OviNuppi Systems

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Computer (and other electronics) Support

Purchasing Support

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Buying Hardware or Software?
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Purchasing electronic devices is not an easy as it used to be. Even buying a new TV is not as simple as picking a size that fits your room. You must know what type, what resolution, what inputs, how many, even the warranties can be complicated. Furthermore, buying and configuring a new computer (or software) is a daunting task. With all of the options available, how do you know you are getting what you need? how do you know you are not missing out on something you want?

For example: It is very easy to buy a new computer that will suit your needs, whatever they are. All you need is money. However, do you need high end graphics for gaming? do you need multi-threaded processing for database work? Will you need enhanced security so you can serve web pages and receive sensitive data? If you answered 'no' to any of these questions, you may want to configure a slightly less expensive computer and save your money for ink cartridges and paper. This is just one area where we can help.

TIP: All
HDMI
cables are the same (standard and high-definition video connectors for TVs, DVDs, PCs, camcorders, video games, etc...). In the days of analog connectors one used to pay a premium for cables that reduced signal loss, and they helped. HDMI cables are digital - there is no signal loss. You do not need to pay extra for an HDMI cable that is shielded, thicker or has gold connectors, these do not benefit the signal in any way. Just find the length you need and buy the cheapest one you can find.

For the technically inclined or inquisitive types we recommend you spend the time to learn about your devices, it can be fun. If you decide to make a purchase yourself, here is a handy
buying guide
for most electronics.

However, If you do not want to tackle these tasks, or simply do not have the time, Let Us Help, we even offer setup in your home or office (Los Alamos area only).

We can...

Listen to your needs

Provide you with options

Walk you through the purchase (or purchase for you)

Take delivery of the items

Perform any necessary setup, cleanup and debugging

Perform a quick and easy install

or any combination of the above...

Please use our
contact page
with any questions or schedule a time when we can help.

Computer Repair

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Computer going clunky?
Afraid of losing data?
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We can diagnose almost any computer problem and usually have the cure.

If you already know the problem, have a warranty (or not), but HATE TALKING TO COMPUTER SUPPORT, let us do the talking for you. We have learned a few tricks to get quick responses from support technicians. Also, we don't mind being put on hold - we always have other things to keep us busy.

TIP: Laptop batteries do not last forever, the will most likely need to be replaced AT LEAST once during the useful life of your computer. You can expect them to last from two to three years and provide 300-500 discharge/charge cycles. A common misconception about lithium-ion batteries is that you need to charge and/or drain them completely between plugging them and unplugging them from the wall. A full charge makes almost no difference and while multiple full discharges will degrade the battery, the effect is not great. However, what DOES make a big difference in the useful life of a laptop battery is HEAT. A few hours of 100°F heat can noticeably depreciate the capacity of a battery. Bottom line, never leave your laptop in a hot car.

Often computer problems involve the saving and/or recovery of data. We have a workshop of tools, parts and programs to help us keep your data safe. If the data still exists and can be identified we can get it back for you and get you pack to work.

If your computer is slowing down, making noises, giving unexpended errors, and/or crashing, do not delay in getting it fixed. These problems are often progressive and you need to act promptly if you hope to have a chance at recovering your data.

If you have any questions please use our
contact page
and tell us what is going on. We promise a fair assessment of your situation and will let you know how we can help.

Virus, Malware Removal

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Suggestions on Malware
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Harmful programs such as
viruses
(programs that reproduce),
spyware
(programs that record what you do),
worms
(type of virus that slows you down),
Trojan horses
(harmless looking vessels for delivering the harmful programs) and
malware
(all of the above) are pesky critters that threaten your computer from every corner of the internet. As of April 2010 over 1.5 million new malware programs were published every month. Chances are if you spend more than 30 minutes a day on a computer, you will be exposed (if you have an email account full of spam, you get tens if not hundreds a day).

The good news is that if you use a little common sense, 1) don't click on every link that comes your way, 2) Listen to your machine and sometimes select 'No' when it asks if you really want to run a program (you can always try again if you find out you are wrong), and 3) install, update and run protection programs on a regular basis, you are relatively safe.

