Computers don't always work as they should. Components fail, and operating systems fill up with crap that hinders performance and occasionally brings the whole machine to a halt. Savvy users know that they can fix most PC problems themselves, and use sites like http://cloud1network.com/ to find solutions to their tech problems. Those who lack confidence in their tech skills, however, often fall prey to the rapacious tactics of online and local repair shops.

Fresno, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/04/2016 -- Lest our local geeks-for-hire take we for a ride (or fleece someone we love), we've rounded up a representative sampling of typical repair-shop services to help we sort the rip-offs from the reasonable deals.

Cloud1metwprl in this article, we'll explore some of the most common offerings we'll find at repair shops large and small. These aren't scams, to be sure--as far as we know, these are all legitimate services from legitimate businesses. But the actual value of these services--relative to the work involved and the likely benefit to the consumer--can be highly questionable in many cases.

PC Tune-Ups
Just about every repair shop I've encountered offers some kind of "tune-up" service that promises to improve our PC's performance by deleting temporary files, defragmenting our hard drive, removing unused applications, running Windows Update, and (in many cases) cleaning the Windows Registry. These services often cost $50 to $100, but generally they don't do anything useful that we couldn't do ourself with a free download and some utilities that come with our PC.

Before we shell out a hundred bucks, think about what this service entails: Windows comes with a utility called Disk Cleanup that will delete temporary files for we with a few measly mouse clicks. Disk Defragmenter--another built-in Windows tool--typically runs automatically on a weekly basis, but we can launch it ourself by going to Accessories, Utilities and clicking Defragment Disk. Windows Update also runs automatically by default, but we can click Start, type Windows Update in the search field, and run it ourself on command.

If we have a bunch of programs we don't use, launch the 'Programs and Features' utility from the Control Panel and weed them out by clicking on them and selecting Uninstall from the menu above the main window. Or download Revo Uninstaller, a proven freebie that does a bang-up job of pulling out all the detritus that Windows' uninstaller often leaves behind.

As for Registry cleaners, we recommend avoiding them entirely. Although the premise that removing unneeded Registry entries can speed up our PC is basically sound, there's little evidence that it works in practice, and we can easily do more harm than good when we go mucking about in the Registry.

Not counting the time we'll spend waiting for Disk Defragmenter and Windows Update to automatically do their thing, the total amount of time a relative novice should take to perform all these tune-up tasks is about 15 minutes. So save our money, and check out "Speed Up Everything," our easy guide to giving a computer a performance boost without paying for dubious services.

Setup Services
Printer
$150 to help install this OVER THE PHONE? That's just crazy.

Buying a new PC, printer, or monitor? Most major retailers will now happily offer to take as much as $200 off our hands to come to our house, pull the machine out of the box, plug it in, and load the setup disc (if indeed one exists). One well-known national chain charges $150 to help we set up our new printer over the phone. That's highway robbery.

Unless we're physically unable to lift the hardware onto our desk, don't even think about paying good money for 10 minutes of cable connecting and menu surfing. Most new displays and printers will simply start working in Windows just moments after we plug them in, even without installing their setup discs. And a new PC will walk we through the registration and Internet-connection process with such careful hand-holding that it's inconceivable we'd require a pro's help.

When we buy a new PC, many stores will offer to transfer all our data from our old machine to the new one--for as much as $100. But if we're moving from Windows XP or Vista to Windows 7, Microsoft's free Windows Easy Transfer utility can make the job a no-brainer for any DIYer. If a shop offers to transfer our data for less than the cost of a $20 Easy Transfer cable, go for it. Otherwise, consider doing it at home.

If we do feel like we need a hand, just about any neighbor kid over the age of 10 will be able to do the job, and will probably accept a 10-spot for the trouble.

Hardware Upgrades
For someone who has never opened their system's case, contemplating a RAM, hard drive, or graphics card upgrade can be intimidating. Although we make the process pretty foolproof with our guides to upgrading desktops, laptops, and netbooks, we would never blame a novice for seeking an expert's help in upgrading a PC's internal components. Just don't let the repair shop gouge we.

