Tag Archives: pc

troubleshoot

Learning How to Troubleshoot the Right Way

Playing around with a bunch of wires and fidgeting with the gadgets on the keyboard can not only be unproductive, but it can also be dangerous. When you want to know how to fix problems with your computer properly, what steps can you take?

Ask a Friend

Chances are, you know someone who graduated with a degree in Computer Science or who is working at a major computer store. Instead of fiddling around with the keyboard today, give that person a call. Find out when he or she is available, and ask this individual if a private tutoring session could be arranged. Let your friend know you want to learn how to deal with common troubleshooting issues when they arise, and, hopefully, this person will be happy to teach you.

Take a Course

Many people do receive their degrees in Computer Science and other related fields. As a result, most colleges, if not all, in your area will offer at least a handful of courses related to the subject matter. Over the summer or during a season when work is a little bit slow, enroll in one of these courses. You’re likely rather worried about the price. Fortunately, many community colleges also offer classes, and you can enroll in these for a fraction of the cost of what other universities would offer.

Read the Books

Whenever you purchase a new computer or a gadget for your computer, you are given a pamphlet. In this booklet, you’ll find an array of information about the device as well as details on how to deal with common troubleshooting issues when they arise. Generally, people tend to cram this booklet up into a drawer someone and completely forget where they put it in their times of needs. Make a nice little file of all of the booklets, and refer to them when your computer isn’t functioning properly. It’s quite likely you will find the answer for which you are looking in one of the chapters.

Using the Computer

Sometimes, the computer is not entirely beyond repair. For example, you might be able to turn it on, but, once you do, one of the programs you need for work will not function properly. Many computers have troubleshooting functions built right into them. As long as you are able to use the computer, look up steps on it to help you resolve the problem in a timely fashion. Sometimes, these tools can also check for problems on the system. Therefore, you will be able to find the root of the problem to address that as opposed to waffling around with issues that are not really problems at all.

The best way to learn how to troubleshoot on a computer is to have a professional or someone who works in the industry show you. If you have any questions, you can ask that person. However, when you cannot take a class or no one is available, other options exist to help you deal with the computer crisis.


This article was submitted through TechGeec’s article submission form.

Walter O’Neal writes about technology, education and more. Most recently, he has written a series of pieces on the best computer degrees.

txt to computer

How to Transfer/Backup Text Messages from iPhone to Computer

For 30% off of your DigiDNA purchase, download DiskAid from http://www.digidna.net/techgeec.

To download DiskAid click HERE.

tuneswift

How to Transfer iTunes Library from One Computer to Another

Now that more and more people are switching from PC to Mac more and more people are losing their iTunes libraries. CopyTrans TuneSwift from WindSolutions solves this problem easily and efficiently. The program has an easy to follow, simple UI from which you can choose to backup, restore, or transfer your iTunes library and all you need is an external hard drive or flash drive. This video will demonstrate how the program works:

Activation Code: TUNESWIFT-TECHGEEC-ROCKS


TuneSwift: http://www.copytrans.net/copytranstuneswift.php
TuneSwift for Mac: http://www.copytrans.net/support.php?action=showEntry&data=1600
Support for TuneSwift: http://www.copytrans.net/support.php?action=GoToCategory&data=240

How to Unlock the iPhone 4 for Use with Other Carriers (T-Mobile)

Unlocking an iPhone allows one to use it with an unsupported wireless carrier, for example, T-Mobile, in the U.S. The iPhone Dev-Team has released an unlock for the iPhone 4 using the baseband 01.59. If you don’t know what baseband your iPhone is currently on, you can use a program by iH8sn0w, called f0recast for both Mac and PC. You can download it HERE.

This unlock is incredibly simple and fast. Here’s the steps:

1. Jailbreak your iPhone 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqy0sPoN8Z8
2. Open Cydia>Manage>Sources>Edit>Add
3. Add the source: http://repo666.ultrasn0w.com
4. Remove SIM card if haven’t already
5. Search for and install ultrasn0w
6. Reboot iPhone

If no signal is found, go to Settings and turn on Airplane Mode, then turn it off. If you still have no signal, reboot the iPhone. That’s it! Your iPhone 4 should now be successfully unlocked and using either T-Mobile or another unsupported carrier! Follow @TechGeec on Twitter for updates.

DigiDNA Exclusive Coupon Code – 30% OFF

DigiDNA, the makers of DiskAid, have given TechGeec.com an exclusive coupon code for 30% off your purchase from DigiDNA.net. To use the coupon, simply download DiskAid from http://www.digidna.net/techgeec

Our YouTube channel has a video tutorial on transferring music from your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad to your computer using DiskAid. Give it a watch below and let us know what you think about DiskAid in the comments below. Happy transferring!

iOS 4 Jailbreak: Q&A

There has been so much confusion lately on which devices can be jailbroken, what programs to use, etc. Hopefully the video below will answer your questions. If you still have questions that weren’t answered in the video, leave a comment and your question will be answered ASAP.

