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Contact Info
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9712 Ashby Rd
Fairfax, VA 22031
Cell: 571-345-6191
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Computer Repair
Are you experiencing problems with your computer? Maybe it is having trouble loading Windows, or on the other hand, maybe it likes loading Windows so much it randomly restarts itself! Perhaps you've been getting a strange error message lately, or some advertisement. If you'd like cost-effective computer repair at your convenience, then I can help.
System Checklist
These are some questions I like to ask customers to get an idea what problem it might be having. You can help me get an idea what is wrong by going over this list and letting me know if anything stands out to you.
About Your Computer
Is it a desktop or a laptop?
Some of the more intricate hardware repairs a laptop may need, such as a new video card or LCD screen, are beyond my scope - in that case, I can refer you to someone who can fix it
Is it Windows, Mac, or Linux?
I typically do not service Mac OS or Linux installations; I applaud their use but I am not experienced enough to do more than simple maintenance :)
What version of Windows are you running?
Are you running the new Windows Vista? (black taskbar)
Are you on Windows XP? (blue taskbar)
Is it an older version of Windows, such as Windows 95 or Windows 98? You can usually tell by clicking on the Start button and looking for any vertical text running up the left side, such as "Windows 2000 Professional" or "Windows 98"
What virus protection software do you have?
A lot of speed and/or stability issues have been occuring as a result of Norton and especially McAfee installations gone haywire
Unexpected Popups or Errors
Do not pay for any product advertised in this way!
Are you getting unexpected popups?
Does it happen even if you are not browsing the Internet?
Do you see unexplained error messages?
Does it reference a missing file? What is the file name?
Is it telling you your computer is not secure? These are often fake error messages to try to get you to pay for a software product.
Do not pay for anything from an error message!
Has your desktop or taskbar been replaced or modified to include an ad?
If Windows Isn't Loading
Tell me exactly what happens
Stage 1 - Bios
Do you see any company logo screen? (e.g. Dell, HP, IBM...)
You may also see a BIOS company such as Award or Phoenix
Stage 2 - Windows Loading
Do you see the "Safe Mode" menu? It is supposed to come up if the last startup was not successful.
Do you see the Microsoft Windows logo and/or a progress bar?
Does anything strange happen in this stage?
Stage 3 - Windows Login
Do you see a mouse pointer on your screen?
Do you see a login screen with user names?
Can you use your mouse? Can you use your keyboard?
Stage 4 - Windows Desktop
Do you see the taskbar with the Start button?
Do you see your desktop background?
Do you see your desktop icons? Sometimes these will disappear
Internet Access Issues
Are you using a different computer to view this website? :)
Who is your Internet Service Provider?
e.g. Verizon, Cox, Comcast, AOL, Earthlink, NetZero...
What kind of Internet access do you have?
e.g. dial-up, cable, dsl, FIOS, cellular/3g, satellite...
Are you using a home or local wireless/"WiFi" network to connect?
This is different from cellular Internet access, which can be accessed anywhere near a cell phone tower
Do you know if it is secured or not?
Do you know if the router (the box with antennas) says "802.11g" or something similar? The letter after the 11 is important ("a" "b" "g" "n").
Does this affect all websites, or only some of them?
For example, maybe you can access Google but not eBay
Do you get a different website than what you asked for?
e.g., the normal Microsoft site is replaced by a search page full of ads - This is often due to spyware/adware
Does this happen always or are there times when it works right?
Do images on common websites often get replaced with a red "x"?
Do websites take a long time to load?
Note that this is normal behavior when using a dial-up modem!
Give me a call at 571-438-5616 today so you don't have to keep pulling your hair out over pc repairs.
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