The Top 5 Most Common Ways to Get Viruses on Your PC

most common ways to get viruses

It’s unfortunate that wherever you turn, there’s a possibility that your computer will be overrun by viruses. The best ways to protect yourself include being cautious and installing virus protection, but even those methods are not without fault. Arm yourself with knowledge so that you can do your best to prevent viruses from ruining your PC.

The Top 5 Most Common Ways to Get Viruses on Your PC

You opened an infected email.

Most modern email clients have built-in virus scanning, but some don’t, and none are 100% effective at protecting your computer from virus-infested attachments. So, exercise caution.

Some best practices:

  • Don’t open emails from people you don’t know.
  • Even if you do know the sender, beware of strange subject lines and other warning signs
  • Use a built-in scanner to scan an email before opening it or downloading attachments
  • Get a total protection antivirus software solution to reinforce the aforementioned best practices

You’re surfing an unsafe website.

This is perhaps one of the most common ways to get viruses on your PC. It’s hard to put a finger exactly on what makes a website safe or unsafe. Some are more obvious than others, but some have threats hidden in plain sight. A good rule of thumb is that if your gut is telling you that something’s wrong, it probably is.

Furthermore, if you’re served a popup that claims your computer is infected… don’t click it! The only notifications you should trust are the ones that clearly come from your antivirus software. Beware of any and all popups, especially those that make crazy claims.

You assume that antivirus software fully protects you.

Antivirus software will protect you from many threats, but it’s not infallible. Just as people are constantly changing, so are viruses. Even if you just downloaded updates for your antivirus software, there may already be a new threat that wasn’t accounted for.

A best practice is to update antivirus software on a daily basis, and be careful when surfing the internet and opening emails.

…Or you don’t use antivirus software at all.

A lot of people mistakenly think they can just be “smart,” and avoid viruses by being extra-careful while surfing online and going through emails. The plain fact of the matter is that some things just slip through the cracks.

It’s impossible to be constantly vigilant, especially when some virus problems are hidden from plain sight, or disguised in something that doesn’t look like a threat. So instead of taking a chance, install anti-virus software. It’s more than worth the investment.

You’re not using a firewall.

A firewall is an important piece of the puzzle for protecting your PC from outside threats. Most PCs have a built-in firewall that you can activate, but there are other solutions online depending on how much protection you think your PC needs.

If you have one of the most common ways to get viruses on your PC, it’s not too late! Target PC has both laptop virus removal and desktop virus removal. For more information, use the form on our website to get in touch, or call (440)725-0642.

6 Ways to Make Your PC Run Faster

Make your PC run faster

If you’ve had your PC for more than a year or two, inevitably it will have gotten slower with use. It happens to the best of us, no matter what precautions we take. The good news is that it doesn’t have to stay that way.

You CAN make your PC run faster.

Here’s how:

Use Anti-Virus software and update it often.

The Mac clan will tell you that their computers never get viruses, but that is rapidly changing. It used to be that everyone had a PC and few had a Mac computer of any type. Thus, most viruses were designed for the masses.

The times are changing, and Mac and PC are almost equal opportunity for viruses. As such, it’s important to protect your computer with Anti-Virus software, and to download updates as fast as they come up.

As in real life, viruses mutate and change all the time. An old version of Anti-Virus software is not going to protect your computer as well as a new version. Our Desktop Virus Removal service may be of interest if your computer has a lot of viruses to fight.

Upgrade your RAM.

It’s likely that you bought a PC for what you needed at the time, not considering other potential uses for your PC (like Netflix!). There’s often room to upgrade, and if you want to make your PC run faster, one of the main things you should look to do is upgrade your RAM.

RAM is what increases a PC’s processing power, which is what allows you to multitask with many programs open and running… fast… at a time. We do hardware repairs and upgrades if you’re interested in upgrading your RAM!

Upgrade your Hard drive.

This is probably the most expensive option short of upgrading your entire computer. Maybe your PC runs alright when you’re using it, but does it take forever to start up? You may want to consider upgrading from a hard drive to a solid state drive.

A solid state drive has no moving parts, making it a more efficient drive for your computer. Though it is a new technology, they are getting more affordable at a rapid pace. We do hardware repairs and upgrades if you’re interested in upgrading your hard drive!

Close any unused programs.