TIP: A common misconception is you must sign up for and use the virus software that probably came with your computer. NOT TRUE: Although these pre-installed programs do a good job, this is a marketing scheme. There are plenty of free virus and malware programs that offer comparable protection and (almost as important) do not demand that you re-subscribe every few months. Also, most
ISPs
provide subscription virus protection as part of your internet service. If you sign up for the pre-installed version and have the service provided by your ISP, you are paying twice.

If you think you have been infected
Look for unique behaviors or key phrases that appear when the infection shows it's self. Search for these behaviors or phrases (even if it is a long sentence, do a search for exactly how it is written). You will almost always find plenty of information on your infection - folks love to write about the latest bugs - this is how the anti-malware community works. If you find a cure and would like to attempt it yourself, here's a handy little
guide
that may help.

TIP: Most online fixes for malware or slow computers that can actually help your computer are free. To truly fix and improve your computer's performance it will need to be re-booted, opened up, re-configured, etc... Don't be fooled by quick on-line fixes that say they can help you out if you pay them a little money, and do not accept any of these offers if you are not certain of their source - this is a great way to make sure your computer will wind up in our shop.

If you can't remove the problem yourself
Don't beat yourself up trying. The peskiest malware sometimes doesn't let you boot your machine (or, if you can, it is so slow you can hardly accomplish anything). Some fixes require that you have a second computer available for removal and cleaning of the hardware externally.

IF
You think you have a problem but cannot find its source

You don't want to tackle complicated (and sometimes dangerous) removal instructions

You cannot get into or use your computer
BRING IT TO US - we have quite a few more resources than most to get the job done.

Please use our
contact page
, let us know your problem, and we can tell you how we can help.

BTW, we are discrete as to the causes that result in infections. We know that many infections, often promoting indelicate subjects, do not have to come from contact with those subjects.

Computer Upgrades

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upgrade
Need to Upgrade Your OS or Software?
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What you want your computer to do depends upon what YOU want to do. So, do you know what you want your computer to do? If you know the answer to this question, you need decide on what Operating System (OS) and what software will suit your needs. You have a lot to choose from, there is Windows, LINUX, OS X, email Clients, Media Software, office software, gamming software, recording software, etc...

Are you certain you know what OS you want? Many people find that they are not using the best OS for their needs or they are not using the OS and programs properly to meet their needs. For example at OviNuppi we are very happy with what we can accomplish with a simple text editor and some administrative and programming software. We also realize that many people would be happy if they never even know what a text editor is. Although what we use for our work differs from the uses of most people, we do have extensive experience setting up computers for use by very diverse clientele.

If you are interested in the differences of different OSes - weather you want to change or just want to be more versant on the subject - Here is a nice query that will give you links to some more critical and useful information about OSes than you usually find in specs or press releases.
Vista vs Windows 7 vs XP vs OS X vs Linux
(query optimized to give best results, not in preference of OSes)

NOTE We advise anyone using Vista to upgrade to Windows 7 (this may also require a hardware upgrade). We are not endorsing Windows products, and you will probably need to pay for the upgrade, however we have found it is worth it...

Upgrades/Changes you might be considering:

LINUX (PC or Mac to ubuntu, Red Hat, debian, etc...)

Multiple Boot Choices (OSes)

Windows (or LINUX) on a MAC

TIP: Do you have an old slow laptop you don't use anymore? Ever been watching TV, working in the kitchen or garage, or sitting in bed and wanted to send a message or look up something on the internet? Ever heard of
Ubuntu
? Ubuntu is a scaled down version of LINUX with an easy to use
GUI
interface that can take you to the internet and your email in seconds. Download and make a disk from the
ISO
image (Macs and Windows 7 have ISO burning software pre-installed, other OSes will need separate software), stick it in your old machine and set in the location most convenient to you. You don't even need to install it on your computer, it will boot from a CD. Oh, and one more thing - it's free!

networks

Need to upgrade your Hardware?

We do that too. We have the tools and workspace nicely optimized for supping up your hardware. Some examples include...

RAID (mirrored drives, redundant arrays)

Backups (internal, external, net)

Memory

Hard drives

Networking (wired or wireless)

Repeaters

Routers

Modems

Hubs

For more information see our section on 'Device Integration', or use our
contact page
for any questions or see when we can help.

