The PC Guy - Al Lustie
Need or Want PC Support?
Someone who will come to your home or place of business? Who is reliable, prompt and helpful?
Install a wireless network in your home or office. If spam and computer virii have slowed your PC down to a crawl, call me -- Al Lustie.
PC Tips
Click the Blog link to the left -- important tips are being added each week. On 11/28/09 I added links and counsel regarding removing the really nasty antivirus system PRO trojan. Click the Blog link.
New -- slideshow reminding you of keyboard shortcuts to copy, move and paste.
What about moving to Windows 7?
Usually I don't recomment moving to a new version of Windows for about a year, when the first service pack comes out. In this case, however, few problems relating to Windows 7 have been reported. First check for compatibility with your computer, of course, but if you are compatible, it could be worth it Windows 7 uses fewer resources and may run a bit faster. Some features of Windows Vista are more user-configurable. That's a good thing.
If you want help, give the PC Guy a call -- I am ready to assist.
Oh, one more thing -- you cannot upgrade directly from Windows XP. You must back up all your data, buy the "full" version and do a clean install. Sorry, it's not my idea. This is the marketing punishment for not upgrading to (and paying for) Vista.
Other Tips:
- Keep virii away. If you don't have a GOOD anti-virus program, get one. Keep it updated!!! Scan everytime you start the computer (like every day). For information on good anti-virus programs, check this link: 2009 Antivirus Software Reviews. Or this one: TopTenReviews. Or ConsumerSearch.
- I don't generally recommend Norton because they are
a) hard to renew and
b) hard to remove when you can't renew. But they do give good protection.
- Backup your data regularly. The cost of external hard disks is low. Many come with automated backup software. The second-most reason I get calls and people pay me is because their computer has died and they need their email contact list. BACKUP, folks. the iMAC has a "Time Machine" program that backs your hard disk up as your work. Use it, if you have a Mac. If you use Mozilla products (you should) get a copy of MozBackup free. Use it to put a copy of your bookmarks and email/contact lists for Thunderbird in My Documents, and at least back up My Documents every day. If you use Outlook, export the whole enchilada to My Documents daily. Put the date of the backup .psd file in your filename.
- My friend, Dave, called last night. He had completed a job for someone who had massive problems. Thousands of virii on his PC, to be exact. And on his backup disk. Both had to be "Killed", scoured, and everything reinstalled. He lost all his data. Why?
- One day last week he had some free time so he decided to OPEN every email in his Spam folder. He hadn't deleted spam for about 3 months. Enough of those emails contained virii, zombies, trojan horses and the like to take over and destroy his hard disk. And his backup disk.
- What I must tell you is this: NEVER, NEVER, EVER OPEN SPAM EMAIL. NEVER. NEVER. NEVER.
- In fact, don't open email from people you don't know, and don't open images or attachments from people you don't know. But. . . if you must . . . disconnect any external backup hard drives and then Run Your AntiVirus and AntiSpam programs after doing so. BEFORE. . . before reconnecting your external hard drive. Even your friends could be infected, so be sure you keep your antivirus and anti spam programs and definitions up to date. Please!
Wireless and Networking
As new, faster wireless standards are being implemented by manufacturers and included in new laptops, more people want this convenience in their homes. Comments made include:
- "I don't want the wires to trip over."
- "I don't like the looks of all those wires."
- "I want to be able to work in the TV room."
- "My (husband, wife) is recovering from an injury and would like to be able to use the computer on the couch."
Why not? Wireless routers or Access Points are not expensive, and the PC Guy can get you set up in an hour or two. Call for this service.
The Computer Has Gotten Really Slow
There are several common reasons to call The PC Guy, but three seem to be common.
- Windows needs to be rebuilt. It's slow,, viruses have proven non-eradicable, it needs a tune-up. To do this requires backing up ALL the data, including email and contact lists, all of My Documents and whatever else it important to you, and then scouring the disk electronically, reformatting it and reinstalling Windows and all your programs. The PC Guy will do this for $285.00 if you have your Windows disk, your drivers disk and your program disks.
- Spam and Viruses also cause significant sludge in your computer. Either the solution (above) or using several anti-virus and anti-spam programs on your computer will usually nearly double your speed.
- The computer doesn't have enough memory. 256MB is barely enough for Windows XP these days if you are doing much more than surfing the Web or using Email. Boosting your computer's memory to 1 GB for Windows XP and 2 GB for Windows Vista usually makes your machine seem brand new.
Call or email The PC Guy today for a faster, more reliable computer.
Want to learn more?
The PC Guy offers tutoring in MS Office, including Office 2007, Photoshop, Photoshop Essentials, email clients like Thunderbird, basic computer skills such as copying, pasting, and generally being more efficient with your tool, the computer.
If you are taking a class in programming such as Javascript, ColdFusion, PHP -- or general programming skills, call The PC Guy for assistance. He will work with you to meet at your convenience.
Want help setting up printers, networking, maintaining a web site, scanning photos or documents -- for any and all computer issues. . .
Call or email The PC Guy today for a faster, more reliable computer.