Got a Frozen Computer Screen? |Corona IT Services

headache over computer problems

It is something that anyone who works on a computer dreads the most. You’re busy working along when all of a sudden, your screen freezes. Did you lose all your work? More importantly, will it come back? There is literally nothing like the panic that washes over you when a computer screen freezes and all you see is a blue screen. Did you know that your ultimate computer dread has a name? It does. That blue screen with a list of computer instructions and information is called the Blue Screen of Death. This occurs when Windows crashes or locks.

Despite what you think at the time, the reason for this Windows screen is to tell you the reason for the error and to calm you down. As you read the information shown, the error you experienced will be in all capital letters at the top. It will help you or a computer repair technician find the information you need to fix the problem. Also, Windows will take anything it’s holding in system memory and put it in a file and saves it on your hard drive.

The error and memory file will be researched to find the cause of the system stop and to help repair it. If you experience a Blue Screen of Death and aren’t sure how to fix it yourself, hopefully you have a contracted an IT Service that will be able to get you back up and running in no time.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your business computer issues at 951-737-8558. We specialize in computer repair and managed IT services. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Norco, Riverside County, Orange County and all surrounding areas!

Slow Computer|Corona, CA

In a day and age where waiting is an annoyance we are unwilling to deal with, having computer issues are a headache. Not only do we live on the internet, but even basic life functions have somehow integrated a computer into it. So, when we have a slow computer what can we do to speed things up?

There are several things that can contribute to your computer slowing down.

 Bugs in the operating system, failing hardware, or even static electricity from carpet can lead to computer glitches. But before taking your computer in for repair or buying a new PC all together, try some quick fixes first.

  • Uninstall unused programs. When buying a new computer, programs that have been pre-installed.
  • Delete temporary files. All your browsing history remains deep in your computer, and the same goes for when you install something. Make sure to get rid of all the clutter to free up space on your system.
  • Get more storage. If you have too much on your hard drive, it will affect the speed of your computer, especially if you use your computer for things such as recording media or video.
  • Stop unnecessary reboots. Every time you start up your PC, some programs automatically run in the background. Every application that is running will use your PCs memory and slow it down.
  • Clean it up. Dust gets sucked in by the cooling fan and can clog the airflow of the computer causing it to overheat and slow down.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for help with your computer repair at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Norco, Riverside County, Orange County and all surrounding areas!

Data Backup and Recovery | Corona, CA

In this day and age, companies rely so heavily on online usage, it is important to have a data backup and recovery plan for their most critical data. Why? Because humans make errors, computers crash, and accidents happen at the worst times.

Data loss can happen in many different ways and we shouldn’t live by the idea that we can wing it. The most common causes are an accidental error, employee or competitor theft, or physical failure to computers, but they can range into the even wilder, like natural disasters or a spilled cup of coffee. Here are six reasons why you must have data recovery for your company.

Technology fails. Just in the last year, we’ve seen massive changes in the technology that we use. Many businesses are now virtually paper-free and need to be stored electronically.

People are fallible. Let’s face it, we’re only human. Backing up your information is crucial in order to remedy any accidental mishaps.

Natural disasters. From tornados to wildfires, mother nature has wreaked havoc on company technology systems. It will be an issue if you don’t have a data backup and recovery plan in place after a natural disaster.

Competitive advantage. Businesses around the world have suffered huge losses and reputation damage after losing data.

Theft. Sadly, corporate theft is on the rise. If employees were fired or laid off, 20% said they would be more likely to take data due to the anger they’re experiencing and pass it off to a competitor.

The future is now. An online backup service allows you to and your employees to access your data whenever you like, from wherever you are to work remotely, collaborate, and ensure the integrity of that information.

To learn more about our Data Backup and Recovery services, visit us online at www.urcs.net or give us a call at 951.737.8558 today.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Norco, Riverside County, Orange County and all surrounding areas!

Computer Maintenance | Computer Repair Corona, CA

Computer maintenance may seem like something that is best left to the experts. While you should seek advice and have your computer components cleaned by an IT professional, basic maintenance can be easier than you think. It’s also important; caring for your computer before things get out of hand goes a long way to the life of your computer.

One of the most important elements of care for our computers may seem like the most simple. It’s important not to eat or drink around your computer and to utilize a padded case whenever it is not being utilized. Over time, seemingly small things like crumbs or a bit of water along the edge of the computer on the desk amount to gunk between the keys. Keeping the components clean will help keep your computer running efficiently for as long as it may go.