Do you have a lot of programs that open at startup? Or maybe you open a lot when you’re on your PC, but don’t remember to close them after you’re done using them. One of the easiest ways to make your computer faster is simply to close any programs you aren’t using. It will free up your computer’s hardware to focus on other tasks.

Clear your internet cache.

While surfing the web, we download a lot of files… some that we don’t even realize! Every once in awhile, it’s important to clear the internet cache of all the files we don’t really need or want, and make room for new ones.

Regularly restart and shut down your computer.

Here’s an obvious tip that often goes ignored. Give your PC a break! You need one, and your computer can definitely benefit from one as well. So if you’re done with work for the day, shut down your computer.

Contact Target PC Repair with any other questions or to make your PC run faster!

What other tips have worked to make your PC run faster? Please share in the comments!

 

7 Tips to Extend Smartphone Battery Life

7 Tips to Extend Smartphone Battery Life

If you’re finding it hard to make it through the day on a single smartphone charge, you might need some advice on how to extend smartphone battery life.

While our smartphones are valuable toolsnecessities? – for most of us each day, they don’t do us much good when they die.

Here are 7 tips to extend smartphone battery life.

1. Disable Vibration Notifications

Many of us prefer to have our phones vibrate rather than ring, but did you know that vibrations consumes more battery power?

Turn your phone to silent or keep the ringer on low, but do not set it to vibrate for all incoming notifications.

Better yet, disable all vibrations in your notifications settings.

2. Decrease Screen Brightness

Dim your screen as much as possible.

Many smartphones have an automatic setting to adjust screen brightness — and while this is a better option than leaving the brightness set to full, you can probably get away with manually dimming it further.

3. Decrease Screen Timeout Setting

The timeout setting refers to how long your smartphone screen will stay illuminated before it powers off.

In most cases, you can decrease this setting such that your screen will power off in fewer seconds following your last interaction with the smartphone.

This is one of the simplest ways to extend smartphone battery life.

4. Turn It Off

As you may know, powering up your smartphone consumes plenty of battery life — but so does leaving it on for several hours when it isn’t going to be in use.

If you are heading into class or a meeting and know that you won’t be able to check your phone, consider totally powering it down.

5. Close Apps

If you are finished using an app, close it rather than allowing it to continue to run in the background.

Background apps drain a lot of battery power, so if you’re not likely to remember to close them — download an app that will.

So-called task killer apps will automatically close other apps that haven’t been used within a fixed period of time.

6. Disable Location Functions

Most smartphones are equipped with location / GPS services. These can be very taxing on battery life, especially if you are in a more remote location.

Disable all location functions when not in use.

7. Disable Notifications

Many apps, including social media and news apps, bombard us all day long with notifications. And while some of them we may need to receive in a timely fashion, others can be disabled.

Each time a notification comes in, our smartphones will generally illuminate and play a sound — not to mention these apps need to run continuously to generate the notifications as they happen.

What’s your best tip to extend smartphone battery life?

Do you have any other suggestions to improve smartphone battery life? Drop your ideas in the comments below.

And if you’re finding that your smartphone simply isn’t holding a charge anymore, contact us at Target PC Repair. We would be glad to help.

What’s the Best Tablet on the Market?

what's the best tablet

There are tons of tablets available today. But what’s the best tablet on the market?

The answer depends on how important each of a number of different factors is to you. When you choose a tablet, you have to consider all of them.

You have a choice of screen size. Pick the one that fits your needs:

  • 7-inch screen: better portability
  • 10-inch screen: better web surfing, video, and gaming
  • 11-inch or 12-inch screen: better for work, but heavier

You want the best performance. Decide what you want to do with your tablet.

Are you looking for a tablet for business, personal use, gaming, photography, family use, or some combination of these purposes?

You want a model that uses the same operating system as your other devices.

Do you use Apple, Android, or Windows on your other devices? You’ll want to decide on a tablet that will be compatible with the OS that you regularly use.

Do you want WiFi only or cellular?

With WiFi only, you’ll be able to get on the web to use your tablet in any WiFi environment, but can reach the web only when you have WiFi . With cellular, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee for the service, but you’ll have web access almost anywhere.

Do you need a large variety of apps authorized by the operating system manufacturer?

Apple OS has the largest number of apps available. Windows 8 has the fewest. Android is somewhere in between.

How much do you want to pay? Costs for a tablet vary from $99 to $1,000 or more.

