Vaio Upgrade to Windows 7

Well finally received my £20.00 (Free) ? Windows 7 upgrade from Sony.
Pretty simple to upgrade - the pack contains two DVDs One to remove certain programs from your vista machine and the other contains win 7 DVD.

The whole process took about 2 and half hours to complete - this does not include another hour of installing various software updates.

Overall very easy to do - the instructions are very clear and idiot proof.
So now I have a VAIO Lap-top from last year running windows 7 for only £20.00 (Free)?
Don't get the £20.00 charge - they say it's for postage and packaging. It came in a padded envelope.

Happy blogging

Work , Work and more work

It's been awhile since I last updated my Blog . Sorry been rather busy of late.

It seems people are now more interested in upgrading old technology than going out and buying new.

I seem to have had a run on upgrading lap-tops - new hard drives - memory and operating systems.

Can't complain it's the fun part of my job.

Now getting ready for going away for a couple of days to spend to some quality time with my family before I get really busy (Christmas time)

Happy blogging

Operation VOB

Hi Folks, Today I have stated to transfer my entire DVD Collection over to my New Windows Home Server. Once connected to my network, it will give access to the entire house hold via my Home Plug network. All my TV's now have access to over 1000 thousand movies on tap.

Below is a list of products used to achieve this goal.

Happy Blogging.

Are You Ready For Windows 7

October 22nd is the release date. Some of you may have pre-ordered your copy and have read all about it. If so it might be worth clicking the link below to see how you are going to install your copy. (upgrade or complete new installation) CLICK ME

But please remember BACKUP your photo's - music - videos - important data files you want to keep.

Happy Blogging

ARRRRRRGH My Backup drives died!!!!!

It's been a few days since I last updated my blog - well my server died all my data-emails-invoices-quotes & photo's gone in a puff of smoke.

Two days of trying to revive it but alas not too be..DEAD..
Ok time to move on..

On a positive twist it finally got me to re-think how I stored my data and more importantly how it's backed up.
and I stumbled on Windows Home server.

I installed it onto an old computer I had lying around. Popped 2x 1.5 TB drives into it.
It took a couple of hours to install and set-up.

Now it's up and running all my data is backed up daily spread a cross the drives- all machines connected to the network are also backed up daily with no hasstle at all.

So my data is safe.
Now for the fun stuff....

I'm now running a Playstation 3 Media server on the back my Windows Home Server - which enables me to store all my music-photo's and DVD's on the server. Thus allowing me to watch any movie view any photo or listen to my music through my PS3. I'm lucky enough to have two PS3 running one covering downstairs and the other upstairs.

Test run today, kids watching a movie downstairs and a movie running upstairs without picture loss.

Seeya for now.

Happy blogging

Is your computer clean?

I have worked on some machines but this has to be the dirtiest ever. Some photos I think

















Happy Blogging.

-- Posted from my iphone

Testing Mr Site Web-Designer Software

A Very quick blog, In the process of checking out Mr site.

I have a lot of customers that would like to have a website but are scared at how they go about creating one.

Well this software is great, easy to use and very cost effective for small to medium sized business.

It takes the user through each stage of creating that dream website giving the user ultimate control and the end result is a very poilished looking site.

Well worth checking out.

Happy blogging.

mmmmm abit about me!!!!

Well where do I start,

Classically trained composer (I bet you where not expecting that) worked on various projects over the years.

Lived in Leamington Spa for almost 10 years where I met my wife Helen.

Moved to Scotland after having our first child, and lived in a wee village (Callander) for three years, then moved to Dunblane.

Now the bits in between, worked for PC World in the business centre (Stirling Branch) had a great time there, then worked on various music projects which had me traveling to leamington spa during the week and Callander for the weekends. (It's hard work flying up and down the country, yes it might sound grand but trust me it's soul destroying).

Worked in the Sony shop (Bridge of Allan branch) for three years, selling Sony products and AV services. This was a great job, worked with some amazing people and met some great customers.

And now I'm self employed (Gadget-Help.co.uk) fixing computers, installing CCTV, Internet security, AV services (TV wall mounting,Home networks) anything to do with gadgets.

I wanted to write this blog to let my customers know just how much I like gadgets & computers and have the ability to help them simplify their technology.

I eat, sleep and breath technology, I have installed some amazing technology in my house and in future updates I will be showing you it.

Bye for now

Happy blogging

Busy busy day!

Finally got around to fixing a desktop computer I had lying around.

Bigger hard drive and more memory was added.

Windows 7 installed and now runs so fast it's great(infact I will use this in the office).

Installed a wireless network into a local nursery. Cool device was needed it had to be USB and extendable so it could be moved away from the kids.

Works great but I think it needs some form of relay station.

All connected up but not online yet as security is needed and a child freindly browser to help look after the kids. Will install tommorrow me thinks.

Well time for a rest now, and don't forget to update your security definitions.

Happy blogging


-- Posted from my iphone

Customers desktop repair Stage Two

I found 142 virus all removed except 1 (will explain later)
Corrupt registry files 1240- Fixed.

Hard drives now back in the machine and now up and running.
Nasty, (words cannot describe how angry I am) a little malware peace of software that sits in the background and takes over the CPU (99% of the brain of the computer) and slows the machine to a crawl.

