A Guide to Fixing Your Misbehaving Computer Yourself
By John Herold, BehavePC.com
Click on a misbehavior that sounds like yours and I will show you how I fix it.
Read Me First
If you use a Windows-based PC, please acquaint yourself with the following free programs.
Maintenance Tools
CCleaner
Defraggler
Spyware Removal Tools
Combofix (use carefully!)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Free Antivirus Software (install only one)
AVG Free
Avast!
Panda Cloud Antivirus
Comcast Customers: click here
General Programs
Picasa
iTunes
Firefox
Google Earth
Open Office
GIMP
Maintenance Tools
CCleaner
Defraggler
Spyware Removal Tools
Combofix (use carefully!)
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Free Antivirus Software (install only one)
AVG Free
Avast!
Panda Cloud Antivirus
Comcast Customers: click here
General Programs
Picasa
iTunes
Firefox
Google Earth
Open Office
GIMP
"My Computer is Slow"
This is by far the most common computer annoyance!
Some common causes of slow computers
1.) Too many junk files
2.) Too many accumulated system restore points
3.) Disk fragmentation
4.) Too many programs are running automatically on system startup
5.) You have a virus
Less likely (but widely believed) causes of slowness
1.) Too much e-mail, music, pictures and documents
2.) A crowded desktop with lots of icons
3.) The computer is "worn out" mechanically
4.) The computer is too old
5.) It just needs more memory
Most of the time, your computer is slow because it has become bogged down with temporary files it no longer needs. Additionally your computer's files have become scattered, like silverware in a drawer. The more organized the silverware, the faster you can grab a place setting. This is called fragmentation.
Adding more memory (RAM) to your computer is always helpful, but if your computer was once fast and is now slow, adding memory doesn't really solve the problem.
Here are steps I'd recommend to speed up your computer. Please do this at your own risk.
1.) First, run CCleaner. It will delete the cookies and temporary files from your computer.
2.) Then temporarily disable the "System Restore" feature on your computer. This will free up massive amounts of disk space.
How to do this using:
Windows XP or Windows Vista / 7
3.) Run Defraggler. This may take some time! This will re-organize the remaining files on your hard drive.
4.) Re-enable System Restore to begin accumulating restore points again.
Did this work? Send me some feedback...
Some common causes of slow computers
1.) Too many junk files
2.) Too many accumulated system restore points
3.) Disk fragmentation
4.) Too many programs are running automatically on system startup
5.) You have a virus
Less likely (but widely believed) causes of slowness
1.) Too much e-mail, music, pictures and documents
2.) A crowded desktop with lots of icons
3.) The computer is "worn out" mechanically
4.) The computer is too old
5.) It just needs more memory
Most of the time, your computer is slow because it has become bogged down with temporary files it no longer needs. Additionally your computer's files have become scattered, like silverware in a drawer. The more organized the silverware, the faster you can grab a place setting. This is called fragmentation.
Adding more memory (RAM) to your computer is always helpful, but if your computer was once fast and is now slow, adding memory doesn't really solve the problem.
Here are steps I'd recommend to speed up your computer. Please do this at your own risk.
1.) First, run CCleaner. It will delete the cookies and temporary files from your computer.
2.) Then temporarily disable the "System Restore" feature on your computer. This will free up massive amounts of disk space.
How to do this using:
Windows XP or Windows Vista / 7
3.) Run Defraggler. This may take some time! This will re-organize the remaining files on your hard drive.
4.) Re-enable System Restore to begin accumulating restore points again.
Did this work? Send me some feedback...
"I'm Infected with a Virus"
Sadly if you use Windows, your computer is susceptible to viruses.
If teenagers are using your computer, you're even more at risk.
This is true even if you have "good" antivirus software installed!
The people who write viruses are very clever and highly motivated.
Here's usually what happens when your computer has a virus:
1.) Internet Explorer (or alternative) no longer goes to the websites you wish.
2.) You're bombarded by requests to pay for something.
3.) Attempts to uninstall it are unsuccessful.
4.) Your system is unstable and/or slow.
5.) Your antivirus program is either ineffective or has disappeared altogether.
6.) A full virus scan with updated antivirus definitions doesn't find it.
Let me save you a bunch of trouble.
The most effective emergency virus removal tool out there is Combofix
This program is not an antivirus. It's a virus remover.
1.) Boot into safe mode with networking, google and download Combofix
2.) Uninstall your antivirus software
3.) Run Combofix and follow its prompts
4.) Re-install your antivirus software
5.) Update antivirus and perform a complete scan
Did that fix it? It almost always does!
If teenagers are using your computer, you're even more at risk.
This is true even if you have "good" antivirus software installed!
The people who write viruses are very clever and highly motivated.
Here's usually what happens when your computer has a virus:
1.) Internet Explorer (or alternative) no longer goes to the websites you wish.
2.) You're bombarded by requests to pay for something.
3.) Attempts to uninstall it are unsuccessful.
4.) Your system is unstable and/or slow.
5.) Your antivirus program is either ineffective or has disappeared altogether.
6.) A full virus scan with updated antivirus definitions doesn't find it.
Let me save you a bunch of trouble.
The most effective emergency virus removal tool out there is Combofix
This program is not an antivirus. It's a virus remover.
1.) Boot into safe mode with networking, google and download Combofix
2.) Uninstall your antivirus software
3.) Run Combofix and follow its prompts
4.) Re-install your antivirus software
5.) Update antivirus and perform a complete scan
Did that fix it? It almost always does!
"My Computer Won't Turn On"
If your computer won't turn on at all, it's almost always one thing: the power supply.
But just to be sure, try plugging your computer straight into the wall, bypassing your power strip.
