Closed for Vacation

Eldorado Computer Works will be closed from April 7 - April 11 for a family vacation.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  We will reopen on Wednesday, April 12 at 10 am.  See you soon -- Steve

First Apple Computer, Apple-1, Could Nab $240,000

Ok, so the computer recycling program is going great.  Eldorado area residents have brought in truckloads of computers, monitors, printers, and parts for the free recycling at Eldorado Computer Works.  I found this article tonight about an upcoming auction of one of the first Apple computers.

A couple of hundred thousand dollars for a piece of history! They only know where 50 of the first 200 Apple computers are located. 

Time to check your garage. If you find any antique furniture items bring them to 4 Sisters Consignment but if you find an original Apple computer just drop it off at the computer store any time.

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/content/view/45971/

Computer Recycling. And the winner is?

We are continuing to accept old computers, monitors, printers and computer parts for recycling at Eldorado Computer Works.  Bring them by Tuesday - Saturday from 10am to 6pm.  Most get recycled but some of the better ones are reconditioned for sale at the store or donated to local non profits.

This week one was donated to Adaptive Ski Program.  http://www.adaptiveski.org/

Last week someone dropped off the oldest computer we had seen in a long long time, an original IBM AT.  Most people don't even remember what that was and it predates most of our children.  It is the second generation of Intel based PC computer and uses the Intel 80286 processor.  It was so old we couldn't even start it up.  The store didn't have a keyboard or monitor that would work with a computer that old.

In last weeks La Tienda newsletter we asked everyone to email a guess of when this computer was manufactured.   The closest guess was by Wendy Victor.  Her guess of June 1985 was off my only one month.  This blast from the past was made in May 1985.  This near bullseye won her a 50 pack of DVD-R media.

Used Computer Sale starting October 20th

Starting October 20th, our selection of used desktop and tower PCs are all on sale for $200.00. These are all PC's running Windows XP with 1gb of ram or more. If you need it, we provide a keyboard, mouse, and even a CRT monitor at no extra charge. Supplies are limited so come by if you need a faster computer to replace that 10 year old one you have been nursing along.

Story about FREE Wifi - Is it safe?

I have been asked if the Wifi down at La Tienda is safe. The source of the concern was an article that ran on NPR about "Zombie Networks" taking over. Though it is an interesting story about a problem that can occur using free wifi networks, it is not something your need to fear using our open wifi down at La Tienda. I have actually never seen this problem at any of the free wifi networks I have used in Santa Fe either.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130451369&ps=cprs

There are three routers serving the free wifi in La Tienda. Their names are La Plancha, La Tienda, and Building B. These routers will get your laptop on the internet. If you have a problem getting on the network please come down to Eldorado Computer Works at the South East corner of La Tienda.

Remember, there are also now free computers in La Tienda for you to use. One is outside Gene's Sandwich Shop and the other is outside BarnDogs.

Viruses and Malware make my day!

I have been repairing computers in Santa Fe as Santa Fe Computer Works for about 20 years now. My new store in Eldorado, Eldorado Computer Works (Wow how did we come up with that name!), is a small computer repair shop in the La Tienda at Eldorado shopping center at the corner of Highway 285 and Vista Grande.

Unfortunately, some days all of my work is made up of removing viruses, trojans, and spyware.

There are no sure way to never get a virus but there are some easy things you can do that will give you good protection and hopefully not need to bring your computer in for a virus removal. The best ones don't really cost any money.

First, don't surf the porn sites if you don't want a virus. Its just that simple.

Second, don't use limewire. Sure it is great getting all that free music (stealing) but you will get more then you planned.

Third, keep your Windows up to date with Microsoft.

Forth, run AVG Free or Microsoft Security Essensials. Actually, there are several other great free anti virus programs. To many to cover in this post.

Fifth, run Spybot Search and Destroy

The links above will bring you to safe sites to download these programs. They are easy to install. If you don't want to do this yourself we can install them for you in the shop for a service fee.

BTW: You can bring in you old or broken computers, monitors, printers, and computer parts in for recycling Tuesday through Saturday. The free recycling is a community service we provide as tenant of the La Tienda at Eldorado.