Spring
Cleaning Specials
Spring
is here, though there are still rumors of snow and cold in our
future. Spring
cleaning time is upon us, and it may be a good time to do the same
for your computer. Read on to find our current offerings, as well
as some information for XP users, and a few good tips.
Spring
Cleaning:
That
time of year is upon us. Folks start going through attics,
basements, garages, offices, etc and find things we were missing –
or that we no longer want or need. Your computer is no different.
Over time, as we use our computers, we add some clutter to them.
This may come in the form of cached image files, downloaded files,
programs running during startup – or even some unwanted programs.
It's good to go through and clean these things up to keep your
machine(s) running their best.
Our Spring Cleaning package
starts with a free
initial consultation. Is the computer having issues? If so, what
are they, and what courses of action are available? Some warning
signs to watch out for include, but are not limited to:
Computer running slow
Programs taking a long
time to launch
Browser homepage
changed
Extra toolbars on your
browser
Strange popups or
notifications
Each case is different, and
we'll give you the straight answer on what the problem is, how it can
be fixed, and what you can expect upon completion.
The basic Spring Cleaning
package starts at $40, and includes an internal dusting.
Spring
Cleaning Add-ons:
Want more than just the
basic cleanup? We can make that happen too! Below are some
some bonuses, along with two prices. The first is the
combination price, the second is the stand-alone price.
Spyware Scan &
Removal: $15 ($20)*
There are many names used,
sometimes depending on your perspective. Producers may consider it
“helpful ad-ware”, while others may call it “spyware” due to
the way it monitors your habits. Sometimes this software comes
bundled with a “free”program you download, which may be installed
unless you choose a “custom” installation, rather than
“standard”. Sometimes this is added to your computer through a
malicious exploit in a browser or add-on.
Some of these programs may
actually be desired, but often times they are found to be a nuisance,
and will use up your system resources. They are also known to track
your browsing and shopping habits, and report this information to
their parent company – which may also transmit this information to
third parties for advertising purposes.
Want 'em gone? That can
happen. We'll scan your PC, see if anything unwanted is there, and
get rid of it.
* Cost of software may
apply, in addition, based on customer preference
Virus Scan &
Removal: $15 ($20)*#
For our purposes here,
"virus" will be defined as "any malicious code
unintentionally installed, with undesirable results". Yes,
there's a lot of types, a lot of distinctions, and they can do a lot
of really bad stuff to your computer. We can make them go away. If
you're running without security or anti-virus, we can help change
that, as well. At the end, you'll have a virus-free PC, and know how
to keep it that way.
* Cost of software may
apply, in addition, based on customer preference
# Virus Removal may be
required during Spring Cleaning if infections are detected
Data Sorting:
$15/hr ($20/hr)
Sometimes you have important
files in a bunch of locations throughout your PC. Want to get them
all in one place? This may be the solution for you. The default is
the appropriate folder within "My Documents", unless you
have a different preference.
Data Backup: $40 ($50) **
"Don't put all your
eggs in one basket" is a good moral. In the PC world, that can
be applied. It's good to always have a backup. You never know when
something may damage or destroy your had drive, and you don't want
your important files to be lost. With the data backup service here,
your "My Documents" (and any other specified files or
folders) will be backed up to the medium of your choice.
** Media used for backup
varies by customer, and may be Optical Disc (DVD), Flash Drive, Media
Card, or external hard drive. Backup media may be provided by
customer, or provided at an additional cost.
Fresh
Start:
At times it may be desired to “start new” with your computer.
This may be a decision to start clean, it may be a “last resort”
to get rid of a number of issues. It may also be a chance to start
with a new operating system. With this package, your documents
(and other selected files & folders) will be backed up. Your
system will be reformatted with your operating system of choice
installed. Your documents will be returned to the newly installed
locations, and any programs of your choice will be installed.
The
base price for this service is $100, which includes backup of files,
installation of operating system, transfer of backed up data, and
configuration of settings. There may be additional charges for
installation and configuration of other software, copy(ies) of backed
up data, and cost of software.
Improvements:
Unfortunately, computers have a fairly short life expectancy. While
they my still work fine for years, there is always something “better”
coming out. It doesn't always make sense to buy a new machine every
couple of months, or even every couple of years. Depending on the
age of your machine, and your use thereof, a component upgrade may be
just what you need to get a happier computing experience from your
machine. Sometimes, even with a cleanup, an older machine will still
have some performance issues. An increase in memory (RAM) may help
it run more efficiently. You may also be able to add a new CPU
(processor) to gain some speed. Perhaps a new graphics card could
help your gamin. A new wireless card may give you some faster
connection speeds. Each situation is unique, and we will work with
you to find the specific solution for your situation – as well as
realistic expectations upon completion.
The
initial consultation for this is free, along with a clear estimate
for parts, labor, and time
Digital
Archiving:
Do
you have old VHS tapes, still photos or records? Would you like to
transfer any of these to digital
format? We can convert your old home movies to DVD, or a digital
format for you. We can also convert your old LP's to mp3 – or
other format. We can also scan your photo albums into digital
format.
The
base price for this service is:
$10
for transfer of one two-hour movie, converted to DVD or digital
format
$10
for one LP converted to mp3 or other digital format
$20
for one small photo album scanned in high resolution to media of
customer's choice.
Bulk
rates may be available depending on size of customer order.
At
present we cannot do Betamax, 8mm, reel-to-reel, cassette or
mini-cassette or other media, but we're working to change that!
Windows
XP: End of Life:
In
just a few days (April 8, 2014) Microsoft will officially end support
for Windows XP. I
know there are many who would wish that Windows Vista would have been
shelved, and XP support continued, but such is not the case.
Windows XP had a good life, addressing some of the problems with
Millennium, offering several variations (Home, Professional, Media
Center) and was available for both 32 and 64 bit systems. It also
continued in popularity after the release of its successor Vista.
Microsoft has this page regarding the upcoming end of
support:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/xp/default.aspx
In
short, on the 8th,
Microsoft will cease adding updates for Windows XP. This means
there will be no further Service Packs, software updates, and
security patches. While some may say that this is merely a way to
sell more software, To
a degree it is. Microsoft offers, through their site, options for
upgrading your copy of XP to a newer, supported version. However,
marketing and sales aside, newer software is better able to handle
evolving technology.
For
a more detailed explanation of what's going to happen, what it may
mean to you, and what you can do, check out this article.
Helpful
Tip:
Dust can be one of your
computer's worst enemies. Dust can build up in desktops and
notebooks. It can clog fans and vents, preventing airflow, and
causing overheating. It can also help provide an environment great
for static electricity to damage delicate internal components. One
simple thing that you can do, is to periodically spray inside your
case with a can of compressed air. These can be picked up for a
fairly low cost at office supply stores, electronics stores, and
retail superstores. On a PC (with the power off) you'll want to
unscrew your side panel, and spray around the inside of the case to
blow any dust out. The CPU fan and power supply fan (and any other
fan) should be blown out to ensure good air flow. It may be a good
idea to do this outdoors if possible. For a notebook, you'll want
to blow out vents, but not disassemble your machine.
