On Site IT Services for Business and Homes

FAQ

This page contains answers to common questions handled by our support staff, along with some tips and tricks that we have found useful and presented here as questions.

How do I ... ?

  1. Start Sharing Files or Directories with other computers on my network

    a) From the task bar: Start->Settings->Control Panel
    b) Click network icon twice
    c) Click File->Print Sharing
    d) Select the check box for the sharing options you want
    e) Click OK

  2. Share a specific file or folder

    a) In Windows Explorer or My Computer, click the folder you want to share.
    b) On the File menu, click Properties.
    c) Click the Sharing tab, and then click Shared As.
    d) Click the Access Type you want, and, if necessary, enter a password.
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Why can't I see other computers in my network ?

  1. You did not log using a user name and password.
  2. Your network cable is not properly connected.
  3. The network hub is not turned on.
  4. The other computers in the network are not turned on.
  5. You or others disabled file sharing on your computer.
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Why doesn't the Internet work?

There are a number of reasons why the Internet connection might fail:

  1. The Internet service provider could have problems with their servers.

    Call your service provider to verify if they are experiencing problems in your area

  2. If you are using your phone line to connect, the telephone line could be busy, or a message is waiting on Bell's  answering service.

    Check if the phone has dial tone

  3. If you are using a high speed connection the modem could be stuck

    Check to see if the modem has power, the "On-line" light is solid green -if not- reset the modem by turning it off and on again

  4. Your computer might be in a damaged mode

    Restart you computer
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What is ... ?

  1. Network Hub

    A device that allows several computers to connect to each other

  2. Modem

    An electronic devices that convert digital data signals into analog signals suitable for transmission over analog telecommunications circuits. Modems thus make it possible for established phone systems to support a wide variety of data communication, such as the Internet.

  3. Firewall

    In computer security, a device that blocks unauthorized access to an organization's local area network (LAN). A firewall can reside on the administrative computer (the server) that acts as the local area network's gateway to the Internet or it can be a dedicated computer placed between the local area network and the Internet, so that the network is never in direct contact with the Internet. The firewall also keeps track of every file entering or leaving the local area network in order to detect the sources of viruses and other problems that might enter the network.

  4. LAN

    Local Area Network, a collection of interconnected computers that can share data, applications, and resources, such as printers. Computers in a LAN are separated by small distances of a few meters or up to a few kilometers and are typically used in offices or homes with multiple computers. A LAN enables the fast and effective transfer of information within a group of users and reduces operational costs.
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Why does my computer freeze

Computers can freeze for a variety of reasons. If you're using software when your computer "crashes," it might be due to a bug or problem in the program. Some programs make heavy use of memory and don't release all the memory assigned to it when the program closes. Then when you start up another program, the computer might not have all the memory it needs and your computer crashes. Over time, your computer's amount of fragmented memory can increase to a point where your computer runs very inefficiently. 

There could also be other problems with incompatible hardware such as a video card or sound card that doesn't work well with the main board. Also, operating systems such as Windows have a "registry" that controls Windows programs. 

Registry damage can cause your computer to freeze or send you error messages. Another cause of crashes is bad drivers. Sometimes drivers have bugs in them. Often, users are not notified of fixes although patches can be found on the Internet if you suspect a bug in certain driver.

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Is it safe to buy on-line ?

The short answer is yes, when using well established websites such as Amazon, Ali-express, Microsoft, Apple etc. and paying with your credit card or Paypal. On sites such as Ebay or Kijiji where you buying directly from individuals or auctioning for a product it is recommended to check the seller's reviews.
Always:

  1. Check the return policy
  2. Make sure the product you are buying is really what you expect
  3. Call or email them before you buy to see what is their response and availability
  4. Be suspicious of "too good to be true deals"
  5. Look at the quality of the website
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Is it safe to bank on-line ?

Banking on-line is very convenient and safe, when combined with your smart-phone app [if available] for deposits you may not have to visit your local branch for a long time. All banks use a secure connections defined by the "HTTPS://" as opposed to the un-encrypted "HTTP://". As a basic precaution never click on an un-requested email that appears to come from your bank and especially one that asks you to "reset your password" as it is probably a scam using a fake website designed to steal your password information. When in doubt call your bank first.

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Are all services on-site ?

Most services are done on-site, for established customers we provide the alternative "Access" to your computer/s at a slightly cheaper rate and no travel charge. For badly damaged/infected computers we usually suggest taking your computer for a couple of days for a complete overhaul of the OS as it would take too much time to fix on-site and we can then offer you a fixed rate for the service.

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Is there a guarantee on your services ?

We strive to provide you with the best service and value for your money and we will test as much as possible (before we leave) to ensure the issue/s are resolved. Given the unpredictable/complex nature of some problems if you find that the problem re-occurs or was not fully identified you can call us and we well be happy to resolve the problem at no additional charge.

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Is there a travel charge ?

Yes, this is a fixed rate per visit, we cover the entire GTA area and have different rates depending on the location Please see: Travel Charges Map to find out what is the rate for your location.

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Can you fix Mac's ?

Yes, we service all versions of Mac's and even iPhones.

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Can you help with my Smart-phone?

For all [Android, iPhone, Windows Phone] we can help you with any issue related to Software such as: Configuration, Email, Internet, Installing Apps, Learning how to use, Syncing with the cloud or your computer. We don't fix issues related to hardware or broken screens.

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Is there a minimum/maximum service charge ?

The minimum service charge for a visit is 1 hour+travel and taxes, it then will increase by 1/4 hours. After we assess your problem (usually 15-20 min) we can then either give you an estimate of the time expected to fix the issue or we can agree on a fixed maximum rate.

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My computer is old is it worth fixing ?

Most computers (even the very old) will benefit from a maintenance service. Similarly to a car's oil change/tuneup, computers require periodic services to work well, it extends their useful life and eliminates or reduces the frustrating incidents. If however your computer is over 7 years and has had more than one hardware issue in the last 6 months or you can't use certain programs because of incompatibility -we don't sell computers- but can help you choose and install a system that will be the best value for your needs for the next few years.

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