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Mike's Picks

Upgrade the memory (RAM) in your computer with Crucial

  • Buy directly from Crucial, one of the largest memory makers in the world.

  • Their memory selector guarantees you'll get the right memory for your brand name computer, printer, or motherboard.

  • 2nd day shipping is usually free.

  • Call MSD Computer Services for an installation appointment as soon as they confirm your order.

Memory from Crucial.com

Protect your computer with AVG Antivirus

  • Free for home users.

  • Easy to use and won't take over your computer and slow it down the way Norton and McAfee do.

  • Virus definition updates are available almost daily.

  • Program will update itself automatically at bootup if you have DSL or cable Internet.

  • Catches many viruses and spyware that other miss.

  • www.grisoft.com or free.grisoft.com for the free version

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Computer shopping tips

  • Windows XP Home Edition is fine unless you're on a corporate network.

  • If you do have a network, especially if you have a server, DO NOT get Windows XP Home. Get Windows XP Pro instead.

  • Don't waste money on the fastest processor available. Get a couple of notches down from the top. Save your money or put the difference into more memory instead.

  • Get at least 512 MB of memory, 1 GB preferred.

  • Get at least a CD-RW drive, preferably a DVD-RW. They hardly cost more than a CD-ROM drive and let you burn your own CD's for music and data backup. If you plan on copying a lot of CDs, then get two drives. One can be an ordinary CD or DVD reader and the 2nd drive can be the burner. This makes copying a quick one-step operation. A DVD drive will also read CDs. 

  • For programs like Word, Quicken, QuickBooks, and the Internet, integrated video is fine and there's no need to spend more on a separate video card unless you have a newer LCD monitor with a DVI input. In that case, you'll want video card that has a DVI output for the best picture clarity. If you play games, you must have a video CARD, not integrated (on board) video. Get the most expensive one you can afford. Video cards are much faster than integrated video and can be replaced as needed. NVIDIA and ATI are the two big video chip makers today.

  • For sound, the same rules as above apply: Integrated audio is fine for non-gamers. Gamers should get a card.

  • Unless you download music and movies all day long, even a 40GB hard drive is fine but you can often get a lot more space for just a few dollars more. If you DO download a lot of media, then get the largest disk you can afford. 

  • Dells tend to be a bit easier to repair/upgrade than most retail computers

  • Dell's deals change frequently so check back often for changes

  • Dimension desktop and Inspiron laptops are aimed at home and small office users

  • Optiplex desktops and Latitude laptops are aimed at corporate users

  • I don't like Dell's inkjet printers since they're really Lexmarks and you can only buy Ink from Dell

Internet access

  • In a few areas, Verizon has rolled out their FIOS service. They bring a fiber optic cable to a box on the side of your house. Your Internet and phone service are then connected to that box. FIOS is sold in speeds up to 15 Mbit  which is VERY fast. Since its so new, I can't really comment on its reliability yet.

  • FIOS aside, if its available at your location, then cable is generally the fastest and most reliable high speed service. I use Time Warner's Road Runner service. 

  • DSL is cheaper but not nearly as fast as cable and its reliability depends on many factors beyond the customer's or Internet Service Provider's control. DSL comes over your existing telephone line but does not interfere with voice, fax, Tivo, etc. Access to the Internet over DSL can be provided by your local telephone monopoly or an independent provider. I have used DSL Extreme and it pretty good. It wasn't as fast as Road Runner, but DSL rarely is. As an added bonus, DSL Extreme is based in the San Fernando Valley and support is handled locally by English speaking employees. You may not be so fortunate with Verizon or PacBell/SBC/AT&T. 

  • If neither cable nor DSL is available, you may be able to use something called fixed wireless. They place an antenna on your roof and as long as it can "see" their antenna located on a tall building a few miles away, you get Internet access. I can't recommend any specific providers but if you Google "fixed wireless" you're sure to find some to check out.

  • DirecWay delivers Internet access via satellite, just like DirecTV. Its faster than dialup but not as fast as DSL and nowhere near cable speed. Its really only an option if you live somewhere that you can't get anything faster. 

