516-418-STAR
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Below are common questions we get from customers. Sometimes simple computer problems can be solved by checking cable connections or restarting your computer. Be sure to note any error messages you receive before calling our tech support to help us quickly diagnose your problem. You've got questions. We've got the answers.
General questions:
01. What makes 4Star different from other computer repair shops?
02. What brands of personal computers do you service?
03. Do you service Apple computers?
04. Do you service printers and monitors?
05. How much will it cost to fix my computer?
06. Is work done by 4Star warranted?
07. I want to build a website, can 4Star help me?
08. I recently purchased a new computer, can 4Star help me set it up?
09. How should I protect my children from harmful material on the Internet?
Computer Problems:
01. Turned on my computer, there are no lights, no fans spinning, nothing. What did I do?
02. My computer is running slow, what can I do to fix it?
03. I think I have a virus, what do I do?
05. Windows keeps restarting without warning. Why?
06. I keep getting "illegal operations". What is wrong?
07. Why are some of my Windows programs "freezing" and not responding?
What makes 4Star different from other computer repair shops?
4Star is different from other computer repair shops in that we provide the most complete computer service in the Pittsburgh area. Our methods are proven, and carried out by certified professionals. Our policy is to find the most cost-effective solution for our customers, and to implement that solution to the customer's complete satisfaction. We explain things, keep things simple, and follow up with all work performed. Our customers are never confused or in the dark as to what is being done. We are also the only computer repair shop in the area who offers a Virtual Help Desk solution and Live Chat with technical support from our website. Click here to learn more.
What brands of personal computers do you service?
We service all makes and models. We also service custom "white box" pcs.
Do you service Apple computers?
We service all Apple products, including screen repairs of iPhones.
Do you service printers and monitors?
We can troubleshoot your printer and service common printer problems such as paper jams, paper-feed problems, ink and toner errors, software and driver problems. Most times it is more cost effective to replace a printer with a major repair issue. We can assess your situation and if a repair is feasible, we can recommend an authorized repair depot. We do not service monitors, however, we can troubleshoot to assess whether your monitor needs replaced.
How much will it cost to fix my computer?
Each customer's situation is unique, but our policy is to provide you with the most cost effective solution while providing exceptional repair service. We offer various discounts also. Call us or request a quote today.
Is work done by 4Star warranted?
Yes. We guarantee our service work that was performed as shown on our invoices. If we install a new hardware item, the installation and component are warranted to be free of defects for 30 days. Most parts we install do carry longer warranties through their manufacturers.
Examples of warranty situations:
If your hard drive was working when you brought your machine to us for an installation of a graphics card, but quits ten days after you picked up your computer, your hard drive is not covered by our warranty.
If we install an anti-virus application, update the application, and run a full system scan; the system is guaranteed to be virus free when it leaves the shop. If you fail to keep your virus definitions updated regularly and your system becomes infected with a virus, the subsequent infection is not covered by our warranty.
If we re-format your hard drive and re-install the operating system, we guarantee the installation. Following installation, if you delete a critical system file or install new software that corrupts your operating system, the warranty is void.
We guarantee our work. We do not provide a guarantee that your computer will remain healthy indefinitely.
I want to build a website, can 4Star help me?
Yes, we most certainly can. Although we are a computer repair shop, we also offer services in computer consulting, computer networking, and web design. Call us 516-418-STAR or email us to schedule an appointment to assess your needs.
I recently purchased a new computer, can 4Star help me set it up?
Yes. Whatever system set-up you are facing, 4Star can help you get up and running quickly. From simple single user computers to complex multi-user networks, we offer cutting edge and cost effective solutions for all types of residential and business needs. Call us or request a quote, and we will help.
How should I protect my children from harmful material on the Internet?
Some web pages and content on the Internet are not suitable for children. Below is a listing of different steps you can take to help ensure your children and your computer are protected from harmful material or web pages.
1. Talk to your children about the dangers of the Internet and what they should not do while on the Internet. Many times computers also develop problems from children surfing the Internet, clicking on links, downloading web pages and files, and generally being ignorant to the fact that malicious viruses and spyware are being downloaded to the family computer. Below is a basic listing of what you may consider discussing with your children as it relates to your family's computer.
Personal Information - Never give personal information about yourself in chat rooms, games, or online forms. This includes age, area code, e-mail address, home address, home city, Internet Service Provider name, Messenger name or address, other location related information, passwords, personal web page, phone numbers, pictures of yourself, school name, school grade, school web page, webcam address, and/or zip code.
Never meet someone - Never agree to meet an individual from the Internet without the parent's or guardian's knowledge of who the person is.
Internet Purchases - Never enter an area that costs money, requires a credit card, requires personal information, asks for passwords, and/or requires you hang up and dial another number with your computer without explicit permission from your parents or your parent present.
Downloads - Never accept a file or download from another user that you do not know.
Web pages - Do not visit web pages that are sent to you in e-mail, chat, or instant messengers without your parent or guardian present.
Talk - If your child ever witnesses something that upsets them or makes them feel uncomfortable make sure they know its ok to talk with you.
2. Monitor or browse the Internet with your kids and/or try to keep the computer in an area that is in a open area.
3. Make sure you child is not viewing any web pages they should not be viewing by looking at the Internet browser's history and/or make sure they are not deleting the history in order to hide what they are viewing.
4. Look at the browser address bar or location bar for additional information about what was typed in the browser address bar.
5. If your computer has an Instant Messenger program make sure that their friend list or buddy list doesn't have anyone you do not know of.
