What is a “SMART TV” and do I need one?
What is a smart TV? What is a Smart TV? (AKA a “Connected TV“) All newer TV’s (no more than 10 years old) are usually classified as Smart-TV‘s. A Smart TV is a television that has built-in Internet access, either by a direct, wired Ethernet connection or built-in Wi-Fi and can: Stream media from your computer to your TV over your home network. Connect wirelessly using Wi-Fi Direct, where the device makes a one-to-one network connection so you can watch whatever is playing on your smartphone while it remains in your pocket. Use apps like Netflix, Stan, ABC iView etc to download to your smart TV, so you can watch online content without purchasing an additional device such as Apple TV, a games console or Blu-ray player. If you’re a Netflix watcher, check to see if there’s a dedicated Netflix button on the remote as this will allow you to jump straight to your saved shows. Automatically apply security and system updates to improve the TV’s features and performance. Buy new Smart-TV’s here from Samsung, A dumb-TV, has none of the above but can often be turned into a Smart-TV by purchasing an additional external device such as Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Telstra TV/Roku , Fetch TV, Foxtel Now Box, Amazon Fire TV Stick or gaming consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation. See also TV STREAMING ALTERNATIVES IN AUSTRALIA What is a Smart-TV App? In addition to viewing Free to Air Programs on a Smart-TV, they also come with built in “Apps” or “Programs” that allow access to streaming and on-demand services as detailed above. Popular Apps such as “Netflix” and Amazon “Prime-TV” may also have their own dedicated buttons on the TV remote control but by going through the “Apps” section of your TV you will also find Apps for ABC iView, SBS On-demand, Stan, Apple TV, Telstra movies etc. Because your Smart TV is connected to the Internet, it should be constantly “upgrading” itself with the latest Apps, so over time you may see the available Apps increase as new services (such as Disney Plus) are introduced. How do I connect my TV to the Internet? A smart-TV depends on an Internet Connection. Most Smart-TV’s and Set-Top Boxes can connect via a “wired” (Ethernet cable) or wire-less (Wi-Fi) connection. A wired connection is always going to be the ultimate option as it delivers the fastest internet connection. However, this would mean having a hard-wired connection into the back of the TV from a nearby Ethernet connection on the wall. Connecting a TV to the Internet via Wi-Fi provides a much more flexible option, allowing you to situate your TV anywhere in the home. However, this means that the Wi-Fi signal at the TV’s location must be fast enough as to not cause “lagging” of the picture. If the WI Fi signal at your TV is causing you problems, The IT Guys can assist in troubleshooting and fixing the problem (see below) “Lagging” or “Stuttering” can also be caused by poor internet speeds. There are four NBN speeds available in Australia. We suggest only the top two are suitable for “streaming” services such as iView, Netflix, Stan or Prime Confused by NBN Plans? What are the alternatives to NBN? Not all Internet service providers are created equal If you are located in Western Australia, we suggest changing to our preferred local provider, Pentanet. Perth’s fastest internet/Wi-Fi service partnership :jk:
Travel Time to the IT Guys
Travel Time and Cost for a round trip to The IT Guys Office (Subiaco) and return for Computer Repairs and On Call IT Services All prices inclusive of GST (10%) $90 Minimum Call Out/On Site charges – $90 (covers call out plus up to 15 mins on site) for areas above during office hours. Over 15 minutes onsite, will be charged after visit at rate of $45 per 15 mins (inc GST) $135 Minimum Call Out/On Site charges for areas OUTSIDE the above suburbs but within Perth Metro Area $135 (covers call out plus up to 15 mins on site) Over 15 minutes onsite, will be charged after visit at rate of $45 per 15 mins (inc GST) :jk:
Mac or PC, Apple or Microsoft, we swing both ways
