How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Computer?

One of the most common questions we’re asked is, “how much does it cost to fix my computer?” And unfortunately, the answer is that it depends.We know how frustrating having a broken computer is, and it always seems to die at the worst time – usually right before a big project is due or when your kids need to do some homework. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of prices that are the “going rate” for everyday PC problems.These costs can vary from a simple virus issue (about $100) to 300+ dollars for a screen replacement.Typically speaking, if it’s a software issue, the price will be lower than if it’s hardware related. Physical damage requires parts ordered and shipped from the manufacturer, causing delays and increasing costs. To give you a rough idea of how much you will pay for a specific computer issue, check out the table below: Type of Computer Problem Price Range Data Recovery $99-1000+ Keyboard Replacement $80-$195 Laptop Screen Replacement $125-230+ RAM/Memory Upgrade $50-150+ Software Repair $40-150 SSD Upgrade $150-350+ Fan Replacement/Repair $99-175 Hard Drive Replacement $100-225 Motherboard Replacement $150-250+ Liquid Damage Repair $99-200+ Power Jack Repair $100-200 Virus Removal $50-100 Software Installation $10-20 Operating System Formatting $100+ Price List for Computer Repair These Prices Are for Lakeland & Tampa Bay Areas And May Be Different in Your Area Price Factors Other factors that can influence price are: Location The rate for repair technicians with high skill levels to fix a computer may be higher in …

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Security Camera Installation | Tips From a Pro

Security Camera Installation Tips If you want to protect the things you value, the best way is to keep a close eye on it. Using a Closed Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) is the most effective method of surveillance because it allows you to safeguard your home, business, and the people you love. CCTV or Closed Circuit Television Video is the use of video cameras to transmit a digital/analog signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors. The recorded video feed can be viewed in real-time or saved for later screening by installing digital Video Recorders (DVRs). Benefits of CCTV camera: The use of CCTV cameras has exploded in recent times. Accessing your camera has never been easier, you can simply pull your phone out of your pocket from anywhere you have cell service and watch what your camera is monitoring. Here are a few facts about CCTV: The main objective of a CCTV camera is that it prevents crime. Having a camera in place has proven to reduce crime by 90%. Criminals do not like being watched. Historically monitoring activities used to be difficult. The cameras were unwieldy, expensive, and large. But today cameras can be installed quickly, without cables and cheaply. CCTV Cameras on the business side saves you money. It motivates the workers and improves their efficiency. It also identifies which ones may be spending too much time gazing at their phones and can help provide valuable evidence for workplace incidents.In the criminal realm, CCTV …

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Learn How To Install a CCTV Camera

CCTV Camera Installation You must always keep an eye on your valuables, and most of them reside inside your home, don’t they? Aside from storing them in a vault or keeping them hidden from the eyes of everyone except you, a better way to keep your valuables more secure is by installing a CCTV camera inside your household. These simple steps will help you learn how to install a CCTV Camera yourself, and you can keep track of all the events occurring inside your house no matter what time you may please. If you are planning to buy and install a CCTV camera yourself, you may want to keep a few tips in mind to assure that the process will go smoothly and you will have your house guarded in no time. It may seem tough, but rest assured that CCTV camera installations can be done easily by keeping these tips and steps in mind as you go. 1. Decide on a type of CCTV Camera Below are a few lists of the market’s available CCTV cameras: Bullet CCTV Camera Similar in size and shape to a  rifle bullet, a Bullet Style Camera is long, narrow, and cylindrical. It’s shape aids with long-range viewing – perfect for high-risk areas like cash registers, jewelry stands, and loading docks. Bullet CCTV cameras are also useful inside households, but there are limitations. Unlike other cameras, these do not have the capability to pan, zoom, or tilt. Instead, it’s laser-focused on a point and …

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Get Inspired by 2021 Best Website Designs and Trends

