RGB Computer Solutions

08/13/2025

Outlook Woes

Microsoft has introduced a “New Outlook for Windows” to replace the old Mail and Calendar apps, as well as the classic Outlook many people have used for years. On paper, it’s meant to be simpler and work the same on Windows, Mac, and in your web browser. In reality, many users are finding it harder to use, slower, and missing important features.
Outlook has been around since 1997 and became one of the most popular email programs in the world. It was used to send email, store your contacts, appointments, and tasks all in one place. Over the years, it gained powerful features for organizing and customizing your email. People relied on it for both personal and business use.
The new version strips away many of those features. For example, you can no longer store emails offline in special files (PST files), set up advanced rules to organize mail automatically, or easily block unwanted senders. Even simple tasks like saving multiple attachments at once can take more clicks than before. Some users also say it’s slow, freezes often, or uses a lot of computer power. The design may look cleaner, but it can make everyday tasks more frustrating, especially if you were used to the old way of doing things.
This has led many people to look for alternatives, and one program that comes up often is eM Client. It’s an email app for both Windows and Mac that works with most major email services, including Gmail, Outlook.com, and iCloud. It’s designed to be fast, easy to use, and full of useful features without feeling cluttered.
With eM Client, you can customize the layout, change colors and themes, and keep using features like snoozing emails, undoing a send, or encrypting messages for privacy. It also works well with large inboxes and lets you save emails offline. Many people find it easier to learn than Outlook, and it doesn’t require a monthly Microsoft 365 subscription – you can buy it once and own it.
If you’ve tried the New Outlook and found it confusing or limited, you’re not alone. While Microsoft may improve it over time, eM Client is already a stable, full-featured alternative that can help you get your email, contacts, and calendar back under control without the frustration.

02/21/2025

🚨URGENT!🚨

As of February 18, 2025, the latest security update for Windows 11 24H2 (KB5051987) has been released and is causing significant issues, including File Explorer crashes and blue screen errors. We highly recommend checking whether you are running Windows 11 24H2 and, if so, temporarily pausing all updates.

How to Check Your Windows Version
Open the Settings app:
Click the Windows icon on your taskbar (either near the center or in the bottom left corner).
Type Settings and select the first result.

In the Settings window:
Click System on the left sidebar.
Scroll down on the right side and click About.

Under Windows Specifications, check the Version:
If it says 24H2, continue following this guide.
If it says 23H2 or any other version, no action is needed.

How to Pause Updates
1. In Settings, click Windows Update on the left sidebar.
2. Locate the Pause updates section.
3. Click the down-facing arrow next to "Pause for 1 week."
4. Select Pause for 2 weeks to delay updates.

Next Steps
At this time, there is no available fix. We recommend waiting until Microsoft releases an update to resolve these issues.

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us at 781-749-1130.

For more information see the following articles:
https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-update-breaks-file-explorer/
https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/new-patch-for-windows-11-24h2-reportedly-plays-havoc-with-file-explorer-and-some-folks-are-claiming-its-broken-their-pc

11/12/2024

Don’t sell or donate an Apple product without taking this important step!

If you have an Apple product, you should be sure to disable these “features” when selling or giving it away. The features in question are “Activation Lock” and the “Find My” settings. By default, both features are enabled. These features are incredibly useful for preventing theft, locating a lost device, and keeping yourself and loved ones safe. It is, however, a double-edged sword. Apple as a tech company puts an emphasis on security much more than other tech companies. This leads to them adding features that, while making their products more secure, can permanently disable the device. Instead of being able to reuse or resell these devices, these Apple products will become expensive paper weights. When donating, reselling, or giving away an Apple product, follow this guide to ensure “Activation Lock” is disabled.

Contact us for expert assistance for dealing with tech issues. Call 781-749-1130 or visit our website at https://rgbcomputersolutions.com.

Turn off Find My on an iPhone or iPad
When you turn off Find My on your iPhone or iPad, Activation Lock is automatically removed.
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [your name] > Find My.
Tap Find My [device], then turn off Find My [device].

