Full Transcript for Warning Signs Your PC Is Dying And What To Do Next

00:04:10.400 Computers, sometimes all you have to do is maybe replace memory or upgrade your memory. 00:04:10.560 --> 00:04:25.279 So, one thing I will mention is your drive, if your computer is using a mechanical drive, there are some noises your system may actually start making, and it'll be a clear indicator of your system kind of needing a quick look. 00:04:25.439 --> 00:04:29.120 And I say quick look as in it needs to be done very quickly. 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:40.079 When mechanical drives start making noises, especially if you start to hear like a clicking or a buzzing noise, that is the mechanical parts inside of the drive physically just failing. 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:49.439 They're hitting one another, something is grinding, and that's not what you want inside of a device that has discs spinning at thousands of RPMs per minute. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:57.759 All of your data in those mechanical drives are just stored on mirrored quartz discs, I believe that's what they're made out of. 00:04:57.920 --> 00:05:07.680 And those disks, if they get a small scratch on them, say from a moving mechanical part inside of the drive, you can lose a ton of data just from that one single thing happening. 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:13.120 And that's why you've seen such the massive move over to flash media for so much of this. 00:05:13.199 --> 00:05:15.279 And it's really worked out for the most part very well. 00:05:15.360 --> 00:05:21.680 I know early adopters would say that it was a bit of an issue early on, but it's definitely it's definitely resolved a lot of those issues, right? 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:26.639 You don't have as many failing drives uh these days because of the move over to that style of media. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:27.120 Right. 00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:31.600 Um, mechanical drives are, you know, uh again, the comparison to an engine. 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:36.560 You've got your moving parts, and over time those parts do have to be maintained or replaced. 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:40.959 Solid state flash media, like you're mentioning, there are no moving parts. 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:47.360 It is just electronic NAND chips that I can't even describe how how they store your data. 00:05:47.600 --> 00:05:48.879 I can't even get into that. 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:50.480 That's so far outside of my head. 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:53.680 But it's safer than your mechanical drives, put it that way. 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:58.480 I've even seen some mechanical drives before that we have come in that are failing so badly. 00:05:58.720 --> 00:06:02.000 I can only get data right off of them if they're held at a specific angle. 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:02.240 Oh. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:11.120 And that's that's pretty much almost a significant failure to where we would not be able to recover that data if something internally were to go. 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:17.680 So when you're starting to have to tilt the drive, it that that might be a good chance to know that your computer might need some help. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:19.360 Might be time to think about a new drive. 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:20.000 Right. 00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:27.040 And again, I mentioned it at the beginning of this, just the show here files, photos that suddenly won't open that or that are missing. 00:06:27.199 --> 00:06:29.920 Or better yet, this is a big uh big sign here. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:42.560 If you go to open something and it just freezes the whole computer, and you're just trying to open something basic, like a document, that can technically be considered a significant drive failure symptom. 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:53.040 Something where, and I mean it again, if it locks up and takes minutes to open up that small file, that's basically your computer having to pause get itself together for what it's trying to load. 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:53.360 Right. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:58.399 Like you're saying, it's it's it's it's having a hard time finding that data on that failing drive. 00:06:58.560 --> 00:07:01.439 It might almost seem like it's like a ghost of a previous image, right? 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:01.920 Exactly. 00:07:02.240 --> 00:07:05.680 Something that's still left there, a remnant, and it can't seem to access all the data. 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:06.560 Exactly. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:16.959 Computers are their storage is it's always hard to describe because you've got mechanical drives which somehow can save our documents and pictures just into core to discs. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:19.199 Solid states is even further out there. 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:25.920 But knowing at least these signs will kind of save you if one of your drives are going bad. 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:32.560 When you have drive failure, if it's catastrophic enough where you have to have internal work done, that's not a service. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:38.000 We offer at refresh computers, it's because of the requirements of the building more than anything. 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:41.439 It's almost like a surgical field you need to work on some of those drives. 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:41.759 Right. 00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:43.600 So a piece of dust can ruin it. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:44.480 Exactly. 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:49.439 And you know, I mentioned earlier if you hire a grinding noise, one little scratch could ruin a disc. 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:54.240 Well, think about the fact that Greg just said, yes, one small piece of dust can ruin it. 00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:56.480 A scratch can make it so much worse. 00:07:56.800 --> 00:08:04.000 So again, if your computer's starting to kind of run slow or you're having trouble opening up files like that, you can give us a call. 00:08:04.160 --> 00:08:09.199 We'll kind of walk you through some troubleshooting steps, probably have you bring it by so we can run some tests on it as well. 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:12.079 But again, it's better to get ahead of something like that. 00:08:12.319 -->

