as most people around here know ive been fixing pc's for quite some time now. i started my first job about sophomore year of high school and i think that was like 4 or 5 years ago. anyway i still have a few clients that call me on a regular basis. i recently came up with a little system for getting all the crap off your computer and getting it pretty close to running as well as the day you got it. sometimes better. :}
so far ive actually saved quite a few computers from a reinstall or other painful solutions. anyway, the problem i see the most is "my computers is fuct from all the **** thats running on it". this is due to startup programs, spyware, and maybe if your lucky a virus too. so as of late i think i got it down to a little system on how to clean up a computer.
programs well use: msconfig, lavasoft adaware, an anti-virus, and windows update.
*warning: messing with msconfig can be dangerous. although if done right you should be just fine. dont go messing with things i didnt mention unless you know what your doing. also dont experiment with this on an important computer first. my dad beats my *** with a belt if i touch his ****.... (my god im 21 and still live at home...)
step one: disable all the crap starting up with your computer.
ill put it bluntly right now. you do not need any kind of extra software booting with your computer (with the exception of anti virus, although even that can be run on a weekly basis for a well kept computer). any program you have (aim, aol, quicktime, realplayer) is best loaded onto your computer when you actually need it. why start a monster program like real player up with your computer if you can save system resources by loading it when you want to play a file. heh, buts its not like i recommend real player for that stuff anyway. if your running windows 2000 google msconfig win2k and read on how to get the program working on your pc.
ok so how do you get rid off all this crap? THE EASY WAY! msconfig.exe baby!
1. click start
2. type msconfig into the popup box and hit enter
3. click the startup tab
4. click the disable all button
5. now move to the services tab
6. click the bar that says manufacturer
7. uncheck any services that arnt created by the microsoft corporation
8. click apply and restart
what did you just do? you basically just removed any software that is raping your machine when you turn it on. when you first got your pc you none of the stuff you unchecked was on it. most of it was put there from regular usage. downloading porn, music, surfing. the only drawback is you just disabled your anti v too. well fix that soon.
step two: get rid of spyware and garbage
my next recommendation is to download lavasoft adaware spy removal tools. run the setup and install to the machine. make sure to download the updated definitions and preform a smart system scan. youll probably come up with quite a few hits. i believe the most ive seen is around 6 or 7 hundered different threats found. wtf they dont have a select all tab so yea i had to click them all. it wouldnt hurt either to restart your computer and run it again also.
step three: find any possible viruses
nows the time to scan for virus. hopefully by this time your not running all the old garbage on your computer and actually have the system resources to do so. before we actually disabled your old virus scan from running. to be honest the easiest way to make sure your booting with your anti v on after the msconfig fix is to just reinstall the software. this will get you booting with it to keep you safe. oh oh wait? your poor right? you just bought that new skateboard and $60 jeans and dont have $$$ to protect your computer right? well not to fear. ive been usuing this program for a little while and its actually been getting the job done for me just fine. AND ITS FREE.... avast home edition is a totally free AV solution. it does all the main things mcaffe or norton would do too. so give this one a try and remember. your not doing much good unless you update all the virus definitions before you scan. (anything installed after your msconfig clean up will boot with the system if it was designed to).
step four: dont be lazy and update windows
think of it this way... lets say your running windows 2000 or even 98. windows puts out large patches on its systems to protect it from serious threats. these are problems that are likely to bring your computer to its knees. if your running 98 and havent updated it your susceptible to almost 7 years worth crap that will mess with your computer. if you havent updated a windows machine your pretty much prey for any threat that has ever come out. updating your system is probably one of the most important things youll ever do to keep it running smoothly.
www.windowsupdate.com
misconceptions / tips
im sure i left out something to explain. ill be catching anything i forgot to mention about and putting it here.
* ah ok so i should mention this. although this method will get rid of most of the junk on your computer. it WILL NOT fix all of internet explorers problems. if anybody has a good way of permanently getting rid of the extra tool bars and offline popups id like to find out. heh, even after a registry hack and actual reinstal of IE ive still seen problems. thats why i recommend using firefox whenver you can.
www.mozilla.org for the download.
and thats about it. half the calls i get nowadays are caused by computers being eaten alive by the spyware and other junk that is out there. i guess im just doing my part to make sure you come back often and visit my site. with a computer that doesnt take half an hour to load a page. :']
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