Mac or PC, Apple or Microsoft, we swing both ways Whether your problem is with an Apple Mac or a PC or laptop running Microsoft Windows or even a Linux server, the IT Guys have the experience in configuring, troubleshooting and repairing individual devices or hybrid networks. The IT guys can advise, consult and even purchase Apple or Windows devices and computers and help you set them up for home or office use (or both) but if you would rather do this yourself, here is a guide on what you need to consider before making any further purchases. What is best? Apple or Microsoft? How do I choose? The million dollar question 🙂 When you buy Apple you are purchasing the hardware (Macbook, iMac, iPhone, iPad) plus the operating system (iOS) which are designed to work perfectly together. Up until the introduction of the Microsoft Surface, Microsoft was a software designer and Operating System provider (Windows XP, Vista, 7,8,10, Office, Server) designed to work on all major hardware (IBM, HP, Dell, Toshiba, Acer, Asus etc), they even design and sell software for Apple devices (Office for Mac) but with the supply of their own hardware, Microsoft are moving ever closer to the Apple concept. As to which product is better or represents the best value for money, the answer is complete conjecture. Apple products may appear to be more expensive on initial purchase but as Apple supply and update their operating systems for FREE over a 10 year period there would be little difference in price if you had to upgrade your Windows OS, once or twice. However, with the launch of the New Apple iPhone 6S at over a thousand dollars, commentators are speculating that Apple are deliberately putting prices up to make their products more “elitist” to cater for the burgeoning Chinese Middle Class market. Not only are Apple products well made but no they have also become a status-symbol. How do I choose between Apple and Microsoft The simplest advice is to stick with what you know. If you have always used Microsoft products on a PC, then stick with Windows and Android devices. Unless you are prepared for a certain amount of self-training and angst we would advise against Windows user moving to Apple or Apple users moving to Windows devices. Q1. What kind of Smartphone do you have? As we become more and more mobile-centric, the choice of our smartphones or hand-held devices becomes a decisive factor when choosing a brand or operating system of our laptop or desktop devices. Having an Android smartphone restricts you to using other devices using either Android, Chrome or Windows. iPhones and iPads will happily work with Apple iOS devices or Windows computers. Q2. Do you have other devices and computers you wish to share data with or information between It’s rare these days that we only own one computing device. It is not uncommon that we have a laptop or PC plus a smartphone and/or tablet device such as an iPad. Once you start using more than one device and wish to share an address book, music or files between devices and possible in the cloud, life becomes more complicated and choices have to be made. iTunes does not work natively with Android Devices Although Apple iTunes is available for iOS and Windows platforms, you cannot easily play your itunes music on an Android phone or device. Apple have said this will be available in the future but as of September 2015 it is only available via exporting/importing and/or a number of Android apps. Sharepoint & Onedrive If you are a user of Microsoft’s cloud sharing products SharePoint and Onedrive be wary of using them on Apple devices as doing so is not straightforward and does not work in the same way as on Microsoft platform’s. Outlook for Mac 2011 supported Sharepoint as a drive such as in iCloud, Google Drive or Dropbox but this was removed in Office for Mac 2016 much to our dismay. Microsoft Outlook & Apple Calendaring Although these work well together on a Windows PC, they don’t work so well together on an Apple especially if you use iOS/iCloud calender apps which are iCal compliant. Adding Calendar entries on Outlook for the Mac using an Apple device does not sync with iCloud!! However, if you use Outlook on a Windows PC, syncing to iCloud is seamless and works very well. Another example of Apple and Microsoft’s petty rivalries. Printing from Tablet’s and Smartphones Printing from iPhone or iPad In the early days the only printers an iPad or iPhone could print to were those labeled as AirPrint, your old faithful printer may not be able to be printed directly to from one of these devices. AirPrint is an Apple technology that helps you create full-quality printed output without the need to download or install drivers. To use an AirPrint printer with your Wi-Fi network, make sure your printer is connected to the same network as your iOS device or Mac. Then select the AirPrint printer from your favorite app and you’re ready to print. Apple authorised AirPrint Printers Many printer manufacturers are also bring out their own Apps (these can be found on the Apple App store) Printing from Android smartphones. To print from an Android smartphone is slightly different by installing and launching on your Android phone or tablet after downloading it from the Android App store. It uses Google Cloud Print which works with most printers. But, for the best experience, a Cloud Ready printer is recommended. These types of printers can directly connect to the Internet and don’t need a computer for it to work. Google keeps a growing list of Cloud Ready printers here. Cost of Repair, Maintenance & Resale Value, Apple v Windows Where Apple and Windows/Android Computers and devices really shows their differences is the cost of maintenance and repair of their respective products. Apple Computers, devices and phones tend to hold their resale value […]
