Welcome to the N-Tech Solutions Customer Newsletter for July 2008!
by Nathan Woodcock
As part of our commitment to providing an IT service that is professional, straight-talking and enjoyable we publish this newsletter every month to keep in touch, have some fun and maybe even point out a few handy computer related things. If you'd prefer not to receive this email simply click the unsubscribe link at the bottom on this newsletter. The new financial year is upon us and if you're anything like me you're wading through a pile of unprocessed bills, trying to get your accounts up to date so you can visit the accountant and find out how much of your precious lolly you're tithing to the K-Rudd. With skyrocketing prices of goods in most areas (often driven by fuel costs) most of us are feeling the pinch one way or another. Here at N-Tech we've had to increase our callout fee from $44 to $50 to go a small way to cover our increasing fuel bill. On the plus side, prices of computers and other IT equipment continue to stay low. See the bottom of the newsletter for some stocktake specials.
Anti-Virus Revisited...
by Nathan Woodcock
Are you one of the many people who are still complacent about their anti-virus software? This week alone I have dealt with several computers that were running AVG version 7.5, which expired at the end of May and for the month prior to that popped up annoying warnings on those computers explaining that it will expire. These people didn't act and now they are severely infected, one of which so bad it required a complete wipe and reinstall of the computer. Now I appreciate the business, but I'd rather you were spared the headache of virus removal so we can focus on more exciting things! So please make sure if you are running AVG 7.5 you have upgraded, either to the free AVG version 8 or another excellent free anti-virus such as Avast. Slow PC?
by Nathan Woodcock
One of the main problems I get reported to me is Windows taking a very long time to completely start up. There are a number of causes of this including hardware problems, but I'll just point you towards one thing you can try to help narrow down the cause. Often slow startup problems can be caused by too many, or a bad combination of, startup programs. These are programs that run when you turn on your computer and can include things like anti-virus, Adobe Reader Speed Launch, background updaters etc. To check which items are running when you start your computer you can use the System Configuration Utility. Load into Windows normally, then open the System Configuration Utility (click Start, Run, type msconfig and press OK). Click the startup tab. This shows you a list of the majority of programs that startup when you start your computer. Begin by disabling all of them, then rebooting. If your system is now much faster, then it is one of those items (or some, or a combination) causing the slow downs. Gradually turn each one back on, one at a time, by ticking it and rebooting in between each one. Of course you can leave many of them unticked, as they often represent program components that you really don’t need such as automatic updaters for printer or video software. Make sure you don’t leave your anti-virus program turned off permanently though!
Stocktake Runout!
by Nathan Woodcock
We have a few more special deals for you in an attempt to make some room in a storage area for some new stuff. Check the printer specials - these units are sold to you at COST PRICE and also come with cashback from HP, as long as they are bought before the end of July. And our second hand PC runouts are the most powerful we've ever had for the price. Hewlett Packard P1006 mono Laser Printer - $135 (RRP $199)
(after $30 HP cashback, you pay $165).
16ppm, 9 secs 1st page out, stylish and small. One only.
Hewlett Packard Photosmart C8180 Print/Scan/Copy/CD/DVD - $225 (RRP $599)
(after $150 cashback, you pay $375)
High quality photo printing, scanning, copying and burning of your photos from your camera or memory stick direct to the built-in DVD drive. One only.
EX-Government Acer Veriton 5600GT System - $425
P4 3.0Ghz Processor
1Gb Ram
120Gb HDD
DVD/CDRW
10/1000nic
USB ports
Keyboard, Mouse
Windows XP Pro Licence
17" LCD Monitor
30 day warranty 
Logitech Z-10 2.0 Interactive PC Speakers - $99 (RRP $299)
USB, touch sensitive controls, built-in onscreen display with track/album info, outstanding sound quality (30W 2-way) these speakers are the pinnacle of compact desktop PC speaker design. With a C-Net review and average user rating of over 8/10 you know you are buying a quality set of speakers and at $200 off retail it can't be beat. One only. If they don't sell this month I'm going to use them myself. | Referral Bonus Promotion:
Our referral promotion provides a 25% discount to you and to the customer you refer, on the first hours labour. Simply pass on the contact details of friends or business associates to Nathan or have them call us direct and mention you and both of you get the discount on your next job.
Office Setup Support
Did you know we do a full office setup service including new PCs, printers, office networking, internet, remote working setup and more. We have links with all major hardware vendors and can do good deals for large purchases and can also custom build systems to specific requirements (e.g. multiple monitors, CAD, photo editing, fax from desktop solutions etc) Real-Life Helpdesk Calls #4352148:
Tech Support: "Ok Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the letter 'P' to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer: "I don't have a 'P'."
Tech Support: "On your keyboard, Bob."
Customer: "What do you mean?"
Tech Support: "'P' on your keyboard, Bob."
Customer: "I'm not going to do that!" IT Snippets... "Some things Man was never meant to know. For everything else, there's Google."
"To go forward, you must backup."
"A Windows user spends one third of his life sleeping, one third working and one third waiting."
"Difference between a virus and Windows ? Viruses rarely fail."
"Computer are like air conditioners: they stop working when you open Windows."
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