Whether you are an entrepreneur, photographer, designer, marketer, or working in the field of online commerce, making proper web design choices is essential to your business. So what is new in the space for 2019? What are some current trends that keep your customer’s eyes glued to your products and services? There are quite few, with a trend moving towards more imagery, animations and graphics. The use of text is only used when required. Below are a few of the best web designs and trends of 2021: Proper Use of Black & White Palettes Black and white content is the rage these days. By utilizing black and white to highlight the site’s content, and then using color to draw attention to the website’s “call to Action” objects, gives the website beautiful contrast and tells the reader what they should be looking at. Try to use the black and white color palette to accentuate the shapes and textures of the web page but also to bring clarity to the design, making it look evident, strong, and assertive. Natural Shapes Using shapes is a great way to conceptualize the space on your website. Websites are inherently 2D, but by using shapes, the website can give the site a room-like and 3-D feeling. The shapes don’t have to be directly related to the content either but need to be clean an unobtrusive. Also, giving the shape a unique color and gradient give the them a texture which can make the content easier to …

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Ten Tips to Prepare Your Tech For a Hurricane

Top Ten Tips To Prepare Your Tech For a Hurricane When a hurricane is coming, it’s easy to get caught up in securing your home, loved ones, and property. We make sure to buy batteries, fill up the car, and board up our windows. But what about our tech? We may overlook these things, but in today’s age, we must secure these things too. After all, they store everything about our daily lives. Tip 1: Buy a Power bank & Charge up ALL of Your Batteries When it comes to your batteries, Top everything off. That means not just your cellphone but your smartwatches, earbuds, flashlights, and radios. It used to be that everything was powered off of batteries you could replace, but nowadays everything is rechargeable, which means we have to be extra vigilant. Tip 2: Backup All of Your passwords There are three ways to do this. If you use Google Chrome’s password manager, congratulations you’re already set. Google stores your password’s in the cloud. The second way is to store an Excel file on a USB drive. I would suggest encrypting the data using TrueCrypt or Bitdefender if you have it just in case you lose it. The third way (and least secure) is always to print a hard copy and keep it with you. Tip 3: If You Use Two Factor Authentication Make Sure to Set Up a Secondary Device This one’s important. If for any reason you don’t have access to your phone, you’ll be …

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How to Install HTTPS for Your Lightsail Server in 3 Steps

Installing an SSL Certificate On Amazon Lightsail (or any other cloud provider) Just Got a lot Easier with the HTTPS Configuration Tool I’m using Amazon Lightsail. It used to be a pain to install the lets-encrypt SSL service. Now it’s not. Bitnami released a new tool that completely automates the process called: The Bitnami HTTPS Configuration Tool Keep in mind this should be done on a fresh instance or install of a WordPress server (one that doesn’t already have CertBot or SSL keys previously Installed). Step 1: Open up your console using Putty or Amazon’s included console program on the Lightsail Website. You should see something like this make sure you are logged in as Bitnami: Step 2: Install Type in this code. This install’s the HTTPS configuration tool from Bitnami and configures the directories: Step 3 Run the program The next step is running and configuring the program. Just run the program using the code below and follow the on-screen steps in the console (like putting in your email address and agreeing to the EULA). Once you’ve done that, put in your website domain and you’re golden. That’s it. Literally. No paid plugins, no 20 step procedures, no pointless DNS TXT updates. HTTPS setup just got a lot easier  

How to Setup an Unifi Controller in the Cloud

The Easy Way With Pictures Hosting an Unifi Controller in the cloud is a great way to centralize your Unifi network, especially you manage multiple networks. However, there are quite a few steps and, they are constantly changing due to updates from the various vendors who must all work together in order for this to work. In fact, this is the reason I’m writing this blog. There are already how-tos out there on how to do this, but none of them work. So I made a new one. If it helps you, please leave a comment down below, I appreciate any feedback and love to stay engaged with you guys. Firstly, my instance has been set up using Vultr hosting. Vultr hosting offers competitive pricing for a VPS server, but there are many other providers if you want to go another route. Two things that you need to take into account if you use Vultr though: The first is that Vultr is missing some core components on a fresh install (Java & MongoDB) so we’ll manually install them The second is that the base server only uses an IP v6 address. Make sure to purchase at least a VPS with IPv4 capability This is for 5.10.26 of the controller software. More recent updates may change things I will go over how to set up a Domain name as well Setting up your server in the cloud Creating the server We need to set up and create a server. Create an …

