Mike Rodriguez
Mike Rodriguez is a computer technician with over 8 years of experience in the IT field. He has completed training in CompTIA A+, Network+, Computer Business Applications (Microsoft Specialist), Web Page Design and Graphic Design, and is working on completing his CompTIA A+ and CCNA certifications. Mike has experience working as a computer technician for two local school districts, as well as freelance computer repair work with AlisalTech.com, which Mike owns. Music is another one of Mike's callings. Using his technical experience, Mike promotes local musicians in Salinas California through his website SalinasRadio.com where local musicians and businesses can gain promotion to a worldwide audience.
- Website: http://alisaltech.com
Mike Rodriguez has written 61 posts for TrainSignal Training
How to Troubleshoot Common PC Hardware Problems: Part 1
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ May 25, 2010 ⋅ 3 comments
When it comes to hardware, some techs may have trouble figuring out what steps to take to troubleshoot and repair the internal and external components of a computer system. Should you just replace the component? Should you try software troubleshooting first? Has the component gone bad, or the motherboard? And what’s with all this dust?! [...]
CWNA Exam Prep: RF Antennas and Mounting Methods
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ May 13, 2010 ⋅ One comment
Certified Wireless Network Administrator certifications are an invaluable asset in the enterprise networking job market. According to Certification Magazine’s 2009 Salary Survey, CWNAs earn an average of $94,150 in the Unites States. While many wireless technologies that are tested on the CWNA exams change rapidly as technology and security needs grow in terms of software [...]
How to Deal With the Dreaded Blue Screen of Death (aka BSoD)
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ May 3, 2010 ⋅ 4 comments
Finding yourself in front of the dreaded blue screen of death can be a daunting experience. However, most of the time the fix can be quite simple. In the next few paragraphs, I’ll go over the steps you’ll need to take to not only understand why you are getting the error, but how to fix. [...]
CompTIA A+ Exam Prep: Understanding How PCs Heat and Cool
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ April 21, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
While having the best system you can buy, and making sure you have the fastest components available is an awesome feeling; with high speeds and processing power, comes heat. Heat is essentially your computer systems worst enemy. It’s not just high end computer systems that suffer from excess heat, with technology progressing, most low end [...]
Using the Windows 7 Action Center
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ April 8, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
The Action Center is a brand new feature in Windows 7 that helps to diagnose and treat common problems, find system maintenance information, security information, and more. If you have ever used the Security Center in Windows Vista, getting used to the Action Center in Window 7 shouldn’t be too hard considering the Action Center [...]
How to Create a Windows 7 Home Group
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ March 31, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
The Windows 7 Home Group feature makes it even easier to create a home network. Not only can you share all of your media such as pictures, music, videos, and even document libraries, but you can also share most of your network devices like printers, scanners and the like across your home network. Windows Home [...]
SQL Server 2008 Certification Guide
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ March 18, 2010 ⋅ One comment
SQL Server 2008 is used in many fields and has opened up many certification opportunities. If you choose to become certified in SQL Server 2008, you have a few career choices. The SQL Server 2008 certification paths allow you to become: Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist Microsoft Certified IT Professional Microsoft Certified Architect Microsoft Certified Master [...]
How to Use Windows 7 Libraries
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ February 25, 2010 ⋅ 2 comments
Windows 7 has brought about a number of new upgrades and changes that many, while subtle, bring about a whole new user experience and a new level of ease of use that many users may not even be aware of. Once example of these new features is Libraries. What Are Windows 7 Libraries? Windows [...]
Windows 7 Productivity Tips
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ February 19, 2010 ⋅ 3 comments
Windows 7 has no doubt brought about lots of new changes and upgrades. Most are simple and straightforward — new programs, features, and user interface changes. However, there are some features that aren’t necessarily as obvious, such as new keyboard shortcuts, Windows Flip, Jump Lists, etc. Today, I’ll go over a few of these new [...]
