Norton 2010 SpySweeper and Microsoft Essentials Brings this system to a crawl.
by Ralph Walker Sr. on Sep.01, 2010, under Windows XP and Vista Updates for Hardware and Software
Today I got a call from a customer that had issues with her work connection. She needed to connect to her email from home to her work. It would not connect, stating something about Proxyerror. Well upon arriving I notice the HP computer was taking a very long time to boot. After it booted I immediately saw the issue. This PC Was crawling, it had Norton Anti-Virus 2010, Webroot Spysweeper and Microsoft Essentials, wow. I am surprised it booted at all. So I had to remove Norton 2010 first, I thought Norton had improved their product. Well maybe I had to much faith, or hope but man it still bogged this system dowwwwn. So Norton came off, and I rebooted. Now Spysweeper, the cust. said that Spysweeper would constantly scan but it never found anything. Yea, I seen this before. Someone recommended it to me. Well I learned that this was not a great product either. Why would you want to keep scanning the hard drive if no viruses are found. That is just slowing down the computer. So now Webroot was gone. Now I had to remove Microsoft Essentials. It took a long time to uninstall but it finally uninstall and I rebooted once again.
Now the computer was clear but it was still sluggish, I was beginning to think I was going to have to reinstall Windows XP. I thought about it and said I need to scan for viruses anyway just be sure. So I downloaded and installed Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and ran a quick scan it found 2 infections right away, by the time it finish it removed over 100 infections. So you tell me what is Norton 2010 doing, it surely is not protecting your PC, not to mention it is slowing the crap out of your processor. If you have Norton Anti-Virus any version you need to get rid of it NOW. I do this for a living folks, and it is not protecting your PC and you will eventually lose your data and have to get a service tech out there like me. My customer called Geek Squad before she called me and they told her it will cost $299.99 as an estimate and they could not get out onsite to her house for 2 weeks. Or she could bring it in the store, which would still cost her the same and it would take her 2 weeks to get it back. She had already had a bad experience with the in store Geek Squad. She took in a notebook and it was doing the same thing that it was doing before she took it in. They still wanted to charge her for a broken notebook. Say What!!
So if you want to get rid of Norton you need to click here now, for cheap alternative to Norton Anti-Virus, and you need this program also to keep your system Malware free. This program is what I use to scan the hard drive once I get rid of any out-dated or non-working protection. Click here.
So I rebooted the computer and my customer was watching me the whole process, she said WOW, the PC is running faster than ever. I said thank you and collected my fee.
Backing Up Your Data, before it is to Late.
by Ralph Walker Sr. on Aug.24, 2010, under Windows XP and Vista Updates for Hardware and Software
Why don’t people backup their data? It use to be a pain in the butt but not anymore. Removing viruses for a living has taught me to back up your vital files on a daily or weekly bases. You never know if you are going to need a backup until it is too late.
If your computer is already infected than backing up your data could be risky. You do not know when your data was actually infected. You may bring back a infected file if you are not careful. Since I have been removing viruses I have never infected my PCs’ with any of my customers’s infected hard drives. How do I do it. I make sure my main system is protected. I use a Avast Free Home Edition, you can get it by clicking here now. I also use the full version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, I am running Windows 7 Ulitmate and it is running great. Click here for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware special pricing. This software is great, they have a free version also which can be used to clean computers of infected files, without this great software my service calls would take longer to complete. Okay so we these two programs your computer will be safe. However that does not prevent you from losing data if your hard drive fails. I have had 2 hard drives since 2005 that have not failed. I recently upgraded to a 1.5 Terabyte and I hope it is just as reliable as the older drives. So do I backup my data. YES.
I use a three phase approach. If you are just a home user than any one of these options will do. However if you run a business like me, I suggest to use all my suggested methods. Here is what you need.
- USB key 8 GB or more.
- External hard drive 500 GB or more.
- Online data backup account.