Turn off Find My on a Mac
When you turn off Find My on your Mac, Activation Lock is automatically removed.
On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click your name at the top of the sidebar.
If you don’t see your name, click “Sign in,” enter your Apple Account email address or phone number, then enter your password.
Click iCloud, then do one of the following:
macOS Sequoia or later: Next to Saved to iCloud, click See All, click Find My Mac, then click Turn Off.
macOS 14 or earlier: Click Find My Mac, then click Turn Off next to Find My Mac

Turn off Find My on an Apple Watch
To remove your Apple Watch from Find My, unpair it from your iPhone. Activation Lock is automatically removed.

References:
Turn off Find My on your devices and items. (n.d.). Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/remove-devices-and-items-from-find-my-mmdc23b125f6/icloud #:~:text=Turn%20off%20Find%20My%20on%20an%20iPhone%20or%20iPad,off%20Find%20My%20%5Bdevice%5D.

07/30/2024

Please back up your data!!!

The worst nightmare for a computer owner is losing critical data forever: a coffee spill, a power surge, a fumbled laptop. Any of these accidents can, in a single moment, lead to the loss of years’ worth of documents, photos, music, and other irreplaceable files.

Thankfully, modern technology offers solutions. Forensic laboratories can often recover data from hard drives that have sustained severe physical damage, with remarkably high success rates. However, these services can be quite expensive and are not guaranteed to work, making them a last resort rather than a reliable safety net.

The best defense against data loss is regular backups, reducing the need for costly recovery services. Various hardware options are available for backing up data, depending on the type and quantity of information you need to protect. External hard drives are a popular choice due to their ease of use and affordability.

Even with an external drive, human nature often leads to procrastination, resulting in infrequent backups and vulnerable data. Fortunately, programs like Macrium Reflect offer a solution by automating the backup process. Once set up, Macrium Reflect backs up your data on a customizable schedule, requiring no further effort from you. Unlike many backup solutions that only store specified files, Macrium Reflect can create comprehensive backups that restore your entire system, including software and settings, even on a different computer.

Despite the reliability of automated backups, issues can still arise. External hard drives can fail, be misplaced, or suffer physical damage. Software glitches can also interfere with backups. For added security, consider incorporating cloud backups into your strategy.

Many people view the cloud as mysterious or complex, but it’s quite straightforward. Essentially, the cloud is storage you rent on a company's servers via the internet. Think of it as a digital storage unit or a safety deposit box for your files. Even email services operate on this principle, storing your messages on servers managed by companies like Google or Yahoo.

Cloud backups offer significant advantages. While they may not store as much data as local backups, their remote location provides crucial protection against disasters like house fires or floods. Additionally, cloud backups are accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, which is especially valuable for those who travel or commute with their laptops.

Many cloud storage and backup services are available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. We can help you find the right product to ensure your data is safe, no matter what may happen.

Contact us for expert assistance for dealing with tech issues. Call 781-749-1130 or visit our website at https://rgbcomputersolutions.com.

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04/03/2024

What You Don’t Know About HP-Instant Ink
HP inc. is a world-renowned manufacturer of printers, laptops, and other electronic devices. Despite being a household name, this company holds an almost hostile relationship with its customers. During an interview with CNBC, the CEO Enrique Lores explained,

"Every time a customer buys a printer, it's an investment for us. We are investing in that customer, and if that customer doesn't print enough or doesn't use our supplies, it's a bad investment." (CNBC Television, 2024).

Being seen as an investment and not a person is certainly not how I would want a company to view me. HP will do anything it can to extract more and more money out of its customers. Recent class action lawsuits have proven this. In 2019, HP settled with customers on a lawsuit regarding its Dynamic Security updates that blocked the usage of third-party ink cartridges (Spicer, 2019). Shortly after in 2022, HP launched another wave of updates once again restricting ink cartridges to only HP manufactured ones while, according to Ars Technical, also raising the price on their own ink cartridges (Harding, 2024). In the same time period in 2022 another class action against HP and Canon was brought forward due to both companies’ practice of limiting the use of all-in-one printer functions when there wasn’t any ink despite said functionalities not needing ink. Both scanning and faxing on numerous HP and Canon printers would be essentially disabled if there were no ink cartridges installed in the printer (Harding, 2023).