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City of Lakeland Broadband Business Plan: Analysis and Key Findings

Lakeland’s Gigabit Plan: An In-Depth Analysis Part 1 An Overview & the Plan’s Impact On Lakeland Right now in Lakeland, there is only major provider to bring us the internet. That provider is Spectrum. They are a monopoly that offers poor service at a high cost. Most of us pay 65+ dollars a month for internet whose speeds, reliability, and service is sub-par. Many of us would choose another provider if we could. The city of Lakeland has been looking into providing internet service to its citizens as an alternative to Spectrum. A report was recently released that examines the possibility of such a network. Ultimately, we have to come together as a community to decide whether this is good for our community. The purpose of this blog post to take a closer look at the subject and provide commentary on the process. Key Findings Lakeland commissioners are thinking about creating a new ISP, VOIP and TV service This may reduce costs to citizens substantially, with the lowest tier only being 20 dollars a month The plan wants to utilize Lakeland’s existing fiber network A phased rollout Pilot Program is suggested Data Speed will be symmetric for residential access, but the upstream will be significantly limited for businesses TV based services should be outsourced to a third party provider but still sold through Lakeland’s ISP The City should create a separate department to service customers How it Started Deploying fiber has been on the Lakeland commissioner’s mind for quite some …

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Managed IT Services in Lakeland – Why Your Company Needs It

What Is a Managed Service Provider? A “Managed IT service” is when you outsource your tech needs to a  trained team who specialize in keeping your company’s tech running smoothly. With over 40 years of combined experience, Cellar Door Solutions is the leading provider of managed IT services in Lakeland, FL. Our message is simple: “Focus on What You Do Best and Outsource Your Tech to Professionals”  Services included in managed IT Services: Cloud Services Server Maintenance Storage Management Data Centre Services Network Support and Network Maintenance Professional IT Services & Consultancy Product Supply Services How Does It Work? – Managed IT Services  Put simply; you pay a monthly fee for a company to take care of your tech needs. But If you decide to go with a Managed Service Provider, it is essential to know how the contracts and pricing works. One of the most basic contracts is known as a “You Break I Fix” contract where a negotiated rate is determined before each job to perform a duty. This type of contract is rarely done anymore because there is too much ambiguity with the arrangements, and customers often felt frustrated with the lack of instant support. The next contract type is known as “a-la-carte.” With an A-la-carte contract, each managed service is picked individually. A-La-Carte used to be popular but has fallen out of favor because customers often felt like they were getting nickeled and dimed for each service. The final type of contract is known as the “per …

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Why Should You Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Lakeland, FL

Benefits of Hiring an Unlimited Electrical Contractor in Lakeland, FL As an unlimited electrical contractor in Lakeland, FL; Cellar Door Solutions can install, maintain, alter, or repair any electrical equipment, control system, alarm system, or device that is attached to any building and includes the bidding and contracting for such work. We are certified and insured. Excellent Job A well equipped and professional licensed electrical contractor with the knowledge and skills can deal with any electrical problem. As a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Lakeland, FL Cellar Door Solutions agents have undergone intensive training. Under training our technicians are taught the proper installation, repair and maintenance of electrical tasks. When working with Cellar Door, you are guaranteed a job well done. Safety Going for just any other electrician to save a few bucks isn’t recommended. This is because you are likely to compromise the service you receive. Furthermore, you might also be compromising the safety of your friends, colleagues and loved ones. Even though hiring professional electrical contractors can be more expensive, you should never compromise on safety and quality work. Professional will always offer you value for your money. Furthermore,  many electrical contractors offer a warranty for their services. Reliability Reliability simply means that you can be sure that the installed electrical systems will run effectively for a long time as they were designed to do. Professional contractors are trained in installing, handling ,and maintaining such electric systems ,thus ensuring that they run effectively. Liability In the state of Florida, the …

