New and Used Computer Systems
Don't buy a one-size-fits-some name brand system. You frequently get components you don't need, or you have to put out more money to upgrade a component that isn't good enough for what you do with the computer.
We will build a new system to your specifications from quality components. All our midrange and high end systems come with a three year warranty. Our low end systems generally come with a one year warranty, but specific components like CPU and hard drives sometimes still have a three year warranty.
If you don't know what kind of specifications you require, our experts will determine what you will be using the computer for, and recommend specific components based on that information.
If you prefer, we can search through inventory of several used equipment vendors for a system that fits your budget. These are frequently business systems that are off-lease, and are in excellent condition.
Virus Removal
CB Services will use your anti-virus software, or will provide a recommended antivirus package, and remove any viruses currently on your computer, and schedule regular automatic updates of your virus definitions.
Spyware Removal
Using a combination of freely available utilities, commercial software, and in-house custom programming, CB Services will remove any software which is designed to either turn partial or complete control of your computer over to a remote party on the internet, or to collect information about you, your computer usage profile, or your internet surfing habits.
This could also include software which is designed solely to deliver pop-up or similar advertising to your desktop.
Software Upgrades and Installations
CB Services will upgrade current software, either with downloadable patches, or from CD or other media. This includes Windows & Linux security patches, as well as Microsoft Office security updates. You must provide your original CD's if necessary, or some other proof of licence for the software in question. Naturally, any GPL software is free of this requirement.
I can also install newly aquired software, ensuring clean and appropriate installation.
Hardware Upgrades and Installations
If necessary, CB Services will remove any old expansion card, and remove drivers for that card to prevent future conflicts. Our tech will then install the new replacement card, and configure any needed drivers.
Components can be purchased by yourself beforehand, or provided by CB Services.
System Recommendations
Not knowing exactly what you need in a computer is the easiest ticket to an overpriced sale for many chain stores. Let one of our techs know what you're going to be using the computer for, and you can get recommendations for anything from general specifications, right down to specific components.
Home Networking
If you have two or more computers, and you'd like to share files, printers, or an internet connection between them, a network is the easiest way to do it. A CB Services tech will install network cards as necessary and run cables, and configure network settings on all systems.
If you'd prefer a wireless network, we can install wireless cards instead, and install a wireless internet gateway. I'll also properly configure security, so that noone outside your house with a laptop and a wireless card can use your internet connection.
Components can be purchased by yourself beforehand, or provided by CB Services.
Business Office Networking
A CB Services tech can set up a network of computers, configure an internet connection if needed, and secure the entire network from any unauthorized outside access. This includes all workstation systems, and any servers required by the network. Common printers, scanners and other devices will also be properly set up.
If a VPN (virtual private network) is required for access from a remote location, this can also be accomodated.
Components may be purchased by yourself beforehand, or supplied by CB Services.
System Imaging and Restoration
Reinstalling operating system and productivity software can be a time consuming task on more than just a couple of computers at once. If you have several systems which are configured identically, I can do a fresh install on one system, then burn the hard drive contents to a bootable CD, enabling a software restoration (see the "Wipe and Reinstall" Service) by simply inserting the CD and rebooting the computer.
Naturally, this will not restore any personal data files. These should be backed up before the system restoration is done.
Initial System Setup
You've just bought your new computer, and you have no idea where all these wires go. A CB Services Tech will come and connect everything for you, and ensure that the system is working properly. This includes your internet connection if needed.
Network Security Auditing
The rate at which software security holes are being discovered is accelerating daily. Without spending hours or days checking every computer, it's difficult to be sure that your systems are properly updated to prevent unauthorized access. On top of this is the problem of some security patches that reopen the hole plugged by an earlier patch, but the computer doesn't know the first patch has been uninstalled.
A CB Services tech scan your entire network for security vulnerabilities, not by checking file versions on the computers in question, but by attempting a remote break in from somewhere else on your network using all known security holes. This is the only sure way to determine if you have a security problem.
Server Setup and Maintenance
When you need a server for you business, you have several options:
- Call IBM or Dell, and buy the system that's somewhat close to what you need, then probably spend extra money on upgrades and changes to get it closer to your requirements.
- Call a big box store, who generally know very little beyond home computing.
- Call CB Services, who will build a custom server specifically for your needs, complete with all the software you need to properly run your business.
