Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Squeaky Wheel...

When it comes to computer maintenance, it is quite true that the squeaky wheel does get the grease, at least when it comes to the work that I perform. As much as I would love to be able to sit back and go through the list of clients that have a computer in need of 'routine maintenance', connect and perform said maintenance, there is always someone in need of more immediate help. Whether that be by the removal of a major virus/malware that has rendered the computer inoperable, to the more obvious hardware failure that results in a trip to my bench. I can't help you if you don't help yourself by communicating with me and I would rather that be sooner than later. The sooner I know of an update that is available or that a specific file or program doesn't appear to be opening correctly, I can fix the problem. In most cases by simply updating the software and performing the routine malware/virus scans, cleaning out the temporary files and unneeded cookies.
Then there are the computers that quite simply, need to be replaced! Putting in another way, if you are currently using windows XP then your computer falls in to this category, regardless of just how fast it may be running. The fact is it is simply no longer safe to be surfing the web on a windows XP machine as there are just so many holes that require patching, it becomes a weekly round up of routine maintenance whereas a windows 7 machine can be left with some or most 'automatic' features running, this routine maintenance is more of a cleaning process then the patching and updating process required of any and all windows XP machines. Since time is money, the more time one spends fixing/updating the more it is going to cost and now, with computer prices for a new desktop falling below $400, it seems crazy to be spending money on that old machine. Not only are you going to be getting a brand new machine but one that is probably easily 20 times faster than what you were using. Think about it, when it comes time to spending money in the computer department. I am here to help and that shouldn't mean only with repairs!