Posted on

Continous Maintenance Program

Our remote continuous maintenance service offers complete peace of mind to both residential and commercial customers. Leave the continuous routine computer maintenance to us. With this service, we’ll have the ability to securely and remotely resolve issues that we identify. We monitor the computer continuously for threats, vulnerabilities, software patches, installation of unwanted applications, and backup completions. With our auditing and inventory configurations, we can track hardware and software detail no matter where the system is located throughout the world. We also provide insight into your CPU, disk, memory, bandwidth, and bottlenecks. In addition, we can also offer a complete antivirus and anti-malware solution that is the corporate grade for additional protection. Let us reliably patch your system with the latest tested Microsoft patches as well as other third-party applications updates. Think of it like home security but for your computer and network.

UNLIMITED CONTINOUS MAINTENANCE
FOR HOME AND BUSINESS

$ 15 PER DEVICE
PER MONTH
  • 24x7x365 Continuous Maintenance
  • 30+ Points of Management
  • Operating System Updates
  • Hardware Driver Updates
  • Maintain Restore Points
  • System Optimizations
  • Security Monitoring
  • Software Updates
  • Audit & Inventory
Popular

ADD-ON SOLUTIONS

ANTIVIRUS
SOLUTIONS

$ 5 PER DEVICE
PER MONTH
  • Commercial Grade Solution
  • VB100 Certified Protection
  • Ransomware Protection
  • Antivirus Protection
  • Email Protection

















SECURE!

DESKTOP
BACKUPS

$ 15 PER DEVICE
PER MONTH
  • Unlimited Storage Space
  • 256bit Cloud Backups
  • Continuous Protection
  • Limitless Bandwidth
  • Retention Periods
  • Unlimited Space
  • No File Size Limits
  • Ransomware Recovery







CLOUD!

SERVER
BACKUPS

$ 50 PER DEVICE
PER MONTH
  • Unlimited Storage Space
  • 256bit Cloud Backups
  • Continuous Protection
  • Limitless Bandwidth
  • Retention Periods
  • Unlimited Space
  • No File Size Limits
  • Ransomware Recovery






CLOUD!

FOCUS ON BENEFITS

PEACE OF MIND: We constantly monitor your computer’s health, so you don’t have to.

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE: Say goodbye to slowdowns and crashes. We keep your system optimized for peak performance.

ENHANCED SECURITY: Stay protected from viruses, malware, and ransomware with automatic updates and proactive monitoring.

CONVENIENCE: No more dropping off your computer or waiting on hold. We handle everything remotely.

CLEARED DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE: Our lightweight agent runs silently in the background, checking for issues and reporting back to our team. We proactively resolve problems before they become major headaches. We update software, optimize settings, and install security patches automatically. Experience the difference of worry-free computing.

Posted on Leave a comment

Should You Buy a Mac or a PC?

Mac or PC

Should You Buy a Mac or a PC?

It seems the debate about buying a Mac or a PC computer has been around since the beginning of the computing age, and there still appears to be no resolution in sight. These days however, the lines are blurring between the two operating systems, with the availability of cloud storage and cloud computing at the back end of both systems, and many of the same apps available to both.

Mac or PC
In truth, both machine types have always been very capable of accomplishing computing tasks, but have simply gone about it in different ways. There are still some reasons why you might want to purchase an Apple machine or a PC running the Windows operating system, depending on your personal preferences.

Here are some of the differences which might appeal to you personally, and sway you toward one computer versus the other.

Screen considerations

If you’re a big fan of touchscreen capability, you might want to lean toward a PC with the newest Windows operating system, because Apple has yet to incorporate touchscreen into its own technology portfolio. Users who prefer navigating with a swipe of their finger rather than using some kind of mouse are likelier to find a computer which appeals to them in the Windows arena rather than in Apple. On the other hand, Retina Display, which reduces glare and makes the screen easier to view for longer periods of time, is more apt to be found on Apple machines, and is not in widespread use on PC’s.