After you’ve answered these basic questions, you can then decide on the next five factors:

  • Screen Resolution and Brightness
  • Tablet Weight
  • Processor Speed
  • Storage Capacity/Cloud Availability
  • Battery Life

Tablets are going to differ in weight, speed, battery life, etc. You’ll probably have to compromise on some of these factors to get the tablet that’s best for you. So think about them as you start considering different tablets.

Tablet Ratings can help you decide what’s the best tablet for you.

We’ve gathered tablet ratings from four respected ratings sources. What they all agree on is that the Apple tablet products are at the top of the field. One rating source even referred to the Apple iPad Air 2 as “the gold standard for tablets.” Apple products use the Apple OS.

Another tablet rated consistently high is the Samsung Galaxy Tab series (2, 3, 4). Samsung products use the Android operating system.

Other highly rated tablets use the third choice of operating system: Windows 8. This OS is used by Microsoft Surface Pro, Toshiba Encore, and Asus Transformer Book T100TA – the only Windows tablets rated highly by our sources.

Here are the top 2015 tablets from Consumer Reports, CNET, PC Mag, and Laptop Mag.

Consumer Reports Buying Guide 2015

  • Evga Tegra Note 7 (Android)
  • Amazon Kindle Fire HDX (Android)
  • Toshiba Encore (Windows)
  • LG G Pad 7.0 (Android)
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 (Android)
  • Amazon Kindle FireHDX 8.9 (Android)
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 (Android)
  • Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 H (Android)
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 (Android)
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) (Android)

CNET

  • Apple iPad Air 2 (the gold standard for tablets)
  • Google Nexus 9 (best performance and consistency) (Android)
  • Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet (Android)
  • Dell Venue 8 7000 (best for photography) (Android)
  • Nvidia Shield Tablet (best for gaming) (Android)
  • Amazon Fire HDX 8.9 (best family-friendly) (Amazon Fire OS)
  • Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (best productivity tablet) (Windows)

PC Mag

  • Apple iPad Air
  • Apple iPad Air 2
  • Asus Transformer Book T100TA (64GB) (Windows)
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 (Android)
  • Apple iPad mini 2

Laptop Mag

  • Apple iPad Air 2
  • Dell Venue 7 (Android)
  • Dell Venue 8 7000 (Android)
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (Android)
  • Microsoft Surface 3 (Windows)
  • Amazon Fire HD6 (Android)
  • Nvidia Shield (gaming) (Android)
  • Lenovo Yoga 2 (Android)
  • LG G Pad II 10.1 (Android)
  • Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 700 Hybrid (Android)
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (Android)
  • Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro (Android)

Well, there you have it: the top-rated choices of tablets for 2015. Now you have to decide what’s the best tablet for your needs.

As always, the Target PC team can help you make your choice among the tablets. Our friendly staff are ready to help you with your tablet choice, and we offer comprehensive repair service, should anything go wrong.

This Is What to Look for in Earbuds

what to look for in earbuds

What are earbuds?

Earbuds are tiny earpieces that are inserted into your ear canal to provide personal sound from devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops. They are portable headphones that can give you freedom from external noise. They can isolate you from what is going on around you.

There are two general styles: in-ear or sealed which actually fit into your ear canal, and traditional which nestle into your external ear hole.

What do earbuds cost?

A basic set of earbuds is usually given away free when you buy a device such as a phone or media player. These free giveaways aren’t always the best quality. If you want to trade up and buy your own earbuds separately, the prices can range from $5.99 up to $300.

What should I look for in a good set of earbuds?

It’s important to know what to look for in earbuds when you start to shop, because there are hundreds to choose from.

You can choose from many qualities and features including:

  • sound clarity
  • accuracy
  • low-end strength
  • tonal balance
  • in-ear comfort
  • bass quality
  • appearance
  • weight
  • design
  • color
  • microphone
  • phone connect-disconnect
  • volume control
  • ease of operation by feel
  • secure fit
  • crisp high tones
  • light weight
  • available remote control
  • low or no sound distortion

…and so on.

Your decision depends on how you use your earbuds, what you are looking for, and what kind of music you listen to.  Some earbud models are better for rock and roll and hip hop, while others provide crisp, clear sound for classical music lovers.

You may have to try out several models and brands to find what is best for you. It is a good idea to tell the sales rep how you intend to use the earbuds, and he or she can guide you to an appropriate pair.

How can I choose the earbuds that are right for me?

Ask your friends which ones they like, try them out at our retail stores, set your price range, check online ratings articles, and ask our team at Target PC about their favorites.

