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Tips to Transfer Files from an Old PC to a New One

PC TipYour old computer is outdated and it’s time to upgrade. You spend time researching the right machine and finally, you find just the right one. You open up the box and breathe in the scent of unused hard drives, empty caches, and perfect processing speed. But, new computers don’t stay without baggage very long.

All of your files, music, pictures, and videos are sitting on your old machine, useless unless you do something with them. This is the part everyone hates. Moving all that data can be a headache. Here are some simple tips on ways to transfer files from Howtogeek.com.

Use a File-Transfer Tool

There are many file-transfer utilities for automatically moving your files, settings, and programs to a new computer. You’ll have to install the programs you use on your new computer afterwards, but these will help you move your files and some important settings over. Those personal files are the most important thing to migrate, anyway.

Use a Backup and Restore Tool

You should be regularly backing up your files. Assuming you are, you could just perform one final backup of your PC and restore the files from that backup onto your new computer.

But, if you’re backing up to an external drive with practically any tool — from integrated Windows backup features to Time Machine on a Mac or a third-party backup solution — you should just be able to restore those files onto your new PC. On Macs, the Migration Assistant can also import files from a Time Machine backup.

Just Copy the Files

The manual solution works for basic backups, and it works for basic file transfer too. Connect a sufficiently large external hard drive to your old computer and drag-and-drop (or copy-and-paste) all the files you need from your old computer onto the drive. Disconnect the drive from the old computer, connect it to the new computer, and move the files onto the new computer.

Yes, it should be that simple — and, if you organize your files properly so you know where everything important is on your computer, you can quickly locate them to copy them over manually.

This will obviously just grab your personal files, and not important settings. If you want to copy web browser bookmarks over, for example, you may want to export them from your browser and then import them into the browser on your new computer. Modern browsers like Chrome and Firefox (and Internet Explorer, but only on Windows 8) have sync features that can automatically migrate these to a PC if you log in with the same account on each.

Cloud Storage Tools

Cloud storage services can make it easy to migrate to a new PC, too. You likely rely on a webmail service like Gmail, Outlook.com, or Yahoo! Mail. If you don’t, your email server probably at least uses IMAP instead of POP3. This means your email is stored securely on a server somewhere, so you don’t have to worry about migrating your email to your new computer unless you still use POP3 to access it.

The same is true for other services that store your files, settings, and other data online. Cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive work well for this. Install the client on your PC and dump your files into it. Log in to that same account on your other PC and it’ll download the files if they’re stored online.

Using any of these methods should help you transfer your files simply. If setting up computers isn’t a task you’re ready to take on, call the PC Repair and Maintenance Experts at Great Lakes Computer. We can help you with all of your computer, printer, server, and POS system repair and maintenance.

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Working in the Cloud: The Pros and Cons of Office 365

cloudLots of people still don’t really understand cloud computing as a term. Whether you think you understand the cloud or not, you are already using it – Google, Twitter, Facebook, DropBox – all cloud software. One of the biggest cloud apps is Office 365. Many companies are singing its praises for giving their teams tremendous mobility, but maybe you’re not so sure. Here are some basic pros and cons that come along with the Microsoft Office 365 application from the leading organization in simplifying complex topics, For Dummies.

Some of the benefits of moving to the Microsoft cloud include the following:

– Outsourcing the hassle of installing, managing, patching, and upgrading extremely complex software systems.

– Having predictable and known costs associated with adoption.

– Keeping the lights blinking green, and the software up-to-date and secure falls on Microsoft and is backed by service guarantee.

– Reducing cost in not only immediate monetary value but also in efficiency and resource reallocation benefits.

– Backing up and securing your data. After all, Microsoft may not be perfect, but its teams of engineers are extremely specialized and are experts at hosting the software that their colleagues have developed.

– Using the software over the Internet — simply sign up and you’re ready to go. Without the cloud, a SharePoint deployment could take months.

Some of the cons that come along with adopting a cloud solution in general include the following:

– Relying on network and bandwidth. If your Internet provider goes down, then you haven’t any access to your enterprise software and data. Microsoft does not control how you access the Internet and, therefore, cannot account for any failures.

– Having data controlled by someone other than your employees. Your data is hosted in Microsoft’s data center. That can be both a benefit and a detriment. If you feel uncomfortable with your data out there somewhere, then you can either research the Microsoft data centers further or keep your data and applications locally in your own controlled data center.

– In addition, when you sign up for enterprise licensing of Office 365, you also gain licensing rights to On Premise deployments. This capability makes it possible to store extremely sensitive data or user portals on site.

