What to do with that Old PC...

Ok so you've had your PC for 2 - 5 years now and it has gotten slow, so you're thinking about buying a new one. DON'T and here's why...

If you suddenly have a new use for your PC (e.g. DVD Burning, Video editing, Music editing) then go ahead and get some quotes (www.canadianPC.com). But if all you do is surf the net and check emails then guess what? Your current PC is probably just fine and all it needs is a quick tune up. Freeing up some space on the Hard Drive, uninstalling unneeded software, Scanning for Virus' and Spyware, performing a Defrag, and doing some other standard maintenance will get your PC up and working like a charm once again. If what I just stated sounds like Mumbo Jumbo, or you don't have the time, or if you don't know where to start then bring it into my shop and for $78.00 your PC will get the equivalent of a day at the spa.

Of course if there is something physically wrong with a piece of Hard Ware (e.g. Crashed Hard Drive or a blown Mother Board) then of course it might be more economical to just get a new or refurbished PC.

Basically my whole point is that, a computer does need basic maintenance and almost no ever does it and eventually it adds up and slows everything down but that is reversible. Just because a PC is 5 years old doesn't mean it has to be slower then what it was.

All PCs should have the following software installed and if you don't, just google each one and install it today. AVG Virus Protection (Free Edition), Spywareblaster, Spybot Search and Destroy and Lavasoft Adaware SE Personal Edition. There is more but I can't give out all my secrets.

For more great info and tips check out my website www.canadianPC.com or call (416) 201-9544

There are 4 Great Programs to clean up your Computer and help prevent further infection of Virus’ and Spyware and they are FREE!!!


AVG Anti-Virus 7.1 (FREE Edition)

Pretty self explanatory and helps prevent and remove virus’. The main advantage to this compared to the other “Larger” commercial products is that it’s free and it won’t take over your PC and slow it down.
AVG updates on it’s own but you should run a complete scan once every two weeks.
www.grisoft.com

Spywareblaster 3.5.1

Helps prevent Spyware from entering your PC but does nothing to remove. Basically it works like a force field around your computer and works very well as long as you update it weekly. All you need to do is update it and click the “enable all protection” link.
Updates are done MANUALLY and NOT AUTOMATICALLY. This program is useless unless you update it often. Click on the icon on the desktop and click update… follow the prompts.
www.javacoolsoftware.com

Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4

A Spyware removal program that helps remove Spyware… Must be manually updated but once you update it you should scan your computer and follow the prompts. This should be done at least once a month. Doesn’t prevent Spyware!!! Helps remove Spyware!!!
www.safer-networking.org

Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal 1.06

A Spyware removal program (Very similar to Spybot Search and Destroy) that helps remove Spyware… Must be manually updated but once you update it you should scan your computer and follow the prompts. This should be done at least once a month. Doesn’t prevent Spyware!!! Helps remove Spyware!!!
www.lavasoftusa.com

Other great programs that you can google include… cwsshredder, Avast, Stinger, RemoveWGA, SmitFraudFix and Vcleaner.


I’ve used these programs everyday for 2 years and believe they are the best programs out there and if you keep on top of the updates you should have very little problems with Virus’ and Spyware. However, nothing is bullet proof and nothing beats common sense when surfing the internet or reading emails. Follow standard safe practices and you should be ok. Beware “FREE” downloads and unknown emails & websites.

It should also be noted that occasionally (every 12-18 months) these programs will undergo a major update that will require you to uninstall the old and download/install the new version.

