Today I want to talk about scareware. Scareware, similar to Malware (short for malicious software) is designed to scare you into thinking your computer is infected. These type of infections are no longer restricted to porn surfers or users that download pirated software.
Typically, scareware will pop up on your screen in the form of a realistic looking “scan.” After a few moments you will be notified that you have hundreds of infections. This is intended to scare the user into interacting with the program to “remove” the infections. If you click the remove button you will generally be shown a window that states that most of the “infections” have been removed but for the remaining few you will need to upgrade to the professional version of the program. The average user will get their credit card out and this is when the real problem starts. You give your credit card information to pay for the $29, $39 or $49 professional version.
Your computer has been infected with viruses. You have given out your credit card number and have payed a sum of money. Now that the attacker has your card info, they can go shopping. In return, the professional version of the software is actually more viruses. Nice huh?
Make yourself familiar with your anti virus software. Learn how it looks. If you see anything pop up that says it is scanning your computer and the message did not originate from your anti virus software, immediately click the X and close the program. Do not click anywhere else, interact with the program in any way, or download any add-ons or plug ins without first searching for it on Google to see if it is legitimate.
-Brian Hamilton
B-Tech Computer Repair
I was recently on my wife’s laptop surfing the web when all of a sudden spyware popped up on the screen. I never figured out where it came from but it was there. I opened my anti spyware software and attempted to run updates but it failed (probably due to the spyware). I knew I could go online to get definition updates so I opened Internet Explorer but it would not open any websites. I thought for sure I would have to wipe the laptop after that happened. Fortunately I had a second web browser, Mozilla Firefox. I opened that browser and was able to get to any website so I got my definitions for my anti spyware. I was then able to remove the spyware and was able to get to websites in Internet Explorer again.
My suggestion after all this is that you should ALWAYS have a backup web browser. A few of note are: Google Chrome.
What most people do not know about Windows is that it provides an easy tool to keep a backup of all your data in a single file in a single location. The Backup and Restore feature of Windows allows you to create a single file (.bkf) that includes all of your files and folders.
To use the backup and restore feature all you need to do is run it! It does not require you to save the backup on separate media like many of the other backup applications you can use. You can save the backup file directly to your hard drive if you wish, but I would not recommend you keep it there long. The whole point of the backup file is to have it if the hard drive crashes, and if it crashes then you won’t be able to get to that backup file if it was only stored on your hard drive. I would suggest investing in an external hard drive that you can buy at pretty much any tech department in any department store.
The backup and restore feature is fairly dynamic. It will allow you to create incremental, differential, or full backups. To use the incremental and differential you MUST first do a full backup (called normal in the backup and restore wizard). After you have your full backup then you can set your scheduled backups to backup incrementally or differentially. Incremental means that if you take your full backup on Sunday then starting Monday your backup will include only the files that were saved or changed on Monday. Then on Tuesday your backups will include everything from Monday as well as Tuesdays new and saved documents and so on throughout the week. Differential backups will only backup the files that were changed on that day. Both incremental and differential have their plus and minuses so play around with it and find the best way for you. I would recommend incremental though.
The way you get to the Backup and Restore feature click on Start->programs->accessories->system tools->backup. When you get to the point where it wants to start the backup there will be an advanced button. You will need to hit advanced if you want to set the parameters on whether to do a full(normal), incremental, or differential backup.
To restore your files you will need to get the Backup and Restore feature again by following the above path. Instead of allowing the wizard to do a backup you would select the restore option. Check the folder you want to restore and allow the restore wizard to do the rest.
Most people don’t know how simple it really is to make a backup of their hard drive so give them my website if they would like to learn! You can also submit a help request and schedule a time for me to come out to your house. I service the surrounding areas of: Carrollton, Dallas, Douglasville, Hiram, and Villa Rica.
I have found that a lot of people get very weary and anxious at the thought of getting a new computer. For me it is quite the opposite, but that is just the way I am. What I found out was that these people that get anxious over getting a new PC are doing so because they think their files and settings might go missing or they will just lose all their data. Well, folks, I am here to tell you to feel anxious no more! Microsoft thought about you briefly while developing their operating systems and came up with the File and Settings Transfer Wizard.
The File and Settings Transfer wizard is a great tool for the PC user who is especially weary about change. This transfer wizard will capture all of your files and settings and allow you to by either a direct cable connection or over a network connection. For the average user the network transfer might be a little hard to understand at first but as long as you know your way around My Network Places you should be able to browse to a shared folder over a network. For direct cable connection I would suggest a dual male ended USB cable. Windows will auto detect the connection once it is made. Once the transfer is complete then all you need to do is run the file and settings transfer wizard from the new PC and it will auto-migrate your data into the new PC.
