If you have an iPhone (and I know that you do) you noticed that when you signed up that ATT did not offer any insurance for it. So if your iPhone is broken, lost, or stolen then you are out of luck or are you.

Asurion is offering iPhone insurance for about $12/month. After a deductible (up to $200) you still come out ahead considering buying a new replacement is about $600.

Almost as soon as I decided to post this note, I learn that ATT has decided to offer iPhone insurance too.  A bit of a coincidence that is is actually the same insurance company that is providing it - but at a higher price!

Problems with you iPhone, MobileMe, or Outlook Synchornization?  Give me a call: 512-451-9720.

Do you any other suggestions to cover your iPhone in case of damage or loss?  Let me know. Click on 'Add comment' at the top of this tip.

I say this all the time to my customers. I tell them this because they have knowing or unknowingly customized their computer to meet their needs over time - Especially, if they have installed software to automate their daily tasks. Even I am no different.

This weekend I decided to upgrade from Microsoft Office version 2003 to version 2010. Here's what went wrong.

Background:
I use ACT! as my contact manager. One of the features of ACT! is it tracks all meetings, tasks, phone calls, and emails for each contact. I use ACT! to record all my emails to my contacts. This is exceptionally helpful when I need to recall what I did and with whom.

The Update:
Well, when I installed Office 2010 (there are actually 2 versions of Office 2010 - 32bit and 64bit - I chose the 64bit) everything went hunky-dorie. But, a new error quickly told me that ACT! had lost communication with Outlook and now my emails wouldn't be recorded.

The Solution:
My investigation focused on ACT!. I quickly learned that ACT! knows about the issue but will have a solution in the next version of ACT! - that's ACT! 2011 - out in a few months! In the meanwhile, I am out of luck.

Other Upgrades to Lookout for:
Here are a few other popular software programs that integrate with Word, Excel, and Outlook:
• Quickbooks Contact sync for Outlook
• Plaxo synchronizer and Outlook
• Outlook and Google Apps (Google contacts) synchronizer
• MobileMe and Outlook
• ACT! and Outlook (Word and Excel too)

My lesson is your lesson:
Before you spend money to upgrade any of your software, make sure it is compatible with all your software.

Do you have any experience with an upgrade that you found wasn't compatible?  Let me know. Click on 'Add comment' at the top of this tip.

One of my customers recently asked for some assistance with a snafu that even I had experienced.  When you try to open a Microsoft Word file by double-clicking on it, Word opens but the file does not.  The only way to successfully open it is by File > Open inside Word.  This seems to happen with Word 2007.

I think I found a solution for the non-opening Word files.  Try this:
In Windows XP
1. Right Click the Word file that won't open
2. Select 'Open with'
3. Select 'Choose Program...'
-In the Programs window
4. Select 'Microsoft Office Word'
5. Check 'Always use the selected program to open this kind of file'
6. Click 'OK'

In Windows 7
1. Right Click the Word file that won't open
2. Select 'Open with'
3. Select 'Choose Program...'
-In the Programs window
-If Microsoft Word does not appear
4. Click 'Browse...'
5. Select winword.exe in
-C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12 or
-C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12
6. Select 'Microsoft Office Word'
7. Check 'Always use the selected program to open this kind of file'
8. Click 'OK'

That's it!

Do you have a suggestion that fixes this problem?  Let us know.  Click on 'Add comment' at the top of this tip.

Why shouldn't I get a wireless network printer?  Don't I need one so I can print from my laptop?  Maybe. Maybe not.

A lot of small businesses that I have worked with ask me to configure their wireless printer to work with their wireless network. They are surprised to learn that the wireless printer they purchased may not have been necessary in order to print from their computers, particularly their laptops.

Why?
In most situations a printer with wired network/Ethernet capability is all that is needed.

When can I use wired?
A printer with wired network capability may be sufficient if you place the printer close to your router (even if it is a wireless router).  You can then connect the printer to the router with a network cable (Providing a more reliable connection than a wireless one in the process).

Why use wireless?
You want a wireless printer if you need to place your printer in a location that won't allow you to physically connect the printer to the router because of distance or physical barriers between the two devices.

Bottom Line
When you are shopping for a printer, consider where you want to ultimately place it. If it is close to your router, wired is the way to go.  If not then look for one with wireless capability.

If you need help installing your network printer or even making your existing non-network printer work on all computers on your network, give me a call!
(512) 451-9720 

Have a suggestion to connect your wireless printer?  Let us know.  Click on 'Add comment' at the top of this tip.

After you assembled your new computer, you searched all the boxes but didn't find the set of disks that include Windows or any other program installed on your computer at the factory. What gives?

Well computer manufacturers have been cutting back and one way is by not including the recovery disks. They are there. Here's how to get them before you REALLY need them:

Both HP and Dell include utilities to create your own recovery disks. The onus is on us to create these disks - before its too late.

For HP:
Windows XP - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph08097&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en

Vista - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00882383&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en

Windows 7 - http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01867124&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en

For Dell: Click Here (I assume all versions)

You will want to use DVDs instead of CDs to complete the process with less disks. Pay special attention to the type of DVDs as there are several types of DVDs.

Burn your recovery disks before you really need them!

Have a suggestion to make creating your backup disks?  Let us know.  Click on 'Add comment' at the top of this tip.

I have struggled answering that question in a quest to help many of my clients.  There are several options, but require computer skills in order to setup (Windows Folder sync) or using a downloaded sync program then setting it up.

I think I have found the answer - Dropbox

Dropbox is an on-line service that includes a program that you install on the computers you want to sync.

First, you want to go to www.DropBox.com and create your account.  Second, download the DropBox software on your first computer.  After you enter your ID and Password, just copy any file you want to synchronize to the DropBox icon on your Desktop.  Last, go to your second computer and install the DropBox program on it too.  Your files from both computers are automatically synced!

What's great about it is that:
• It's free up to 2GB
• You can access any file even if you aren't connected to the Internet and it will re-sync when you reconnect
• You can use it on more than two computers
• You can share specific files with specific people
• It can act as a backup for your files

Are you struggling to synchronize your info?  Call me at (512) 451-9720

Do you have a suggestion on how to synchronize?  Let us know.  Click on 'Add comment' at the top of this tip.

David C. asked, 'I have several e-mail accounts setup in Outlook.  How can you have Outlook check only selected e-mail accounts when the send/receive cycle executes or your click the 'Send/Receive' button?"

Well, you may be like David - have several e-mail accounts but only need to check one periodically.  Here's how to do it:
In Outlook:
1. Tools > Options
2. Click the 'Mail Setup' - tab
3. Click 'Send/Receive'
4. Click 'Edit'
5. Select the email account in the left hand column
6. Uncheck 'Include the selected account in the group'
7. Click 'Close'
8. Click 'OK'

That's it!

If you need help setting up or troubleshooting Outlook, I am available at (512) 451-9720

What other ways have you tweaked Outlook to meet your needs?  Let us know.  Click on 'Add comment' at the top of this tip.