What I can do for your computer.
The first thing you need to know is that I care about protecting your data. I will not format your hard drive without a good reason – and I will check with you first. I also care about protecting your programs and the way you have your computer set up.
Tune Up
Hardware Repair
General Hardware Advice
I sell quality computers.
Internet and Network
Phone Support
Windows XP and Vista
Macintosh Support
Linux? (no, I don’t use or offer support for Linux – except on internet “appliances”)
IMPORTANT: Please do not take your computer to a Big Box Store for service, no matter what!
Re-install Windows? I do not re-install Windows on my customers’ computers, unless I’m specifically asked to do so, or I’ve exhausted every other option. I do everything I can to fix the problem instead. Re-installing Windows is often an option to fix a problem, but the drawback is that either you or I have to find and reinstall all your programs. Your Windows keycode should be on a sticker on the side or back of your desktop, or on the bottom of your notebook; use the CD that came with it. If you don’t have the CD, you need one that matches based on these factors: the version (Home or Pro), the service pack level, and whether or not it came from a big manufacturer. If you have Microsoft Office or any other relatively expensive software, you need to find your keycode. For Office, it’s on the Certificate of Authenticity, which shipped with the original CD.
When you reinstall Windows, you do not (normally) need to format your disk! Some computers come with restore CDs that wipe your drive out, but that’s not as common as it used to be. Dells come with a Windows CD – if they come with restore CDs at all. Sometimes you have to make your own restore CDs, before your computer crashes.
By the time you’re thinking about calling a computer tech, you probably either have a problem to solve or a task you need done. When you have a problem to solve, by definition you don’t exactly know what’s wrong. Therefore, answers like “I can help with software, but I don’t know anything about hardware” and “Sorry, we don’t provide software support on this line, you’ll have to reformat your hard drive before you blame anything on us” don’t get very far in actually helping you solve your problem.
I can isolate the trouble you’re having, whether it’s hardware or software – or, as is common, both.
The following is a general description of what I do. It may provide some insights into how you can fix the problem yourself, or it may bore you to tears. Feel free to skip all this and call me!
Tune Up
Most computers ship with second-rate software preinstalled. Right out of the box, there is a lot of room for improvement. If you’ve been using your computer for a while, you’ve probably installed more software. Programs can conflict with each other and cause problems.
If you get a virus or spyware on your computer, it gets worse. Since brand-name computers usually ship with Norton or McAfee (not such good programs), you can get a virus relatively easily. Viruses and spyware can mess up your installation of Windows in many ways, but it is usually possible to get everything back to normal without reinstalling Windows.
One of the tools I use regularly for this is F-Secure Antivirus. It is the best antivirus program in the world and the largest antivirus company in Europe. If you have Norton or McAfee on your computer, or you think your computer has a virus or spyware, I recommend you try F-Secure.
You can buy F-Secure from me or at www.f-secure.com. My price for a one-year subscription is $50 for Antivirus and $80 ($60 while the sale price lasts) for Internet Security, each valid on up to three computers. A six-month demo of F-Secure Antivirus and a one-month demo of F-Secure Internet Security are available.
I also use HijackThis regularly. It displays a pretty comprehensive list of what’s running at startup and configuring your computer, and will attempt to remove it. It is good for removing both malware and corporate junk of various kinds. You have to know what you’re doing to use this program! If you can’t understand the entries, there are experts out there who can (like me). I frequently consult www.castlecops.com and Google to look up unfamiliar HijackThis items.
There are many other tools out there that I use regularly. I have a collection of them that I share with my customers. It includes demo copies of F-Secure and many other tools.
Hardware repair
Hardware diagnosis and repair is a tricky thing. The skill comes from experience and critical thinking. There are some general statements I can make, but nothing substitutes for hands-on diagnosis by an experienced technician like me.