Microsoft has an alternative method of transferring your files and settings. They have a program now called the Windows Easy Transfer.
Create An Administrator’s Password Reset Disk
A problem we see a lot is forgotten Administrator’s passwords–Especially in Windows Vista where it urges you to run as a limited user. If you created a password for your Windows Administrator’s account and run as a different user, it might be only a matter of time before you forget what that password is, and while cracking it is possible, it is a process that makes users feel like their doing something wrong. There is also the possibility that using hacker tools will damage your system unless you know what you’re doing. To avoid this potential problem, simply create an Administrator’s Password Rest disk.
Create the Password Reset Disk
You will need a blank, formatted disk. Next, go to the Control Panel and look for the User Accounts icon. Highlight the user account you want to create a reset disk for and select Related Tasks, then “Prevent a forgotten password.” This will start a wizard that helps you create the disk. You will be asked to type in the password for that account. It will write that information to the disk you have inserted and then the wizard will conclude.
Label that disk and keep it in a safe place. If you change the Administrator’s password, you will need to re-create the password reset disk. If you have never created the disk, there are tools online that allow you to reset them. But again, it’s best to create this disk in advance rather than having to do something that can potentially damage your system. If you have questions about password recovery, feel free to join our free computer forums today and someone should be able to help you find resources to resetting them.
Troubleshooting issues dealing with your software can make one feel pretty helpless and frustrated. Even I get pretty frustrated when I have to troubleshoot software issues. My best advice is to be patient and stay calm. Applications are generally not release to the public until they are nearly completely bug free. However, because almost no two computers are exactly alike there will always be issues with software and computers.
The best way to troubleshoot any software related issue is to reinstall the program. You will either need to find the application media (CD, DVD) or go and download the installer from the website that you found the application. Once you have reinstalled the application then try to run the program again. If you still have issues running the program you might want to try to completely remove the program from your computer from the Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel. Once you have removed the program it is good practice to reboot your machine before trying to install it again. Once your computer has rebooted you can now try to install the application once again. I have found that 70-80% of application issues are resolved by either repairing the installation or completely reinstalling the application.
If you are unfamiliar with any of the above steps from the above article then feel free to contact me through email or phone. If you live in my service area (Carrollton, Dallas, Douglasville, Hiram, or Villa Rica) the call or email to submit a request to schedule a time for me out to your computer and take a look at your software issue.
Troubleshooting Blue Screen of Death Errors
by Jules on May 18, 2009
Any frequent Windows user has encountered the big bad BSOD, short for the Blue Screen of Death. This common error will make its presence known whenever the system senses that an application, piece of hardware or device driver is experiencing issues behind the scenes. What makes this particular issue so tricky is that it can be an indicator of anything from a minor glitch to a major error that causes your system to malfunction and leave you staring at the infamous blue screen.
On rare occasions, getting rid of a blue screen error is as simple as rebooting the system. Some have been lucky enough to restart their PC and never encounter the problem again. Unfortunately, this error usually means that your system is suffering from a critical error and when this is the case, it will not go away until you address the matter.
There is no standard solution to fixing the blue screen problems, mainly because there are so many problems that can result in such an error. This could be anything from a new program you just installed to a memory stick you added to the computer. In order to eliminate this nuisance, you must first diagnosis the problem to find out what’s actually going on. By doing a little troubleshooting, you can narrow things down and actually find the culprit.
Check Software and Hardware Components
The easiest step to eliminating blue screens is uninstalling any new software or hardware recently installed on the machine. If you encountered the problem after adding on a new component, this is likely the source of your problem. This could be due to a failed installation or incompatibility issues related to the software or a driver the device needs to function.
Check Your Memory Status
Blue screen errors could also appear if you recently added more RAM to your computer. You can find out if your RAM is faulty by running a diagnostic utility. If you don’t have such a tool handy, you will have to get more hands on by opening the computer case and removing the stick of RAM you just installed. From there, you can fire up the machine to see if the blue screen still shows up. This is actually easier than it sounds, but if you don’t feel comfortable opening your computer find yourself a professional technician who won’t charge an arm and leg to do the job.
Fix the Registry
The Windows registry is one of the most common causes of the BSOD. Over time, the registry gets cluttered with invalid files and other unwanted items that can make your system unstable. A blue screen of death occurrence is the ultimate sign of instability. You can run a registry cleaner to find out if the registry is stirring up all the trouble on your PC. These programs are fairly inexpensive and have the ability to automatically detect and remove the questionable items hiding out on your PC.
Conclusion
When the blue screen of death shows up, it will be accompanied by a STOP code that gives details on what caused the problem. Be sure to jot down this information when troubleshooting to better your chances of successfully fixing the issue.
