Quality Computer Services of Central MN, LLC

08/29/2020

Wow!
What an honor to make the top 5 nominated businesses for "Best Customer Service"
I appreciate the huge vote of confidence and can't wait to see if I actually WIN!

Echo Press your best local source for news, sports, and weather in the Alexandria area

03/17/2020

We find ourselves in a trying time with our dependency on technology at an all-time high. I will continue to provide computer sales, service and repair, while keeping public safety in mind. For home computers needing repair, I have the capability to safely and securely access most computers from my office. If that is not successful, and I need to take your computer to my shop, I can arrange to pick up your machine without face-to-face contact. I will call you when I arrive and you can set your device outside your door. After I have fixed it, I will return it in a similar way.

Services provided to my business customers will be unchanged unless more restrictions are put in place.

We are a strong community! Let’s continue to support our local businesses and be kind to one another.

Quality Computer Services of Central MN
Steve Sedesky – 320-759-1611 cell (call or text)
www.QualityComputerServices.net

02/01/2020

Just a heads up for everyone.
Please be VERY careful when looking at your emails. There has been a huge increase in scam emails.
Some of the ones to watch for...Yahoo Class Action Lawsuit, FedEx package update, Apple ID has been locked and many others.
Do not click any of the links in these emails. You can always forward it to me if you just aren't sure if it is safe or not.

12/05/2019

Well, we are now down to the final 40 days before Microsoft ends support on Windows 7! I am still running into people with Windows 7, that have not heard about the deadline. If you need help getting your old PC up to 10, or moving data from an old PC to a new one, give me a call. I have been about 90% successful with getting people upgraded to 10 for FREE. Most machines have a license reserved. So labor is only $150 and no license fee.

07/02/2019

Well, 2019 is half over and we now only have 6 more months before Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7. Seems like just yesterday we still had a full year to make the change. If you are still using Windows 7, and want to discuss the options for upgrading to 10 just give me a call. January 14, 2020 will be here in no time. 320-759-1611
www.QualityComputerServices.net

12/12/2017

Still getting calls about the "Microsoft Warning" that pops up randomly on your computer and tells you that you have a problem and should call the 800 number listed. PLEASE spread the word to everyone you know that this is a SCAM!!!
I started my day today removing the remote access program from a computer that was hacked yesterday. Once they access the computer, they have open access to take your data and/or delete your data or lock your computer.
All of this headache and expense can be avoided by simply turning your computer off and on or using the task manager (ctrl+alt+del) to close the web browser and start over.
If you know anyone that got scammed, please have them call me. The remote access software they use will stay on the computer and allow the scammers access until it is removed.

10/18/2017

Getting a bunch of calls about the news report saying that WiFi networks are being hacked. They are hackable and it can happen, but the hacker needs to be physically close enough to see your network and then take the time to hack into it. Once connected they could steal your data and even send you malware. There are updates from Microsoft to fix the issue on the computer side, most of the router companies are working on their patches and Apple is going to have a patch in a week or so. Make sure you do your updates on your machines and update the firmware in your wireless router! But in the short term, keep an eye out for anyone lurking around with a laptop in their car or check your router for any unknown connections and block that device.

Hope this help to calm some fears. The news makes it out to seem that if you use WiFi your data is getting hacked.

03/21/2017

http://www.today.com/video/hackers-want-to-hold-your-data-for-ransom-here-s-how-to-stop-them-899367491901

Here is a clip from the Today Show. DIY Hacking Software!
The best way to deal with hackers is to plan ahead. You must have a plan for backing up your data and the right tools to try and prevent the hacking. I have had a number of people get caught by these RansomWare hackers. Let me help you make a plan to keep your data safe!

Steve Sedesky
Quality Computer Services
320-759-1611

In a shadowy region of the internet known as the dark web, “ransomware” that enables hackers to invade your computer and hold your data for ransom is marketed openly. NBC’s Tom Costello talks with cybersecurity expert James Lyne about what you can do to keep your personal data safe.