Availability

This is one major difference that is likely to remain intact for quite some time, since it has to do with the respective manufacturers. Mac computers are only available for purchase through Apple, whereas PC’s running Windows are available from a whole slew of different manufacturers. The practical impact of this is that Apple computers tend to be priced similarly no matter who you buy them from – but PC’s are available with a broad range of pricing, depending on what kinds of features are included on specific machines, and which manufacturer produced the machine.
It also means that when you need repairs, most take your Mac to an Apple computer repair service, whereas PC’s can be fixed by most repair companies, no matter who made the machine. As for us, we can work on both.

Performance

In terms of memory and hard drive storage, most PC’s have a slight edge over Macs. Whereas PC’s tend to have between 2 and 8+ GB of RAM, standard Mac machines generally come equipped with between 1 and 4 GB+ of RAM. The same difference holds true for hard drive space, with PC’s routinely providing more space than Macs.

 

Question to Ask Yourself before you buy

No days, buying either is much like buying a Ford or a Chevy. Which one do you like the most? Here are some questions that may help you identify what direction to go.

  1. Where is all my data now? Do you have data in the cloud such as movies, music, pictures, documents, etc? If it sits will Google you might just want to stick with a PC. If it sits with Apple you may want to move to Mac for better integration.
  2. What is my budget? If a new Mac is in the budget then great. Keep in mind for the same amount you spend on 1 Apple you might be able to get two very decent PC’s. PC parts are generally much cheaper to replace or repair.
  3. What do I use my computer for? If you use your computer for cruising the internet only, save the money and get a PC. If you require video, photo, and music editing, Mac has the edge. Game much? go with PC’s

At the end of the day this is your choice. Don’t let anyone settle you either way. We have customers that have switched to Mac’s and hate them. We have customers that switched to PC’s and hate them. Use your best judgement. Spend the right amount of money for you and give it some time to learn. Where most go wrong is comparing a $2000 Mac to a $500 PC. Be sure to compare equivalent prices when comparing Apples to PC. Our bet is you’ll get more bang for your buck with PC than a Mac, But which operating system to you like most?

 

 

Posted on Leave a comment

Tips on Knowing When to Buy a New Computer

When to buy a new computer

Tips on Knowing When to Buy a new Computer

Knowing when to buy a new computer can be tricky unless a catastrophic event like a hard disk crash, someone steals your laptop, or a piano falls on your CPU, forces you into action. Since most people don’t really know when it’s time to replace their computer, they tend to accept its operating quirks and work around them far longer than they really should.

When to buy a new computer

Of course, if you know a really good computer repair service, the technicians will tell you what the true condition of your machine is, but it will still help for you to observe behaviors which seem to be unusual or abnormal about your computer’s operation. Here are some warning signs that can help alert you to the fact it may be time to replace your old system. If you observe just one of these indicators, that may not be decisive on its own, but when you see several of these warning signs, it’s a pretty good bet that your computer is trying to tell you it’s ready for retirement.

New operating system won’t install

Years ago, most people used to stick with the operating system that was installed on the computer when they bought it, since new versions were only released every three or four years. Both Apple and Microsoft are now moving to the point where they release an operating system update on a near-annual basis, which is made available as a free download. When you can’t install the newest update on your machine, it’s a bad sign; however, sometimes there a workarounds.

Can’t run new apps and games

The requirements for new applications and video games are becoming greater all the time, and when you reach the point where you can’t run a lot of these on your machine, it’s time for some kind of upgrade.

Slow performance

This is probably most noticeable during boot-up time and when you have several tabs open at the same time. Granted, a good system cleaning may be all you need, but eventually even cleaning won’t help. Sometimes a Solid State Drive (SSD) or a memory upgrade can fix the slowness.

Running out of space and memory

Check on your available storage. How much hard drive space do you need? Do you have enough? Every once in a while, open file explorer and check it out. Also open task manager to see how much CPU and RAM is used up. If CPU usage is at 80% or greater, that could be a good sign that your computer’s hardware is close to being maxed out.

