From the reports we’ve received, the bogus caller (apparently sounding of Asian ethnicity) will say they represent ‘Microsoft’ or a ‘PC Repair’ company and that their internal security systems have alerted them to the fact that the customer’s computer is “at risk”, “infected”, “has no security software” or some other random scare-tactic claim.

The Scammer will then offer to install a piece of “Security Software” onto your computer to remedy the problem, but this software is actually in-fact rogue ‘Remote Control’ software which uses a combination of Rootkit, Backdoor and Key-logging technology to compromise the security of your system. This software allows the bogus operator to gain access to your computer whenever you connect it to the Internet and then record any key-strokes you enter, passwords, Credit Card numbers etc.

Should you have unfortunately fallen prey  to this scam, the first thing you’ll need to do is disconnect your computer from the Internet and do not attempt to reconnect it until the system is inspected by professionals and completely cleansed. We can of course assist with this, so contact us for details. Also, if you have recently used any Credit Cards on the system since the system was compromised, you’ll need to have these cancelled immediately. Same applies to Bank Account details.

Stay alert and remember, nobody can monitor your computer for “Security / Virus Risks” in this way, they are just chancing their luck that your Antivirus / Security software is out-of-date, malfunctioning etc. which is unfortuently a very common occurance. The absolute best course of action you can take should you receive one of these bogus calls is simply terminate the call straight away.

Conversely, most Apple laptops use the DC-In modular approach, which is a very welcome feature.

Now, there are businesses that will attempt a repair of the DC-In connector by soldering on a new internal socket piece and ‘padding out’ the socket to strengthen the area, but in our experience this is a very temporary fix, as it is unfortunately inevitable that the connection will fail again over use/time and you’ll be back at the start again, probably sooner rather than later.

The only true fix for this type of damaged DC-In connector is unfortunately a full motherboard replacement, but in most cases this option isn’t financially advisable, so there’s really not much choice other than risk a DC-In repair and treat it with kid-gloves thereafter!

It is due to this fragile status that we don’t offer this service on PC-based laptops that have a directly soldered DC-In connector. We do however repair DC-In connectors on Apple laptops and PC-based laptops that have a modular connector – if you don’t know what type of DC-In connector your laptop has, get in touch with us and we’ll let you know.

]]> http://www.asapcomputerrepair.ie/laptop-dc-in-repair-beware/feed/ 0 http://www.asapcomputerrepair.ie/norton-internet-security-2012-specifications/ http://www.asapcomputerrepair.ie/norton-internet-security-2012-specifications/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:54:10 +0000 admin http://www.asapcomputerrepair.ie/?p=1465  

Operating Systems Supported

• Microsoft® Windows® XP (32-bit) Home/Professional/Tablet PC/Media Center (32-bit) with Service Pack 2 or later
• Microsoft Windows Vista® (32-bit and 64-bit) Starter/Home Basic/Home Premium/Business/Ultimate with Service Pack 1 or later
• Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit) Starter/Home Basic/Home Premium/Ultimate

Minimum Hardware Requirements

• 300 MHz for Microsoft Windows XP, 1 GHz for Microsoft Windows Vista/Microsoft Windows 7
• 256 MB of RAM
• 300 MB of available hard disk space
• CD-ROM or DVD drive (if not installing via electronic download)

Browser Plug-In Support

• Microsoft Internet Explorer® 6.0 or later (32-bit only)
• Mozilla® Firefox® 3.0 and later (32-bit only)

Support for Antispam

• Microsoft Outlook® 2002 or later
• Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0 or later
• Windows Mail (spam filtering only)

Browser Support for Phishing Protection, Safe Search, and Password Management

• Microsoft Internet Explorer® 6.0 or later (32-bit only)
• Mozilla® Firefox® 3.0 and later (32-bit only)
• Google Chrome™ browser 10.0 or higher

Email scanning supported for POP3-compatible email clients

I. PC Tune-up, Virus Scan/Removal, and the supply/installation of one (1) copy of ‘Norton Internet Security 2012 Electronic Edition’ only. Said services offer will be known as ‘ASAP Voucher Offer’ herein.

II. ASAP Voucher Offer applies to Windows XP/Vista/7 based computer systems only (laptop or desktop computers).

III. Offer does not include any replacement Hardware, Software or any technical services other than those specified in ASAP Voucher Offer.

IV. All customer computer systems availing of the ASAP Voucher Offer must be presented in a fit state for delivery of included services, i.e. computers must have an operational Hard Drive, can boot into Windows and be otherwise without any major mechanical or technical failure that would prevent delivery of services.

V. ASAP Computer Repair will only redeem vouchers pertaining to this offer that are submitted via the provided voucher ‘Booking Form’ available on the ASAP Computer Repair website: http://www.asapcomputerrepair.ie/voucher/

VI. Once provided with a date/time via our Booking System, customers are to drop their computer systems on the day into our Dublin offices, located at: Office 0.3, Smithfield Business Centre, Distillers Building, Smithfield, Dublin 7.

VII. Duration of ASAP Voucher Offer service can take up to 2 days to complete, depending on the level of Virus infection, overall speed/performance of computer etc., and upon completion, customers will be notified of status to arrange collection.

VIII. No other services are included with this offer.

IX. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

X. Customers leaving computer equipment in with ASAP Computer Repair consent that ASAP Computer Repair shall not be held responsible for any damage caused by the diagnostic testing/repair of their computer equipment, as underlying issues may exist, which may only become apparent during the testing/repair process.

XI. Customers are wholly responsible for their own computer electronic Data and a recent Full Backup should be made prior to leaving equipment in for testing and/or repair.

Redeem your Voucher and Book your Computer in with us

On some MacBook models the LCD display can be swapped out as a single component, but the majority of MacBooks require a complete ‘Display Enclosure’ in order to properly get the visuals up-and-running again.

Without a new Display Enclosure, the existing enclosure needs to be cracked open, risking damage to the Bezel, Inverter, Magnetic Clasps, Display Casing, Front Glass etc. – it’s too risky a process, so we choose only to replace the complete Display Enclosure… as Apple intended!

Unlike the iPhone 3G/3GS, the LCD screen on the iPhone 4 is fused to the Glass Digitizer (as opposed to being separate components).

Now, when you get a replacement iPhone 4 screen, the majority of repairers will install a GENERIC LCD screen – basically what this means is that unless it’s a genuine Apple iPhone LCD Screen enclosure, it’s an inferior standard LCD screen and not a Retina Display.

Don’t be fooled, ask if it’s a genuine Retina Display.