Guide to Making the Most of Computer Services

Understand your business needs before purchasing computer services

By Elizabeth Gibson

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for a computer networking service for fixing network errors

Business offices generally have multiple computers connected together by a network. Networks consist of both hardware and software that must talk to each other in order to communicate both commands and data. Your business must identify computer networking services that understand and resolve computer networking problems.

I recommend: Computer Network Services provides the typical kind of services that you might need. This company designs and installs Windows-based networks and establishes disaster recovery and virus protection options. All Covered provides services related to your company's computer network. This company helps you protect your network from viruses and spam and provides off-site backup of your data.

Identify computer technology consultants for hardware repairs

Individual work stations make up a computer network, while others stand alone. Sometimes computer hardware fails due to defects, inadequate venting or age. Your business should identify a computer business service that performs hardware repairs.

I recommend: Accram repairs computers and installs computer hardware upgrades. Accram completes data transfers from old to new computers and provides computer back-up. You will likely need these types of services regularly, especially when you upgrade your hardware. The Best Buy Geek Squad installs new computers and peripherals. The Geek Squad also performs computer repairs.

Look for computer business services that troubleshoot software issues

One day your computer works fine, the next day it won't boot up or it locks up. Such problems generally relate to software that has become corrupted or infected by a virus. Find a reputable computer technology consulting company that can assist you in person or that can offer help over the phone or online.

I recommend: AT&T Intellectual Property provides typical software-related services for businesses. Desktop specializes in training users of Windows Vista and reviewing Windows Vista compatibility issues. Mindshift Technologies provides software management for fast installation, remote access software, authentication of authorized users and other computer workstation solutions. These types of consultants can save you invaluable time diagnosing software glitches.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Have your decisions made prior to that computer disaster happening. You won't want to waste time trying to decide which computer service software to call when you really need help. Every minute your computer system spends down translates into lost revenue for your company.

Guide to Solving Business Computer Problems

Do-it-yourself solutions to keep your computers humming

By John Henshell, Writer/Editor/Communications Consultant, John Henshell

When your computer acts up, your first level of defense is to run the following:

1. Scan Disk system tool (checks your hard disk for errors and attempts to fix them).
2. Disk Defragmenter system tool (reorganizes data on your hard drive so your computer will run more efficiently).
3. Web-based virus and spyware scans (detects and eliminates problems).
4. Troubleshooting software (undoes system crashes, user errors and more).

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Identify viruses, spyware and adware

These culprits can make your computer run slower than usual. If you don't have any security software, or if it fails to catch invaders, you can turn to several Web sites for help.

I recommend: PC Hell has comprehensive advice and solutions for hardware and software problems, including instructions to remove specific malware. PC World has two articles that will help you determine if a virus or malware is the root of your problem.

Remove viruses, spyware, adware and other malware

Once you've ID'd a bug, get rid of it. Some leading anti-virus manufacturers provide free, Web-based scans, or you can purchase software to do the job.

I recommend: Trend Micro and Panda Software offer free, but slow, virus and spyware scans that detect and eliminate the guilty parties. Microsoft offers a free malware remover on its Web site. Symantec's Norton SystemWorks software automatically detects and purges viruses, spyware and adware.

Solve Windows problems

If you've got a problem with Windows, good step-by-step advice is freely available.

I recommend: HelpWithWindows.com has advice and tutorials, including a troubleshooting section. Tom Bair's Windows Watcher columns in Computer Bits are full of excellent problem-solving advice. Microsoft's “Windows XP How-to and Support” site has tutorials, a “knowledge base” and links to paid support.

Solve miscellaneous problems

Software, hardware and networking problems can bring your business day to a grinding halt. Get back up and running with free help from several sources on the Web or with security software.

I recommend: PC Magazine lets you search for solutions on its Web site. CNET also allows visitors to search its hardware forums for help. Symantec's Norton SystemWorks software undoes failed software installations, system crashes and more.

Get help

If you're unable to diagnose a problem or find a solution in a reasonable amount of time, it's better to seek expert assistance.

I recommend: Get free help from Help2Go, where volunteers will attempt to answer your questions. For paid assistance, call the Geek Squad 24/7 for phone or in-home support or find them in any Best Buy store.

