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Free Windows re-install

August 1, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Custom-PC’s Virus Free Guarantee

We stand behind our virus and spyware cleans to the point that, if you are not totally happy with it, we will do a windows re-install for free.  If within 7 days, your system is not satisfactory, then bring it back, and we will re-install windows for you, no questions asked. That additional service ($140 value) is available to anyone who gets our FULL virus  / spyware clean. The 7 days part is important. This offer is not available 2-3-4-5 weeks later.

Very rarely, after we have done our full virus / spyware / malware / scareware clean, a system is still pretty bad. Rarely, after we have thrown everything we have at a computer, it is still not quite right.  Sometimes a system is just so badly infected and damaged that there isn’t anything we can do to guarantee it’s continued successful operation but do a full operating system re-install.

We would much rather fix a computer that re-install it. A re-install presents the customer with a multitude of headaches after-wards. No matter how bad a computer was or is,  nobody is happy with a re-install.

A Windows re-install means you will have to re-install all your programs. Much of the software we use are not a part of the standard windows instillation. To be quite honest, a windows re-install may not have any of the software you use on a regular basis. Internet explorer is really, the only program you may use, that is included with a re-install.

What about the settings? Configurations? Email setup? Printer setup? Ipod, games, scanners, USB devices, external hard drives, security software, flash, adobe, turbo tax, and any of the other 1 billion available programs that you could have had?

The biggest and most frustrating part is the lack of software license, keys and such. The things that you use that are not free, tend to cost big sums of money.

When you purchase software, you are given a software key, and a CD / DVD. If you purchased it online, they emailed the key to you and you installed the software from the web.

Where is that KEY?

Didn’t you read the email that said “Do not lose this!”

Don’t you know that you can’t re-install your software without that key? Didn’t you know that the key is worth $350? Losing that key is like never having bought the software in the first place.You lost it, and we don’t have it. We can’t get it for you. Even if you bought it from us, we don’t have your key anymore. Maybe you can call or email the place of purchase, but they probably don’t have it either. There is only 1 copy of that key, and retailers usually don’t keep a list of every key sold to every customer. If you do have to re-purchase the software, put the key in a safe place this time.

Custom-PC stands behind our products, even the services we perform.

Filed Under: Business policy, Software Tagged With: Guarantee, Operating, System, Windows

Which Anti-Virus do you recommend?

August 1, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

With each infected computer we repair, this is often the last question asked by the customer.

There are so many anti-virus options out there, which one do you choose? How do you know which one will work best? What’s the differences between them?

The “whose who” of the top performers change every quarter or so. There are a few places to get good reviews on the top performing anti-virus software packages available.Sites like: PC mag, PC world, and CNET all offer their reviews.

As a business policy, we do not endorse any of the free anti-virus software. I have been told they can work well, depending on the user. The higher up the technological ladder the user, usually the less infections they have.

We have sold Nortons, McAfee, Panda, Trend Micro, and now we only sell AVG. We have no allegiance to any of the software vendors. We sell and use what we think works best. We only carry 1 brand at a time. If we ever feel that AVG is no longer the best solution, we will switch to whatever we think is.

From our customer base, the feedback on AVG has been great. Every once in a while, we will have a customer upset that we sold them something that is available free. AVG does offer a free version of its software. Don’t be mistaken, it is not the same as the paid version. You have countless arguments going online about free vs paid, and we often replace customers free versions with the paid version and we don’t see them anymore.

That being said, no anti-virus software is fool proof. Most infections are a direct reflection of web browsing habits, than from security.

A few years ago when we were having tons of issues with the anti-virus software we currently offered, we didn’t sell anything for almost 30 days. We figured nothing would stop people from getting viruses so why sell them some $60 piece of software that wouldn’t do them any good anyway?

That was probably the worse decision we’ve made around here, ever. The fallout was immense:

  • “You let me get re-infected after charging me for a cleaning”
  • “Why didn’t you tell me I could get re-infected”
  • “You just wanted me back in here so you could charge me for another cleaning”
  • “You are in cahoots with the people who make the viruses”
  • “You probably are the ones putting the viruses on my computer”

We quickly found out that catering to the minority who didn’t want to pay for good anti-virus software was a bad choice.

We are often stuck between a rock, and a bigger rock. We know that buying anti-virus software will not keep you from getting re-infected. We also know that not buying anti-virus will have you back in here sooner than later. We are aware that there are free software options out there, but we cant “sell” it to you because it’s free. We also can’t recommend anything that may not work, crash your computer on install, or anything else that turns your computer from working to non-working.

