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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Never ignore the Blue Screen Of Death

The blue screen of death or BSOD is a computer technicians term for a hard stop by a windows operating system. It reveals itself when, usually, a peice of hardware dies, or is dying in your computer.

 

In most cases you will have to hold in the power button for 4 or more seconds to shut down the computer from this error stop.

If you have seen this error with any array of text on it you should get your tecnician to check the computer immediately.

In a lot of cases, this error denotes hard disk errors, and can result in the loss of valuable data. 

You will most likely need to have something replaced in the computer, and this error should never be ignored. 

If the hard disk is the cause of the problem, the less you try and turn the computer on or use it the better. That way, if it is the hard drive dying the technician will get the most time with it to try and restore your valuable data.

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Operating system cleaning- Malware/spyware cleaning

For cleaning viruses and malware/spyware from your Windows XP/Vista/7 three tools need only be used in most cases:

1. Mbam software (Malwarebytes malware removal software can be downloaded here: http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free)
2. Spybot seek and destroy (spybot removal software can be downloaded here: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html)

After running both of these programs and removing whatever they find,  you can then opt for a registry clean. There are many tools designed to clean the registry of a windows computer, but the one I use is Ccleaner.
Ccleaner can be downloaded here: http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner.

Thats about it.
You could always run an antivirus scan of your computer as well, but in most cases, it will have done the best job it could do anyway, and will not find anything else.

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Computer tower cleaning- Physical dust cleaning

Cleaning a computer tower is quite a simple thing to do. You will need:

1. Phillips Head screw driver
2. Air duster can (small can of compressed air)
3. Clean paint brush of about 5cm wide

Firstly, turn off the computer, unplug all leads and take the computer tower outside.
Undo the two screws  holding the side of the computer furthest away from any rear plugs. These will be either phillips head screws or thumb screws.
Then, you will notice the motherboard and stuff inside your computer.

Some may look different to this older model, but the main fan that you can see here is the CPU fan, and is almost always in the same position in the case.
Take the paint brush  and gently push any dust away from the blades in the fans for the CPU and the case and power supply fans.
Then use the compressed air can to gently blow the dust bunnies from the computer.
Do not use an "air compressor" as the air blown from these devices can often be moist and too powerful.

After dusting simlpy replace the side of the computer and plug everything back in.

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The Small Business Server Dream – What can a Small Business Server do for your business and how much should it cost?

The main reasons why people choose to buy a small business server are:

1.  Security of their company’s  data
2.  Managing your own Email
3.  Centralised data for users
4.  Needs have outgrown users workstations

The small business server model is great for workers who are constantly out of the office, as well as having a centralised data store for the office workers.

It can run your own websites, host your own mail domain, look after your faxing to email options, lets operators use remote desktops and web mail from outside the office and much more.

For the lowest grade server and setup of your network, programs, mail and other such things, you can expect to pay around $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the servers speed and backup options.

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Rogue Traders – How do you choose the right computer technician for your repairs

Choosing the right computer technician is difficult these days due there being too many inexperienced technicians out there especially when it comes to servers.

The easiest way to spot them is to ask them specific questions about their experience with the programs that you are having issues with.

Basically, if they scratch their heads a lot during the first hour of trying to fix an issue for you, get rid of them. 

Not every technician knows everything, so there might well be a technician that’s more suited to your business structure, and program groups.

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The lure of wireless – Why wireless systems are not always as great as they seem.

Wireless is a tricky sport, but I will try and explain the rules.

Sometimes wireless technologies will work day in and day out for years and sometimes it seems like no matter what you buy in the store, it just never works right. This is true for both wireless internet and wireless networks in general.

Wireless is great for users who are closer to the where the signal originates. It’s just that simple.

People who live too far away from a tower or live in a gully or valley will experience minor to major issues constantly from their wireless internet.

The issue is that ISP sales teams do not care where you live or work, so long as you can pay their bills.

Wireless Internet should only be used when:

1.  You cannot get an ADSL connection normally
2.  You are on the move with your internet constantly

 Wireless local networks should only be used when:

1.  No business or personal data is passed through
2.  The signal is not interrupted by too many walls or other obstructions

Using a cable may be unsightly, but they always work better than wireless. In business situations, I would rather do anything else but use wireless technologies.

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Shop Tech Smart – What to look for when you are shopping for a new pc.

There are only 4 things to remember when purchasing a computer.

1.   Machine
2.  Antivirus subscription (1 or more years)
3.  Extended warranty (usually 3 years)
4.  Office package (word, excel, outlook etc)

Pick a budget and stick to it. I believe that you should spend $1200 and upward for a good desktop or laptop with the items listed above.

I do realise that you can buy a new laptop for $399, but these machines have inferior components inside, that will inevitably break before their time and be missing important software.  Every manufacturer has low-range, mid-range and high-range products to sell, ensuring that they get rid of all of the components they purchase.

The cost and stress of having to change computers too often is much higher than buying a more expensive model to start.


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How to keep your windows clean- What it takes to keep windows fresh

Windows operating systems grow over time, not just because of the data you fill it with such as music and photos, but the operating system (OS) will grow over time to try and remember all user’s settings, profiles, installation lists and Windows histories. This data will never get smaller, and hence, the OS slows down over time.

Added to this problem, program manufacturers tend to write a larger version of every program every time a new version is released. This is especially true of Microsoft Office. 

Some of these issues are fixable.  Having a good technician look at your machine every 6 months will make a marked difference to your system speed, stability and longevity, and hard drive check never goes astray either.

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Laptops Vs Desktops- The right and wrong of the laptop craze

Laptops (known also as notebooks) are handy for people on the go. If you are not on the go with your computer, then buy a desktop (also known as a tower and a PC).

If you are sometimes on the go, you could opt for a tablet device that synchronises data with your home or work  desktop computer. For some people, the tablet and smart phone options are replacing the need for a laptop altogether.

Laptops can be very powerful machines, but this costs extra, whereas for the same grunt in a desktop should cost you less. The desktop machine can nearly always be cost effectively repaired while some laptops cannot, due to lack of parts or sheer cost. 

If you really need a laptop then buy one, but most physical applications done by these machines can be achieved with a smart phone or tablet now days so I feel that the laptop craze is ebbing somewhat.

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Backup or backout- Everyone needs a backup

Backups for a personal computer differ greatly from the corporate computer market in terms of scale and price from around $50 to $50.000.

Every computer in use today should and must have a backup in place for a disaster recovery situation.

For a home scale backup, and I do urge EVERYONE to do this, all you need to do if running Windows7 or Windows Vista, is plug in an USB external hard Drive and go to:

Start menu/All Programs/Accessories/Maintenance

And click on the “Backup and restore Centre”

Create a new backup which will automatically choose the external hard drive as a destination for the data.

There! Now no one has a viable excuse for not having a backup in place.

P.S.

If you have a business work computer I do not recommend using this method, as it may upset your I.T administrator and the network.

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