Issue 3, 3-04-03

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ISSUE 3, March 4, 2003

Well, it's been two months since the last newsletter. Time sure flies. Lots of questions from those with new Christmas computers has kept me busy. For those new to the newsletter, the purpose of the newsletter is to provide you with information that you may find helpful regarding your computer. How to make it perform better, upgrade it, buy a new one. It's also a way for you to find out about opportunities that you may not be aware of. Every recipient of this newsletter has asked a question via email, or is one of my local clients. People who just use my site are NOT tracked by me in any way, even if they make a purchase through one of the links I provide.

Last month's focus was taking care of your new computer (visit my site to view previous issues). This month's issue is devoted to what NOT to do.

People treat computers different then other items they own. Cars, your house, your body... What? This guy's off his rocker... When you buy a new car, and a few weeks later it makes a funny noise, do you 1) remove the engine and install a new one? or 2) open the hood and begin a rapid replacement of every part that you see? or 3) take it to the mechanic to fix? When you buy a new house, and the house settles a little like they all do, do you 1) demolish the house and rebuild it a 2x4 at a time? or 2) gut the inside of the house and put up all new wallboard? or 3) call the builder and ask him if he can have someone patch the crack? You get the idea. Option 3 is always the best initial route.

My point is this - after we've spent $1,000 - $2,000 (or more) on a computer, a sophisticated device with thousands of parts, tens of thousands of files on it, and intricacies between programs that most humans can never understand, why do we assume that we're automatically experts? Here's some examples:

	I couldn't get my printer to work properly, so I uninstalled and reinstalled Microsoft Office. It still doesn't work and now my fax software isn't working.
	My computer was running a little slow, so I reinstalled Windows. It's still slow, and I can't figure out how to get Outlook Express to work properly. Also, I'm having trouble with the user accounts I set up (Windows XP).
	I wanted to make my Dell computer like it was the day I got it, so I reinstalled Windows. Then I learned that Dell doesn't have a restore CD, and I have to reload all the application programs myself. And then I have to figure out which ones I upgraded in the past year and go try and find those updates. Now nothing works right.
	And the best one ==> I used to run System Restore (Windows ME and XP) all the time, and now my PC seems messed up. Help!

The message here is that to get PCs to work properly takes PATIENCE. You should always take a breath and investigate all possibilities before taking extreme steps.

	Formatting your drive and reinstalling Windows should be your last option.
	Don't uninstall and reinstall software willy nilly. It tends to mess things up.
	Most hardware and software companies have sites on the web with very well setup support areas. You can do research on your particular problem and see if there is a recommended solution. If there is, READ IT THOROUGHLY and make sure you understand the pros and cons of the approach before you begin work.
	Ask, ask, ask again. There are many sources of information on the web. If you don't find an official support area (i.e. the manufacturer), then make sure the unofficial support you receive is either from a source you trust or you verify the information that you receive with another source.
	If it sounds wrong, it is. Sometimes people take the easy way out, like the common respond from Dell Tech Support (and other companies) "You need to reinstall Windows". Of course they don't mention backing up your data, the hours to reinstall your programs and go find the updates you put on in the last year, etc. "Get 'em off the phone" to reduce talk time is a popular focus at call centers.
	Think twice, act once. Outline your plan of action. Think it through before proceeding. Then put it aside, pick it up later, and review it again.

I've been working with PCs for 20 years. I make mistakes too. Like when I converted to XP and backed up my ME system first, then also made a Windows Files and Settings Transfer disk for my emails, settings, etc. Well the File and Settings Transfer disk didn't work (file was corrupted), and the backup also had a problem. 6 months of emails down the tubes. So my advice is to GO SLOW.

A big NOT TO DO is worthy of a separate paragraph. DO NOT let spyware run on your computer. What's spyware? In simple terms, it's software that you unknowingly download (or someone in your family downloads) that then runs in the background (slowing your machine) and monitoring where you go, then transmitting that info back to the company that planted the software. Lots of articles on this. Go to www.lavasoftusa.com and download and run Ad Aware, or go to http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22262,00.asp and download and run Spybot Search and Destroy. I use Ad Aware and the only thing that I left on my computer was Alexa, which is used with Internet Explorer and Microsoft. You may find Kazaa if you have music-loving teenagers in your house. Lots of info on the web as to why this program isn't a good idea to run on your PC - but it might not be worth the fight with your teen :).

What's hot now?

This section of the newsletter is to draw your attention to Opportunities that you might not be aware of. For example, everyone's antivirus software expires. Either at 90 days (came with your PC) or at one year (full retail copy), it's time to update your software. The easy route, but the most expensive usually, is to update with the manufacturer online. I don't recommend it. Why?

If you have McAfee on your computer (Dell began including this, instead of Norton Antivirus, a few months ago), I recommend NOT upgrading it. McAfee, in my opinion, is inferior to Norton Antivirus. Dell switched to it because they cut a better deal with McAfee then with Symantec. Note that if you switch to NAV or another Symantec product containing NAV, pre-installed McAfee software does NOT qualify for the upgrade rebate. So it will probably cost you about $30 to switch.

