If you are surfing the Internet on a Microsoft Windows computer, do you know what kind of user account you are using? Hopefully, you are surfing on a standard, or limited use, user account.
How do you know if your user account is standard or administrator? Left-click on the START button. Left-click on CONTROL PANEL. Open USER ACCOUNTS. If you do not see a description of your user account yet, then left-click on the USER ACCOUNTS link; then you will see a description of your user account as either a standard (or limited use) user account or an administrator account.
Standard user accounts only have permissions for the current user of the computer and cannot install programs for use by all users of the computer. The good news is that a malware infection on a standard user account only affects that standard user. All other accounts are generally safe from that malware infection.
However, an administrator account can install programs for use by all users of the computer. Likewise, a malware infection on an administrator account affects all users of the computer and will put your computer at great risk.
Wearetheservice suggests that computers have multiple standard user accounts: one each for every user of the computer. The administrator account should only be used for installing and removing programs from the computer, or any other needed computer maintenance for the benefit and safety of the computer and its users.
Wake up everybody! Cloud computing is here for the home user. Keep your files in the cloud! All you need is an internet connection. Your files are automatically protected and backed up. You will have access to the current versions of all of your trusted Microsoft Office programs and more!
Role playing games (RPG) are quite popular and there are so very many of them. Unfortunately, we are addicted to some of the Facebook RPG's by Zynga, but we do not officially recommend any RPG's. The main reason we do not endorse RPG's is because they invariably suggest that you install and use their customized toolbars.
Most people do not realize that their antivirus and antispyware software is slowing down their computer. Some of the most effective antivirus and antispyware programs suck up a fair amount of your computer's memory and processing power.
This is another reason why we recommend Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) for antivirus and antispyware protection. It is very effective software and uses a smaller amount of your computer's memory and processing power.
However, you can only get the benefits of MSE if you are running genuine Microsoft Windows software. Please see Windows Genuine Advantage below.
If you are in South Florida's Broward or Miami-Dade county, we would be happy to stop by and install it for you. The MSE software is free, but there would be a PC CheckUp service and charge of $25 with the installation. Contact us.
Also, perhaps you can eliminate some of the icons in The System Tray of your computer.
The System Tray is the area in the bottom right corner of your computer screen. It is usually littered with many little icons that you may or may not know anything about.
Each of those icons you see there, in the system tray, represents a program loaded into computer memory every time your computer is started. Even though you may not be using the program behind the icon, that program is sitting in computer memory, usually inactive, taking up needed space, and usually slowing down your computer.
Reducing the number of icons in the system tray generally results in a gain in speed for your computer.
The more available computer memory you have, the faster your computer can be!
Please review the Crucial System Scanner above. This is the tool we use to determine whether your computer can handle a memory upgrade; and, if so, then how much it would cost. Please feel free to use it -- it is safe and free!
Do you use an internet browser toolbar while surfing the Internet? Well, if you do then you had better make sure that you keep your antivirus and antispyware protection up-to-date!
Why? Because otherwise, your computer will probably come down with a cold or an infection. Then it will need to see the doctor -- that would be us.
Currently, antivirus and antispyware programs do not scan toolbars for malware or malware entry, but they do watch over the well-being of your computer. Without their watchful care your browser toolbar provides the gateway for some very nasty computer infections to reach your computer.
In case you were wondering, we do not endorse the use of any browser toolbar and we do not use them. We do not even use the Bing toolbar, but we are keeping a close watch on it. Just knowing that toolbars are not scanned or patrolled by antivirus software is enough to stop us from using them.
How can we help you if we are in South Florida and you are in Iceland?
We help you over the Internet as long as your computer can connect.
If we need to "see" your computer, we have a solution for that as well.
For TeamViewer you must download software over the Internet and install it.
For Remote Assistance, it is already built into your Windows computer.
You will just have to setup either a:
We cannot say enough about keeping your computer checked and maintained. This includes the use of adequate antivirus, antispyware, and firewall protection; which in turn, also needs to be maintained and updated.
