Save Big On Refurbished PC's & Laptops

Photo: Refurbished HP laptops.

You may already know that we sell new notebooks and custom built computers, but did you know we also sell name brand refurbished PC's, refurbished notebooks and other used and rebuilt computer products? 
Refurbished means that either we or the factory have gone over all major aspects of the computer or notebook and replaced or repaired defects. 
We also offer a warranty on most refurbished units!
Here is some of the steps in our local refurbishing process:
We check forward replace bad parts, add heat sink compound, clean fans, add ram if less than a gig, reinstall Windows after wiping the hard drive, update the drivers, run diagnostics and more, each as may be needed.
And yet our prices are so low that it's truly incredible.
We usually have a really great selection but the selection changes daily due to sales and new inventory.
Click below for today's name brands and prices:
Refurbished Notebooks
Refurbished Computers
Used PC Products
New PC Products
Questions? Call 727-530-4561 8:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday through Saturday excluding holidays.

Summary Of Our Computer Support Options

Why call a Geek when you can call a Pro? *

Computer Support Options

Customer Support Options Are Shown Below


Free Help Line

• 1. Phone 727-530-4561 and describe your problem. We offer free but limited support on items purchased from us and free general support on items manufactured by us. Continue reading for our paid support and service options.
• 2. In either case, there is no charge for us to advise you if support could possibly resolve your issue or if service for your product is probably needed.
• 3. We'll tell you our base prices for service or support and how to signup.
• 4. You make the final decision as to what is best for your situation.
• 5. If you choose support you can sign up online below.
• 6. If you choose service you can drop your pc hardware off at our store or alternatively have us come to your location

Professional Telephone Support: $39.95/Incident

Includes
• 1. Telephone support for one PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Malware, Virus, Quicken or Quickbooks related incident.
• 2. Contract includes one support request call and our phone response.
• 3. Up to thirty minutes phone time total.
• 4. Additional phone time available at discounted rate of $1 per minute, payable in advance.
• 5. Contract expires in one year.

See Below:
• How it works.
• Terms and limitations.
• Order using Google Wallet.
• Using PayPal or Credit Card.

Annual Professional Support Plan $99.95/Year

This annual plan covers
• 1. Telephone support for up to four PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office,Malware, Virus, Quicken or Quickbooks related incidents.
• 2. Up to two hours total phone time per contract period.
• 3. Up to four support incidents total per contract period.
• 4. A five percent discount on PC service performed by us during the contract period.
• 5. Additional phone time available at discounted rate of $1 per minute, payable in advance.
• 6. Contract period is one year.

See Below:
• How it works.
• Terms and limitations.
• Order using Google Wallet.
• Using PayPal or Credit Card.

Add 15 Minutes To Existing Plan

This support plan add on
• 1. Adds an additional 15 minutes telephone support for your previously purchased support plan.
• Minutes expire in one year.

See Below:
• Terms and limitations.
• Order using Google Wallet.
• Using PayPal or Credit Card.

How Pro Support Works

• You phone our toll free private support voice mail with a description of your problem.
• We analyze your problem and have the best qualified tech call you back usually within an hour during business hours or at the latest, one business day.
• If the problem can not be resolved by phone, you can have us service the covered PC and receive a five percent discount on your service charge (or have someone else do it and forfeit any discount).

Terms and Limitations

Definitions: We, us and our refer to U.S. Computer Corporation. You and your refer to the purchasor of the contract.

• Coverage begins the day the contract is purchased and expires one year later.
• Only PCs running Windows Xp or a later version of Microsoft Windows are covered.
• You are purchasing telephone support for one PC hardware, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Malware, Virus, Quicken or Quickbooktree s related incident.
• No warranty is given as to performance. Some problems may not be able to be resolved by email or phone.
• We reserve the right to decline acceptance of selected orders at our sole discression.
• This is a term contract with no refunds once your order is accepted.
• You give permission for phone calls to be recorded and logged.
• We reserve the right to modify the terms and conditions of this offer at any time.
• U.S. Computer Corporation's General Terms and Conditions also apply.