Microsoft
The IT Guys (WA) are Microsoft Silver Partners and offer Microsoft product advise, repairs and troubleshooting Microsoft Hardware Microsoft Windows Laptop Repairs Cracked Laptop Screen Repairs Laptop Power Supply Replacement Laptop Upgrades – Windows Laptop Upgrades Microsoft Windows Devices – Purchasing Microsoft Laptops, Notebooks and Ultrabooks Microsoft Surface Dell Computers and Servers Microsoft Software Buy Office 365 Personal Buy Office Home & Business Buy Office Home & Student Buy Office Professional Microsoft Project Comparison Chart Buy Project Professional Buy Project Standard Microsoft Visio Comparison Chart Buy Visio Professional Buy Visio Standard Microsoft Hosted Exchange Microsoft Office 365 for Business Microsoft Surface Range, Sales and Support :jk:
How to fix Office 365, Office 2021 “Activation” or “Unlicensed Product” Problems
How to deal with common Microsoft Office issues such as activation and reinstalling. Please read the following self-help guide. If you still have problems, please bring your computer to our office in Subiaco and we will fix the issues for you for a small fee. The latest versions of Microsoft Office (Office 365 and Office 2019, Office 2021) all need activating by logging into an Office 365 account. This is normally achieved upon installation, however we have noticed that Windows or Office automatic updates can sometimes result in the products being “Disabled” or requiring “Activation” These problems can occur in any or all of the Office products such as Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Publisher, OneNote, Outlook, Infopath or Lync; by displaying one of the following messages (or similar) “Unlicensed Product” “Product Deactivated” “We’re sorry, something went wrong and we can’t do this for you right now. Please try again later” or similar. You can re-activate Office 365 or Office 2019/2021 in a number of ways as follows 1) Repair Office 365 or Office 2019/21 In Windows 7 or 8 locate “Control Panel” > “Programs” > “Programs and Features” Highlight “Office 365 ProPlus” (do not click on it) and select the “Change” button Select “Quick Repair“. If this does not fix your problems try “Online Repair” and failing that move to Step 2) below In Windows 10 Right-click the Start button (lower-left corner), and select Control Panel pop-up menu. 1a) From Category view, under Programs, select Uninstall a program. 1b) Right-click the Microsoft Office product you want to repair, and select Change. NOTE: If you have a suite such as Office 365 Home or Office Home and Student 2016/2019, search for the suite name, even if it’s just a particular application you want to repair such as Word or Excel. If you have a standalone application such as Word or Excel, search for the application name. 1c) From the How would you like to repair your Office Programs screen, select Online Repair to ensure everything gets fixed, and then select Repair. You can select Quick Repair which runs faster but only detects and then replaces corrupted files. Online Repair does an uninstall and complete repair but takes longer. 1d) Follow the instructions on the screen to complete. 2) Reinstall Office 365 or Office 2016/19 From any of the office products click on the left arrow in the top left of the product, then click on “Office Account” Click on “Manage Account” to login to your Office 365 or Office 2016/19 account Once signed in, navigate to “software” Then click on “Install“. This will download a file that needs to be executed by clicking on it. This will start the “Office 365 reinstall” If all of the above fail, you may need to purchase a new copy of Office 365 or Office 2019. Can I still use Office 2016? Can I still use Office 2013? Can I still use Office 2011 for Mac? Can I still use Office 2010? Office 2021/Office 365 Pricing and Products Explained 3) Further Reading You will also find more useful links and information at the following Microsoft links https://support.office.com/en-US/Article/Repair-an-Office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/activate-office-2013-programs-HA102819770.aspx http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2899838 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg702620(v=office.15).aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg998767(v=office.15).aspx http://office.microsoft.com/en-in/project-help/repair-or-remove-office-HA010357402.aspx http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929 :jk:
Contact Us
Making IT Easy Say Hello Address 315 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, WA, 6008 (1 hr FREE Parking on street outside) Telephone 08 6365 5603 CALL NOW Opening Hours Monday-Friday: 9AM to 5PM Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed Please lodge your job online before coming to the office. By Clicking here. Once completed attend the office with your device. If you live in Western Australia, and you need any kind of computer help, please complete the form here before bringing your device or computer to us at 315 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, Western Australia or call us out by clicking here. You can email us at helpdesk@itguyswa.com.au or call: 08 6365 5603
Apple
Apple Authorised Reseller The IT Guys (WA) are an Apple Authorised Reseller of Apple Computers and Accessories in Perth, Western Australia. We do not supply iWatch or iPhone. Apple Apple Accessories Apple iMac iMac Repairs – Apple iMac Repairs iMac Upgrades – Apple iMac Upgrades Apple Mac Mini Mac Mini Repairs – Apple Mac Mini Repairs Mac Mini Upgrades – Apple Mac Mini Upgrades Apple Mac Pro Apple MacBook Air MacBook Air Repairs – Apple MacBook Air Repairs Macbook Air Upgrades – Apple Macintosh Upgrades Apple MacBook Pro MacBook Pro Repairs – Apple MacBook Pro Repairs Apple iPhone & iPad iPhone and iPad Setup Services iPhone Setup Service Older Mac Repairs & Services Mac Repairs – Apple Macintosh Repairs Macbook Battery Replacement Service – Perth Region MacBook Repairs – Apple MacBook Repairs Macbook Upgrades – Apple Macbook and Macbook Pro Upgrades Macbook Water Damage Repairs
Help – Fixing Common Microsoft Office Problems
Self Help Guide to Fixing Common Microsoft Office Problems including Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel Before bringing your Microsoft Office problems to us, there are a few fixes we recommend you try yourselves. We also provide links to our previous posts on specific issues and problems regarding Microsoft Office, Outlook, Excel Word, Activation Errors, Repairs, Office reinstalling and purchasing. As with all Microsoft Windows issues, the majority of problems be they Office or OS related, can be fixed by trying the following: Repairing Microsoft Office Reinstalling Microsoft Office Updating Microsoft Windows Repairing Microsoft Windows Links to other common problems How to fix Office 365 or Office 2019 “Activation” or “Unlicensed Product” Problems What can be done to stop email spam, email viruses and Ransomware How to reduce the amount of e-mail SPAM you receive Outlook Mail – Office 365 – Dealing with SPAM and Junk Emails Outlook E-mail Sending Issue Fix Problems with Office and Outlook for Mac 2016 – Solved How to stop emails going to junk folder Having problems accessing your Gmail account using Outlook? Fixing Microsoft Outlook & Entourage Email Problems and Issues Office 2019/Office 365 Pricing and Products Explained Buy Office Professional 2019 Buy Office Home & Student 2019 Buy Office Home & Business 2019 Buy Office 365 Home Buy Office 365 Personal :jk:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – Business as Usual
Please observe the following social-distancing measures to ensure the safety of yourselves and our staff. DROP OFF FOR REPAIRS AND UPGRADES IF OUR SHOP IS EMPTY, PLEASE ENTER OR WAIT OUTSIDE UNTIL THE CURRENT CUSTOMER LEAVES. UPON ENTERING PLEASE DISINFECT YOUR COMPUTER OR EQUIPMENT WITH THE WIPES PROVIDED AT OUR ENTRANCE COMPLETE LABEL(S) AND AFIX IT TO YOUR EQUIPMENT COMPLETE A JOB SHEET AND SIGN THE DOCUMENT, MAKING SURE TO INCLUDE A TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE YOU WISH US TO RESOLVE. LEAVE YOUR EQUIPMENT ON THE WORK BENCH, HIT THE BELL ONCE A TECHNICIAN WILL COME AND PICKUP YOUR EQUIPMENT, AND TAKE THE $66 TEST & ASSESS FEE. PAYMENT BY CARD ONLY COLLECTIONS AND PICKUPS IF OUR SHOP IS EMPTY, PLEASE ENTER OR WAIT OUTSIDE UNTIL THE CURRENT CUSTOMER LEAVES. ENTER THE OFFICE AND HIT THE BELL TWICE A TECHNICIAN WILL APPEAR. PLEASE TELL HIM YOUR NAME AND HE WILL PRODUCE YOUR EQUIPMENT SIGN THE JOB SHEET, PAY ANY OUTSTANDING PAYMENT (CREDIT CARD ONLY) AND LEAVE THE OFFICE. ANY QUERIES OR CLARIFICATIONS CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONE ONCE OUTSIDE OR BACK AT HOME SITE VISITS /CALL OUTS IF YOU OR ANYONE AT YOUR WORKPLACE OR IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD IS SICK WITH CORONOVIRUS, COLD, FLU OR IS UNDER IMPOSED SELF-ISOLATION. PLEASE CALL US PRIOR TO THE TECHNICIANS ATTENDANCE. BEFORE ALLOWING THE TECHNICIAN IN PLEASE ENSURE THAT ANY EQUIPMENT THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE NEAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY DISINFECTED AND CLEANED. PLEASE ALSO OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES BY KEEPING A DISTANCE OF 2 METERS FROM THE TECHNICIAN WHILE HE IS AT YOUR PREMISES. :opening-hours: Updated: 29 March 2020 :jk: Purchase Work@Home Equipment … Delivered to your door How to work from home while self-isolating due to CORONAVIRUS (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic
