Author Archives: Kristin Willis

E-Mail Attachments Not Opening?

It might be really aggravating to open your e-mail only to find attachments that would not open. What may be the source of the problem? The majority of the time, this is due to the file format and a lack of a reading application on your computer.

Not sure what kind of file you have or what application you’ll need to open it? Simply look up the file extension online (the three letters that appear after the file name e.g. pdf.) If the file name lacks an extension, you’ve discovered the issue; simply re-save the file and manually add the appropriate extension initials, and the document should be viewable.

Computer Hope explains you should ask “the sender save the file as a different format that the computer supports and re-send the attachment. If you are going to be working with this file format often, install a program or viewer on the computer that supports the file format. Below is a listing of some of the more common file formats send over e-mail, their file extension, and the programs used to open those files.”


If you are experiencing computer-related issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you by our staff at the Riverview Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Riverview, FL, please call the local office at (813) 400-2865.

DNS Cache Clearing: How To

A Domain Name System (DNS) server converts recognized domain names into IP addresses, which computers use to connect to one another. When an application attempts to connect to a domain name, your computer searches the Internet for a DNS server to obtain the accompanying numeric IP address.

Windows 10 saves a copy of the information it receives from DNS servers locally on your PC to save time. This is referred to as the DNS cache.

The DNS cache is stored in system memory rather than a file on your machine. The system memory is cleared every time you shut down your computer, which helps to explain why restarting your computer solves so many problems.

To clear your DNS cache, all you need to do is to restart your computer.


If you ever have computer-related issues, give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Atlanta Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Atlanta, GA please call or text the local office at (678) 695-8120.

Change Default Browser on Mac

Apple’s Safari is the default browser for browsing the web on macOS. Over recent years, however, users have been running into too many problems with Safari.

According to 9to5Mac, “By comparison, 10.38% of desktop users were surfing the web with Safari in January 2021, which suggests that Apple’s web browser has been losing ground to other alternatives. If Safari continues to lose users, it will probably slip to the third or fourth place in the ranking over the next few months.”

Thankfully, you can change your preference. Other browsers you can utilize include Chrome and Firefox. Because all of the frontrunners are free to download, the best thing to do is install them, test them out, and keep the one you like most. Then you may set it as your default browser.

Changing your default browser is super easy. Simply, go to System Preferences and select the General icon. From there, go to the dropdown menu next to Default web browser. You can choose whichever browser you’d rather use.

That’s it! Which browser do you prefer?


For help with computer-related issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Denver Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Denver, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Warning for iOS 15.4

Apple released its iOS 15.4 update to its iPhone users. Unfortunately, this update came with a plethora of security issues.

It was stated that Apple has worked on fixing the 39 known security problems. Some of the issues included WebKit, which assists the Safari browser.

Forbes states on their website, “Even so, many of the issues fixed in iOS 15.4 are serious, which means you should update your iPhone now if possible. There are vulnerabilities that allow for Kernel level access, which is “about as bad as it gets,” says independent security researcher Sean Wright.”

Several of the flaws that Apple has recently addressed, such as the single but critical weakness repaired in iOS 15.3.1, were resolved after they had been exploited to attack iPhones. None of the vulnerabilities resolved in iOS 15.4 are currently being actively exploited, as noted in the Apple support page.


If you are needing assistance with any Apple issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you from our staff at the Arlington Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Arlington, TX please call the local office at (817) 756-6008.

You Can Turn off Automatic Updates

Windows 10 often updates itself and installs updates without your notice, at least until it prompts you to restart your computer. You have the option to disable that function and control when your updates are installed.

You may delay Windows 10 updates for up to 35 days if you don’t need to disable them permanently and just want a vacation from them. During that period, your Windows will not update itself in any way. When your pause time expires, Windows will demand a complete update before you can put it back on hold.

Here’s how to turn off the automatic updates:

Select “Update & Security” from the Settings menu. This will launch “Windows Update.” Next, select “Advanced Options.” From there, set how long you want to delay the updates in the “Pause Until” option at the bottom. It shows that the maximum period is 35 days. Once you’ve chosen a date, the setting should be applied immediately.

Windows Central also shares other ways to disable automatic updates. They add, “Updates are essential to fix security vulnerabilities, resolve issues, and improve the overall experience, no matter the version of Windows you use.”


If you have any questions regarding Windows 10, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Hollywood Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Hollywood, FL please call our local office at (754) 241-1655.

How to Use Remote Desktop on Windows

With the pandemic still keeping many working from home, Remote Desktop on Windows 10 has been a really useful tool. It allows you to easily connect from one PC or device to another in order to recover data or give PC help.

Simply explained, Remote Desktop is a novel method of connecting two devices. Use Remote Desktop on your Windows, Android, or iOS smartphone to connect to a Windows 10 PC from anywhere at any time. You may obtain a document, run an application, examine an issue, or just work remotely as long as the PC is switched on and set up.