When you purchase the paid version of AVG from us you get:

  • Free instillation and setup
  • Email support
  • Discount on renewals

Custom-PC Computers recommends AVG Anti-virus and when that changes, you’ll be the first to know!

Filed Under: Business policy, Software Tagged With: Anti-Virus, Antivirus, Infection, Security, Software

Windows 7 Parental Controls does not filter the web

June 25, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

By itself anyway.

One of the best things Vista had, was the ability to control the access your children have to the computer and internet.

You can control what programs can be ran: You can set which installed programs can be ran under your child’s account.

You can set limits on games:  You can separately control what games your kids can play. By rating or just in general.

You can control when your kids can use the computer: Using Time Limits, Windows allows you to set what hours of the day your child(ren) can use the computer.

You could also use the built in web filtering to control what websites your child can see. Each of these features was also included in Windows 7 EXCEPT the built in content filter.

Now you must install a separate piece of software.

Booooooo-Hiss-Hiss

It is however, better this way. It is also much more robust and will actually SAVE you time.

Web filtering is now accomplished with a component from the Windows Live package. The service hooks into parental controls in Windows 7 enabling you to monitor what your kids do online. Management of the new web filter is done online with Windows Live. You can set various levels of content filtering or switch to a pre-determined list of child-friendly sites which can also include sites you’ve white listed. You can also prevent file downloads. Other features of this service include activity reporting, contact management (controlling who your kids can communicate with online), and the ability to manage requests by your kids to access restricted content.

All of which is great. If you have multiple kids and multiple computers, the one stop shop to configure access to the internet will save you tons of time. And tons of trips up and down the steps.

More info about Windows Family Safety

Filed Under: Software, Webspace Tagged With: Content filter, Kids, Parential Controls, Windows 7

Upgrade or replace?

June 17, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

Once a computer reaches 4+ years old, you will start to have issues with it. No matter how much TLC you put into it, it will break down at some point.  4 years old, sure fix it. Easy answer. The “fix” probably wont last another 4 years though. Maybe it lasts another 3. Probably only gets you another 2 years before the next break down.

Now what?

  • Fix it again? Probably
  • Replace with a few new parts? Maybe
  • Replace with all new parts? Definitely Not
  • Sell it to someone and let them fix it? Shame on you
  • Get a new one? Maybe

OK, whats the correct answer? Depends. Every situation is different.

To even start to answer this question, I have a few questions:

  • What’s wrong with it?
  • Is it the same problem as before?
  • Does it still suit your needs?
  • Is it still “Fast”?

If the problem is a new problem, then i would fix it. If its the same problem, i would find out whats causing it, and how likely it is to happen again.

If its a virus problem, then GET IT FIXED. It’s a waste of money to buy a new pc when yours is only a few years old and it has a virus problem. You will probably get viruses on the new one you just bought. Then you have the cost of the new pc + the same repair cost as fixing the virus problem anyway.

Replace with ALL new parts? Just buy a new one. That’s what you’ll end up with anyway. All new parts =  new computer.

It is still suiting your needs? are you running the same applications as the day you bought it? Then get it fixed. It should still be plenty fast for your usage.

Have you become an all pro scrapbook-er, family tree maker, dvd copier, home movie maker? Then it may be time for an upgrade or a new machine. If you are doing fun and exciting new things, and you don’t have time to wait on the computer, then upgrade or buy new.

Sell it to someone and let them fix it? How mean.

Unless its family ( just kidding). Unless you tell the person what they are getting into, and, AND ( first and more important than the second one) they understand. Telling a non techie person how easy it is to fix the problem, isnt enough. How come you just didn’t get it fixed then?

Contrarily, if your pc is 8 years old, moves at the speed of smell, has parts falling off, Windows Millennium Edition, and a cdrom drive? Time for a new one. It’s not really worth it to upgrade. You run the risk of the non upgraded parts failing, and then you end up spending the same amount just over time, plus the added headache to boot.

Replace some of the parts? This is usually the best option. The P in PC takes a lot of work to achieve. Settings, favorites, installed programs, you spent all that time, getting your computer just the way YOU like it. If you get a new one, you’ll have to start all over.

If your system isn’t more than 5 years old, replace a few key parts, and viola! Almost a new computer. You get the speed benefits of a new system at half the cost and without having to reinstall and re-setup everything.

