Upgrades and Rebuilds

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Hardware or Software Upgrades and Rebuilds.

Does your computer handle the tasks that you throw it in good time?  We can install new components or upgrade existing hardware to produce improved performance, or new features.

There comes the time when for whatever reason you want to improve areas of your computer or software. The following are examples to the type of improvements, or upgrades as they are termed, that we can carry out...

• Operating Systems, Microsoft Windows ME or Microsoft Windows 98 to Microsoft Windows XP Home/Pro >>>

  • This service covers installing new versions of software that enables your hardware to work in the new environment.

    We can re-install software that you use frequently, paying particular attention to transfer the settings from applications that you flag up.

    This service is also for those who require an operating system reinstallation or rebuild to set the PCs back to a familiar state.

    We could discuss the merits of using Windows XP, however, briefly and in a nutshell, XP means no more blue screens, greater stability under everyday use, good support for hardware, and many many advantages over ME and 98. A reason why some still use Windows 98 is that it is apparently fast, however, the price to pay is that Windows 98 tends to crash a lot.  (Ed: I prefer stability)

    To discuss your upgrade or rebuild click here.

• Hard disk drive units (including laptop hard drives) >>>
  • Hard drive units store the programs that you have installed and information that you save long after you turn off your PC. The faster this unit is, the faster your entire software will operate.
    
    Over time, these units fail and if you are lucky, you may get a warning in the form of unusual mechanical clicking sounds from the within your computer or laptop.

    A replacement hard drive may have larger capacity depending in the age of your existing unit. Also, if you choose, the unit can be faster.

    If you are looking at upgrading or replacing your hard drive then we can install your existing software onto this new drive.

    To discuss your hard drive upgrade click here.

• Memory >>>
  • What is computer memory for >>>
    • A few seconds after a computer is switched on, you can hear software loading from your hard drive unit into your memory. Generally speaking, your computer loads the heart of the operating system (e.g. Windows) into memory, and the operating system begins to perform tasks reserving what it needs from the available memory. As you install new applications, some require to be constantly running, therefore, they use some of your available memory.

  • When your available memory runs low, the operating system uses a part of your hard disk as what is termed virtual memory. At this point you will hear frequent noises from the hard drive even though you may only be swapping between applications.

    Upgrading to more available memory means

  • Less disk thrashing
  • Faster Windows usage e.g. menus etc. are faster therefore you work quicker
  • Prolonged hard drive life due to less virtual drive activity

  • To arrange your upgrade click here.

• CD Writers to faster CD Writers or DVD Writers >>>
  • CD and DVDs are commonplace nowadays with music and data used on both types of disk. There are portable music players that store the same type of information on memory sticks, the high street is full of different gadgets. However, given the price difference between memory sticks and CDs, the choice leans towards using CDs or DVDs with DVDs offering greater capacity for more music or film.

    For example, you can use your computer to burn disks in data mode and add MP3 or WMA tracks for a compatible portable CD player that retails at around the £70-£100 mark.  Also, many inexpensive DVD players support MP3/WMA CDs.

    To discuss your upgrade or rebuild click here.

• Graphics Acceleration (primarily for games) >>>
  • Many games require the use of a dedicated graphics card to produce the special onscreen graphics. We can upgrade your computers graphic capabilities for different scenarios and budgets...
    • Starter Graphics Upgrades - The capabilities of the card is focused on meeting the requirements of existing software that you cannot use, and where newer innovation in graphic technology is not required.
    • Pro Graphics Upgrades - The capabilities of this card is geared for peak performance in visual special effects support.
    To discuss your upgrade or rebuild click here.