Computer Dave’s
Service & Upgrade Centers, LLC.
A Quarterly Newsletter

Things You Should Know…
Spring 2008

Text Box: In this issue:    B-4 You Buy That New Computer    Here is some really, really good advice that can save you time, effort, aggravation and money if you intend to purchase a new computer for the holidays…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I


s your computer leaking? 
 
If you have teenage kids, chances are theyView Everyday computing series have installed one of the free music sharing applications such as KaZaa, LimeWire or BearShare.  These free applications allow “participants” to share music and other files with other participants by simply downloading the particular application and installing it on their computers.  The application, in its default installation mode, creates a shared file folder which other participants are able to access and download from. 

The problem is, that in the default mode, these programs can make all of the other personal data on your computer accessible to others.  This can include anything stored in your computer such as social security and credit card numbers, financial spreadsheets, even confidential business files you may store on your computer.

I'm not making this up.  If you have one of these file-sharing programs installed on your computer, do a search in that program for words such as"social security"  or "P&L."  I don't condone this, and your actions may be
illegal, however, the point is, that someone else may already be doing this to you!

KaZaa, LimeWire and BearShare are the more popular of these applications.  There are many others.  If you have one of these applications installed on your computer, the shared folder can (and should) be set to limit access within your computer.  This is easy to do and chances are that you and your teen can do this.  If you’re not sure, give Computer Dave a call @ 860-408-0002. 

Also, keep in mind that downloading free music files is illegal and can get you a significant, costly, time-consuming legal action from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).  Even if your teenage kid is the culprit, the RIAA will go after you, the parents.

G


oing Phishing?
 

It’s pronounced “fishing.”  Phishing is the popular sport of anonymously separating you from your money.  It is done through your email. The following are two Phishing mail pieces I received on my
callcomputerdave@comcast.net email account:

Anna Johnson [anna60johnson@yahoo.com]
I am Anna, Am attracted to your profile, and I'll like to share this business opportunity with you. I have us$7million and 50kg of gold in a banking firm ready for claiming, i need your help to stand as a business partner to my late father to make claims to the money from the firm. I propose 25% of the total money to you also 5% for any expenses that might incurred during the cause of this transaction while 70% is to be held on trust by you until we can decide on a suitable business investment in your country subsequent to my free movement to join you. I’ll write you with more details when you reply me with your readiness to handle this issue, contact me
  . Thanks, Anna.

MR. HANK SMITH [hanksmith0@citibankdesk.org]
I am Mr. HANK SMITH from Westminster, London, and the Chief auditor of CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL (PLC) here in my country for the pass 25 years now.

There is an account opened in this bank in 1990 and since 2001 nobody has operated on this account again. After going through some old files in the records, I discovered that if I do not remit this money out urgently it would be forfeited.

The owner of this account is Mr. DENIS COOK, a foreigner and a miner at Kruger gold co. He died since 2001. And know other person knows about this account or any thing concerning it, and my investigation proved to me that the account has no other beneficiary. And the amount involved is (USD 21.3M) TWENTY ONE MILLION THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS.

I know that this message will come to you as a surprise as we don't know ourselves before. We will sign an agreement of understanding to ensure trust and equity. Please reply urgently so that I will inform you the next step to take immediately. Send also your FULL NAME, PRIVATE TELEPHONE NUMBER and YOUR CONTACT ADDRESS.

I want us to meet face to face or sign a binding agreement that will bind us together so that you can receive this money into a foreign account or any account of your choice where the fund will be safe, and I will fly to your country for withdrawal and sharing. I am contacting you because of the need to involve a foreigner with foreign account. I need your full co-operation to make this work fine because the management is ready to approve this payment to any foreigner, who has correct information of this account which I will give to you later.

If you are willing and capable to handle this fund in strict confidence and trust according to my instructions and advice HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario laptopsfor our mutual benefit as I don't want to make a mistake, then I need your strong assurance and trust for this opportunity may never come again in my life.With my position in the office, I can help for the transfer of this money to any foreigner's reliable account, which you can
provide with assurance that this money will be intact pending my physical arrival in your country for sharing. I will destroy all documents of transaction immediately we receive this money leaving no trace to any place. I will apply for annual leave to get visa immediately I hear from you, that you are ready to act and receive this fund in your account. I will use my position and influence to effect legal approvals and onward transfer of this money to your account with appropriate clearance forms of the ministries and foreign exchange departments.