While we encourage anyone to at least consider installing new RAM on their own (it's insanely easy--the modules just snap right in), the most we can imagine paying for such a service is about $20. Of course, many major shops now charge a flat rate of $50 to $60 for any component installation, so a 2-minute RAM installation will cost as much as a 20-minute graphics card installation.

The biggest thing to watch for with hardware upgrades is overpriced hardware. Before we go down to the shop, check prices online for the hardware we're buying. For instance, 4GB of RAM shouldn't cost more than $70, and 8GB goes for less than $150. So when we see a store charging $600 for an 8GB RAM upgrade, we'd do well to shop around a little more.

Data Recovery
Hard drives can fail. Houses can burn down. Human error can result in lost data. When these things happen, we may find ourself weeping over the loss of all our digital photos, our music collection, essential business information, and more.

Professional data-recovery companies can typically get all of our lost data back for we (even from a fire-damaged hard drive), but we can expect to pay in the thousands for the service. It may sound like a rip-off, but these companies use advanced computer forensics systems that are wildly expensive in their own right and require deep technical expertise that we won't find at the tech shop down the street.

The best way to avoid finding ourself at the mercy of data-recovery services is to back up our PC often, using a cloud-based service such as BackBlaze, Mozy, or Trend Micro SafeSync. By frequently backing up to a remote service, we'll always have a recent copy of all our data in a secure location. If our hard drive fails, our computer burns up in a fire, or someone runs off with our laptop, we can get every bit of data back all by ourself. Compared with the cost of professional data recovery, $60 a year for online backup is a bargain.

The Breaking Point
Depending on the age and value of our PC, it may not be worthwhile to upgrade or repair anything at all. If our machine is more than three years old, we generally don't recommend spending more than a hundred bucks for RAM and a new hard drive. And once we reach the $200 price range, we're probably spending more than our computer is worth. With good budget desktops now selling for as little as $500, it's reasonable to at least consider replacing our old system before spending good money on any upgrade or repair.

About IT Support Fresno Company Cloud1network
Cloud1Networks managed IT support services can be tailored to the needs of small and medium sized businesses regardless of the industry they operate in. Our professional support specialists understand the challenges and demands that companies have to deal with in an ever-evolving, highly competitive marketplace. We also understand how our IT infrastructure has to meet those needs as well. So when there is a problem with our IT system, we can't afford to wait. There's no need to stress. We'll be there to assist them on a 24/7/365 basis.

Our Approach
We strive to keep our approach to managed IT support services as cost-effective and efficient as possible so we have hired a staff of professionals who are highly qualified and skilled to do the job.

We have a variety of support tools at their disposal so that they are able to deploy:

a broad range of applications
detect problems
troubleshoot computer issues
updates and patches

In addition to the above, we can easily deploy new hardware in order to facilitate computer inventory and life cycle control while at the same time providing support for their company as well as the applications they are currently using.

Features
It has long been recognized that the support features that a company provides to its clients and customers is what separates the better managed IT services providers from the rest.

Cloud1Networks is no exception. Our IT support features include the following:

Centralized support for security management, performance monitoring, reporting, and tracking
Coordination as needed with other IT departments
Cost-effective and predictable management of desktop IT support needs
Implementation of mandated IT guidelines and security policies
Licensing costs are waived for backup software for desktops
Providing customers with problem resolution and repair with onsite or remote support capabilities

Simplified IT Support Management for any Business

Cloud1Networks takes a progressive approach where the management of customer's IT infrastructure and support services is concerned. We work behind the lines to assist them in achieving their business goals by integrating managed support solutions that make their IT environment more streamlined for the success of their company's operations. When one partner with us, they will benefit from the way we manage everything from data network and structured voice cabling to desktop, laptop, and virtual server support.

Our skilled IT support professionals can provide them with exceptional innovation and value in order to help them achieve measurable performance and reliability results. Whether they have been considering the outsourcing of their IT system or have been searching for the highest quality integrated solution for infrastructure component support, Cloud1Networks can help. Let us show how our managed IT support specialists can deliver cost-effective, reliable, scalable, and secure 24/7/365 customer support services today. Call us today to know more about the services we offer. We'll be glad to be of assistance on all aspects of the IT services.