How to safely clean and disinfect electronic devices
How to safely clean and disinfect your electronic devices (computers, laptops, keyboards, mice, monitors, smart-phones) without damaging them Moisture and Electronics do not like each other and one can have a terminal effect on the other. However, to effectively clean and disinfect surfaces, you need moisture, a disinfecting moisture, such as Alcohol or Bleach Computers, Laptops, Keyboards, Mice, Smart-Phones, Telephones etc. when sneezed or coughed over can harbour viruses and germs for 2 to 3 days. When devices are used by multiple people such as co-workers or family members these germs and viruses can be transmitted to others by them simply touching that device and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose. It is important to regularly clean hard-surfaces, including computer and electronic devices on a daily basis as the latest research from the LiveScience website states than flu-like viruses survive on hard surfaces for 48 hrs and that the CORONAVIRUS (SARS-CoV-2) can live on surfaces for up to 3 days. What to use to clean and disinfect Electronic devices Here is the advice directly from the Apple website Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product? Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don’t use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don’t submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don’t use on fabric or leather surfaces. source = https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172 Cleaning products containing Alcohol are preferred over other products because it quickly evaporates. Too much moisture will damage equipment and too little is not effective, getting the correct amount and using the correct cleaning technique is vital. Ideally use products containing a minimum of 70% Isopropyl alcohol such as the following: Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.). Although Bleach or Chlorine based disinfectants can be used on most surfaces such as tables and door handles, only alcohol based cleaners and wipes are recommended for Electronic Equipment. There is a comprehensive guide issued by the CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) containing specific instructions on cleaning surfaces at home and at work. See Preventing COVID-19 Spread in communities How to safely clean and disinfect a keyboard without damaging it DO NOT SPRAY FLUID DIRECTLY ONTO A KEYBOARD or LAPTOP If cleaning fluid gets under the keyboard keys, it can short-circuit the keyboard and render it unusable. Fortunately, a new wireless keyboard and mouse combo can be purchased for under $50. However, If fluid gets under the keyboard of a laptop, it could short-circuit the whole laptop-computer which may render the laptop unusable and uneconomical to repair, so be very careful when using ANY fluid near any electronic device. Firstly, power-off the computer or laptop. Disconnect the keyboard from power by removing keyboard batteries (in the case of a wireless keyboard). Now, turn the keyboard over. Locate Batteries Remove Batteries Or by disconnecting a wired-keyboard from the computer (USB Ports) Trace keyboard and mouse wires back to the computer USB ports Remove those wires, this then renders them disconnected and powerless The keyboard now has no power and is safe to clean. Spray a small amount of Alcohol onto a cloth or use an Alcohol wipe Hold keyboard upside-down and use cloth or wipe to clean keyboard Leave keyboard for 5-10 minutes until completely dry, add back batteries (in case of wireless keyboard) or put USB cables back in same USB ports in computer and power up the computer or laptop. Now repeat the process for your mouse. How to safely clean and disinfect a mouse without damaging it Disconnect USB cable in case of Wired-mouse, or in case of wireless mouse, turn over and switch off Or locate and remove batteries Now clean using a cloth and alcohol spray or alcohol-wipes Leave mouse for 5-10 minutes until completely dry, add back batteries (in case of wireless mouse) or put USB cables back in same USB ports in computer and power up the computer or laptop. Conclusion Bringing any fluids and electronic devices together is a risky business but easily done by being careful and using the correct techniques and cleaning materials. However, the risk or spreading diseases, germs and viruses between you and others by NOT cleaning computers, laptops, keyboards, mice, monitors, smart-phones etc. is even riskier these days. :jk:
