Computers need regular maintenance in order to perform at their best. A neglected computer could suffer from program crashes, slow performance, system freezes etc. Basic computer maintenance can prevent problems later on.

Services include but are not limited to:

• Disk cleanup
• Software updates
• File organization
• Uninstallation of unused software
• Hard Drive defragmenting
• Dust bunny removal

With high-speed internet becoming more popular in homes and businesses, malware is easily the greatest threat to a computers well-being. "Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system, without the owner's informed consent." (Wikipedia)

Some common types of malware are:

• Viruses
• Spyware
• Adware
• Trojan Horses
• Rootkits
• Keyloggers
• Dialers
• Worms

buffalochips will remove any, and every, piece of malware that has found its way onto your computer.

A computer's internet security, along with its immunity to malware, is strongly effected by your internet connection. Computers with high-speed connections that are left in an "always on" state have a potentially higher chance of security breaches. Although less likely to be a problem for dial-up users, internet security is still an important issue.

There are a number of things buffalochips can do to help keep your computer secure from online threats:

• Connect a router with a built-in hardware firewall to your high-speed cable or DSL modem. Routers also allow multiple wired and wireless connections, which makes it possible to connect more than one computer to a single internet connection See Network Setup.
• If a router isn't for you, or you are a dial-up user, a software firewall (Windows XP firewall, or 3rd party) can be configured to protect your computer. Software firewalls are generally not as reliable as hardware, but they are enough to make a noticeable difference. Combine a software and hardware firewall for maximum protection.
• Turn off your computer, or disconnect it from the internet, when it is not being used.
• Provide education on the importance of your web browser. Your browser is the portal where a majority of internet traffic enters your computer, and unknown to most, there are many different browsers to choose from.

If you have multiple computers in your home or business, then properly networking them can be very beneficial. Having a home network allows you to share files, printers, an internet connection and even stream media to your television or stereo system (with the proper hardware).

Even if you have a single computer, purchasing a wireless router has it's advantages. Once in place, you can easily add new computers to your network, or even let friends and family that might have a portable computer connect to it. See Internet Security.

Let buffalochips satisfy all of your networking needs:

• Wireless network setup. This includes configuring a firewall and securing your wireless network so only authorized people can connect, and installing a wireless network card in every computer that needs one to use the network.
• Wired network setup. A wired network requires that ethernet cable be run from each computer in your house to a router. This type of network is much faster than a wireless network, and is very useful if you want to share large media files between computers.

The rapid speed in which computers are becoming increasingly powerful is opening up the world of multimedia to more and more people every day. Tasks that were once difficult or expensive, such as capturing video, audio, and digital photo editing, have become commonplace. The constantly declining cost of hard drive storage has also allowed users to cheaply build large digital media libraries.

Multimedia related items:

• Digital cameras
• Mp3 players/iPods
• Video capture cards
• TV tuner cards
• Video and audio editing software
• Surround sound speaker systems

At buffalochips we consider ourselves multimedia experts, and look forward to unlocking the entertainment potential of your computer.

Peripherals are optional hardware that expand a computer's abilities, usually external in nature.

Some examples of common peripherals are:

• Scanners
• Printers
• Webcams
• Multiple monitors
• Speakers
• USB flash drives
• Game controllers

buffalochips is fully qualified to troubleshoot and install any peripheral that you might have.

Upgrading your existing computer can often be a cost effective alternative to buying a new one. Even if your computer is older, sometimes a few simple upgrades can bring it up to date.

Some typically upgraded components are:

• System memory (RAM)
• Hard drives
• Operating system (Windows)
• Optical drives (CDRW, DVDRW, Blue-ray, HDDVD)
• Video cards
• Sound cards
• Power supplies
• USB and Firewire cards