Here are simple solutions to everyday windows problems. Everything in the color blue is nothing you need to read, it is extra information if you are curious. Things in red need to be read!
1) Firewalls
Firewalls are essential to safe surfing on the internet, it will protect you from many things you don't even know are there. It is vital that you only use one Firewall! If you are unsure how to tell if you have one, post or PM me.
Download Zonealarm(free) from the following link.
2) Anti Virus
Anti Viruses are another essential program to keep your computer in tip top condition. It is vital that you only use one anti virus! If you are unsure how to tell if you have one, post or PM me.
Download Avast!
OR
Download AVG
Anti Spyware, Adware, and Malware
Now more than ever it is becoming a competition to keep malware out of your computer, but that does not mean the spyware and adware is no longer a threat. These vicious software(s) attack your computers privacy and privacy settings, as well as throw the massive amounts of pop ups at your monitor.Not removing spyware, adware, and/or malware is a major invasion of your privacy and it can and will slow down your internet connection. I suggest using all 4 of these programs
Download Adaware Cleans worms and adware off of your computer
Download CWShredder This program cleans your computer of CoolWebSearch, a nasty spyware.
Download Spybot Seach & Destroy This program cleans all kinds of infections
Download SpyWareBlaster This program auto blocks natorious sites
There is no perfect scanner There are, however extra free online scans we can use to make sure our computer is healthy! The following two I highly recommend:
www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Surfing Safer!
I also recomend NOT using Internet Explorer, for various reasons. The main reason is because it has more holes than swiss cheese. In general other browsers are safer than Internet Explorer. The following are safe, effective, and reliable browsers.
FireFox One of my favorite browsers, it is very flexable and easy to customize. If you decide firefox, click tools -> extensions -> get more extensions. Then download what makes u happy.
www.opera.com I do not use opera as much as FX (FireFox) however, that does not mean that it isn't just as fast and reliable.
http://www.avantbrowser.com/download.html This browser i have never used, however; I have heard wonderful things about this browsers effectiveness.
General Problems
Can't get a website to open? Try this:
If u have IE: tools> internet options> you'll see a box labeled temporary files> delete files... (THIS WILL NOT HURT UR COMPUTER)
If u have FX: tools>options...>privacy (on the left)> cache>highlight>clear
=============
Will your computer not boot?
Try safe mode. Hit F8 as u boot up, over and over again. It will have options, highlight SafeMode and hit ENTER.
=============
Want to know if a file is safe?
http://www.fileresearchcenter.com/applicationlist.html?listtype=ALL&category=a Just search for it here.. or you can try this site and send the file to it.
http://www.virustotal.com/flash/index_en.html
=============
Does your computer keep slowing down?
cntrl+alt+del, proccesses, then click two times on CPU and it will the programs taking the most of your CPU at the top. Post the name, PM me, or google it to find out what it is.
=============
Is your computer just slow?
1. Defrag try O&O or diskeeper, or even the default windows one. However, i must include that the the default one provided by windows is junk comparing to the others.
2. Delete your prefetch folder every few months.. mycomputer>c>windows>prefetch (delete whats IN it)
3. You should have bout 512 ram for Windows XP.
4.Do not have an OVERLY crowded desktop. (icon wise)
5.Do the scans and downloads suggested above.
=============
Get a new computer?
Here is the order I install stuff, when i do a format.
Windows -> Drivers -> SP2 -> Updates -> Firewall, antivirus -> Then Misc Stuff (such as games)
Updates for next version will be:
1.Visuals to guide you through installing.
2.How to update and keep updated.
3.Programs to avoid.
This is not the order i will be using, but it will give a general idea of what to expect.
1) Firewalls
Firewalls are essential to safe surfing on the internet, it will protect you from many things you don't even know are there. It is vital that you only use one Firewall! If you are unsure how to tell if you have one, post or PM me.
Download Zonealarm(free) from the following link.
2) Anti Virus
Anti Viruses are another essential program to keep your computer in tip top condition. It is vital that you only use one anti virus! If you are unsure how to tell if you have one, post or PM me.
Download Avast!
OR
Download AVG
Anti Spyware, Adware, and Malware
Now more than ever it is becoming a competition to keep malware out of your computer, but that does not mean the spyware and adware is no longer a threat. These vicious software(s) attack your computers privacy and privacy settings, as well as throw the massive amounts of pop ups at your monitor.Not removing spyware, adware, and/or malware is a major invasion of your privacy and it can and will slow down your internet connection. I suggest using all 4 of these programs
Download Adaware Cleans worms and adware off of your computer
Download CWShredder This program cleans your computer of CoolWebSearch, a nasty spyware.
Download Spybot Seach & Destroy This program cleans all kinds of infections
Download SpyWareBlaster This program auto blocks natorious sites
There is no perfect scanner There are, however extra free online scans we can use to make sure our computer is healthy! The following two I highly recommend:
www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Surfing Safer!
I also recomend NOT using Internet Explorer, for various reasons. The main reason is because it has more holes than swiss cheese. In general other browsers are safer than Internet Explorer. The following are safe, effective, and reliable browsers.
FireFox One of my favorite browsers, it is very flexable and easy to customize. If you decide firefox, click tools -> extensions -> get more extensions. Then download what makes u happy.
www.opera.com I do not use opera as much as FX (FireFox) however, that does not mean that it isn't just as fast and reliable.
http://www.avantbrowser.com/download.html This browser i have never used, however; I have heard wonderful things about this browsers effectiveness.
General Problems
Can't get a website to open? Try this:
If u have IE: tools> internet options> you'll see a box labeled temporary files> delete files... (THIS WILL NOT HURT UR COMPUTER)
If u have FX: tools>options...>privacy (on the left)> cache>highlight>clear
=============
Will your computer not boot?
Try safe mode. Hit F8 as u boot up, over and over again. It will have options, highlight SafeMode and hit ENTER.
=============
Want to know if a file is safe?
http://www.fileresearchcenter.com/applicationlist.html?listtype=ALL&category=a Just search for it here.. or you can try this site and send the file to it.
http://www.virustotal.com/flash/index_en.html
=============
Does your computer keep slowing down?
cntrl+alt+del, proccesses, then click two times on CPU and it will the programs taking the most of your CPU at the top. Post the name, PM me, or google it to find out what it is.
=============
Is your computer just slow?
1. Defrag try O&O or diskeeper, or even the default windows one. However, i must include that the the default one provided by windows is junk comparing to the others.
2. Delete your prefetch folder every few months.. mycomputer>c>windows>prefetch (delete whats IN it)
3. You should have bout 512 ram for Windows XP.
4.Do not have an OVERLY crowded desktop. (icon wise)
5.Do the scans and downloads suggested above.
=============
Get a new computer?
Here is the order I install stuff, when i do a format.
Windows -> Drivers -> SP2 -> Updates -> Firewall, antivirus -> Then Misc Stuff (such as games)
Updates for next version will be:
1.Visuals to guide you through installing.
2.How to update and keep updated.
3.Programs to avoid.
This is not the order i will be using, but it will give a general idea of what to expect.
