Frequently Asked Questions

Question Mark Key

Q: Why is my computer running so much slower than when it was new?

A: Slow computers are a major gripe with our customers. It is not any one thing but typically several factors which cause an older computer to gradually slow down including:

Today’s Internet Security suites and anti-malicious software products are a necessary thing but due to their real time monitoring and ever increasing sophistication present an ever increasing load on your PC, especially if it is not a multi-processor PC, which most Windows XP based PCs are not.
Your PC is running many more programs than when you purchased it. Often when you install a free program (Adobe Reader, Apple QuickTime, Google Chrome, etc.) other programs are installed by default so make sure you take your time and uncheck those boxes during installation. Reducing the number of programs your PC is constantly running is in most cases critical to improving your PC’s performance. Many of these programs are configured to automatically start up even though you don’t need them running all the time. Because every computer’s environment and owner is different, the programs that may be prevented from starting up automatically is unique to each computer. In my opinion, this is why most programs and web sites which talk about speeding up your PC make little if any noticeable change in your PC’s performance because they don’t properly address this issue. I believe that for any software to do a proper job of shutting down programs and services (see next bullet) it would have to ask you several technical oriented questions so as to know which programs you need running all the time and which ones you don’t. At this point in time I think most of these types of programs/web sites are not worth the money given how ineffective they usually are, especially if you are already running some kind of security software which prevents malicious software from installing itself on your PC and causing it to slow down and cause other problems. Personally none of my clients have ever experienced any noticeable improvement in their computer from using one of these so called PC tune-up programs that is claimed to make your PC run faster. Personally when I tune-up a slow PC, I carefully document everything I do just in case something gets shut down that should have been left running.
Your PC is running many unnecessary services. Services are similar to programs but are not started through the Start menu and typically start up on their own without you even logging in. Which services you need and which services you can disable varies from computer to computer. For example, many services turned on by default are geared towards a corporate environment which is much more sophisticated than what is needed for the typical home user or small business owner.
You don’t have enough RAM/memory. All the above contribute to higher memory needs. If you don’t have enough physical memory, some of your currently running programs have to be swapped between memory and your hard drive frequently which can greatly slow down your PC. We recommend at least 512 MB RAM for Windows XP and at least 3 GB of RAM for Vista/Windows 7. When you upgrade your memory make sure you increase the size of your swap file as needed.
Other factors can include a fragmented hard drive (less of a problem on Vista/Windows 7 machines) including system files which are not defragged by the built in defragmenter, a fragmented and/or damaged Windows registry (a database internal to Windows), performance counters being enabled, buggy device drivers and programs, conflicting programs such as multiple security programs running at the same time, and malicious software running on your PC.

Call us at 505-226-8318 today for all of your networking
services in Albuquerque today!

Q: I have anti-virus software running so why did my computer still get infected?

A: This can happen for several reasons. First off, no one program will protect you against all of the ever increasing amount of sophisticated malicious software. I recommend you have at least 2 security programs providing real time protection against malicious software. Also, you want to have a full Internet security suite (includes firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-adware, anti-root, etc.) as your primary defense and not just an anti-virus or anti-spyware application. Most of the software security vendors now sell them and often have “Security Suite” in their name. Also, make sure you are not just using free security software which typically has features such as real-time protection, automatic updates, and/or automatic scanning disabled, as your primary defense. The old saying “you get what you pay for” definitely applies to the free security software programs that you can download and install. Also, your computer (PC or Mac) may have been infected by an attacker using a 3^rd party application (especially Adobe Reader so make sure you apply all automatic updates from Adobe) that your computer is running. Most of the time your PC gets infected simply because of actions you took – the web site you visited, the software or file you downloaded, or the email attachment you accessed. Malicious software can render your PC useless and damage your operating system (OS) so badly that your OS will has to be completely rebuilt and all your applications reloaded, so make sure you protect your computer properly!

Q: If I want to move from Windows XP/Vista to Windows 7 can’t I just install the upgrade version of Windows 7?

