SofTech Computers in Prescott Gives Advice on How to Breathe New Life into an Old Computer

Computer running slow? Applications freezing all the time? Video or game stuttering and sound bugs? You’re probably thinking to yourself that it’s about time to buy a new computer. But wait! Rather than spending hundreds or maybe even thousands of dollars on a new computer, SofTech Computers in Prescott recommends you try these simple solutions to make your old computer run like new:

Adding More Memory - If you do a lot of work like photo and video editing, or if you recently were upgraded to Windows 10, you may need more memory, or RAM, that your system currently has. Memory upgrades are usually one of the biggest impacts you can have on a computer, and memory is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of buying a whole new system.

Performing a System Cleanup - Often times, your computer can be slowed down by temporary files or malicious files clogging up your processor and memory. A simple virus removal and system cleanup can and will certainly make a difference in the way your computer runs, and, in some cases, even protect important data and keep your computer safe.

Cleaning your Startup and Unused Programs - Ever install a program or two, use them once, and then forget about them? We all have. The problem with this behavior is that it will significantly slow down your computer after repeated offenses. Cleaning up these, or simply removing them from starting automatically, can free up system resources and save you money.

Performing an OS Reload - Windows can become corrupt over time, and may be “unfixable”, so so an OS reload could be the solution to your problem. If you find your computer turning of or getting “blue screens”, this might be your best option.

Physically Cleaning Your Computer - Often times, if your computer gets too dusty and dirty, your cooling system could work efficiently and reduce performance as a consequence. By cleaning your computer’s fans and cooling systems, you could reduce what is called thermal throttling and increase performance.

Adding a Solid State Drive (SSD) - Adding an SSD to your system, in place of a traditional hard drive, could speed you up by a factor of 5 or 6 times. Another added benefit of having an SSD in your computer is that it makes the computer more resistant to wearing out, increases battery life slightly, and is more resistant to drops and vibrations as well. Do keep in mind that Solid State Drives are a bit more expensive than a normal hard drive, so it could be more cost effective for you to just replace your drive with a traditional drive instead.

Adding a Dedicated Graphics Card - If you work with photos, videos, graphics, or play video games, a video card is a must. Not only can a high quality dedicated video card dramatically increase performance while working with these types of programs, but can also reduce freezing on video playback, and increase general performance as well.

If you are still experiencing freezing, stuttering, or crashing, it might be time to get a new computer. Many computers may just be too old to help. “But what about all of the money I spent on trying to get this computer speedy?” you might ask yourself. Well, worry not: almost all of the items you may have purchased will also speed up a new computer as well!

These maintenance procedures could drastically increase your computer’s performance and potentially allow you to hold off on getting a new one for 3 or 4 years. If you are unsure how do any of these things, or would like to know beforehand if your investment will be worth it, call SofTech computers at 928-443-8770 or visit us online at http://www.softechcomputers.com.

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How Often Should I Clean My Computer in Prescott? - SofTech Computers

Keeping your computer clean is essential to the overall health and longevity of your computer in Prescott. It’s one of those things that we don’t think about. We take our quality clean air for granted, but during a dry spell, or when we have windy conditions, extra dust can accumulate. How often should a computer have its dust cleaned or blown out? SofTech Computers has the answer, “well, it depends.”

That doesn’t sound very technical, but a lot of this has to do with where you use your computer and how you store it, if you have filters on your intake fans, or if you have pets (there could be not just Intel, but fur inside). We’ve scoured the Universe and we came up with more than one answer. Here are a few:

•    Depends on how dusty the area is around your PC. Storing it on the floor will cause more dust buildup. Cramped spaces such as a cubby or open cabinet can cause more buildup.
•    If your have an air purifier, vacuum weekly, and have filters on the intake fans, then clean out the dust maybe once a year.
•    If you live in a large city where there is lower air quality, clean out your computer once a month.
•    Do you have hairy pets, or multiple pets? Blow out your computer at least once a month.
•    If you install filters, clean the filters only- once a month and maybe the heat sink, the inside will stay basically clean.
•    We keep our work space clean and dust-free, so every 4 months or so is good for us.

How do you clean out a computer? First: Shut down and unplug your computer. Next: disconnect cables and peripherals (monitors, printers, mice speakers and keyboards). A can of compressed air and a small brush is all you need.

When you blow dust off the fans, make sure that you don’t let the fans spin. This can damage them. If you’re cleaning a desktop computer, once you’ve opened the case, start from the top and work your way down. This allows you to sweep out all the dust that settles on lower components with just a few strokes. Avoid touching anything inside and never use a vacuum cleaner. Hold the canned air upright, and at a working distance that protects the components. Don’t breathe any dust. Make sure everything is clean including the heat sink.