I have upgraded my computer since the beginning. I have yet to buy a totally new system going on 11 years now. Each time i spend 1/2 as much, and spend no time on the re-setup.

I will admit I have re-installed XP 2 times in 10 years. Then I couldn’t upgrade from XP to Windows 7 so i had to do a new install :(

Filed Under: Software Tagged With: new, Repai, trade, Upgrade, Windows 7, Xp

My data backup is worthless

June 17, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

Every once in a while, a customer will call us a few days later with this very statement. ” This data backup you made is worthless!”

I always ask ” Why do you say that?” The three most common responses:

  1. I cant find any of my stuff
  2. I cant re-install my programs
  3. What is all this junk?

Lets start with issue 1

The computer stores data differently than how we  see it while we use it. Some of the storage folders are dynamic, meaning they change names depending on the user. For instance, in Windows XP, the MY Documents folder, actually doesn’t exist. Each user has a folder called my documents, and it is located at c:\Documents and settings\%username%\My documents.

If you go looking for c:\ my documents, you wont find it. If there is only one user, there is no telling what the actual user name is. It was set up when you first put your name into your pc. If you have a used system, it could be anything. Even if you change your display name, the computer does not change the c:\Documents and settings\%username%\to match.

So when you get your data backup, look to see how many users there are, and look through all the user files. Your things are in there, somewhere.

Now on to issue 2)

You can’t re-install programs from a basic data backup. We actually go to great lengths to explain this as early as possible in the repair process. The basic data backup copies your files, folders, and whatever else is readable from your old hard drive to your new hard drive or disc.

The reason you can’t re-install from the backup, is because you need the actual program to install itself. When you install a program, the installer program copies the files you need for your particular system from the cd to the pc. Then you take the cd out and save it (hopefully). What gets copied to the pc is not the entire cd, and is not enough for the program to re-install itself without the original install cd.

Some of the older windows 95-98 programs were so small, they may have actually copied the entire “floppy” to the pc. Then you could re-install from the pc because you have a copy of the floppy.

It may be a bit confusing, but they try to save space on the hard drive by not copying everything. They assume you will keep the cd in case you have to re-install………

Lastly issue 3)

We don’t know!  Seriously, how did you get all this stuff?

The Personal in Personal Computer means that everyone’s computer is different. The things you install, download, save, will not be the same as the next person. There is no way for me to know what you have and where you put it.

Most programs put things in the same place by default. The end user (you) can still change that. Every time you save, it asks where do you want to put it. If you use the same folder that comes up each time, then everything will be there.The computer is even programmed to open up to the last place you saved before!

Sounds good right? Until you (or someone) accidentally switches the location, now all your old stuff is not in the same place with your new stuff.

Think of it as trying to cook in a strangers kitchen. Where are the big pans? Small pans? Whipping spoons? Tops, bottoms, lefts, rights? It’s THEIR kitchen. You have no idea where their stuff is. You have to go hunting. Hopefully its in places that make sense. Hopefully you don’t have to look behind the fridge for the spoons, and in the garage for the bowls.

That’s how we handle customers data hunts. We can look in the most sensible places, or the places where most programs put the data.  If it’s not there, who knows where it is.

If you don’t, then we definitely do not. We can help you find it, just takes a little time. We don’t mind spending the time, you are in fact, our best customer!

Filed Under: Software Tagged With: Backup, BKUP, Data, Recovery

My hard drive died, now what?

February 3, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

You turned on your computer this morning, and instead of being greeted by a welcome screen, you are greeted by a message that looks something like ” Windows cannot start, file xyz is missing”. Now what?

Unless your computer is 6+ years old, its probably a no brainer to have your computer repaired.

So you take it somewhere (hopefully us) and the prognosis is that you’ll need a new hard drive. What a pain.

If you purchased your computer new from Dell, HP, Gateway, Acer, etc, then you most likely have a little sticker somewhere on the case with your windows key on it. Great! We can use this to re-install your operating system with no problems. And the rest of your stuff?

Windows by itself is pretty basic. You get IE, Media player, Movie maker, Solitare, and Outlook express. Chances are, the main thing you use from that list is Internet Explorer. What about Word, Outlook, Nero, Nortons, Realplayer, Smiley face maker, family tree mapper, and all the other icons that were on the desktop when you purchased it?

All those programs have to be installed separately. None of those are a part of windows. When you buy a computer, they put all that on for you. Most consumers don’t realize that if you have to have your hard drive replaced, you have to re-install all that stuff as well.

