PS3 firmware update will include free music video service.

Sony representitive Jake Osuwah shared some news via Twitter that pointed to exclusive PS3 VidZone video footage. According to his Tweet, a firmware update for the Playstation 3 will be out soon that will include the music video service on the console.

According to the early review version that CVG has, the feature will also allow you to download videos and ringtones for your cellphone for about $2.50. More details will be revealed when it launches at E3.

Plagued by a Playstation 3 YLOD?

Has your Playstation 3 started giving you a flashing red light AKA Yellow Light Of Death? This is caused by extreme overheating. Over time, the heat causes the solder on the graphics and core processor to melt and separate from the system board.

If it's still under warranty, of course you can send it to Sony and have it fixed for free. If not, it's going to cost $150 plus shipping both ways. I can fix it for less and you won't have to wait for weeks. Older and launch PS3's are prone to this, as are units in not well ventilated and/or in areas that are dusty.

I can fix this problem for you for almost half of what Sony will charge. You won't have to wait for the repair time. I can repair this and have it back to you in a day. Contact information is here. Yahoo! Local users have given B-TECH a 5 star rating. Come see why today!

Vista SP 2 now available

I think I may be one of the few people on earth especially in my field, that likes Windows Vista. If there are any others out there, this is good news for you. Windows Vista Service Pack 2 is now available for download.

You can download SP2 from Microsoft's Web site or it will be automatically delivered to your computer via Windows Update within a few weeks. The update weighs in at 384mb and you must have Vista SP1 installed on your system to install SP2.

Vista SP2 also:

• Fixes Wi-Fi issues when Vista awakes from sleep mode.
• Support for recording Blu-ray discs straight from the OS
• Bug fixes that address slow shutdowns and mysterious crashes.
• Updated support for Bluetooth v2.1
• Improves performance of Vista desktop sidebar gadget allowing RSS feeds to perform better.
• Addresses overall Vista system performance issues. Microsoft says SP2 repairs nearly 700 nagging Vista bugs and security updates.
• Boosts power management efficiency by 10%.
• Adds support for VIA Technologies' new 64-bit CPU
• Allows Vista to support exFAT, which can handle larger files and can also use UTC timestamps so you can synchronize files across different time zones.

Gamestop: Tony Hawk Ride bundle to retail at $119.99

If you're Activision you've realized that a lot of money can be made with peripherals. Capitalizing on that fact comes Tony Hawk: Ride, the next new game with a peripheral. There hasn't been an official announcement for the game and skateboard combo yet, however it seems GameStop has some information about it. A listing on the video game retail chain's website suggests that a Tony Hawk: Ride (PS3, Wii, Xbox 360) bundle that includes the skateboard peripheral will cost $119.99.

No word yet from Activision, so for now it falls into the rumor mill. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything to confirm this price point.

Music downloads coming to the PSN for PSP?

CNET is reporting that according to their music industry sources, Sony has been having preliminary talks with some major recording companies about the possibility of providing downloadable music for the PSP through the PlayStation Network.

As usual, Sony is not commenting about the whole thing. However, if you take into consideration the company's dive into digital downloads for PSP games as well as what CEO Howard Stringer recently said about expanding the PSN's reach, it could be feasible.

It would be nice if they do decide to bring a music service to the PSN, they open it up more. We as users need options to make it attractive. ATRAC3 is ok I guess, but most music players support MP3. I'm for one am not going outside of iTunes to download music especially if it can't be played on other devices.

Dealing with customers of all types.

If you're thinking of starting or are just starting a computer repair or other tech related business, you need to be able to deal with customers of all types. Each day is a new adventure, and just when you think you've seen it all, something new comes along. There are many types of customers you need to watch out for.

Before I decided to go full time with my repair business, I spent a few years in customer service dealing with all kinds of people everyday. If you're typically known as the “nice guy” you may have to change your train of thought to keep from getting run over by your customers. If you have not had the benefit of gaining any type customer service experience, you should ask yourself, Can I deal with:

-The customer who “knows” what the problem is and wants to talk about it.
These aren't that bad, just annoying.