00:08:16.800 Now that's specifically more towards the mechanical drives, the older style drives. 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:26.800 When it comes to an SSD, is there really anything that shows itself when you start maybe you're concerned about this drive starting to fail, or is it just more out of the blue and it's done? 00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:28.800 That's that's actually a good point. 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:33.519 The interesting thing with solid states is they are super fast drives already. 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:39.919 And when they start going bad, you do see a slowdown, but it's not something I would call obvious. 00:08:40.080 --> 00:08:43.759 It's not like mechanical drives where you go to open a file and you can go make a cup of coffee. 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:48.320 Solid states, you may have to sit there for just a couple extra seconds for the file to open. 00:08:48.480 --> 00:08:54.240 Which, you know, looking at looking at just our computers and our devices, you wouldn't think of anything just a couple seconds. 00:08:54.399 --> 00:08:54.639 Right. 00:08:54.879 --> 00:09:03.519 Something I've seen actually, and uh it's an indicator of a lot of other stuff, but this is the this mainly can come from the solid state, is blue screens. 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:14.320 There are certain blue screens that come up, certain errors that come up that are incredibly long and and difficult to name off even the top of my head right now. 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:20.399 But there are certain errors that come up that can refer to the drive, the solid state drive, actually failing. 00:09:20.559 --> 00:09:22.320 They fail a little bit differently. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:29.279 The old spinning hard drives, again, that buzzing or grinding noise and your slowdown, that's your sign's there. 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:35.600 For solid states, you know, everything is silent, which is a great thing as far as you know not hearing any noises. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:38.799 However, solid states are a little more volatile. 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:41.840 They are ones that can drop out on a moment's notice. 00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:44.720 It's as easy as something, it's just a power surge, honestly. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:55.519 Power surges are actually one of the main things that kill solid states nowadays because it doesn't necessarily damage the storage of the drive, it damages what's called the controller. 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:59.679 So the computer just forgets how to be able to use and access the data that's on it. 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:04.720 And that's kind of where, again, you have to go to a data recovery specialist for something like that. 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:19.919 So what I would mention is if you have some sort of external drive or if you have some sort of cloud storage you use, maybe OneDrive or Google Drive, always make sure that any important data you're backing up to those kinds of those kinds of services. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:28.320 That even just without

having these kinds of signs going on, having that constant backup there will save you from a proverbial rainy day. 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:37.440 I say that because I had a customer come in whose husband left the window open and it monsooned, of course, as Florida does, and their computer was soaked. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:40.320 So again, just things happen. 00:10:40.799 --> 00:10:41.600 That's what I like to say. 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:42.320 Things happen. 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:45.200 Computers definitely emphasize that. 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:50.879 And something I've actually noticed failing more recently now is memory in systems. 00:10:51.120 --> 00:11:00.559 Older systems that have memory that could be 10 years of age I've seen are kind of iffy on their memory stability at the moment. 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:08.559 But again, power surges are the main thing that's going to damage most of the components of your computer, and that's normally what damages your memory as well. 00:11:08.799 --> 00:11:13.600 I mentioned earlier that solid states, one of the main things that they cause are blue screens. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:19.200 And of course, a blue screen is just a main indicator as well that something is going on with your computer. 00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:22.399 Blue screens can happen for any number of reasons. 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:25.360 It can be SSD failure, like I mentioned. 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:28.480 RAM failure can also manifest as a blue screen. 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:30.799 I've even seen drivers cause it before. 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:34.879 I had, I believe, one system that every time Ethernet was plugged in, it would just blue screen. 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:35.200 Right. 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:39.039 And that was a uh that was actually a failing motherboard, the end of the day. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:48.080 So this is computers are we're getting into a different realm now with our systems because again, a lot of our stuff in our computers used to be mechanical. 00:11:48.240 --> 00:12:01.360 It used to kind of be, I don't want to say personally myself, easy to work on and diagnose systems, but older mechanical systems that make noises, it's kind of easy to diagnose that. 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:03.360 Again, I keep going back to the car comparison. 00:12:03.440 --> 00:12:04.720 It's like a car backfiring. 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:10.799 You know, you can kind of trace it down to that, to whatever the cause may be, and fix it, and then that noise goes away. 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:19.759 Computers, we're getting to the point now where everything is now solid state, which is probably the best move, I would say, for systems, especially like laptops. 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:26.240 There always used to be the main thing of never bump or drop a laptop because it had mechanical moving parts in it. 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:27.600 That spinning hard drive. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:29.200 Now you have flash storage in it. 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:30.480 Just like in your phone. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:30.960 Right. 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:35.279 And phones aren't even really free from failures like this as well. 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:35.600 True. 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:41.120 Talking about like solid state failures, phones do sometimes get have that happen as well. 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:49.840 We don't personally work on cell phones, but just from my personal knowledge and from what I've seen, cell phone storage, it's something that is immediate. 