These obvious anti-consumer actions along with HP’s own statements on such matters have caused us to urge our customers not to buy or use HP printers. In my own experience, I have seen consistent hardware and software issues with HP printers that end up causing unnecessary headaches. Even the installation of HP printers and its software is unnecessarily difficult compared to the competition. For an alternative, Epson’s EcoTank series of printers are more economical and more reliable. Given that they use actual liquid ink and said ink can be replaced with cheaper third-party alternatives, it gives the end user more value in the long run. In conclusion, stay away from HP. They have consistently proven themselves to not be anti-consumer and anti-repair. HP will do anything they can to extract as much money as possible from you.

CNBC Television. (2024, January 18). HP CEO Enrique Lores on PC market trends: “Significant tailwinds” will continue to drive demand [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPRMyQSZGuY
Harding, S. (2023, August 15). Requiring ink to scan a document—yet another insult from the printer industry. Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/08/the-printers-that-require-ink-to-scan-and-fax/
Harding, S. (2024, January 9). HP sued (again) for blocking third-party ink from printers, accused of monopoly. Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/hp-sued-again-for-blocking-third-party-ink-from-printers-accused-of-monopoly/
Kunert, P. (2023, December 4). HP exec says quiet part out loud when it comes to locking in print customers. The Register. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/04/hp_printer_lockin/
Spicer, C. (2019, December 4). HP Ink Cartridge Monopoly class action lawsuit settles for $1.5M - Top class actions. Top Class Actions. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/hp-ink-cartridge-monopoly-class-action-lawsuit-settles-1-5m/

HP CEO Enrique Lores joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the state of the company, PC market trends, how AI is changing the work landscape, 2024 global work trends...

02/21/2024

When it comes to laptops, there's a wide range of options catering to different budget segments. Understanding your budget is crucial in selecting the right laptop for your needs. Let's break down the considerations across three distinct budget categories:

Budget Segment: $200 - $500
For those on a tight budget, laptops priced between $200 to $500 offer decent options. These laptops are suitable for lite users engaged in basic document work, streaming, and web browsing. Despite their lower price range, many laptops in this segment can meet the needs of most users. Refurbished laptops, priced between $200 to $500, present an excellent value proposition.

Mid-range Segment: $500 - $800
Laptops priced between $500 to $800 represent the mid-range segment. They provide sufficient performance for everyday tasks and offer better build quality compared to lower-priced options. Most users will find that laptops in this range offer a good balance of performance and affordability, making them suitable for general usage scenarios.

High-end Segment: $800 and above
For power users engaged in activities like video editing, photo editing, and gaming, higher-powered laptops priced at $800 and above are essential. These laptops offer superior performance and are equipped with advanced features tailored to demanding tasks. Prices in this segment typically range from $800 to $2500, with options available to cater to various performance requirements.

When considering a laptop, factors such as build quality, including weight, keyboard quality, screen quality, and design, play a significant role. While lighter laptops may sacrifice some performance, they offer greater portability. The keyboard and screen quality are subjective preferences that can be assessed by physically examining the laptop or referring to reviews on platforms like notebookcheck.net.

Longevity is another critical factor influenced by the brand reputation and warranty coverage. Brands like LG, Lenovo, and Apple are known for producing durable laptops with extended longevity. Understanding the warranty terms can provide assurance regarding potential repairs or replacements in case of issues.

In conclusion, choosing the right laptop involves weighing various factors against your budget and usage requirements. If you need assistance in navigating these choices, RGB Computer Solutions offers personalized laptop consultations to help you make an informed decision.

01/05/2024

You may hear the advice to backup your computer from your tech savvy friends and family, but what does that actually mean? Backing up your computer is like creating a safety net to save your computer in case things go wrong!