Protect Your Files in Windows 7 Using BitLocker To Go – Part 2
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ February 11, 2010 ⋅ 3 comments
BitLocker To Go is the mobile version of BitLocker Drive Encryption that allows you to do essentially the same thing as BitLocker, but on mobile drives such as External Hard Drives, Flash Drives and Thumb Drives. BitLocker To Go provides a powerful method of encrypting all of your mobile media and documents. Using BitLocker To [...]
Protect Your Files in Windows 7 Using BitLocker – Part 1
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ February 4, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
BitLocker Drive Encryption was introduced in Windows Vista but is not as widely used as other security systems on the market. But don’t let that fool you — it is a powerful security system that should be given a second look. You can use BitLocker Drive Encryption on not only the drive that Windows is [...]
Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician (Exam 70-685)
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ January 27, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment
Exam 70-685 is the last Windows 7 exam on our list. We have already covered: • Exam 70-680: Windows 7, Configuring, • Exam 70-683: Windows 7, Preinstalling for OEMs, • Exam 70-686: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator, along with a general Windows 7 Certification Overview. Let’s get started on [...]
Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Administrator (Exam 70-686)
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ January 20, 2010 ⋅ 8 comments
Now that you’ve read a general Windows 7 certification overview, and you know what’s needed for the exam 70-680 and the exam 70-683, let’s move on to exam 70-686. Windows 7 Exam 70-686: Overview The Enterprise Desktop Administrator for Windows 7 exam was created to measure an individual’s ability to support Windows 7 computing [...]
Windows 7, Preinstalling for OEMs (Exam 70-683)
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ January 14, 2010 ⋅ 2 comments
Recently I posted a quick overview of Windows 7 certifications where I discussed the difference between MCTS and MCITP certs and briefly introduced all of the current Windows 7 exams. I also posted a more in-depth article on the Windows 7, Configuring Exam 70-680. Today we’ll move on to Windows 7, Preinstalling for OEMs — [...]
Windows 7, Configuring (Exam 70-680) MCTS Certification Guide
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ January 6, 2010 ⋅ 21 comments
Learn about the Windows 7, Configuring (70-680) exam requirements, skills measured and prerequisites that you’ll need to achieve the MCTS on Windows 7.
Windows 7 Certification Overview
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ December 29, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments
With Windows 7 released, IT Professionals can now start looking into a new wave of Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification exams based on the new operating system. In this article I will outline the basics of each Windows 7 exam, along with what certifications or certification credit you [...]
Microsoft Security Essentials: Installation and Configuration Guide
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ December 22, 2009 ⋅ 6 comments
Microsoft Security Essentials is the newest security offering from Microsoft superceding Windows Defender. You can install Microsoft Security Essentials for free on any genuine installation of Windows XP (with Service Pack 2 or higher) Windows Vista and Windows 7. In this article, I will take you on a guided tour on how to install and [...]
Is Microsoft Security Essentials Right For You?
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ December 16, 2009 ⋅ One comment
The new Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) helps protect your PC from spyware, rootkits, trojans, viruses, and other malicious software. But how does it compete against other free and paid security software? Today I’ll go over some of the features in Microsoft Security Essentials and give you a better idea of what exactly is being offered, [...]
CompTIA A+ Exam Prep: Understanding Storage
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ December 2, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment
Storage devices and backup media are essentially devices in which you can store and retrieve data. There are many different types of data storage devices, and in this article we will focus on the ones you’ll need to know for the 2009 CompTIA A+ Exam. Storage on the CompTIA A+ Exam While the 2009 and [...]
CompTIA A+ Exam Prep: Understanding Types of RAM
By Mike Rodriguez ⋅ November 18, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment
What is RAM? RAM, or Random Access Memory, is a type of data storage device used by computer systems to quickly access needed information in any order that it is needed. RAM can be used for many different things, most commonly as computer memory (primary), it can also be used in your graphics card, as [...]