A: Most computers which are running XP do not meet the higher hardware requirements that Windows 7 needs to run properly. If you computer originally came with Vista installed then you should be able to upgrade it to Windows 7 without any trouble. To be sure, check your PC’s manufacturer’s website to see if your computer is compatible. A good rule of thumb is if your computer does not have a multiple (dual, quad, etc.) processors it will not likely be compatible with Windows 7. Also, keep in mind that it is often better to back up your data, wipe out your hard drive, and perform an installation of a full version of Windows 7, especially if you are having any kind of reliability problems with your PC.

Q: Where is the best place to buy a computer?

A: It depends. Your best bang for your buck is to order one online directly from the manufacturer – Dell, HP, etc. This also allows you to have more flexibility with what software and hardware you want upgraded, added, or removed. For people who are not comfortable purchasing a computer this way, one of our services is to configure the computer for you such that the total price (including shipping and our charge) is within your budget. We check at least two manufactures web sites to see who is giving the best deal on a computer which meets your requirements. This benefits you since you typically get a better warranty and a more powerful computer for the same amount of money you would have spent on a PC in a retail store. The computer is purchased in your name, and we have the computer shipped directly to you. Ordering direct from the manufacturer also works best when you do not need your new PC immediately. Often manufacturers offer free shipping with delivery 5 to 7 business days after they finish building the computer to our specifications. However, there are some very good computers (Acer for one) which you can only buy retail also, if you need your PC right away or just want to be able to speak with someone face to face about your computing needs, than I recommend buying from one of the big chains – Best Buy, Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc. In my experience, people have had less problems buying from the “big boys” rather than the small local independent computer stores. However, I wouldn’t rule them out either if you are willing to do a little research on their level of overall customer satisfaction.

Q: Why do I need to worry about anyone attacking my computer, I don’t have anything on my computer that is worth stealing?

A: Often the average person believes that there is nothing of value stored on their computer and hence security is not a big concern. The March 2010 issue of PC World stated it best when they said, “There are three problems with this way of thinking. First, instead of pilfering data, attackers often want to take control of the computer itself, as they can employ a compromised PC to host malware or to distribute spam. Second, you may not think that your PC has any important or sensitive information, but an attacker may be able to use seemingly trivial information such as your name, address, and birth date to steal your identity. And, third, most attackers are automated and simply seek out and compromise all vulnerable systems; they do not discriminate based on a target’s value.”

Q: Is my computer worth getting fixed or should I just purchase a new one?

A: It is normally cheaper to fix your computer rather than replacing it with a new notebook or desktop computer (netbooks are another cheaper option but again you get what you pay for). There are many factors to consider whether you want to finally make the leap to a new computer:

Are you prepared to learn a new operating system?
Will all your programs run on your new computer’s operating system?
How much will it cost you to move your data from your old computer to your new computer?
Are their certain programs you will want/need to buy when you get a new computer – security software, Microsoft Office, accounting software, etc?
Am I willing to continue to accept the slower performance of my present computer or do I want the faster performance of a newer PC?

Some rules of thumb that may help are as follows:

If your computer originally came with an operating system prior to Windows XP – Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows Me, Windows 98, etc. than it is definitely time to get a new computer.
If your processor is older/less powerful than a 2.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 than you should probably get a new computer, especially if you have less than 512 MB of RAM, the minimum amount of memory MCS recommends for Windows XP.
If neither of the previous two bullets holds true and your computer is running Windows XP and it can be fixed for $250 or less then consider getting your computer fixed. If you have to spend much more then that and your computer originally came loaded with XP then it is probably not worth getting fixed.
If your computer is running Vista or Windows 7 and it can be fixed for $300 to $350 or less then consider getting it fixed if your computer originally cost at least twice that when you purchased it.

Q: What is the next big thing to watch for in the field of computers?

A: Both individuals and businesses may want to keep a keen eye on the development of cloud computing. Cloud computing is the collection of Internet based services which are provided to computers and other devices (netbooks, smart phones, Ipads, etc.) on demand. Tech giants like Microsoft, IBM, and Google and many other companies are currently spending huge amounts of money in this area. Mobile Computer Services can help your business make use of the following low cost (in some cases free) cloud computing services:

Multi-site file sharing and synchronization between laptop, desktop, and phone
Automated backup solutions
Multi-site real time collaboration
Remote desktop sharing/control