Tame That Computer

23/02/2026

My pal Steven has a new page. He's been doing onsite computer work, printer installations, wireless connection issues, etc in Cessnock for a few years. Highly recommended in the Cessnock area. Decent, reliable, trustworthy and experienced.

https://www.facebook.com/galvos.itsolutions

Product/service

13/01/2026

OK, the NBN folks (thanks, Ali!) have been out and replaced our storm-popped NB Box. We now have telephones and internet and EFTPOS, etc.

We also have about thirty computers to sort out so it'll take a while to catch up, but we'll get there.

Cheers.
A/.

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11/01/2026

Hi folks.

The storm last night has taken out the NBN box on the street, so we've no internet, telephone, etc today, so we can't respond to emails or messages. Apologies. I'm sure Telstra will fix it up pretty quickly, so we hope to be back to normal fairly quickly.

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15/12/2025

Gaming laptops - cheap but good.

Josh (Weston Phone Repair 0438 237078) has four gaming laptop beauties in stock, brand new.

They're worth about $1599-$1699 online in various places.

If you mention Andy from Tame That Computer, or compliment him on his good looks, he'll sell you one for $1450.

Get in quick though. You'll not find a better gaming laptop at the price.

Oh, he left one here too - so if its easier, you can get it from here at $1450 and I'll pass it on to Josh.

Example, pictures and specs....

The GigabyteGAMING A16 CVHI3AU894SH Gaming Laptop is a powerhouse for gaming and productivity, featuring a vibrant 16" display with smooth refresh rates for stunning visuals.

26/11/2025

Tomorrow (Nov 27) is the first day of my forty-second year full time fixing computer stuff.

Can't believe how quickly those decades passed by and how lucky I've been to have had consistent employment every day since I walked into that apprenticeship on Monday 26th November 1984 and was fortunate enough to immediately be adopted by the wonderfully enthusiastic and gifted teacher Ron Hubbard (RIP) at Reading Itec. He was the first of several quite astounding mentoring braniacs that helped me focus on the endless learning through those first 18 years til I went out on my own.

I still remember making Ron a cup of tea each time in payment for him having to do four or five evaulation tests per day instead of the five per week for the less obsessive apprentices who I presume must've had some sort of personal life to distract them.

Andy

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01/11/2025

Useful local contacts. These are some of the people I trust to look after stuff around here.

In-Home/Onsite computer repair:

Cessnock area. Steven Galvin (Jim's IT). Based in Nulkaba. 0413 604477.

Kurri/Maitland area. Luke Williams (Newcastle Tech Guy). Based in Gillieston Heights. 0487 517882.

Mobile phone repair

Cessnock area. Stephen Tobin (iPhone cheap repair service). Based in Mount View Cessnock. 0429 233653.

Kurri area. Josh Christie (Weston Phone Repairs). Based in Weston. 0438 237078.

Refurbished computers and e-waste pickup

Mayfield, Kurri, etc. Wes Whitworth (IT Asset Recycling). Based in Weston, shop in Mayfield. 02 40171234.

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08/10/2025

Teamviewer is running in the background.

Hey, getting quite a few calls about this. It isn't a problem. If I've worked on your computer, I put Teamviewer on it and leave it running in the background so that I can log in when you request help. This saves us all a lot of time and you a lot of petrol and time.

Teamviewer should run in the background and nobody is accessing, or can access your computer through it except me (only on request). Don't give the numbers (ID and password) out to anyone else unless you personally know them (e.g. a family member wanting to help you through it). No strangers, ever. OK?

From time to time Teamviewer updates itself and sometimes it pops up a message on boot. You don't need to create an account with them (as you're only using it to receive support, not to give it) and you can close the message and not worry about it.

If you're worried about Teamviewer running, give me a call and I can log in (through Teamviewer) and turn off the auto-startup and put a shortcut on your desktop so you can start it before you ask me to connect.

Teamviewer is by far the safest remote access program I've ever tested or used. It auto-logs every connection made from or to any computer and they pay much more attention to making it safe than the others. That's why scammers hardly ever use it and plump for one of the others.

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04/09/2025

Last wholy safe month on Windows 10.

We can manage three more builds of new systems today. If we've planned with you to do September replacement systems but haven't fixed a specific date, today would be a good time to drop the old one in for image copy to a new computer and upgrade to 11.

Give us a quick message or call and we'll stick you name on one.

Or send a message with a date on it and we'll build one ready for then.

Andy

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23/08/2025

I'm rubbish at making videos, but I've tried my best with this little one.

This shows how to tell whether you are on Windows 10 or 11, then (if on 10) how to check the CPU type (that's a right-click, by the way to get the menu).

It then shows how to see whether the CPU is on the list for 11 or not.

Most computers that can do 11 will have offered it already. Some that can do it have other reasons they have not been offered - we can fix those reasons (e.g. No TPM support, Secure boot not enabled, etc).

Those computers with CPUs that can't do 11 should be replaced with a new computer.

Those computers you might find on second-hand websites, or market place that have CPUs not on the 11 list, but are listed as Windows 11 cannot be updated subsequently and shouldn't be purchased. Not safe.

23/08/2025

I'm getting a bit worried about all the Windows 10 units out there still.

Having to leave a lot of voicemails for folks and it is taking ages to get through the painfully long list of computers I think are still on Windows 10. Down to about 1400 of them in our records but I'm good at maths and I know I'm not going to leave all those messages by October 14.

Help me out by sending a Facebook message, or an email, or calling if you have Windows 10 still and want the options.

We're making a lot of new desktops every week and we have the skills and tools to move the whole image across from old computers to the new one in almost all cases and at least the data and settings in the remaining ones.

Can't do laptops or All-In-One computers, but very much happy to recommend suitable replacements and tell you where you can get the best deal for those if you prefer them.

I'll continue calling all of you that I can in the gaps.

Careful of buying second-hand Windows 11 units unless you've checked that the CPU they're using is actually on the official support lists below. Although Windows 11 can be kinda stuffed onto old hardware it will _never_ update and is just as dangerously easy to hack as Windows 10 after October.

Support lists:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-amd-processors

This specification details the AMD processors that can be used with Windows 11 customer systems that include Windows products, including custom images.

19/08/2025

For anyone looking for a second-hand desktop that runs Windows 11 properly, consider calling my friend Wes at IT Asset Recycling who now has a store in Mayfield and lives in Abermain.

You can get him on [email protected], or 02 40171234 or mobile 0494 027568. Website is www.itar.com.au

Wes has been a good pal of mine for just over one year now and we've collaborated on hundreds of computers to help people out at a lower price.

Although due to workload, we personally can't keep up with that aspect at this point in time, Wes is full-on with that mission and well worth a call if you're looking for something cheap but really good.

ITAR is a social enterprise, that offers free e-waste recycling collections across Newcastle and the Hunter Region, promoting sustainable and ethical recycling.