Some of the best things in life are free!!!
Ok...maybe not PC's, but some of the best software to maintain them and
keep them humming are! Here are a few of our recommendations,
based on years of experience and testing: (If you use these, please
support the developers!)
Need a good anti-virus? You can't go wrong with AVG! Download the
free version here! Millions trust it, and so do we! While the free version
gives great protection, the entire internet package is worth every cent!
Tired of manually cleaning out all your temp files and browser
debris? (What do you mean you don't ever do that??) Get CCleaner
here and let it do the work for you!! Includes a top of the line registry
cleaner too!
The absolute worst enemy is the multitude of viruses that
are out there, and more being invented and changed every
day! For the FREE remedy, use what the pro's use!
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a standard tool in ANY tech's
arsenal against the nastiest of viruses! Best of all, its free!
And updates are done by the wonderful developers
constantly, sometimes many times a day! Get it here!
Getting a lot of ad-ware? Not only can it be dangerous, but its
annoying as all get-out also! Try Lavasoft's Ad-Aware free here! You
will be glad you did! (And so will your PC!)
Spyware is also VERY dangerous, and can be extremely destructive!
(Not just to your PC, but to your financial well-being too!) Get SpyBot
Search & Destroy here!
Got a crowded desktop? Too many icons floating around? Need to get
organized in order to find ANYTHING on your desktop? Stardock
makes the PERFECT solution! Its called FENCES, and its totally
customizable to "corral" your icons however you want! Download the
free version here!
We make no money whatsoever from promoting these. These
just happen to be a few of the tools we use every day! If you
are looking for a certain tool, please drop us a note and
tell us what you would like! (well, within reason, of course!)
Ok...maybe not PC's, but some of the best software to maintain them and
keep them humming are! Here are a few of our recommendations,
based on years of experience and testing: (If you use these, please
support the developers!)
Need a good anti-virus? You can't go wrong with AVG! Download the
free version here! Millions trust it, and so do we! While the free version
gives great protection, the entire internet package is worth every cent!
Tired of manually cleaning out all your temp files and browser
debris? (What do you mean you don't ever do that??) Get CCleaner
here and let it do the work for you!! Includes a top of the line registry
cleaner too!
The absolute worst enemy is the multitude of viruses that
are out there, and more being invented and changed every
day! For the FREE remedy, use what the pro's use!
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a standard tool in ANY tech's
arsenal against the nastiest of viruses! Best of all, its free!
And updates are done by the wonderful developers
constantly, sometimes many times a day! Get it here!
Getting a lot of ad-ware? Not only can it be dangerous, but its
annoying as all get-out also! Try Lavasoft's Ad-Aware free here! You
will be glad you did! (And so will your PC!)
Spyware is also VERY dangerous, and can be extremely destructive!
(Not just to your PC, but to your financial well-being too!) Get SpyBot
Search & Destroy here!
Got a crowded desktop? Too many icons floating around? Need to get
organized in order to find ANYTHING on your desktop? Stardock
makes the PERFECT solution! Its called FENCES, and its totally
customizable to "corral" your icons however you want! Download the
free version here!
We make no money whatsoever from promoting these. These
just happen to be a few of the tools we use every day! If you
are looking for a certain tool, please drop us a note and
tell us what you would like! (well, within reason, of course!)
I have an older computer I was just going to throw away. Should I hang on to
it?
It all depends on what you want to use it for. Almost any PC is capable for web
browsing (surfing) and email. If you are in to something that requires a lot of graphics
support, it would be wise to look into getting a new graphics card. Some times you can
get a new graphics card installed on your existing computer, it it brings it a new, useful
life. And, of course, more RAM can make it run like new again!) Drop us a note with the
specifics, we will help you determine that!
I turn on my computer, the lights are on and I hear the fans running, but it doesnt show
up on the monitor at all. Whats the problem?
It could be just a video card problem. If you are comfortable opening up your PC (don't
attempt this on a laptop yourself, we are speaking of desktops here!) reseat the
graphics card in the PCI slot. If you have no add-on graphics card (it comes straight
from the motherboard) test it with another monitor. That will help determine whether its
just a video problem, or a motherboard fault. We can help walk you through that.
I hear a certain amount of "beeps" coming from the computer when it tries to boot up,
but it never loads up, or shows video! What could it be?
Each motherboard manufacturer has a unique set of beep codes to indicate a problem
with your startup. Since each is different, let us know the brand and model, and we will
help you determine where/what your problem(s) are.
When I turn on my PC, absolutely nothing happens.
This can be a variety of things, from something so simple as a loose RAM module, to a
power source failure, to a complete motherboard failure. We have the tools and
equipment to determine just where the fault lies. Just contact us for help!
We had a lightning strike that knocked our power out. Now the computer wont turn on.
Is it a complete waste now?
Most PC's are built so that a power strike will not fry the entire computer. It may affect
certain parts though, such as the power supply, the ethernet connection, or other crucial
parts of the motherboard. In this part of the country, we are used to seeing all aspects
of Mother Nature's damage to computers, so let us help you determine what it will take
to get it back up and running. And ALWAYS use a GOOD power strip for your
electronics!!
I get a warning that pops up about my computer being infected, but it wont let me do
anything else until I buy the software!