-The customer who wants to look over your shoulder while you work.
Personally I hate this. I don't get nervous, but I can't stand to have anyone looking over my shoulder in any situation.

-Same as above but wants an explanation of every single thing you do.
Grrrr

-The customer who wants to negotiate the price.
These guys are bad especially if you're working out of your home.

-The customer doesn't give you the whole story or “forgets” to tell you something relevant.
This can determine whether you work 10 minutes or two hours.

-The older customer who doesn't have a clue what you're saying even when you break it down into elementary English.
Not that bad really, just another annoyance. On the plus side, if you can make a “connection” with this customer, they'll come back every time.

-The customer who “since you're already working on it” wants you to fix something else for the same price.
Be firm, don't do anything for free. Let them know that it will be $x.xx more for you to do that.

-The customer who wants to blame you for something that was wrong with the computer before they dropped it off.
Most of these are premeditated. They come in knowing they're going to try and get one over on you.

These are the types I run into the most but there are other types and variations. You have to remember that this is your business. You no longer have to clock in and answer to anyone else. You're the boss and you can run your business as you see fit.

If you're the type to get nervous when someone looks over your shoulder, post on a sign that if a job is estimated to take more than 30 minutes (your discretion) then it is recommended that drop off and come back.

Be firm with your prices, you're not running a stand at a flea market. You're prices are set,. Don't cave no matter how persistent that are. If they want cheap service they can look elsewhere. You can stand strong with these types of people. If you give in, they will be back every week wanting you to do something cheap.

Be sure to inspect whatever the customer drops off in front of them. Make a note of any defects you find, and have them sign off on it.

You can stand by your convictions without coming across as a jerk. It's all in the way that you do it.

Spartanburg Computer Repair

DLC finally coming to Fall Out 3 on PS3

Finally.......

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Bethesda has finally announced they plan to release DLC for Fall Out on the PlayStation 3. Myself and many others felt left out and downright angry when only Xbox 360 and PC users were the only ones to get exclusive DLC a few months ago. Now, it seems that our cries have been heard as we will be getting the coveted DLC sometime in June.

No specific release dates have been announced, but Operation: Anchorage is scheduled to go live on the PlayStation Network in late June, with "The Pitt" and "Broken Steel" getting released "4-6 weeks apart." A new patch update for Fallout 3 will be released for the PS3 to pave the way for these DLC.

Last we heard, Broken Steel was to be the last DLC for Fallout 3, now it seems there's not just one but two new DLC add-ons! Even better, the following two DLC will be released across all three platform versions of Fallout 3:

Mothership Zeta – "The aliens have returned, and they’re pissed. Experience an alien abduction first hand and find out if you’re tough enough to survive."
Point Lookout – "Explore a massive new swampland area filled with new quests and content."

So, let us rejoice and hope that the wait was worth it.

Computer repair in Spartanburg, Greenville & the Upstate

Google looking to aquire Twitter

Biz Stone, the co-founder of microblogging service Twitter responded to speculation that his company is in talks with Google on Friday but did little to squash the rumors.

"It should come as no surprise that Twitter engages in discussions with other companies regularly and on a variety of subjects," Stone wrote in a blog post. "Our goal is to build a profitable, independent company and we're just getting started." TechCrunch reported that Google is currently in "late stage" talks to acquire the company, which recently was valued at $250 million.

This news comes not long after Twitter turned down an offer by Facebook, thought to be worth around $500 million. Other sources believe that the talks may lead to a partnership between the companies. What would that mean for Twitter? How much if any would Google change the service?

Twitter currently has just over 30 employees and works out of a loft in San Francisco.