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The Future of WISP’s

The Future of Wireless Internet Service Provider Splash Image

Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP) is becoming the new go-to for giving high-speed internet in a fixed location. Using wireless systems that are either in place already, or rapidly deployable, the internet is wireless provided to a home, business, school, or other stationary location. These internet services have been popping up around the world but have a heavy focus on areas where traditional internet service providers deem not cost-effective. The Technology Behind Wireless Internet Service Providers Several technologies are used to make WISP a possibility. The most well-known of those being wireless mesh networks that use traditional 2.4 or 5 GHz frequencies. Other companies use proprietary or specialized equipment to create a wireless network in the area that they service. In general, a WISP will order a reliable internet connection installed to a central point in their intended service area. More commonly this is done by having a fiber optic line run to the service area. Then multiple lines will be run from that initial line to high points in the area to start the initial wireless signal. A regular area to find wireless points for WISPs is on top of radio towers or tall buildings. After the installation of  WISP, they will install a number of repeaters that are intended to propagate the signal throughout the area that they intend to provide internet. To receive the internet at your location you will need a specialized receiver installed. These receivers convert the wireless signal from the network to an internet …

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Structured Cabling: A Quick Rundown

Structured Cabling: What is it? Structured cabling is all the communication wires that run throughout a building. Different systems can use these wires within the building. For example, a fire alarm system and all its related wiring may be a subsystem of the structured cabling of a building. Another subsystem could be the Networking cables that connect all the computers together to provide the internet. In each building, including homes,  many systems that work together to provide you with the comforts of modern living. They operate quietly and, in the background, but are integral to our daily lives. In this article we are going to go over the different types of cables used in Structured cabling, the electrical codes involved, and some best practices used if you decide to tackle this on your own. Different types of cable: Phone cable (RJ-11): As a structured cabling installer, you will often run into this RJ11 wire when installing newer cabling. This type of cable is used for the old phone systems. However, this cable is usually avoided in newer installations because it simply doesn’t allow enough bandwidth for modern installations. It also isn’t compatible with modern Ethernet switches. Ethernet (Cat-5, CAT-5E, CAT-6): Ethernet cable is the king of all structured cabling wire types and standards. Almost all switches use these types of cables in modern data centers. There are three different types of cable, CAT5, CAT5E, and CAT6. One of the biggest differences you will notice is the amount of bandwidth each …

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Access Control Systems: A Quick Rundown

To show RFID Access Control

Access Control Systems Access control systems are systems that rely on a locking system that physically (or digitally) restricts access to a location by using a method to verify the identity of the person trying to enter it. There are many techniques, such as RFID cards, Keypad entry, bio-metrics like fingerprints or Retina scanners, and NFC radio transmitters. An access control system you probably already use is your cellphone! Your cellphone carries a bio-metric system that reads your fingerprint before unlocking it. Cellar Door can help you set up your access control system as well as train you on how to use it. We have Technical task-oriented and experienced team members who are always available for your help and provide you the perfect job. Our experts must take care of your access control system and complete the task exactly according to your needs. Benefits   The greatest benefit of the access control system restricts unwanted access to a specific place or entrance in your organization or specific asset room of your organization. Some of you may be asking yourselves, “Don’t key already do this?” And the answer is yes, but access control is far more efficient at preventing access. Keys are a hassle, they require you to constantly keep track of who has access to the key and allow that person the ability to enter anytime they want. With Access Control Systems, you can control who enters, what time they can enter, record when they enter, and revoke access all with …

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Building a Computer is Easy

Building a Custom Computer

Don’t fret! Building a custom computer is a lot easier than you think! It may seem daunting, but when you are finished, you will have a high-quality computer that fits perfectly with your needs and budget. There will also be a better warranty, and you will not have to follow any terms and conditions to redeem that warranty. The good news is that when you build the computer yourself the durability, and the reliability of the computer are much higher than store-bought counterparts. Building a Custom Computer The First Step Choosing the Parts Finding the right parts is arguably the most challenging part. There are a lot of things that should be considered like the wattage of your PSU, the motherboard chipset, and the proper size of your case. However, there are many great resources out there to help you in your endeavors. One of my favorites is PCpartpicker.com  Using PCpartpicker’s website is relatively straightforward. Starting out, I suggest you look at their pre-configured builds. These builds have been thoroughly tested and vetted by the community, which alleviates the stress associated with the whole “will it work” mentality. A few tips when ordering: Don’t cheap out on a power supply, seriously. I know that they aren’t glamorous or give you extra frames, but the PSU is the lifeblood of your computer. If you use a cheap one, it will burn out and take out a few other (usually more expensive) components Don’t buy a cheap case with lots of flashing lights …