Thats the true sign of a nasty virus, especially if you already have one installed. While
no anti-virus can stop everything (sad, but true, because things are changing minute by
minute in the virus world!) common sense should tell you this just "ain't right!" Removing
viruses is a very in-depth process and not a quick fix! Contact us for a speedy, but
thorough cleansing at a fraction of the cost of others! Always keep your anti-virus
updated! (see our "Tools" page for help!) AND PLEASE, PLEASE beware of those ads
you see on TV for quick fixes. Most of the time, those are loading the viruses themselves!
And they lock up your PC until you give them a credit card and then pay a recurring
charge thats impossible to stop. These groups advertise on TV under one name, then, as
the authorities are catching up to them, they move on to the next name. Check out any
of their names by googling them, and adding the word "scam" on the end. You can really
read some horror stories!
I received an email from my bank saying I need to verify my account. Is it legit?
More than likely NO! No legit financial institution will ever send you an email asking you
to click on a link to verify your account info. If you are in doubt, contact via phone your
financial institution immediately!
My PC turns on, and just as it starts to boot up, it shuts down! Whats going on?
Now that can be a few things! The first thing to check is if your fans are blowing, AND
they have some room to "breathe!" This is where a can of air duster can be a life saver!
Make sure all your fan exhaust areas are free from dust and dirt and hair, etc. This is
true for both desktops and laptops. Laptops have very little exhaust areas (hence why
they are always so warm) so you must ensure your fan areas are always clear. The
reason for the shutdown could be that the processor is getting too hot, and the fans
can't do their job of adequate cooling of the processor. PCs are made to shut down to
prevent any further damage. You could also have a problem with the processor and its
bond with the heat sink, which might just require some thermal paste compound. But
leave that to us to figure out. Most of the time its because the CPU cooler fan can't do
its job adequately, for one reason or another.
it?
It all depends on what you want to use it for. Almost any PC is capable for web
browsing (surfing) and email. If you are in to something that requires a lot of graphics
support, it would be wise to look into getting a new graphics card. Some times you can
get a new graphics card installed on your existing computer, it it brings it a new, useful
life. And, of course, more RAM can make it run like new again!) Drop us a note with the
specifics, we will help you determine that!
I turn on my computer, the lights are on and I hear the fans running, but it doesnt show
up on the monitor at all. Whats the problem?
It could be just a video card problem. If you are comfortable opening up your PC (don't
attempt this on a laptop yourself, we are speaking of desktops here!) reseat the
graphics card in the PCI slot. If you have no add-on graphics card (it comes straight
from the motherboard) test it with another monitor. That will help determine whether its
just a video problem, or a motherboard fault. We can help walk you through that.
I hear a certain amount of "beeps" coming from the computer when it tries to boot up,
but it never loads up, or shows video! What could it be?
Each motherboard manufacturer has a unique set of beep codes to indicate a problem
with your startup. Since each is different, let us know the brand and model, and we will
help you determine where/what your problem(s) are.
When I turn on my PC, absolutely nothing happens.
This can be a variety of things, from something so simple as a loose RAM module, to a
power source failure, to a complete motherboard failure. We have the tools and
equipment to determine just where the fault lies. Just contact us for help!
We had a lightning strike that knocked our power out. Now the computer wont turn on.
Is it a complete waste now?
Most PC's are built so that a power strike will not fry the entire computer. It may affect
certain parts though, such as the power supply, the ethernet connection, or other crucial
parts of the motherboard. In this part of the country, we are used to seeing all aspects
of Mother Nature's damage to computers, so let us help you determine what it will take
to get it back up and running. And ALWAYS use a GOOD power strip for your
electronics!!
I get a warning that pops up about my computer being infected, but it wont let me do
anything else until I buy the software!
Thats the true sign of a nasty virus, especially if you already have one installed. While
no anti-virus can stop everything (sad, but true, because things are changing minute by
minute in the virus world!) common sense should tell you this just "ain't right!" Removing
viruses is a very in-depth process and not a quick fix! Contact us for a speedy, but
thorough cleansing at a fraction of the cost of others! Always keep your anti-virus
updated! (see our "Tools" page for help!) AND PLEASE, PLEASE beware of those ads
you see on TV for quick fixes. Most of the time, those are loading the viruses themselves!
And they lock up your PC until you give them a credit card and then pay a recurring
charge thats impossible to stop. These groups advertise on TV under one name, then, as
the authorities are catching up to them, they move on to the next name. Check out any
of their names by googling them, and adding the word "scam" on the end. You can really
read some horror stories!
I received an email from my bank saying I need to verify my account. Is it legit?
More than likely NO! No legit financial institution will ever send you an email asking you
to click on a link to verify your account info. If you are in doubt, contact via phone your
financial institution immediately!
My PC turns on, and just as it starts to boot up, it shuts down! Whats going on?
Now that can be a few things! The first thing to check is if your fans are blowing, AND
they have some room to "breathe!" This is where a can of air duster can be a life saver!
Make sure all your fan exhaust areas are free from dust and dirt and hair, etc. This is
true for both desktops and laptops. Laptops have very little exhaust areas (hence why
they are always so warm) so you must ensure your fan areas are always clear. The
reason for the shutdown could be that the processor is getting too hot, and the fans
can't do their job of adequate cooling of the processor. PCs are made to shut down to
prevent any further damage. You could also have a problem with the processor and its
bond with the heat sink, which might just require some thermal paste compound. But
leave that to us to figure out. Most of the time its because the CPU cooler fan can't do
its job adequately, for one reason or another.