Introduction
Beaumont Systems offers a range of PC-related services ... for home and business
users alike. The services fall into the following main categories...
Please note the following:
- Extent of services: All these services range from a full service (for those new to,
or baffled by, technology) to a partial service (for those who have some
knowledge/experience, and are capable of doing certain things for themselves),
including advice only.
- Making/supplying PCs: We are not a PC maker or supplier.
However, we have built a small number and carried out major upgrades, and are
capable of building PCs to order.
- Software tools: Where appropriate, we use the latest versions of professional tools,
such as Norton SystemWorks,
Partition Magic and
Adobe Photoshop.
- Quality: When recommending/providing/fitting parts, we use branded, high-quality,
guaranteed components only.
Buying a PC.
If you are thinking of buying a new PC, you face a bewildering choice of companies,
brands, machine specifications, standards, options, prices and after-sales support.
Given all these variables, it is a very difficult task to compare systems and decide
which is 'best'.
Even for those who are familiar with PCs and know their requirements, it is still
a daunting task that requires carefully study.
The result ? Too many people end up buying a machine which does not completely
satisfy their requierements, or spending too much more on a machine which far
exceeds their requirements (in other words, they are paying for power they will
never utilize).
This service helps you to choose the right PC at the right price. In other words,
a PC which satisfies your requirements (current and future) and at a price within
your budget. The service involves some/all of the following (depending on how much
help you need): discussing your requirements; advising you on the bewildering choice of
companies/brands/specifications/options available, and which to go for/avoid;
suggesting a specification; assisting you in the actual selection and purchase of a PC,
or doing it for you.
We can even build PCs to order, upon special request.
Cost of service: Varies, depending on your requirements.
Contact us for a quote!
Tune Up.
Over time, a PCs accumulates unwanted files and its performance deteriorates.
This service helps you get the most from your PC, by 'cleaning it up' and
restoring it to peak performance. It involves...
- Deleting old, temporary and other unwanted files.
- Updating of (some) system files.
- System "tweaking" / reconfiguration for optimum performance.
- Windows system checkup (problem detection and correction).
- Repartitioning.
- Defragmentation.
Note: A number of companies, including a national PC superstore retailer, advertise
a similar service. Some (such as ours) are comprehensive, while most are fairly basic.
Cost of service: £30 + VAT per PC, within a 10 mile radius.
Additional costs may be incurred for: application installation/updates/upgrades;
driver updates (for hardware devices); further distances.
Tools used: Norton SystemWorks; Partition Magic; other utilities, as necessary.
Problem/fault resolution.
As with all technologies, PCs sometimes develop problems. Problems can vary in cause
(eg system, software or hardware problem, or a combination thereof) and in impact
(a major problem makes the system unusable or unstable, while a minor problem is
a minor inconvenience).
This service helps you to sort out problems with your PC, regardless of cause and impact.
It involves the investigation and resolution (correction) of problems.
System/software problems may arise from a combination of: operating system setup/configuration
problems; application software setup/configuration problems; software incompatability
or conflict; accidental system/application file deletion or corruption.
Hardware problems may be due to a configuration problem (which can generally be fixed)
or a catastrophic hardware failure (which generally cannot be fixed, and means that
the part has to be replaced).
Cost of service: Varies, depending on the nature of the problem and the means of resolution.
Contact us for a quote!
Upgrade.
You can often modernize, improve or extend the life and usefulness of your PC by
upgrading it in some way - that is, by adding or replacing specific parts.
This may take the form of a software upgrade (eg installation of a new operating system)
or a hardware upgrade (eg installation of a new motherboard and processor, or addition
of more memory). If your PC is not very old, this is usually a much cheaper option than
replacing the whole system. For instance, performance can often be given a dramatic boost
by the simple addition of more memory.
This service helps you to upgrade your PC in some way. The service involves some/all
of the following (depending on how much help you need): discussing your upgrade
requirement; advising you on upgrade options; purchasing components; carrying out
these upgrades for you.
Please note that we recommend and use branded, high-quality, guaranteed components only.
We will recommend what we consider is most suitable for your purposes and
budget ... not necessarily the latest "state-of-the-art" or the most expensive
solution (unless this is what you demand!).