Windows Support shares how you can set up Remote Desktop and utilize it:

  • Set up the PC you want to connect to so it allows remote connections:
    • Make sure you have Windows 10 Pro. To check, go to Start  Settings  System About and look for Edition. For info on how to get it, go to Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro.
    • When you’re ready, select Start  > Settings  > System > Remote Desktop, and turn on Enable Remote Desktop.
    • Make note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC. You’ll need this later.
  • Use Remote Desktop to connect to the PC you set up:
    • On your local Windows 10 PC: In the search box on the taskbar, type Remote Desktop Connection, and then select Remote Desktop Connection. In Remote Desktop Connection, type the name of the PC you want to connect to (from Step 1), and then select Connect.
    • On your Windows, Android, or iOS device: Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from Microsoft Store, Google Play, and the Mac App Store), and add the name of the PC that you want to connect to (from Step 1).  Select the remote PC name that you added, and then wait for the connection to complete.

If you ever have an issue with any Windows OS tools, give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Atlanta Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Atlanta, GA please call or text the local office at (678) 695-8120.

Microsoft Patches Vulnerabilities

This week saw Microsoft’s March 2022 Patch Tuesday, which included solutions for three zero-day vulnerabilities and a total of 71 issues.

Back in November of last year, we covered what Zero-Day exploits are. A Zero-Day attack allows unknown malware to infiltrate software or hardware and cause sophisticated problems long before anybody knows anything is wrong.

According to Bleeping Computer, “Microsoft has fixed 71 vulnerabilities (not including 21 Microsoft Edge vulnerabilities ) with today’s update, with three classified as Critical as they allow remote code execution.”


If you are experiencing computer issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you by our staff at the Riverview Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Riverview, FL, please call the local office at (813) 400-2865.

New Features Coming to Apple

Today’s Apple event covered a plethora of new updates, features, and more.

The summary of future additions from Apples’ Website is shown below:


macOS 12.3 adds Universal Control so you can use a single mouse and keyboard across your Mac and iPad. This release also includes new emoji, dynamic head tracking for Music, and other features and bug fixes for your Mac.

Universal Control (beta)

  • Universal Control allows you to use a single mouse and keyboard across iPad and Mac
  • Text can be typed on either Mac or iPad and you can drag and drop files between them

Spatial Audio

New iPhone SE
  • Dynamic head tracking is available in Music with supported AirPods on Mac computers with the M1 chip
  • Customizable spatial audio settings for Off, Fixed, and Head Tracked are now in Control Center with supported AirPods on Mac computers with the M1 chip

Emoji

  • New emoji including faces, hand gestures, and household objects are available in emoji keyboard
  • Handshake emoji allows you to choose separate skin tones for each hand

This release also includes the following enhancements for your Mac: 

  • Siri now includes an additional voice, expanding the diversity of options
  • Podcasts app adds episode filter for seasons, played, unplayed, saved, or downloaded episodes
  • Safari webpage translation adds support for Italian and Chinese (Traditional)
  • Shortcuts now supports adding, removing, or querying tags with Reminders
  • Saved passwords can now include your own notes
  • Battery capacity readings have improved accuracy

This release also includes bug fixes for your Mac:

  • News widgets in Today View may not open articles when clicked
  • Audio may sound distorted while watching video in the Apple TV app
  • Some photos and videos may be unintentionally moved when organizing albums in Photos

If you are needing help with computer issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you by our staff at the Plano Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Plano, TX please call the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Why You Might See Windows 11 Watermarks

Many computers have been able to download and install the brand new Windows 11 operating system. Some, however, are not. If your computer does not have the required hardware, it will be supported just partially or not at all. Microsoft’s position on Windows 11 requirements has not changed. According to them, the new operating system would be accessible exclusively for eligible devices, which has definitely frustrated users.

If you would like to know if your computer is eligible for Windows 11, simply go to the Microsoft website and scroll down near the bottom of the page to locate “Check for compatibility.” They then give you the choice of installing what’s known as the PC health check app.

Windows 11 system requirements
Source: WindowsLatest

If you’ve already installed Windows 11 on unsupported devices, you might soon notice a new watermark on the desktop. The watermark, which appears above the taskbar clock, is similar to the “Windows is not activated” error, but it won’t affect apps, windows or web browsers. The desktop watermark simply states “system requirements not met” and it may irritate some users, but it should not come as too much of a surprise, as Microsoft previously warned users of possible ‘damage’.

Source: WindowsLatest

Keep in mind, if you install Windows 11 on an unsupported device, you will receive little to no security updates. This means your OS will be opened to vulnerabilities.


If you are needing help with computer issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you by our staff at the Houston Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Houston, TX please call the local office at (281) 860-2550.

Why GPU Temperature Matters

When it comes to your computer performance, the temperature of the GPU is of utter importance.

First and foremost, what is a GPU? The graphics processing unit, or GPU, has evolved as one of the most important kinds of computing technology for both personal and business use. The GPU is used for a range of tasks, including graphics and video processing.

Here’s where it matters: An overheated graphics card may strain your entire system. Running a computer at too high a temperature might destroy all of its components over time. It’s of utter importance to remedy overheating issues.

If your GPU is overheating out of nowhere, take a few things into consideration. Playing computer games or using a new, installed program or application could be the culprits. Other issues include incorrect fan settings or a lack of airflow.

Temperature varies with each processor, both idling and usage.

According to TechGuided, “if you have an Intel or AMD processor, you could say that a CPU core temperature of over 45-degrees Celsius while idling and/or a temperature of over 95-degrees Celsius while under full load is probably a cause for concern.”


If you’re needing help with computer problems, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at the Boulder Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Boulder, CO please call or text the local office at(720) 441-6460.