B-TECH Computer Repair

Voice your opinion about Windows 7

Microsoft has created a website which right now is mostly being used as an advertising tool for Windows 7 in which IT Professionals and Microsoft developers are talking about how great Windows 7 is. Technicians have the ability to give the Microsoft devs feedback on Windows 7 and hopefully help make it a better product.

There are some videos to check out and you can then comment to the developers about the features and new ideas in Windows 7.

If you have tried Windows 7 (which I currently am), leave some feedback. If you haven't, you can get it here Check it out and then leave some feedback. This is important so we don't end up with another of what many regard as a real stinker (Vista)

The sites URL is: http://www.TalkingAboutWindows.com & requires the Microsoft Silverlight plugin to run.

Protecting Children From Online Dangers

Microsoft looking to release Windows 7 in time for the holidays.

Microsoft confirmed on Monday that it is planning to release Windows 7 this year, in time for the Christmas shopping season.

"We are tracking well to a Windows 7 holiday," Microsoft Senior Vice President Bill Veghte said in an interview. Veghte will be making a statement Monday at Microsoft's TechEd event in Los Angeles. Until recently, Veghte had said publicly that such a release was unsure. Microsoft issued a release candidate for the server operating system last month, alongside an almost final version of Windows 7.

For some time now, Microsoft's "official" position has been that Windows 7 would ship by January 2010. Now it seems, the software maker has been aiming and planning for a 2009 release the whole time.

Early feedback (which has been good thus far) from the Windows 7 release candidate that came out late last month, convinced Microsoft it could commit to a 2009 launch, Veghte said.

Veghte said that Microsoft has seen the number of crashes being experienced with the release candidate drop as opposed to the beta version.

"You know pretty quickly if you've got any big gotchas," he said. "You can get a pretty good sniff pretty quickly."

Equally important, Veghte said the company has seen the needed level of partner support. According to him, the first couple of companies have gotten Windows 7 logo certification. Among that first group are some graphics chip vendors. A big "whew" from many of the early Vista adopters that suffered with limited chip support.

Veghte didn't provide a specific time for launch. He did say that generally the ecosystem needs anywhere from nine to fourteen weeks from the product being declared final to be ready for launch.

I've been beta testing the RC and it does look promising for Microsoft this time. It's speedy, quite speedy actually. Surely....surely they have learned from past mistakes and will make sure this release is ready instead of rushing it out so it will be on all those new Christmas PCs.

Computer Repair - Spartanburg, SC

Monday, May 11, 2009

Keeping Windows running trouble free.

With the increasing number of security threats, the task of maintaining computer safety becomes quite an overwhelming activity. To help you with this, outlined below are some important tips that you can follow to ensure that your computer is safe

Malicious programs, such as Virus, Trojans, Mal-Ware, Spy ware, Ad-Ware and Worms are a major cause of concern for Windows users. These programs can:

-Perform regular anti virus scans
-Clutter your disk with many unwanted, malicious files.
-Generate various system errors, fatal errors, and code errors on your PC.
-Add many unwanted registry entries.
-Alter already existing entries within the registry to change how various programs work on the PC.
-Severely damage your system files that may render your computer unbootable, and even cause data loss.
-To prevent these problems, and to prevent your system from virus infections, you must install a reliable and efficient anti virus tool on your system. You must keep your tools updated with the latest definitions and run regular scans to ensure that your PC is safe from harmful virus infected files.

Spy ware programs are major threats for computer users. These programs basically track your computer and web browsing activity and trade the collected information with various advertising websites.

Removing browser tool bars and other similar spy ware programs can be quite tedious because these programs stealthily install on your PC and copy numerous files onto your computer and add many entries to the registry. The best way to get rid of them is to regularly scan your system with a reliable and efficient anti spy ware program. Just like your anti virus utility, you must keep your anti spy ware utility updated with the latest definitions to ensure complete PC protection.