Jailbreak Released for iPhone 3GS (Old Bootrom)

Quote (via iPhone Dev-Team Blog)

PwnageTool 4.0 Release Info

On Monday, Apple released firmware 4.0 for the iPhone and iPod touch devices.  This of course was a major upgrade.

As advised, you shouldn’t have upgraded your devices if you have previously relied on our tools for hacktivation and/or a carrier unlock.

With that said, today we are releasing PwnageTool 4.0

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE POST CAREFULLY, THERE ARE KNOWN UPGRADE TRAPS AND DIFFERENT UPGRADE SCENARIOS THAT NEED TO BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD AND CONSIDERED BEFORE USING THESE TOOLS.

Each supported device has few different scenarios that users need to consider when performing the upgrades, you need to check below and perform the upgrade in the particular way that matches your current device state.

NB: With PwnageTool 4.0 certain devices are not supported this is because they are not supported in iOS 4.0 or they are not supported by our software.  We’re working on ways to get past these restrictions.

  • iPhone 2G  - not supported
  • iPod Touch – not supported
  • iPod Touch 3G – not supported

PwnageTool 4.0 only recognizes the official IPSWs that came out yesterday. If you had developer access to the “4.0 GM” IPSWs, do not try to use those.

iPhone 3GS

Summary: Currently, PwnageTool only works on previously jailbroken 3GS devices with the old bootrom.

  • If you have a Jailbroken iPhone 3GS with the OLD BOOTROM and you DID NOT use Spirit to jailbreak then you can create the ipsw with PwnageTool 4.0 and restore with your jailbroken recovery mode.
  • If you have an iPhone 3GS with the NEW BOOTROM this is NOT supported by PwnageTool 4.0

iPhone 3G

  • If you have a Jailbroken iPhone 3G at 3.1.2 (but not jailbroken with Spirit) then you should create the ipsw with PwnageTool 4.0 and restore from recovery mode or DFU mode.
  • If you have an out of the box iPhone 3G you should restore using a PwnageTool 4.0 ipsw using DFU mode.
  • If you have a Jailbroken 3.1.3 iPhone 3G it is very possible that this can fail from recovery mode, if this failure happens you will need to restore using DFU mode.
  • As an alternative to PwnageTool, you can use redsn0w on iPhone 3G (on both Windows and Mac) as mentioned in our last post.

IMPORTANT! Whenever you need to enter DFU mode, you will need to do so using PwnageTool.

iPod touch 2G

  • If you have an iPod touch 2G (non-MC model) that is jailbroken (but not with Spirit) then you can restore using recovery mode.
  • As an alternative to PwnageTool, you can use redsn0w on non-MC iPod Touch 2G (on both Windows and Mac) as mentioned in our last post.

Baseband Unlock

  • As you probably know by now, ultrasn0w has been updated to cover all basebands from 04.26.08 onward.  Many thanks to @sherif_hashim for finding the crashing command that the new ultrasn0w 0.93 uses!  He worked hard at finding the crash, and he kept it confidential until the right time to use it.
  • iPhone 3G and 3GS baseband unlockers (those who rely on ultrasn0w to make phone calls) should always be very wary to update their firmware, however our Ultrasn0w application will unlock all recent (including the current) 3GS and 3G baseband firmware versions.  Once you are jailbroken using PwnageTool 4.0, install ultrasn0w from Cydia and you’ll be unlocked.
  • Remember! This baseband unlock situation is rare, should you upgrade your iPhone blindly at the next iOS release please don’t expect an unlock – but for now you are OK (whatever state your baseband is in).

Please feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below.  We’ve got a bunch of expert help there, including our friendly moderators confucious and angie!

Official Bittorrent Releases

PwnageTool 4.0 Torrent  - PwnageTool_4.0.dmg.5644414.TPB.torrent

SHA1 Sum = 15bdb90ec40f1e279bb648eb7e9d90ebe07b66d2

Unofficial Mirrors

The following links are unofficial download mirrors, you download these archives at your own risk, we accept no responsibility if your computer explodes or if it becomes part of a NASA attacking botnet or even worse if your hands fall off mid-way during the use of these files. We do not check these links and we accept no responsibility with regard to the validity of the files, the other content that these links may provide or with the content that is on the third-party linked site.

Always check the files that you have downloaded against our published SHA1 hash.