COMPUTER SUPPORT
Good online technical support is provided by technicians who are prepared to do more than solve their immediate problem. By creating rapport with customers and understanding their exact needs an effective technician will be able to identify a holistic and sustainable solution to their computing needs. Because technicians have wide general experience in working with computer problems they are able to help them understand the technology in front of them and find ways to improve how they use it.

Online PC support service
The Internet allows for a technician to remotely log into our PC and through a "remote desktop" and work on our computer even they they may be sitting on the other side of the world. This technology saves time and money as a computer technician does not have to come all the way to their business to try and solve their IT problem.

Types of online PC support
Email support – PC support technicians will read our email and reply with a solution. This is usually handled by a "ticketing" system, also known as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software that allows we to track the progress of our query.

Chat support – A lot of online PC support companies rely on having operating available to chat with customers online. Some companies specialize in providing an outsourced chat program so that a support company can focus on providing a service rather than building their own technology infrastructure.

Telephonic support – this is probably the most traditional method of online support. By calling a centre we are able to speak directly with a technician. Of course sometimes a call center can be overloaded which can lead to frustrating delays while we wait for our call to answered.

Support and sales
When we're considering purchasing computer hardware we should always first check that the company offers at least some sort of ongoing support. Competitive companies will provide this as a value-added service and we'll find that the ability to get help and advice becomes an indispensable part of our business success.

IT support Fresno, has been providing IT support services to the businesses of Fresno for over 10 years. We care about the partnerships we build. Many of our clients have been with us from day one. We consider ourselves more than just an IT company. We consider ourselves part of their team.

Our team of IT professionals assigned to deal with their business needs. We offer a wide range of IT services to ensure their business IT systems run smoothly. These services range from protecting their information from damage and loss, securing their IT infrastructure, maintaining servers PC and systems, designing and implementing network systems, protecting our business from viruses and malware, business continuity and disaster recovery, email messaging and collaboration servers, cloud services, telephone and VOIP services, remote backup, IT consultancy and IT support and management.

We are able to offer both fast and efficient on- site and remote support.

Support packages
We offer a wide range of IT support packages for the businesses of Fresno. Our IT support packages are designed to suit businesses of all sizes. Each package is scalable to our needs.

Our support packages are split into two different types, Reactive support and proactive support. Reactive support means that when something goes wrong. We are there for we, and we fix it quickly. Proactive support means we work closely with we to ensure costly IT failures do not occur.

Our proactive support packages are the most popular with our clients. We work with we every step of the way to advise we about necessary changes to our IT systems. We intend to be with we for the long run. Our expert advice will save our business money and prevent costly IT failures.

Fresno Clients
Our clients are located in and around Fresno. We believe in providing a friendly and efficient service. Our reputation is built on trust and the excellent service we deliver. We have built fantastic relationships with the businesses of Oxford. We are members of the Fresno business community and regularly look to help the community when we can.

If you are an Fresno business, and would like to talk to us, please give us a call or complete the contact form below. We would love to hear from you.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Finding information on how to choose an accountant, lawyer or financial planner is easy. But why is it so hard to find good advice on choosing an IT company?

Fresno, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/03/2015 -- Each of the professions above has their own industry body that publishes a standards checklist. Yet when it comes to IT - it doesn't even have a governing association. IT has become such a wide-ranging profession that no one association has found a way to bring them all under one umbrella.

When we consider that Seek.com has 21 different sub-categories of IT positions and that doesn't take into account that each sub-category (like Networking Engineer) could be dealing with more than ten substantially separate technologies with unique training and experience needs, then we realise even NATO would have trouble administering this industry.

So how do we search for an IT company that will meet our criteria? Do we look for a reseller? System integrator? Value added reseller? A managed service provider, a solution provider, consultancy, a support centre? How about a cloud or datacentre specialist? How do we even know where to start?

Frustrated that this industry is failing to educate the very people it is supposed to help, we've developed a simple guide with 9 important tips help us in our search.