The rules for cleaning a laptop are similar – if you can get in there easily - most laptops are not designed to open easily. It’s possible to remove the access to the bottom panel(s), but you could void the warranty in doing so. Always power it down, unplug it and remove the battery. SofTech Computers in Prescott is here to help with cleaning and maintenance issues for your computer. Don’t be afraid to ask a techie a simple question. Call us at 928-443-8770 or visit http://softechcomputers.com/ for more information and useful articles.

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Hang Up and Call Softech Computers in Prescott - A Simple Warning

The phone rings and we want to be a good sport, pick up the phone and say hello. With the smart phone it’s easy to tell who the caller is, if the number matches one in our contacts. When it’s a number we don’t recognize, some of us want to do the better thing and answer the phone to save time and take care of the situation now. The voice claims to be Microsoft warning us that our computer has a virus. Before you panic and wonder what to do next, hang up! That’s right, hang up! These are two words of the wise from SofTech Computers in Prescott.
   
You’re thinking that this is rude, but it’s not. What the person on the other end of the line is attempting to do is far worse. We see victims on a daily basis – people who stayed on the phone long enough to be intimidated and scared half to death while thinking that someone from places unknown is about to take the computer out of peril. This is a scam. It is a crime. This doesn’t happen only in Prescott, it’s a global issue. Phone scammers get away with this because they’re difficult to stop and monitor.

Here is what they do:

•    They will trick their way in and call you on your cell phone – It doesn’t take a landline anymore.
•    Claim that they are employees of Apple, Google, or Microsoft.
•    Install harmful malware onto the device, desk top computer, laptop, or smart phone.
•    Install a program that will in turn install a virus and monitor every keystroke you make to steal passwords.
•    Steal your data.

Most of these calls take place during the middle of the day targeting the elderly or unemployed. These are the most vulnerable and gullible groups. The only way to stop this crime is to be aware; it’s all you can do to protect yourself. There’s no way to know what these criminals are getting away with, or how much money they are making.

Softech Computers would like to remind you that you have the power to hang up. Hanging up is the most useful tool we have in fighting off these scammers. If you receive a call like this and you’re still not sure, hang up and call Softech computers for advice at 928-443-8770. We’re happy to take a look and show you in person whether or not your computer has a virus. Put your trust in us, your local computer guys, to diagnose any problems and remove any potential virus. Check our website at http://softechcomputers.com/

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Fake Computer Virus Warnings from SofTech Computers in Prescott

Stop! Read this. Chances are, your computer doesn’t have a virus.  If a virus warning suddenly popped up on your computer, don’t believe it, don’t call the number.
Don’t get trapped with an alert is flashy, full of technical sounding words convincing you that you have computer damage, data corruption, a virus, or infection. We ask that you please don’t click or call! It will only lead you to a more intimidating situation.
   
Microsoft or Apple will not contact you directly, or ask you by other means to directly contact them. Apple and Microsoft are in the business to sell and promote new computers, not convince you to fix the one you already own. At SofTech computers we would like to tell you, don’t believe everything you see. Get in touch with a local specialist instead.

Here are more examples of what happens when you get caught in their trap:

•    Convince you that you have a computer problem, when you don’t
•    If you ask who they are or where they work, they will tell you Google, Microsoft, or Apple, or anything to convince you to move along with the scam.
•    If you tell them too much, it will be used against you to further their agenda
•    Here’s where it gets really scary. The next thing they will recommend is a download of some software into your computer. Would you give this to a stranger? This allows a remote connection, giving them live control of your computer.
•    Next, they will run fake scans – proof that there is a “problem.”
•    Now these infections have supposedly been detected. They will ask for a fee to remove them.
•    Here is where it gets worse: You agree to pay them with a credit card while they “fix” your problem. By now, they’re installing software that could monitor your computer and steal your money, identity and passwords. So, while you paid them to correct the issue, they now have access to more than you’d give your next door neighbor.
•    At this point, you could refuse, but you will get locked out of your computer

To some of us, using a computer can be a daunting task. If you’re new to the computer world, this is especially true. SofTech Computers in Prescott would like to remind you that whenever you’re using your computer, keep your common sense. Don’t panic. Don’t believe everything you read. Don’t give a stranger access to your computer. Above all, call a technician you can trust at 928-928-443-8770 or visit us at http://softechcomputers.com/

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