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A USB key is vital for me because I work on so many customers computers that it makes it real handy and quick. I keep all my vital files on it so I can fix most computers infections with that. I recommend keeping your important docs on it keeping it in a safe place. Personally I wear mine on my neck. Click here to see my picture. Yea I am a geek. What else do you need on your USB key, you need to keep all your drivers that make your PC work. If you only keep two drivers you need your network drivers so you can get back on the Internet if your hard drive fails and you have to restore Windows and your video and sound drivers. How do you get those drivers you might want to know. Depending on your PC maker you can go to their website. Put in the model number of your PC and find the current driver. Download the drivers to your USB key. Easy to do, take less than 15 minutes.
Using a external USB or FireWire hard drive is very easy to do. Just plug it in to the USB/FireWire port and your PC should automatically see the drive. Some of the external hard drives comes with backup sofware. If not just bring up two Windows Exploreres windows and make click on drive C on one and the other Window can be the external hard drive. Now just select the files that you need/want to back up and you are done. What do you need to back up. Most of the time users do do not change the orginal layout that Windows setups up. So clicking and dragging you My Documents folder will get all your personal data. If you have any music like iTunes or anything else you need to get the files from that folder. For example your iTunes music should be saved in the iTunes folders. Just drag and drop that folder to your external drive. Update that this weekly, what I mean by this is attach the external hard drive and drag the files again. If there are any changes, Windows will prompt you to let you know this file is newer than the older one.
Online Data Backup, you will have peace of mind knowing your mission-critical data is safely stored offsite automatically each night. I use this and it works flawlessly. Set it and forget it. If you need your data you need to invest into this. I just worked on a customers PC and he lost his hard drive. When I confirmed it was gone. He got upset, well I told him he should not get upset with me or the hard drive. He should of take action before now, you can pay now or later. It also better to pay now. This company offers a 30-day free trial and has many features that will keep your data safe and secure. Check it out click here.
Old Dial-Up AT@T Software Causing Slow Internet Speed.
by Ralph Walker Sr. on Aug.18, 2010, under Windows XP and Vista Updates for Hardware and Software
Here is another issue that I recently resloved. Customer had a Dell computer and it was several years old. I think about 7 years old. It had a old dial-up modem which means it came with dial up software so you could get on the Internet. Back in the late 1990 and early 2000 not that many people had broad-band/high speed Internet at home. All we had was AOL and dial-up, unless you were rich or had the right connections.
So your hard drive is kind of confuse. You need to uninstall all of your all dial up software. That includes AOL, SBC and or Comcast. Just go into your control panel and bring up the add/remove software and go thru the list select it remove it. Reboot and you PC should be working better.
This customer had SBC and they had installed a version of CA Computer Associates that was loading and just flashing at the bottom of the right side of the screen. It was not updating so I did not know what it was doing, besides slowing down the computer. Anyway I removed it and the computer started running as expected. No more lagging when getting on the Internet. I am not a programmer but I am thinking that the old dial up software was still trying to access the Internet in the background along with the Broadband connection. I also recently found out that most cable companies installlers have no knowledge of PC’s and
how to troubleshoot speed issues, other than making sure your connection is live and your signal is strong. Normally they will put on a Anti-Virus program that will in fact slow down your computer. You may already have protection on your computer. So if this has happen to you and the cable company is telling you that is a Microsoft problem or you have a hardware issue and to call a tech out. Save yourself some money and contact me at 1.888.570.1110 or click on my badge below.
Is Your High Speed Internet Service Slow?
by Ralph Walker Sr. on Aug.13, 2010, under Windows XP and Vista Updates for Hardware and Software
Well if you are like me you need the fastest connection you can afford at home. I am with Time Warner Cable, Road Runner High Speed with Turbo Power Boast. My current download speed which is my main concern is 18,233 kbps. The advertisement states that you will get speeds of 15,000 kbps. So I am getting my money worth. What about you? You can test your Internet access speed here.
Here are some ways to make your Internet work faster. I use them and I recommend all of them.
1. Make sure your PC is not infected. Get this program, click here, it’s FREE.
2. Optimized your operating system with Ccleaner.com. Why, it’s Free and CCleaner is my system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. Click here for a free download and a no cost tool.
