If we've solved your problem, great. If we can help call Network Restore 517-745-5953.
Most of our work is on site. 430 N. Mechanic is a drop off location staffed from 8am to 5pm.
There is little need to custom build a computer any more. Brand name computers from all the stores and the Internet are largely the same and most used computers still sold are almost as fast as new. The difference between fast and outrageously fast is barely a few hundred dollars. Watch the weekly ads. Add as much memory and video card as you need for games and you're all set.
If you do need a custom built computer all the true computer shops around town have what you need and some have competitive prices.
Anvirus and anti-spyware programs are supposed to protect your computer from all the malware on the Internet. Unfortunately these programs can only protect you once the malware has been analyzed by the vendor and your software has been updated. New malware is placed on the Internet hourly. Effective protection can take a few hours or days to become available and if you engage in risky behavior on the Internet you will catch bad stuff before your software vendors can stop you.
Some malware hides in your system so the antivirus programs can't detect it even after the updates. Some malware renders your antivirus and anti-spyware programs ineffective so they don't catch anything. Some malware goes out and downloads all the malware it can find. Malware is poorly written and if enough gets in the computer may not boot at all. If your computer is slow and your antivirus is strangely silent or reports more and more of the same problems every day and you want your computer pleasant like it used to be then you need to have your computer cleaned. There are a lot of fake anti-whatever programs out there so downloading one more may cause more harm than good. If you can back your personal data up to a flash drive or other removable media you can clear your computer with a full factory restore provided by most major manufacturers on CD, DVD, or as a boot option. System Restore is usually ineffective at removing virii and spyware and can cause more problems than it solves.
Removing almost all malware all isn't good enough. One missed malware can bring them all back. Finding all malware is fairly difficult and the tech skills vary widely. Don't assume that because one computer service company couldn't find them all that they all can't.
Malware cleaning is $55 flat for pick up and drop off. Otherwise on-site rates apply. During the cleaning process we make your computer more resistent to malware than when it came.
Some computers that won't boot are the result of dying hardware which may need repair, recovery, or transfer.
A computer that won't boot or reboots erratically can be caused be caused virii, spware, and malware or by dying hardware. Most dying hardware poses no danger to your data. Some dying hardware is practical to fix so it runs like new. Unfortunately few know what is a danger and what isn't and if the hard drive is dying then your data will die with it requiring recovery from an expensive data recovery service which isn't always successful. A dying hard drive is like a sinking ship. The longer you wait the less likely anything will be recoverable. When in doubt back up your data to CD, DVD, another computer on the network, a flash drive, or other removable media. When in trouble shut down the computer as quickly as possible and have it checked out.
If your computer has died or is old your data can be transferred to your new computer. You can transfer your documents through a network or with a CD, DVD, flash drive, or other removable media. There are some programs can transfer your data and programs to your new computer but we find that they are often heavy handed and can transfer unwanted problems from your old computer to your new one. Data transfer doesn't take long and when done by hand you don't get any of the old computer's problems and the person doing the transfer may notice something that would be missed by an automated transfer program. Some programs require special handling to get them working on the new computer with your old data intact.
Some boot problems are from hardware failure which can be repaired
Printing and editing documents over the network from your laptop should be easy but easy means unsafe. Over the years computers, which can't tell good from bad, have had to become safer which has made networking more difficult. The Internet usually works right away but other things require some hand work. It's all there ready to go but those unfamiliar with networking won't know all the steps. Setting up small networks with simple needs such as secure wifi, cellular Internet, files, and printers is fast and easy so you may want to have it done for you the first time.
Many small commercial networks use the same equipment as home networks and are just as easy to set up and maintain. For large networks with more special needs such as fail-over among multiple ISPs, VPN virtual private networking, road warrior users, or departmental security the equipment is more expensive and more complicated to set up. When your company is large enough and the need for security is great enough it is worthwhile to staff an IT department. Until then we can keep your networking running smoothly with Check Point, Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper, Sonicwall, Watchguard, Zyxel, and equipment running open source software.
Networks should be reliable and low maintenance. If your current network consultants are out for recurring problems you might want a second opinion.
Most computer equipment is cheaper to replace than to repair even though many repairs can be accomplished with a few easy to diagnose parts. Sometimes a computer failure is a great excuse to buy new so long as your data can be transferred. Equipment that is practical to repair may be expensive, out of production, be critical to some process, or is your old reliable computer that would be better to have running again than go through the hassle of reconstructing a new one. Practical things to fix are motherboards, LCD monitors, laptop jacks, laptop screens, licensed equipment, and embedded equipment. LCD monitors are still fairly expensive and a replacement motherboards must be the same model or the repaired computer won't work properly without a reinstall. Some equipment such as point of sale is licensed and installed for a particular location and replacement isn't practical. When exact replacement parts are not available or are too expensive we may be able to repair what can't be replaced.
Lightning damage to computer equipment usually can't be repaired but it can be prevented and while not expensive it does require more than a plug in surge suppressor you may already have.
Some commercial equipment can be repaired also. The difficulty depends on parts and information availability and how it is constructed. We just need to look at it to see what can be done.
Laptop jacks are $75 flat plus parts. Parts price will be approximately the eBay price.
Most computer equipment contains lead which is a hazardous substance that should not be in our landfills. Many places recycle computers but some discard everything. Some computer shops can refurbish, reuse, or recycle some parts. Drop your unwanted but usable or fixable computer equipment off at BST Video. Unusable tube monitors can be recycled at any Goodwill. If your old equipment has sensitive data on it have it erased or destroyed using industry approved methods.
Having trouble with "free" tech support? Programs won't work, install, or uninstall? Hardware not working? Everyone is pointing fingers? We can repair many problems or eliminate areas of concern without tech support and when we do call it goes fast since we can help them quickly because we know most of the answers before they ask the questions. Save a lot of your time with a small amount of ours.
Programming is complex and few programs are easy to write. We don't accept any fixed price contract programming since this is a lose lose situation. If we charge too much you lose. If we charge too little we lose. All programming work is per hour and the rate will be assessed based on project difficulty and size. The best quality programming work is done when we work at your company so we can become involved in your project.
We don't do any website development unless the website involves actual programming. Most website design is your content, graphic design layout, and linking to other site services, none of which is programming.
The rates are set up so that you can have as fast of service as you need. The more you offer the more other work you will be placed ahead of and the more likely we can come out at odd times or on a moment's notice.
On-Site service rate
1st hr+adtl hours
Urgency
$65+$45
Non urgent residential service. Total charge may be capped.
$85+$65
Non urgent commercial service.
$135/hr
Immediate or odd hours service.
Non urgent: Once your request has been placed we call you when we have time to come out.
Some services have special rates and some common services have flat rates. See the service you need for details.