1- Size DOES matter

Our belief thanks to the advent of software as a service like Office 365, Xero and so on is that if we are a start-up or micro business with just a few staff we can literally operate our entire business without an IT person to help us day to day.

If on the other hand our business is a little larger then we need to consider some other points. For example, if we are the largest company that our IT people deal with, then that's great - we will be able to wield all the power. The problem here is that we are also the only example of a client our size that they're dealing with. So whilst we get the unique privilege of being at the top of the hill, we end up losing out on any cross experience benefits because the rest of our IT provider's clients are a lot smaller and hence have totally different challenges to us.

Our best scenario is to be one of many similar sized clients. If we are small but there are four or five other companies that the IT firm looks after who are the same size then that alone helps us avoid being isolated or worst still experimented on.

2- It's not Just About Experience

Whilst we would think a business with a lot of history behind it would be a solid choice it can also be the absolute worst company to partner with.

We all know companies who are dinosaurs in their industry yet somehow manage to hold on because their brand has been around for so long. The challenge in IT is that with the constant pressure of innovation and new technology, the older firms can sometimes get stuck in their ways.

So while a newer firm could provide us with a solution that is perfect for our situation the older firm might not do it that way because they still do business the same way they did five years ago.

Of course this begs the question, if we don't want a dinosaur looking after our IT support and neither do we want a toddler looking after our business, then who do we choose?

Given 95% of businesses fail in the first 5 years you want to at least work with someone who has beaten that statistic. But experience alone is not enough. You need to combine it with the core attribute of growth.

Most companies want an IT firm that can help them grow (in some way) so if the IT firm itself hasn't grown then you are potentially partnering with someone in business who doesn't know what is required to really support a growing firm.

This experience combined with growth mixture is a good benchmark to measure firms against. It may not apply to all situations but if it is part of a wider evaluation then it is extremely useful.

3- Owning a Hammer doesn't make them a carpenter

The IT industry is no different from any other where certain products or tools can deliver better outcomes for our company if the provider has them. Merely owning the tool, however, doesn't automatically qualify someone as an expert and, unfortunately especially in IT, just because they do doesn't mean our service will be better. At a minimum every IT firm should have professional service automation software, remote monitoring software and hopefully reporting software.

It is important to ask for a thorough walk through of how they utilize the software and what the benefit is for us and what we receive.

A common sample to request is the monthly report they send their clients about the status of their network. This way we can see what we would receive but, more significantly, whether the whole thing is just gobbledegook or actually has some meaningful information in it that will benefit us.

Ultimately the way they use the tools at their disposal is far more relevant to our business and what it means for how they support us. Without understanding every IT support tool under the sun, the best way to check if it makes a difference is to simply add it to the list of questions we ask their references. The easiest question to ask is "how have the tools they use saved them time or money and has it done anything specific they didn't receive from their previous IT support company?"

About IT Support Fresno Company Cloud1network
Cloud1Networks managed IT support services can be tailored to the needs of small and medium sized businesses regardless of the industry they operate in. Our professional support specialists understand the challenges and demands that companies have to deal with in an ever-evolving, highly competitive marketplace. We also understand how our IT infrastructure has to meet those needs as well. So when there is a problem with our IT system, we can't afford to wait. There's no need to stress. We'll be there to assist them on a 24/7/365 basis.

Our Approach

We strive to keep our approach to managed IT support services as cost-effective and efficient as possible so we have hired a staff of professionals who are highly qualified and skilled to do the job.

We have a variety of support tools at their disposal so that they are able to deploy:

a broad range of applications
detect problems
troubleshoot computer issues
updates and patches

In addition to the above, we can easily deploy new hardware in order to facilitate computer inventory and life cycle control while at the same time providing support for their company as well as the applications they are currently using.

Features

It has long been recognized that the support features that a company provides to its clients and customers is what separates the better managed IT services providers from the rest.