External drives are a great investment for computer care. Our computers have limited storage and memory capacity, so when there is an abundance of files it starts to break things down. Transitioning older files or completed projects to an external drive will help keep the amount of files you computer has to track to a minimum. This allows it to become more efficient with other processes and ultimately keeps the hard drive from becoming overworked.

Another great way to continually maintain your computer is to allow for software updates. Updates patch holes in the system or bugs that outdated technology may leave behind. Rather than an inefficient necessity, updates should be viewed as part and parcel to the longevity of your system. Updates also allow your system to handle files sent from others whose computers could be on the latest version so you aren’t left out.

Properly shutting down you computer, putting it to sleep and keeping the brightness at an appropriate level for the lighting conditions also makes a difference. It helps maintain battery life and tells your computer when it can recover; rather than leaving it on all the time which ruins efficiency over time. We recommend charging your computer when it is off, rather than in use to help maintain the battery life.

For more information on computer maintenance and IT Managed Services for your business, call us at 951.737.8558 today! Visit our website at urcs.net.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Norco, Riverside County, Orange County and all surrounding areas!

Malware and Virus Protection|Managed IT Services Corona CA

Since everything revolves around the internet, it is important that we make sure to protect ourselves. It is important to know the difference between the things harming your computer. A big threat – malware. The term “malware” refers to any type of malicious software that’s designed to infect your computer or mobile device, including a computer virus and is designed to specifically harm and infect host systems. Managed IT Services can continually help protect your businesses network and computer systems.

Here are some things you have probably heard of, now what they mean.

Virus. This is a contagious program that attaches itself to another piece of software, and then progresses to reproduce itself when the software is running.

Adware. Adware is the least dangerous and most profitable malware. It displays ads on your computer.

Spyware. This is a software that spies on you by tracking your internet activity in order to send adware back to your machine.

Worms. This is a program that replicates itself and destroys data and files on your computer. Worms are designed to “eat” the system operating files and data till the drive is completely empty.

Trojan horse. The most dangerous, Trojans are designed to discover your financial information and take over your computers system resources.

Ransomware. If you see a screen that warns you that you have been locked out of your computer until you pay for your cybercrimes, you have ransomware. Even if you do pay to unlock your system, you are not free from of it locking you out again.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Corona, CA for more information on Anti-Virus and Managed IT Services at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Proudly serving Corona, Riverside, Norco, Riverside County, Orange County and all surrounding areas!

Keeping Your Hard Drive Safe | Prescott, AZ

The world is full of online security products, because you can never be too safe. It seems there is always another virus or hacker trying to steal someone’s identity or private information. So, we have all of these ways to back up our information. The cloud is secure but can be hacked. It is important that you have a physical hard drive that can keep everything together, in case something happens to your information or internet storage.

Your hard drive is where all of the information on your computer is stored, but like everything, it will begin to develop natural wear and tear, and over time they will start fail. A failure could happen at any time, and without warning. Making sure your hard drive is backed up is also very important.

As your hard drive begins to age, it will begin to show these common signs. If you keep them in mind, you won’t be surprised if it happens to die on you at a moment’s notice.

  • If Windows is always telling you that it needs to check the consistency of your hard drive, it could be trying to tell you your hard drive is about ready to fail.
  • If your computer begins to make strange sounds you don’t typically recognize.
  • Files you use are beginning to suddenly have unexplained errors.
  • A computer begins to slow down doing regular tasks will eventually lead to a complete freeze or crash.

If your computer begins to give you trouble, there’s no need to panic. Make sure that you have everything backed up as much as possible and you won’t become overwhelmed by computer issues.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Prescott, AZ for help with your computer issues at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Prescott and all surrounding areas.

Signs Your Computer May Need an Expert Opinion | Prescott, AZ

Whether you use your computer for work or just pleasure, when something goes awry, it tends to cause a bit of panic, especially when you aren’t a computer expert. But when is the time to ask for help? For many of us, we are always unsure. But it is important to know that it’s okay not to know what is happening when your computer is on the fritz. So, if you find that your computer is acting funny, keep these tips in mind:

Little problems nearly always become big problems. There are several key things that a casual computer user does on a daily basis that can result in a massive problem down the road.

  • Overuse of cleaning programs and efficiency scanners
  • Refusal to acknowledge error messages
  • Failure to clean out old programs and files
  • Not getting routine maintenance

When you don’t correct these problems immediately, they get worse. Proper care of a computer and routine check ins with an expert are both important to proper health and your wallet.