Diagnostic software is available. Most Dells and many other big-brand computers ship with diagnostic tools that will check out your hardware and attempt to identify what problem you’re having. On a Dell, press F12 repeatedly right after turning on your computer, then choose to boot into Diagnostics.
Hard drive companies also offer diagnostics. They check out your disk pretty thoroughly. I also have used memory diagnostics. There is a program called Sandra from SiSoftware that will run in Windows and stress your computer enough that if you have a problem it should become evident.
I use diagnostics when I can but find them frustrating. Sometimes they work great. A lot of times they find no problems but there is obviously a hardware problem. Maybe someday I’ll find diagnostics that work better.
Until that day comes, diagnosis is still an art. There are a few general statements I can make about hardware problems, but I probably can’t say what’s wrong with your computer until I see it.
General hardware advice
If your computer gets slow, you probably have either a virus or a failing hard drive. Other possibilities include not enough memory (if you only have 256 or 512 MB of RAM, this might be the problem, as memory requirements continually increase on everything we use) or maybe failing memory.
If your problem seems completely mysterious and insanely frustrating, you may have bad RAM in your system.
If your computer turns off suddenly, it may be overheating due to poor air flow. Cleaning the dust out may be required. This applies particularly to laptops.
If your computer goes to a Blue Screen of Death and then reboots, it can mean different things (including the above problems). You can read what the blue screen says if you turn off the automatic reboot. Start the computer, press F8 repeatedly, and choose “Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure”. Then when the computer blue-screens you can see what the error at the top and the error codes at the bottom say, and look them up on the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
New computers
I sell new computers. I build desktops from the best components that are widely available, and I resell Asus laptops. These computers are a world apart in quality from what you can get at a big box store. Everything I sell comes with a warranty. New computers have a one-year warranty standard; you can buy an extended warranty if you wish.
It takes me about an hour to build a computer, once I have components in hand, and another couple hours to install Windows, drivers, and software, and tune it up. Ordering the components takes a couple days. If you order a computer on a Monday or Tuesday, you can realistically have it by the end of the week.
For more information, please see my page on choosing your next computer.
Internet and network solutions
I can set up and/or troubleshoot your home or office internet connection and file/printer sharing. I can help you set up a complex network or whip an existing one into shape. I have some experience with Windows Server – I can troubleshoot problems on it – but most of my work is with Windows 2000/XP/Vista.
I can also install and/or troubleshoot phone and internet wiring for you, and I frequently do this kind of troubleshooting and cable-running in the context of internet service installation.
Gene’s Antenna is the place to call if you need wiring run inside your walls, or extensive wiring work of any kind. Another good option is Qwest or your local phone company (even if you do not use their phone or internet service). Do not expect much from Comcast in this department, by the way.
Computer questions, phone support, and special projects
I can point you in the right direction for services that are out of my scope of business. If you have technical questions, I can answer them. Give me a call at 738-0282.
I provide fee-based phone support for more extensive questions – at my hourly rate, although I don't charge anything for simple issues or quick fixes.
I am also willing to undertake special projects. For instance, in 2006 I installed computers, monitors, printers, and scanners on several dozen desks at a local health care establishment over the course of a month. They were very satisfied with my service and my rates. Let me know if your business needs a technician for a computer project. I would like to help.
Microsoft Windows
For the moment, most of us are stuck with Windows XP or Vista. Personally, I’m slow to adopt new technologies, and I insist that Vista must prove itself before I am going to use it or recommend it. At this point (January 2008), Vista is fine for most people with simple computer needs.
A new version of Windows is being developed and is planned for release in 2009, or 2010, or maybe 2012. It was planned for 2005 or 2006. It’s code-named Vienna, or Blackcomb, or Windows 7, or NT 6, depending on who you ask.
