Computer Help and Aid Section
Ok there's a few simple things we can do to tweak up your system and they're all FREE.
I recommend Bitdefender scan first.
System Update and PatchingOne of the BIGGEST and most common Problems
Is a Poorly Maintained and updated Windows Installation
Simply GOTO --> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/Let it Scan and update
Use the CUSTOM UPDATE Option
you will need to reboot and return to site SEVERAL TIMES
To accomplish a ZERO AVAILABLE UPDATES STATUS
So GET EVERYTHING!
Anti-Virus Software Update
If you have a commercial anti-virus Product installed YOU MUST UPDATE IT and run FULL SYSTEM SCANS
Via there Live Update or other similar option
Reboot your Computer after Updateing
While Booting up Tap The F8 Key and Select SAFEMODE
BOOT INTO SAFE MODE ADMIN.
Goto My Computer Right Click your "C" Drive and say SCAN with "your Anti-Virus Product"
Being in safe mode allows for the Removal of Pesky Viruses That Normaly would Be "inuse" and unremovable
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ANTI-VIRUS PRODUCT YOU CAN GET A QUALITY FREE ONE HERE
AVG ANTI VIRUS FREE EDITION http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5 the download is at the bottom
Spyware and Maleware Removal
Spyware and Malware are a wide category of infections and tracking software
that your anti virus programs WILL NOT REMOVE ON THERE OWN!
Cookies
BHO Browser "Helper" Objects
ToolBars
SearchBars
Active-X infections
Sleeper trojans or Undocumented trojans
JUST TOO NAME A FEW
MANY are Installed by the Computer USER Unwittingly with other software.
there mentioned in the EULA Agreement that you CLICKED THRU
First Step To Removing them is Simply GOTO ADD REMOVE PROGRAMS in control panel
Scroll Thru the list and You will find a great many of them listed there
Remove them!
IF YOU DONT KNOW WHAT TO REMOVE YOU CAN ASK ME!
or Email me Screen shots of your Add remove programs panel and i will advise you!
about what IS or IS NOT Spyware
Next you can Install some Very Helpfull Removal Tools and Use them
Adaware se http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/ Free
XoftSpy http://www.paretologic.com/xoftspy/lp/17/ Trial
SpyBot S&D http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html FREE
HijackThis http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html FREE
If you Are a DOWNLOADER and Use P2P and Bittorent and Such Please Check this Out
IT IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST Have PEER GUARDIAN 2 http://phoenixlabs.org/pg2/
System Cleanup and Defrag
GOTO Start menu , All Programs, Accessories, System Tools
Run Disk Cleanup
Then Run Disk Defragmenter
System Service Identification
Hit
Cntrl/Alt/Delete
to Bring up TASKMANAGER & Goto The Processes Tab
Touch "User Name" at the top of the window this will Sort the Services
you can identify the running services with several tools, or just ask google the process name to id it
Here is a Very usefull free tool for identifying and stopping unneeded services
http://www.extramile.ro/
"Start-up tool"
Identifying & Updating Video Drivers
Goto CONTROL PANEL
Select "SYSTEM"
In the System Window GOTO 3rd TAB "HARDWARE"
Select "Device Manager"
In the Divice Manager Window Find "DISPLAY ADAPTERS"
Hit the "PLUS" to Expand "Display Adapters"
It will now show your Current Video Adapter
This will be 1 of 3 things
Onboard Video / Ati Adapter CARD / Nvidia Adapter CARD
RIGHT CLICK the adapter Select "PROPERTIES"
Goto the TAB in the Properties window for DRIVERS
And You will see DRIVER VERSION NUMBER ##.##.##
REMEMBER THIS (Wright it down)
Now GOTO Either ATI or NVIDIA WEBPAGE
GOTO DRIVERS AND SUPPORT
Select your Operating System and Processor type (32 or 64 bit)
And your Type of Card
It will now Display The CURRENT DRIVER VERSION available for download
Get it
READ INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions say to UNINSTALL CURRENT DRIVER PACKAGE
VIA ADD REMOVE PROGRAMS in CONTROL PANEL
Do this , and REBOOT When PROMPTED
Upon REBOOT
Disable Your Antivirus and other programs (as they can interfear with driver installation)
Run your New Driver / Installation Package (that you downloaded)
It will Prompt for Another Reboot
DONE
If you have any Issues with this
BOTH ATI and NVIDIA are Happy to help you thru the INSTALL and removal Process
As there Products COMMONLY carry a LIFETIME Service Warrentee
Even if you are not the original Owner, or even if it was bought YEARS AGO!