Windows Phone, -Out The Door!

Windows Phone, -Out The Door!

Microsoft IS discontinuing support for Windows Phone devices (Windows phone 8.1), it’s true. It was built around the Windows 8.1 platform, which was never popular to start with. (MS has a habit of only releasing a good operating system, every “other” build release, and the other half are crap anyway) There are actually a number of MS products being terminated this year, you may be interested in the list. If you can’t see the picture, you can follow the link to the MS page: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4001737/products-reaching-end-of-support-for-2017  I have highlighted some of the most relevant ones for you:

 

What is a Quality Laptop Repair?

What is a Quality Laptop Repair?

Why is there a difference in price? I had a lady bring in a laptop that wouldn’t boot. The UEFI partition ended up being corrupt in the operating system, and she didn’t have a backup. So the repair entails (1) complete disassembly of the laptop because the Dell Inspiron 5423 does not have an access panel for the hard drive, then (2) removing the hard drive, and backing up her data to another drive, (3) setting up UEFI and a secure boot installation media to reinstall Windows and configure it (4) install security, and all the freeware programs – Adobe, 7-zip, browsers, set up Windows 10 start menu, etc etc. (5) copy a few hundred Gb of files back to new user profile, (6) re-assemble, and clean laptop for client. It’s a job that takes a little bit, especially if done correctly, and carefully. The cheap version? …here’s what you may subject yourself to if you opt for the discount technician (not that I am outrageously expensive, I’m not, but it’s not a $50 job either) If you go with the cheapest guy you can find with no experience, this is what may happen to your laptop: (cracked edges, cracked plastic tabs on edges that hold it together, inside: broken tabs on tiny ziff connectors, missing screws, missing/torn rubber plugs & covers, missing protective tape, etc etc) So keep in mind, cheapest is not always wisest. 🙂   (this is the way this laptop came to me, she said it broke 4 times in one year… ) This is NOT the kind of work that Everything I.T. does! We take the time to a thorough, complete, and quality job for you, like it was our own computer.

Ziff connectors are handy, but they are very fragile. You have to handle them carefully, and they don’t all work the same way:

ziff connector exampleSome Ziff connectors are even tinier than that:

So the bottom line is, you don’t want just anyone working on your laptop. It takes time, and patience. many times there aren’t any directions on how to open it, and it takes someone with both knowledge and a gentle touch to work on your laptop without breaking it. Goes for phones and tablets as well. So hire your repair technician wisely. 🙂

NOTE: To read the follow up post, go to UPDATE ON QUALITY LAPTOP REPAIR

Intel Reveals NEW, BEAST of 18 Core Processor Chip!

According to TechRepublic, Intel is releasing a new beast of a processor chip. It’s an 18 core, 36 thread processor, and that’s all the specs they have on it currently. Amazingly, even though they don’t even know the clock speed yet, they do seem to have set the price, which is roughly 2 grand; Yes, a $2,000 processor. They are calling it the first “teraflop speed” chip. …Well, I had to go look up that word, because I wasn’t familiar with it. So apparently, “teraflop” is equal to “a unit of computing speed equal to one million million (1012) floating-point operations per second.” (Google)

They do have some specs on some of the other lower “relatives” of the same i9-????XE (which stands for “Extreme Edition”) processors, (which aren’t “XE” but rather “X” processors) for example, the i9-7900X (not XE) runs at clock speed 3.3ghz, has 10 cores and 20 threads, draws 140 watts power, and supports 128Gb of Four channel DDR4-2666 RAM/memory. But currently, the i9-7980″XE” is the first in the “XE” category.

The “core X” series of processors (i7-????X, i9-7900X) runs on the X299 chipset, which supports up to 14 USB ports, 10 of which can be USB 3.0.; No PCI, but to 24 lanes PCI-E (x1, x2, x4) , and supports the new Intel Optane Memory. Intel® Optane™ memory is a revolutionary new class of non-volatile memory that sits in between system memory and storage to accelerate system performance and responsiveness. When combined with the Intel® Rapid Storage Technology Driver, it seamlessly manages multiple tiers of storage while presenting one virtual drive to the OS, ensuring that data frequently used resides on the fastest tier of storage. Intel® Optane™ memory requires specific hardware and software configuration. Visit www.intel.com/OptaneMemory for configuration requirements.

Artificial Intelligence is getting scary smart!

Artificial Intelligence is getting scary smart, and Google is the running. (of course) Their AI platform is integrated into playing the Game of “GO” which is the oriental version of chess really…and highly regarded strategic game in many circles. Google’s computerized version of the game, named AlphaGO, took on 5 top players AT ONCE and came out victorious. Even the best chess games, up to now, have been beatable by the champs…but soon, the computers will always win. (which takes the fun out of playing really) …but it does say something for AI. Anyway, you can read the article about the match-up here: Artificial Intelligence is getting scary smart!

Everything I.T. Now Has A HELP Forum!

I get calls all the time from people who have simple questions…How do I do something on Facebook? How do I do something online? What would be the best or cheapest solution to my problem? Etc, etc. Everything I.T. is a business that cares about people. We are a business, yes, but there are many things you just shouldn’t have to pay for, …and general assistance is one of them. We aren’t going to take your money if we can help you save it. There are too many people trying to take every darn penny you earn for stuff that we, as human beings, should do for each other. I see so many places “charging” to support their own customers…people who have already purchased their products, and I for one, find it distasteful and appalling! So Everything I.T. now has a help forum. If you want to ask a question, please ask it there, so that others can benefit as well from your question and the answer that goes with it. (Didn’t they tell you all through school that there is NO SUCH THING as a stupid question?) …It’s true. When you ask a question, you actually help others as well who may not have the words to ask, or who may be too embarrassed. It’s a simple sign-up, and it’s encrypted so your email doesn’t get hacked. (in fact our entire site is encrypted!) So just go to the help forum, and post your question, and we will try to answer it as soon as possible. And if you read something I answer, and have a better answer, you can sign up to respond as well. so don’t be shy because you are the first one to post. I imagine on every forum that started, someone went first at some point. 🙂

You there is 1 topic started, only to make it easy for someone not so technical I guess…all you have to do is hit reply. But you are most welcome to start your own topic if you want. Anything not X-rated (this is an under-13 approved site) or illegal is welcome.