Be able to relay what’s going on. Proper communication can mean you get your device back faster than if they have to guess what is wrong. Sometimes the simplest act of giving them a call, and describing what is wrong, can ease your mind about what is happening.

Everything expires. Even with steady replacement of bad parts, good care, and a proper use of a computer it will eventually die. Learning how to judge when enough replacing is enough is an art as much as it is a science.

Call Up & Running Computer Solutions in Prescott, AZ for help with your computer issues at 951-737-8558. Learn more at our website at www.urcs.net.

Up & Running Computer Solutions proudly serves Prescott and all surrounding areas.

When its Time to Call an Expert | Prescott, AZ

Utilizing the computer has become an essential part of most of our lives, so when something happens that we don’t recognize, its easy to become confused and worried about your information.

Thankfully, most of the time, we have simply pressed an odd key or are running low on battery. But, what about the times when that isn’t the case? What are the warning sings to get a second opinion?

Casual Disregard. The everyday computer operator can do something that causes their system to begin a steady decline.

  • Overuse of cleaning programs and efficiency scans
  • Ignoring error messages
  • Retaining outdated files and programs
  • No routine maintenance

These are the more common ways a little extra step sometimes can go a long way, as these seemingly small worries may spiral into major issues later.

Inability to Express Problems. Its okay to not be a computer wizard; that is what we are here for! Being unable to express to a technician what is happening to your machine, or the ways you may have been less-than-kind to your operating system, makes correcting issues that much harder. Pay attention to warning signs and if you are unsure, consult an expert sooner than later.

Expiration. Everything expires, your computer and its components are no exception. Even if you clean out file and wipe your hard drive down, you could still experience a crash due to the age of your components. Understanding how old your software is and when to replace them will go a long way in ensuring the health of your system.

To learn more about the services we offer, or more about best practices for your computer, visit us at www.urcs.net today.

Which Network Type is Right for Me? | Prescott, AZ

It seems that the idea of utilizing the right network for your business can become overwhelming. There are many means of accomplishing the same thing when it comes to how you decide to operate, and its true that all networks are not the same.

At Up and Running, our seasoned professionals are happy to guide your decision based on your needs and help maintain the one you choose. There are three different ways any business can have their network function; centralized, converged and cloud-based deployment. Here is a breakdown of each, so you can determine which system is best for you.

Centralized. This is a great option for businesses utilizing different buildings or cluster of nearby networks. Centralized deployment means that upgrading your system will be easier and updates will happen across the system. This type of deployment consolidates the wireless networks into one control zone, allowing for enhanced wireless functionality.

Converged. Branch office operations may get the most out of a converged deployment network. With an access switch, you can increase wireless consistency and link with wired networks across the system. Essentially this method combines the best of converged and centralized network features.

Cloud-Based. Uploading our information to the elusive “cloud” has become part of how we utilize the internet from business to our personal lives. A benefit of utilizing the cloud is that business information can be accessed by your team wherever they go, while still keeping everyone else up-to-date.

Once you decide on the network that is right for you, our team can install and maintain your newly integrated computer network for you. Regular maintenance of your computer network will grant you peace of mind knowing your business files are safe and functioning properly.

To learn more about the services we provide, visit our website at www.urcs.net today.

Are You Tired of Computer Problems? | Prescott, AZ

Computer problems may arise for several reasons. If your operating system is not up-to-date, or the components are worn out, it can cause serious issues.

If you have been experiencing computer problems, it is important to seek the opinion of an experienced technician. Regular maintenance of your system’s digital spaces and hardware is crucial to its operation.

Here are a few ways you can avoid computer issues before they happen.

            Security. Taking time to repair the “holes” in your system’s security over time and as technology advances, will go a long way in protecting your data. Occasional server downtime for security maintenance is an investment in the long-term health of your business.

            Performance. Keeping up with server updates and enhanced features will allow the operating system to keep up with technological advancement. Small improvements over time culminate in the consistent performance of your computer for years to come.

            Backups. Whenever your system undergoes maintenance, back up your newest files, evaluate resource allocation and clean out internal files to keep things fresh and accounted for. Decluttering and organizing internal files is as important as cleaning its physical components.

Taking these steps should help retain a healthy operating system but incorporating an experienced technician into your business will ensure the security, longevity and efficiency of your business, so you don’t have to. If you would like to learn more, call the professionals at Up and Running Computer Solutions at 951.737.8558 or visit us online at www.urcs.net