ADSL Telephone & Internet Disconnection Jan 2020 – Mosman Park, WA, 6012
Did you know Mosman Park will lose ADSL Internet and Telephone service in January 2020? Have you moved to NBN yet? There are alternatives. Mosman Park, you no longer need to suffer third-world Internet speeds of 1,2 or even 10 mbps since NBN Internet was switched on in June 2017 However, you don’t have too long to move to NBN or you risk losing your land-line and any service connected to it. You only have a matter of months to embrace the NBN or risk losing your land line, ADSL and anything connected to it such as Security Alarm systems, Medical Emergency alarms etc. Existing Copper Land Lines will be disconnected 18 months after the NBN go-live date The disconnection process for the old phone and internet network in this area is scheduled to begin on Jan 2020 Even though the suburb has officially gone live with NBN, there could be some exceptions such as Businesses and strata properties. The only sure way of finding out if your premises has gone live is to click here on this link and enter your address.If the NBN Company website states that NBN is available, you will need to contact an NBN service provider such as your existing Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Telstra to start the process. However, before doing so, consider the following. Your existing services may be affected The rollout of the nbn™ broadband means some existing devices and services may not be compatible with these at all times. If you have any of the following devices or services, contact your service provider or register with NBN Co so that they can support you to help minimise a break in services. Medical alarm, autodiallers or emergency call buttons Monitored fire alarms Home or business security monitoring systems Lift emergency phones EFTPOS or health claim terminals Fax and teletypewriter devices If you have any of the above devices, make sure they are ALL made NBN ready before asking to be switched to the NBN. It is also a good idea to make sure you have a mobile phone available and working, should something go wrong during installation and there is a delay between losing your phone line and NBN becoming available. Once satisfied you have no existing services that maybe affected or you have fixed any incompatibility issues, you need to select an NBN provider and a plan. The following guide should be of assistance. Confused by NBN Plans? What are the alternatives to NBN? Can I still use my land-line once I have NBN installed? Yes, but you may find your old telephone handset does not work any more and you may have to buy a new one (or your provider my provide you with a compatible one) Instead of connecting to a wall socket, the phone will need to connect to a socket in the side of the new NBN modem or NBN connection box that will be provided by your ISP. Telephone and Internet Connections offered by NBN Telephone and Internet Connections offered via Mobile Phone Networks Telephone and Internet Connections offered via Independent Telecomm Companies If you find you need any assistance in setting up your new NBN services or your telephone/answering machine, home network, printer or computer. Please give us a call. :jk:
MacOS Catalina 10.15.1 – Looking Good. OK to Upgrade (Nov 2019)
In Oct 2019 our repair shop was full of Apple iMac and MacBooks rendered unusable after upgrading to MacOS Catalina 10.15. However, with the release of 10.15.1 those issues appear to have been fixed. MacOS 10.15 can only be installed on the following: MacBook introduced in 2015 or later MacBook Air introduced in 2012 or later MacBook Pro introduced in 2012 or later Mac mini introduced in 2012 or later iMac introduced in 2012 or later iMac Pro (all models) Mac Pro introduced in 2013 or later DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INSTALL CATALINA ON OLDER MODELS – YOU WILL BREAK THE COMPUTER We strongly advise you to be wary of upgrading to any new MacOS. Make a full time-machine backup before proceeding. Is your Mac older than 4 years? If your computer is more than 4 years old and its never had it’s Hard Disk replaced, installing a new OS is usually the time that the HDD gives up the ghost and fails….. mid-install. We hope you took a full Time-Machine backup before you tried the upgrade. If not, you are risking losing your data. Office 2011 may not work in Catalina Catalina no longer supports 32 bit apps? You may well be surprised to find