Cleanup (reinstall)

Includes:

• System diagnostic

  Hard drive, memory, system bus and power supply are tested. If there are any hardware issues the customer is informed and can decide whether to fix the machine or pick it up to avoid charges. (Sometimes the hardware DOES go bad, and sometimes you will opt to fix, but occasionally we have to move on :-(

• Internal cleaning

  This is to make sure no airways are clogged with dust which can cause overheating -- I clear heatsink and fans, front and rear intakes as well as vents in power supply. If this is not done your machine can overheat and be damaged.

• Data backup/recovery

  Save any/all of your pictures, documents, music files, videos, mail/address book (if you use Outlook) and anything else you might have downloaded or saved. I am also capable, using specialized software, to recover data from formatted drives or drives that have had their partition tables corrupted/deleted.

• System wipe/reinstall

  After backup, the hard drive is re-partitioned and formatted and the operating system is installed, but without any trial versions or junk programs that often are bundled with new PCs. This ensures that there are no virus or malware present and removes clutter, thus making your system as fast as it can possibly be. Usage telemetryt with MS is turnee off, as well as several remote computing services, as these are a common means of scammers getting onto folk's macjhines and hitting them up for money.

• Complete installation

  ...with security updates, antivirus and other useful software.
  When system is returned you should not need to install any other software -- I put in the latest security updates and a good deal of usefull (mostly Open-Source software *.) You also recieve an invoice that includes tips to keep your system running lean and clean in the future -- (becauses I like repeat customers, but seeing you too often is not good for business :)
  
  You can also call me any time to help you with little problems. I don't charge for phone support.

Some of the intalled software:

• LibreOffice

  Free substitute for Microsoft Office. You can open and edit Word Docs, presentations, spreadsheets, etc. The included parts of the program are l;isted below:

  					
  	Write		(Word)
  	Calc 		(Excel)
  	Impress		(Powerpoint)
  	Base		(Access)
  	Draw 		Drawings
  	Math 		Formula editor
  
  

  
  
  





• VLC Media Player

  Best media player there is. Free, fast, built-in EQ and plays almost any type of movie or sound file as well as DVDs.
  
  





• Panda Antivirus

  Free version. Upgradeable. Lightweight, easy-to-use antivirus. This and Malwarebytes are what I use on my "Backup" machine to check customer's files for virus/malware.





• Tubi

  Watch some TV and Movies for free, without jumping through hoops, with this native app for Windows. Easy, clean... has simple advertisements like on television.
  
  





• GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

  Photo editor.. and more. If you want to Photoshop for free! It's been around sine 1995. The GTK toolkit was made FOR the GIMP. A really high-end image editor. You may notice I do some support (for plugins) for this application.
  https://gimphelp.org
  
  
  
  





• Malwarebytes

  AWESOME software to find over-helpful browswer plugins, intrusiove spyware, keyloggers, etc. Only sert to run manualluy (on demand) -- so if you have connection/speed/popup issues, try running Malwarebytes.





• Sumantra PDF

  Much MUCH more lightweight than Adobe's reader. But still has good functionality. I tweaked the EXE so you can run it normally or in dark mode.





• Google Chrome Browser

  Installed and set as the default. Mostly because it is what most people use and so it works most dependably on websites. Edge is still available but it is set NOT to update/autostart every bootup. I also install 2 plugins -- Ublock Origin (best pop-up blocker) and Dark Reader button (to invert colors, easy to read.)





• Audacious Audio

  Nice music player. Not that I have anythibng against Microsoft, but their Movies/TV apps are kinda strung together, pushing ads and info and try to take over where you put things... I find VLC and Audacious a perfect solution. They are both fast, lean and very functional. I set Audacious as the default player for MP3, M4a and flac.





• Cyberduck FTP

  Free FTP client. Because late-model browsers are no longer support FTP downloadds.





• ClipGrab

  Want to save that How-To video from YouTube? This one does the trick. I also download videos of songs, and edit clips from them with the Audacity audio editor (Yeah Audacity will open a video file!) It's how I make alternative ringtones for my phone.
  
  





• CCleaner

  Very useful program especially for one very specific purpose. CCleaner will take out temporary files on your machine, where virus and malware like to hide. When you REBOOT your machine, these bad actors try to run before your anbtivirus starts (AV is the last thing to start when you reboot.) If you run CCleaner before you shut down, these bad programs are deleted so they are not there to infect your machine when you start back up. I like it so much I wrote a script/program that appears as a shutdown icon on the desktop, that will run CClener in the background then shut off your machine. VERY handy.





• Audacity

  Audio editor. You can also open a video file with it (like from YouTube) and export toe audio from it as an MP3. Music video as MP3 on a stick? Sure!
  
  





• Games

  Nothing high-end or even online. These are some basic, fun ngames to pass the time without ads/intrusions. I have a collection of older Microsoft games compiled for 64 bit machines (solitaire, hearts, chess, minesweeper, etc), Moor Hunt 2 (older scroller shooting chickens/ducks... I'm not sure. Uses just mouse left/right to shoot and reload shotgun. ESC to quit. Wonderfully mindless :-)
  7,000 NY Times puzzles. Anagramarama, Feeding Frenzy.





• Media Demos

  In a folder on your desktop. Some videos and audio clips I use to test default filetypes and to set equalizers on VLC and Audacious.
  
  





• Themes

  I put in 2 custom "Erwin" themes. Custom local background, colors and such. By default I use a DARK theme. Popular now, and since I have a cataract that needs taking care of, the dark theme makes it easy for me to read stuff. Simple to switch around.





• UltraDefrag

  ...if you have a mechanical drive. Utility to keep your drive working quick and efficient.





• Zoom

  For online meetings. Because it is what most people use.
  
  





• FreeCam

  Screen grabber to make instructional videos and tutorials from your desktop/laptop.





• Shotcut

  Open-source video editor. A little complicated to get started, but powerful and actually very efficient once you pick it up.