Computer Reconditioning Service FAQ

Q.  Why should we have our computers reconditioned?
A.  Our advanced reconditioning methodologies help save your organization money by preserving its existing investment, salvaging your computers and returning them in proper working order, instead of incurring the large cost to replace them with brand new systems.
     Employees and staff receive high-performance, reconditioned machines from us; this improves employee productivity by accomplishing tasks on a faster-working computer – a win-win situation for your organization and its employees.

Q.  How often should we have our systems reconditioned?
A.  Generally when you notice slow or sluggish system behavior, or when computer operational problems arise such as persistent virus/spyware/malware infections.
     It also depends on level of usage. For example, under normal use (desktop applications, web browsing, email messaging, internet downloads, multitasking), each computer should be reconditioned annually to restore a system to proper working order.
     If the worker typically is a power user, multitasking between many programs regularly and with a lot of system usage, then the computer can become bogged-down with accumulated garbage on the hard drive: leftover files, malware programs, rogue applications, registry entries, internet files, logs, and unfortunately hidden threats as a result of download activities. The opportunity to flush away this activity and "start fresh" with a reconditioned system is an attractive value over the costly alternative of replacing the computer with a brand new system.

Q.  Why do computers slow down?
A.  Over time as you use the internet, send & receive email, visit websites, use software, & add or remove applications, your computer picks up files & programs it did not have on it when your machine was new & out-of-the-box. These added files, programs, & processes occupy additional resources on your machine, resulting in a slow-down from its original performance.
     An experienced technician could attempt to remove malicious software residing on your computer, can troubleshoot which processes belong & which must be removed, and ascertain what programs are loading & which services should not be. However generally this time is not well-spent and ends up costing you a bundle, because in reality your computer is not returned to you in a fresh, clean state.

Q.  What process do you use to wipe my hard drive & eliminate data?
A.  Each system is thoroughly wiped and cleaned using our advanced sanitizing methodologies, thereby eliminating confidential data, malware, computer viruses and other threats. To ensure complete eradication of data from systems, we use sophisticated data wiping methods and the Federally-approved (NIST 800-88) Secure Erase Process. This assures 100% eradication of all data, files, folders, directories and information which previously resided on the systems.
     Only after each system is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, does it go through our system reinstallation process. It is at that point that we reformat, reinstall, and renew each computer with a new operating system, default applications, system programs, hardware machine updates, system upgrades, service packs, security patches, critical fixes, updated device drivers, and application updates. Finally, the computer is tested to ensure proper operability prior to returning it back to the customer.

Q.  What is included in the Computer Reconditioning work?
A.  The default complement of computer software that originally came with your machine from the manufacturer will include certain items and not include others you might want. For those items, you will need to provide the product CDs for reinstallation. In addition to the above, we can install other software reasonably for you with cost of the software added. For example, if a Customer doesn't have proper computer security installed we can offer choices available to help protect their computer & data. Some of these choices are no-cost; others have a nominal price. Anti-threat software, for example, to protect against viruses, spyware/adware, worms, trojans, and other malware costs $39 for a user license (plus configuration charge for antivirus/anti-threat security protection & software firewall settings).

Q.  What are the Benefits of Computer Reconditioning?
A.

+ Significant speed increase
+ Improved performance
+ Eliminate freeze-ups, system hangs, or crashes
+ Freed-up hard disk space
+ Comprehensive computer protection*: Anti-Threat Security System – protects against viruses, spyware, adware, trojans, worms, hacking & internet threats.
+ Spyware Protection
+ Firewall security
+ Malicious software removal
+ No More Pop-Ups
+ Up-to-date system with modern versions of software
+ Stabilized system

* Anti-Threat Security System (optional) is at nominal price of $39 (plus installation).