Free Computer Consultant ………. Daily Insights

You may have heard the story of Raelyn Campbell, the woman who took her laptop back to Best Buy for warranty work and sued for $54 million after Best Buy finally admitted they lost it.

Sounds like Raelyn Campbell bought a $1100 laptop with a $300 extended service plan (because the laptop only came with an unacceptable 1 year warranty).

I have written about this so many times, discussed it face to face with clients, friends and (now enemies) thousands more times.

Forrest Gump: “Cheap is as Cheap Does”. Stay away from big box stores like Best Buy when buying computer hardware. And don’t buy ANY computer, laptop or monitor without a 3 year warranty (caveat: you are running for public office and the whole operation goes away in November).

I’m not positive if the $1100 was with or without the warranty, but 300 divided into 1400 or 300 divided into 1100 is a big percentage either way. I’m guessing that she could have bought a GOOD laptop (one where the power switch would never break) from Dell, with a 3 year warranty, for less. (Especially if she had my eBook “How to Save 8 - 16% Buying Dell Online”). Toss in a little extra and she could have completecare coverage that covers your own screw ups, like dropping it.

So she bought wrong, probably didn’t know any better.

Here’s the real story: Best Buy was going to fix her laptop in 2 to 6 WEEKS!

You must be kidding me! Dell would have a technician at your home or office the next business day! The laptop wouldn’t even leave your sight. No identity theft that way.

How about the lost data? Don’t feel sorry for her. It is the users responsibility to have their data backed up at all times. You never know when you have turned your computer on for the last time. See Computer Backup.

The reason I push Dell Computer is because of the service. But you still have to BUY THE RIGHT COMPUTER IN THE FIRST PLACE! I’m here to help with that.

See these links:

Dell Computer Review

This week I have had several questions about Windows Startup Problems. Enough so that I create a new page on my website for various Windows startup issues. One question came via my YouTube Channel.

Check it out here.

One additional issue I had I haven’t seen before. Windows would startup, with some noises on initial power up, as long as the network cable was unplugged. I haven’t been able to find the time to track it down completely, but I’m suspecting the power supply is weak. Windows would begin to start up, but then reboot - I presume at the point where Windows networking was activated.

It was easiest to swap out the PC with one almost identical and just swap hard drives. That’s a clear benefit to buying workstations that are essentially identical and not just buying the big box store “value of the month” whenever you need a new workstation for your office.

For those of you who wish to use your cell phone indoors, perhaps because you have dumped your land line, this ZBoost Wireless Extender is for you.

I have 2 cell phones, US Cellular because they have great coverage in my geographic area, and Verizon because of the broadband capabilites with my PDA. With my new Google GrandCentral service, I finally have the telecommunications services I have always wanted.

But my office is in the lower level. The US Cellular service works most of the time there, now that I have a Motorola Razor phone; but not always. And the Verizon? That “Can you hear me now?” moron has never been to my county. 10 miles or one hill away from the interstate and service is dismal.

I first looked into cell phone signal boosters (also known as wireless extenders) about 5 years ago. Prices were in the $1000 - $2000 range and you needed some technical know how to figure out what to buy.

But that has all changed with the zBoost Wireless Extenders YX 510-PCS/CEL Dual Band Cell Phone Signal Booster.

This was SO EASY to install and setup. The instructions show just mounting the antennae next to a window, but that is a bit unsightly. Mounting it on the roof is ideal, but be sure to get the optional grounding unit. Since I had a lot to do with the construction of my house, I have conduit from the lower level up to the attic. In minutes I had the antennae mounted and the unit plugged in.

Now, my US Cellular phone has full strength even indoors, and my Verizon phone is good enough to make calls with.

If your office is in a metal building, you likely can’t use your cell phone inside either. I would recommend an exterior mounting of the antennae for you. But once you have this “wireless extender” you will wonder how you ever got along without it.

And the price? Check it out yourself, but I just bought at a price below $300 with a $30 rebate besides.

Wireless Extenders YX 510-PCS/CEL Dual Band Cell Phone Signal BoosterDesigned for consumers, the zBoost cell phone signal booster extends a zBoost Cell Zone for single or multiple users in homes or offices. Dual-Band design covers all phones except Nextel. Package includes everything you need — amplifier base unit, power supply, base unit antenna, low-loss SATV coaxial cable (RG-6), signal antenna and mounting hardware. The omni-directional antennas are easy to orient and receive from multiple cell towers. BENEFITS: zBoost Dual-band model improves all 6 PCS sub-bands and both Cellular sub-bands Increases your indoor cell signal coverage up to 3000 sq feet (Multiply this with optional upgrades) Decreases dropped or missed calls Easy to install comes complete Staying wireless - no cradle or connections to your phone Extends phone battery life (uses less power when signal is stronger) Works with most phones and carriers (maintains network integrity) Manufactured in the USA with the highest quality control (individually calibrated)

In the United States, it’s unfortunately the cable companies who typically get the prize for fastest download speeds on broadband. Unfortunate still is that their service is usually the worst.

I have one connection to the telecom industry where I am constantly banging the drum to increase speed (against fierce opposition!). For our 1Meg download speed, we get charged US$49.95/month. (That’s what a lack of competition will get you.)

I just read an article this week that in the United Kingdom, the current standard is 20Meg download speeds and competitive forces are in the process of upping that to 50Meg. But what do they pay, you might ask, as everything is so expensive in England? The price for that 20Meg internet connection is about 19 pounds Sterling. For those of you not up on your currencies, that’s currently less than US$38 per month.

And who says the U.S. leads in technology?

Check your own download speed.

For everyone who forgets how to enter diagnostic mode on a Dell Laptop, hold down the <Fn> key while you press the power button to turn it on. Once you see “diagnostics” on the screen, you can stop pressing the key.