out that Office 2011 and many older printer drivers could well be 32 bit versions from way back. Its not the end of the world but you may not be able to find 64 bit versions of your printer driver, printer utility or even Office 2011. Something to bear in mind. Do you do Audio mixing? Many Audio mixing programs, Apps and add-ons were written in 32 bit and may not be available in 64 bit format. How to check if you have any 32 bit apps/drivers on your Mac Choose Apple menu > About This Mac, then click the System Report button.Select Legacy Software in the sidebar. All legacy software is 32-bit.If you don’t see Legacy Software in the sidebar, select Applications in the sidebar, then check the list of apps on the right. The column labeled ”64-Bit (Intel)” shows ”No” for apps that are 32-bit. Here is an example of what you may see… Known Applications that will not work on Catalina include (but not limited to the following) – Older version of Adobe Photoshop (CS5), Illustrator (CS5), Indesign (CS5), Acrobat Pro 9.5.5. Premier Pro, Lightroom, Office 2011, Word 2011, Excel 2011, PowerPoint 2011, Outlook 2011 Any concerns or issues with Catalina… give us a call. :jk:
How to fix Office 365 or Office 2019 “Activation” or “Unlicensed Product” Problems
How to deal with common Microsoft Office issues such as activation and reinstalling. Please read the following self-help guide. If you still have problems, please bring your computer to our office in Subiaco and we will fix the issues for you for a small fee. The latest versions of Microsoft Office (Office 365 and Office 2019) both need activating by logging into an Office 365 account. This is normally achieved upon installation, however we have noticed that Windows or Office automatic updates can sometimes result in the products being “Disabled” or requiring “Activation” These problems can occur in any or all of the Office products such as Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Publisher, OneNote, Outlook, Infopath or Lync; by displaying one of the following messages (or similar) “Unlicensed Product” “Product Deactivated” “We’re sorry, something went wrong and we can’t do this for you right now. Please try again later” or similar. You can re-activate Office 365 or Office 2019 in a number of ways as follows 1) Repair Office 365 or Office 2019 In Windows 7 or 8 locate “Control Panel” > “Programs” > “Programs and Features” Highlight “Office 365 ProPlus” (do not click on it) and select the “Change” button Select “Quick Repair“. If this does not fix your problems try “Online Repair” and failing that move to Step 2) below In Windows 10 Right-click the Start button (lower-left corner), and select Control Panel pop-up menu. 1a) From Category view, under Programs, select Uninstall a program. 1b) Right-click the Microsoft Office product you want to repair, and select Change. NOTE: If you have a suite such as Office 365 Home or Office Home and Student 2013 or 2019, search for the suite name, even if it’s just a particular application you want to repair such as Word or Excel. If you have a standalone application such as Word or Excel, search for the application name. 1c) From the How would you like to repair your Office Programs screen, select Online Repair to ensure everything gets fixed, and then select Repair. You can select Quick Repair which runs faster but only detects and then replaces corrupted files. Online Repair does an uninstall and complete repair but takes longer. 1d) Follow the instructions on the screen to complete. 2) Reinstall Office 365 or Office 2019 From any of the office products click on the left arrow in the top left of the product, then click on “Office Account” Click on “Manage Account” to login to your Office 365 or Office 2019 account Once signed in, navigate to “software” Then click on “Install“. This will download a file that needs to be executed by clicking on it. This will start the “Office 365 reinstall” If you have an earlier version of Office, click on the following links to check if it can still be used or needs a new version. Can I still use Office 2016? Can I still use Office 2013? Can I still use Office 2011 for Mac? Can I still use Office 2010? Purchase the latest versions of Microsoft Office by clicking on the links below Microsoft 365 Personal, 1 Year Subscription 1 User Microsoft 365 Family, 1 Year Subscription 6 User Microsoft Office Home & Student(for Mac or PC) Microsoft Office Home & Business (for PC or Mac) Microsoft Office Professional (for PC or Mac) 3) Further Reading You will also find more useful links and information at the following Microsoft links https://support.office.com/en-US/Article/Repair-an-Office-application-7821d4b6-7c1d-4205-aa0e-a6b40c5bb88b http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/activate-office-2013-programs-HA102819770.aspx http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2899838 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg702620(v=office.15).aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg998767(v=office.15).aspx http://office.microsoft.com/en-in/project-help/repair-or-remove-office-HA010357402.aspx http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929 :jk:
