FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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My laptop computer won't turn on. What should I do?
Start by checking your laptop charger. Frayed, or otherwise damaged cords can stop power from being delivered to your laptop. Most chargers come with an indicator light that lets you know when power is on. Be sure this light is on. If it is and you still have no power, try using a different charger. A universal charger will work for testing, but be sure to match wattage and voltage to your existing charger. These numbers can usually be found on a sticker attached to the charger or bottom of the laptop.
Wattage is usually indicated by a number followed by a “W”. Most chargers are 45w, 60w, or 90w. Common voltages are around 19v. You are safe to choose a new charger with higher wattage than your older charger i.e. 90w vs 60w, but never choose a voltage rating that is not exactly matched to your old charger. This can cause damage to your laptop.
My desktop computer won't turn on. What's wrong?
Make sure your computer is connected to a known good working outlet. If you know you’re plugged in to a good outlet, you most likely have a failed Power Supply Unit (PSU) that will require replacement. It is also possible that another hardware component has failed, preventing the computer from turning on.
I spilled something on my computer / laptop. What should I do?
If the liquid has not dried yet, immediately unplug your computer from its charger / power source. Remove the battery if possible, and try to dry any wet surfaces. A wet / dry vacuum works well to help suck out the liquid. Leave your device unplugged for about 12 hours to allow any remaining liquid to dry.
If the device won’t turn on after taking these steps, it’s best to take it to a repair facility.
My printer will not connect to my computer. How can I fix it?
There are a few reasons why this may happen.
First, make sure your printer is connected to the computer either by USB cable, WiFi, or network cable. If you are unsure if it’s connected properly, check the printer manual for instructions. If you are using a WiFi / network printer, make sure your computer is connected to the same WiFi network name (SSID) as the printer.
Once it’s connected, reinstall the software / printer driver included with your printer. If you do not have the original disk, refer to the manufacturer’s website.
How can I protect my computer?
- Keeping your computer updated should be top priority. This applies to all applications on your computer as well as Windows updates. Windows updates are constantly patching security vulnerabilities that could even slip by antivirus software if automatic updates are disabled.
- Always password protect your PC. Choose passwords you that are memorable, like phrases. The longer and more complex, the better.
- Ensure that antivirus is enabled on your computer. Built-in Windows Security is adequate for most home users. Free and paid antivirus is no good if it’s expired. Many users “install and forget” 3rd party antivirus, leaving their computers vulnerable.
I keep getting update notifications on my computer / laptop, but I’m afraid it may be a virus. What should I do?
If you’re unsure, reach out to a trusted computer repair facility.
It’s bad practice to blindly trust popups on your screen, but even worse to ignore completely. We’ve seen many scams that tell you to “call Microsoft” with a number listed on the screen. This is usually the first step in a larger plot. Attackers first get you on the phone, tell you there are a number of infections on your PC, then ask for credit card information to “clean” it. You then give them remote access to fix the problem, and they create even more problems in the process. Don’t become victim to these scams.
Reach out to us if you need assistance!
Should I get wired or wireless cameras?
For an average home, running wires can be a messy and time consuming. This is where battery powered wireless cameras play a crucial role in ease of installation. Keep in mind, if WiFi signal is interrupted or internet goes offline, cameras won’t be accessible and may miss crucial recordings.
On the other hand, some of our clients have a need to have constant live monitoring of their cameras or desire to not think about recharging batteries every few months. This is where wired cameras shine. Power and video signal are transmitted over one cable and allow for minimal maintenance. This system may also be closed circuit, meaning that you can keep video stored privately on a DVR/NVR within your own home, making it much less likely to be “hacked”.
How often do I need to charge battery powered security cameras?
While many factors go into battery life including temperature, amount of motion detected, and quality of batteries, we’ve seen an average of 3 months between charging times.
The general rule of thumb is cameras that face an active scene (think busy street or an active sidewalk) tend to need recharging more often. This is because of the amount of motion that gets detected. Every time motion is detected, the video is recorded then transmitted to a cloud server. This process uses a significant amount of battery.
Why can't I get a quote over the phone?
There are many factors that go into most of our installations. For example, let’s say 2 different people each want four wired cameras in their home.
Person “A” has a home that’s 3000 square feet and has a finished basement.
Person “B” has a home that’s 1500 square feet and has an unfinished basement with open ceilings.
If we were to give both customers a quote over the phone of $1,000 for 4 cameras, this could be accurate for customer A, but customer B is going to be charged significantly more as the length of wire is doubled and there is more work involved hiding the wiring in an finished basement. This would clearly upset customer A, and goes against RCR policy of being transparent and accurate with our pricing.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes!
RCR is licensed for the installation and maintenance of Fire Alarm Systems, Burglar Alarm Systems, Door Access Control, and Surveillance Systems.
We are fully insured and require our subcontractors to be insured as well.
How far do you travel?
Residential: Within 25 miles without a travel charge. Travel charges applicable over 25 miles.
Business & Commercial: Within 50 miles without a travel charge. However, RCR has worked with many franchises and chains across the U.S. at a pre-negotiated rate. Call us for a quote!