PC servicing and sales

Servicing

Correct a single problem or perform regular maintainance on one or many PCs, to prevent problems from occurring.

  • Clean optical drives - CD / DVD recorder
  • Blow dust out of CPU & GPU coolers and internals
  • Test hard disks for imminent failure
  • Update operating system, software, firmwares
  • Configure security software
  • Scan and remove malware - virus, spyware, adware
  • Repair or replace broken hardware, cabling and peripherals
  • Clean screens, keyboard, mouse and scanner
  • Service printer
  • Tidy and label electrical and usb plugs
  • Take a backup
  • Test UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply)
  • Optimise PC around user/business processes

Hardware / software sales

  • Purchasing advice
  • New desktop, laptop and server computers
  • Peripherals and components
  • Operating systems and software
  • Custom built and configured systems, installed and networked on site

Peripherals

Accessory devices used with the computer. Required compatible driver software on the computer may come built-in with the operating system or may need to be installed from cd, downloaded or built from source. I can install peripheral devices and correct any problems.

  • Screen
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Printer, scanner, fax, multifunction
  • Wi-fi router, network switch
  • External storage - flash drive, optical media, external drives
  • Amplifier, stereo speakers, 5.1 theatre system
  • Headphones, microphone, headset, handset, breakout box
  • Surge protector, UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply)
  • USB hub
  • Digital camera, video camera, webcam
  • Game controller
  • Cabling

Upgrade, replacement, repair

Fitting component parts, to improve the capabilities. Testing components and connections and replacing failed ones with new. Sometimes, components and peripherals can be repaired.

Computer components

  • Power supply
  • Memory
  • Disk drives - optical, hard, solid state
  • Cooling
  • Graphics card
  • Motherboard
  • Processor
  • Other expansion cards

Operating systems

Essential software that forms the basis for the computer to function. Common operating systems:

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Linux
  • Apple Mac OSX

Factors affecting operating system selection

  • Compatibility with required hardware and software
  • Reliability
  • Usability
  • Cost of purchase
  • Cost of management
  • User familiarity / personal preference

Servers

Internet and intranet server install, configuration and administration

  • World-Wide Web server
  • File server: Samba (Windows shares), NFS, FTP
  • User accounts & permissions
  • Windows Domain controller
  • Single sign-on configuration/integration
  • RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) for fault-tolerance and responsiveness
  • LVM (Logical Volume Manager) for logical drives that span multiple physical drives and resizable partitions
  • File encryption for security and privacy: TrueCrypt, dm-crypt, encFS
  • Database server: mySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server
  • E-mail server: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, webmail, mailing lists, integration
  • Contacts & Calenders (Directory Services): LDAP, Scalix, Active Directory
  • VPN (Virtual Private Networking) access
  • Scheduled backups, files accessible by date: snapshot/hard-links
  • Offsite backups incase of hardware failure, fire or theft: rsync
  • Printer server
  • Webcam based security/monitoring

Networking

  • Installing and testing network equipment, switchboards, sockets, cabling, voice, Wi-Fi routers, switches, security
  • Siting of equipment & cabling: wall mounting, shelving, cabinets, trunking, channels along and through ceilings and walls, boxings
  • Network security: iptables, SSL, chroot, secure passwords, MAC address filtering, Windows security software

IT management

Organisations with multiple computers and many users can benefit from

  • Organisation of files, services and resources
  • Formalisation of procedures
  • Training
  • Technical / user support
  • Documentation
  • Oversight, maintenance and streamlining of IT operations