At the conclusion of this business, you will be given 40% of the total amount, 50% will be for me, while 10% will be for the expenses both of us might incur during the process of transferring this fund in your favor.

Yours truly,
Mr. Hank Smith.
Mobile: +447045753618
Private E-mail: hanksmith_2@yahoo.co.uk

I thought you might find these communications to be humorous and enlightening.  But be advised, these guys are good at what they do.  The letter you may receive might look like a communication from your bank or stock broker asking you to confirm personal information to a web address at the bank. Only the bank may not be at the other end.  Beware and be careful.

 

 

 

H


ow’s your memory? 
 
Chances are your computer has Windows XP and 256 MB of main memory.  Fact is, two or more years ago, 256 MB of memory used to be more than enough to sufficiently operate a computer with Windows XP.  But, over time, Microsoft has added significant new updates that affect the way Windows XP operates.  These updates include operating enhancements and security improvements.  But they come at a cost and that cost is operating overhead! 

256 MB of memory will still run Windows XP, but not as efficiently as when the computer was new.  Today, 512 MB of memory does a far better job.  The resulting difference in performance between a Windows XP computer with 256 MB of memory vs. 512 MB is like night and day. 

Checking your memory is easy.  Simply go to the “Start” button on the bottom left of your computer screen and left click.  Left click on “Settings” and then “Control Panels”.  In Control Panels mouse down to the “System” Control Panel and left click.  Here you will see the memory displayed as “XXX MB of Ram.”

The good news is that increasing the memory in your computer from 256 MB to 512MB is, in most cases, inexpensive and uncomplicated.  Give me a call for free telephone support at 877-266-7349 or 860-408-0002 and I’ll be glad to provide you with a quotation for this upgrade.

Windows Vista computers need even more memory and they prefer to run on a minimum of 2Gb (gigabytes) of system memory.  They will run with as little as 512Mb (megabytes) of system memory, but Vista will cut back on certain aspects of its functionality and performance will certainly be lackluster. 

N


eed to recycle?
 
 
Got computer stuff and other electronics you no longer need or want?  Here’s your chance to recycle.  The following is an email you might have received:

Residential Electronics Recycling Collection for all towns in the CRRA mid-Conn region Saturday, May 3, 9 AM - Noon Department of Public Works, 17 Brixton Street.
 
The collection includes: computers, monitors, printers, cell phones, TVs, VCRs, copiers, fax machines, radios, stereos and nickel cadmium batteries (rechargeable). All information contained on hard drives is erased to the Department of Defense standards. E-Waste material collected is not shipped to third world countries where environmental safe practices are not followed.

No appliances (other than microwaves) or Freon-containing equipment will be accepted. Proof of residency will be verified at the event. NO COMMERCIAL ELECTRONICS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Proof of residency is required. For more information, visit CRRA at http://www.CRRA.org  Future collections will be held on Saturday, July 26th and Saturday, November 1st 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

G

as prices too high?  
Click on this link:

Enter your zip code and you will get a map and a listing of up-to-date gasoline pricing at each gas station in your vicinity. 

This really works and can save you money.

W


hy call Computer Dave?

With Computer Dave you get experience, support and know-how you may never get from a "Geek."

Don’t let yourself be fooled by low introductory diagnostic fees and al-la-carte menus.  Very often you will spend significantly more money than you intended.  Not to mention what your lost data’s worth.

You probably already know that we provide free ongoing telephone support for our customers.  If we can resolve a problem over the phone and save you money, we will.   This is service you can’t get from a big box store and you won’t get from a geek.

Should you need a service call, Computer Dave will send a computer technician with years of experience who will arrive at your home or business in a fully stocked Computer Dave van. 

We can also save you time, effort and money on your next computer by helping you preselect a model that is very attractively priced and meets your needs.  We can even help you with initial set-up, configuration and data transfer from the old computer.

Computer slow and sluggish?
Virus issues?
Pop-ups?
Uncooperative Internet?
Need a wireless network?
Need more memory?
Consult for your next computer?
X-fer data to a new computer?

  

Computer Dave’s
Service & Upgrade Centers, LLC.

(860) 408-0002
Toll-Free (877) 266-7349


Visit Computer Dave on the web:
http://computerdave.com
https://computerdaves.rite2u.com

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