3. If you do not have a current Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware you can get one that I use here.
4. Optimze your hard drive with Defraggler. It is also a free also. Get it here.
5. Change your DNS server settings, why? DNS is such an integral part of our Internet life working behind the scenes every time we connect to a website. In most situations, our Internet Service Provider specifies the DNS Server address that we key into the browser network settings or the router. Unfortunately, this can prove to be the weakest link in the entire workflow. For example, if the DNS server of your ISP is slow, the time it takes to resolve the web address adds up to the overall loading time of the website. To solve this problem, I looked at a simple and reliable service called OpenDNS that speeds up your Internet connection and also handles some other very important issues. There is no software to install, it’s very easy to set up and the price is just right – $0. First go to www.opendns.com if you want to find out more about OpenDNS. To change your DNS, click on start, control panel and then click on the network card and then click on properties, go to TCP/IP and then select properties under general. Leave the Obtain an IP address automatically as you find. Change the Use the following DNS Server address: and insert Preferred DNS server: 208.67.222.222 and Alternate DNS server: 208.67.220.220, click OK and reboot your computer.
6. If your comptuer is still still slow and you need and want it to be faster. I recommend more memory. Most computers that I work on, only have 256 MB or 512 MB. You need 1024 MB for Windows XP or Windows Vista, for Windows 7 you need at least 2048. Most computers will hold up to 2 or 4 gigs. Upgrading your memory is very cost effective and one of the best things you can do to increase the life your your computer. You can scan your computer here. This utility will show you how much memory is in your PC currently and what you can upgrade to.
Enjoy,
Ralph Walker Sr.
LimeWire installed on your PC
by Ralph Walker Sr. on Aug.05, 2010, under Windows XP and Vista Updates for Hardware and Software
So what is LimeWire, is the world’s most popular peer-to-peer file-sharing program. With over 50 million unique monthly users, the software is downloaded hundreds of thousands of times every day and boasts millions of active users at any given moment. LimeWire uses the BitTorrent protocol and the Gnutella network to provide unparalleled searches and download speed to the user. As always, LimeWire takes the security of its users very seriously and offers the world’s most technologically advanced peer-to-peer software.
I have work on several PC’s that have blue screen, meaning that they would not even boot to Windows XP. Upon arriving at a customer’s site. I am show the blue screen on the computer. Well even for me that blue screen is the screen of death, BOD. I do not even look at the screen. I just immediately try to reboot it to see if the blue screen comes back. Most of the time it does.
My next step is to boot to safe mode. In Windows XP, Vista and I believe 7 you can press the F8 function key at the top of your keyboard as soon as you see the PCs makers logo screen. You have to be quick so if it goes into Windows it did not work, just try again. When you get a black and white screen you will be prompt to select the booting options. Always select Safe Mode with Networking and press enter. You screen will then display a lot of text that you do not need to understand. It will boot to Windows normally, however it will have a Windows Safe mode on the top of the display and it will inform you that you are in Safe Mode.
The reason why I am telling you this is because if you or more likely you teenager has installed LimeWire on your PC and now your PC is infected. LimeWire by defaults wants to start-up when Windows XP starts. Please uncheck this box if you have not already. If it is installed now you need to go to startup and move or delete it from that box. I do not recommend keeping LimeWire running all the time. Here is why, LimeWire does not keep any record of files being shared on the Gnutella network, nor does it scan any files being uploaded for viruses. Therefore, if you attempt unknowing to download a virus-infected file using LimeWire, you will be vulnerable to any viruses contained in that file. Generally speaking, you should be very careful when downloading files with a .exe or .vbs suffix, since these files are more likely than most to be viruses. Scanning the files you download with some sort of virus-protection software is also a good idea. If you need protection software that works. Click here, I use it and recommend it.
I can not tell you not to use LimeWire but beware you will get infected sooner or later but if you follow my guidelines at least you can use LimeWire without losing all you data and $300.00 service call. Here are the steps.
1. Never leave LimeWire running when you are not actively downloading or uploading files.
2. Make sure you have both a Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware and Anti-Malware protection solution. Go here to get yours.