For example, you may want your executive, accounting, and human resources portals on site but the rest of your SharePoint implementation in the cloud. Microsoft lets you mix and match this way to fit your comfort level.

If you are considering some level of cloud integration in your business, the experts at Great Lakes Computer can help. We offer a variety of cloud solutions that will fit any business size or budget.

View the Video and Download Cloud Computing 101

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Red Flags Warning You It’s Time For Server Maintenance

server monitoringAfter years of providing server monitoring services, we learned to spot some common red flags. Some signs might seem subtle, but others are fairly obvious. If your business relies upon your company’s computer server for daily work, you might want to pay attention to what your machines are telling you. Consider these common signs that let you know that you may need server maintenance.

Hardware Problems

If you keep losing control of your mouse, printer, or other peripheral devices, you should take that as a sign that your machine either can’t handle software updates or actually has physical problems related to these hardware drivers. If you’re certain that your server’s accessories function fine on their own, you should get the problem diagnosed. Hardware problems usually only get worse over time.

Software Glitches

Does reliable software suddenly start freezing up or even crashing? If so, you might assume that your server’s operating system isn’t compatible with new updates, your drive is corrupted, or you have some other issue. This is especially true if multiple applications start exhibiting bad behavior.

Loud Noises

If your server starts making a lot of noise, the cooling fan could be telling you that it’s getting ready to die or that it’s having to work much too hard to keep your machine cool. In some cases, the fan might just have accumulated too much dust and needs cleaning. Either way, the fan or the machine needs attention.

Boot Problems

Typically, aging servers need to get booted more frequently. Sometimes restarts will temporarily resolve issues. If you need to repeat boots several times or see errors when you boot, it’s definitely time to get the issue diagnosed properly.

Contact Us for Server Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Some issues can be readily repaired. Some are avoidable with proper monitoring and maintenance. Sometimes, your machines may need replaced. Either way, you certainly don’t want to ignore problems and just wait for the day when you can’t reboot your server at all. You risk losing valuable business information and having your company grind to a halt.

We offer many levels of server monitoring and troubleshooting protection here at Great Lakes Computer. You can either choose to have information sent to you or handled by our experienced technical staff. We can also work with you to develop a recovery plan to keep computer issues from hurting your company. Contact our experts today to keep you business running smoothly.

Learn More About Server Maintenance

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5 Ways Managed Print Services Can Save You Money

Managed Print ServiceCan you imagine how much smoother your business could run if you never had to worry about printer trouble or printing costs again? Managed Print Services (MPS) help manage every aspect of business printing, from using printers more efficiently to ensuring that machines get proactively serviced and supplied.

Consider five ways that Managed Print Services help companies run more efficiently and profitably:

    1. Avoid delays.
       When printers break down or simply run out of paper or ink, work stops until the problem can get fixed. MPS  includes proactive repairs and troubleshooting of printing problems. They also include the assurance that supplies get ordered before they run out. Avoid costly delays by making sure that printers are up and supplied at all times.
    2. Print more efficiently.
      Like any other business tool, printers should be used in the most efficient way. Print management professionals will examine the way that you currently use your printers and suggest ways to streamline your reproduction tasks in order to get work done faster and at a lower cost.
    3. Keep printers in service longer.
      Most savvy business owners get their vehicle fleets serviced on time in order to reduce the chance of an inconvenient and expensive breakdown. It only makes sense to have routine services performed on a fleet of printers. Printer managers make sure that printers get serviced on time and that small issues get fixed before they turn into big ones.
    4. Gather information about printer use.
      In this digital age, information gives companies a competitive edge. A Managed Print Provider (MPP) analyzes your usage. They can also supply you with reports about the way that your company uses your machines. This can help you spot trends that might highlight the need for changes in business processes.
    5. Attend to your real business. You don’t need to waste your time or the time of your highly paid professionals because paper needs to get stocked or the printer on the second floor keeps jamming. Typically, these services also cut down the time that IT needs to spend on reporting issues. You and your talented people can focus on business and not printer problems.

Our Managed Printing Services Save Clients Money. Inefficient use of reproductive machines can cut into a company’s profitability. In fact, the majority of printing expenses are incurred after printers are already installed. At Great Lakes Computer, we specialize in saving our clients money with Managed Print Services. Let us know about your company’s printing needs, and we’ll tell you how we can help.