Control your startup items

Most software applications, including programs installed with new hardware, dump unnecessary modules into your startup folder. These mini-applications are always running. At best, they hog resources. At worst, they cause system problems or conflicts.

I recommend: Sysinfo.org has a database of items that are commonly loaded at Windows startup. Each entry tells you whether the item is necessary (or necessary for a particular program), optional or created by malware.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your system is so corrupted or invaded that solutions to individual problems are impossible, you don't need to buy a new computer. From least to most invasive, take the following steps.
• •  Use your operating system's System Restore.
• •  Reinstall your operating system.
• •  Reformat your hard drive; then reinstall your system, software and data from a back-up source.
• •  Buy and install a new hard drive; then reinstall your system and software from the original discs, and copy data from the damaged hard drive or a back-up source.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Develop programming skills for computer networking services and software development

From developing code to installing software, computer programmers are in high demand. Computer programming skills are needed for information technology, web design and database administration.

I recommend: Strayer University has several locations and an online campus, with their Information Systems degree plans teaching computer programming skills. Rasmussen College School of Technology and Design includes courses in computer information technology, database administration and web design offered through multiple campus locations. Online Education lists many top schools that offer degrees and certification programs in computer programming.

Learn the skills need for jobs in computer networking services

As businesses network with each other through computers and the Internet, they need people who can service these networks. There is a growing need for people with engineering and programming skills for local and wide-area networks.

I recommend: World Wide Learn has a directory for numerous online training programs to advance skills in several networking fields. Soundtraining.net provides training courses and workshops on information technology and networking.

Study the skills necessary for computer repairs

Since there's a constant need for computers, there's a continual need for those who can repair them. Many businesses may choose to have their own computer technician on payroll for such tasks.

I recommend: Ashworth College teaches computer service and repair through its School of Information Technology. Penn Foster offers online classes to study computer maintenance and repair. Locate additional repair and technical support programs at Computer Training Schools.

Get training in drafting and design and other computer services for the gaming industry

Computer and video games are a vast market with fierce competition by manufacturers. This makes video game design a much needed computer business service. Anyone following a career in game design needs skills and education in drafting and design as well as working with software to create three-dimensional images.

I recommend: ITT Technical Institute's School of Drafting and Design teaches the computer artistic skills needed for game designers. The College of Media Arts and Technology at DeVry University offers an Associate's degree in Web Graphic Design and a Bachelor's in Game & Simulation Programming. Design School Directory lists many schools that train students to use 2D and 3D design software, and Game Discovery.com shares some of the best game design schools on their website.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Add versatility to your skills and train on both laptops and desktops, then you can branch into desktop services and laptop services.

1. Computer networking services can set your company up on the same network, can protect your network and can handle repairs needed for your network.
2. Computer technology consulting is an all-in-one type of service that offers help with all of your computer and software needs.
3. Knowing where to go for computer repairs can come in handy when you have a down desktop, laptop or PC.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Invest in computer networking services

Whether you own a small or large business, computer networking services can improve your productivity and boost your bottom line. By operating on a network, you can connect all your computers, printers and copiers onto one network while providing network security to ensure that your information is safe while traveling through your network.

I recommend: Computer Network Services, a computer networking service, can help you set up a network between a few computers for a small business, or between lots of computers for a large network. Rapid Response Computer Service will interview you to get a feel for your networking needs and design a network plan specifically for you. It also offers network security and network repairs on its main menu.

Use computer technology consultants to meet all of your needs

To get all of your computer business services met in one place, opt for a computer technology consulting service. Computer technology consultants can help you with everything having to do with your computers from computer support, to installing new software, to making sure your network and software are running to the optimum ability.

I recommend: To find out everything that a computer technology consultant can do for your business computers, visit TechGuides. All Covered Care includes a checklist to ensure that all your computer services are covered before problems arise.

Find reliable computer services for repairs

Computers need repairs; that's just a fact of working in the age of technology. To make sure that you aren't left in a jam when one of your computers goes down, research a dependable service that can meet your needs for computer repairs, such as PC services, desktop services and laptop services.

I recommend: Check out Gurus2Go.com to see how quickly the firm can help you get your computer repairs addressed. Geek Squad is a convenient option for your computer repair needs. You can choose to take your computer into any Best Buy store for Geek Squad repairs, or you can log on and choose a virtual agent that can repair your computer remotely.