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About PC Paramedic, Inc.

I am computer technician and have been working in the field for over 25 years. I grew up with computers at home and we had them before my school had any.

Info needed to determine how to upgrade a computer

What is slow, the whole computer, a certain program, or while surfing the web?

Open Task Manager and keep it minimized when using the computer. When the computer is slow, un-minimize Task Manager to see what is maxed out on the Performance tab.

Install HD Sentinel to see health of hard drive, it could be failing.

  • Computer Name Brand & Model number(Dell service tag)
  • Processor Model Number
  • Amount of RAM installed
  • Hard drive size
  • Free hard drive space
  • Hard drive name brand and model number
  • What programs do you have open at the same time
  • How many tabs do you have open in a browser
  • How much do you want to spend on the new computer

Run maintenance

Motherboard – Manufacturers that have utilities to install & update drivers

Gigabyte (UltraDurable)- AppCenter – (updates drivers and BIOS – need to install @BIOS after installing AppCenter)

Gigabyte – Gigabyte Control Center (GCC) – this is the new update utility that is replacing AppCenter

Asrock – ASRock APP Shop – (updates BIOS and drivers)

Asus (not all motherboards)- AI Suite 3/EZ Update/Armoury Crate – (Updates BIOS & drivers)