Computer Sound Issues – How To Fix
By Zach Hill
1. Make sure your speakers are on and plugged into power.
As I’ve said in other articles, nothing can run without power. Make sure your speakers are plugged into a power outlet and that the outlet itself is working.
2. Make sure your speaker wires are in the right place.
Basic Speakers may just have the one wire, but If you have anything other than the bare minimum, there’s going to be 2, 3 or even 4. And if you don’t plug the right wires into the corresponding plugs, your system won’t work. The one that every system has is the plug for the main speakers and it’s pretty universal that green corresponds to these, and therefore should go into the green jack. If there aren’t matching colors, the speaker jack should have some sort of symbol depicting a speaker or headphones radiating sound, or something similar. If you have anything more than a two speaker system, for example a 5 speaker surround sound system, you will have more to deal with. The green will be for the front left and right speakers, but you will have two more wires that correspond to the front center speaker and the back left and back right speakers. On my Logitech system these are black and orange respectively. Now there is another jack for a microphone, which I have encountered as pink most of the time. But even without a color there should be a symbol depicting a microphone beside it.On a side note, most sound cards will have three plugs, one for the main speakers, another for the front center speaker, and one for a microphone. In order to have a surround sound computer system you usually need a higher end sound card that supports those extra back two. But don’t worry if you have a big speaker set and don’t have enough plugs for everything, the main speakers will still work, you’ll just have to upgrade Cards to get the surround sound experience. Now if all else fails and your cords and plugs are the wrong colors and there aren’t any symbols depicting which is which, a simple trial and error will eventually work, plug each wire into each plug, and one of them should eventually work.
3. Check windows volume control aren’t turned down or muted.
I know I’ve done this a thousand times. Turned on some music, heard nothing, had a mini-panic attack about my speakers being broken, and then realizing that the sound was just muted. To start with, make sure your speakers themselves are turned on. Many speakers will have a button that turns them on when they’re plugged in. They also may have a volume knob that you can turn to adjust the sound, make sure this isn’t turned all the way down.Most applications that involve sound (for example windows media player or iTunes) will have a built in volume control somewhere in the interface. These can look like a slider or meter that shows a speaker with sound waves coming out to show what it is. Make sure this is turned up and the mute box (if it has one) is unchecked. Now Windows has a master volume control that sits near the clock on the bottom right corner of the screen. If you double click the speaker icon, then the sliders will come up. Make sure they are all turned up to how loud you want them. Now if all this doesn’t work, it could simply be your system is trying to play through the wrong device. If (in Vista) you right click your volume control and select “playback devices” from the list, you should open up a window that lets you change the device.
Or in XP, you can right click your volume control and go to “Adjust Audio Properties” and then go to the Audio tab.
Now if you have more than one device in this screen then select one, and click set default, and try your sound, and then the other, click set default, and try the sound. Click OK when you find the one that works.
4. Make sure your sound card drive is installed and working.
Now this step is a little bit more complex, though not awfully so. Sound cards have drivers that run them, so if there’s no driver, then your sound card won’t work. There sound be a driver CD that came with your computer with the right driver on it, so look for that and use the CD to install or re-install the driver. Failing that, most manufacturers will have the drivers to their products on their website so if you know the maker of your card you can simply go to the website and download it. Additionally if you know the model number of your card you can sometimes input that into Google or other search engine and it will take you to a site where you can download your driver. In order to find the model number of your card you have to look at the card and you have to take apart the computer to do so and I don’t really recommend that unless you really know what you’re doing.
Well that should be about it for basic sound troubleshooting. This should cover anything that’s not a real malfunction, hope it helps!
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To get more tips on computer repair, visit http://fasteasycomputerrepair.com/ where you will find this and much more, including how to remove viruses and find out which companies are scamming you! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zach_Hill |
PC LOAD LTR! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!? -Michael Bolton of Office Space
My favorite printer fix of all time comes from that movie quoted above. The fix being taking their office printer to an open field and bashing it to kingdom come with a wood baseball bat. I can’t express to you my loathing of how complicated printers can be to try to fix. There are so many small fragile parts that are very intricately placed together in such a way that only a trained technician can perform any meaningful troubleshooting. The most any normal PC technician can do for a printer is to replace the consumable parts (ink, rollers, maybe a drum and fuser kit) and install the correct drivers and/or software that the printer comes with.
Here is a link of a place that might provide some good advice on how to fix your printer issues
This link will help you troubleshoot your machine for issues with your computer freezing up while on the internet. These suggestions are more for an advanced user so if you would like assistance then email me. If you live in the Hiram, Dallas, Villa Rica, or Douglasville area then I can come out to your machine and help you out.
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