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Protect What You Love– Security CCTV Cameras:

CCTV Monitoring and Security

Closed Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) for Security and Business A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words – Closed Circuit Television Cameras: If you want to protect the things you value,  the best way is to keep a close eye on it. Using a Closed Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) is the most effective method of surveillance because it allows you to safeguard your home, business, or the people you love. CCTV is the use of video cameras to transmit a digital/analog signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors. The recorded video feed can be viewed in  real-time or saved for later screening by installing digital Video Recorders (DVRs). Benefits of CCTV Camera: CCTV has proved to be the star in the security sector of the world. The main objective of a CCTV camera is that it prevents crime. Having a camera in place has proven to reduce crime by 90%. Criminals do not like being watched Historically monitoring activities used to be difficult. The cameras were unwieldy, expensive, and large. But today the camera’s can be installed quickly, without cables and cheaply. CCTV Cameras on the business side saves you money. It motivates the workers and improves their efficiency. It also identifies which ones may be spending too much time gazing at their phones and can help provide valuable evidence for workplace incidents. In the criminal realm, CCTV has revolutionized police work. Solving a crime used to take weeks but now if the crime was committed in …

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Lakeland’s Growing: Check Out These Awesome Facts

Lakeland, Florida and its Growth History of Lakeland, Florida Florida became a state in 1845, and Polk County was established in 1861. After the American Civil War, the county seat was established southeast of Lakeland in Bartow. While most of Polk County’s early history centered on the two cities of Bartow and Fort Meade, eventually, people entered the areas in northern Polk County and began settling in the areas which became Lakeland. Lakeland was first settled in the 1870s and began to develop as the rail lines reached the area in 1884. Freedmen settled here in 1883, starting the development of what became the African-American neighborhood of Moorehead. Lakeland was incorporated on January 1, 1885. The town was founded by Abraham Munn (a resident of Louisville, Kentucky), who purchased 80 acres (320,000 m2) of land in what is now downtown Lakeland in 1882 and platted the land for the town in 1884. The name of the Lakeland is due to the many lakes near the townsite. Introduction Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, along Interstate 4 east of Tampa. The westernmost city in Polk County, is part of the Tampa Bay Area. According to the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 100,710. Lakeland is a principal city of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area (coterminous with Polk County). Which had an estimated population of 623,009 in July 2013 based on data from the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research. The …

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Sheriff Grady Judd: Polk County’s Best Security System

Sheriff Grady Judd

They say that some people were always meant to be what they have become. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd surely is one of those people. Grady Curtis Judd Jr. started his police career as a dispatcher in 1972. He was only 18 years old when he landed that job. However, his dream to join the force and become a sheriff was born long before that. He was a mere 8-year-old when he saw his neighbor’s brother, Polk County Sheriff Monroe Brannen, wearing a uniform, a gun, and a badge. He knew his destiny and his goal ever since. Grady Judd worked a graveyard shift (11 pm to 7 am) for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office answering phones, all while attending the Police Academy from 8 am to 5 pm to complete the training necessary to join the Patrol Division. He managed to do that successfully in 1974. Born in 1954, he was the youngest deputy the department has ever had. Since he was still under 21 at the time, his father had to acquire his ammunition for him to comply with the Federal Law. It didn’t take Grady Judd too long to progress through the ranks. In 1982 he was promoted to a captain and transferred to a criminal division. Only 27 years young, he had 44 employees under his command, as well as a million dollar budget to work with. Every person working under him was older than him. Perhaps, that is why he was jokingly called “Captain Kid”. …

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Top Ten Tips to Antenna Installation

Splash Image With Antenna and 10 Facts You Need to Know

Mounting an Antenna properly is one of the most important things that you can do to improve your signal strength and increase wireless reliability. Here’s some tips!