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:55.600 It doesn't pop up and creep up like, say, like a worn-out battery or the phone starting to run slowly. 00:12:55.679 --> 00:12:58.159 It is pretty much a snap of a finger. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:13:02.000 So smartphones, that's not my territory. 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:04.240 I don't like smartphones because of that reason. 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:04.480 Right. 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:10.080 You don't get a chance to save yourself, save your files, but computers, they still do give you some warnings. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:10.399 Yeah. 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:11.360 But again, same idea. 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:14.960 Make sure that you're making sure that you have an updated backup of all of your files. 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:15.919 That includes your phone. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:23.679 A lot of people, well, including myself, use our phones for a lot of important personal data that needs to make sure that we have a backup on as well. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:30.480 I guess I guess before we go, the last thing would be what's the oldest computer that you've seen come into the shop that's still running? 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:37.919 And was have you ever had just like an issue where you needed to replace the battery for the on the board to keep that BIOS timing correct to keep it alive? 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:41.440 We had an older system come in probably about a year ago. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:45.039 It was, I believe, manufactured in 1996. 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:45.759 Wow. 00:13:46.080 --> 00:13:49.120 And the system was not powering on. 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:50.000 I remember that specifically. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:52.320 Hitting the power button did absolutely nothing. 00:13:52.639 --> 00:14:00.240 And on older units like that, the power button had to be manually soldered in and the polarization was backwards. 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:00.639 Ah. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:06.799 So we had ordered a replacement power supply, and it was just a connector that was there. 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:11.120 Didn't know it was pre-soldered and hit the power button and the loudest pop went off. 00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:12.159 Oh no. 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:16.960 And that that that right there was just kind of a whole different change. 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:17.440 Right. 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:22.080 Because it is something as simple as just crossed wires that that caused it. 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:25.759 Like you said, a lot of

those older machines, sometimes that kind of stuff does happen. 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.000 Right. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:29.039 Don't go anywhere you're listening to Tech Talk here on WDBO coming up. 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:32.080 We're gonna go a little bit deeper into International Repair Day. 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:37.039 You've been listening to Tech Talk on WDBO 1073FM and AM580. 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:57.200 Hey there and welcome back to Tech Talk here on WDBO 1073FM and AM580, Orlando's News and Talk. 00:14:57.360 --> 00:15:01.919 I'm Greg Rhodes, sitting here with Adam Littlefield, a technician from the Refresh Computer Superstore. 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:09.120 You can contact the Refresh Computer Superstore by calling their free tech support hotline at 407-478-8200. 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:14.080 Or if you have a comment during the show, like maybe you have an old computer that's still running at home, we'd love to hear about it. 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:17.279 Use that open mic feature inside the WDBO app. 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:18.559 And now back to Adam. 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.600 Well, thank you, Greg. 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:24.000 And again, thank you, everybody, for tuning into this episode of Tech Talk with Refresh Computers. 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:31.919 Today is International Repair Day, a day that is very close to us at Refresh Computers because that's one of the main things we do. 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:33.039 We repair. 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:44.559 And we're gonna kind of talk a little bit now about kind of what you should consider as a rule of thumb with repair, because there's there's no, what would I say, guidelines to really just follow. 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:47.440 You know, it's mostly just, I would say, out of opinion. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:58.399 But again, with how memory has been for systems and how the cost of brand new machines has gone up, you know, it's it may be worth actually repairing the system that you have now. 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:04.559 The main thing I will mention is the the most important thing to look out for is if your system supports Windows 11. 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:07.600 That's the first deciding point I always mention. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:11.919 Um, if you don't know if your system supports it or if you have that installed, give us a call. 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:14.960 Our number is 407-478-8200. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:17.759 We can walk you through the phone really quick, just how to check that. 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.360 Easy steps to check that too. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:19.919 Exactly. 00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:23.519 It's it's something that we can help you pull up in just a couple clicks. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:28.159 So again, the number's 407-478-8200 for that. 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:36.240 But as far as repair goes, you know, it's we're getting more and more into the time now where replacing the a device just is not feasible. 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:43.360 We are getting performance out of machines that I would say 90% of computer users aren't going to see a return on anymore. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:17:01.600 Computers have become so efficient and so powerful that if you buy a brand new computer now, sure, you'll be able to look at your email, you'll be able to browse the web, but the the computer that you replaced that was only maybe four to six years old, you know, you could have you could have fixed that up for way cheaper instead. 