We would prefer that you downloaded the official bittorrent release that is linked above, but you are welcome to try these if you really must. Mirror owners should email direct dmg download links only (no rapidshare or filesharing sites please) to blog@iphone-dev.org — please don’t place mirrors in the comments as they will be deleted.

http://apfelportal.de/host/images/dev-team/PwnageTool_4.0.dmg

United States

Turkey

Germany

How to Jailbreak iOS 4

The revolutionary new iPhone/iPod Touch operating system, iOS 4, has been successfully jailbroken using Redsn0w. Here’s how:

1. Download Redsn0w for Mac OS X or for Windows

2. Connect your device to your computer and shut it off (slide to shut down)

3. Download the corresponding iOS 4 firmware for your iDevice from the “Downloads” section of TechGeec.com

4. Open Redsn0w and browse for the firmware that you downloaded. Select “Next”

5. Select which features you’d like to be installed with the jailbreak (certain devices cannot have multitasking, homescreen wallpaper, or battery percentage so enabling those features gives that device the features)

6. Click “Next” twice and prepare to put your iDevice into DFU Mode

7. On the screen that shows you what to do to put your device in Recovery Mode:
Hold power button for 3 seconds
While still holding the power button, hold the home button for 10 seconds
While still holding the home button, release the power button and continue holding the home button for 30 seconds

8. Congratulations! Once your device reboots you should have Cydia on your home screen.

Feel free to leave a comment below stating what your favorite feature of iOS 4 is, if you enjoy jailbreaking, if you’ve had any problems, or any other sort of feedback, and please, share this post and TechGeec.com with your friends.

Jailbreak 3.1.3 with PwnageTool 3.1.5

Yesterday the Dev Team released the latest of PwnageTool which will allow  all iDevices with the older bootrom (i.e. not iPod touch 3G, iPod Touch 2G (MC Model), or newer iPhone 3GS owners) to create a custom jailbroken OS 3.1.3 firmware file.  This firmware file will contain the older base-band so if you have unlocked with blacksn0w you should NOT use it.  This tool is for Macs only – there is no Windows version.

If you are on a Windows machine, however, you can use the current version of Redsn0w. When it asks to browse for the firmware, browse for the
3.1.2 firmware… it works the same.

Please be sure to read the whole post by the Dev Team HERE before you go ahead and jailbreak your iDevice.

iTunes 9: What’s New in iTunes?

iTunes LP

The best thing to happen to fandom.

The visual experience of the record album returns with iTunes LP. Download select albums and experience a beautifully designed, interactive world right in your iTunes library on a Mac or PC — many are created by the artists. While you listen to your favorite songs, you can dive into animated lyrics and liner notes, watch performance videos, view artist and band photos, and enjoy other bonus materials. And become an even bigger fan.

iTunes LP

Home Sharing

A better way to share.

iTunes makes it easier to share music, movies, TV shows, and more. With Home Sharing, you can browse the iTunes libraries of up to five authorized computers in your house, import what you like, and automatically add new purchases made on any of the computers to your own library.

Home Sharing


The Redesigned iTunes Store

Check out the new venue.

The world’s #1 music store is even better. With a beautiful redesign and refined navigation, the new iTunes Store makes it easy to explore songs, movies, TV shows, and more.


iTunes Extras

Now featuring: Special features.

When you buy select movies from the iTunes Store, you won’t get just a movie. You’ll get iTunes Extras — a world of special features you can experience right in your iTunes library. Watch interviews and trailers, view photos, and more on your Mac or PC.

iTunes Extras

Genius Mixes

Genius Mixes

Perfect mixes come automatically.

Meet Genius Mixes. This new feature searches your iTunes library, finds songs that go great together, and creates multiple mixes you’ll love. All automatically. These mixes are like channels programmed entirely with your music. You may discover songs you never knew you had — and rediscover forgotten favorites.


Improved Syncing

A simpler way to sync.

iTunes brings new, more flexible ways to sync your media from your computer to your iPhone or iPod. And it’s easier to organize all the apps on your iPhone or iPod touch, because now you can do it right in iTunes, right from your computer. Shop the App Store on your computer, iPhone, or iPod touch. Then go to your iTunes library to arrange (and rearrange) your apps and add (or delete) Home screens. iTunes automatically syncs your new Home screens with your iPhone or iPod touch.


Many Other Improvements

Refinements that rock.

iTunes brings you even better ways to manage and share everything in your library. You can make your Smart Playlists even smarter. You can save iTunes Store items you want to purchase later in a new wish list. You can buy ringtones of your favorite songs directly from the iTunes Store on your iPhone and assign a specific song to a contact. And if you’re an avid social networker, it’s easy to tout your favorite music, movies, and TV shows on Facebook and Twitter right from the iTunes Store.