At ElpaTech we are happy to help if you are in need of assistance before you take the decision to buy. We understand that buying a computer is a major commitment, so we want to guide you through the process as much as possible.

To help you, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and hope they come in useful to you. If you have anything else you would like to enquire about, then please feel free to get in touch with us. Full details are on the contact us page.

Click on the question to read our answer

What payment methods do you accept?

Through PayPal we accept all major UK credit and debit cards. PayPal is a secure payment mechanism, and consequently all your payment details are held by them and not by us. You do not have to sign up for a PayPal account in order to use it.

We understand some customers may be uneasy with using PayPal. If that's the case we can accept cheques, bank transfers and even cash on collection/delivery for customers in the Andover area. Contact us for more details if you wish to use one of these methods.

Can I choose a different case to the one advertised?

Yes. If you contact us before ordering we can offer you a range of different cases at varying prices.

I already have a copy of Windows XP/Vista. Do I need to buy another one?

It all depends on what you already own. If it is a full retail version, then you should be able to install this yourself onto your new PC without a problem, though you may need to reactivate it by contacting Microsoft. Otherwise, if it is an "OEM" version (it should say so on the disc if it is) then you may not legally be able to reinstall it except on the original PC it came with.

If in doubt please get in touch with us and provide full details and we will do our best to advise you.

Do you sell PCs with AMD processors?

We can sell almost all the PCs in our range using the nearest equivalent AMD CPU. Please contact us if you would like us to give a quote.

How do I protect my computer from viruses and spyware?

If you ask us to install an operating system for you, then we will add to the computer a few utilities that we recommend for this purpose: AVG Free, SpywareBlaster, Spybot Search and Destroy and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. These tools, when kept up-to-date and used regularly, should protect your system. However, exercising discretion when opening attachments and downloading programs off the Internet remains essential.

If you are careful, it is not necessary to purchase expensive anti-virus solutions such as Norton or McAfee.

What if I want to buy a PC without a keyboard and mouse (for example)?

If you would like one of our PCs but without certain peripherals listed on the product page, then then please contact us for a quote.

What do the specifications mean on your product pages?

Unfortunately it is necessary to use a certain level of jargon to accurately describe what we sell.

Processor (CPU) speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz) and, generally, the higher it is the better.

Memory and disk space are measured in gigabytes (GB) and, generally, the higher it is the better.

SATA is the name of the technology through which your computer communicates with your hard drive, the device that permanently stores all your data.

DDR2 is the name of the technology through which your computer temporarily stores the files, programs and other data for rapid access while it is working on them.

These are just a few examples, purely for illustrative purposes. They are simplifications in order to aid understanding, and so may miss out other considerations, but if you wish to know more or discuss your requirements please contact us.

Do your hard drives actually supply the stated storage space?

It is a common complaint amongst PC buyers that you never get what you have supposedly paid for when it comes to hard drive space. This is because the manufacturers of hard drives consider a gigabyte to be 1 billion bytes exactly, rather than the traditional Windows standard, a rather unmemorable 1,073,741,824 bytes!

The consequence of this to the customer is that computer retailers tell you you are buying a 500 gigabyte drive, but Windows (though not Ubuntu) will report it as something in the region of 476 gigabytes. Both are correct, simply because they define "gigabyte" in a different ways.

However, for the consumer, the only one that matters is how much their operating system tells them how much space they have. For that reason, we report all hard drive sizes as our closest approximation to what the Windows operating system will say. This may make it sound like we're selling smaller drives than our competitors, but we can assure you we are buying the exact same parts as them - only we're being more honest about what you actually get. The decision is yours!

How do I connect everything when it arrives?

If you are unfamiliar with connecting the peripherals of a computer then we will assist you. Give us a call and we'll guide you through the setup.

What is a card reader?

A card reader is a device that allows you to plug in certain types of memory chip that are now commonly used in digital cameras and mobile phones. This will allow you to copy digital photographs and other media files to your computer. Our card reader supports SM, CF/MD, MS/MS Pro, and SD/MMC compatible cards.

How do I copy CDs/DVDs?

Our systems do not come with any software to copy CDs or DVDs. Windows will allow you to write data files to blank CD and DVDs, but it will not copy them. For that, you may need to search the internet. We suggest starting from here.

What are your warranty terms?

In addition to all statutory rights under English law, we offer a minimum one year return to base warranty on our computers, subject to there being no evidence that the machine has been tampered with by an unqualified technician.

This warranty covers all hardware from defects, and guarantees that your system software (if applicable) will be delivered to you in working order. It does not cover any modifications you make to the system.

Check out our returns page for more details.

Will my PC match the picture?

In most cases your PC will look the same as the photo, however, on occasion stock levels of particular case designs run out, and when this happens we will replace it with a model of similar looks and quality.

Do you offer bulk order discounts?

If you wish to buy five or more systems then we may be able to negotiate a cheaper rate. Contact us for more details.

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is an alternative operating system that is completely free. It is based on Linux, but is far more user-friendly and supports a great variety of systems. It has an interface similar to Windows, making it easy to pick up.

As a gesture of support for the free software community we will install Ubuntu on all Andante and Allegro PCs for no extra charge if you request it.

You can find out more about Ubuntu on their web site: http://www.ubuntu.com