Should I get wired or wireless earbuds?

Earphones can connect either through a 3.5mm cable or wirelessly over Bluetooth, depending on the model.

Wired earphones are generally less expensive, and you don’t need to worry about keeping them charged.

Bluetooth earphones are more convenient because you don’t have to physically connect them to your device, but they need battery power to work. When they’re out of power, they’re out of commission until you charge them again.

Again, it depends what kind of music you listen to, whether you make phone calls while listening to music, whether you want to wear your earbuds at the gym or while running, and other factors. Those uses will determine whether you want wired or wireless earbuds.

So now you know what to look for in earbuds!

There are hundreds of different brands and price points for earbuds.

Have a sales associates can help you narrow your choice when you go in to the store. Just tell them how you intend to use your earbuds, what you want to pay, and what kind of music you listen to.

Good luck!

Can iPads Get a Virus? Is It Even Possible?

can ipads get a virus

According to the Apple community and web experts, yes and no. Mostly, no. Here are the best answers we found to the question, can iPads get a virus?

  • Yes, you can get malware on an iPad if you install apps from untrusted sources (Anything outside of the Apple App Store). However, you cannot get a virus from simply going to a website. This is because the process of installing an app from a third-party source requires your interaction and can’t be done in the background.
  • No, there are no known IOS viruses that can infect an iPad or an iPhone.
  • It happened once, but not any more. A few hackers have learned how to target Apple gadgets with malware. One threat, called Wirelurker, discovered in November 2014, could get into a desktop computer and wait for it to be connected to an iPad. Then it would install malware to steal data and sensitive information. But Apple updated its security to help detect the Wirelurker malware, and now your computer will give you a warning if a program you are launching has malware on it.
  • Yes, under certain conditions. Your iPad can only become infected if you have interfered with it – a process called “jailbreaking.” Here is a description from Kim Komando’s website:

Now anyone who uses Apple gadgets probably already knows that Apple runs a pretty tight ecosystem. iOS only runs on Apple hardware and Apps are only available from the Apple App Store – unless your gadget is “jailbroken.”

What’s “jailbreaking”? It’s an off-warranty option for tinkerers and techies to unlock under-the-hood options on iOS devices.

… When you first get a new iPhone, it comes preloaded with apps and programs that are difficult and sometimes impossible to remove.

Some people get frustrated with their phones, and others find a way around the restrictions. Getting around these software restrictions is called jailbreaking your phone.

The bottom line is, don’t jailbreak your Apple device. But if you have already done it, you can log in to the Kim Komando website and get instructions on how to wipe your iPad clean of any malware and start over with factory settings.

There are no known iOS viruses and no anti-virus apps targeted at the iPad or iPhone.

Anti-malware utilities are available for the iPad and related devices, although some reviewers dispute whether these are actually necessary.

Protect your iPad by updating it regularly through iTunes, and back up your important data. Always be careful when downloading new applications; only use apps you can trust.

For models that support “airplane mode,” consider engaging this when you’re not actually using the Internet via your iPad. Airplane mode disables the wireless connectivity features of your iPad, preventing your iPad from connecting to the Web without your knowledge.

So our best answer to the question, can iPads get a virus, is maybe. We’re not sure and we can’t get Apple to give us an answer.

We’re sorry we can’t be more certain about this. But the good news is, it is very, very unlikely that you will get a virus or malware on your iPhone or iPad if you have not jailbroken it.

If, however, you feel your iPad is operating strangely, please contact us at Target PC. We would be happy to give it a look.

The Best iPad Apps for Kids to Learn On

The Best iPad Apps for Kids to Learn On

Are you looking for good iPad apps for your kids or grand kids – ones they can learn from and enjoy using?

There are hundreds of thousands of iPad apps. It’s hard to decide which ones to get.

We’ve got recommendations for you for the best iPad apps for kids to learn on. Some of these apps are free, while others have a small cost – usually under $5.00

If you’re wondering whether it’s a good idea for you to encourage kids to use iPads, then here are some benefits you may be glad to hear about:

  • iPads are portable. You can take them anywhere.
  • iPads use a direct touchscreen. Kids don’t need a mouse or stylus to use iPads.
  • With an iPad, a kid can enjoy independent learning.
  • As long as you limit screen time to no more than two hours for kids 2 and older, the iPad is a great tool for children to learn from, explore, and enjoy.

