A: Not at all, modern Hard Drives contain a Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology Hard Drive Monitoring system, also known as SMART. This Monitoring System is used to detect and report on various indicators of reliability of a hard drive and can often anticipate Hard Drive Failures. If your Laptop is indicating it is failing a SMART test, something has changed on your hard drive and it is going to fail, this could be tomorrow or 6 months from now, but you need to address it now.

Given all of your data is saved here make sure you have a back up and get a Tech out to replace the Hard Drive before it fails for good.

For more help please contact 1300 275 449 or help@gizmo.com.au

Q: I bought my new computer in January from a local computer retailer, and was wondering why my Word 2007 won’t work. It’s saying that I need a "Product number"? Can you please help me?

A: It sounds like you’re using a Trial Version of Microsoft Office. Quite often, new PC’s will come with trial software for a range of applications that will contain a Trial License. This license allows you to use the software for a set time frame, or set number of operations. If a notification has popped up saying you need a Product number, it means your trial is up.

You can purchase a full version of the Microsoft office software at your local computer retailer. Need help or further information contact gizmo on 1300 275 449.

Q: My friends keep talking about people hacking into their wireless connection and "stealing" their Internet service. What does this mean and how can I make sure it doesn't happen to me?

A: Your friends are dead right! If your wireless Internet connection isn't secure, people can hack in and use your Internet service for free. And with all new laptops and smart phones offering built-in Wi-Fi, wireless security becomes even more crucial. Most older modems have WEP (Wired-Equivalent Privacy) security, which to be honest, is pretty darn easy for those in the know to hack into. WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) on the other hand, is more modern and significantly more secure. It's the best way to keep less-than-honest people away from your Internet service. If you'd like to secure your wireless Internet, give gizmo a call on 1300 ASK GIZMO.

Q: I need to re-size an image and make some colour corrections, but I can’t afford Photoshop, nor do I want to spend the time learning how to use it. Is there another option?

A: Sure is. Preview has the ability to re-size images and adjust colours. Simply open up the image in Preview, select ‘tools’, and ‘adjust size’ or ‘adjust colour’.