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:17.119 The rule of thumb I always mention with repairs, if you're looking at getting a system repaired and it costs about less than half what a comparable replacement would be, and otherwise, you know, the system is is sound, you don't have any other problems with it, it would be worth repairing it. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:28.319 We all we have so many repairs come in every day at the store, and we we do chime in actually on you know if you should repair a system or if you should what's the word I'm looking for here, replace it. 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:38.240 And the main reason is is you know, sure, you may have a system that you love that you've used for the last 15 years, but the problem is now is we we've had the shift from Windows 10 to Windows 11. 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:48.799 Support of Windows 10 is gone, and because of that, you know, Windows 11, if your system doesn't support it, the only option that you can really have at that point is replacing it. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:56.640 I was talking about, you know, how new computers are overkill, and it's because really they are for a lot of normal, just regular users. 00:17:56.880 --> 00:18:02.640 So, what I would mention, if you are looking at possibly getting something repaired, first bring it by us. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:07.599 We can take a quick look at it, see if it's something worth repairing, if it's just got a future for it. 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:17.759 But if not, we do have a large inventory of refurbished business class models that, and I mean this entirely, these systems are so much better than what you would buy at any big box store. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.160 Right. 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:23.440 Yeah, no, it comes clean install of Windows, you don't have all the extra bloatware that we're always talking about. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:27.039 And it also you get a bit of that refresh touch there in the shop. 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:29.839 They'll actually be able to help you take care of that computer moving forward. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.160 Exactly. 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:34.079 If you have a strong guarantee from a local company, it all really makes a lot of sense. 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:34.559 Yeah. 00:18:34.640 --> 00:18:39.680 And you've got a team there as well that is familiar with the systems that we have come through. 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:47.839 So if something has to be worked on, whether you know it's a repair from maybe a job or something like that, we are always there to

help. 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:53.599 And we do free diagnostics on systems when you first bring them in just to get a feel for what's going on. 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:58.000 There are some issues that we can even fix up so quick that we won't even charge you for it. 00:18:58.319 --> 00:19:05.519 And, you know, these are again issues where I've had customers come in before saying they need to replace their computer, that it's time to replace it. 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:08.799 And the reason that they think is because they're getting pop-ups. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:11.519 So it's just something like that to keep in mind. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:15.279 National Repair Day, it's it's something to me personally. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:21.759 I have close to heart because I feel that if you own a device or a machine, you have the right to repair it. 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:32.319 And I don't like the uh the push there is of just buy new, buy new, buy new, because again, new in this day and age is overkill for what we all use computers for anymore. 00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:37.519 Happy repair day to all those who celebrate, including Adam, right here in the shop. 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:45.599 If you do have a question about any of this, bring the bring your PC in for a free diagnosis there at the Refresh Computer Superstore. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:48.880 They'd be happy to give you some advice on which way to go. 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:52.240 Again, whether replacing or just a quick repair. 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:58.319 Coming up next, we're going to talk a little bit about the new SpaceX move, maybe becoming your new cell carrier. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:01.759 We'll talk about it next on Tech Talk right here on WDBO. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:22.000 Welcome back to Tech Talk here on WDBO 1073FM and AM580, Orlando's news and talk. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:26.960 I'm Greg Rhodes, sitting here with Adam Littlefield, a technician from the Refresh Computer Superstore. 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:38.799 You can contact the Refresh Computer Superstore by calling that free tech support hotline, 407-478-8200, or you can, of course, leave an open mic inside the WDBO app with your questions. 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:50.799 Don't forget to check out the website over at refreshcomputers.net, or if you want to, you can always stop in at the Refresh Computer Superstore in Longwood at 820 East State Road 434, just three and a half miles east of I-4. 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:53.519 The store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:58.319 until 7 p.m., which means if you're listening to the show here on Saturday, you still have time to stop by. 00:20:58.400 --> 00:21:00.079 They'll be open until 7 p.m. 00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:00.799 tonight. 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:02.799 And now, back to Adam. 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.359 Thank you, Greg. 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:09.759 And again, thank you everybody for tuning into this episode of Tech Talk with Refresh Computers. 00:21:10.000 --> 00:21:16.079 We're about halfway through our show now, so if you've missed any of our first two segments, go to our website, refreshcomputers.net. 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:23.359 You can click the podcast link in the top right corner, and you can view all of the information of this show as well as all of our past shows in entirety. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.880 No ads throughout them. 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:31.759 While you're on that page as well, you can scroll to the bottom, and we have our refresh insiders that you can sign up for there as well. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:39.839 And that gives you some weekly emails just of our newest sales that we have going on, as well as when we ever post a new podcast like this one here. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:45.440 So you will be alerted as soon as this one is live or the next one, whichever one you're looking for. 