Corella Computer Services

24/06/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗽? 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗦𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲? 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁.

A Chromebook is a budget‑friendly, lightweight laptop that runs Google’s Chrome operating system instead of Windows or macOS. It’s designed around cloud storage and web‑based apps (such as Google Workspace, YouTube, and Netflix), which makes it fast, secure, and very simple to use.

However, we’ve had many people purchase a Chromebook assuming it works like a regular Windows laptop, only to be disappointed when they discover they cannot install traditional desktop software (such as the full Microsoft Office Suite or Adobe Creative Cloud). Chromebooks also rely heavily on having an active internet connection.

Now we’re seeing another category appear: Snapdragon‑based Windows laptops. Unlike Chromebooks, these devices are not cheap. They do run Windows, but they use ARM‑based Snapdragon processors instead of the usual Intel or AMD chips. While battery life is excellent, there are important drawbacks. Because most desktop and legacy applications are built for the Intel x86 architecture, with Snapdragon, many programs must run through an emulator. This can cause crashes, slow performance, or prevent the app from running at all. We experienced this firsthand yesterday when a Brother printer wouldn’t work due to driver incompatibility, an issue that appears to be common with Snapdragon systems.

Please keep all of this in mind when purchasing a new laptop from a retailer. Don’t rely solely on the salesperson’s advice. It’s never pleasant having to tell someone they’ve bought the wrong computer for their needs.

10/06/2026

When you log into your computer, you could be going in as a local user (simple login like the old days, password not compulsory), or via a Microsoft account (linked to an email address and password).

Many home users do not wish to use a Microsoft account, and we don't blame them. We always initially setup and deliver computers with a local account, it's too awkward asking people for passwords in advance.

We often get people having a panic attack after a Windows update, particularly those with local user accounts when the following image appears on their screen after a Windows update. They don't know what is going on, and they often end up switching from a local account to a Microsoft account. They feel like that they have to. Soon after, the dramas with One Drive begin. Now that One Drive has been given an opportunity to fill itself with your files, the free 5GB capacity does not go very far, so begin the pop-up messages regarding purchasing more storage.

By now, it's not a simple matter of undoing all this if the person does not wish to purchase storage and just wants everything back the way it was.

One Drive is a useful tool for many, especially businesses, but far too many people have it forced on them, and it's not good when there is only the 5GB of free storage.

If you see the below screen, press continue, on the next screen, select "Don't Update Settings" then skip the customised experience and continue to desktop.

A lot more detail is provided in the following link. It also shows how to back out of setting up a Microsoft account if you prefer:- https://www.askvg.com/disable-you-are-almost-done-setting-up-your-pc-screen-in-windows-11/

16/02/2026

As we have been saying for a while, "Australia's most damaging cyber incidents stem not from sophisticated hacking, but from fundamental access failures. Attackers exploit forgotten or exposed credentials (passwords and usernames) gaining legitimate access that bypasses technical defences. The real breach begins with access that should have been revoked, rotated or constrained".

Put another way, if the padlock is weak, it does not matter how much you pay for fences and gates. Some business's pay a lot of money to "Cyber Security" experts when the weakest link is sitting at the keyboard. So many home users waste hundred's of dollars annually on protection they don't need, then take a call from a scammer and allow them access to their computers. These scammers are not "hackers" and your computer did not "get hacked", you opened the door and let them in.

The largest cyber breaches have rarely been sophisticated and were often preventable.

12/02/2026

Supposedly "when you stop learning, you start dying", so I attended a Microsoft AI conference this morning at the Crown Towers Barangaroo. One of the best work events I have been to but the highlight of the day was the motivational speech from Steven Bradbury, winner of a gold medal for speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics. He was both good and funny (the two often do not go well together). He passed his Olympic gold medal around and shared the story behind what is now known as “Doing a Bradbury” — achieving an unexpected or unlikely success. Persistence and preparation can get you so far, but often you need luck on your side.

09/02/2026

Nice feedback, but unless I make some phone calls, I am not sure who sent us this message from our web page. Thank you. Much appreciated.

02/12/2025

More email problems, Telstra this time. This is the short version:-

Another day, another problem that could only really be fixed by the internet provider, but the first four support personal failed, until the fifth, Luke – Telstra Employee number: e0023xx. Luke, you deserve a pay rise.

I went home with a headache, and left behind a very happy customer. I must also point out to all those that go on about overseas call centers and “I am going with Aussie Broadband so that when I have a problem I get to talk to an Aussie”, all three tech’s I spoke to were Aussie, but only Luke really tried to help.