You Can Purchase Telephone Support Using Google, PayPal or a Credit Card.

Select your plan:
To purchase please visit: http://uscx.net/gethelp.html

Home

* Please remember: All our techs are Professionals with at least 15 years of PC service experience .

Phone: 727-530-4561


Hours: 8:30am-6:30pm Mon-Sat
Closed Sundays & Major Holidays

13553 66th St N, Largo, Fl 33771
© 1960 - 2012 U.S. Computer Corporation

Used Notebook Sale

Bargain priced from $150 to $225, these name brand units have great features. We have several different models from Toshiba, IBM and Dell.

Hurry.  First come first served.  These full featured models will sell quickly and we don't know just when more used notebooks will become available!

Quantities on hand are very limited.  These nice clean notebooks have been carefully checked out and refurbished by our technicians.

We also have some refurbished PC's and of course we offer new custom built PC's and new laptops. We also have a large inventory of hardware, components and parts.

Phone 727 388 5226 for more information or stop by our store at 13553 66th st just north of Ulmerton Rd today.

Photos of some of the laptops:

Did you know? 2012 marks the begining of our 52nd year in business and our 34th year in the Tampa Bay area!

Microsoft Warns of "PC Maintenance" Phone Call Scam

Normally I write all the content in this blog, but I found an article written by Carlo Orlando on Infopackets' website that I felt it was important to pass along. The kind people at Infopackets have given me permission to re-print the article here. To contact the original author or read the article on the Infopackets website, click this link: MS Scam Article.

Only days after uncovering a major international ransomware problem, Microsoft has once again issued a new security warning involving a holiday hoax.

This time, scamsters are cold-call dialing people at home, claiming to be legitimate representatives of Microsoft. The tactic has been used before, though it involves a slightly new twist.

Microsoft Affiliation Validates Scam

Those affected by the swindle say that they received a cold-call from a third-party claiming to be a Microsoft representative, a Microsoft-affiliated brand, or of a third party contracted by Microsoft. The victim was asked to stay on the telephone and immediately check their computer for a potential issue, infection or virus, which had supposedly been detected by Microsoft.

Those who accepted the ploy were then coached to visit a specially crafted and malicious website, which then allowed online scumbags to take remote control of their computer. Users were then tricked into paying a fee to get their computer's problems fixed (even though there was technically nothing wrong).

Some victims of the scam even signed up for a bogus one year "computer maintenance" subscription. (Source:com.au)

New Scam Limited To Australia, For Now

While a similar scam like this has already made its way to North American users this year, this new scam (which varies slightly) is reportedly targeting only Australian computer users.

Microsoft says it is taking a proactive stance to prevent the scam from spreading.

Stuart Strathdee, Microsoft Australia's chief security advisor, has sent out an international warning that firmly states "Microsoft is not cold calling consumers in regards to malfunctioning PCs, viruses or any other matter. We strongly advise [all users] to simply hang up if they receive any call of this nature." (Source: com.au)

Those who believe themselves to be targets of this (or any similar) scam are urged to contact local police, or crime stoppers if they are ever unsure about the validity of an unexpected, questionable 'Computer Maintenance' phone call.

If you are a victim of MALWARE of any type. please contact US Computers at 727-530-4561 immediately, WE CAN HELP.

TRULY UNLIMITED 4G

UNLIMITED HIGH-SPEED 4G INTERNET WITH NO CONTRACTS!

If you’re like me you like to be connected on-the-go. Unfortunately, most cell phone data plans leave a lot to be desired, either they cap your speed, or limit your amount of data, or are just WAY too expensive for the unlimited plan. US Computer has partnered with CLEAR communications, to offer our customers truly unlimited internet connectivity, at 4G speeds, anywhere in the CLEAR coverage area for only $50 a month + tax. That’s right, no contracts, no caps, no limits, 50 Bucks. Clear has 3 devices from which to choose:

CLEAR Home Modem Get 4G internet for your home or office. Has a built-in WI-FI Router to create a secure wireless network.

