New Systems:-
"All major manufacturers & high street stores do not supply what you need - I believe it is almost impossible to purchase a well setup system from anywhere at present." Please read on.... "
- Window 7 machines run very slowly unless you have the correct specification. (If you have an older desktop computer - these often prove faster when properly setup than new systems)
- 'Netbooks' small laptops use the ATOM processor - these usually will not run Windows 7 except extremely slowly unless a lot of work is done to speed them up - it is still possible to get these with XP which runs well.
- Laptops - The preferred is a standard 15.6" Toshiba, (HP/Compaq are also ok) these have a collect and return warranty and are usually made to a good specification, but they still have a lot of clutter and you need to spend time getting this off and setting them up properly. For younger children I have a special internet protection system - this keeps them away from inappropriate web sites.
- If you do buy a retail system - then make sure you buy a very good specification (Minimum - Fast dual core processor and 4GB RAM), or your new system will prove very slow. (Slower than a 4 or 5 year old XP system well set up).
- Make sure the 'processor' is made by Intel, other processors do not seem to work so well, my personal opinion is that Microsoft makes sure that their software works well with Intel and may be it is not 'engineered' specifically for other processors (namely AMD).
- New machines have pre-installed 'clutter' - installed by the manufacturer or supplier as they get paid to do so by third parties - THIS REALLY SLOWS DOWN YOUR NEW SYSTEM AND CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS. It is VERY difficult to get rid of.
- Almost all new systems come with Pre-Installed software OFFERS - these are useless, they will stop working after a month or so and you will need to pay for them if you want to use them.... it is a con, they are cheaper to buy separately.
- The standard antivirus systems installed are often NOT the best available. The manufacturers install these as they make money from these offers - they make your machine run slowly for ever!
- Many main suppliers DO NOT provide the original disks (Operating system and other software). Even if you make a copy of your complete system as they suggest - you may NOT be able to re-install the operating system, (eg XP, Vista or Windows7), in the event of a hardware replacement and will need to buy it again - a complete swindle, I see this all the time now.
- Your screen does not come set to the right resolution - many, many systems have never been correctly set - you pay for a quality monitor and get the equivalent of a very poor one.
- The most important criteria when purchasing systems, (apart from the operating system, as above), is the SCREEN (size AND resolution) - unless you want to watch DVD's do not buy a wide screen unless it is 22 " or larger as you lose too much height for viewing documents and the Internet. Best resolution is 1280x768, (or similar), screens with this resolution are difficult to find now, higher resolutions can be too small to see easily -unless you eyesight is very good!
- Any new machine will have more than enough 'power' for XP & many will now drive W7 successfully - its the way a computer is set-up that makes ALL the difference (Older computers that are between 3 to 6 years old are twice as 'responsive' and start up more quickly, when properly set-up, than almost any new system from the usual suppliers)
- If you are able specify a 'clean' installation - ie. just the operating system with specific programs you want to use, then you can circumnavigate these issues (as most businesses do). My systems are effectively 'business systems' for normal home and office use.
- If you do have a hardware problem under a standard warranty- your warranty may not help, as you will lose your valuable data when they fix it, (eg documents, pictures, itunes) - to get a full service that provides realistic help, you will need to pay a lot more for proper engineering support.
Office Software - save £££
- I supply a completely free version of Office Software that provides almost identical functionality to MS Office. I regularly install this for families and businesses, this saves £120 for the student version of MS Office (& £350 for Professional version). So when upgrading or buying new - spend your money on something more useful such as a better screen. (And, yes it does read and write .doc .xls and .ppt files automatically!)
Antivirus & AntiSpy Software
- Most of the main antivirus packages do not work well. These companies seem very good at marketing but little else. (if you do want to buy a 'packaged antivirus' get Kapersky as this is currently the best).
- The worst aspect of packaged systems is - they slow down computers unnecessarily and can cause serious difficulty when setting up networking, wireless and broadband.
- One of the best known has recently come near the bottom in a survey of the number of viruses detected. I install free versions (for home use only) that provide improved protection and which do not slow down your computer
Which Printer?
