Gail Eddy, Nederland.  I recently brought my sewing machine in to get fixed. It’s been sewing unevenly for the past several years, but I’ve just been living with it. I’ve been living with it partly because it “wasn’t that bad” and partly because I really didn’t know where to take it.

Well, I finally realized how bad it was and asked around for a recommendation of where to take it. I made an appointment and brought it in. The nice woman behind the counter asked me how long it had been since my sewing machine had had a tune-up. I told her it had been at least ten years. She laughed (in a nice way) and told me they recommend a tune-up at least once a year.

I can understand that. In fact, I can solidly get behind that!

How many times do you wait and wait? How often have you thought “It’s not so bad. I can wait two minutes for my internet page to load” or “It’s normal for my machine to shut down on its own, isn’t it?”

We recommend that our customers get an annual tune-up on their machines – for both PCs and Macs. Why? When I asked my friend Karen why she did, she answered: “In one word?  Stress reduction.”

A few years ago, Karen got a nasty virus. Chris came out and cleaned it all up and she was pretty impressed. When it was time for her to get  a new machine, she asked Chris for help in the selection process. I see her frequently and at least once a month she tells me how thrilled she is with her new machine. When she got a postcard from us reminding her that a year had already gone by, she called right away for her appointment.

Chris checked it all out, deleted some unnecessary files that were gunking up the works, scanned for any viruses, and updated her new anti-virus, and she was good to go!

So, here is some of what happens during a tune-up:

1. Chris does a scan to make sure there aren’t any viruses.

2. He’ll do a general clean up to make the whole machine snappier.

3. If you don’t have an anti-virus, he’ll add one. If you do, he’ll make sure it’s up to date and accepting automatic updates.

4. Chris will make sure your operating system is updated with all the necessary file uploads.

5. He’ll answer any of your questions and provide training if you need that.

So now I know. My car needs a tune-up every 3-5,000 miles. My sewing machine needs a tune-up every year. And now you know that your computer needs a tune-up every year too!

Chris Eddy of Geek For Hire, Inc. has been providing computer service to families and small businesses with Macs and PCs for the past fourteen years. His company is highly rated by both the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and by Angie’s List. You can find more at www.GeekForHireInc.com. Geek For Hire, Inc. provides onsite service to the Denver / Boulder / Front Range area. They can provide remote service throughout North America.