Speeding computers up
(easy ones) |
This can 'usually' be done fairly quickly and easily. Over time computers can get bogged down with unwanted and unnecessary software. I carry many handy little utilities to help me find these and remove them, as well as make sure the nasty ones don't come back.
Sometimes I will know straight away that I will be able to bring the computer back from the dead, and that the user is going to be over the moon with the performance gains I will achieve, other times I know the gains will not be so great, not easily anyway... this leads us to #2... |
Speeding computers up
(harder ones) |
Sometimes the computer will be encountering more physical problems causing it to run slow. A dirty, dusty machine is often the cause. To alleviate this problem I will pull apart the computer and use compressed air and a tooth brush to get all the dust out. |
| Increasing RAM |
The RAM (or memory) of a computer allows it to run many applications at once, and more RAM means it will run these applications faster, and switch between them with less delay. This is probably the most cost effective upgrade for a desktop OR notebook computer right now as RAM is very cheap. 2 Gigabytes is the minimum you want these days really. |
| Replacing Power Supplies |
The dust and dirt I mentioned earlier plays havoc on any moving component in the PC, and causes fans to not dissipate heat as well as it should. This is why I see so many power supplies die. If the fans are getting noisier and noisier, dont ignore it, its a sign that they arent working as efficiently as they should be and whatever component they are supposed to be keeping cool will be getting hotter than its meant to. If the noise stops altogether it doesnt mean the problems fixed, it means the fan has stopped altogether. Not good. |
| Supplying New PCs |
This is a part of the job I really enjoy, supplying a customer with a brand new PC. I aim at the middle to high end PC bracket, maintaining a minimum specification I will not go below. This is why my PCs are not the cheapest, but heres what you get when you buy a PC from me:-
- Guaranteed high performance
- 12 month warranty MINIMUM (5 years on hard drives etc)
- Delivery and setup with 1 hour tuition
- Pre-installed and tested with security applications
- All Windows Updates performed
- Handy applications installed (Adobe Reader etc)
- As much upgradeability as feasible
- FREE surge protector
- Hand built by me, with care and attention to details
- After sales support second to none
|
| Help with emailing documents |
This one has popped up a few times lately so it makes it into the top ten. Clients were emailing text documents to people, but the document at the other end was very poor quality and not legible. The main issue was when emailing the document the user selected the option to 'reduce image size' perhaps without even knowing what they have clicked on. So a quick run through this procedure and a bit of background on DPI and scanning techniques helped alleviate this problem. |
| Help with websites |
Helping understand where their webpage is, how to update it or how to set one up, but also just general web surfing practises, showing how the new Internet Explorer 7 uses tabbed browsing and how to effectively use favorites. |
| Supplying new monitors |
A bigger monitor is the most cost effective upgrade you will notice the most I believe. 19" LCDs are the norm now, and these can be acquired for less than $300. |
| Setting up internet |
Wireless broadband is becoming more and more financially viable and is relatively easy to setup. But if the user isnt comfortable with doing it themselves, or has tried and ended up frustrated, thats where I come in.
Also WiFi connections between the internet connection and other devices in the home is common place now. For less than $200 including labour a home can be converted to wireless, allowing a notebook or mobile device to use the internet anywhere within range of the modem. |
| Servicing |
We get our car serviced at regular intervals to keep it running at its best, but most people forget the computer and expect it to work and keep working for years. This just isnt going to happen. Windows itself 'degrades' over time as applications are installed and uninstalled leaving unwanted residue, or untimely shutdowns can cause file errors. And the physical side of the computer is important. The dust and dirt mentioned before can build up invisibly, causing premature failure of components.
This is why scheduled servicing of my client computers is important. Cleaning the dust out and ensuring air vents are clear every 3-6 months helps ensure the long life of the machine. Some factory units build up dust so fast I even install filtration pads on large air intakes to help reduce the intake. |
