BFG Technologies, Inc. is winding down and liquidating its business. Unfortunately our major supplier would not support our business. As a result we are returning your graphics card without being able to repair it. We apologize for the inconvenience.

In a recent statement, John Slevin, chairman of BFG Technologies said:

“…I’d like to stress that we will continue to provide RMA support for our current graphics card warranty holders, as well as for all of our other products such as power supplies, PCs and notebooks.”

However, this no longer appears to be the case. If you were thinking of upgrading your computer, you might be wise to avoid BFG products, or at least consider that the warranty might not be honored.

BienTek is looking for a computer tech with the skills to repair non-functional LCD monitors. If that’s you, then we want you to have these monitors for free.

HP vs17e – Monitor displays image briefly on computer boot (approx 3 seconds), then displays “no signal”.

HP vs15 – Monitor does not power on.

To receive these monitors:

• You must currently repair computer or electronics.
• By responding, you assert that you are qualified to perform these repairs in a safe manner.
• You must be willing to pick up the monitors in Novi, Michigan.

Why are we given away broken monitors? Because we’re looking for a local computer repair technician.

Questions? Please post in the comments.

Here are the nontechnical attributes that BienTek is looking for:

• communication skills (verbal and written)
• ability to recommend related services to the customer (memory upgrades, backup solutions, etc.)
• ability to answer the phone, speak with the customer about his needs, and recommend an on-site technology solution
• own transportation, laptop, software & hardware toolkit

Desirable technical skills (you should have mastery in three or more of the following):

• virus removal skills (can you bring a hosed Windows XP system back up and running without a wipe?)
• BSOD-fix skills (can you diagnose & repair a computer that has a Blue Screen of Death?)
• laptop repair skills (power jack repair/replacement, monitor repair/replacement)
• general hardware diagnostic & repair; general computer troubleshooting skills & experience
• small business computer networking
• data recovery

To apply: fill out the computer repair job application, and you will receive a phone call within a week if we are interested.

People who already have a reliable antivirus program installed may be tempted to feel complacent, thinking they’ve safeguarded their system from any would-be intruders. And yet, when a virus pops in and wreaks havoc on their computer, they find themselves at a loss—how did it even get in there?

To understand how viruses can penetrate our systems, we have to first understand how they work. The word virus is actually an umbrella term for several kinds of threats. A more complete word to use would be malware—that is, malicious software that secretly perform unauthorized and even criminal actions on your computer.

A virus hitches onto a host and spreads copies of itself to other computers. It is somewhat different from worm, which does not need a host program and spreads itself through a network by exploiting loopholes in security systems. A trojan, like its name implies, is a program that pretends to be useful but actually contains harmful code. Spyware, while unable to copy themselves, can capture information about yourself or your habits and exploit that data however way their creator wants. Finally, adware, while not necessarily harmful, can still annoy you by continually flashing advertisements on your screen.

Based on the different kinds of malware described, you can already get clues on how a virus can sneak inside your system. For clarity, here’s a rundown of the different means malware can infect computers, and also how to keep that from happening.

Email attachments – Downloading an infected file attachment is one of the most common ways to get a virus. This can be pretty insidious as well, as the email usually pretends to be something funny, important or useful, and may even come from someone you know. Just keep in mind that viruses have been known to hijack email accounts and send themselves to all the entries in the user’s contact list. Bottom line: Don’t open email attachments from unknown senders. Even if you do get an unexpected email from someone you know, first confirm that they did in fact send you that message before opening the attachment.

Security Vulnerabilities – Programmers do make mistakes and oversights with their work. Viruses may also exploit the large number of security loopholes found in operating systems and their bundled programs. Vulnerabilities in such programs as Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office may allow malware to perform unwanted actions, like control your system or steal private information. Have your computer download regular updates and patches to fix these security holes.

USB drives, DVDs, memory cards and other removable media – Modern viruses know how to detect an inserted media device and silently copy themselves onto it. They may even hide their files on the device, allowing them to infect and re-infect each computer they’ve been attached to. If you tend to share your flash drives and memory cards with others, you are at high risk. Regularly scan your media devices for any unwanted hitchhikers.

Peer-to-Peer programs – File-sharing programs are not spared the attention of malware programmers. Downloading files from P2P applications opens you up to the risk of spyware, adware, trojans and viruses. This especially true for pirated software that require a “crack” or a modified executable program to work. Avoid downloading software, music and other files through P2P. You may even avoid a hefty fine in the process.

Websites and Online ads – Another common means of infection, downloading programs or files from websites can leave you vulnerable to viruses. Mostly these sites or ads pretend to be useful, like an online scanner warning you that you may already be infected by a virus. If you have to download or install anything from a website, make sure that your virus scanner is active, that the site is a trusted source and that you have read their terms and conditions. If they don’t have such a document, you have no business downloading anything from them.