Vista, then, may be an interim product. It’s clearly better than Windows Millennium, the most infamous version and the last interim version – but after our experience back in 2001 with Windows Me, we know to be careful about jumping into new Microsoft technologies. I have had problems with Vista, but the product is steadily improving through updates to itself and the software that runs on it. I think this will get better within the next year, to the point that it will work for almost everyone. But Windows XP is (finally) so well-rounded that Vista has a long way to go to catch up.
If you’re buying a new computer right now, it’s an important choice – I’d recommend XP if you're using any specialized software or hardware. At least that way your computer will be fast and stable. I don’t think Microsoft is likely to end support for XP for quite a few more years. With all the millions (billions?) of XP computers out there, don’t expect the world to adopt Vista overnight.
If you buy a computer with Windows Vista Business or Ultimate, you can "downgrade" to Windows XP. I can explain the details if you wish to go this route.
I support both XP and Vista, and I can fix almost all the problems I’ve seen on Vista. I also sell both.
Macintosh support
I have used Macintoshes for over twenty years. I like them and know how to use and fix them. They generally require much less support than PCs, have a much smaller market share, and there are a few Mac-only service establishments in town – so I don’t see that many Macs. But I have a great track record in fixing Macintosh problems.
Macs are great computers, and now they run Windows as well as Mac OS. They have a dedicated following. Macs and PCs are much more compatible now than in the past.
I intend to write more about Macs on my site in the future. One thing that most people can agree on is that Macs have very few problems and are very intuitive to use. The problems I see with Macs don’t fall neatly into categories, because they typically don’t have any problems at all. Sometimes things do go wrong with Macs – and when something goes wrong, it usually seems mysterious. But I can usually fix it.
What about Linux?
I don’t know much about Linux. I don’t offer support for Linux in general. I wish I knew more, but in my niche I just never see it. This may change, and I am open to using and supporting Linux in the future. I really like some of the ideas: taking on Microsoft’s monopoly, having better software than Windows, and living the principles of open source. I think Apple’s switch to Intel processors provides an excellent opportunity for Linux on the desktop, because if you can run Mac OS and Windows, why not Linux and Windows – if Linux can be as good as the Mac OS?
Many (most?) routers, cell phones, and other “appliances” run some kind of Linux (and yes, I provide support for these appliances). Linux is the operating system of choice for medium- and large-scale server operations. Linux is a fundamental part of the Internet. There are many varieties of Linux (e.g., Red Hat, Mandriva), and many similarly-structured operating systems that don’t call themselves Linux (including Mac OS).
Linux on the desktop or notebook computer has not been very successful so far. I have tried running Linux on my desktop a few times in the last several years, and it never went anywhere for me; I was back to Windows in a pretty short time. Others have had similar experiences. In the near future, however, applications (in particular, Google’s apps) will become less PC-oriented and more Internet-oriented; this should give you more freedom to choose your operating system.
IMPORTANT: Please do not take your computer to a Big Box Store for service, no matter what! Their business practices are outrageous. No local shop or independent technician would do the kinds of things that I’ve caught big corporations doing. I can share some stories (without naming names), but the lesson is unmistakable. The people in charge of Big Box stores do not care about you or your computer. The main reason they offer service is as a way to try to convince people to buy their products – which are typically second-rate and over-priced. They have huge stores filled with expensive garbage (and good paper products). Please, before you consider letting a big corporation touch your computer, give me a call. Or look in the yellow pages under Computer Service and call one of my friendly local competitors. Just don’t take it to a Big Box store. Even if the technicians are honest, they answer to corporate bosses who do not care about your computer, and they act like big corporations in that they do outrageous things – as a matter of policy – that local technicians would never dream of.
PLEASE do not let these people touch your system! They may well do one or more of the following: (1) Charge you a truly outrageous sum of money, (2) Do more harm than good to your computer, and/or (3) Try to sell you crappy products at obscene prices. I have seen this more than once, more than twice. Don’t let it happen to you! There are many smart, honest, and experienced local technicians who would love to help. I am one of them. Just give me a call.
www.rixcomputermagic.com