News Bytes from The PC GP, Ireland

New self-help article on PC GP website - How to Deal with a Laptop Spill

2010-11-24T05:30:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to let you know, I've just posted a new tutorial on my website, entitled How to Deal with a Laptop Spill. It outlines the steps required to prevent serious damage to your laptop, should you spill a drink, be it tea, beer, coffee, cola, or whatever, on it.

You can read the brief tutorial here. Free registration is required.

Thanks for reading!

Sean Loewen Owner The PC GP Computer Services

Visit my website: Computer and Laptop Repairs and Services for Home and Small Business

installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix on the Acer Aspire One

2010-03-04T05:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday a client asked me to install the Ubuntu Netbook Remix on his Acer Aspire One. I have to say that this version of Linux is a significant improvement from teh Linpus 'Limpy' Light that comes as standard on these tidy little netbooks. There's a lot more applications included, and in my opinion it looks and handles a lot better than the stock Linux. From the Canonical website:

Ubuntu Netbook Remix is optimised to run on a new category of affordable Internet-centric devices called netbooks. It includes a new consumer-friendly interface that allows users to quickly and easily get on-line and use their favourite applications. This interface is optimised for a retail sales environment.

And here's a nice video that gives you a sneak peak:

So the procedure for doing this is straightforward, but because the Aspire One doesn't have an optical (CD/DVD) drive, you have to be a bit clever and install from a USB stick (aka memory key, pendrive, thumb(?)drive, etc.). I found that the easiest way to do this was to install Ubuntu to a standard PC with an optical drive first, and then I used that Ubuntu system to prepare the flash drive. Now, there's probably a quicker way to do this, but I tried to prepare the flash drive in Windows first, using Linpus to make the USB stick bootable, but this didn't work. So here's how I did it:

installed Ubuntu Netbook Remix on an old PC (with optical drive)
downloaded the installation image (here) to the desktop
used usb-creator to make the usb stick bootable, choosing the image file from the desktop
booted from the USB stick on the Acer Aspire One and installed Ubuntu Netbook Remix as the primary operating system

And that was it! Some post-install updates, and I was away with a much better Linux for this netbook, in my opinion.

And you can read the installation guide I used here.

I hope you find this useful! Please comment if you have any questions or would like more information.

Sean Loewen
Owner
The PC GP Computer Services

Visit my website:

Computer and Laptop Repairs and Services for Home and Small Business

New website online, PC GP now on twitter

2010-01-27T15:22:00.000-08:00

The new website is finally online! I've been working on the new site for some time now. I actually put the site live over a week ago but I've been holding back on announcing it while I worked out some of the bugs. The new site has lots of new features. You can:

I hope you find the new site useful and informative. I'm planning to add some more options for contacting us, as well as an expansive self-help section, for DIY'ers and those of you who want to try and fix your computer or laptop problems yourself! Plus a lot more information on kinds of problems we fix as well as specific solutions we have implemented for previous customers and a full list of all the makes and models we have serviced.

Well, have to cut it short for now. Stay tuned for more news from The PC GP in the very near future. Your comments or questions are more than welcome.

Yours,

Sean Loewen
Owner
The PC GP Computer Services

Visit my website:

Computer and Laptop Repairs and Services for Home and Small Business

Get 10% off the cost of your repair just by using the internet!!!

2010-01-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

We are now offering some very unique and special discounts for our customers who are having their computer or laptop repaired.

If you book your repair online on our new website, you will automatically qualify for 5% off the cost of your repair.

And, if you pay your bill online, you automatically get another 5% off!

That's right, by simply using the internet to book and pay for your repair, you automatically get 10% off the cost of your repair!

For students with a valid student card, who already get 10% off their service charges, that means a total of 20% off if you book and pay online!

Sean Loewen
Owner
The PC GP Computer Services

Visit my website:

Computer and Laptop Repairs and Services for Home and Small Business

New website for The PC GP, some bug history, and a great business opportunity

2010-01-05T15:10:00.000-08:00

The new PC GP website is just about ready. I was going to give everyone a sneak preview, but I changed my mind. It's probably better to wait because undoubtedly someone is going to encounter a page that doesn't work and then post a comment that it's not working properly. Not you of course. Anyway, everyone's just going to have to wait until I've it fully tested and all the 'bugs' worked out!

That brings me to an interesting story. Do you know when is the first known use of the word 'bug' to describe an error in computer programming? The answer might surprise you: it is attributed to Ada Byron in her notes on the analytical engine dated 1842. It is commonly though incorrectly belived that the use of the word 'bug' to describe a flaw originated in the computer age, when moths used to fly into and short out vacuum tubes. This may in fact fact have been the origin of the term 'de-bug'. However, historical data indicates the term 'bug had previously been in use to describe flaws in mechanical engineering, and could date as far back as the invention of pottery, when an insect got trapped in the clay, in some cases spoiling the dish. Well, I just made that last bit up but you get the general idea.

Anyway, back to business. The new website is just about ready and there is a new section of the site devoted to our new Franchise opportunity. Yes, computer repair can be profitable and I'm looking for a few good people to help me build the business, spread the good word about the viability of computer and laptop repair and at the same time make some money. So if you're interested in starting a business, being your own boss, and you'd like to learn more about computer and laptop maintenance, get in touch or visit the new site when it goes live. The current URL is www.pcgp.ie and the new site should be live within the next few days.

Let the good times roll! The recession is a progression. Let's keep moving forward!

Sean Loewen
Owner
The PC GP Computer Services

Visit my website:

Computer and Laptop Repairs and Services for Home and Small Business