How do I pick the right computer? First list what you want
to do with the computer, second make a priority list: Speed, Price,
Functionality, Appearance, Warranty, Reputation, Upgradability, and
finally Life Expectancy. If price is the number one priority and
speed is the number 8 then bargain shopping is the way to go and
expect a 3 year life expectancy. If price is a concern but
functionality is more of a concern and upgradability is near the
bottom of your list then I recommend a Dell computer with a 3 year
warranty. If speed, upgradability, or life expectancy is your number
one concern then I recommend a custom built system with an ASUS
motherboard at the core with an Intel processor. Do not be fooled by
a list of specs on a for sell sheet. Comparison shop, research and
speak with our technicians. We are not salesmen, we are technicians
so we know what works and what doesn't.
How do I dispose of my old computer? Take it to the store
where you bought the new one. That is the cheapest and safest method
for disposing of potentially hazardous materials. Besides the store
collected Environmental Impact Fees from you for the disposal of
your old unit. The next question usually is How do I get all my
data off my old computer and prevent anyone from retrieving it?
This requires either some sophisticated software or a little labor
to physically destroy the hard drive. Software such as WipeDrive
from WhiteCanyon Software promises to use DOD level technology to
erase the contents of a drive and it is HIPAA compliant for erasing
medical data.
How do I know who to trust with my computer? This is an
age old question and I do not have one answer; however, I do know
who not to trust: First and foremost trust no popup ad. If a
software designer is using popup ads to sell their product it is
most likely a scam just to get your money, this goes double for free
downloads. These downloads lead you to other problems that result in
solutions that can only be resolved by purchasing something else! Go
to our Solutions page and there you will
find software solutions that we have tried and tested with positive
results.
Where can I find a good backup solution? Backup solutions
come in various forms. There are several considerations: price, user
intervention, security. I list price here because Microsoft has
built into Windows backup solutions that are absolutely free. In
order to use this free software the user is only required to provide
a
medium to backup to such as a flash or Zip drive. I personally like
Symantec Ghost because it makes a complete backup of my drive
including the operating system and all installed programs. When
security is of the most concern the combining Ghost with a offsite
backup is the most secure, that way if the entire computer is a loss
then the data is secure at an offsite location.
Why doesn't my computer operate as fast as it did when it was
new? This question doesn't have just one answer.
Computers slow down for various reasons. Hardware failures while
uncommon do occur in a manner that allows the computer to still
function but at a limited state. Hard drive corruption is the most
common hardware failure that causes slow downs. The most common
reason computers slow down is viruses, malware, and adware. These
malicious bits of software get on a computer and cause the most
frustrating havoc. Yes it is true that Antivirus software does
slowdown a computer; however, on a decent computer the antivirus
process will hardly be noticeable.
Who is DAG? DAG'S Computers was originally founded by
Dianne and Greg Heimann and thus the acronym DAG. When Darrel and his wife
Maria Guadalupe purchased DAG'S in 2005 they kept the acronym DAG
because it not only fit their names but is very familiar in the San
Diego community. Currently Darrel refers to DAG'S as Darrel and
Grandson's. See photo at right.
What is Wireless N? First the Wikipeda definition: 802.11n
is a proposed amendment which improves upon the previous 802.11
standards by adding
multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and many other newer
features. Though there are already many products on the market based
on Draft 2.0 of this proposal, the TGn workgroup is not expected to
finalize the amendment until November 2008. I know that really
didn't answer the question. So in English, Wireless N technology
enables wireless devices to transmit and receive data much faster
than Wireless b or Wireless g. Wireless b is limited to 11mbps, g
goes up to 54mbps, and n claims speeds up to 300mbps. I personally
have only seen speeds up to 80mbps and that was with the transmitter
and receiver in the same room. Deciding on upgrading your system
should fist depend upon why you are considering it. If it is a new
purchase I would definitely recommend getting Wireless N over
Wireless G. However, if you are currently have issues with a
Wireless G device I would suggest diagnosing what the problem is
prior to upgrading; the upgrade may suffer from the same problem.
Examples include large mirrors and ceramic or stone tile on the
walls, electronic noise, and multiple users.
This is the answer to the question. This is the answer to the question.
This is the answer to the question. This is the answer to the question.
This is the answer to the question. This is the answer to the question.
This is the answer to the question. This is the answer to the question.
This is the answer to the question. This is the answer to the question.
This is the answer to the question. This is the answer to the question.
This is the answer to the question.
|
