Computer Basics
On this page are some basics about Microsoft operating systems. The first thing you need to know about computers is: they all have one thing in common - they process information. Whether it's the one you are reading this with or one in your car - this fact does not change. You can sit down to any computer designed to access a web page and do so - as long as it is working properly and connected to the Internet. It does not matter if it is a Microsoft, Macintosh, Linux, or some other operating system.
Computer Basics for Microsoft Operating systems
Most computer technicians do not tell people the importance of, or how to setup their computer (especially concerning security) for use with the Internet.
Microsoft Dos Windows 3.1/95/98/ME etc.
Microsoft is no longer creating new security updates for these operating systems, so don't use them on the Internet. If you have old applications or games you use on one of these that's great. Just because it's old does not mean it can't perform well – just choose wisely what you use it for.
There are three basic types of accounts you can use on Windows XP and Windows Vista. There is the Guest account which most people will never use except in a public setting such as a mall. The Administrator accounts on Windows XP and Vista are the opposite of the Guest account. With these accounts the user can do everything from installing and un-installing software and hardware and making system changes. The problem with using Administrator accounts all the time is that when the user is on the Internet everything the user accesses on the Internet also has full Administrator access ... so viruses and Spyware can install themselves. What we commonly hear from customers is, “Well I have XYZ Antivirus program to take care of that.”
So we explain the life cycle of a Virus/Spyware...
When a new Virus/Spyware is created, it is sent out into the world and at least several thousand peoples' computers get infected by it. Then the Antivirus/Anti-Spyware companies get it and study it. Then those companies create definition files for users to download and be protected from this new threat. It is important to have good Antivirus and Anti-Spyware programs and use them but most of the peoples' computers who get infected with these nasties would not have had to deal with them if they had not been using an Administrator account while using the Internet. In fact ... most peoples computers that get infected have an Anitvirus program installed.
Antivirus programs are only as good as what they know about. So not only do you need to install it, but you need to update and and let is scan regularly.
This brings us to the third main type of account on Windows XP and Vista ... In Windows XP it's called a Limited account and in Windows Vista it's called a Standard account. With these types of accounts it is much hard for Viruses/Spyware to install themselves giving the users protection programs time to get the definitions for them and deal with them. It's it necessary to log on to an Administrator to do maintenance (Windows Updates and protection program scans) but users should make sure they delete temporary files before they do so to help keep malicious programs from installing. While no one can guarantee 100% protection, using a Limited/Standard account most of the time will help significantly.
So ... it is most important to make sure you are not logging in with Administrator Privileges all the time on these operating systems. If you do, expect to have problems. Hackers/virus writers/Spyware writers etc. hope you will log on as Administrator all the time... SO DON'T DO IT!
If a computer technician tells you it's alright to log in as Administrator all the time, they most likely do not know what they are doing or just want your repeat business! We like repeat business too, and even give discounts for scheduled maintenance, but we prefer to give our customers good advise so they do not have to keep getting the same problems fixed time after time. This also helps us sleep with a clear conscience knowing we've truly tried to help customers rather than rip them off.
Therefore, we make every effort to set you up correctly the first time. We will set up your system(s) to keep them functioning, provided they are used responsibly. We will also recommend and install programs, and take the time to explain them to you, enabling you to take care of small issues yourself. We are also willing to let you call us two times after the delivery of your computer so you can ask questions about running things like Windows Updates and the suggested Antivirus and Anti-Spyware programs. As long as the two calls do not exceed fifteen minutes each there is no extra cost to you. If you need more in-depth assistance we will happily come to help you.
Maintenance
Performing maintenance on your computer(s) is very important and becomes more important with newer faster computers. It is important to make sure computers have the most current security updates, anti-virus and anti-spyware updates and have the applicable programs scan the computer on a regular basis. It is also important to blow the dust out of computers periodically to help them from having heat issues because heat/heat dissipation and good air flow go hand in hand.
We offer a discount for scheduled monthly maintenance. If you only have one computer we will do this for ˝ our normal hourly charge up to 1.5 hours. This service is typically performed at your location. If you have a dialup Internet connection we will either require you to bring the computer to us or we will pickup/deliver your computer(s) for an extra charge. If you have a dialup Internet connection and want maintenance done at your location there is no hourly discount. If the maintenance takes more than 1.5 hours our normal hourly charge applies in 15 minute increments. It is rare to take longer than 1.5 hours for monthly maintenance. First time maintenance does not get this discount. If you choose to have us do maintenance other than once a month normal hourly rates apply for the entire time. If you do not use a separate Limited/Standard account for use with the Internet this discount does not apply. If you have more than one computer there is not hourly discount because it will mostly likely not take us 1.5 hour per computer to do Monthly Maintenance because we can multi-task. We do require 100% access to computers when doing Mintenance.