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:50.319 In this segment, we're gonna be talking about kind of a big move that SpaceX is making. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:54.160 And by big move, I mean an eight billion dollar move. 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:59.440 That's a that's a big chunk of change, and that's because they actually just struck a deal by buying. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:04.079 One of the lower bands of cellular network, pretty much. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:12.480 So what SpaceX hat SpaceX has done is there's an airwave band, it's the 800 megahertz band that they acquired. 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:15.039 These used to belong to T Mobile. 00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:20.319 So pretty much what this kind of does is it allows deep transmission of data. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:31.279 So for example, your uh Wi-Fi at home may run on 2.4 gigahertz, which you can get pretty reliable service around most of your home with that. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:34.559 Maybe a little spotty if there's some block wall. 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:39.680 This lower airwave band actually is meant to penetrate buildings. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:47.119 It's meant for wall like pushing through walls and communications way better than all of the other bands that we have now. 00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:48.559 Why is that important? 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:58.480 Well, that's because SpaceX is starting to push their services of cellular coverage to most of our uh our satellite coverage to cellular companies. 00:22:58.640 --> 00:23:00.400 Say, for example, T-Mobile. 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:12.160 If you're a T-Mobile subscriber, you probably have the ability that if you needed to, you can get satellite connection for your service, which is provided by Starlink, which is right now just mostly texting. 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:23.279 The future plans, hopefully, to use this separate lower band airwave is to slowly push way wider connection for your cellular coverage. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:27.759 So you don't have to be in clear view of a satellite anymore to get clear coverage. 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:30.880 So, for example, say you're in a parking

garage. 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:33.119 You know, I just had that personally actually last week. 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:41.680 Trying to be in a parking garage and no cellular data because just the layers of that parking garage block T Mobile for me, no GPS data. 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:46.079 So I had no idea what side of the hotel I was trying to get to in the first place. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:52.160 So though those are kind of some things that this will actually kind of support and pick up on. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:55.599 And the best thing is most phones already support these airwaves. 00:23:55.680 --> 00:24:02.640 You don't need a brand new phone to utilize this new band whenever they decide to push this for their services. 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:11.039 I know right now I believe the deal is still needing approval from the FCC, the federal agent that basically just governs all of those airwaves. 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:23.599 But I I think this may actually be a step in the right direction for cellular connection, because nothing has been more infuriating to me is being inside of a building and not being able to get cellular connection. 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.000 Right. 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:29.839 I'm somebody that kind of takes my internet security seriously, very seriously. 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:34.480 So I don't connect to any Wi-Fi networks pretty much besides my own home Wi-Fi network. 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:44.160 So for example, if I'm inside of Walmart or something and I'm trying to find where something is in their app and their app will not load, that just wants makes me want to pull my hair out. 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:52.079 Because it almost feels like I'm being forced to connect to a to their public Wi-Fi network, which me personally, I just don't want to do. 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:58.480 So, you know, this this is, I think, gonna be kind of shaking up the service industry a little bit with phone carriers. 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.160 I think it could lead to that. 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:02.319 I'm gonna I'm I have a bit of a counter to it. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:02.640 Okay. 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:10.720 I am not necessarily a big fan of the idea of this, just mostly because it seems like, and again, this is just my opinion on it. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:12.640 I don't have any real information on this. 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:18.559 It seems like Elon is just buying these to restrict the other carriers from being able to use these. 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:26.960 Because currently, really to use these airwaves, he would have to build his own terrestrial cell phone towers to be able to utilize these. 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:38.720 Because I guarantee you, after this purchase, AT ⁇ T, Verizon, T-Mobile will not have very much interest in working with Elon to help him develop his own cell service that's gonna pull customers and carriers away from them. 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:42.240 So it would require, again, the guy's got the money. 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:47.200 He can make the investment to build out a whole terrestrial new cellular system if he'd like to, I'm sure. 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:47.519 Right. 00:25:47.759 --> 00:25:55.519 But to really build that coverage, because there's no way that they're gonna have the coverage of satellites at this point to be able to have that direct one-on-one. 00:25:55.920 --> 00:26:02.880 Kind of think of like direct TV, whenever you had some spotty weather, you didn't get the greatest coverage whenever you had that satellite dish on the side of your house. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:06.880 Those are still some of the issues with some of these satellite carriers when it comes to these things. 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.279 Right. 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:14.240 So he would have to build his own terrestrial network across the globe to be able to manage some of these airwaves. 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:20.960 So I think that this is more of a keep the keep the cell phone carriers down to where they can't access these waves. 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:24.559 All of these are getting moved around by the FCC because of all these programs. