PC Tools
Posted by: Clint Young August 2009
As a free help to you I now have the PC Tools section. This section includes the best "free" software that I know of to clean out you're computer and get the performance back. All programs listed here are free to use, and despite being free are much better than alot of paid programs "these are professional strength tools. Performance levels can be lost due to various reasons. The biggest culprits that are decreasing you're computers speed are what is called Adware, Malware and Spyware. Antivirus programs defend against these kinds of programs unless they are intentionally installed by the owner. These programs are installed unknowingly when you install other programs. This is typically associated with programs claiming to give the user "free physical merchandise." There is more information available on the internet about Adware, Malware and Spyware but the focus of this article will be to get rid of it not learn about it. You can keep a large majority of these programs out of you're PC by being cautious of what you install and download. Using a good Antivirus program such as Avast Free Home Antivirus after the computer has been cleaned will help out tremendously. AVG is a good program but I am more impressed with the features of Avast. Browsing speed can also be increased by using Firefox instead of Internet Explorer. I personally use Firefox which is indeed much faster.
These tools will offer a chance to do a backup before removal of the viruses but there is really no need to waste time with that. Both Vista and XP have what is called "system restore". This is located in the start menu under "accessories." With system restore you can completely restore a computer to its previous state according to the dates in the "system restore." Typically you should see restore points as far back as 3 to 4 months in one to two week intervals. I would suggest checking the system restore dates prior to cleaning just to make sure.
If you have any tool bars installed then follow the directions below if not skip over to step One.
Toolbars are a complete speed hog and are about the worse thing you can do to a computer other than unplug it. This is where I notice a majority of the customers viruses to come from "included in the toolbar install." To uninstall Tool bars or find out if you have some installed simply go to the start button on you're PC "bottom left button" and then to the Control Panel and then to the "uninstall a program" section. If you are a Vista user you should see a section called Programs and Features in Classic View. Look through that list very carefully and uninstall any tool bars such as Yahoo Tool bar or whichever tool bar it may be. Get rid of that and use the standard search bar preferably firefox. You can have both Internet Explorer and Firefox installed simultaneously if you do need to use Internet Explorer for some reason it will be there. Firefox does not remove Internet Explorer.
Time to start the cleaning process
1. Begin with Spybot Search and Destroy. This is a great program for finding the Adware, Malware and Spyware on you're PC. It will show you in detail what, when & where it is installed. It also allows for a one click fix of the findings. This program alone will provide the largest impact on regaining you're computers performance levels.
It can be found by clicking the blue banner pasted below or simply search for Spybot Search and Destroy.
You will see Spybot listed under products. Click on the magnifying glass and it will send you to the download. Just download and install it. Run the scan and let it detect and clean.
2 a. The next phase of the cleaning will be to use one of my all time favorites ccleaner. This is actually a very good Registry Cleaner as well with total one-click maintenance. Simply download below or search for ccleaner. Once downloaded and installed run it. Use the various cleaning features.
2 b. Glary Utilities is an alternative to ccleaner. It works just as well and I have never noticed a difference between the two. They are both great products made by some really good people.
3. Avast Free Home Antivirus. This program does require a registration which is just a confirmation that you will not use it commercially. I have installed this on many computers and never once received any spam due to it. You will need to visit the Avast website and register. A highly recommended antivirus solution. Copy and paste the following link to you're browser.
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
If you are still experiencing slow speeds it is more than likely the router. If you have followed the above you're PC is clean.
Routers: Routers have a lifespan of about 1 1/2 to 2 years if yours is older than that replacements are available at Office Depot for around 30.00
Thank you for visiting friends and if you have any questions or comments please send them to my email or facebook link on the homepage. I will do my best to help.
Thanks c.j
As a free help to you I now have the PC Tools section. This section includes the best "free" software that I know of to clean out you're computer and get the performance back. All programs listed here are free to use, and despite being free are much better than alot of paid programs "these are professional strength tools. Performance levels can be lost due to various reasons. The biggest culprits that are decreasing you're computers speed are what is called Adware, Malware and Spyware. Antivirus programs defend against these kinds of programs unless they are intentionally installed by the owner. These programs are installed unknowingly when you install other programs. This is typically associated with programs claiming to give the user "free physical merchandise." There is more information available on the internet about Adware, Malware and Spyware but the focus of this article will be to get rid of it not learn about it. You can keep a large majority of these programs out of you're PC by being cautious of what you install and download. Using a good Antivirus program such as Avast Free Home Antivirus after the computer has been cleaned will help out tremendously. AVG is a good program but I am more impressed with the features of Avast. Browsing speed can also be increased by using Firefox instead of Internet Explorer. I personally use Firefox which is indeed much faster.
These tools will offer a chance to do a backup before removal of the viruses but there is really no need to waste time with that. Both Vista and XP have what is called "system restore". This is located in the start menu under "accessories." With system restore you can completely restore a computer to its previous state according to the dates in the "system restore." Typically you should see restore points as far back as 3 to 4 months in one to two week intervals. I would suggest checking the system restore dates prior to cleaning just to make sure.
If you have any tool bars installed then follow the directions below if not skip over to step One.
Toolbars are a complete speed hog and are about the worse thing you can do to a computer other than unplug it. This is where I notice a majority of the customers viruses to come from "included in the toolbar install." To uninstall Tool bars or find out if you have some installed simply go to the start button on you're PC "bottom left button" and then to the Control Panel and then to the "uninstall a program" section. If you are a Vista user you should see a section called Programs and Features in Classic View. Look through that list very carefully and uninstall any tool bars such as Yahoo Tool bar or whichever tool bar it may be. Get rid of that and use the standard search bar preferably firefox. You can have both Internet Explorer and Firefox installed simultaneously if you do need to use Internet Explorer for some reason it will be there. Firefox does not remove Internet Explorer.
Time to start the cleaning process
1. Begin with Spybot Search and Destroy. This is a great program for finding the Adware, Malware and Spyware on you're PC. It will show you in detail what, when & where it is installed. It also allows for a one click fix of the findings. This program alone will provide the largest impact on regaining you're computers performance levels.
It can be found by clicking the blue banner pasted below or simply search for Spybot Search and Destroy.
You will see Spybot listed under products. Click on the magnifying glass and it will send you to the download. Just download and install it. Run the scan and let it detect and clean.
2 a. The next phase of the cleaning will be to use one of my all time favorites ccleaner. This is actually a very good Registry Cleaner as well with total one-click maintenance. Simply download below or search for ccleaner. Once downloaded and installed run it. Use the various cleaning features.
2 b. Glary Utilities is an alternative to ccleaner. It works just as well and I have never noticed a difference between the two. They are both great products made by some really good people.
3. Avast Free Home Antivirus. This program does require a registration which is just a confirmation that you will not use it commercially. I have installed this on many computers and never once received any spam due to it. You will need to visit the Avast website and register. A highly recommended antivirus solution. Copy and paste the following link to you're browser.
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
If you are still experiencing slow speeds it is more than likely the router. If you have followed the above you're PC is clean.
Routers: Routers have a lifespan of about 1 1/2 to 2 years if yours is older than that replacements are available at Office Depot for around 30.00
Thank you for visiting friends and if you have any questions or comments please send them to my email or facebook link on the homepage. I will do my best to help.
Thanks c.j