Microsoft Surface
Purchase Microsoft Surface Products, Accessories and Services through The IT Guys WA The IT Guys supply “Commercial” grade versions of Microsoft Surface Pro, Surface Go, Surface Studio, Surface Laptop and Surface Book that differ from the versions purchased directly from the Microsoft site or a retail outlet which are “Consumer” grade, in the following ways. Item Consumer/Retail Grade Commercial Grade Operating System Windows 10 Home in S Mode(1) Windows 10 Pro Warranty – Standard Go, Book, Studio 1 Year Send the broken device before receiving a new one(2) 2 Years Send the broken device before receiving a new one(2) Warranty – Advanced Exchange* Pro, Laptop N/A -Send the broken device before receiving a new one Receive a new device before sending the broken one back Extended Hardware Warranty N/A Optional 3 and 4 year Warranty Available Warranty – Advanced Exchange* Pro, Laptop N/A -Send the broken device before receiving a new one Receive a new device before sending the broken one back Extended Hardware Warranty N/A Optional 3 and 4 year Warranty Available Advanced Exchange Send broken one to Sydney before receiving a replacement after repair. Receive replacement in 3-5 business days (before sending the broken one back) Complete for Business – Accidental Damage coverage N/A Optional cover available, allowing 2 claims per lifetime over 2, 3 or 4 years Repair Turnaround 5-8 business days to get a new device (after sending the broken one back) 3-5 business days to get a new device (before sending the broken one back) Note Only Microsoft Apps purchased from App Store allowed Return damaged/faulty units to Sydney Surface for Business warranty page In addition to purchasing Microsoft Surface Pro, Surface Go, Surface Studio, Surface Laptop and Surface Book and accessories through the IT Guys, we also offer additional services not available from retailers. Such as: Microsoft Office and Mail Setup Data Transfer from old computer or device Anti Virus Supply, Install or transfer Extended Warranties After sales services, troubleshooting and repairs Surface Repairs However, when things go wrong and a component needs repairing, this can ONLY BE DONE BY MICROSOFT, by sending the device to the nearest Microsoft Surface service centre (Which is in SYDNEY for anyone in Australia) Surface devices cannot be repaired due to their construction. Components and the casing are glued in and not designed to be disassembled and reassembled. Damaged or faulty Surfaces are simply REPLACED with new or refurbished models. Microsoft send damaged ones back to the factory to be scrapped or refurbished. Can Microsoft Surface parts be replaced or repaired? Microsoft have a policy of not attempting to repair any damaged or failing components, and third party repairs are also unable to fix the following (although some repairers may claim otherwise) Microsoft will offer you a replacement or refurbished model through the main Microsoft office (in Australia, it is Sydney) for any supported devices for Cracked Screen Failing Components such as: Faulty Battery Failing Storage (RAM and SSD) Failing Motherboard Depending on the devices warranty status, the replacement could be free or a fixed fee may apply to swap-out or exchange your failed device for a new or refurbished model. Consumer/Retail Grade Surface’s only have a one-year limited hardware warranty If you have a non-business, standard-warranty, you could be without a device for many weeks as they need to be sent to Microsoft, assessed and then returned (quoted is 5-8 business days but this is based on Eastern States of Australia) Extended Warranties are available using Microsoft Complete, which also gives some cover against accidental damage. Microsoft Surface Business models have different warranties, some provide for a replacement device to be sent out to you prior to you sending your old device back to Microsoft.
How old is my Mac?
Finding out the age of your Mac computer is as simple as clicking on “About this Mac” Apple Symbol -> About This Mac There is more information available if you wish to click on the “System Report” button If your computer is more than 4 years old, you should seriously consider having it replaced. See… How Often Should I replace my HDD? See… Apple Mac Repair Required? :jk:
