Mach4 Computer Services

Mach4 have been contacted on several occasions by customers that have taken their computers into PC World for repairs and upgrades and have lost their valuable data.

The latest customer had taken their PC into PC World for a motherboard replacement, on return, the PC worked fine, but all data and programmes were missing from the hard disk. PC World had overwritten the original operating system and data sectors of the hard disk and the data was irretrievable. Evidently, the customer had inadvertently signed a disclaimer warning them of data loss, but was not aware of the implications. The hard drive was not defective before or after the motherboard replacement.

Mach4 ALWAYS back up customer data before undertaking major repairs or upgrades and explain to our valued customers that, when a reinstallation of the operating system is necessary, they will not lose their valuable documents, music and digital image files, but will have to reinstall programmes with the original software, or download new software using their customer log-in on the vendor site.

Our examination of the hard disk confirmed that the data had been overwritten and, unfortunately, was not recoverable.

Regular back-up of valuable data onto an external device is recommended, particularly when taking the computer in for major repair, if this is not possible, customers should confirm with the technician that data will be retrieved and backed up prior to carrying out work on their computer. Of course such action is not necessary with Mach4 who will always work to the needs of the customer.

October 2011

A local customer recently reported a scam that Mach4 hadn’t heard of before; the scenario went something like this:

• Customer receives a telephone call from the scammer, who informs him that, as part of their “internet service”, they have carried out a remote review of the customer’s PC via the internet.
• They continue to inform the customer that they have discovered several operating system faults and ask the customer to log onto their website to resolve the problems.
• The scammer provides a URL and the customer (unfortunately) logs onto the site, ignores any McAfee warnings (I’m assuming that there were some displayed), and their PC is promptly hacked and remotely controlled.
• The customer is then asked for their credit card details to ‘resolve the problems found’. The customer hangs up, but their PC continued to be hacked, demonstrated by a remotely controlled mouse and pages opened and interrogated remotely. On a restart the hacking continues and McAfee Internet Security has been disabled.

Mach4 is called to investigate and removed 2 virus infections with 4 Trojan horses.

It is unusual for the hacker to contact their victims by telephone, but criminal tactics evolve constantly. It is interesting to note that the customer was not protected by McAfee Internet Security software during the hijack, but it is not known whether the PC was hacked before, during or after the phone call.

The virus was removed using AVG but, as the customer had a long unexpired McAfee licence, they were unwilling to sacrifice this in order to change their security. They were warned that this was against our advice as either the customer had ignored warnings from McAfee, or the programme may have already been disabled inadvertently or failed to detect the threat.

The PC was running on Windows 7 Home Premium, which was also reporting that it had not been activated.

Stay safe, if you have knowledge of any new scam techniques, publish them on here!!

AMD are launching new Accelerated Processing Units (APU) that are targeted to compete with Intel’s i3, i5 and i7 processors.

Interestingly, they have also developed an integrated APU that will probably dominate the micro ATX form factor market for many years.

This APU, like some of Intel’s latest offerings, integrates the graphics processor into a single system chip, eliminating the traditional bottleneck between the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) usually found on a separate graphics card or integrated motherboard GPU.

This allows faster calculation of graphics data and releases more of the CPU function, resulting in blistering speed and smooth transition required for 3D image processing.

The integrated GPUs are not sluggish either, the 4-core Llano APU (A8-3850) incorporates the tested Radeon HD 6550D graphics capability at a price less than the Phenom II.

The Fusion family of APUs was due for release in January 2011, but they are only just reaching the market in the UK and Europe.

Software developers are already designing new software that will fully utilise the capabilities of APUs, so stand by for a rush of new games and graphics software and new technologies (touch or point commands) to excite even the most entrenched XP stalwarts!

The technology also uses less power, so notebooks and tablets with an all day battery life are on the horizon.

Learn more about the Fusion family here http://sites.amd.com/uk/fusion/apu/Pages/fusion.aspx

Locally, the first of the family, the Llano APU is now available with motherboards designed specifically for the APU, more will follow soon, and Mach4 can offer Fusion systems NOW and will offer the futuristic 8-core Bulldozer APU when they are available.

I’d given up on my ancient Windows XP Compaq PC when the hard disk failed completely.

Mach4 were able to supply and fit a new hard drive and have sourced my missing genuine Compaq replacement system recovery disks from Hungary!!

A fraction of the cost of buying a new computer, and such courteous service and explanation.

Thank you

Ian C

Ferrybridge

Thanks for supplying and setting up my Asus notebook computer in record time. It’s much faster than my old computer and more fun to use and at such a reasonable price.

Thanks as well for the superb after sales service.

Ann R

Purston, Featherstone

Customer confidence and security are important to Mach4.

The company representative that visits your home or office and may handle your sensitive data has been cleared with a certificated Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure check and holds a certificate that testifies to this.

Just wanted to say thanks for the help and advice you gave me today together with the prompt service you gave on the problems we were experiencing.

With Thanks

Jill & Robin, Beal Nr. Doncaster

http://www.robinlord.co.uk

Mach4 came to my rescue last weekend. The company is in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, and I am now in Devon.

I had just moved house and had a problem with my PC, but with calm and reassuringing words he talked me through a set up of my computer and broadband service. He also recommended further hardware, which works perfectly….Thank you very much!!

Jo, Plymouth

From Sara (Leeds)

“Thank you Mach4 for responding so quickly! I didn’t expect you to come out on a Sunday!

You backed up my data so that I would not lose my valuable university work, photos and music, then removed the nasty virus that had blocked my access to everything, and, incidentally, was not detected or removed by my internet provider’s supplied ‘malware protection’ software.

Then, after restoring my operating system, you set up an effective anti-virus programme, restored my broadband connection and reinstalled my files.

My computer now runs faster than it ever did!

Thank you!!”