Burtons Computers

Well people, despite a long wait, Burtons Computers is shutting down in Histon, as of today. We finally have a moving date and I need to concentrate on getting us packed up and ready to roll. I will restart operations from our new Exmouth base in the New Year.
If you have any further requirements, I suggest that you contact Neil Bedford of Cottenham computers (https://www.cottenhamcomputers.co.uk/) Alternatively, Grace Solutions is based in the Future Business Centre on King ...Hedges Rd. (https://grace.solutions) have a very knowledgable team.
All the best and thanks for your custom over the years.
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Well, people. It looks like things may finally be happening with our move out of the area. We have agreed both a sale and a purchase, so are hoping that nothing causes any insurmountable "bumps in the road". It is likely I will be continuing to work for at least 8 more weeks before shutting down. So there is still time to get any computer repair or support work done. PM me if needed or call and leave a message (01223 750223). I have very much enjoyed my first venture into self-employment, but especially taking time to meet so many wonderful people in the village.

Windows 10 PC Running Slow? A customer called with a serious slowdown on the PC, in addition to other problems. The major problem turned out to be a major Windows update trying to install.
This is the latest attempt by Microsoft to get the major update labelled 1809 out. This update was intended for release last September but it caused major problems for some people. (Like losing much of their data in the update process.) So that release was recalled and later re-released. Th...e re-release also caused problems. Anyway, they have finally decided that this update is ready for general consumption and so it should be landing on your PCs, starting this week.
These major updates are intended to be released on a 6-month cycle. So if you do the maths, the next major release (1904) will be out soon too.
Oh and my customer's slowdown problem was exacerbated by the fact that this huge download arrived just as Virgin Media decide they needed to do work on the local data connections. 😞
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Some of my customers will already be aware, I am afraid that I am intending to close the Histon office of the business. Jenni & I are planning to move to East Devon. This is likely to happen within the next 2-3 months. The exact timing is difficult to predict as it is dependant on selling the family home, of 29 years. So for the time being, it will be business as usual and I will provide a further update when I know more myself. But if you have any work on computers that you would like done, it may be a good plan to get in touch with me soon. I have thoroughly enjoyed providing a service to so many Histon and Impington residents over the last 8 years.

Another major Windows 10 Update. People may be seeing their PCs getting bogged down with another significant update for Windows 10. This is called the Windows 10 April 2018 Update. It adds a few (partially) useful facilities but does not change general operation enough for most people to notice once it has completed.
I have seen and heard of a few problems getting it installed and experienced a major slowdown on one of my own machines soon afterwards too. Generally, if you l...eave the PC to get on with the update it will sort itself out. If it does sit stuck on the same screen for more than an hour then it may have got stuck down a dead-end. This seems to happen on less than 10% so far. If you end up here, press and hold the power button until the system shuts down. (Even if it says not to on the display!) When you power up again it will sort itself out, (in the majority of cases.) If you have difficulties, get in touch and I can help out.
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Message to any Windows 7 or 8 Users. You can still update to Windows 10 free of charge, but this option is likely to end at the end of this year. So if you resisted the previous offers, but are now thinking that you might have been better of accepting, you have time to reconsider. In general, I would encourage people to do this, unless their machine is more than about 5 years, or was a particularly low power machine when it was purchased. In addition, a small percentage of pe...ople may have older printers that are no longer supported. In the main Windows10 is not really any slower (or much faster) than Windows 7. But it is much better supported and the security has improved significantly. If you would like to do this yourself there are links off the page below to assist you. Alternatively get in contact with me and I can advise and assist. http://www.zdnet.com/…/microsoft-quietl y-announces-end-of…/…
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Yet another significant Windows update being rolled out. Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, is starting to be sent out to machines about now. Don't be surprised if your PC / laptop slows down significantly, and gobbles much of your internet bandwidth, slowing other users down too. This is expected to be a phased rollout so not all machines will see it happen at the same time. Generally, there do not seem to be many significant problems and the changes have been well tested and reviewed during beta testing. There are no worrying User Interface changes so, very little change that users will notice in particular. More details available via this web page:- http://www.zdnet.com/…/microsofts-windo ws-10-fall-creator…/…

For iPhone and iPad owners. There is another major update on the way, iOS 10.3, which is going to make some major changes to the inner workings of your devices. The suggestions from this tech website are worth considering. They may save you from problems at the end of the month. (The article is not that complicated really!) https://goo.gl/KIrv2F

Don't forget, people. If you do want to upgrade to Windows 10, then you need to do so before 29th of this month, to avoid paying for it. See my previous post on my thoughts on this if you are undecided.