Check out my webpage www.canadianPC.com or call (416) 201-9544 for more great ideas and awesome deals on Computer Hardware and Software.

eBay - eBay - eBay

I've been selling computer parts on eBay a long time now and although it has been beneficial, it's also been a lot of work and listing fees aren't cheap. I don't just sell anything on eBay. Most of the items are trade-ins, rare or obsolete items (that surprisingly still have some value). For instance, I recently sold a 486 Mother Board for almost $20. It just so happened that two people needed that exact same board to replace a burnt out one and there was a bidding war. Normally that board wouldn't sell for a dollar if it sat on my shelf for 6 months. Lucky for me (and the winner) the timing was just perfect.
I also sell excess stock and items that have been ordered but not picked up that otherwise would sit and become worthless in a few months. It's hard making money selling new/current mainstream items (e.g. CPUs, Mother Boards or Hard Drives) and it's just not worth it.
Currently I've begun selling items for other people and charging a modest fee. It's actually been quite interesting and I'm learning more and more everyday about what sells and doesn't on eBay. For instance... A Pair of $300 hockey skates didn't even get a sniff at $50 but the Final Episode of M*A*S*H on VHS sold for almost $30?!?
I've bought and sold many things but I also find it to be a great tool and resource for the work I do everyday. Not only do I find great bargains and make money from selling but with the eBay toolbar I'm able to instantly research 1000's of items, learn about certain products and determine it's market value.

So check out my eBay Store... I have two (Computers and Collectables) and you're sure to find some great deals and if you want something sold gimme a call (416) 201-9544

Review: Kids Keyboard

With Christmas coming there is no shortage of gifts for kids and here is another. The A4 Tech (KBS-6135BP) Keyboard & Optical Mouse for Kids. It's smaller then the average keyboard and comes in three fun colours. I've sold 100's of these the past few months through eBay and feedback on them have been great. I haven't used it myself but I know that my customers have loved them and so have there kids.

http://www.canadianpc.com/productdetail.asp?StockNo=2161

Priced to sell at only $19.95 it comes with a fun typing tutor program that will have your kids occupied for hours.

SpywareBlaster 3.5.1

One of the very first things you should install after getting a new PC is Spywareblaster. As of this writing the latest version is 3.5.1 and it can be downloaded here...

SpywareBlaster

Once downloaded and installed you should immediately update it.

What's so good about this program? It's free and it works with minimal effort. It acts as a forcefield around your computer, preventing the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted software. All you have to do is update it at least once a week and your computer won't be bogged down ever again.

Occasionally there is a major update that will require redownloading the main .exe which will require you to revisit the website above and download the latest version.

Sweet Spot PC (June 2005)

So I was thinking... What do most people want when they want a good, solid PC? Unless you are a very advanced user you want something simple, reliableand cheap that will email, surf, play games, download music, videos and burn them to CDs and DVDs with no TechnoBabble. So my solution is to come up with a monthly system called the SweetSpot PC...

First I'll assume that the PC should be 100% brand new and under $800.00
I don't plan to get technical. The CPU will be fast, the Hard Drive will be large and the more memory the better. It should have a DVD Burner, a nice Flat 17" Monitor, a Decent Keyboard and Optical Mouse. Onboard Video is ok but a 128MB AGP Video Card from ATI is better for the gamer. Most importantly it should have a copy of XP Home and loaded with Anti-Virus and Spyware protection... An excellent place to start when thinking about getting a PC for your home or Business.

So go to www.canadianPC.com and check out this month's SweetSpot PC

AVG Anti-Virus

If you don't have an Anti-Virus program and you are running Windows you are at risk. Its just a matter of time before you get infected and stand to lose all data on your hard drive. If you don't have anything important on your PC then that might be nothing more then a nuissance but trust me, reinstalling your OS weekly is not fun.
Of Course most people have at least a few important files that are important enough to protect. Resumes, Accounting files, pictures, mp3s, videos, emails, websites and even recipes are enough reason to spend the few dollars to protect. But which program should you buy and use? Some anti-virus programs cost as much as $79 and require additional yearly fees. Other programs seem to take over your PC, effecting performance and just making surfing difficult and confusing. Others also take too long to install, update and scan.
AVG AntiVirus offers a FREE and easy to use program that I have used and adviced my customers to use for several months. You can learn more at www.grisoft.com and access the download site http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php for additional info.
I really like this program. It's quick and easy to install and I've had no problems with it what so ever. Unlike some of the larger companies out there that offer great virus protection AVG doesn't take over your system or slow it down at all. Additionally it's just as quick and easy to unistall it for whatever reason. No computer should be without this great program.