CLEAR 4G Mobile USB Plug into any laptop or netbook and enables super fast 4G internet anywhere in CLEAR coverage

CLEAR Spot 4G Connect up to 8 wi-fi enabled devices. Can be used at home or on the go, anywhere in CLEAR coverage.

Fortunately, the CLEAR network has great coverage in the Tampabay area! Stop by today to see how your home or office can benefit from truly unlimited 4G internet. Learn more...

Free Android Apps From USComputer

We've released updated free android apps on Android Market for our customers and web and local store visitors. 

There are 2 similar apps, but one is more oriented towards our Largo Florida PC store and service center. Both apps allow you to browse, price and buy both our store inventory and the inventory in our warehouses.

They also include promotions, coupons, service rates, help line phone numbers, free services and special ads.  We even include our blog posts and our Twitter posts.

The Largo store app also lets you make payments online to your account and may include in store features and offers that are not found on the other app.

These are early versions so we've included a feedback form so you can let us know what you think, tell us about bugs and so on.

Although the apps request multiple permissions for development and statistical purposes, we do not read, store or retain any personal information.

Our privacy policy and other info about our company are included in each app.

These free apps require android 2.1 or later and a full featured smart phone. They are only available in the United States

Download links:

• USCLargo - Largo store oriented - http://market.android.com/details?id=com.appmakr.app363202
• USComputer - does not have all store features - http://market.android.com/details?id=com.appmakr.app339379

As we develop and improve these apps they may include both experimental and  utility features that may or may not be retained based on feedback from you and other considerations.

So check for updates.

Let us know what you think!

P.S. Yes we are working on versions for iPhone and Microsoft phones and tablets.

US Computer now on Angie's List!

AWESOME!

What are we so happy about? We are now on Angie’s List, read our reviews or submit your own!

As you probably know by now, a company cannot buy their way onto the list, and cannot pay for reviews or special listing placement. Information in the reviews comes from actual Angie’s List members and others that have used our company’s services or products. The better the reviews, the better “grade” we get on the list. Our grade is A!


How can you help? If you are one of our customers that has used our services or bought from us, please leave a review. As a newer company on the list we have few reviews, and would truly like your honest, unbiased review of our products and services.

If you are not an Angie’s List member you can still leave a review, but they may not count toward our “grade” - but any ans all reviews are welcome.

We will be using Angie's List to help assess whether we're doing a good job keeping valued customers like you happy. Please complete your review at in order to grade our quality of work and customer service.

Check our Computer Repair Reviews on Angie's List

Next week I’ll be back writing about computer issues again.

Please leave comments or suggestions for future articles below.

HURRICANES, LIGHTNING and BACKUPS, OH MY! - Part 2

Continuing on from last weeks’ post, I promised to talk about backing up your data. In the “old days”, backing up your computer was a long drawn out procedure, requiring you to swap out numerous floppy disks, or change tapes in a tape backup unit. Hard Drives were expensive and DVD and CD’s had yet to be available for the computer. Yep, I’m talking about the “old days” prior to 1995. In September 1995 Hewlett-Packard introduced its model 4020i manufactured by Philips, which at $995 was the first recorder to cost less than $1000. It would be a few years before CD-RW drives were cost effective enough to be commonly used in computers. There are many types of backup media available today, so there is really no good excuse NOT to have a current backup and an effective backup strategy. Here are but a few:

USB Flash Drives are inexpensive, easy to use, portable and relatively quick to backup to. With the advent of the USB 3.0 standard, you can backup to a USB 3.0 Flash Drive at an incredible maximum transmission speed of up to 5 Gbit/s (640 MB/s), which is 10 times faster than USB2.0 (480 Mbit/s). This means that with USB 3.0 you can record a complete CD worth of data (720 MB) in less than 2 seconds. USB 2.0 is still the most common type, since it was not until this summer that USB 3.0 devices started to become more plentiful. USB Flash Drives range in size from 1 GB (about 8 bucks at US Computer) all the way up to a 256 GB model for several hundred dollars. The most popular model at US Computers is the 16 GB USB 2.0 selling for $37.99. This will hold about 3,500 MP3 songs or about 8,000 pictures. It would take about 6 Minutes to fill the 16 GB Drive at USB 2.0 speeds.

