Thursday, August 2, 2012

Time lapse: HP 4345 MFP Printer Repair




Journey with me as I peel back the layers of an HP 4345 MFP printer in order to replace the swing plate and the main gear assemblies. Essentially it's like removing a car engine in order to replace the transmission :)

If you think the printer looks intricate, you're right!! It's a spaghetti maze of gears, circuits, wires and cables. If you get lost, you may never get out, LOL!

P.S. For the technicians out there, I soon will be posting a different version of this video with call-outs to label parts.

The swing plate is the work horse gear...it interfaces with the fuser and as such is the #1 part to go bad.

The main gear interfaces between the two motors and with the rest of the mechanical systems, (including the swing plate and the toner cartridge).

Replacing the swing plate without replacing the main gear is like replacing a gear on a bike without replacing the damaged chain. The swing plate is a 1 hour job and the main gear is another 20 minutes...time well spent to assure the printer works like brand new :)

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

** NOTICE: NEW PHISHING SCAM **

Phishers/scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated by creating emails which appear legitimate. Knowledge is power!! Defend yourself by using the most powerful computer in the world: the one between your ears!!

Today, I received an email from "Intuit" (you know, one of the world's leading accredited tax and payroll software and services company) claiming to withdraw funds from my account in order to disburse my payroll. 


Now obviously I know I don't have any employees, but their gimmick is to scare the hell out of you that a LARGE withdrawal is pending. At that point, their hope is you'll into click on the links as you try to communicate with them to correct the error. At that point, you open the door to them obtaining (phishing) for your personal data.

>>>> Do NOT click on ANY of the links in the email!! <<<<<

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Your Personal Computer: the greatest weapon against ignorance!


Today I read a posting in which the original author had written:


For the record, Facebook does NOT dis-allow link posting. However, Facebook will block links from being posted which have been previously reported as scams, spam or viruses. It's mind-boggling that people make up shit and then have the audacity to post it!!! Do they think no one will challenge them?

Red Flag #1!

Apart from the glaring half-truth about FB links, the enticing buy-line, "I finally found something that REALLY WORKS!!!" really jumped out at me. As my Mom always says, if it's too good to be true, it usually is! Plain and simple, most get rich and work from home schemes are scams! They prey on people's desperation and exploit people's desire to get something for nothing. Furthermore, if an opportunity were truly worthwhile and/or legitimate, then the details would be shared openly and publicly.

Red Flag #2!

On a daily basis, I see so many sites/emails/articles/posts/comments that are scams, spam, hijacks, phishers or viruses, I can smell the pitfall from a mile away! I have a keen bullshit detector and know how to use it! As a person of integrity and as an IT professional, I feel it is my duty to warn others of potentially harmful issues. With facts and data, I breakdown the erroneous/harmful information and give pointers on how to protect oneself. I also address the harm of re-posting/promoting/liking such scams, spam, viruses, phishing sites. I share my qualified opinion backed by facts and with good conscience knowing I'm doing my utmost to educate, inform and empower people. Many people thank me and help by spreading the information, paying it forward to others!

Shortly after I posted this short rebuttal to the person's post, my comment was deleted:
Facebook doesn't limit link posting. However, Facebook will block links from being posted which have been previously reported as scams, spam or viruses. 
Most "work from home" advertisements are scams..buyer beware! If anything seems too good to be true, it probably is. If an opportunity were truly worthwhile and/or legitimate, then the details would be shared openly and publicly about it.
Since it's not my FB page, it is certainly the person's prerogative to delete my comment. Obviously this person doesn't want others to know the truth in order to make an informed decision about their work from home opportunity that "REALLY WORKS!!!". Interestingly enough, according to the FB page, this person is a Christian. So much for the truth setting one free! ;}

I'm convinced of a several things:
#1 - There's a sucker born every minute...and every 30 seconds, there is also a snake-oil salesman born to try to take advantage of suckers. That's how they make a living. Duh!

#2 - "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." Whether the quote was originally said by Sydney J. Harris, John Kennedy, Eldridge Cleaver, Charles Rosner, or even John McClane/Bruce Willis from the movie "Die Hard", the Truth of the quote is profoundly simple!

#2 - I think some people enjoy living in ignorance because it feels "safe" or "comfortable". Stepping out of ignorance, means to challenge what is known and not known. Challenge means growth. Growth means change. And with change comes responsibility. Responsibility to live with integrity with oneself, with others, with one's community. To do otherwise, is harmful...

#3 - I've said this before and I'll say it a million times more: The greatest, most powerful, smartest computer is the one between our ears! I earn my living by providing IT support to people of all walks of life. My truly greatest sense of accomplishment is empowering people how to use their Personal Computer...the one between their ears!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Launching my new blog!

Welcome to my new tech blog!

This space is dedicated to optimizing the strongest computer in the world: The one between the ears! I'll share my journey as I connect with people through technology, offering tech helps as well as inviting a look behind the scenes in the day of an IT professional. If there's anything you want to see here, please let me know!

For more information who I am and the tech services I provide, please visit the links above.