How to get the best iPad apps for kids to learn on

You can download the apps to your computer from the ITunes Store, and from there they can be transferred to your iPad. There’s a free data manager app, AnyTrans, that will do the transfer for you. There is one version of AnyTrans for PC and another for Mac.

Go to this website to get AnyTrans free.

Another option is to go online to the iTunes Store to download apps directly to your iPad, or you can transfer apps to your iPad from your iPhone.

Get directions for how to do that here.

Our list of the best iPad apps for kids to learn on

We gathered these apps from several websites that rate kids’ apps. All of the apps on this list are designed for learning. Some of them use games as learning tools, and some don’t. You can find descriptions of the apps online at the iTunes Store and reviews at various websites.

Apps for Preschool Kids

Cookie Monster’s Challenge ($2.99)
Disney Story Central (first 4 books free)
Fish School HD ($1.99)
Habitat the Game (free)
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss ($3.99)
The Sight Word Adventure ($1.99)

Apps for Kids 5 to 8

Elmo Loves 123s ($2.99)
Plants by Tinybop ($3.00)
School Zone Time, Money & Fractions ($4.99)
Bugs & Buttons 2 ($2.99)
Disney Animated ($9.99)
Dragon Box Algebra 5+ ($2.99)
Marble Math Junior ($2.99)
Monkey Word School Adventure ($1.99)
Motion Math: Hungry Guppy ($3.99)
Thinkrolls ($2.99)
Thinkrolls 2 ($2.99)
Barefoot World Atlas ($4.99)
Art Set ($1.99)
The Human Body by Tinybop ($3.99)
Book Creator ($4.99)

Apps for Kids 9-12

Middle School Vocabulary Prep ($2.99)
Book Creator for iPad ($4.99)
Oratio’s Flute Master ($2.99)
Rhythmic Village ($0.99)
Crazy Gears ($1.99)
Experia Kids ($2.99)
Dragon Box Algebra 12+ ($2.99)

If your iPad has a cracked screen or isn’t charging very well, bring it in and let us replace the screen and fix the plug for you.

Then you’ll be all ready to enjoy the new learning apps with your kids!

Positive and Negative Reactions to Windows 10 Release

Positive and Negative Reactions to Windows 10 Release

Microsoft released its new operation system for PCs – Windows 10 – to the public on July 29, 2015. Both before and after the release, computer users of all ability levels were praising and criticizing it.

Professional tech writers and amateur bloggers have written about Windows 10 for months. Some like it and some hate it. Their opinions are all over the internet.

We’ve gathered the most common positive and negative reactions to Windows 10 so you can look them over and come to your own conclusions. Should you upgrade your PC to Windows 10? We hope this information will help you decide.

Whenever something goes wrong with your computer, Target PC can help you. Our technicians are familiar with virtually every kind of desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone. Providing you with great service is the reason we exist. If you’re having trouble with your Windows 10 installation, call us.

Now, let’s look at the positive and negative reactions to Windows 10:

POSITIVE REACTIONS TO WINDOWS 10

  • Is available in two versions: Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro
  • Includes 2-factor authentication for added security
  • Is free if you upgrade in the next 12 months (Except for Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1 owners – they must pay to upgrade!)
  • Introduces a new browser – Microsoft Edge – to replace the flawed and widely hated Internet Explorer
  • Includes many security upgrades
  • Brings back the Start Menu
  • Adds a new feature – the Action Center – which gathers all your notifications in one place
  • Has a new “tablet mode” that makes it easier to use on devices without a keyboard or mouse

NEGATIVE REACTIONS TO WINDOWS 10

  • Is slow to download and install – takes about an hour and 20 minutes IF it works
  • Has been impossible to install for many users
  • Deletes the games and gadgets users have used in Windows 7 (e.g. Solitaire)
  • Adds the digital voice assistant – Cortana – that is difficult to use and doesn’t work well
  • Already has a “service release” from Microsoft to fix some of the bugs in the system
  • Creates problems with the Chrome browser
  • Has unstable WiFi connectivity
  • Has unreliable audio
  • Makes errors in cut and paste commands
  • Has caused constant screen flickering for many users
  • Has caused multiple browser crashes
  • Won’t work on some laptops
  • Locks up cursor
  • Has no support for older printers
  • Reduces battery life of laptops as much as 10%
  • Creates problems with mouse, touchpad, and keyboard
  • Has a serious privacy problem in that it collects extensive data on you unless you alter the privacy settings manually using the Custom Install instead of Express Install (If you use Express Install, you can’t alter the data collection settings)
  • Installs Microsoft Edge as the default browser, and won’t allow you to change that setting if you use Express Install
  • Forces users to accept, download, and install any and every update Microsoft sends, whether you want it or not
  • Is going to receive a major update in October (probably called Windows 10.1)

So what should a Windows user do?