  • Dialup is the Internet of last resort. Its slow speed makes it painful to use for anything but checking email and very light web browsing. The good news is that dialup is cheaper than ever. Don't pay $24/mo to AOL for dialup.  DSL Extreme, despite their name, also provides dialup service for under $13/mo. And unlike other cheap dialup providers like NetZero, DSL Extreme's service doesn't force you do use their software that turns your screen into a billboard.

  • Tip: Don't order any home networking options. MSD Computer Services can provide the same service but without the extra monthly charge. And unlike the "technician" the cable or phone company will send out, MSD Computer Services will properly configure and secure your network.

  • Test and compare your Internet speed  here

Drive Savers data recovery

OK, so you didn't backup your data like you should have and now its all gone. Its not cheap, but there is still hope for you data. 

DriveSavers has specialized in recovering lost data for more than 14 years and has a success rate over 90%. The company recovers data in as little as 24 hours from all operating systems and storage media including hard drives, floppies, CD-ROM, removable and magneto-optical cartridges.  DriveSavers is authorized by all hard drive manufacturers to open sealed drive mechanisms without voiding the original warranty. They are known worldwide as the most trusted and respected company in the industry. Visit their web site at www.drivesavers.com to learn more or call 1-800-440-1904

MSD Computer Services is an authorized partner in DriveSavers' Reseller Program. Mention our Reseller ID# DS12693 and receive a discount on your data recovery!

Fast, affordable web hosting from 1&1.com

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Vonage Internet Phone

Vonage uses your existing telephone and Internet connection to make and receive phone calls. You get a telephone number in the area code of your choice and your computer does NOT have to be on for it to work. 

For almost the same price that Verizon charges for a basic residential line with no calling features and no usage, you can get a Vonage line with unlimited calling within the USA and tons of calling features like voice mail, caller ID, call forwarding, etc. You can even take your Vonage line (and number) along when you travel anywhere in the world as long as you can find a broadband Internet connection, like in a hotel.

When you sign up, Vonage sends you a box that you connect between your telephone and your cable or DSL modem. If you can plug a phone into a wall, you can install Vonage. I have my Vonage line connected to a cordless phone base unit with three cordless handsets so no changes to the house's inside wiring were required. Alternatively, you can connect the Vonage line to your house's inside telephone wiring to distribute the line to every room. 

Keep in mind that Vonage is only as reliable as your Internet connection and is not recommended for life-or-death applications like alarm systems. Should your Internet connection go down, Vonage will automatically forward any incoming calls to a number of your choice, such as your cell phone.

You can even transfer your existing phone number over to Vonage. But I don't recommend doing that until you have had a chance to try the service and see how well it works over your Internet connection.

To get a free month of service with Vonage, send an email to msd@msdcomputer.com with the subject "Vonage referral request". Vonage will then send you an email that you'll use to sign up and get your free month. (Offer subject to change without notice at Vonage's discretion.) 

ING Direct Savings Account

  • Its not really computer related, but its too good not to mention. As of 1/23/2007, ING is paying 4.5% APY on savings accounts. Your account is FDIC insured. ING is a real company, not some Internet fly-by-night operation that will be gone next year. From their web site, "ING Group is a global financial services company of Dutch origin with 150 years of experience, providing a wide array of banking, insurance and asset management services in over 50 countries. Our 113,000 employees work daily to satisfy a broad customer base: individuals, families, small businesses, large corporations, institutions and governments. Based on market capitalisation, ING is one of the 20 largest financial institutions worldwide and ranked in the top-10 in Europe"

  • Signing up is easy. You link your ING savings account to your existing bank account. You then use ING's web site to move money back and forth between the two. Transfers take about two business days. 

  • Once your account is established, you can create sub-accounts for any purpose you like such as property taxes, vacation fund, college fund, etc. All of your accounts are easily managed with one log in. 

  • To get a $25 bonus for signing up, send an email to msd@msdcomputer.com with the subject "ING referral request".  ING will then send you an email that you'll use to sign up and get your $25 bonus. (Offer subject to change without notice at ING's discretion.)