Can’t connect newer devices

This is one of the most tell-tale signs that your computer is aging. All new gadgets you want to try out simply don’t work when you try to connect them to your machine. For instance, when you try to hook up a brand-new 4K monitor to your system, and it looks like you need a new pair of glasses, that’s your computer shouting out ‘incompatibility’. It’s time to buy a new computer.

 

 

Posted on Leave a comment

Take Good Care of Your Computer

Take Good Care of Your Computer

Take Good Care of Your ComputerTaking good care of your computer directly affects its performance and its shelf life. It’s a good idea to make yourself aware of what affects the performance of your machine and what causes degradation. Cost of computers are down an awful lot but a computer purchase still represents a significant investment.

That means you should do whatever you can to keep it in good running condition, and avoid the necessity of computer repair. Without getting too deep into tech life, here are some things you can do that will help keep your computer in tip-top shape.

Keep it cool

Heat kills. Plain and simple. Heat may be the biggest single factor in your computer’s day-to-day performance. When the interior components of a computer get warm or hot, their performance is degraded. You’ll notice your computer running more slowly. Computer cases are designed the way they are, with vents strategically placed, and with fans that runs constantly to keep things cool. If you place your computer next to a wall and block any of those vents, you prevent the cooling system from functioning as intended. Make sure your PC is located somewhere so that all sides remain unobstructed, and air can be exchanged freely.

Keep it clean

Another computer killer is dust or debris. Both increase heat and degrade machine performance. Dust, cat hair, and smoke circulating in the air around your computer will automatically be sucked into the case and settle on the components.

If it gets severe enough, it will block gum up the fans and render air exchange non-operational. Keep in mind, even when properly placed there will still be dust. Periodically remove the cover, and blow away as much of that dust as possible with compressed air. Whatever you do, don’t use a rag or cloth to clean the interior, and never use traditional cleaning products when you’re cleaning the inside.

Keep it current

Your computer needs protection from more things than dust and heat. Nasty-minded folks out there will try to gain control of your machine, corrupt it, and hold it for ransom. Make sure you have good anti-virus software installed and keep it current, it knows  know how to stop all the latest malware on the Internet. While you’re at it, keep your computer current with the latest updates from Microsoft or Apple. Most updates are security-related and help keep your computer safe from attacks.

Posted on

Continuous Computer Monitoring & Maintenance Service

Computer Repair Laptop

Continuous Computer Monitoring & Maintenance Service is now available!

Monthly Computer Maintenance ServiceWe’re excited to present a new service offering that gives our customers the best protection, absolute prevention, and overall peace-of-mind regarding their technology; continuous computer maintenance service is now here! We’ll continously protect your personal information, secure your critical data, and clean up your system.

We know regular vehicle oil changes, routine doctors checkups, reviewing checking accounts, and servicing AC units before summer hits are all good practices; however, computer users forget about maintaining their computers until it’s too late. We remove malware from every system, every time; that’s a fact.

Computer users are going way to long without servicing their laptops and desktops. Software is constantly changing, hardware is still breaking, and security attacks will likely never cease.

We developed a program that will keep close eyes on the health of your system, continously. Our trusted professionals will keep a good eye on on each system to inspect, repair, and optimize your computers. We’ll ensure your software is up-to-date, protection is working, and your computer is running as fast as it should be.

Our continuous service is one-of-a-kind and offers Protection, Prevention, and Peace of Mind!

Is it worth it?

If we’ve had the privilege of working with you in the past, you’ll know that the computer maintenance service is absolutely worth it. Below is a brief list of what this service has to offer:

  • Initial Tune Up and Setup Fee Included ($150 Value)
  • Prevent and remove viruses, spyware, bloatware, etc.
  • Update System Protection Software
  • Performance, Security, and Optimization Enhancements
  • Windows & Application Updates
  • Driver and BIOS Updates
  • Web Protection for all Home devices
  • 20% Discount On Additional Services
  • Keep it running smooth!

What is required?

