PC Help
If possible, try the online tools first. If your infestation isn't to bad, you may be able to load an antivirus or anti-spyware program to get rid of the problem.
+ - Online Security Scanners
Use these online scanners to check if your system has been compromised by an undetected virus or malicious program. No security program catches everything!
~ http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm
+ - Malicious Software Removal Tool from Microsoft
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom—and helps remove any infection found. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed.
~ http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Junk accumulates as you use your PC, especially if you move and delete files, surf the internet, and load and unload programs. All this activity leaves junk leftover that slowing slows your PC down. To keep your PC in optimal working order, you need to clean out this junk and defag your drive(s) now and then. How often you do it, depends on how much you use your PC. For most PC users, once/month is about right.
+ - Computer Cleaner
Finds and zaps useless files--including cache files and old Registry entries--that may be slowing down your PC.
+ - PC Pitstop -Free Online scan
PC Pitstop Optimize has a free scan that identifies many common problems that plague most computers. Make your computer faster and more reliablely.
Cobian Backup is a small and simple utility to backup files and directories from some place in your computer to another place in the same computer or to a shared drive in another machine. You can set the program to automatically make a backup within regular intervals of time, for example daily, weekly etc. PKzip compressions can be run under NT/2000/XP.
Want to check out a story to see if it is true? These sites that do a good job at separating truth from fiction.
Do you receive and send e-mails that are forwarded with many e-mail addresses in the heading, attachments with a number of pages, or petitions? If you do, please read the following article for safe emailing.
FileInfo.net contains a searchable database of thousands of file extensions with detailed information about the associated file types. Each entry contains information about the file format, a description of the file, and the program or programs that can open the file.
As many as 20 to 30 processes may be running invisibly, silently in the background on your PC. Some hog system resources drastically slowing down your computer; others are a threat to security and privacy; others may be harmless. The Windows Task Manager displays most of these processes but you have no information to learn and understand what is what. Get the latest definitions and exhaustive advice on all the processes running on directly in the Windows Task Manager by downloading the Quick Access InfoBar from ProcessLibrary.com. Requires active internet connection to retrive information.
Want to see your system's processes -- or the active modules, drivers, or services? What's Running tells you everything.
Visit support.microsoft.com and click on "Search Knowledge Base". Search for your windows version under "Search Product:", then fill in what you are looking for to get How To's, Downloads, and more.
Check your drivers with TouchStone Software's Driver Updates page at www.driveragent.com. The site, which requires Internet Explorer, scans your hard drive and gives you a reasonably accurate list of your outdated drivers Once you know that a driver needs updating, look for it on the vendor's Web site; every hardware manufacturer offers driver updates as free downloads. Or you can subscribe to TouchStone's $30-a-year service and download the drivers directly from the scan-result list.
Diagnose PC Problems Using Event IDs. The Event Viewer can be found under Start, Settings, Control Panel, Administrative Tools. Get information on event by double-clicking an item.
For more detail on the error types and what they mean, visit EventID.net. You can also try an online search using the "Source" field as a search term.
The Windows Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors. The diagnostic includes a comprehensive set of memory tests. If you are experiencing problems while running Windows, you can use the diagnostic to determine whether the problems are caused by failing hardware, such as RAM or the memory system of your motherboard. Windows Memory Diagnostic is designed to be easy and fast. On most configurations, you can download the diagnostic, read the documentation, run the test and complete the first test pass in less than 30 minutes.
**You will need to read the User Guide to accomplish this task.**
When using external drives on the USB port, be sure an use the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in the system tray. Not using it when you take out those thumb drives and other portable devices can cause your computer to not recognize USB devices later.
Avoid adhesive labels in automobile players. Automotive CD players run hot, and the label simply separates from the disc and locks up the CD player.