TECH SUPPORT AND BEYOND

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please email us at info@teknyka.com, we really appreciate it! Some of the most common tips and tricks are listed below (we'll be adding more all the time).

Purchasing:

When purchasing a new PC it's best to check prices and read customer reviews at online retail stores (such as TigerDirect.com, BestBuy.com or Newegg.com). When you find something you like try to find it at a local retail store and purchase the equipment directly from them (as long as the prices are comparable). This makes it easy to return or replace defective equipment.

Never purchase the extended warranty offered by the salesmen - it will most likely never be used, and if you do end up needing repairs, you will not get the service that is promised. You are better off keeping the money and paying for repairs yourself if it ever becomes necessary.

Remove junk software off of the new PC:

Any time you purchase a new Windows PC it will come pre-loaded with unnecessary software. Most users never use these programs but they are installed by the manufacturing company because of the incentives they get from the software vendors. These programs run in the background using up resources and slowing down your computer. Some software will require that you purchase it after the trial period expires.
Believe it or not, some pre-installed software is actually spyware and may collect and distribute names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and other contact information without the user's consent. One common example of this is WildTangent (link to Wikipedia, see Criticism section).

In order to remove junk software you will need to go to Add and Remove Programs (XP) or Programs and Features (Vista) in your Control Panel, or use an automatic program called PC Decrapifier to remove everything that is not critical to the system, including games, gadgets, trial software, web tracking tools, Yahoo/AOL/Google toolbars, and anti-virus software (we don't recommend the anti-virus program that comes with your computer – it's more costly and less efficient that the free alternatives listed below).

Remember:

• There are usually free and better alternatives to the software that comes with a new PC
• The free gizmos and gadgets can always be downloaded off the Internet and reinstalled at a later time if you ever find a need for them

Free software

There are at least 5 essential programs that you will need to install on your computer. All of the following programs are free for non-commercial use:

1. Anti-Virus: AVG, Avira, Avast, or Kaspersky (updated every 5 hours). The only paid for anti-virus that we recommend is Norton 2009, it has been completely redesigned and is now faster and more efficient than previous versions
2. Anti-Spyware: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, SUPERAntiSpyware, Spybot Search & Destroy, or AdAware
   
   Note: Do not install more than one Anti-Virus and one Anti-Spyware program, they will conflict with each other.
3. Office Suite (for viewing documents and spreadsheets): You can purchase Microsoft Office (new computers usually comes with a trial version) or use OpenOffice, it has all the same features as Microsoft Office but you don’t have to pay for it
4. Flash Player: Adobe Flash Player is required for viewing videos and animated content online
5. PDF Reader: Adobe Reader or the lightweight and highly recommended Foxit Reader

In most cases you do not need to install a 3rd party Firewall. The Firewall that comes with Windows XP or Vista is sufficient protection (this was not the case several years ago).

Think you’re infected?

If you’re suddenly getting unwanted pop-ups and your system slowed down to a crawl then you are probably infected with spyware or viruses. We recommend that you stop all financial activities online and call us to clean your system.

Keep in mind that many malicious programs masquerade as legitimate looking anti-virus programs. If you're suddenly getting pop-ups telling you that your system is infected and can only be fixed by an expensive program, do not buy it - it's a scam!

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