CDs and DVDs are another alternative. A CD can hold up to 720 MB of data. A Standard DVD can hold up to 4.7 GB of Data, and a Dual-Layer DVD can hold 8.5 GB of Data. These are very rugged and reliable to use as backup media. They do take a bit longer to record to - it can take more than an hour to fill up a Dual Layer DVD with data, but they are virtually indestructible. That’s a nice thought if you’re worried about wetness.

External Hard Drives are relatively fast, have a great cost/size ratio and are economical to boot.
A Terabyte External Hard Drive (yep, 1 TRILLION bytes of data) is about $99 at US Computers. It offers USB 2.0 or 3.0 speeds, depending on the model and is easy to use as well! A new item at US Computer is the ioSafe ruggedized Portable Hard Disk. It’s like an aircraft black box for data. It can withstand being shot at with a shotgun, submerged in salt water, frozen, you name it, it can survive it. Staring at $149 it’s impressively safe storage for your data.

Check our current backup device inventory.

We appreciate your comments on our blogs. We’d like to hear from you about what you would like for future topics. Please leave comments by entering them in the box below and then clicking on the post comment button. Thanks!

HURRICANES, LIGHTNING and BACKUPS, OH MY! - Part 1

If you have lived in Florida for a while, you are probably well aware that we are prone to hurricanes. The Hurricane Season starts on June 1st and lasts until November 30th, with the most active part of the season in the Mid-August to Mid-October time frame - right where we are now. Why am I writing about hurricanes in a computer blog? Simple really, if you are like most of my customers, you keep your life on your computer, banking, addresses, email addresses, all your music, you know - everything. If you were to lose it due to a lightning strike, or hurricane damage, what would you do? Here is some simple advice to keep your digital life safe from the storm. In this post we’ll talk about power problems. During a hurricane, you will have lightning, and may have power lines down, providing less than optimal power for your home.

Lightning is bad. You’ve probably heard that Florida is the Lightning Capital of the world, but that’s not completely true. (The spot with the most lightning lies deep in the mountains of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo near the small village off Kifuka (elevation 3200 feet, 970 m). Thunderbolts pelt this land roughly 158 strikes per square kilometer per year. The North American continent ranks next to last of all continents.) But Florida is the Lightning Capital of the US, with about 59 strikes per square kilometer per year. A surge protector will help but a better solution for many is described below.

Brownouts are worse. These dips can be more ruinous to your computer than a surge! Too little power coming in causes the power supply of your computer to work harder to try to make up the deficit. This can cause system lock-ups, unexplained crashes, and a much shorter life expectancy for the power supply and computer in general.

The solution is simple, an Uninterruptible Power Supply, or UPS. Sometimes called a “Battery Back-up”, these units provide a source of clean, steady power, and will enable your computer to run on battery power for a few minutes even in the event of a complete power loss, which will give you time to shut the computer down properly. With the proper UPS, brownouts or dips will not be seen by the computer, as the UPS filters the incoming power and boosts lagging power, and shunts excess power, including surges, automatically. Most have an included insurance plan for connected equipment which protects you in the event of a catastrophic power surge (a.k.a. lightning strike), by paying for repairs!

How do you know which UPS to buy? The easy way is to ask one of our technicians at US Computers at 727-530-4561. For those of you who want to do it yourself, here is the formula for how big a unit you need (Recommended to power the system for about 20 Minutes):

1. Take your computer’s power supply out put in watts and multiply by 1.4
2. Take your monitor’s current rating in amps, times 106
3. Add the two numbers together to get the recommended Volt-Ampere (VA) rating for your system.
For example:
You have a computer with a 300 watt power supply, and your 17” monitor draws 2 amps.
1. 300Wx1.4= 420 VA for the Computer
2. 2a x 106 = 212 VA for the Monitor
3. Total =632VA
4. Recommended VA Rating of your UPS 600 – 650VA

Of course you can get a lower rated UPS, but the run time will be lessened, sometimes considerably. If you don’t care how long the system will run without power, but just want the surge and brownout protection, a 300VA – 500VA Unit should work fine for most home systems. UPS units sold at U.S. Computers start at only $49.99 and come with a $100,000.00 connected equipment warranty. Stop by and see one today! Check our current UPS inventory.

