1. If you are still using Windows 95 or Windows 98, it's time for a change. Windows 98 was a big improvement over Windows 95; however, it tends to have memory management problems from time to time. It just gets mixed when you are reaching the memory capacity of your computer. At Budget POS, our employees used to have to reboot their computers an average of 3 times per day just using plain ordinary everyday software products. Since we have upgraded to Windows XP, our computers almost never have to be rebooted. My computer, which I never turn off, runs for weeks and weeks without getting rebooted. Windows XP and Windows 2000 have much better memory management capability.

2. If you are using Windows ME, just get rid of it!!!

3. If you are currently using Windows 95 or Windows 98, we would not necessarily recommend that you upgrade your computer to Windows XP. Computer prices have really come down. It would probably be better to purchase a new computer that already have Windows XP on it. If you decide not to purchase a new computer and only upgrade from Windows 98 to Windows XP, you should be warned that the upgrade may not be easy to do since you may find some incompatibilities in some of the software and hardware already being used on your computer. It could be easy (75% of the time). It could be difficult (25% of the time). We recommend a new computer...or, having a knowledgeable person do the upgrade for you. Most people will find upgrading their computer to be a simple task. But we wanted to warn you that it might not be as easy for you as it Microsoft advertises it should be.

4. Check the RAM in your computer. Your best bet is to have 256 MB of RAM in your computer or more. Windows XP does an excellent job of memory management. 256 MB of RAM is great. 512 MB is optimum. Memory is pretty inexpensive now. Upgrading your memory is just a good and fairly inexpensive way of reducing freeze-up problems and increasing your speed. If you are running Windows 95 or Windows 98, 256 MB of RAM is extremely important. Since Windows 95 and Windows 98 tend to have memory management problems, the additional memory really does wonders.

5. Network Problems. If you are using a network, your server should have 512 MB of RAM. If you are using 256 MB of RAM, that is OK, but you should consider increasing your memory to 512 MB. If your server has Windows 98 on it, you should definitely consider using 512 MB of RAM. Once again, Windows 98 just is not the greatest and managing memory. If you have a Windows 98 Server, that RAM really helps. Also, make sure that you are using Type 5 Network Wiring (most people are using it now a days). Type 4 is the older wiring. Type 5 allows for faster connections.

6. More Network Problems. If you have a retail store or restaurant, you may be using a heavy electrical load and have certain interference on your network lines. A professional installation calls for the use of Plenum Wiring. This is a better insulated wiring that electricians would use within the walls of your business. The wiring is fireproof and is required by most states in order to meet fire protection standards. It is normally not what most people use (even though they should). This type of wiring prevents interference from heavy machinery that may be used within your store (refrigerators, slicing machines, and even devices that affix tags within a clothing store).

7. And even one more Network Problem...sometimes you don't have the best network wiring or are getting too much interference from outside sources such as machinery. If we assume that your connections are good (no breaks), you can slow down the speed of your network card from 100 to 10. If you have a particular machine that keeps getting disconnected from the network, give that speed reduction a chance. You won't notice the speed change, but you should stop losing your network disconnects.

8. and a final word of advice...Buy a UPS (a Universal Power Supply or Battery Backup). This is essential. Having a 1/10 of a second power loss can really cause problems on and damage to your computer. Budget POSis now selling the SmartPower UPS which will give you about 16 minutes of run time during a power outage. The SmartPower UPS also has advanced features to eliminate electrical noise and small spikes common in a retail environment. Budget POS is selling the Smart Power BAK-AVR-TBF for $149.95. If you computer is not protected and not ready for a power outage or spike, give us a call and buy one!!!

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