Outdated antivirus programs – Antivirus programs are powerful tools against malware, but they’re only as good as their last successful update. If for some reason you can’t update them (say you don’t have internet access or you can’t obtain a license), you’ll be leaving a gaping hole in your system’s defenses. Have your antivirus programs updated regularly, and avoid attaching removable media or downloading files until you’ve done so.

These are the many means you can get infected by a virus. While having a good antivirus program helps, your first and best line of defense is awareness. Learn to recognize and avoid these pitfalls and you can keep your system, as well as your whole network, safe and sound. To stay virus-free, read up on the three basic steps for computer virus prevention.

These steps are for computer virus prevention. Computer virus prevention is generally much easier than computer virus removal. There are three main rules to follow that will help prevent your computer from getting infected by viruses:

1. Keep Antivirus Software Installed and Updated
2. Keep Windows Patched
3. Avoid Dangerous Sites and Software

1. Keep Antivirus Software Installed and Updated

Free antivirus software like MS Security Essentials is the simplest way to keep Windows computers virus-free. Old antivirus programs do not function as well as newer ones. Even if your antivirus program is “updating”, you still have to make sure that you have the latest software available. “Updating” might just mean “retrieving the latest virus signatures” – which is important – but not enough. Paid versions of antivirus software typically expire, leaving you unprotected if you fail to renew the subscription – but the advantage of paid antivirus software is usually a more thorough threat coverage. If you feel you need the highest level of security and are willing to pay for it, go with Kaspersky or NOD32.

2. Keep Windows Patched

If Windows Update is not running on your computer, then you need to turn it on. If you don’t even know what Windows update is, then get someone who understands it to help you – or, if you are confident with computers, then follow these steps to turn Windows Update on.

3. Avoid Dangerous Sites and Software

Most computers catch a computer virus from a dangerous website or dangerous file sharing program. It can be difficult to tell which websites are dangerous, and sometimes even safe websites suddenly become dangerous when they become infected with a virus. If steps 1 and 2 are followed, then dangerous sites will usually not be able to infect your computer. Don’t let your kids use dangerous filesharing programs Kazaa or Limewire.

Advanced Steps

Once the above steps are being followed, consider following these additional steps to further increase the security of your computer:

1. Stop using Internet Explorer. Download Firefox, Opera, or another free browser.
2. Use a router, enable the Windows Firewall, and/or Install a separate firewall (for the best security).
3. Run a vulnerability scanner on your computer to check for insecure applications. Just as Windows needs to be updated, so do your programs like Adobe Reader and Java.

BienTek provides Virus Removal services to home computer owners and small businesses in Michigan.

Purchasing a computer for home or business can be a costly decision. While buying, one should first consider how the computer will be used. Next, hardware and budget come into the consideration. Depending on the budget and the expected typical computer usage tasks, an appropriate model can be arrived at. For example, if one is buying a computer to play games then configuration should be such that a computer can deliver on performance; this would require a computer with a better video card than is typical.

Several types of computers are available in the market ranging from palmtops to laptops, although desktops have been the favorite in terms of quantity made to date. Consider the following when buying any type of computer:

1. Financial Plan and Utility: decide the maximum budget available to purchase the computer. If the budget allows for a better-than-average computer, consider that anything spent beyond the average computer cost will typically offer diminishing returns; this is because the top-of-the-line models offer marginal performance for a lot more.
2. Hard Drive and Memory: Size of the Hardisk is crucial factor while purchasing a pc as it affects the storage capacity; this is typically important to those who install a large number of video games and download movies. RAM affects the processing speed of the computer and is a consideration to be taken into account for performance systems. RAM has size and performance characteristics to consider. A number like “4GB” means four Gigabytes of ram, whereas “DDR3 1600″ is an indication of the speed. Both increased RAM and speed can help with gaming, but the speed is more important for gaming, whereas the size is generally more important for multitasking.
3. Computer Peripherals: selecting the shape and size of the computer is a part of the hardware. Nowadays, wide screen monitors are preferred and give a trendy look too. Buying a CPU with extra bays offers the facility of expanding the computer capability by adding additional drives and ports. If your computer will be used for movies, go with a widescreen.
4. Security and Model Reliability: High quality anti-virus and anti-spyware programs are required to help keep computer safe from these malicious programs. These products are often provided on free trial basis with a new computer. Free ones like Avast are also available for a one-year license with registration. Don’t put too much wait into the antivirus solution since this is usually purchased separately.

Factors to consider when choosing between purchasing a desktop computer vs a laptop:

1. Price: With a limited budget, select a PC which is affordable and fulfills the requirements. As a general rule, a laptop computer costs nearly twice that of a desktop computer of the same performance characteristics. This is why desktop computers are preferred by gamers on a budget.
2. Fixture: repair and replacement of laptop computer is more expensive than a desktop PC, and usually more difficult, requiring a computer repair technician, since the parts are less accessible and disassembly can be more complex.
3. Excessive heating: laptops often overheat easier than desktops because they typically have a single, small vent that collects dust. This dust can be cleaned out, but the process is not as easy as it is with a desktop.
4. Prone to damage: since laptops move more, things like laptop hinges break, and lcd screens need replacement – which can be more difficult than with desktop computers.

