The PC Doctor
FAQ file
Q. I had a hardware problem that was fixed, but my
system still locks up and has other problems. What gives?
A. Sometimes
you can resolve a problem, but you still have a mess to clean
up after. Think of your machine as a train. It moves people (data)
all around to different places so that the people can do their
job. (running programs). If the train is damaged, however, people
can get hurt. Even if you repair the train, you may need to heal
up the people before they can do their work.
So, for example, if you have
a bad memory chip, it can "punch holes" in your software
until it's useless. The bottom line: It's a good idea to re-install
all your software AFTER you find and repair a hardware problem.
Q. UPGRADES...are they practical?
A. Almost every day at TPCD we get requests for pricing
on upgrades, so this is a pretty common question. We wanted
to give you an idea where to draw the line, and how to make your
decision.
First of all, what kinds of things
should you change to make your system run faster? It
depends on the task...here are some common examples:
1) For a faster graphics
design system you could
- Upgrade your
CPU
- Upgrade your
graphics card and memory
- Increase
your RAM (random access memory)
2) For faster internet
browsing you could:
- Upgrade your
modem (speed) to 33.6 Kb or 56 Kb
- Check the
speed and traffic of your internet connection and the pages you
are browsing.
- Try the upgrades
listed in #1
3) For a faster network
server you could
- Buy faster
network hubs
- Install faster
network cards/protocol
- Upgrade your
network platform (note: this may not help!)
Upgrade your CPU
- Increase/upgrade
RAM
Now, if we look at these three
primary examples, we see that they all have two things in common:
each one could have faster performance with a CPU upgrade and
more memory. The CPU is a guaranteed winner...it will
make everything go faster. Increasing the amount of RAM,
however, doesn't mean you'll speed things along. How do
you know if it will help? The simplest way is to call us.
We'll ask a few questions, and determine your needs.
If you're a do-it-yourselfer
then you'll want more information: Do a normal bootup,
run a program or two (run the most you would in the worst case).
Be sure that all programs are active that normally run during
your startup sequence. Now check the memory available using
the WIN 95/NT memory utility, or some other program. If
the available memory is entirely used, then your system will
be using the hard drive to swap the rest of its information.
You should be able to look at a break down of memory and determine
whether it's using Actual/Physical Memory, Upper Memory, or Swap
File space for the programs that are active. If you are
using the swap file (i.e. if all Actual/physical memory is taken)
then you need more memory (RAM). Otherwise you should be
fine with the memory you already have installed.
Another quick way to tell if
you could use more memory is by listening to your hard drive.
Does it seem to click away constantly reading and writing?
If so, chances are that your computer could use more RAM.
This will speed things along because the computer doesn't have
to read and write from the hard drive so often. Instead,
it can use the extra RAM...RAM is faster than any hard drive.
Ok, so you found that you could
use another 32 Mb of RAM and a new processor. Compare the
cost of the upgrade to a new system. Tulsa's PC Doctor
currently finds complete systems for under $1000 with Pentium
MMX 166 or Cyrix = pentium mmx 233 processors (call us for quotes).
Another consideration: could you use a second machine?
You may be in need of a "brain" for your home, or another
machine for the kids. But if the dollar amount is your
bottom line, then you'll need to compare the upgrade pricing
(and old hardware) to the price of a new one.
Q. I'm interested in starting a business like TPCD.
Do you have any recommendations?
A. Yes. The first thing to do is go out and get
lots of experience. Troubleshooting computer problems isn't
easy, and without hands-on knowledge of a multitude of systems,
you may quickly be overwhelmed.
The next thing to do is learn
about business. It's a very competitive world out there,
and the electronics industry is becoming increasingly fierce.
Start with a basic business course or text, and then write a
business plan. There are lots of sources on the web for small
business assistance, from education to securing capitol. The
common search engines all have a category for Small Business.
By the time you've done all this,
you'll be ready to attack the most crucial aspect of running
a business: marketing. Who will you sell to? What exactly
is your product/service? Where will you advertise? Of course,
if you wrote a detailed business plan you've probably already
addressed these questions. Now it's time to put your ideas into
action.
The last advice would concern
longevity. You must be prepared to stick with your brainchild
through thick and thin, no matter what happens. You will have
times that will discourage you to the point of wanting to quit...don't.
Hang in there! If you do, you'll eventually be rewarded.
Tulsa's
PC Doctor...professionals at your service.
Free
initial consultation!
Call
us today
(918) 286-3327
Email
Tulsa's
PC Doctor
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