Decision time! Despite Microsoft trying to force people to accept the Windows10 Upgrade and the bad publicity that has generated, it is now time to decide whether you do want to move up to Windows 10 or not. My opinion, (for what it is worth) is that most people should make this move and do so before the 29th July when the "free offer" is expected to come to an end. Although there have been a few problems with the update operation, these are relatively few and far between.
... This is particularly true for any machine which is less than 4 years old that has more than 2GB** of RAM. Machines with 2GB or less RAM will struggle to complete the update without a helping hand. If your machine is older there is no need to panic. Windows7 is expected to be supported with security updates until Jan 2020. So you can certainly continue with it until then, But use the time to decide if and when it should be replaced. By that time it will be showing it's vintage and probably be ready for replacement.
If your machine has 2GB or less RAM these can normally be upgraded to add more RAM without much extra cost (typically £15 to £35). A very few systems may not be able to support enough RAM. If anyone REALLY wants to hang onto their Windows 7 system then feel free to do so, but again do not expect to use it beyond 2020 a careful look at the implications. You may want to search for program called "Never10" from grc.com. This is designed to stop Microsoft from forcing the update onto your machine.
Good Luck, if you do hit problems I am here to help, and will try to provide support free online support for anyone via FB or email to glenn@burtonscomputers.co.uk.
** Anyone not sure how much RAM their machine has, follow these simple instructions. Use the Start Button to find "My Computer" or "This PC" in some cases. Right-click on this icon and select "Properties". This should bring up a page which about 1/3 of the way down will show "Installed Memory (RAM)".
http://www.vinylprowindows.com/wp-cont… /…/2015/08/july29.jpg
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I was really pleased to help out preparing 4 laptops for a fantastic local lady to take out to Kenya for www.keshokenya.org. What a great organisation! Of these 4 laptops one came from one of my customers and one was one of my own.

IOS9 updates. Different system, different round of updates, but similar warnings. Save yourself some hassle by hanging back for a while. http://www.zdnet.com/…/four-reasons-why -you-should-not-im…/…

Watch out people! Windows 10 WILL NOT BE OFFERED BY E-MAIL! http://www.zdnet.com/…/windows-10-scam- email-will-encrypt…/…
These CTB-Locker encrypting viruses are REALLY NASTY!

Latest tests by a well respected virus comparison service. Some of the bigger names like McAfee and Sophos, dropping in these tests. My current recommendation, Bitdefender still doing well. Others worth considering are Avira and Avast. All these three have free versions for home / personal use.

Oops, in case anyone has noticed, I have a problem with my web-site at present. Just goes to show that even people in the know trip up at times! It will all be sorted out soon, honest!

Windows 10 is coming! But what should you do about it?
Well the next version of Windows is being given away free to all users of Windows 7 and Windows 8 (inc 8,1). This offer is not open to users to Windows Vista or the even older Windows XP. This upgrade will be the largest
The new icon (in the picture) is a small program which will allow you to reserve your free copy. (You should do this for each of your family's PCs, Desktops, Laptops and Windows Tablets.) You should clic...k on on the icon and provide an email address. You will then get an email when they are ready to roll out this program to you.
After that, my advice to the majority of people is to hold fire for a while, perhaps as much as 6 months! So why do I say that?
1. Experience tells us that these upgrades rarely go ahead without a hitch, There will be bugs, updates, unexpected consequences and interactions etc.. So for the majority of users it is sensible to let other keen people iron out the problems before you have to face them. There will be people that are keen to encourage you to jump well before my suggestion, and that may turn out to be reasonable. But at this point I would suggest that a slow approach is better. Some people will tell you that it has already been widely tested and trialled. This is true, but many testers (including myself) are still seeing more problems that we would like to see foisted onto average users.
2. There are not that many significant improvements or changes to entice many users, who are happy with what they have. While I would not want to give people not to update at all, I do think that it is important that this should only be done once the process is wll proven.
3. The upgrade will require a HUGE download, some 3GB. This is the size of a typical DVD, or 3000 typical photos from modern cameras, or 1000 music tracks! For many domestic broadband customers the download is likely to take several hours. And that is before the upgrade operation even starts. So you really do not want to start this operation in the evening, unless you are read for a late night.
4. Installing a new operating system is typically not a simple operation, and is likely to be a little scary for some people. Although I am sure that Microsoft will be trying to take the complexity out of the operation, But I am also sure that there will be some hiccups.
So while I am expecting some people to make this transition without any problems, I am expecting there to be a number who may trip up on the way, And while I will be more than happy to provide any help required (at my usual rates ), I am also hoping that people will go forward cautiously.
Below is one of many slightly more "upbeat" articles on the operation which provides some useful information. You will find many more if you google "windows 10 upgrade ".
http://www.pcworld.com/…/how-to-upgrade -to-windows-10-what-…
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A few customers have mentioned the problems that they are having after allowing older iPads to update to iOS8. In particular iPad 2 & 3 versions, seem to seriously slow down and have a number of problems with Safari and some cut & paste functions.
Initially there was the possibility of reversing (or downgrading) the software on these devices, but this is no longer allowed.
However on or around 8th Nov, Apple released a further upgrade, (iOS8.1.1) which among other fixes is su...rposed to alleviate some of the problems seen on older iPads and iPhone 4S.
I have not seen many fans of this update, but there are some positive noises starting to emerge.
My advice for owners of iPad 2 or 3 and iPhone 4S, is to stick with iOS7.1.2 at least for the time being. But if you have already updated to iOS8, then updating to iOS8.1.1 is probably a worthwhile step.
Also there are a couple of settings changes that can help too.
1. Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Reduce Motion. Tap to turn Reduce Motion On. 2. Go to Settings -> General > Accessibility > Increase Contrast > Reduce Transparency -> On.
Thanks to GottaBeMobile for this info. These settings changes DO SEEM to have a positive effect, but perhaps still not back to iOS7 performance!
They also have some advice on clearing out some apps to free memory and reseting settings which can help with some bugs.
http://www.gottabemobile.com/…/how-to-g et-better-ios-8-per…/
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