• Operating system clean up and repair (Windows based PC’s only)
• Hard disk reformatting in cases of severe software corruption
• Data backup and recovery
• Building new computers, updating existing computers
• Setting up internal networks, both wired and wireless
• Setting up internet connections, including broadband DSL and Cable modems
• On-going telephone and on-site support
• Web site design and development (small business only)
• E-marketing advice and recommendations
• Online auction services

All services covered by official Gray Matter Policy:

Computer Clean-up/Formatting - Computers with excessive ad-ware/spy-ware/viruses files will need to be formatted with a fresh copy of the Operating System. Symptoms of a damaged system are: Slow responsiveness, excessive hang ups, multiple pop up ads with active internet connection, visible icons, files and folders. Systems damaged by ad-ware/spy-ware/viruses are difficult to clean, and cleaning them does not guarantee that they will not return or fix the damage they have already caused.

File Backup – It is good practice to regularly back up any important files on your computer (financial, academic, business related, etc.) because there is never any warning that a computer could crash. There are several ways to recover data from desktop PC’s, but with laptops the options are very limited. We do not cover data backup/recovery in our regular computer repair fees, and an additional $50 an hour will be added for these services.

Windows Operating Systems – Windows XP Home and Windows 98/98se are relatively unstable operating systems. Neither supports much in the ways of cleaning the computer other than the above formatting option. Any Computer with Windows 98/98se should have the operating system reinstalled on a regular basis, as corruption to the OS can occur very easily. If possible, we recommend that Windows XP Home be upgraded to Windows XP Professional, and Windows 98/98se be upgraded to Windows 2000 Professional.

3rd Party System Restore Discs – Most OEM’s (Dell, HP, Compaq, E-Machines, Sony, Gateway, etc.) supply the user with system restore disks. These discs limit the options available to fix the computer. Occasionally all that is needed is a reinstallation of the Operating System, but these discs normally only supply one option, that of formatting that was addressed earlier. These should NOT be used unless proper backups have been made, as they can delete all data on the computer.

Quick Definitions:

Ad-ware: Very harmful programs that install from web-surfing, downloading from non-certified pages, downloading through a PvP server, or through a network. These files can sometimes be self installing, which means they do not need permission to be added to the Computer. These programs will spawn pop-ups, change Internet Explorer settings permanently, and run in the background, using up a large portion of the system resources.

Spy-Ware: Less harmful to the system itself, but just as much of a threat, spy-ware is installed in the exact same way ad-ware is. These files do not create ads, but have the ability to steal important information you use online, such as credit card numbers, passwords, bank account information etc.

Viruses – Very harmful lines of code that are automatically installed on the computer, normally through uncertified downloading, or malicious e-mails. These files do the most damage to systems and can cause and entire system to crash depending on the severity of the particular virus. Programs like Norton and McAfee can find and remove these, but neither is 100% effective.

Limited liability covers price paid for service.

Limited 7 day warranty covers work done. Anything done to system by anyone other than certified Gray Matter staff is not covered.