03/12/2017

What is your time and sanity worth?
I had a service call yesterday that was like so many others....The person was at the end of their rope, totally frustrated with the computer and not able to get email. They had spent hours on the phone with the Internet Provider and with Apple Tech Support. They were no closer to fixing the problem and in the process they had lost all of their old saved emails! I was able to resolve the issue on their PC, iPad and iPhone, all in less than an hour! On a Saturday evening in their home.
This is why I go to homes and businesses to diagnose and resolve problems! I can see what is and isn't working and then resolve the entire problem. Not just check a computer that is dropped off at my shop and then send it home with someone that is going to get right back into frustration when the Internet or Printer or something isn't working.
I started Quality Computer Services 11 years ago with the idea of being an answer to peoples technology problems.
I have customers that will send me pictures via text or email and I will reply with a solution ASAP. I can use remote access software to help with problems anywere you have a PC and Internet Access!
Any tech problem, any brand of hardware any place in the US. If you need help please give me a call. 320-759-1611

12/30/2016

I am still getting many calls every week about the pop-ups that lock up your computer and tell you to call an 800/844/855-###-###x type of number to get help.
PLEASE do not call the number, they are the ones that infected your computer in the first place. They are the last ones you should be calling.
Please spread the word -- I would guess that about 80% of the pop-ups are just pop-ups and can be cleared with no long term issue.
Easiest way to resolve the pop-up is to push the power button and hold it until the machine shutsdown. The warning should be gone when you power back up.
The best way to resolve the issue is ctrl/alt/delete - this will open the task manager and allow you to close the browser that is locked up. This is the best way, because it will not affect any other programs you have open or cause you to loose any work.

Please tell your friends and family about these pop-ups and tell them to not call the number on the screen. These are just scams trying to steal information from your computer and charge you hundreds of dollars to remove the pop-up.

I am getting calls about this almost every day, and a couple calls each week are from people that called the number and now have dead machines.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year!

07/29/2016

Pop up warning on Mac and Windows machines.
If you ever see a pop up warning you that you have a virus and it has a phone number to call...DO NOT call the number!
These scams are getting many people, because they panic and just want their computer fixed. Basically the people that caused the virus are telling you to call them to get it fixed.
These items will lock your computer and cause it to not respond to any keys or clicks. Best option is to hold in the power button untill your device turns off.
Then you can turn it on and see if the problem is still there. Many of the cases I have seen are just a Pop up from the Internet and they go away with the reboot. If the warning comes back then you have the virus version that is actually running in your computer and needs to be removed.
Hope this helps to limit the number of people that make the mistake of calling the number.

06/15/2016

Internet Outage???
With the start of the summer storm season, I have been getting a number of calls about problems with internet connections after power outages.
Here are a few quick things to try;
1- Turn off/unplug the Cable/DSL Modem and your Wireless Router. (many people will only have the one modem/router if they are getting their WiFi from the ISP)
2- Wait a full minute before plugging back in. The longer the equipment is off, the better chance of any issues with the ISP clearing on their own. After a minute, the switches along the ISP's network will reset and give you the best chance of getting back online.
3- Always plug the modem in first and then the router about a minute later. The router has a better chance of connecting, if the internet is up first.
4- Restart your computer if the connection doesn't come up after the modem/router reset.
5- If you still don't have internet and you have a modem and a router, not all in one box, then try plugging your computer into the modem where the router is plugged in. For most people with a dynamic IP this will work if your router has failed. If you have a Static IP at a business then you will need to configure your PC to have the static IP settings for this test to work.
6- Call the ISP if you still can't get online. Or call your local tech like me if you need any help along the way.

Many times the internet will be retored just with the 1 minute reset.

If the storms are real bad and you have warning, it is always a safe bet to unplug everything from the wall if there are many close lightning strikes. Then just plug the modem in and then the router after the storm is over.