Keep Your Registry Free From Malicious Entries

Mal-ware programs add numerous entries to the Windows registry also. Many times, these entries are not removed even after you have performed a full system scan using your anti virus and anti spy ware tools. Therefore, it is recommended that you also run a regular scan of the registry to ensure that no malicious information has been left behind. You can easily and efficiently scan the registry with the help of a registry cleaner tool. These tools are widely available on the Internet. You can use Google to find and download the one that best meets your requirements and is compatible with your operating system.

Use a Firewall

A firewall is a hardware or a software program that acts as a gateway between two networks and protects the data and resources of one network from another. For instance, when you are connected to the Internet a firewall will protect your PC from the public network. Therefore, to ensure that your PC is safe from any malicious attacks through the Internet, you should use a Firewall.

Tighten the Security Settings of your Web Browser

I strongly recommend using Mozilla's Firefox as opposed to Internet Explorer. If you must use IE, change the security settings. To change the settings, click “Tools” and then select the “Options” command. Here, open the “Security” tab and modify the security settings of your IE by moving up the slider in the “Security level for this zone” section.

Following the tips listed above will help protect your PC from various security hazards. If your computer has already gotten out of hand and you can't fix it yourself, contact B-TECH Computer Repair. If you live in Upstate SC, you won't find better prices. Up to 60% less than the Geek Squad. If you're in another city or state, you can contact me via Yahoo! Messenger: btech_computer_repair

Removing Antivirus2009 virus

AntiVirus 2009, is counterfeit anti spy-ware designed to look like an actual anti virus program. AntiVirus 2009 is a clone of the infamous AntiVirus 2008 that gave computers users a fit back in....you guessed it, 2008. One of the most common ways you can get AntiVirus 2009 after installing a video codec infected with a trojan, mal-ware or other virus. AntiVirus 2009 generates fake yet authentic system messages tricking users into purchasing AntiVirus 2009.

In order to completely remove AntiVirus 2009, you have to remove all of it's components and all the malware and trojans that might have come with it such as zlob.trojan, trojan.vundo and Trojan.Downloader.

If you're experienced enough, here are the tips for manually removing AntiVirus 2009

Unregister Antivirus 2009 DLL Files:
shlwapi.dll
wininet.dll

Stop Antivirus 2009 Processes:
av2009.exe
Antivirus 2009.lnk
Uninstall Antivirus.lnk
Antivirus2009.exe

Find and Delete these Antivirus 2009:
av2009.exe
Antivirus2009.exe
shlwapi.dll
wininet.dll
Antivirus 2009.lnk
Uninstall Antivirus 2009.lnk

Remove Antivirus 2009 Registry Values:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Antivirus
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Antivirus
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\”Antivirus” = “%ProgramFiles%\Antivirus 2009\Antvrs.exe”

If you're in the Spartanburg, SC area and do not feel comfortable performing these steps or need help, contact me @ B-TECH Computer Repair

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Computer repair company on a mission to help.

Computer repair company on a mission to help.

I own B-TECH Computer Repair in Spartanburg, SC. I am not here to promote my services. While it would be nice to make a few new contacts, I wanted to let others know about two new non-profit services I am offering.

Effective immediatly, B-TECH Computer Repair now offers computer recycling for outdated computers. In addition, any computers that are salvagable will be repaired and donated to needy families.

I am often left with a computer when a customer decides to have a new computer built. As I mentioned, if the computer can be repaired it will be and then donated to a family in need. If the computer can not be salvaged it will be properly disposed of.

Computers contain dangerous chemicals such as arsenic, nickel, lithium, cadmium, chromium and mercury. Some of the plastics used in computers is PVC which is one of the most environmentally unfriendly plastics around.

In addition to that there is around 5 pounds of lead in older monitors which ends up in landfill and can possibly contaminate ground water.

Instead of just throwing your old computer in the landfill, contact me and I will see that it gets put to good use or is properly disposed of.

Brian Hamilton
B-TECH Computer Repair
http://www.btechpcrepair.com
1420 Old Converse Rd.
Spartanburg, SC 29307
(864) 252-7030
brian@btechpcrepair.com

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