3. Be careful what you are downloading not every file description is accurate and honest.
Take care,
R. Walker Sr.
Doctor Virus Tried to Infect my PC.
by Ralph Walker Sr. on Aug.05, 2010, under Windows XP and Vista Updates for Hardware and Software
I know it not Halloween but this is kind of scary. I was just minding my own business about to log on to Facebook and I get this pop-up message stating that my computer is infected and that I needed to scan it right now. I had two forms of protection on my desktop so I clicked on the cancel button instead of OK.
The program was called Doctor Virus. It was like I click on OK because my computer immediately started scanning and did not stop until 30 or so minutes later. Doctor Virus told me that I was infected by all types of 69 different Malwares, which includes viruses, Trojans Horses, worms, adware, spyware and blended attacks, which is a combination of a virus and or Trojans Horses , etc, etc. Now I know my computer was not infected because I was running Avast Anti-Virus the free home edition. So what is this Doctor Virus. Was it some form of online face back protection? Never heard of it. Doctor Virus sounded kind of fishy to me.
Doctor Virus is a form of Bogus ware, scare ware or rogue ware that scares you into purchasing their fake product. So what are behind these programs and who is doing this. Experts say that so called gangs or infecting advertisements including fake FREE games, music, P2P sites. In my cause it was the number 1 visited website world wide Face book. There have been reported cases of malware found on The very popular New York Times websites. In some cases, the extent of infection only extends to credit card fraud: users are asked to register for a lifetime product license by entering their credit card information. However the more aggressive infections malware and scare ware products can and will install hidden Trojans onto the user’s computer unsuspectingly and then log email actions, bank account passwords and other personal data by sending it covertly back to the gang operating the scam.
So how can I and you can stop any Malware attacks like this dead in its tracks. Works 100% of time.
I have two solutions. One is a manual FREE solution. When something comes on your computer that tells you to scan your computer because it is infected. Do this, do not press enter or OK. This will not help and only allow these type of programs to due their damage. This works for Windows XP, VISTA and 7. Press the ctrl-alt-del. This will bring up the task manager and select the offending program, and then press end process. You will have to do this every time like I said it is FREE.
Now for a better more pernament solution, you need to get Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, click here for a discounted rate.
I hope you enjoy this post and you find it helpful.
R. Walker Sr.
Virus Related
by Ralph Walker Sr. on Aug.04, 2010, under Windows XP and Vista Updates for Hardware and Software
Before I begin, I would like to think everyone that has left all the wonderful comments on my blog. I admit it has been a challenge to keep this blog updated daily but I am trying. Thanks again and please subscribe to the right of this post and you will get an email when I update my blog. Thanks everyone.
As you know by now if you have been following this Blog, I remove viruses for a living. Even if the service calls does not mention that it is virus related. I always check. Most users or unaware that their PC is currently infected and they are not protected. They are also unaware that most PC makers place trial anti-virus or anti-spy-ware software protection on their PC.
My first step is to get Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from the the official site. I highly recommend the professional edition which can gotten if you click here at a great price. This program has save my skin many days. Not to mention the end-user data. Go ahead and purchase this and install it. So why this program is scanning, I check out the installed software on my customer computer. I remove all types of expired anti-virus anti-spy-ware software, including Norton Anti-Virus, Norton Live-Update, Mcafee, AVG, and yes I have seen all 4 software programs loaded on the customer PC at once. By removing these out-date programs has an immediate effect on the PC performance.
Another tool I use is called HijackThis, it is a free program yet it is very powerful, you can get it here, click here. Be careful when you are using this or your PC operating system will be hosed. I will not be responsible for any data loss. If your PC is currently infected and you need to clean it check some of my earlier posts. Good Luck.
Download it and allow it to install. You should get 2 screens that pop up. Close down the one that comes up in notepad. You do not have to save it just close it down.
The other screen should look like this, see below:
Go through the list very slow and carefully, check anything that starts with BHO, check anything that starts with extra content. Also check off anything that has missing file after the line entry. If you are getting any .dll errors when Windows starts it will show here. Write down the error and look for that file entry. Once you have everything selected click on fix checked.
