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Lessons and Music
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Computer Broke?
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Consumer Topics ![]()
Computer running slowly or acting funny?
Computers are a pain in the neck! How is it possible that we use them so often but they work so rarely?I buy computers at garage sales in town. I use the parts to build the computers I use in my home and business home. I donate computers to select families from time to time. Currently I have about 15 computers. (Some of them actually work!)
Is your computer acting up?
Often when I visit a client to tune the piano, the topic of computers comes up. That is when I learn that most people have computers that are broken, slow running, or infected with viruses and spyware.
If your computer is messed up -- always giving you fits, here are some tips you can try in order to improve performance.
Free Software
There's a ton of free software out there. Which one should you use?
Do you use a firewall
Here's a free one for Windows XP operating systems. It works great. Zone Alarm For older operating systems try Filseclab Firewall
Got Virus Protection Download AVG Works great.
Here is a list of software programs I use to keep my computers clean and running smoothly. All of the programs are free. Download them and follow the directions to install them.
Download Firefox Stop using Internet Explorer. Firefox is much better.
After you install Firefox, you will have to enable it to use Adobe, Flash, Java and other plugins. (This takes some time but it doesn't take forever.)
Go to this link and Download the plugins. Just download all the installers one at a time. Do not install any until you have downloaded all of them. It takes less time that way. Next step is to install them one at a time.
CCleaner easily deletes cookies and temp folders. When you install it, my recommendation is not to install the Yahoo search bar.
Spyware Protection
Download AdAware. Download, install and run this program.
Download Spy-Bot. Same as above. Run it.
Advanced Troubleshooting
Download HijackThis. Bookmark that page because you may need to download some of the other programs listed. (You decide!) For now, download HijackThis. You can run it but do not delete anything! Generate a log file and save it to your desktop.Last, once this is all done, there is a great place on the web to get free help fixing your computer.
Tech Support Guy offers free troubleshooting for every conceivable computer trouble.Go ahead and log in. Choose a silly name and look around until you find the chat category that seems to fit your computer problem. Start a new thread. Describe your problem. Attach the HijackThis log file, and wait for a response.
If you did everything I recommended above, your computer is going to feel better soon.
Now it is time to check to see if your computer is protected. There are a couple of sites that will help you do that.
First, let's see what is running on your computer and if your Windows software is up to date. Download Belarc Advisor, install and run it. A webpage will appear that lists every program installed 0on your computer and a lot of additional info.
Very last, let's check to see if anyone can see your computer. This checks your firewall.
Jump to GRC. Read and enjoy. You can run the tests to see if your ports are closed. the website explains what that means.
One of these days someone will invent a real computer -- one that works. Until then, we need to fix these things when they break. Hope these tips get you back in the data stream real soon!