We can also perform regular maintenance on any server, whether installed by CB Services or not. This includes upgrades, disk maintenance and backups, and security maintenance.
Security Patching
Security holes are constantly being discovered in all software. These range in severity from allowing a remote attacker to be able to crash your computer, causing a simple reboot to be necessary, through reading files stored on your computer, all the way through erasing files, or the entire drive of your computer.
The last thing you want, as a business, is someone else to have access to your data, be it a customer or supplier list, or a spreadsheet of your finances. Imagine what would happen if a competitor managed to get hold of the names of all your customers, complete with addresses and phone numbers, then erase them from your own system. Keeping customer information private is also a legal requirement in Canada.
To ensure that this doesn't happen, software vendors supply patches, which, as the name suggests, plug the security hole that's been found in their software. As long as you apply these patches in a timely manner, holes will be plugged shortly after they are discovered. If you're not in the habit of checking your machines on at least a monthly basis, you'll be vulnerable, though.
As an example, the well-publicized Blaster worm, which exploited a vulnerability discovered in Windows 2000 and XP, first appeared less than 4 weeks after the vulnerability was announced. You have to be constantly checking for new security patches in order to keep your systems secure.
Let CB Services do the checking for you. As long as we know what operating system and sensitive applications you're using, we can check what new patches are being released for that software, and either send you an email when a risky hole has been discovered, or come to your location and install the patches for you.
Secure Data Deletion
Data security is of paramount concern to any organization, whether it be sensitive personal information, in the case of a hospital's patient records, or proprietary corporate information, such as R&D or new product data.
When you dispose of an old computer, you need to ensure that this data is properly deleted, so it can't be retrieved by someone who obtains the computer from the garbage, storage facility, or even used computer store.
Deleting files off the hard drive is not enough. Even formatting the drive isn't totally secure. With special forensic software, a third party could rebuild the data from your hard drive, enabling them to find all the information you thought you had deleted.
Some businesses will solve this problem by drilling holes through the hard drive of the computer, or destroying it with a hammer. While this is effective, albeit in a crude way, it isn't very environmentally friendly, as the drive, and usually the entire computer, inevitably ends up in a landfill somewhere.
Using special software, we can delete an individual file, a partition, or an entire drive, wiping it completely clean of all data, well beyond the ability of any forensics tools to be able to recover it. This is done without any physical damage to the hard drive, and, as such, the drive, or the whole computer, may be sold or reused, without any fear of sensitive data falling into the wrong hands.
Windows and Linux Administration
Let's face it....administering a network can be a pain. Unless you can afford to hire an IT person full time, setting up your new printer for every computer on your network can be almost impossible.
CB Services can handle general administration tasks like these on a Windows, Linux, or mixed network.
General Repairs
While computers may be quite reliable compared to the past, they still break. If you've got a computer that won't boot, doesn't play sounds properly, has an odd coloured smudge in the corner of the monitor, or any other of the many ailments that can afflict a computer, CB Services can repair it.
Tutoring
If you're not comfortable with your computer, and you'd like to know more about Windows, your office suite or word processor, the internet and email, or more complex topics like security, I'll give you one on one lessons in front of your computer.
Wipe and Reinstall Service
What exactly is the "Wipe & Re-Install" Service, you ask? Well, among computer professionals, Windows is known for it's tendency to, literally, choke itself to death with extra files, registry errors, incomplete software uninstalls, and other problems. While these won't necessarily cause errors, or stop your computer from operating completely, it will run slower and slower over time, until it's eventually unusable. This can take six months, or two to three years, depending on how heavily you use your computer. This service covers backing up all your personal data files, email, and documents, formatting the hard drive to erase any errors that may exist, and reinstalling Windows, any productivity software, email programs, and others, before restoring your personal data. This gives Windows a fresh, clean installation, eliminating extraneous garbage from months of operation, and can increase the speed of the computer significantly. While no guarantee can be made of any particular speed increase, I've seen systems go from taking 15 to 20 seconds to open "My Computer" before, to less than 1 second after this service is performed.
This service is both much more indepth, and much more effective than "Computer Tuneup" services offered at many big-box electronics stores, all for about the same price. $50.
Note: Games and other entertainment software will not be restored. Installation must be done from your original CD's, unless some other valid proof is available that you are legally entitled to use the software.