- Again, a scam really, they just want to sell the inks and make the printers at or below cost. Most printers last for 18 months then many just give up. The only advice I can offer is that I have found that Canon printers seem to be more reliable and install easier. HP printers can be very difficult to install as they force you to install many different applications, sometimes these seem to cause instabilities with the computer... I will not re-install them as I have had to re-do too many systems due to this issue. I advise that you Don't install KODAK printers - their installation nearly DOUBLES the memory usage and installed .net which is a huge unwanted program that you simply don't need.
Broadband - Choosing an ISP
- If you have heard of them (all the well known ISP's) - they are unlikely to be any good, ring me for the top ISP's at the current time, (Try www.plus.net at present approx £10 per month and top results in customer support rankings)
- Want to change supplier? - be very careful... you need to get a 'MAC' code from your existing supplier first. OFTEL have been looking into long delays caused by your incumbent supplier not switching off their end, thus preventing your new supplier from setting up. Also ask your current supplier if you are on 'local loop unbundling', if you are it may cause further issues. Your best option, if possible, is to install a new broadband on a separate line and then cancel your current one.
- The companies to avoid (for various reasons) are SKY, AOL, NTL Cable, Virgin, BT, Orange, TalkTalk, Tiscali, and now Pipex, (Try Plus.net or BE or Zen)
Setting Up Broadband & Wireless systems
- Some well known retailers are selling discounted wireless routers - these are very difficult to install properly, I wonder whether they have a 'job-lot' and are selling them off cheaply. Unless you are an expert it is better to get some help to install with the right equipment (I offer a complete installation with full on-site warrantee).
- Make sure you have an external Firewall in you modem/router - if it is a very small box (slightly larger than a cigarette packet) then it is useless - get a proper router that offers full Firewall protection and one that connects to multiple PC's (Wireless units do this also).
- There is now another way to 'wire' your house or business, it uses the electrical mains cables as 'network cables', this overcomes many of the issue with wireless - I am happy to advise on this and test the best solution.
Fault-finding Broadband Problems
- Firstly most ISP's (AOL, BT, Tiscali, TalkTalk, Virgin, Orange, Sky, et al) use overseas call centres. These do not have 'engineers' who have the experience to help. They often work from a scripted response and this is not a sensible way to problem solve, and they ask you to change/check many settings on your system - BUT Broadband is completely independent of your computer - they insist is is not!
- Also - when there is a clear line fault (using my test equipment) some ISP's will ask you to perform 'silly' operations and checks on your system that often cause more problems and that cannot have ANY effect on the line fault (as it is nothing to do with your computer). AOL for instance, will not check you line unless you have their equipment (and many people don't), so I have often to advise customers to move their account to another ISP before they can get a line fault fixed!
- Beware - AOL have been taken over by TalkTalk (& Now Carphone Warehouse) and are changing everyone's login (and not informing them first!!!). You will lose your connection when you next disconnect your router modem - you will need to reconfigure your router with the new login username. AOL seem 'unreasonable' when trying to resolve issues, especially when they are line connection problems - I suggest you move away from AOL before you have any such problems. And you are likely to save money.
- BT's new 'infinity' - fast but currently flawed! Do an google search to see all the problems - wait until they fix it. You also pay more - most people do not need a faster broadband if the standard line is reasonable, say 3mb or more. (unless you want to stream high definition video or similar).
- Also Pipex have succumbed to Carphone Warehouse - again move away the service will be poor.
- Secondly, OFTEL have been looking into the issue of premium rate lines being used to create a 'profit centre' for companies who offer cheap rate broadband. You may easily spend hours (over many days in some instances) trying to work through a simple Broadband issue... maybe they are not in a hurry to find a fix?
- Thirdly I have special equipment that tests which type of problem exists (eg line or login problem).
- The only thing that I need to know (exactly) is your broadband user name and password, (this may be different from your email user/password). If you have this information, I can test your line and connection fairly quickly and tell you where the problem lies.
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