Whether to upgrade now or wait until October is a big decision all users have to make. This roundup of positive and negative reactions to Windows 10 can help you choose what’s right for your computer and how you use it.

Our technicians at Target PC can answer your questions about Windows 10 and upgrade your operating system if you’d rather not do it yourself.

Here’s How to Clean Your Laptop Safely

Here’s How to Clean Your Laptop Safely

To get the best out of your laptop, you need to clean it.

Most of us depend on our laptops. We use them for work. We use them to keep in touch with friends and family on social media. We use them to make purchases and find the best restaurants.

But how long has it been since you cleaned your laptop? Never? That’s probably true for many of us. Experts recommend that you clean your laptop every three to six months, depending on how much use it gets.

The steps in this article will tell you how to do it. It will take you about an hour to do it right. But you’ll be glad you did!

Have your cleaning supplies ready.

You’ll need to gather some supplies for this task:

  1. a can of compressed air and a “straw” that comes with it
  2. two or three clean, soft rags
  3. a lint-free screen cloth
  4. isopropyl alcohol (or electronic cleaning wipes)
  5. cotton swabs
  6. white vinegar
  7. distilled water
  8. a vacuum cleaner with a hose
  9. a small Phillips screwdriver
  10. plenty of space on a clean kitchen counter or workbench

Follow these 7 steps to clean your laptop.

Here are the seven steps that will show you how to clean your laptop safely. You need to do them in order. It will take you about an hour.

Step 1: Power down and unplug. Then clean the battery.

Turn off your laptop completely. Unplug the charging cord and any USB cords. Remove the battery. Remove the mouse, any discs or CDs, USB sticks, etc. Anything that’s sticking out or connected to your laptop should be removed.

Take a lint-free cloth and dip it in isopropyl alcohol and clean the metal contacts that connect your battery to your computer. This will keep the electricity flowing efficiently.

Step 2: Clean the keyboard.

Tilt the can of compressed air and spray the keyboard keys. Use short, gentle sprays. Try to herd the crumbs and dirt in one direction to get them out of the spaces between the keys. After you’ve sprayed and removed as much as you can, turn on the vacuum cleaner and use the hose to suck up the rest of the dirt particles from the keyboard.

Next, dab a clean, soft rag in isopropyl alcohol and gently rub the keys and touchpad to get off any stains or smears you see on them. Turn the cloth frequently to use a clean place as you work.

Step 3: Clean the outer casing.

Turn the lint-free cloth to a clean spot and dab it in the isopropyl alcohol again. Then clean the outer casing of the laptop. Rub gently to remove fingerprints, dirt, and grime. Turn the cloth frequently to make sure you are using a clean place as you rub.

You could use electronic cleaning wipes instead of the lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol if you prefer.

Step 4: Clean the screen.

In a small bowl, pour ½ cup white vinegar and ½ cup distilled water to make a cleaning solution for the LCD screen of your laptop.

Dip a lint-free cloth in the solution and gently wipe the screen. Turn the cloth and dip it again when it becomes dirty. Let the screen dry.

Step 5: Clean the fan.

It’s important to clean the fan regularly to prevent it from becoming plugged with dust. If your laptop is heating up and shutting down, then you may have too much dust inside it.

Turn your laptop over and look for an air vent on the outer edge. The air vent will be covered by an access panel. If you unscrew this panel, with a small Phillips screwdriver, you should see the fan. If not, you will need to search elsewhere for another panel. Or your fan may not be accessible.

If you can’t get to the fan yourself, you’ll have to take your laptop to a specialist who can access the fan for you. Target PC technicians can do this for a small cost.

If you can access the fan, use your can of compressed air to blow out the dust on the fan blades and in the fan cavity. You may want to take the laptop outside to do this. If you have never cleaned the fan before, there may be quite a bit of dust, and you don’t want to blow this into your living or work area. Be sure you also spray the intake and outtake louvers so that air can flow smoothly in and out.

Step 6: Clean the ports.