Also, hold the power button down for 5-10 seconds, again just to be sure the computer is totally off.
Still won't turn on?
If those two steps don't yield results, then the power supply likely needs to be replaced.
If you have a desktop computer, power supplies are usually inexpensive and are also fairly easy to install.
If installing your own power supply sounds like something you'd like to tackle, I'd recommend writing down the brand name and model number of your computer. Take this information into Best Buy, Infotech in Federal Way or some other computer store. They'll help you get the correct power supply.
If you have a laptop, a new power supply can be more difficult to obtain and install. I'd recommend taking it into Best Buy to get an estimate.
Another possibility if your computer won't power on is that the motherboard needs replacement. From experience I'd say this is unlikely.
But just to be sure, try plugging your computer straight into the wall, bypassing your power strip.
Also, hold the power button down for 5-10 seconds, again just to be sure the computer is totally off.
Still won't turn on?
If those two steps don't yield results, then the power supply likely needs to be replaced.
If you have a desktop computer, power supplies are usually inexpensive and are also fairly easy to install.
If installing your own power supply sounds like something you'd like to tackle, I'd recommend writing down the brand name and model number of your computer. Take this information into Best Buy, Infotech in Federal Way or some other computer store. They'll help you get the correct power supply.
If you have a laptop, a new power supply can be more difficult to obtain and install. I'd recommend taking it into Best Buy to get an estimate.
Another possibility if your computer won't power on is that the motherboard needs replacement. From experience I'd say this is unlikely.
The Family Says: "Buy a New One!"
This is a scenario I see all the time: Your computer isn't working well, and someone in your family insists you just replace it.
If you've got money burning a hole in your pocket, replacing your computer probably makes sense. Computers are getting more powerful (and cheaper) all the time and if you ask me, every new computer out there is a modern miracle.
But for the rest us who are trying to conserve cash, here are some questions to consider before you replace your computer. I hope they help you make a more informed decision.
1.) When you first bought your computer, did it meet your needs?
If your computer worked fine when it was new, I'd recommend you erase your computer by performing a system recovery (original discs are often necessary). This makes it "brand new" again.
2.) Have your needs changed since you bought your computer?
Do you now require more speed and disk space than you used to?
Buy a new computer if your needs have changed. But if you don't need "more computer" than what you had before, consider performing a system recovery or hire some help.
3.) How much did you pay for your computer?
If you're considering hiring help, don't spend more than your computer is worth unless you have valuable information you're attempting to recover.
4.) Do you have important information on your computer?
If you do, you may need help transferring your files to a new computer should you decide to get one. This can sometimes be tricky and can warrant paying for my help. Clients with brand new computers frequently require as much of my time as those who hire me to fix their existing systems.
3.) How well do you adapt to change?
Buying a new computer often requires you to learn new techniques. This road can be a bit bumpy even if your new computer is technically better than your old one.
4.) Have you tried to fix it yourself?
Breathe new life into your computer by trying some of the tricks above!
5.) How valuable is your time?
Sometimes fixing your computer can require many hours of your time to understand. If your time is valuable don't attempt to fix your own computer! It can be a time consuming exercise. Buy a new one and hire some help transferring files and settings to your new computer.
If you've got money burning a hole in your pocket, replacing your computer probably makes sense. Computers are getting more powerful (and cheaper) all the time and if you ask me, every new computer out there is a modern miracle.
But for the rest us who are trying to conserve cash, here are some questions to consider before you replace your computer. I hope they help you make a more informed decision.
1.) When you first bought your computer, did it meet your needs?
If your computer worked fine when it was new, I'd recommend you erase your computer by performing a system recovery (original discs are often necessary). This makes it "brand new" again.
2.) Have your needs changed since you bought your computer?
Do you now require more speed and disk space than you used to?
Buy a new computer if your needs have changed. But if you don't need "more computer" than what you had before, consider performing a system recovery or hire some help.
3.) How much did you pay for your computer?
If you're considering hiring help, don't spend more than your computer is worth unless you have valuable information you're attempting to recover.
4.) Do you have important information on your computer?
If you do, you may need help transferring your files to a new computer should you decide to get one. This can sometimes be tricky and can warrant paying for my help. Clients with brand new computers frequently require as much of my time as those who hire me to fix their existing systems.
3.) How well do you adapt to change?
Buying a new computer often requires you to learn new techniques. This road can be a bit bumpy even if your new computer is technically better than your old one.
4.) Have you tried to fix it yourself?
Breathe new life into your computer by trying some of the tricks above!
5.) How valuable is your time?
Sometimes fixing your computer can require many hours of your time to understand. If your time is valuable don't attempt to fix your own computer! It can be a time consuming exercise. Buy a new one and hire some help transferring files and settings to your new computer.
"I Hear Noises"
Considering how complex computers are, I find it surprising how rarely they mechanically break. When computers misbehave the problem is rarely physical as it often is with an appliance like a refrigerator. In my experience, computer problems are almost rooted in software, not hardware. In this way a computer is completely unlike an appliance.
But in the event that you actually do hear noises coming from inside your computer, like clicking or grinding, this is possibly serious and I'd recommend hiring help.
The most important question to always consider: Do you have important information saved on your computer? Do you have a backup? If not, I recommend hiring help since important files are always worth more than the equipment they're stored on.
But in the event that you actually do hear noises coming from inside your computer, like clicking or grinding, this is possibly serious and I'd recommend hiring help.
The most important question to always consider: Do you have important information saved on your computer? Do you have a backup? If not, I recommend hiring help since important files are always worth more than the equipment they're stored on.
Do you have suggestions for this list? Contact Me!