In fact, one of the first things to do when using the computer is to check the status of the antivirus protection! What is it telling you?! Heed any warning or messages! Run any needed update or scan. Make quite sure that the antivirus protection is ready and actively protecting the computer.
If for some reason you have no antivirus, antispyware, or malware protection on your computer, then please check out Microsoft Security Essentials below -- it is free!
Many computers become infected with malware and viruses by downloading infected software from web sites that were presumed to be safe. Consequently, many antivirus products come with web site checking capabilities to help you avoid web sites and downloads that can infect your computer.
Emails used to be the major source for infections until the major Internet Service Providers (ISP) began to use their own antivirus protection to protect their customers and services.
Please excuse the following rant. People please get your modems and PC's off of your carpet! Static electricity is a hazard for your computer and some of its accessories! People living in cold climates know this. People living in warm climates may not. They should ask someone who experienced a computer problem after a heavy rain. Place your computer on a raised surface that does not conduct static electricity -- even if you have to use a stack of old newspapers.
You need to have your computer connected to a UPS: an uninterruptible power supply battery backup. A UPS is connected directly to your wall electrical outlet and everything else is connected to surge protectors that are connected to the UPS. At the least, your computer should be plugged into a surge protector that is plugged into your wall electrical outlet.
Is your computer or laptop behaving peculiarly? Do you suspect that your computer or laptop may be infected? There is no substitute for an occasional check-up for your PC or laptop by a trained and experienced repair professional.
For you video downloaders: ever wonder how you catch an infection after downloading a video and watching it? You may have downloaded more than just the video. Many internet sites offer video downloads with infections. Your antivirus software should scan the entire download with the following directive: if any bit of the download is malware or virus, then the entire download is destroyed or refused.
Are you using a user account with administrator privileges? That is a recipe for serious trouble with infections that circumvent your antivirus protection! Please see Surfing the Internet! above; and please know that no antivirus software guarantees itself against all threats and infections. You can save yourself some money and increase your safety immensely by using a limited account as your internet browsing account. Save the administrator account for installing safe and reliable programs and general maintenance of your computer.
If you have questions we invite you to contact us.
Again, there is no substitute for an occasional check-up for your PC or laptop by a trained and experienced repair professional.
Let us add you to our monthly checkup route list. We are striving to hold the cost to $25, despite the cost of gas. The checkup may last about an hour and we will all learn a great deal while also helping your computer to run better and safer.
Please do not wait until your computer reaches the point where you cannot fully use it. The Internet is a wonderful and exciting environment and frontier, but it is not entirely safe for you or your computer. If you think we exaggerate this warning, then please check out this link. Microsoft has worked hard to fight organized, criminal control of Windows computers. Here is an important update!
You will find that many computers are infected and controlled without the owner's knowledge. If this can happen to major corporations, then you can be sure that it can happen to your computer if you are not careful and prepared.
Today's computer infections are serious! They threaten your technology investment and threaten your wallet or purse.
Get your computer checked as soon as a noticeable problem or quirk arises. Call us to be added to our monthly route. Do not wait until we cannot save you any money!
Microsoft provides a FREE antivirus and antispyware solution for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. It is called Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE).
Save money on antivirus and antispyware renewals!
Learn all about it from Microsoft.
Call us to help you get the settings tailored for your use.
Caution! MSE will not install or run if you are currently using antivirus software like McAfee, Norton, CA, Kaspersky, Trend Micro, and the list goes on.
However, the list does not contain Windows Defender. MSE will install and run.
We have several reviews of Microsoft Security Essentials below.
These reviews are from the initial offering of MSE. Today, MSE is so much better that it remains the only antivirus software that we recommend to home computer users.
Portable Document Format (PDF) was once synonymous with Adobe Systems, the creator of this file format. On July 1, 2008, ISO released PDF as an open standard; and since that time, other companies have introduced their PDF versions.
We recommend only Adobe products: Reader, AIR, Flash, and Shockwave Player for use because of the commitment of Adobe Systems to keep the software current and up-to-date with free updates automatically sent to your computer via notifications in your computer's system tray.
