Tech Tip: How to fix a Monitor with a Yellow tint

Description: This article will show you how to remove a yellow tint from a monitor.

1. Open the Control Panel.
   
   
   
   
2. In the top left corner of Control Panel, type Color Management. In the list of results click
   Color Management.
   
   
   
   
3. In the device drop down menu, choose the monitor that has the yellow tint.
   
   
   
   
4. Check Use my settings for this device box. Click Add.
   
5. Choose sRGB Virtual Device Model Profile, then click OK.
   
   
   
   
6. Left click on the new profile you just added then click Set as Default Profile.
   
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip: How to install drivers manually for Windows 7 and 8 computers

Description: This is a guide on how to install drivers manually for Windows 7 and 8 computers.

Drivers are software that instructs the pieces of hardware in how to talk to each other. Sometimes a piece of hardware isn't working the way it's supposed to. Either it's a new piece of hardware that isn't installing properly or one that was corrupted by a virus or improperly updated software. In any case sometimes it becomes necessary to install a clean copy of the drivers.

To install a clean copy of the drivers follow these directions:

1. Open the Device Manager in Windows.

For Windows 7:
• Open the Start Menu.
  
  
  
  
• Where it says Search programs and files, type device manager.
  
• Select the Device manager from the options listed.
  
  

For Windows 8:
• Open the Start Screen.
  
  
  
  
• Type device manager.
  
  
  
  
• Select Settings on the right.
  
  
  
  
• Select Device Manager.
  
  
1. Find the name of the device that needs to be reinstalled. For this example it is NVIDIA GeForce 6600.
   
   
   
   
2. Search for the device on the internet with the word driver at the end as well as the version of Windows on the computer.
   
3. Select the manufacturer's website.
   
4. Find where it offers to download the drivers.
   
   
   
   
5. When given the option, select Save and save it to the external media (in this example, a USB drive).
   
   
   
   
6. Go back to the Device Manager. There, Right-Click on the device to install drivers.
   
   
   
   
7. Select Update Driver Software…
   
8. Select Browse my computer for driver software.
   
   
   
   
9. Select the Browse button on the right.
   
   
   
   
10. Select the location to which the drivers were saved and then OK.
    
    
    
    
11. Select Next.
    
    
    
    
12. The driver software will now install. This will put the best available version onto the computer.
    

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip: Benefits of Using Static IP Addresses

Description: Normally, when you hook up devices to your home router (wireless or wired), the router will automatically assign IP addresses to those devices by default (using a DHCP server) using a range that you specify. If you don't specify a range of numbers, the router will have a default range from which it will assign.

A few examples of IP addresses:


• Your Router - 192.168.1.1
  
• John's Computer - 192.168.1.2
  
• Jane's Computer - 192.168.1.3
  
• Susie's iPad - 192.168.1.10
  
  

One thing to remember is that your network may have a slight variation on these addresses. In general, the first two numbers, 192 & 168, will be the same as you see here. Your third and fourth numbers may be different. Don't panic! This is just the way the manufacturer of your router decided to set it up.


Take a look above at the highlighted portion of the IP addresses. On your home network, the first three numbers will always be the same for every device, just as they are in the list of examples above. If you were to decide to change your network to 192.168.2, then all devices on the network must be changed to that format in order for the network to be able to communicate. This is an important point to remember whenever you decide to use static IP addresses.


So what is a static IP address? Simply put, it is a network address that you assign to the device - an address that never changes. When addresses are automatically assigned, they are put on a lease which usually lasts a few weeks. Every time your device connects, it is given the same IP address in that time period, but, after the lease is up, the address can change. A power Loss may also cause the router to assign new addresses to devices on the network.

 Why does it matter if the address changes? In most cases, it actually doesn't matter. You never notice the change. However, there are a few situations where it does matter.

• Security Systems - You won't be able to monitor from a remote location if your DVR suddenly has a different address. IP Cameras may not be found by the software, or be available for remote browsing.
  
• Media Server - Depending on the software, you may not be able to access the server until you update the address.
  
• Network Attached Storage - There's a possibility you won't see the drive anymore until you update the address.
  
• Print Server - You won't be able to print until the address has been updated on any PC or device trying to print to it.

It is important to note that the last three situations may have extra software running to compensate for the address change. For example, some Security Camera software may use the camera network name or MAC assignment to detect and identify compatible hardware on a network.
 

If you are convinced that a static IP address is right for your situation, your choices need to be configured in two places - the router and the device.

1. Open up your router's configuration page and look for your LAN settings. Within these settings, you should see an IP address range for the DHCP server. The address range will look something like this:
   
   • 192.168.x.___ to 192.168.x.___
     Take note of these ranges. Remember, the only number we're concerned about is the last number. Don't panic if your third number is different from the example shown here.
     If we assign an address that is within the range you see on the router, there may be a conflict down the road. For example, if your range is 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.10, we cannot assign any IPs that have the same last number in this range, 2-10.
     *Our postal service is set up the same way... Every house is automatically given an address. If we decide to build a house and give it a random street address, it may conflict with an existing house somewhere nearby, and the mail would be a mess.*
     
     
2. Open up your device's network settings (i.e. security DVR or IP Camera). Look for a network setting that mentions the IP address. By default, it is probably set for automatically receive IP or DHCP assigned.Look for the option that lets you use a static IP. Enter an address that is not in the range we saw on the router and apply the new settings. It is sometimes helpful to write this address on a sticky note and attach it to the device so we can easily remember it later.
   
3. If you were accessing this device from outside the house, you will also need to update the port forwarding address in the router settings. Find your port forwarding settings and update the address to the one we just made. If you haven't set up the port forwarding at all, please refer to your device's instruction manual as to which port(s) it needs.
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip: What to do if you get a Blue Screen error in Windows

Description: Here is a how to guide on what to do with a blue screen error on a Windows computer.

A blue screen error is a critical failure on a Windows computer. They will appear suddenly, provide a little information, and restart the computer. And they can be quite scary for people.

Here's some brief tips for what to do when a blue screen shows up:

1. Write down any Stop error codes that it shows. There are only a few seconds for this before the computer restarts.
   
   • These will typically come in the format 0x… (e.g. 0x00000050)
     
     
     
     
2. On a computer (likely another) do a search for that error code.
   
   
   
   
3. Follow any instructions found in the search. Typically these fall into a few categories:
   
   • Reinstall Device Drivers - For how to do this, click here.
   • There is a virus - For how to start a virus removal, click here.
   • There is a hardware problem - If the malfunctioning hardware is known, replace it or please take it into your nearest Micro Center for service.
     
   • There is a corruption in the Operating System - This requires either running a repair on the operating system or reinstalling it completely.
     
     • To run a System File Check please follow this guide: How to Run System File Checker in Windows 7.
       
     • To reinstall the Operating System follow this guide: How to install Windows 7.
   • The Micro Center Tech Support Chat line is an excellent resource: chat.microcentertech.com.
     

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.