powered by Intel’s i7 Core Processor and Nvidia’s 980M Graphics with varying options for hard drive storage and RAM (Random Access Memory).

Microsoft Surface Studio

Something entirely new that Microsoft is launching side by side with the Studio (although not included) are a variety of peripherals such as the Surface Dial. The dial aims to create easy access to a variety of applications from simple web browsing to different color palettes in the new Paint 3D. The device ships with the well-known Surface Pen that is useful in acting as a stylus, pen, or painting/drawing tool for these applications. Microsoft plans for more tools for users of the Surface studio as the device matures.

You can pre-order the Surface Studio for $2,999, $3,499, or $4,199 depending on your hardware configuration. The device ships with the Surface Studio, Surface Pen, Surface Keyboard, Surface Mouse, and power cord. Limited availability with the holiday season. Find more information from Microsoft themselves here.

Google Chrome 54 update

Google Chrome version 54 was just released. If you already run Google Chrome your browser will automatically upgrade the next time you open the browser. New features include a rewrite of how YoutTube Flash videos play which improves performance and a security overhaul of how certain types of code is sandboxed.

You can read more about the changes at: https://googlechromereleases.blogspot.com/2016/10/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html

and you can download Google Chrome from: https://www.google.com/chrome/