Common Problems
One of the Computer Club members asked. When you make housecalls, what are
the two or three biggest operator-created problems that you find. How can
I avoid them?
The two most common problems I have seen in the past year have been Spyware Infections and Hard Drive Fragmentation. The third one would probably be too many startup items.
Lets cover Hard Drive Fragmentation first. It is a very common problem that you just don't have to put up with. Way too often, when I ask a person when was the last time they defragmented their hard drive, I get the "Deer in the Headlights" look. I then go on to explain what File Fragmentation is and how it effects your computer. I usually put a shortcut to the disk defragmenter on the desktop and recommend that they get in the habit of using it once a month.
Sometimes I get the response that "I checked it and it didn't need to be done." I then explain that Windows/Microsoft criteria is that anything less than 15% file fragmentation doesn't need to be corrected. I explain that tests have shown that as little as 5% fragmentation can degrade your system performance and that the older and slower your machine is, the more effect fragmentation will have on it. The worst I have seen was 67% a couple of weeks ago and the owner couldn't believe the difference after he had run the defrag - I had to start it in Safe Mode for him as his computer was almost useless.
If you want to do some more reading, see the RELATED LIINKS below.
RELATED LINK: WorldStart Tip file fragmentation.
RELATED LINK: Some more info from GeekGirls.com.
I have spent hours and hours battling spyware, adware and other malware. Usually, in the case of a real bad infection, the best (most economical) option is to format the hard drive and start from scratch. Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I recommend using good, proven tools. You have to be very careful of the tools you you see advertised on the internet and NEVER click on one that appears as a Pop-Up on your screen - it is probably spyware or extortion ware.
See the RELATED LINKS below for more information. There is enough there to keep you busy for hours.
RELATED LINK: Spyware Defined.
RELATED LINK: Malware Defined.
RELATED LINK: WorldStart Stopping Spyware.
I sometime see machines with 50 - 100 items starting up when the computer boots. Every one of these programs contributes to slowing down the computer and they can lead to other problems. Take control of your computer and learn how to know what is running and why it is there.
You have probably heard of the MSCONFIG utility and many of you have probably used it before. However, it can be a little confusing trying to figure out what all those lines mean. A good general rule is to not disable something you are not familiar with. You may inadvertently disable some of the protection you just got through installing! There is help out there. There is one tool that I have found to be very useful. It is called The Ultimate Troubleshooter and you can buy a single license for $29. Another helpful tool is the Task List Programs site in the RELATED LINK below. This is brought to you by the makers of The Ultimate Troubleshooter and is free.
RELATED LINK: TUT - The Ultimate Troubleshooter.
RELATED LINK: Task List Programs.
RELATED LINK: How to use MSCONFIG.
While working on another question, I came across a free tool very similar to TUT. I haven't tried it yet so I am not sure if it is as good as or better than TUT, but it is FREE.
RELATED LINK: WorldStart Article.
I hope this helps!
The two most common problems I have seen in the past year have been Spyware Infections and Hard Drive Fragmentation. The third one would probably be too many startup items.
Lets cover Hard Drive Fragmentation first. It is a very common problem that you just don't have to put up with. Way too often, when I ask a person when was the last time they defragmented their hard drive, I get the "Deer in the Headlights" look. I then go on to explain what File Fragmentation is and how it effects your computer. I usually put a shortcut to the disk defragmenter on the desktop and recommend that they get in the habit of using it once a month.
Sometimes I get the response that "I checked it and it didn't need to be done." I then explain that Windows/Microsoft criteria is that anything less than 15% file fragmentation doesn't need to be corrected. I explain that tests have shown that as little as 5% fragmentation can degrade your system performance and that the older and slower your machine is, the more effect fragmentation will have on it. The worst I have seen was 67% a couple of weeks ago and the owner couldn't believe the difference after he had run the defrag - I had to start it in Safe Mode for him as his computer was almost useless.
If you want to do some more reading, see the RELATED LIINKS below.
RELATED LINK: WorldStart Tip file fragmentation.
RELATED LINK: Some more info from GeekGirls.com.
I have spent hours and hours battling spyware, adware and other malware. Usually, in the case of a real bad infection, the best (most economical) option is to format the hard drive and start from scratch. Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I recommend using good, proven tools. You have to be very careful of the tools you you see advertised on the internet and NEVER click on one that appears as a Pop-Up on your screen - it is probably spyware or extortion ware.
See the RELATED LINKS below for more information. There is enough there to keep you busy for hours.
RELATED LINK: Spyware Defined.
RELATED LINK: Malware Defined.
RELATED LINK: WorldStart Stopping Spyware.
I sometime see machines with 50 - 100 items starting up when the computer boots. Every one of these programs contributes to slowing down the computer and they can lead to other problems. Take control of your computer and learn how to know what is running and why it is there.
You have probably heard of the MSCONFIG utility and many of you have probably used it before. However, it can be a little confusing trying to figure out what all those lines mean. A good general rule is to not disable something you are not familiar with. You may inadvertently disable some of the protection you just got through installing! There is help out there. There is one tool that I have found to be very useful. It is called The Ultimate Troubleshooter and you can buy a single license for $29. Another helpful tool is the Task List Programs site in the RELATED LINK below. This is brought to you by the makers of The Ultimate Troubleshooter and is free.
RELATED LINK: TUT - The Ultimate Troubleshooter.
RELATED LINK: Task List Programs.
RELATED LINK: How to use MSCONFIG.
While working on another question, I came across a free tool very similar to TUT. I haven't tried it yet so I am not sure if it is as good as or better than TUT, but it is FREE.
RELATED LINK: WorldStart Article.
I hope this helps!