Cloud1Networks is no exception. Our IT support features include the following:

Centralized support for security management, performance monitoring, reporting, and tracking
Coordination as needed with other IT departments
Cost-effective and predictable management of desktop IT support needs
Implementation of mandated IT guidelines and security policies
Licensing costs are waived for backup software for desktops
Providing customers with problem resolution and repair with onsite or remote support capabilities

Simplified IT Support Management for any Business

Cloud1Networks takes a progressive approach where the management of customer's IT infrastructure and support services is concerned. We work behind the lines to assist them in achieving their business goals by integrating managed support solutions that make their IT environment more streamlined for the success of their company's operations. When one partner with us, they will benefit from the way we manage everything from data network and structured voice cabling to desktop, laptop, and virtual server support.

Our skilled IT support professionals can provide them with exceptional innovation and value in order to help them achieve measurable performance and reliability results. Whether they have been considering the outsourcing of their IT system or have been searching for the highest quality integrated solution for infrastructure component support, Cloud1Networks can help. Let us show how our managed IT support specialists can deliver cost-effective, reliable, scalable, and secure 24/7/365 customer support services today. Call us today to know more about the services we offer. We'll be glad to be of assistance on all aspects of the IT services.

COMPUTER SUPPORT
Good online technical support is provided by technicians who are prepared to do more than solve their immediate problem. By creating rapport with customers and understanding their exact needs an effective technician will be able to identify a holistic and sustainable solution to their computing needs. Because technicians have wide general experience in working with computer problems they are able to help them understand the technology in front of them and find ways to improve how they use it.

Online PC support service
The Internet allows for a technician to remotely log into our PC and through a "remote desktop" and work on our computer even they they may be sitting on the other side of the world. This technology saves time and money as a computer technician does not have to come all the way to their business to try and solve their IT problem.

Types of online PC support
Email support – PC support technicians will read your email and reply with a solution. This is usually handled by a "ticketing" system, also known as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software that allows you to track the progress of your query.

Chat support – A lot of online PC support companies rely on having operating available to chat with customers online. Some companies specialize in providing an outsourced chat program so that a support company can focus on providing a service rather than building their own technology infrastructure.

Telephonic support – this is probably the most traditional method of online support. By calling a centre you are able to speak directly with a technician. Of course sometimes a call center can be overloaded which can lead to frustrating delays while you wait for your call to answered.

Support and sales
When you're considering purchasing computer hardware you should always first check that the company offers at least some sort of ongoing support. Competitive companies will provide this as a value-added service and you'll find that the ability to get help and advice becomes an indispensable part of your business success.

IT support Fresno, has been providing IT support services to the businesses of Fresno for over 10 years. We care about the partnerships we build. Many of our clients have been with us from day one. We consider ourselves more than just an IT company. We consider ourselves part of their team.

Our team of IT professionals assigned to deal with their business needs. We offer a wide range of IT services to ensure their business IT systems run smoothly. These services range from protecting their information from damage and loss, securing their IT infrastructure, maintaining servers PC and systems, designing and implementing network systems, protecting your business from viruses and malware, business continuity and disaster recovery, email messaging and collaboration servers, cloud services, telephone and VOIP services, remote backup, IT consultancy and IT support and management.

We are able to offer both fast and efficient on- site and remote support.

Support packages
We offer a wide range of IT support packages for the businesses of Fresno. Our IT support packages are designed to suit businesses of all sizes. Each package is scalable to your needs.

Our support packages are split into two different types, Reactive support and proactive support. Reactive support means that when something goes wrong. We are there for you, and we fix it quickly. Proactive support means we work closely with you to ensure costly IT failures do not occur.

Our proactive support packages are the most popular with our clients. We work with you every step of the way to advise you about necessary changes to your IT systems. We intend to be with you for the long run. Our expert advice will save your business money and prevent costly IT failures.

Fresno Clients
Our clients are located in and around Fresno. We believe in providing a friendly and efficient service. Our reputation is built on trust and the excellent service we deliver. We have built fantastic relationships with the businesses of Oxford. We are members of the Fresno business community and regularly look to help the community when we can.

If you are an Fresno business, and would like to talk to us, please give us a call or complete the contact form below. We would love to hear from you.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm