Ask An Expert

This page has been put together to offer some advice to help resolve of some frequent and basic IT questions you may have. Please note that in any situation where you are not sure about something, you are best to check with your Alliance Engineer or the Helpdesk as in many situations, executing a 'remedy' to a problem could cause a whole host of other issues to both yourself and other users on your network.

How can I make sure my files are backed up?
There are many ways you can back up your data, from online or off site backup, portable media, data storage or disk drive systems. There are also different methods you can use with all of these systems such as full or incremental backups, differential data backup and hard disk imaging.

How do I find out if I can get Broadband in my area, and if I can't, why not?
Availability of Broadband services is growing across the UK; contact us to find out what is available in your area.

Where can I buy computer components?
Although you can buy computer parts in all sorts of places it's very much a case of 'buyer beware'. As part of Alliance's services, we supply hardware and software at a competitve price so if uyou are looking for somehing, it is always worth asking us. Alternatively if you would prefer to purchase hardware yourself, we can help you make the best purchasing decisions and receommend retailers or vendors.

How can I make my computer work faster?
To make your computer work faster we would recommend several steps. Before you rush ahead and buy extra memory, we recommend that you have a 'clear-out' and remove unwanted programs and files. This will free up more disk space and allow your computer more operating space. Once this is completed, if your computer is still working slowly it may be necessary to defragment your hard drive and ensure that your machine is not suffering from any viruses or malware. Your Alliance engineer will be able to look at this for you if you are still having problems.

How do I reboot my computer?
'Rebooting' your computer simply means turning it off and on again. Methods for rebooting your computer vary acording to the model, but you must always use the operating system if at all possible. Only in extreme circumstances should you just press the big button to turn off your computer or switch off the power from the wall.

How do I check my computer's DNS?
DNS becomes important once a computer is part of a network. Anything to do with online services and mail requires a DNS server. The method for finding the DNS settings of your computer varies between operating system - on most PCs running later versions of Windows, go to 'Start', click 'Run ..' and in the box type 'CMD' and press enter. In the box on your screen (otherwise known as a DOS prompt), type 'ipconfig /all' and press enter. At the bottom of the list, it tells you what your DNS server is.

How much RAM does a computer need?
The amount of RAM (Ramdom-Access Memory) you need to do your work depends on the programs that you use. If youare working with large images or videos on a regular basis you will require a greater amount of RAM. If you just use your computer to write letters you will need less. Standard computers these days ship with around 512Mb to 1Gb, and it usually fairly simple to add more.

Why is my computer so slow? Could the problem be caused by software I have running on it?
Running a lot of software can slow down your computer significantly, especially if you run a lot of programs at the same time. Try running fewer programs to test it, then follow the procedure set out in the answer to question 4 (above). Of course, if your computer is really old, it might be time to upgrade or even replace it.

How do I load the contents of my old hard drive onto my new computer?
The simplest way is to restore all the data from your back up utility. All users should have this as a matter of course. If you do not have a back up of your system, now would be a good time to decide which files and programs are crucial to you.

What different kinds of computer viruses are there?
Computer Virus is a form of malicious software written intentionally to enter a computer without the user’s permission or knowledge, with an ability to replicate itself, thus continuing to spread. Some viruses do little but replicate others can cause severe harm or adversely effect program and performance of the system. Viruses can be classified by origin, techniques, types of files they infect, where they hide, the kind of damage they cause, or the type of operating system or platform they attack. Examples include Boot and Directory Viruses and File Infectors. Other types of malicious software includes Trojans and Worms. Contact your engineer as soon as possible if you suspect your computer is infected.

How do I get rid of a blue screen on my computer?
Typically if you see a blue screen regularly on your computer, that is a sign that something is wrong. The screen will usually contain an error code. Write this down and talk to your engineer or call the Alliance Help Desk.

How do I format my computer?
Most computers ship with an installation CD - using this disk is the easiest way of formatting your computer and reinstalling all the software that came bundled with it. If you do not have the original installation CD, you may be able to get a copy of it from the people who built or sold your computer. If you just want to format the computer, you will need to find a DOS boot disk or CD-ROM that allows you do this.

Why is my computer not defragmenting?
Defragmenting is not automatic and you may have run out of disk space. If you want to run the defragmenting program and can't, check that you have enough disk space.

My computer reports a fatal system error, what should I do?
Proceed with caution. The computer may have a hardware or software problem. In this situation, always consult your Alliance Engineer as soon as possible.

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