There are no scary contracts; however, we do have a few requirements for our interested customers:

  • Internet connection and computer left powered on
  • Credit/Debit Card left on file for automatic billing
  • 12-month verbal commitment

What does continuous computer maintenance cost?

The price is $17 per month, per device. If you have more than 3 devices, we’ll work with you on special pricing.

Enroll Today!

[contact_form email=”brad@influxpc.com” subject=”Monthly Maintenance Enrollment”]

Posted on Leave a comment

Google Chrome expires on old operating systems April 2016

Chrome Nag
Please be aware that Google plans to end support for the Google Chrome web browser, running on older operating systems in April 2016. Be aware that Google will no longer update the application and will not release security patches after April. If you are running Google Chrome on an older operating system, you may begin seeing this message in your Chrome browser:
“​this computer will soon stop receiving google chrome updates because windows xp and windows vista will no longer be supported.”
​this computer will soon stop receiving google chrome updates because windows xp and windows vista

What does “no longer supported” mean?

By continuing to use the browser after April 2016, you will increase vulnerability to hacks, viruses, malware, and loss of personal information as Google will no longer release fixes to newly found problems with the browser. This only impacts customers using Windows XP, Vista, Max OS X 10.5 (or older) and also non-supported versions of Linux. If you are running Windows 7, 8, or 10 you are perfectly fine and may disregard. If you are still running Windows XP, get off now, it expired April 2015.

What options do I have?

This is a big deal but you have options to prepare you for April 2016. When Google no longer supports the Google Chrome browser you’ll want to already have one of these options completed.
  1. STOP USING GOOGLE CHROME ON OLD OPERATING SYSTEMS – This one is simple enough, just uninstall Google Chrome and stop using it on your old computer. Instead, use Internet Explorer or FireFox as your default browser. This will buy you time, at least until Windows Vista support expires in April 2017. Internet Explorer is already installed on your computer and FireFox is a free download, so there are not costs associated with this approach.
  2. UPGRADE YOUR COMPUTER TO WINDOWS 7 or NEWER –  Remember, Google Chrome is still supported on newer operating systems and is an awesome (the best!) web browser. Keep in mind, if you upgrade the operating system, you might as well upgrade the hard drive at the same time and give your system a complete overhaul.
  3. BUY A NEW COMPUTER – Buying a new computer is an expensive option; however, it might just be the best option depending how old your computer is. We can help you with determining what is best to do.

Here is the notification from Google regarding the end of support for Google Chrome web browser on older computer operating systems.

Are you ready? Let us know how we can help get you there.

Information from Google about Google Chrome

Google Chrome’s support for the following platforms will end in April 2016:
  • Windows XP and Windows Vista.

  • Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7, and 10.8.

  • Any 32-bit Linux, as well as Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise) and Debian 7 (Wheezy).

Starting April 2016, Chrome will continue to function on these platforms but will no longer receive updates and security fixes. If you are still on one of these unsupported platforms, we encourage you to move to a newer operating system to ensure that you continue to receive the latest Chrome versions and features.

FAQ

Q: When does support end for these platforms?
A: April 2016.

Q: Will I still be able to use Chrome on these platforms?
A: Yes, Chrome will continue to function as normal on these platforms. However, you will no longer receive updates and security fixes.

Q: Why is Google doing this?
A: These platforms are no longer actively supported by Microsoft and Apple. Such older platforms are missing critical security updates and have a greater potential to be infected by viruses and malware. In particular, computers running Windows XP haven’t received security patches in over a year and are facing a number of critical security vulnerabilities. At the operating system level, computers running XP are inherently in danger of being infected by malware and viruses, making it increasingly difficult for Chrome to provide a secure browsing environment. That is why we strongly encourage everyone to update to a supported, secure operating system.

Q: What should I do?
A: We encourage you to move to a newer operating system to ensure that you continue to receive the latest Chrome versions and features.

If your computer is not able to support these newer operating systems, you may want to consider investing in a modern computer, Mac or Chromebook.