My computer is running slow, whats the problem?

This is a big question, but I will attempt it.

Windows based PCs try to remember everything that happens to itself in case of the need to go backwards in settings via system restore,  uninstalling programs, removing users, registry repair and many other things. This, coupled with your personal data piling up, makes the computer slower over time. Spyware/malware and other nasties also slow the computer down.

Put simply, if your computer is running slow:

1. And you have Windows XP, it has been too long to guess what is slowing your computer now days without checking for malware and checking your hardware usage/state.
2. And you have windows Vista, you most likely have a RAM shortage, as  this was common in the Vista days.
3. And you are running Windows 7, you most likely have hardware that's not up to scratch for the task. 

 Your computer will be running slow for 1 or more reasons listed above disregarding possible hardware failures that might be involved.

You should really take it to a trustworthy repairer to get the most value for your money with your computer.
Only because a TRUSTWORTHY computer repairer will tell you whether the computer needs to be replaced or repaired.


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Antivirus Software- Are you really protected?

 Antivirus takes all shapes and styles in the PC world. The best ones are in my opinion: (In no particular order)

1. Trend Micro
2. Avast
3. CA
4. Kaspersky

If you have any of these antivirus engines, odds are you are quite safe if the downloaded definitions are up to date.
If you have any of the others, in my humble opinion, you are not as safe as you could be. This is especially true of older Norton product users.

However, if you have the FREE versions of these products, I am quite sure that you do not get the whole product for free. Nothing good is ever free.
Therefore, paying for the full version is better than using the free one.

There are users out there who may say "the free version has kept me secure for ages", but these are usually better than novice users who know a bad email/website better than most and how not open it/approach it.

Now to clarify, all PC users are not safe for a short time (astounding I know), because when a new virus is found, here is what needs to happen:

1. Get it to the labs at "insert antivirus company here"
2. Make an antivirus definition update
3. Put the update on the main download servers
4. Client computer downloads at next interval check
5. Client computer installs new definitions and is then ready to take on new threat

 All of these moves take time, and the time is different for all antivirus companies as well.

As we say in the IT trade, "you're only as good as your last update"
Another popular quote is "your only as good as your last backup" and you can read more about this in my other backup blogs.

Short answer:
Keep your antivirus up to date.

Also, if you have teenage boys (and sometimes some middle aged men) that are left alone near your computer, you better have bloody good antivirus protection for obvious reasons.
I won't go into it, but the most dangerous places to be on the internet ALL INVOLVE PORN, and like poker machines, these websites are built to lure these sections of the community in.


Also try to run a good Malware/Spyware scan manually every fortnight or monthly.
Just google:
"malwarebytes"
"spybot search and destroy"



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Using System Recovery- What you are in for?

This one is quite difficult, but I will attempt to lay it out for you. (Windows users only)

The "system recovery" is a tool that is built into your computer specifically to "wipe" your Windows system entirely, and rebuild it from scratch.

This is different from the "system restore" which is a function of Windows, that takes your computer back to a specific checkpoint in time, and restores "windows" files only.


This means that in most cases, ALL your data will be wiped by the system recovery option.
At this point you need to make sure that you have ALL your data backed up to somewhere other than your computer, and all the programs you run now to reinstall at the end of the system recovery.
The main things you will need are:

1. Microsoft Windows Serial Key (holographic sticker usually, with 5 sets of 5 alpha-numeric characters)
2. Microsoft Office Serial Key (same appearance)
3. Mail account user name(s) and passwords(s)
4. Drivers for the devices in or around your computer (web cam, printer, computer sound card and graphics card at the least)
5. Antivirus install disk and Serial Key
6. Other program installs and Serial Keys (such as: Photo shop/CD burning Programs/Digital camera discs etc)
7. Backups of your "my documents/email etc" (google where your mail file is located if you use: Outlook/Eudora/Windows Mail/Outlook express/incredimail/FireFox thunder bird or other Email client)
8. Everything else you will be able to download at the end (such as: Adobe acrobat/adobe flash player etc)

In a lot of cases you will have to look up the "hotlkeys" for starting the system recovery option at the computers boot time. (this can be done by putting the words "'Computer model'- recovery- hot key").
Example. google search "dell dimension 2120 recovery hot key".
Search results yield =  Ctrl key + F11 key whilst computer is booting up.