The actual process of backing up your computer means making a copy of everything that is important on the computer and putting that copy in another location. The important information would include any documents, photos, and videos you have on your computer. Options for backups include using the “cloud” and/or a local backup. The definition of a cloud backup is having your information stored in another location. It's like having a digital vault that keeps your data safe and accessible from anywhere. A local backup, as the name suggests, is when your information is stored locally. It's a bit like having a spare set of keys kept at home.
The idea behind backing up is so that if your computer were to suddenly break, your important data is still intact and safe in another place. Most people don’t realize what they need on a computer until they no longer have it.


Some of the suggestions out there for how to backup your computer may seem complicated to an untrained person, but don’t let this dissuade you. Backups are extremely important. If you know someone close to you who is tech savvy, have a regular technician you see, or want to see us to consult on how to set up backing up your data, I recommend doing so immediately. You can rest easy once your backups are set up so that when disaster strikes you will be prepared. You can look forward to us revisiting this subject with more frequency and in more detail in the near future due to its importance.

Contact us for expert assistance for dealing with tech issues. Call 781-749-1130 or visit our website at https://rgbcomputersolutions.com.

12/19/2023

Have you ever been browsing the web, maybe searching for your favorite sports team or navigating to your banking website? Suddenly a popup appears claiming that your computer has a virus and you must call Microsoft now at this number. You try and close out of the webpage, but you can’t. You are unable to click anywhere else and cannot get the speakers to stop blaring, “Your Computer is Infected.” The attached image is an example of one such webpage.

You have accidentally navigated to a hostile webpage set up by scammers to trick you into giving away your money and personal information. There’s no need to worry though, as frightening as this may be, such pages are all bark and no bite.

At this point, the scammer can do nothing besides annoy you. Do not call the phone number nor follow any instructions on the webpage. The next step is to hit these three keys on your keyboard at the same time: Ctrl, Alt, and Del. The keys only need to be pressed once, and do not need to be held down. These three keys, also referred to as “Control, Alt, Delete” are an emergency override within Windows. When pressed together they will bring you to a menu that has four options on it: Lock, Switch User, Sign out, and Task Manager. Click “Sign out,” then ”Sign out anyway”, this will remove the web page and then you can sign back in as normal. Once you sign back in, there is a chance a popup will appear in your browser saying something like “Would you like to restore your previous session?” Simply exit out of this notification, as if you were to click yes, it would bring you right back to the malicious webpage.

At this point you can continue with what you are doing. You should now be in the clear! However, this is not a perfect solution and depending on what kind of malicious pages you come across there could be more issues that you may have to deal with. With more complicated issues feel free to contact us!

If you are need of advice or need some tech issues resolved feel free to give us a call at 781-749-1130 or visit our website at https://rgbcomputersolutions.com.

12/12/2023

Enter the Matrix from the Comfort of Your Own Living Room

The VR vision of the future is here (pun intended). Apple’s new virtual reality and augmented reality headset is coming out soon, likely in March, but potentially in January. Here is what you need to know… Virtual Reality, aka VR, is a up and coming technology. While the technology hasn’t progressed to the point where we can dodge realistic bullets like in the Matrix, modern VR has come a long way since it was introduced with the Oculus Rift in 2013. Augmented reality, aka AR, has also matured since its beginnings.
Apple is finally entering the fray after years of speculation that it would release a VR headset. At a starting price of $3,499, the Apple Vision Pro would be the most expensive base consumer product provided by the trillion dollar tech company. The Apple Vision Pro’s stand out features include viewable eye holes, more than a dozen cameras and sensors, the ability to track hand movement, and much MUCH more. Unlike previous VR and AR products that often catered to entertainment, the Apple Vision Pro is aiming for versatility. Imagine recreating your office environment with a multi-monitor setup, all within the confines of a headset. Suddenly, work can be wherever you are.

While this is Apple’s first VR headset, it will likely be a hit given Apple’s previous accomplishments. While the price tag might raise eyebrows, Apple's track record suggests that die-hard fans might overlook the cost. After all, Apple has consistently seen rising iPhone sales despite the increasing price tags on their products.

If you are need of advice or need some tech issues resolved feel free to give us a call at 781-749-1130 or visit our website at https://rgbcomputersolutions.com.