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:27.759 It's why we had to change our televisions a couple of years ago. 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:40.160 It's why the 3G band is no longer available to transmit on a lot of cell phones these days because the FCC is trying to eat up all of these different wavelengths for different communications that they're using as well. 00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:43.039 So there's a lot of different moving parts to this. 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.279 Right. 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:51.119 Again, Elon is definitely one of those guys that's looking out to the future and saying, you know what, I don't want anybody to be able to be able to use this unless it's me. 00:26:51.359 --> 00:27:02.400 So I think, again, I don't have uh all the detailed information on that, but that is definitely a bit of the background of this, I think, is that Elon is just trying to make sure nobody can take that ball and go home. 00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:02.799 Right. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:06.319 And you know, you you kind of hit it on the the head of the nail there. 00:27:06.400 --> 00:27:12.000 Is I personally don't have much information or experience with, you know, cellular communication as well. 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:18.640 So all of these moving gears, you know, this could just throw a whole new gear into it that's gonna make everything just fall apart. 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.039 Right. 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:21.119 And, you know, I do kind of agree with that. 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:27.839 That this starts adding in competition as well to other cell carriers, and it it almost feels like a game of keep away. 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.000 Sure. 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:30.400 Just buying it up without the infrastructure. 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:37.039 And, you know, it's what I feel is just kind of the limitation of the technology to be

able to utilize it. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:43.440 It's gonna require a lot of overhauling, I think, to be able to use some sort of system like this. 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:43.920 Right. 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:50.319 You know, again, it is it'd be nice for coverage in spotty areas, you know, rural country, out in the woods. 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:54.079 Again, you know, parking garages will probably benefit from this as well. 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.480 Right. 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:58.960 But again, we we have our limitations in the technology that we have right now. 00:27:59.119 --> 00:27:59.359 Yep. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:07.680 Cellular will only or not cellular, satellite will only work if you've got a good view of your of the sky, of every satellite you're connecting to. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:14.559 And uh like we've talked about in the past, Elon is in a very quick uh mode to try and get as many of those satellites up as he can. 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:14.880 Right. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:16.720 You've seen all the launches here in the Space Coast. 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:18.880 Earlier this week, we had a very cool one, by the way. 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:29.839 But if you've seen all these launches, you've seen all the satellites continuing to go up, you hear all the news about constellation and the new the new Starlink satellites that he just debuted with their most recent Starship launch. 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:30.319 Right. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:34.880 So that they're they're making adjustments and advancements on that technology. 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:37.359 And I think it is a great supplement. 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:47.119 I don't think it's ever going to be something that's going to be able to fully replace everyone's home internet just because I don't think there's there's there really isn't the bandwidth for that. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:55.519 Even if unless we completely wrap the planet in satellites, it's really going to be difficult to be able to have the bandwidth to cover everyone for that kind of service. 00:28:55.680 --> 00:29:05.200 And but like we mentioned, the rural people, or you're going out into you're going out hunting, you're right, you're Dave, and you decide to go to as far north as you can possibly drive. 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:11.680 Those kinds of situations, this is perfect for and way beyond anything that we've had for it in the past. 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:17.200 But for your local home internet, I still think you're going to be relying on these carriers for a for a while at least. 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:17.680 Right. 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:25.759 And Elon Musk has always been the uh the type of person as well to try to push the envelope with what he does with with the companies he has under his belt. 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:26.880 That's saying it lightly. 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.400 It is saying it lightly. 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:33.279 But you know, he has his whole vision of having a world of abundance, you know. 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:35.359 He always talks about the idea of that. 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:55.839 And I believe the only way that you could truly get something like this to work is if all carriers came together and built like a single world intranet where you could have, you know, communications across all network carriers utilizing all different hardware rather than each of them kind of owning their own piece of the pie. 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:56.160 Right. 00:29:56.319 --> 00:30:01.039 But again, you have to get into a world where they would all agree to do something like that. 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.599 Sure. 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:08.799 And and I think that's kind of goes where I don't want to say it's a delusion to say the world of abundance, you know, will make everything better. 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:11.200 I think the getting there will be the hard part. 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.240 Yeah, no, I agree. 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:17.279 And I mean, even in Elon's own world with these, we were talking Starlink and and Constellation. 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:24.079 I mean, he still has competition from Blue Origin and that program that they're trying to continue after they had their misap out there at the Space Coast. 