With experience, Apple & Microsoft certifications and a love for all things techie we are the three counties solution to everything geek: Home & Small Business Networking, computer repairs, back-up and more. Either have your Computer or Laptop serviced in Sandhurst or we will visit you.
Opening Hours:
09:00 to 17:00 Weekdays
09:00 to 13:00 Saturdays ( For Care Plan & Corporate Support Clients)
I think I may have a virus, what should I do?
Viruses and malware are a prominent threat on many systems and are often the root cause of poor performance. Machines that have suspected viruses should be turned off.
Vast amounts of new malware and viruses have integrated keystroke loggers that enable to developer(s) to access your personal information such as bank account passwords and other personal logon details.
If you suspect a virus, you should be as quick as possible in bringing it to us so that the chance of personal information being stolen is reduced to a minimum. We would always suggest having internet security on your computer, and this can be purchased from any of our stores.
If you have no anti-virus on the affected system, no matter how small you believe the virus or malware to be, you should bring it down to one of the 3 PC Paramedics centres where one of our expert engineers will be able to prevent the infection from causing any further data loss or system file corruption. We will also use our specialist software to remove all traces of the infection, and then see if any affected data is eligible for recovery.
​Even with an active subscription, viruses and malware can still infect your system. If you suspect an infection with a paid-for subscription, bring the computer down to one of our shops where our qualified engineers will show you how to prevent future infections and manage your Anti-Virus provider's settings more effectively.
The team at PC Paramedics are experts in virus removal, and can get rid of all virus traces.
*Depending on the severity of the virus, some traces may be left behind, though if this is the case, we would recommend a format of the hard drive, and re-loading of the operating system to prevent a recurrence of the infection.
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Should I update to Windows 10 or 11?
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​The short answer is YES for very good reasons. Security and Performance are two.
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Microsoft is pulled the plug on Windows Vista support on April 11 2017, and Windows XP hasn't received security patches for a while now. In the wake of multiple ransomware attacks, Microsoft has taken the unusual step of issuing a patch for both operating systems because of the high risk and fact that millions of people are still using these versions of Windows.
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However, this has come after computers have been infected, which is why it's best to use a version of Windows that receives automatic updates that help to protect you (and your files) from disaster.
Windows 8 isn't supported either, but most machines with Windows 8 should have been updated to Windows 8.1, which is still supported. Windows 7 also receives updates and will until 14 January 2020.
On ending support for Vista, Microsoft said, "the time has come for us, along with our hardware and software partners, to invest our resources towards more recent technologies", meaning that it will no longer receive Windows security updates, nor will developers offer support for the dated operating system. We advise upgrading to Windows 10 if possible after this date, as you'll have limited access to new software and may be vulnerable in terms of online security.
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If you are considering upgrading to Windows 11, feel free to come down to one of our stores and discuss your options with one of our friendly employees.
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What is a Core i3 CPU?
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CPU is short for Central Processing Unit, the part that does the calculations. Released by Intel, this particular processor is on the lower end of the 'i' series. i3, i5, i7 and i9 are the range. The i3 is aimed at home and small business users, and proves very effective when performing everyday tasks such as surfing the web, and can handle intensive word processing and spread sheet tasks.
We would always advise buying wisely. Consider how much computing power you need as the price rises with the i number. PC Paramedics are always happy to help with your choice, wherever you are going to buy from.
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I'm thinking about using the cloud, should I?
Using the Cloud is a good way of becoming more efficient in a home or business environment. It's a means of storing data and running applications over a real-time communication network (the internet).
The Good:
- If used correctly, it can be very cost effective.
- The cloud comes with virtually unlimited storage space.
- Your data can be constantly backed up, and easily recovered.
- Easy access to your data.
The bad:
- Technical issues
- Broadband is on the critical path
- Security requires attention
- *DDoS attacks are becoming more common
For more information regarding the cloud, feel free to call up, and one of the team will be glad to assist you.
*DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service attack. It's a process carried out by large groups or malware that causes a specific host server to crash, preventing end users from accessing that specific site.
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What is "The Blue Screen of Death"?
Blue Screen of Death, BSoD or STOP errors occur when a computer experiences a hardware or software related issue. Microsoft implemented BSoD so that the cause of the crash could be determined. When a crash occurs, it leaves a log file, giving an indication as to what may have caused the crash. The team at PC Paramedics are able to effectively diagnose and fix these errors with our specialised analysis tools.
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