Also look for programs that are starting up when Windows starts. This will elimate a slow booting and or sluggish computer. Almost every program that you install wants to load when Windows starts. However their is a check box that will allow your program not to start, when you install any program.
Look for my next post on Lime Wire, if your teenager has installed this on your computer and now it is not working you need to read my next blog post to fix or prevent your computer from losing all your data.
Now reboot your PC and see if this works. You may have to do it several times. Just read each line and most items are self explained. Remember almost all PCs’ are virus related.
Thanks
Ralph O. Walker Sr.
Do You Need A Windows Registry Cleaner Software
by Ralph Walker Sr. on Jul.19, 2010, under Windows XP and Vista Updates for Hardware and Software
Hello,
Today I am going to talk about windows registry cleaners, registry optimizer and registry fixers. I fix PCs for a living and I have seen a lot of these programs. I have seen them in action on my many computers. So do I recommend them.
Honestly I can not recommend any registry type repair or fixer programs. From what I have seen is that they tend to corrupt your registry even more. I definitely can not recommend any FREE ones. Never perform a FREE registry scan that tells you that you have hundreds of errors and they only way to fix your PC is to pay for the product. That is purely a Scam. Do not do it.
I have seen Reg-Cure do this to many computers. Reg-Cure does not work and in my opinion and experience it is either a scam or a virus/backdoor type program that allows your PC to become infected. If you have Reg-Cure on your PC. Remove it today. It will also install other programs that were not on your hard drive before you install Reg-Cure. If you do have Reg-Cure you are currently infected. You can take this to the bank. Every single time I notice Reg-Cure I remove it and ask the customer did they pay for it. I immediately run a virus/malware removal program. This is a sound and wise investment to get this program. I use it and it works. It less than $40.00 and will save your a $300.00 service call if you get it before you PC becomes unrepairable. Click on line below to order.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Protection.
This Malware scanner/remover is called Malwarebytes and it will work with your existing Anti-Virus protection. If your Anti-Virus program is expired then you can order what I use below. Both programs work seamlessly no infections on my PC for over 4 years. Click on banner to order below.
So I do not recommend any registry cleaner, optimizer, fixer, etc. If your registry is corrupt and you are getting errors. The best option is to re install your operating system. Depending what type of computer you have, this may be to much for the average user to do. Stay tune to future post on how to reinstall your operating system.
How to Keep Your PC Virus Free.
by Ralph Walker Sr. on Jul.17, 2010, under Windows XP and Vista Updates for Hardware and Software
Keeping your PC virus FREE is not hard if you have the right FREE tools and know how to use them. In this post I will explain this to you.
Most PC’s are currently infected. It is estimated that 98% of all computer issues are virus related. I can tell you that this is true. I remove virus for a living and 9 out of 10 PC that I work on or in fact infected. Many if not all of my customers do not realize that their PC came with a trial version of Norton Anti-Virus or Mcafee. The trial version is only good for 60-90 days, once it is expired your PC is not currently protected. Do you recall seeing those pop-ups and reminders that your subscription is about to expire please renew? Well if you did not renew than you are currently infected. If your are using Norton look at the lower right hand corner of your screen. Is there a red x on top of a yellow icon? Is your PC running slower than normal? Have you notice your PC not booting up as fast as it use to? Does your PC hang when you tell it to shut down? Does your PC blue screen? All of these are symptoms of an infected PC. Which can be traced back to your original Anti-Virus software that was installed at the factory. Trust me I am a doctor, a virus doctor to be exact.
So you think you are infected. So here are the free tools that I use when I remove viruses at my customers.
1. Boot to safe mode with networking. To get to safe mode you need to reboot the PC and press the F8 key multiple times. Select Safe mode with networking. This is the diagnostic mode. This works with Windows XP and Windows Vista. I will add Windows 7 virus removal soon. Please subscribe to my blog by putting your email address in the subscription to the right of this blog post. You can get my RSS feed.