To clean the ports on your laptop, wipe the inside of each port with a dry cotton swab, and then spray each GENTLY with the can of compressed air.

Step 7: Put your laptop back together.

Let your laptop dry thoroughly after cleaning all the parts as we’ve described. Then put it back together. Now you have a clean machine that should serve you well until the next cleaning.

We recommend you clean your laptop every three to six months.

If you don’t want to do the cleaning yourself, bring your laptop to Target PC and a technician can do it for you!

8 Fun Things to Do in Cleveland the Whole Family Will Enjoy

8 Fun Things to Do in Cleveland the Whole Family Will Enjoy

If you’re looking for family fun, Cleveland has lots of choices. We’ve sifted through several hundred ideas to bring you the best ones. You’re bound to find something that suits your family’s interests, needs, and time available.

Six of the eight fun things to do in Cleveland have admission fees, and two are free. All are located in the Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Area. Most can be reached on public transportation.

So here they are! Have fun!

Greater Cleveland Aquarium

The Aquarium is located inside The Powerhouse, a brick landmark. It features 5,000 creatures, including everything from Great Lakes perch to glow-in-the-dark jellyfish. An underwater adventure. Completely stroller and wheelchair accessible.

  • 2000 Sycamore St, Cleveland
  • Open 10 AM to 5 PM daily
  • Adults $20.00
  • Children 2 to 12 $14.00
  • Under 2 free

Cleveland Metropark Zoo

A 183-acre zoo with over 3,000 animals. Areas include Australian Adventure, African Savanna, Northern Trek, RainForest, and Waterfowl Lake. Accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

  • 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
  • Open 10 AM to 5 PM daily
  • Adults $12.25
  • Children $8.25
  • Seniors $11.25

Great Lakes Science Center

The Science Center is an interactive museum and educational facility focused on the natural environment in the Great Lakes region. In addition to the museum, the steamship William G. Mather is available to be toured for an additional admission charge. The ship is not wheelchair or stroller accessible and has many stairs.

  • 601 Erieside Ave (downtown)
  • Open 10 AM to 5 PM daily
  • Adults $20.00
  • Children $14.00
  • Under 2 free

Cleveland Museum of Art

Great variety of art, including galleries of sculpture, oils, watercolors, knights’ armor, Greek and early Christian art. Accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Café and gift shop.

  • 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland
  • Open 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
  • Open 10 AM to 9 PM Wednesday and Friday
  • Closed Monday
  • Admission is free

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Great place to take kids to learn about nature and plants. Beautiful butterfly house, flowing water, sun and shade. The outdoor gardens and Glasshouse are wheelchair, stroller, and mobility scooter accessible. The Garden Visitor Center is equipped with an elevator.

  • 11030 East Blvd, Cleveland
  • Open 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
  • Open 10 AM to 9 PM Wednesday and Friday
  • Open 12 PM to 5 PM Sunday
  • Closed Monday
  • Adults $11.00
  • Children $6.00
  • Active duty military and their families free

West Side Market

Unique 100-year-old market in a beautiful building. Food vendors offer baked goods, cheeses, chocolates, meats, poultry, fruits, vegetables, flowers, ready-to-eat foods, and more. The ground level is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, and has one accessible restroom.

  • 1979 West 25th St at Lorain Ave, Ohio City, Cleveland
  • Open 7 AM to 4PM Monday and Wednesday
  • Open 7 AM to 6 PM Friday and Saturday
  • Admission and parking are free

S.S. Cod Submarine Memorial

World War II submarine with guided tours. Not accessible for strollers or wheelchairs. Many stairs and confined spaces. Allow at least one hour to go through the boat.

  • 1089 E. 9th St, North Coast Harbor Park, Cleveland
  • Open summers only, May through September
  • Open 10 AM to 5 PM daily
  • Adults $10.00
  • Seniors and veterans $9.00
  • Students $7.00
  • Children under 6 with paying adult, free

Cleveland Museum of Natural History

World’s Largest Dinosaur Exhibit. (Ends Jan. 3, 2016) Kids love dinosaurs and the whole family will enjoy this museum. Fully accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.

  • Open 10 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday
  • Open 12 PM to 5 PM Sunday
  • Closed on all major holidays
  • Adults 19+ $14.00
  • Youth 3 to 18 $10.00
  • Toddlers 2 and under free
  • Seniors with Golden Buckeye Card $10.00