6. Users using Microsoft Internet Explorer can help protect their family from harmful material by enabling Internet Explorer Content Advisor.
7. Consider a third party filtering program that will help protect your computer from inappropriate sites. We recommend Cybersitter from Solid Oak Software. Their website has an online scanner to help you determine if there is objectionable content already on your computer.
Lastly, if you're still worried about the dangers of the Internet, how it affects your children or your family's computer, contact us to discuss possible solutions, or request a quote. We can create a plan to suite the needs of you and your family.
I have two computers and an Xbox. One computer is connected to the Internet using my cable modem. Can I share the connection so that everything has broadband access?
Yes. You can not only share your internet connection, but also your files, games, and printers by setting up a home network. Whether you want to set up a simple "peer-to-peer" or complex network involving more than two computers in multiple areas of your house, 4Star has many solutions to get your network up and running. Call us or request a quote and we can schedule an appointment for a technician to evaluate your location.
Turned on my computer, there are no lights, no fans spinning, nothing. What did I do?
No power from the computer can be caused by any of the following possibilities.
1. Connections not connected properly.
2. Third-party hardware.
3. Bad power cable.
4. Incorrect power supply.
5. Bad battery.
6. Bad power supply, power button, and/or power board or inverter.
Call us 516-418-STAR or request a quote
My computer is running slow, what can I do to fix it?
This issue can be caused by any of the following possibilities:
1. Hard disk drive is short on available disk space.
2. Several software programs have been installed/uninstalled leaving behind bad files and/or confusing the software.
3. Data corruption.
4. Bad hardware.
5. Viruses and/or Spyware.
6. Start-up/Process problems.
7. Insufficient/overused RAM.
Our Maintenance Packages (Basic and Pro) are the best solutions for a slow running computer. We implement a multi-point inspection of your computer, optimize Windows, and recommend any upgrades or software that will keep your computer running at peak performance. We also can program and/or set up a maintenance plan to ensure that your computer will stay healthy. Request a quote today, and let us help you maintain your technology.
I think I have a virus, what do I do?
Unless you are an experienced computer user, in all honesty, call us to diagnose your system for a possible virus infection. We at 4Star know virus removal. Many times computer users can cause more damage to their systems by trying to remove viruses themselves. After removing the virus, trojan, or worm from your system, we also make sure you are updated and educated for future infections. Don't hesitate to call us for advise about viruses or any of your computer related concerns. Our advise is always free. Or request a quote and we will advise you of your best options.
How do I stop pop-up ads?
Popups can install spyware, viruses and other malicious code with or without your permission. Popups can continue to install their spyware even after the user has clicked "Cancel" or "No" within the popup window. We encourage computer users to click the "x" at the top right corner of popup windows. Most web browsers have built in pop up blockers that would need to be enabled, or you can install blocker software (we recommend AdBlock Plus). If you use Internet Explorer, install a free "toolbar" that includes a popup blocker (we recommend the Google Toolbar), or switch browsers to Firefox (also has built-in popup blocker). If you are getting popups all the time, even when you're not on the internet, you have spyware running on your computer. Call us for a quick removal, and education of how to stay protected from spyware. Call us today or request a quote and we can help.
Windows keeps restarting without warning. Why?
This issue could be caused by any of the below possibilities:
1. Software issue or error.
2. Hardware issue or error.
3. Heat related issue.
4. Computer virus.
5. Issue with operating system.
Call us or request a quote and we can help.
I keep getting "illegal operations". What is wrong?
An Illegal Operation is an operation requested to be performed by either the Operating System or CPU that is not understood and therefore is "Illegal". Illegal Operations can be caused by several different factors. The following is a listing of the more commonly known reasons:
1. TSR's or Third party programs causing memory conflicts or other types of conflicts with the program or programs attempting to be run.
2. Data not being read properly from source. Running a program or game with a dirty DVD can cause the disk to be read improperly causing Illegal Operations.
3. Installing a program or game on a hard disk drive that has errors or that is highly fragmented.
4. Corrupt files.
5. Memory managers.
6. Bad, incorrect, or out of date video drivers.
7. Computer Virus.
8. Added hardware
9. Error in program coding
10. Corruption or problem within Windows.
11. Bad Memory, invalid bits, or physically bad memory.
Be sure to write down all information described in error messages and illegal operation messages before calling us. This helps in the troubleshooting process. For an illegal operation, you might have to click the "details" button to see what went wrong. Call us or request a quote and we can help.
Why are some of my Windows programs "freezing" and not responding?
A computer, operating system, software program, or driver may stop responding or cause other programs to stop responding because of several possible reasons.
1. Software conflict
2. Hardware conflict
3. Lack of system resources
4. A "bug" or flaw in the software or drivers.
To recover from a program that has stopped responding a user can generally press the CTRL +ALT + DEL keys on the keyboard to open the "Close Program" window or open the "Task Manager" window and click the "End Task" button to terminate the program. If another window opens, click the "End Task" button again to confirm stopping that program. It is important to realize that when a program stops responding any work that has not been saved will more than likely be lost when end tasking a program. Call us or request a quote and we can help.
Obscene sites have appeared in my Favorites. Icons have appeared on my desktop that I don't recognize. I'm getting pop-ups even when I'm not connected to the Internet. What's happening?
It's spyware hijacking your system. Left to do it's business, spyware can not only slow down your system, but also open it up to more infection, and in some cases cause your computer to completely fail. Call us to set up a spyware removal appointment. We can also setup software on your system to keep spyware off your computer in the future. Request a quote and we will contact you to discuss available solutions.
