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How do I get reliable computers? Today's PCs are amazingly reliable. But when they DO fail, it can be disastrous for your business. Three things you can do to get reliable computers: 1) Choose the correct hardware and software Office PCs should be running Windows XP Professional with Service Pack Two installed. Only Windows XP Professional combines high security, ease of use, and ease of maintainability. Older operating systems like Windows 98 are NOT secure. Windows 98 is wide-open to data theft and worm and virus transmission. And Windows 98 is very difficult and expensive to maintain and repair. Upgrading all of your PCs to Windows XP Professional with Service Pack Two will help ensure the security and reliability of your computers. Windows Small Business Server 2003 is the operating system of choice for most business with up to 75 employees. It provides automated backups of all Company data and an automated monitoring system that keeps you informed of its health. Built-in error reporting and remote access lets your PC professional (like RTA) access your server and keep it in tip-top shape. Servers should also have mirrored hard drives (often called RAID). These are usually linked pairs of hard drives that have identical copies of your data. If one drive fails, the other drive keeps working. No data is lost and there's no downtime. 2) Configure the PC for maximum reliability and security A common cause of PC problems is improper configuration. Computers can be complicated and unskilled attempts to "fix" them can cause big problems. It's far cheaper to have a knowledgeable professional configure your PCs properly. A Microsoft-certified Small Business Specialist can properly configure your desktop PCs and your Server to minimize breakdowns and maximum data safety. 3) Have a professional monitor your computers for early signs of failure and correctly repair them if necessary PCs and Servers monitor themselves for sign of trouble. But knowing where to look and how to interpret and fix the problems requires training and experience. A professional will often find and repair PC problems before you even notice them. This prevents costly down time and expensive data loss. If you experience hard drive failure, or abnormal drive activity, see our Data Recovery page.
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