Next week’s post - Data backup

MALWARE AND YOU

First, let’s define a few terms, so we’re all on the same page. We’re going to explain the terms Virus, Trojan and Malware.

What is a virus? A virus is a computer program that runs on your computer. It can attempt to destroy files, search for information like Credit Card numbers or Social Security Numbers, or just maliciously mess with your computer without really doing any harm (A ‘Joke’ virus). A virus used to be the most common type of computer infection. A virus could attach itself to various programs in your computer, such as a spreadsheet for example, and it would make copies of itself every time you opened the spreadsheet, continually re-infecting your computer. It could attempt to spread itself by email or by transferring the infected file to another computer. (Sally in accounting really needs that spreadsheet today!)

What is Trojan? A Trojan is a type of malicious file that masquerades as something else, a game perhaps, and MP3 music file or whatever. The name comes from the legend of the Trojan Horse. Once you click on the file, TOO LATE you’re infected! It wreaks the same general havoc as a standard virus.

How to get rid of a Virus or Trojan? Using a commercial Anti-virus (AV) software package, such as Norton Anti-virus (available from US Computers, starting @ $29.99) is by far the easiest and most reliable way to do this. The AV program looks at all files as they are accessed by the computer and compares them to a database it updates often, sometimes several times a day. If the AV program finds a match, it either warns you of the danger or simply will not let the program run, or will provide you with other options depending on how you have setup the AV program.

What is Malware? Malware is a generic term for dangerous software, whether it is a Virus, Trojan, Worm, script attack or whatever it can be considered Malware. Drive-by-download attacks remain one of the most popular methods of infecting users’ computers with malicious programs. A Drive-by-Download occurs when you visit an infected website. You do not have to click on anything to become infected, the Malware is embedded in the webpage, once you read it, you have it. One of the most vicious, and common types of Malware is the Rogue Anti-Virus.

What are Rogue Anti-Virus programs? Rogue Antivirus programs attempt to scare you into purchasing a product by telling you that your machine is infected by one or more viruses and trojans. The names of these fake programs usually have words like “Shield,” “Security,” Protection,” “Fixer,” “Defender,” so they appear to be legitimate. They will often run immediately when downloaded, or the next time your computer starts up. Rogue Antivirus software can prevent applications from opening, including Internet Explorer, and may display legitimate and very important Windows files as infections. Often they will corrupt the network “stack” or damage other critical Windows files, so that even if you get rid of the infection, Windows still does not run correctly.

Some typical error messages or pop ups you may receive may contain:

Warning!
Your computer is infected!
This computer is infected by spyware and adware.

A good sign that the software is not legitimate is when you try to close the window it will continually pop up warnings similar to:

Are you sure you want to navigate from this page?
Your computer is infected! This can cause data lost and file corruption and need to be treated as soon as possible. Press CANCEL to prevent it or Continue to remain Unprotected.
Return to System Security and download it to secure your PC.
Press OK to Continue or Cancel to stay on the current page.

Unfortunately, trying to close the window may launch the program! A programmer can make that red “X” in the corner do anything he wants. Don’t fall for these scams. They are trying to get your credit card number. At the very least you may be out $49.99 by paying for a program that does nothing.

If your Antivirus program cannot remove the infection it’s time to call in the experts.

The technicians at US Computer have the knowledge and expertise to remove even the most stubborn of these infections - and they have the knowledge to repair the damage these programs most often do to Windows.

Tampa Bay area folks can call us at 727-530-4561 for more information and help.