How to fix your OWN PC

[MysteryGirl]

I've had SEVERAL people PM me asking for help with their PCs. I am VERY happy to help anyone I can. There are several initial steps that I would like it if everyone could take in order to help me out some and hopefully help yourself as well.

The majority of the problems I'm finding are due to spyware and viruses.

Please take a few minutes to download some programs and run them. These can make your life SO much easier.

1. Visit Windows Update:
Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for your operating system and IE. The first defense against infection is a properly patched OS.
a. Windows Update: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

2. Adjust your security settings for ActiveX:
Go to Internet Options/Security/Internet, press 'default level', then OK.
Now press "Custom Level."
In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to 'prompt', and 'Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe" to 'disable'.

3. Download and install the following free programs:
a. SpywareBlaster: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
b. IE/Spyad: http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm
Both are very small free programs that you run once, and then just occasionally to check for updates.

4. Install Spyware Detection and Removal Programs:
You may also want to consider installing either or both of AdAware (free version) and Spybot SE (freeware). Use these programs to regularly scan your system for and remove many forms of spyware/malware.
a. AdAware: http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
b. SpyBot SE: http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download

If you already have these:
Check AdAware frequently for updates as sometimes it updates daily.
Check SpyBot SE say once a week or once a month.
I would scan with each at least weekly.

5. Keep your antivirus software and firewall software up to date.




With AdAware - PLEASE CHANGE YOUR SETTINGS AND PROCESS AS FOLLOWS:

1. Download and Install AdAware SE, keeping the default options. However you will need to change some of the settings before your first scan.
2. Go to Start > Programs > Lavasoft and click on AdAware SE to open the program
3. Look at the icons on the top right of the page and click on the ‘world’ and let AdAware update the spyware reference list
4. Once the update is finished click on the ‘Gear’ icon (second from the left) to access the preferences/settings window
5. In the ‘General’ window make sure the following are selected:
Automatically save log-file
Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal
Safe Mode (always request confirmation)
6. Click on the ‘Scanning’ button on the left and select :
Scan Within Archives
Scan Active Processes
Scan Registry
Deep Scan Registry
Scan my IE favorites for banned URL’s
Scan my Hosts file
7. Click on the ‘Advanced’ button on the left and select:
Include environment information
Include additional object details
8. Click the ‘Tweak’ button and select:
Under the ‘Scanning Engine’:
Unload recognized processes during scanning
Scan registry for all users instead of current user only
Under the ‘Cleaning Engine’:
Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot
9. Click on ‘Proceed’ to save the settings.
10. Click ‘Start’ and on the next screen choose Use Custom Scanning Options
11. Click ‘Next’ and AdAware will scan your hard drive(s) with the options you have selected (steps 4 through 8 ).
12. If it finds "bad" files and registry keys, press "Next" again.
13. Right-click in that pane and choose "select all" to "tick" all the bad items found.
14. Press "next".
15. When asked to remove all checked items, Press "OK".
16. You may now exit out of Ad-Aware.
17. Reboot


AFTER you've done all these things, please download this program:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155

This will give you an idea of what is going on with your pc. After you've freshly ran Adaware, your antivirus, and Spyware S/D, please REBOOT and then run this "Hijack This" program and post the log at this site:

http://hijackthis.de/index.php?langselect=english

You can post it by copying and pasting your log or by simply uploading your saved log to the site. It will list all the dangerous files and processes on your pc. Fix the items that are dangers and if you have questions on suggested items, ask for help.

As a final "keep yourself clean" suggestion - download crap cleaner
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4191

A wonderful program that can clean your pc in seconds each time you log in and keep you free of problems.

Google is also an excellent resource.

Please start your own topic if you need further assistance. THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK!

 

[Macarthur Saints]

Here is a few more pc tweekers than assist in running your computer smoother

For XP users.

(Do this actions every month or so, pending on usage)

Cookie and temporary internet files removal

Open up Internet Explorer

Run through ths path ( > means next)

Tools>Internet Options>Browsing history.

Proceed to delete Cookies>temp net files and if you wish the others listed.

Deleting your Prefetch on your XP system

The prefetch folder is used to help speed up the loading of programs; XP will load programs it thinks you need before you ask for them yourself.


The below mentioned net site runs through it step by step.
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Gaining-Speed-Empty-Prefetch-XP.html

For non experienced pc people, switch to the classic mode and copy what they say(if you have non classic mode setup.
Start>Control panel>display>Lower down the theme arrow and select classic.


Disk Defragmenter

This process will shuffle around you files to make accessing them smoother.

Start>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Computer management Shortcut>Storage>Disk Defragmenter.

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If anyone knows other feel free to add them for us all.

 

[jennypaul2009]

Absolutely gorgeous thread. I remember there was a time when I used to pay ridiculous amounts of money to get my PC fixed. Very helpful thread. Thanks.

 

[[FKN-SIK]]

Just backup all data and format it lol.

I only ever install OS and software applications to my C:. I do not store one other thing on my C drive, all on a separate drive or partition. This removes the need to back anything up for a format apart from a couple of tiny things (usually Outlook-related)