Cost of service: Varies, depending on the "level" of service (eg
advice only, advice and implementation, implementation only), the nature of
the upgrade and the costs of the parts/components.
Contact us for a quote!
Internet and Web.
This service involves the provision of advice, assistance, training and tutorials
in all matters relating to the Internet/web and its use. It is intended for those who
are considering using, or currently using, the Internet/web, regardless of their level
of knowledge/experience and whether they are currently connected.
It covers all types of users (actual or potential), from complete novices who want
to know more about it, through to experienced users who have a specific problem or want
to know more about a specific service.
- Someone who is not connected, but considering connecting and wants to know
more about it - eg what it is, its benefits and pitfalls, what services it offers,
how to go about connecting, charges, etc.
- Someone who has recently connected, but is still a novice and baffled by
certain aspects.
- An experienced user who is familiar with basic services, but
want to know more about other services...
- Are experiencing some problems in your Internet/web usage...
Home network setup.
This service is intended for those who have a number of PCs (desktop and/or mobile)
and are considering setting up a home network (local area network), with or without
a connection to an external network (eg Internet, using a modem or other network
connection adaptor).
For those interested in doing it themselves, the general procedure is as follows:
- Purchase hardware for network - ie a set of network cards, a network hub and
a set of network cables. (Note that all components must be compatible).
- Set up network hardware - ie fit a network card into each PC; link the PCs
together using the cables, and via the hub.
- Decide upon an addressing scheme, and assign a unique (IP) address to each PC.
- Configure each PC for operation on the network.
If you do not have a connection to an external network, then each PC has
just one network connection, and configuration is relatively straightforward.
If you have a connection to an external network, it is a liitle more
complicated: in this case, one of your PCs will have TWO network connections
(one to the local network, another to the external network) and will act
as a 'router' (or gateway) between your local network and the external network
(thus allowing all PCs on you network to access and use the external network).
Thus, the router must be configured with two network connections, while
other PCs must be configured with one network connection, and with the
address of the router.
- Test your network!...
Photo Scanning, Enhancement and Repair.
This service involves scanning photos into an electronic/digital form
and (optionally) enhancing and repairing them.
This allows you to preserve (and improve) old photos and/or
build a collection of photos on your own PC ... and you can use these
electronic copies for any number of reasons, such as to place photos on your
own website, create personalised greetings cards or distribute copies to
family and friends.
In the case of enhancement, we can modify scanned photos in any way desired,
eg to alter tone, contract or colour balance, add colour (to b/w photos),
crop unwanted areas or remove unwanted elements (eg ex-boyfriend!), etc.
In the case of repair, we can modify scanned photos to "repair" tears,
scratches and damaged or faded areas (...although it should be noted that
the success of this operation depends upon the degree and extent of damage).
Cost of service: varies, depending on your requirements.
Contact us for a quote!
Tools used:A professional quality, high resolution, A4 flatbed scanner;
Adobe Photoshop (and other image processing utilities, where necessary).
Graphics Creation.
This service involves the design and creation
of original, professional-looking graphics, for home or business use.
These graphics can incorporate existing corporate/business "styles", logos,
artwork or photographs, and may be used for any purpose, eg on your website
and/or intranet, or on letterheads.
The 'Beaumont Systems' header at this top of this page was created in
this way.
Cost of service: Varies, depending on your requirements.
Contact us for a quote!
Tools used: Adobe Photoshop (and other image processing utilities, where necessary).
Training and Tuition.
We can provide advice, training and/or tuition on (almost) any aspect of IT, computers
(inc PCs) and networks. For instance:
- PCs: Introduction and training.
- Microsoft Windows XP: Training or tuition in the use of XP.
- Microsoft Office: Training or tuition in the use of Office applications.
- Internet/Web: General introduction and overview; advice on connection options and
charges; advice on connection, configuration and usage; guidance for use by children;
training or tuition in the use of the Internet/web and specific services; training
or tuition in developing your own website/web pages.
- School/college: Tuition towards GCSE, A level (and beyond) in IT-related subjects.
Version: 0.1.
Copyright © 1998-2003, Beaumont Systems Ltd.