Netbooks (aka mini notebooks or ultraportable) are little, light-weight, portable laptop computers used primarily for web access. They look like miniature laptops, and generally do not serve as “desktop replacements” like some laptops do. Instead they offer a baseline set of functionality and are expected to complement the ownership of a full computer or laptop. They are designed for basic tasks such as surfing the net and word processing. Netbooks usually have 7-10 inches screen or at most 12 inches.

Netbook Pros:

• tiny and lightweight; portable; the screen size of these tiny computers generally range from 8-9 inches.
• price: they are a cheap way to get wireless Internet connectivity
• they often have built-in webcams
• they are useful for checking e-mailing, and surfing the web on the go

Netbook Cons:

• tasks such as online gaming, video editing etc are difficult to perform and require more power and screen size than a netbook offers
• expect the same programs to take longer to run on a netbook than they would on a laptop
• the small screen can make it difficult to browse certain websites or use some software

Features which distinguish Windows 7 starter from what you’d find on a traditional laptop:

• It consists of “Peek” which helps show and hides the desktop.
• It allows anchoring window on the side of the desktop and helps stack 2 adjacent windows.
• Booting of the system is as fast as it just takes 50 sec for the final tray icon to appear.
• It provides better stability and helps installed applications to run smoothly.

Conclusion:

This guide was written to arm you with the general differences between desktop computers, laptops, and netbooks, as well as a basic introduction to choosing a computer with the right components. If you have any doubt, ask a tech friend. This guide may have a few errors (please report them in the comments – thanks!)

Since it depends on your own circumstances, here are the pros and cons of leaving your computer on overnight to consider:

Pros of leaving your computer on overnight:

• Skipping the boot process gives you an instant access to the applications you want to use on your computer the next day.
• If your antivirus program is configured to scan overnight, or other automated tasks are scheduled, then your computer will receive the regular maintenance that it needs.
• Keeping your computer on avoids the wear and tear of components associated with heat-up and cool-down.

Cons of leaving your computer on overnight:

• If your computer is being used for some business purposes or contains important or private data, then leaving your computer on exposes it to additional risk from bad guys: generally, today’s computers are always connected to the Internet, which means increased exposure to hackers and malicious software like computer worms.
• Most of the latest computers built today include an option for sleep mode, but Sleep mode on computers still uses some electricity, and the most economic thing to do is to turn off the computer at night. Some older computers don’t have option for sleep mode, so if you have an older computer you should turn it off to save the electricity cost. When computer is being set to sleep mode (on Standby or Hibernate), electricity consumption goes down to about 1/10th of its normal use – about 0-6 watts. This is a good option (second to shutting it off of course) to save power (and money).
• Some of the computer programs becomes less prone to crashes if the computer system is rebooted when the computer is turned on again in the morning. Windows is an example of such computer programs called “operating systems”. Most home computers use Windows. Thus, your computer is more likely to crash if always left on.
• If a fan running inside the system dies, some of the major hardware components like processor or motherboard chip can get very warm inside, resulting in damage like crashes and data loss. The pc may smoke and stink up the house if your power supply goes bad overnight. Thus, an unmonitored computer presents additional fire and data loss risk. Monitors are also vulnerable to fires in some cases which can further cause problems as there is a lot of burnable material around the pc.
• Since some of the components like case fans inside the computer have limited lifespans, leaving your pc on overnight may reduce the life of those components more so than other components that do better when you leave the computer on.

How much electricity does my computer use? Desktop computer systems are generally labeled with electricity usage of around 300 watts max (which is not applicable most of the time). On average, these computers regularly consume about 60 – 70 watts when being used in a typical manner.  When a particular computer switches to sleep mode (aka “standby”, “hibernate”) the electricity uses goes down to 0-12 watts.

Almost all of the latest computers can be set to sleep automatically after a certain amount of idle time which saves energy during the times when not a single process is running on the computer system and is completely idle. It is also the best and easiest way to save on computer energy use.

How to Save Power Automatically: Setting the computer to auto sleep mode:

• If you have Windows XP : Go to Start > Control Panel > Power Options. Learn more about Windows power options here.
• If you have a Mac : Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver. Learn more about Energy Saver options here.

In conclusion, the tradeoffs make it better for some to leave their computer on, and better for others to turn their computer off at night. If you are concerned about power usage, then you should look into the energy saver options. For many, leaving the computer on at night vs turning it off is a wash. Consider that it takes your time (and patience) to power up and down the computer with each power cycle, and that it might not be cost effective to cycle the computer’s power more than once a day. If your computer is scheduled to perform tasks like virus removals or defragmentations on a regular schedule, then you should leave your computer on during those nights when the routine maintenance is performed. If the environment is a primary concern, then you will probably save the most energy by making use of sleep mode, and turning off your computer over night. The tradeoff will be a slower access to your computer.