So trying to remove it was like running in mud, much patience was needed. Now anybody who knows me knows I do not have much.

But after what seems like hours, it has finally been tracked down and killed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very happy now, just going through last virus scans (AVG internet security) and then re-installing norton (had to remove as this was also corrupted).

Once completed case will put back on and computer will be returned to customer (who is very happy right now, as this has been giving then problems for months now)

Now onto my next customer....

Happy blogging

Customers desktop repair Stage one.

To start with we need to remove the hard drives.
Once removed I need to connect them to my laptop with a cool device that converts it to USB.


Once connected to my lap-top I need to check to see if the drive is working ok, so I start off with a defrag (basicly this will go off and reorder all the data on the drive, this helps to speed up the drive) and of course virus scan.
(AVG 8.5 internet security) click the link to buy at a discounted rate


Defrag & Virus scaning can take a couple of hours so once completed will update my blog.

Happy blogging !

-- Posted from my iphone

Computer re build!

Well it's been on the cards for long enough. I have rebuilt the main computer (company server)- new hard drive-new operating system & memory upgrade.

Did not take too long. But i'm glad it's done.



The above picture is all the bits I did not need anymore (technology is shrinking).

Hard-Drive also has a partition with windows 7 installed for testing.

My up and coming blogs will go into detail about my test with windows 7 and how i'm going to intergrate it into my business.

Well back to my customers!

-- Posted from my iphone

Quick blog in this manic world we live in.

This is my table after getting both kids to their swimming and playgroups. Notice the empty glass sitting at the side of the table ( Well I needed it after today) vodka for the record.

All relaxed now and ready to start work again!

Just finished installing TV's into our bathrooms. Both have access to the PS3 so that means Internet access, BBC iplayer,blu-ray and games.

Will post pictures on my next update.

Happy blogging.

-- Posted from my iphone

It's Raining Again! IT House Keeping

The Rain is falling, so it's time to do all those computer jobs you have been putting off.

Below is a list of my work so far!

Help desk now started on the way, 1TB Server now installed and up and running. ( Hang on whats a 1TB Server - it's a really cool looking box that lives next to your computer and it can store all your Photo's - music iTunes - Emails - Word Documents - infact you name it and it can be stored)

Black spot WI-FI booster installed and now up and running ( Great little product, just latches onto your existing WI-FI network and boosts the signal)

New Backup Software installed ( Backup4all, one of the best backup products on the market, and very well priced)

IP CCTV camera's updated and checked ( Spanish clients, it was nice to see the sun again)

All Games consoles updated, cool PS3 update if you have one and not updated yet you simply must it's fab!!!

Facebook, Twitter and Freeindex update!

If you really don't want to do your own IT House keeping, then why not call me and I will tailor a service just for you!

Ta Ta For now and happy IT House keeping!!

Decided to wall mount the kids TV!

The kids where always attacking their tv in the playroom with food and dirty finger prints, so I decided to wall mount the TV and it's great.

It's something my company offers and to be honest not that expensive compared to buying a new flat screen tv.

All cables are fed down the back of the wall and power points sited behind the tv, all out of reach of the kids.

As you can see from the picture even the nintendo wii can still work with a few adjustments to the settings and all equipment sited in the wooden stand directly below the tv.

If it's something you are considering then why not drop me a email for a free quote.

My next blog on this topic is Flat screen TVs in bathrooms with blue-ray for high definition playback so you can watch a movie and soak away all those stresses.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Testing out new app on my iphone

Just a quick update.
Trying out a new app called blog press for my iPhone.
It allows me to take pictures and video and upload them to my blog. Great if you need to update your blog on the move.

If you are lucky enough to have an iPhone just go to the app store and search for blogpress it costs £1.79 and at the moment I think it is well worth it.

Happy blogging.

How To Use and download AVG 8.5 Internet Security

Click Link below to download user guide.
http://download.avg.com/filedir/doc/AVG_Internet_Security/avg_ais_uma_en_85_6.pdf

Click link below to download AVG 8.5 (30 day trial)
http://www.avg.com/download?prd=triais

Click Link below to download AVG 8.5 Full full version ( Must purchase license key- click the buy now button just below this post)
http://www.avg.com/download?prd=ais

Remember if you use your computer to buy things over the internet or online banking then you must protect yourself against fraud, So what ever anti virus/firewall you use please make sure it is up to date and working correctly.

If your already have AVG anti virus 8.5 trial or paid version then it might be worth downloading the user guide by clicking the above link and making sure you are up and running correctly and safely.

Hope this helps.

Blog Offer (AVG Internet Security 8.5 )

Special Blog Offer on AVG Security!

Just thought I would offer my Readers the chance to get the full AVG 8.5 internet security 1 user-2 years protection at a special price of £50.00 a Saving of £10.00

Just click the paypal button, and once confirmed I will email you your License Key.

So please make sure to include your email address.

Free Posting on Business Search Directory!

Just thought I would pass on this website:
http://www.freeindex.co.uk/

Fantastic website that allows you to list your company details on their business directory.
Totaly free and really easy to use.

Anything that lets you drive customers to your door is a great tool in my eyes.

Hello and welcome to my first Blog.

I hope to use this blog to offer advice and services to help people understand technology within their homes.

You can also follow me on Twitter.