This is particularly important because of recent exploits of PDF files to spread malware infections to your computer from infected or malicious websites.
Let us help you keep your computer well maintained. Call us!
Is Java on your Windows computer? We suggest that you choose not to keep temporary java files on your computer. Click here for details.
Please review this link from Oracle Corporation, the current owner of Java for more information. Oracle bought Sun Microsystems, the previous owner and developer of the Java programming language. Today, Java remains free software and Oracle sends routine Java updates to all of its users. These updates appear in the system tray of your computer.
You are at risk if you do not have access to the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for your copy of Microsoft Windows software running on your computer. The COA is a one-inch by three-inch reflective sticker that is your Proof of Purchase for Windows XP. It contains your Product Key. The example below is from Windows XP.
For Windows Vista and Windows XP, the COA may be located with your Windows CD package documentation. Otherwise, especially for Windows 7, it is attached to the back, or to one of the sides of your computer or laptop.
With the introduction years ago of Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft introduced the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program. This program operated as an update from the Windows Update, or now, Microsoft Update web site. It transferred your product key from one location on your PC or laptop to another and then asked you what it was.
If you could not find the COA sticker, then you had to reach for your wallet or purse! Also, there was no guarantee that the COA sticker you got on a used computer matched the product key inside the computer -- unless you purchased it from a "reputable" computer dealer.
Even today, if you do not know what your product key is for your copy of Windows, then the WGA program will label your copy as non-genuine. That begins a series of events that will ultimately cost you money to buy another computer, or another copy of Windows, or upgrade to another version of Windows.
Please note that there was an OEM version of Windows XP Home Edition being sold for close to $100 in early 2010. If you purchased it, be advised that you would have to load your own drivers for your peripheral devices. This version of WinXP came with no drivers. We did not recommend that version of WinXP to anyone but experienced and technologically savvy customers.
Microsoft currently supports only Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). All previous versions of Windows XP are no longer supported.
Please check with Microsoft for more information on the WGA program.
In January 2010, Microsoft began the Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) software program. Microsoft OGA was similar to Microsoft WGA above.
The OGA program inspected Microsoft Office suite programs the same way that WGA inspects Microsoft Windows operating systems. OGA inspected the product key and checked to see if you knew what it was.
Microsoft Office suite programs are familiar programs like Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
If you had the COA sticker for your office software, then perhaps you were safe. Otherwise, Microsoft gave you a limited number of uses of your Microsoft Office suite programs until you could purchase genuine copies of that Microsoft software. Over the years many users had made copies of Microsoft Office suite programs and shared them with others. The product key from the COA sticker was also shared. Microsoft began enforcing the number of valid copies per COA sticker. If your copy is over the limit, then Microsoft limited your usage until you purchased a genuine copy. Of course, in most cases, you had no way of knowing whether your copy was over the limit.
By the end of 2010 Microsoft quietly retired the OGA program.
Wearetheservice is primarily a mobile service. We come to you! We supplement our services by providing as much free telephone support as is reasonable. If we can solve your problem(s) with a phone call we are happy to do so!
We prefer cash, but will accept PayPal payment, money order or check. Please be advised that a check returned for non-sufficient funds results in an additional $25 NSF fee, as well as a call to our collections department: Bumper & Thumper.
The following price list is for our labor only, and does not include the cost of any needed hardware or software.
PC Repair
Mobile checkup or repair: $25.
Dropoff (overnight) checkup or repair: $25 flat fee.
Website Design and Maintenance
Basic website setup: $50; $25 to start.
Basic website maintenance: $50 per month; $10 to start.
Complex website setup: $100; $25 to start.
Complex website maintenance: $50 per month; $25 to start.
Information Technology Consulting
Feasibility Studies: $25; $10 to start.
General project work: $25 per hour; $10 to start.
On site presence - Up to 5 hours per day
Up to 3 days per week: $100 per day; $50 to start.
Over 3 days per week: $125 per day; $50 to start.
Special Circumstances
Contact us and allow us to make a reasonable offer.