This is best done by holding the keys required "as soon as you turn on the machine" and holding them down until something different from the normal boot sequence appears on the screen.

At this point, you will be asked questions about whether or not you REALLY want to WIPE your system.
You had better be sure you have backed up ALL your data before this point!! 

Then the computer will "reset" itself to the "out of the box" settings and configurations.
Then you have to install configure and probably activate all the programs you had running before the wipe.

These actions are quite difficult for some users, but they do give you back the computer you bought originally, including the speed and cleanliness of a freshly bought computer.

I do this every 6 months to my computer to keep it fresh and fast, and also to get my money's worth from the computer. A computer that becomes slow, and stays slow, is not money well spent.

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How to avoid a dusty computer

Put simply, computers of all types do not like being on the floor, especially if you have carpet. The computer need to be in the most dust free area of it's surroundings.

Here is your typical scenarios:

The computer tower's fans will pick up all the dust, carpet, pet hair and whatever is floating around being kicked up by everybody's shoes, and blow it inside the tower case. Over time this dust builds up to a point where fans stop turning altogether.

This can be very serious indeed.

This photo is of an extreme case of dust bunnys, granted, but I have seen machines this bad in my career.

The risk of a dusty computer is relative to it's environment. I believe that the higher the tower is off the ground the better. I have my machines 1 inch from the roof on shelves. I haven't cleaned them in 3 years and they still look good.
My storage scenario is an extreme one, but it also saves on space.
The minimum your computer should be off the floor is 40cm in my humble opinion.

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Choosing the right monitor for the job

In the PC world, there are many types style and ilk of monitor (screen). The difference is simple and only applies 3 ways regardless of size:

1. Connection type
2. Talk speed
3. Resolution

All monitor manufacturers have a low range, mid range and top range set of products, and for a 24" monitor, this can range from $150.00 to $1500.00.

The simple rules is these 3:

1. If you need picture/photo and video work, especially photos and artificial lighting programs, you should use as expensive a monitor as you can afford.
2. If you are a gamer, such as first person shooters, you should buy a monitor that has a low talk speed such as "2ms".
3. If you are neither of these above groups, then buy a cheap monitor that will go the distance. (24" for $160.00 to $190.00). 

Note.
These prices fall every other week.

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Running multiple monitors from your PC (How to)

This is nowadays, a very simple task. If you have a PC (Desktop) computer that is 2007 onward, it should have multiple video outputs right on there.
Look at the rear of the computer tower or desktop, there should be a cable plugged in from the monitor to the tower.
It will be either:

1. VGA (older type)
2. DVI
3. HDMI (newest type)

Now, your current monitor will be hooked up using one of these cable types already, all you have to do is get another monitor with the corresponding connectors to suit your graphics card, and no, you cannot run 3 monitors off the one card if there are 3 connectors (heads). The card will only run 2 monitors simultaneously. You will need another graphics card installed to handle more than 2.

Always turn off your computer to try adding another monitor.

Upon starting your computer with two monitors plugged in, your operating system will choose a "master monitor" to display on, until the graphics drivers are loaded.

When you have your desktop started up, logged in and running, go to your graphics options in the control panel to configure your new monitor.

Choose the new monitor and select "Extend my desktop to this monitor".

Most graphics cards will do all or most of this process for you, depending on what driver and card you have.

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Latest phone scams- How to smell a rat

The latest phone scams in Australia are from people claiming to work for Microsoft and Logmein. The scammers will say something like:
"We can see from our end that your computer is infected with a virus."
I have even had clients who have received this call whilst their computer was turned off. They cannot see your computer at all, until you actually give them access.

They will then try to get remote access to your machine with your help, thus letting them have complete control of your machine under the guise of fixing it.

In most cases, the computer is worse off after they gain access, so I am assuming that they infect your computer while they have control of it. This is probably going to be a key logger virus that will send them all your passwords for such things as internet banking, email logins and credit card details in the future.

Neither Microsoft nor Logmein EVER call random people for computer help, and they never will, so if you get a phone call from these scammers, just put the phone down and leave it there.
That way, they will pay for a huge phone call if nothing else.

Never tell them anything about your system or software, just say as I do,
"I know this is a scam, and when you get caught I hope you get everything that's coming to you"

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