Most of the big PC manufacturers give you recovery “solution”  built into your hard drive. Thing is, that helps you absolutely zero if your hard drive dies.

If you run the recovery program, it puts your computer back the way it was when you bought it. Thats great for a “recovery” from a software issue, like a virus, bad download, or a failed update. However, if your hard drive goes, so goes the “system recovery” as well.

One of the biggest issues we have is explaining all that to our customers. We have found that saying we’re going to re-install “Windows” does no good at conveying the message that Windows is all you will get. Even saying, all windows comes with is IE is still not enough. (they must think we’re joking)

When they ask “How do I get the rest of my programs” our first question is” Do you have your software cd’s?” If their answer is no, our next comment is to  contact your original retailer.

We can  install windows  because your product key is on the PC somewhere. The product key to the rest of your software should be in that big stack of paperwork you got when you purchased your pc.

Sometimes we cant get your product key from the PC. Someone may have removed it, or its too damaged to read.

Losing that key is like losing $100. You will be forced to buy your software again. Losing your recovery cd’s is like losing $500. Windows Pro+ office 2003 Pro + Nero = over $500 worth of software.

Most computers give you the option to create recovery cd’s from the recovery partition the first time you boot your computer. Make sure you do that. Sometimes the opportunity to do that expires after 90 days. Then you cant do it. You can try to call and complain to Microsoft, but it probably wont get you anywhere.

Filed Under: Business policy, Software Tagged With: Install, Partition, Recovery, Windows

Windows 7 God mode (additional admin options)

January 7, 2010 By admin 4 Comments

There is a new “trick” in Windows 7 that shows users a single place to do everything from changing the look of the mouse pointer to making new hard-drive partitions.

To enable this pseudo hack, create a new folder and then rename it:

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Nice huh?

I’m not sure it’s my idea of playing God, but it is a handy way to get to all kinds of controls.

WHile Win7 came with many bells and whistles, finding them all is quite a pain.

Be careful with this if you run vista, it doesn’t work well and may crash the system.

Enjoy!

Filed Under: Software Tagged With: Control panel, God mode, Win7 tricks

Vista upgrade doesn’t ask for CD

January 7, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

A few of our customers who have purchased the Upgrade versions of Windows Vista cannot perform clean install. You are forced to install their previous OS and then upgrade to Vista.

What a time waster.

The problem is because Windows Vista does not check for upgrade compliance. Therefore, you cannot use an upgrade key to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista.

Looks like Windows 7 followed the same route.

If you purchased the upgrade, just stick the CD in and don’t format first.

Filed Under: Software Tagged With: Install, Upgrade, Vista, Windows 7

Ready to upgrade to Windows 7?

September 18, 2009 By admin 1 Comment

If you’re looking to upgrade PC to Windows 7, there’s good and bad news. Here are your upgrade options.

Pre XP to Windows 7

Don’t even think about it. You will be much better off with a new install.

XP to Windows 7

You can purchase an “upgrade” version of Windows 7. You will have to do a fresh install though. Its not really an upgrade, you just don’t have to pay full price for the software.

Vista to Windows 7

You can actually “upgrade” to Windows 7, so your files and apps should also “upgrade”  without any problems.  The upgrade from Vista to 7 will be cheaper than from XP.

You can only upgrade from your current version to the new current version.

Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium
Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional
Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate

Let us know if you would like to upgrade, we can do it for you, saving your time & sanity!

Filed Under: Software Tagged With: Upgrade, Windows 7, Xp

Vista and the new KSOD (black screen of death)

June 5, 2009 By admin 1 Comment

BSOD is already taken so the tech industry has named this frequent VISTA problem the ksod.

This is what happens, you reboot and you get a black screen with only a mouse cursor. No CTRL + ALT + DEL, no nothing.

As of this moment there are no definitive fixes, i personally spent over 6 hours trying things I thought would work then I went to the web and tried things “suggested” there and it was mostly the same things. Ended up re-installing Vista. (At some point customers would just rather have their pc back)

What causes this? Nobody knows. The most promising theory is that the log file gets messed up. Yup, the log file. The supposed fix was deleting the log file and replacing it with a new “good” directory. That didn’t work for me. Another theory was to reset the permissions for the drive. That didn’t work.

I wont go through all the supposed fixes here because it would just be duplicating whats already on the web. I will link to a page from PC Mag I found which seems to have a ton of good information. It can be found here.

I will keep researching this so that we can come up with a fix. Hopefully we figure out what causes it because an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure.

Filed Under: Software
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