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Cloud Covered: A Quick Guide to Cloud Computing Models

Cloud ComputingIT experts have predicted cloud computing will impact over $1 Trillion in IT spending in the next 4 years. Leading up to this announcement, you’ve undoubtedly heard a lot about cloud applications and  companies that move their entire IT infrastructure to the cloud.

But it’s important to understand people use terms like cloud and cloud computing to mean different things. If you plan to reap the benefits of the cloud for your business, take a few moments to understand various models.

4 Cloud Computing Service Models – The way cloud services get delivered

•    IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) describes a situation when a third-party provider hosts servers, virtual computing configurations, and additional services in their own remote data center. Some examples of IaaS are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cisco Metapod, and Microsoft Azure.

•    DaaS (Desktop as a Service) could be part of IaaS. The third-party actually hosts desktops remotely, and these are accessed through connection services.

•    Paas (Platform as a Service) describes hosts which provide remotely hosted development platforms. This allows developers to produce software without an investment in their own physical servers and development software.

•    SaaS (Software as a Service) has become very common as more and more applications have been released in remotely accessed web versions. Instead of having users install the application on their own computers, they simply login with their browsers.  Google, Twitter, Facebook, SalesForce, WebEx, and GoToMeeting are examples of SaaS you are likely familiar with already.

Cloud Deployment Models – The category of cloud environment distinguished by proprietorship, size and access

•    Public: A public cloud delivers popular software like Google Apps over an open network. Individuals can sign up for their own account. In turn, they can access apps and data on resources that are shared with many other individuals.

•    Private: Typically, a business or government organization would create a closed network of servers that only allow access for people within the organization. These are more secure solutions than a public cloud as they are safe guarded with firewalls and overseen by the IT department.

•    Community: A multi-tenant setup that is mutually shared by members of a specific community, like banks. These are useful when several entities have similar access and security needs.

•    Hybrid: A Hybrid cloud is any combination of the other three cloud types along with traditional data storage systems. This is used when a company has needs not met by a single deployment model.

Before you invest in more physical servers or large software installations, learn more about cloud computing. Storing applications and data in the cloud can save money, provide more robust service, and improve performance. At Great Lakes Computer, we are ready to hear about your company’s technology needs and find the cloud solution that works best for you. Let us know how we can ease your transition to the cloud. You can learn more about cloud computing by clicking below.

View the Video and Download Cloud Computing 101

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4 Tips for POS System Maintenance

POS SystemMany businesses are heavily dependent upon the performance of their POS system, which makes it paramount for them to take all possible steps to ensure that it is always operating in good condition. When POS systems fail due to misuse or malfunction it often results in frustrated customers leaving without a purchase, employee productivity plummeting, and your reputation taking a serious hit.

While it’s obviously not possible to eliminate all chance of a system failing, there are several practices you can incorporate into your business that will likely increase the lifespan of your POS system.

Ventilation Concerns

POS systems, like almost all pieces of technological hardware, contain hundreds of sensitive parts that are necessary to keep the device operating optimally. The presence of excessive heat that builds up in the unit as the processors operate can wreak havoc on these important components. One of the best ways to protect the system from heat damage is by placing it in an area with proper ventilation. While most systems do contain internal cooling fans, these fans often aren’t enough on their own to properly cool the unit to a safe temperature. It’s best to avoid placing the system against a wall or other obstruction that would block the flow of ventilation through the unit.

Cleaning and Inspection

Dirt and dust naturally exist in technological hardware. As the cooling mechanism provides ventilation within the unit, dust will settle in every open area and threaten to clog up your system. Other dangers include dirt or other foreign particles contaminating the components of the system and even the buildup of harmful grease in some situations. You should inspect all areas of the POS system for the presence of these factors and clean affected sections at least twice per year or establish a regular schedule.

Proper Use by Staff Members

Like all mechanical devices, POS hardware is designed to be used in a specific way and are more prone to malfunctioning and breaking down when used improperly. Since your staff members will be spending significant hands-on time with your system, it’s best to invest in substantial training programs to ensure that they are following correct procedures. Your employees use the POS system more than anyone, so they are the first line of defense when it comes to prolonging the life of the system and protecting your assets.

Expert Assistance

It’s helpful to have a partner when it comes to safeguarding your important equipment, which is why contracting with an  IT services company to inspect and repair your POS system is a necessity for many business owners. Prevention is the best cure, so work with experts who can protect your business from costly downtime due to POS malfunction.

If you’re looking to protect your POS system from possible malfunction, or if it just hasn’t been running as well lately and you think it’s time for an evaluation, contact the service professionals at Great Lakes Computer.

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