Device Integration

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applications
Make Your Devices Work Together
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One of the more frustrating things in our device oriented world is connecting our brand new devices and making them work. Although we don't understand why, it appears that most people don't like having to read cryptic instructions, calling help lines, searching the internet for solutions, and trying different connections until things finally work.

When you buy a device it always comes with a litany of things it will do for you - be honest and ask yourself, how many of these functions do you actually get to work? At OviNuppi, we have the experience with many devices to coax the most out of their functionality, or at the very least, advise you if the claims for the device are true (they usually are, but many include some 'ifs').

TIP: Wires are the bane of electronic equipment. Wireless connections appear to provide the answer we are all looking for. Setting up wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, remote controls, etc...) is often difficult and confusing and doesn't always work the way you expected. Here's the tip: in most cases you cannot set up any wireless system without wiring or having something connected by wires first. This simple tip is often excluded (or hidden) in the instructions for most wireless equipment.

We have spent years making devices do the things they have promised - often just for fun. Sometimes we have made them do things they didn't even advertise. We enjoy working with just about anything that runs to do a job, these include systems programmatic, electric, and mechanical. For example, reading and deciphering GPS protocols, unlocking cell phones, automating a house or business, installing remote weather stations and cameras, installing wireless repeaters on TV receivers (cable and satellite), making VOIP work with faxes (some will, some won't), or just installing secure Wi-Fi for a household.

Give us a challenge and see what we can do for you!

Please use our
contact page
to let us know your challenge and schedule when we can help.

GENERAL CHARGES

$85 first hour
$65 each hour after first
charges are in half hour increments
You will be notified if your repair will take more than 4½ hours

NEW & USED COMPUTER TUNE-UP

$85 NEW Computer Clean-Up

NEW COMPUTERS DO NOT COME READY TO USE!!!
Get your computer ready to
face the world (wide web)

Clean-up: Remove Unwanted "shovel-ware" (programs loaded by manufacture you don't want)

Latest Freeware Utilities

Secure Computer (Users Choice of Security or freeware security can be provided)

Security and Clean-up Automation

$85-125 Computer Clean-Up

Clean-Up, Speed-Up, Automate, Secure
Get your computer running great and keep it that way!

At least 15 point Windows or Mac (OS X) Clean-up (some computers benifit from more)

Including

Removal of simple infections (ones that can be removed with a scan(s))

Latest Freeware Utilities (installed and run)

Install Updates

Secure Computer (Users Choice of Security or freeware security can be provided)

Security and Clean-up Automation

$150-250 Restore/Rebuild

Computer Dead or Barely Working?
BRING IT BACK TO LIFE!

CAUSES
Hardware Failure

Malware

Corrupt Software

Corrupt System

etc...

SYMPTOMS
Hard drive noise

Power uncertain

Keyboard broken

Unwanted popups

Devices/Programs stop working

Computer slow/no boot

Programs conflict/taking over

Boot errors/issues

Security issues

etc...

CURES
Data backup

Hardware replacement

Driver updates/reinstall

Rregistry edits/hacks

Disk removal for cleansing

BIOS reconfiguration

Software reinstall

System recovery

System reinstall

etc...

Full Clean-Up will also be performed!

Prices assume no other problems

Hardware failures can exist or be caused by some viruses. This will also require hardware replacement and incur extra costs.

Call or use the CONTACT PAGE for an appointment
Please fill out, print, and sign a REPAIR TICKET and a SERVICE AGREEMENT to expidite your drop off
Expedited/Emergency service avilable (2x stated rates)
Drop off and Pickup - typically one to two day turnaround (broken computers are slow...)

MAP & DIRECTIONS

731 44^th Street, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Get directions to OviNuppi from:

Programming

$125-$200/hour depending on scope and type of project
Starting at one hour with fractions possible beyond the first hour

Example of price ranges (shopping cart - various types of programming)

HTML, CSS coding of cart pages: $150/hour
Import and inclusion of media (assuming media already exists) such as walk through video: $125/hour
Image manipulation and resolution: $125/hour
Graphics and animation: $125/hour
Coding and integration with payment provider: $200/hour
Database, report, and custom administration pages (inventory, coupons, summaries, shipping): $175/hour

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