If you have Norton Antivirus on your computer, the ability to update the virus definitions is usually offered for $14.95 or more. If you do upgrade the definitions, you get new definitions for another year but the same program - your are running software that's obsolete for another 12 months. What's the alternative? Look for a good deal to buy a new version of Norton Antivirus, or another Symantec product that contains NAV (Internet Security, SystemWorks) that includes 12 months of updates and an upgrade rebate. All versions of Symantec's software, except for stand alone Norton Antivirus, allow the pre-installed NAV to qualify for the upgrade rebate.

Here's an example:

SystemWorks 2003 can be purchased for $2.99 at Amazon right now (go there now). It's $62.99, then Amazon has a $30 rebate and Symantec has a $30 upgrade rebate. Your out of pocket expense is $2.99 plus 2 stamps for the rebates. Amazon changes prices at any time, so grab it while the getting is good. If you don't want to load all of SystemWorks on your computer, don't. I install NAV and Norton Utilities for the Protected Trash Bin and Speed disk capabilities. I don't use any of the other features.

AMAZON KEEPS DOING IT! - In January Amazon had a great price on SystemWorks 2003 which allowed people to upgrade their Norton Antivirus, and get all the other SystemWorks components, for only $2.99 after rebate! Well, that deal is back! SystemWorks 2003 includes the following Symantec programs - Norton Antivirus, Norton Utilities, Norton CleanSweep, and GoBack Personal Edition by Roxio. You say you only need Antivirus? Well, you can't renew with Symantec for less than $10, usually more. So this is a great deal with extras! You say your subscription lasts another four months? Buy this now and wait to install it! Click here for my Amazon page. Note that Dell replaced Norton Antivirus with McAfee earlier this year - and McAfee pre-installed software does NOT qualify for any Symantec upgrades. Other Amazon deals include Microsoft Office XP Standard (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) for Students and Teachers for $96.99 (an unbelievable price) and Easy CD and DVD Creator Platinum 6.0 for $49.99 (wow). Remember to bookmark my AMAZON page for all your Amazon purchases.

Dell is always running deals. Click here for Special Offers on DELL Computers. Content constantly changes. And when you think of your next purchase, think of me! I offer configuration assistance on your pending purchase that is guaranteed to save you money. I review the configuration, send you proposed changes. You agree to buy it via my site, and we split any savings 50/50. So if I find you $100, you save $50, pay me $50 for my expertise, and get a better configuration!

Computer memory has recently dropped more in price, the lowest it's been in a long time (except for RDRAM)! Now's a great time to add Crucial memory to your computer. Click here for Crucial's Memory Configurator. Delivery is lightning fast, FREE 2nd day Fedex for most orders! For those outside the US, Crucial has one site to ship to the US, the rest of North America, South America, Asia and Australia, and a separate site (see my Memory Overseas page for UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa). And for those of you with RDRAM, visit my RDRAM page. You can get decent deals from Googlegear.

Academic Superstore is a site where you can get big discounts on software if you're a student or have a student in your house. My 10th grader's student id qualified us, I just bought Adobe Acrobat for $57.95! It sells for $216.99 at Amazon! Click here to checkout great software deals!

Netflix is a great deal for people that like to watch DVDs. It's designed for the couch potatoes of the world, and it's an ecologically sensitive way to help the world :). For $19.95 per month you can rent UNLIMITED DVDs (three at a time) and keep them for as long as you want! No shipping charges! Watch the DVD, drop it in the mail. When they get it (1-3 days) they immediately mail you back the next DVD on your list. If you watch two movies per weekend per month, it works out to $2.30 per movie. Watch 3 and it drops to $1.53. And the best thing is that you don't need to go drive anywhere... Visit my CDs, DVDs, and Movies page.

CompUSA isn't a new name. It's a great source for competitive prices to upgrade your system. This week in particular CompUSA has unbelievable prices on hard drives! 80gb for $69.99, 120gb for $129.99, 180 or 200gb for $199.99! Click here to go to see these offers.

Last but not least are my deals. Stuff I've acquired that I'm selling - all BRAND NEW. A Western Digital 120gb SE drive with 8mb cache AND a FREE Promise 100 card, lots of McAfee software, TurboTax Deluxe, Norton Antivirus... click here!

Site Support

I've been asked by some of you how I can provide the site and the personal responses to hundreds of people each month. One of the ways that I cover my costs is by your usage of my website. There are lots of sites you can visit from my site, and if you make a purchase the small (sometimes very small) commission that I receive goes towards the upkeep of the site. This costs you nothing extra versus you going directly to the site, and still qualifies you for any promotions, discounts, or coupons that the site may be offering. New sites are being added everyday - and if you don't see a site that you want - let me know and I'll see if I can add it. For other ideas to support the site, click on support the site. They are all painless! I've also add a testimonials page with feedback that comes from people like you, all over the world.

Thank you for using my site.

Rick

P.S. More Great Offers!

Purchase any new DELL Axim X5 Handheld and take $50 OFF your price with mail-in rebate!

Visit my site for links to Amazon, Dell, Crucial, Sharper Image, eBay, Verizon Wireless and many, many other stores. Links added daily! Don't see a site that you want? Send me an email and I'll look into adding it.