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:29.920 And there's other companies that are also starting to ramp up their production on these global satellites for communication. 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:36.000 So it the the view of it being abundance and it all coming from Elon is a great idea. 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:36.480 It is. 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:46.160 But it's still him having to deal in a capitalistic programming behind it all, which I mean, hey, that's the whole reason he can do what he's able to do and become a trillionaire at the same time. 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:56.000 But I think that there's there's still so many inner workings for so many things that are gonna have to fall perfectly into place for this to become a real viable change. 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:58.319 I just I just can't see it happening. 00:30:58.400 --> 00:31:00.400 But hey, we've said that a lot about Elon lately. 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:00.960 That's true. 00:31:01.039 --> 00:31:13.519 And you know, I look at it kind of this way is, you know, this is, I think, a really good move in the right direction for SpaceX to have some sort of stake and claim that no other services really do anymore on that airwave. 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:31.279 The problem is, is again, you know, you've got Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile that are now going to start seeing at SpaceX as a direct competitor of their services when they have already been partnered to provide satellite coverage for people on other plants for T-Mobile, for example. 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:37.680 So I I think we may see down in the down in the future, there may be some hurt feelings about it too. 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:38.079 Right. 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:44.480 You know, the some splittings of what you may

get out of your plan with T-Mobile or ATT because SpaceX decided this. 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:46.400 Nobody said big companies aren't petty. 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:50.720 So yeah, that definitely I think plays a big role in this moving forward. 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:54.480 Are you someone that has used Elon's Starlink satellites? 00:31:54.640 --> 00:31:57.440 Are you someone that has a setup at home that you utilize for this? 00:31:57.599 --> 00:31:58.400 We'd love to hear about it. 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:00.960 Use that open mic feature inside the WDBO app. 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:07.759 And I know Dave has talked in depth about his use of it on his trips across the country, across the globe, honestly, at this point. 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.160 Right. 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:11.519 And he has glowing reviews of the coverage that it has. 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:14.640 And I think that'll continue to be the case. 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:19.200 I think it will still be the marker in the market. 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:25.680 What Starlink is doing is going to be what everybody is going to be chasing to do in these kind of programs moving forward. 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:37.039 But I don't think, and I I could definitely be wrong about this, we've seen the merging of all the different cell phone carriers in the past and all of your different data carriers in the past. 00:32:37.119 --> 00:32:43.039 Remember, Bell South used to be the big carrier for phone lines down here, and now that's all been absorbed into ATT. 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:46.799 I never have heard that name before, by the way, besides helping out with some email problems. 00:32:46.880 --> 00:32:48.480 I've never heard the name Bell South otherwise. 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.920 Oh man, it makes me feel old. 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:52.240 And I'm not that and I'm not, I don't think I'm that old. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:54.799 But with Bell South, that used to be the big name, remember? 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:56.640 And then that got absorbed into ATT. 00:32:56.799 --> 00:33:04.079 And you had Singular for a long time, it got absorbed in Nextel is now a part of Sprint and all those, all of those kind of pieced in together. 00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:08.480 I think we have another one of those on the horizon before too long. 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:23.839 Whether it be Elon buys up one of these companies, whether it be T-Mobile, who they have previously uh partnered with exclusively for some of that satellite coverage, or it goes the other way around and Elon starts piecing off things at a certain point. 00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:34.480 You never know where these kinds of companies that have all merged together go, especially with Elon, who's now merged everything he owns into just one company, it seems like under the SpaceX banner. 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:38.559 So it'd be interesting to see how that shakes out moving forward. 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:41.599 I'm sure the FCC is gonna have a lot to say about this move, though. 00:33:41.839 --> 00:33:42.319 I think so. 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:50.799 And you know, again, of anybody to probably be at the mass head of doing something like that, Elon Musk, I think, is he's he's a good fit for doing something like that. 00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:51.279 Right. 00:33:51.519 --> 00:34:00.640 But, you know, I I also talk with a little bit of my own self-interest because I do like the whole SpaceX, XAI, Tesla scene. 00:34:00.720 --> 00:34:02.559 I like all of those different companies. 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:10.800 And, you know, it was a surprise to me when Elon Musk said he was just gonna buy Twitter that one day and then turn around next week, and now it's X instead. 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.119 Right. 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:16.559 So, you know, seeing some movement like that, who knows what SpaceX could could decide to do next. 00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:21.519 There's so much in the future for that, and we'll definitely continue to follow it here on Tech Talk. 00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:28.320 Coming up, though, we've got our tech tip of the week how to stop those spam calls from ever ringing your phone. 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:34.159 We'll talk about it coming up next on Tech Talk here on WDBO 1073FM and AM580. 00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:54.719 Hey there, and welcome back to Tech Talk here on WDBO 1073FM and AM580, Orlando's News and Talk. 00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:59.599 I'm Greg Rhodes, sitting here with Adam Littlefield, a technician from the Refresh Computer Superstore. 