Archive for the ‘diagnostics’ Category
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fix my PC
If it’s displayed in a prominent TV or internet ad, it must be good…right? I mean who doesn’t love their pajama jeans or shamWOW?! But when we are talking about things that can “make your system run faster,” as in computer repair, buyer beware.
These days everyone is in the computer repair/tune-up business. I mean everyone…even popular search engines have gotten in on the act. One doesn’t have to look far to find in-your-face ads claiming that with a quick click of the mouse your system will run smoother and faster than ever by fixing hundreds of problems (you didn’t even know you had) thereby returning your computer to “like new” condition. Additionally, it will KEEP your systems running smoothly for a small annual fee if you wish.
It seems safe enough, a phone call to that 1-800# or a little click here and there and presto you’re all done. No need to get ripped off again by that local repair house…that is for suckers!
Let’s explore this shall we?
Most of these quick fix services charge about $30-60 or so. Luckily most do not access your system remotely and seems safe enough. You just click to install their software onto your system. What they don’t tell you is that their software is one of those unnessary items that helps make your system run slower in the first place. They also don’t tell you that you can delete your own cookies and run the same defrag scans yourself for free…but now I’m just getting picky. Another thing they don’t tell you is that you may have just installed a program that was already infected with malware, spyware and viruses. But hey…it comes with UNLIMITED tech support…so they can fix it. Oops except that they can’t really diagnose (it’s okay this is probably covered in the fine print somewhere) hardware except for the super obvious “eminate failure of hard drive”…which again they can’t fix…double oops. Of course, your internet must be working to partake in these convenience services in the first place. Oh, and darn it…you can’t really completely remove all viruses this way…no matter what they tell you.
Our advice? Don’t engage in risky behavior no matter how good of a deal it appears to be. Downloading software and/or allowing remote access to your system is risky unless you KNOW who/where it’s coming from.
Keep your systems running smoothly by:
- Investing in a good anti-virus, properly configuring it and keeping it updated
- Allow ligitmate system updates
- Use your common sense when clicking on websites, links, emails, facebook invitations or allowing anyone access to your system remotely.
- Pay a professional a minimal fee to do a system tune-up a few times a year or do it yourself. I recommend the first who can also check for viruses/malware/spyware/scareware and remove it for real if they find them.
- Keep unnessary software and files off your system – in addition to food and beverages (seems obvious I know).
- If you hear strange noices, feel heat, suffer from pop-up hell, your system freezes up often or doesn’t turn on…contact a local professional that you trust immediately.
Copyright © 2012 Help Me!!® Tech Team, a division of HELP ME!!® Computers, LLC
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Di-agnostics
“Ag•nos•tic ” to be a doubter, disbeliever or skeptic.It’s no wonder people doubt the importance of diagnostics…heck doubt comes built right into the word. By nature, we just hate the diagnostics process as a whole…don’t we? Why can’t the doctor just take one look at us and instantaneously KNOW what is wrong?! Why must you spend good money and time on figuring out the exact problem? Can’t they just take their best guess and treat that?
Unless we have walked into the emergency room with a pair of gardening sheers through our eye socket (ouch just saw that on the news)…chances are, in most cases, it’s just not that obvious why we have this pain or that (unless we’re married in which case it might be really obvious).
Additionally, do we really want our Doctor taking their best guess and treating us with what they think is wrong?
I’ll help you out here. Well of course we don’t. Sure, the Band-Aid might stick for a little while but could later fall off to expose an even bigger gangrenous problem. (Like the metaphor?)
Anyhoo…you’d be surprised how many times a day we get asked “Why are diagnostics so important? If I think that I am infected with a virus…can’t you just fix it?”
How do we say this nicely?
While your input is an important part of determining what the problem is, things are not always that simple. Taking the time to do complete diagnostics is the right way to do things and it saves you money in the long run.
Bottom line, you don’t want to waste money on repairs that you don’t need. Computer systems are complex and not every issue is attributable to a virus, as common as they are.
By performing thorough diagnostics your technology professional will be better able to pinpoint what the exact problem is and thereby do a better job of making your repair successful…the first time. Plus other unforeseen issues can be caught before they become a problem.
Make sure that your diagnostics:
- Test Hardware
- Check for Viruses/Malware/Spyware
- Check Log for Errors
- Check System Resources
Equally, if not MOST importantly…make sure that you have your systems diagnosed through an actual trusted technology professional (not your neighbor’s teenager…sorry kid). While not the cheapest route, it will prove to save you time, money and headaches in the future.
Copyright © 2011 Help Me!!® Tech Team, a division of HELP ME!!® Computers, LLC
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