2. Download this Free tool Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, click here. Install, update and perform a full scan. Remove anything that is found in red. Reboot, allow the PC to boot normally. Do not press the F8 key this time.
3. Remove any old or expired Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware or any virus related removal or protection tools that your have on your PC, including AOL protection, FREE AVG, Norton, LiveUpdpate, and any Registry tools like RegCure, etc. Reboot.
4. Install Ccleaner and run this several times. This will clean your PC of any temporary and unused programs. Click here to get this free utility. Reboot
5. Now you need to get a good quality and reliable Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware program. Did I mention that this is Free too. Click here. Install and do not forget to register. ***This is important you need to register Avast because if you do not it will expire in 30 days. Just right click on the little orange icon on the right hand side of the screen put in your name and email address after Avast is installed.***
6. If you PC is still taking to much time to startup. You need to check your startup group. All programs that are installed want to start when Windows start. Did your kids install LimeWire. If so it is in your startup group. Their is no need for this and this is another reason your PC may be slower than it use to be. Click on start, then click on All Programs, then click on Startup. Drag any programs out of that window to your desktop or you can just delete the icon. This will not erase your program and normally you will have another icon in the main program windows. Go ahead and reboot.
7. Now that your PC is virus free. You need to optimize your PC. Click here for another FREE utility that will get your hard drive working more inefficiently. Install and tell it to defrag your hard drive. This will take 1 hour or so. Depends on the status of your hard drive.
8. If you want and need more protection and don't trust these Free program. Hear or the upgrade/professional links to the programs mention in this post.
Click here for special price on Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Protection.
Click here for special price on Click Here Today
9. Congratulation you have most likely fixed your PC saving you at least $200.00 on a PC service call or a trip to a PC shop.
10. If your computer is still infected or it is not as fast as you need it to be you need a professional PC technician to look at your PC. The operating system may need to be reinstalled. Reinstalling your Windows XP or Windows Vista, requires your installation CD. Most people do not get them. If you do not have your original CD it may be on your hard drive. However if your PC is beyond recover you will not be able to access it. You will lose all your data which includes, all your music, videos, work documents, etc.
If you are in Austin, TX I would be happy to service your PC. Visit me at www.adjustservices.com.
Please leave comments, all comments are welcome.
Unemployment slows new PC sales
by Ralph Walker Sr. on Jul.16, 2010, under Windows XP and Vista Updates for Hardware and Software
The lack luster economic environment, including falling home and stock values, deteriorating credit, have hurt new PC sales this year.
Most people who are unemployed are not in the market to purchase a new computer. However you need a computer to find a job, fill out applications and also to file your unemployment benefits while you are looking for that new job.
People are holding on to their computers longer than before. That is the purpose of this post. How to extend the life of your PC without spending a lot of money or getting into more debt.
Your existing computer may be just fine. It needs to be tune-up occasionally just like your car. Over time the hard drive needs to be organize and updated. If your computer is slow or has gotten slower it may be software related, or virus related. Viruses can cause a once fast PC slow down to a crawl. It can even prevent a computer from booting, connecting to the Internet, printing, etc. You need to scan your PC with a quality Anti-Malware scanner and also protect it against future threats. I recommend Malwarebyte’s Anti-Malware. It will remove all possible threats this will get rid of any issues that may be causing your PC to slow down due to infections. Once your PC is cleaned and virus free it will also protect it from future threats. It updates and scans nightly automatically just set it and forget it. Click on the banner below for a special discounted rate or click here.
This is my first post about fixing your PC yourself, saving you money and time. Stay tune for my next post, click on the RSS feed at the right top to subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe via email.
Thanks,
R. Walker Sr. (continue reading…)
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Thanks for Visting my Blog Today
Thanks for Visiting my Blog Today My mission is to assist home users and small business to inform and protect their PC from Malware, which may consist of viruses, Trojans, adware, spyware, root kits, worms and blended threats. By using the software that I suggest and review you will be able to clean your own PC without paying for a costly service calls. Thanks and I welcome all comments. Ralph O. Walker Sr.
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