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:06.239 You can contact the Refresh Computer Superstore by calling their free tech support hotline at 407-478-8200. 00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:10.320 And don't forget to check out the website over at RefreshComputers.net. 00:35:10.559 --> 00:35:11.519 And now back to Adam. 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:12.559 Well, thank you, Greg. 00:35:12.719 --> 00:35:18.880 And again, thank you, everybody, for tuning into this International Repair Day edition of Tech Talk with Refresh Computers. 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:22.639 Like Greg had said, you can visit our website at refreshcomputers.net. 00:35:22.719 --> 00:35:27.199 We have this whole episode as well as tons of our older episodes on that website. 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:29.599 We also have our live inventory there as well. 00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:33.119 So anything that we have for sale, you can see on our website there. 00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:35.440 Just don't fact check me on that last segment, okay? 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:36.880 I don't want to hear about that. 00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:42.400 For this segment at least, we've got our normal our normal tech tip that we we have every week. 00:35:42.639 --> 00:35:46.480 This one is actually something that I personally use, I've set up for my family. 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:49.760 It is how to stop spam calls from ever ringing to your phone. 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:54.719 It's something that just really gets in the middle of a good day sometimes, you

know? 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:58.960 It's always just my my dad always likes to say it's his friend Mr. 00:35:59.119 --> 00:36:02.400 Likely whenever spam likely pops up. 00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:14.639 So what I normally have set up on their phones now, and what you should set up on your phone as well, you can actually set it up so your phone will not ring if there's a number calling you that's not in your contact list. 00:36:14.880 --> 00:36:22.239 The good thing is about 90% of those phone calls that you probably get on your phone that are not in your contact list are spam calls. 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:22.559 Yeah. 00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:28.480 And the the better news is the calls that you get that may be important to you, well, guess what? 00:36:28.639 --> 00:36:31.519 They will still leave you a voicemail that you can listen back to. 00:36:31.760 --> 00:36:38.639 So there's there's no catch here with doing this, as long as whoever tries to reach you, you know, just let them know. 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:41.039 You know, leave me a voicemail if I don't pick up. 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:44.079 Um, that I think would be the most important part, actually. 00:36:44.320 --> 00:36:50.079 So if you have an iPhone, all you have to do is you go to your settings app, scroll down to apps, and then click on the phone app. 00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:53.199 And there's an option there that says silent unknown callers. 00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:54.320 Just turn that on. 00:36:54.480 --> 00:37:01.920 From from there on, the phone will not ring for any calls that come in for someone that is not in your contact list. 00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:04.079 It's a good way to just set up your own filter. 00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:09.679 And again, you already have your voicemail box set up, so anything that's important is probably going to end up landing there. 00:37:09.920 --> 00:37:13.840 On an Android device, what you'll have to do is actually open up the phone app. 00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:16.400 And in the top right corner, there should be a three dot menu. 00:37:16.559 --> 00:37:18.239 You can click that and hit settings. 00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:25.760 In there, it depends on your model, just because Android has so many different menus with this the specific app for phone. 00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:31.920 It may say something like spam and call screen, caller ID and spam, or call filtering. 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:34.639 It's pretty much you're turning on the spam filter. 00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:48.639 It again, it varies by brand, but I know for example, Google Pixel phones, they actually have a call screen feature that will use AI to say, you know, this is such and such AI, wanting to know who is calling. 00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:54.079 And I know for my girlfriend specifically, setting that up on her phone, those robocalls have stopped. 00:37:54.559 --> 00:38:03.599 That's actually kind of almost turned into a deterrent now on robocalls is if they go out and they hit a call where it's being screened, most of the time they just hang up. 00:38:03.679 --> 00:38:10.159 They they don't try because that that right there already says you're not gullible enough for them to take advantage of. 00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:14.880 So if you have a Google phone, definitely enable that call screening feature. 00:38:15.039 --> 00:38:26.800 But still, general Android devices and on an iPhone, the steps I just went through will be more than enough to save you probably a good half an hour a day from silencing your phone if you get tons of those calls. 00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:30.159 A bonus thing I would mention, this is something I've done as well. 00:38:30.320 --> 00:38:32.400 Go to do not call.gov. 00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:35.679 That's do not call, like do not call me.gov. 00:38:36.159 --> 00:38:38.480 That is the national do not call list. 00:38:38.719 --> 00:38:43.119 What this does is pretty much it puts you on a no-call list. 00:38:43.599 --> 00:38:48.400 So where your phone is basically not in uh what's the word I'm looking for here? 00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:51.599 In commercialized advertisement runs. 00:38:51.679 --> 00:38:55.760 So you're not going to be getting cold calls, nothing like that when you go on this list. 00:38:56.079 --> 00:39:06.960 Unfortunately, there are just a bunch of people that don't listen, and they will call you anyways, but there there are a lot of reputable businesses that do abide by, you know, you being on that list. 00:39:07.119 --> 00:39:10.079 So again, it's it's a good thing just to put put out there. 00:39:10.320 --> 00:39:16.159 Spam calls are coming every day, and they're all again about scamming you out of money. 00:39:16.320 --> 00:39:20.480 So the more you know about them, the less likely you are to fall victim to them. 00:39:20.800 --> 00:39:30.320 Believe we're getting to the end of our show here, so we will be going and we'll be coming back to you guys on Sunday, tomorrow, with our Sunday crew for a whole new episode. 00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:33.599 This has been Adam Littlefield, and I will talk to you guys again tomorrow.