Computer Help

Computer Help

Virus Removal | Cleaning Your Computer | Contact Help

Free Help with your computer.
For friends and family ONLY! If I don't know you... email me first! toddgibbs@raeford-nc.com

Computers have been a hobby of mine since the early 80's. Programming them for "automation systems" that operated radio stations, writing simple DOS programs and games. I have been building and trouble-shooting systems since the early 90's. In the late 90's, before I retired permanently, computers became my second career, traveling the US, installing systems and software and training hotel staff on how to use the new systems.

I have quiet a few friends and family whose computers I maintain, repair and trouble-shoot over the Internet, thru email or over the phone. If you need me to help you, call me, or select from the list below. Follow the steps below to maintain good computer health and speed.

Right off the bat - if your system is slow... it probably is either spyware or a virus/trojan (most common problem). The best program on the market to remove it is FREE! Get it - run it and eliminate your problems. This software was recommended to me by a Microsoft Technician about 4 years ago. We haven't had a problem with viruses since.

The free version is found here:

Girsoft's AVG FREE Virus Protection

Microsoft's Anti-Spyware - Microsoft is finally getting into the frey with their own version of some nice anti-spyware. It's in BETA testing, but if you are using Windows XP, you can download it for free right now. Go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx and download your copy. Install it and protect your system!
Microsoft's PhotoStory3 - This program is awsome! And the best thing about it is it's FREE to XP users from Microsoft. This thing allows you to put a collection of pictures together in movie format with effects, narration or audio to make a fantastic presentation. The new Stevens and Kelly VIDEO Air Check (link on the front page) was done using this program... and it's really easy to use. To get your copy, Go to: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx and download.

Clean Your Computer - The next step in getting your computer back up to maximum speed is to clean your system! Follow all of the steps below to remove the unnecessary files and speed things back up.

Step 1: Disk Cleanup: To start Disk Clean Up, click 'Start' > 'All Programs' > 'Accessories' > 'System Tools' > 'Disk Cleanup'. Select the drive you'd like to cleanup (usually C:\ or the letter drive windows is installed in) and click OK. Make sure all the check boxes to remove all the files that can be safely deleted. Click OK, YES, and OK and let cleanup do it's work.

Step 2: Clean Windows (Cookies, Downloaded Files, Temp Folders, Unzipped): Windows lacks in cleaning itself up. Because of this, users have to manually clean up Windows. The areas that need cleaning are the Cookies folder, Downloaded Program Files folder, Temp folder, and the Temporary Internet Files (TIF) folder (Disk Cleanup does not delete cookies in the TIF folder). To start cleaning windows, double click 'My Computer' > 'C Drive' > 'Documents and Settings' > Select the user to want to clean > open 'Cookies' > Select all the files and click Delete. Now go back to your Windows folder. Find and open the 'Downloaded Program Files' folder. Select all programs that you do not use, or programs that don't have valid names. Click the Delete button or click 'File' > 'Delete'. Again, go back to your windows folder, find and open the 'Temp' folder. This folder contains any left over setup files from programs you have installed, but failed to delete. Select all the files, including hidden ones (to unlock hidden files, click 'Tools' > 'Viewing Options' > make sure 'Show all files' is selected) and delete them. Back to the Windows folder again, find and open the 'Temporary Internet Files' folder. Disk Cleanup does not delete cookies in this folder, so we have to manually delete them. Select all remaining files and delete them by clicking the Delete button or 'File' > 'Delete'. Now open your C Drive again. Find a folder called Temp. Open it and delete all the items. Again, in your C Drive, if you have WinZip, search for a folder called 'Unzipped'. Delete all these files or move them to a folder if you wish to keep them. The contents of the unzipped folder contain items that you unzipped using WinZip.

Step 3: Remove any unnecessary Programs/Windows Components: The major element contributing to unhealthy computers concerns how programs are removed. It is imperative that you know YOU CANNOT DRAG AND DELETE PROGRAMS TO THE RECYCLE BIN. To view all programs installed on your computer click 'Start' > 'Control Panel' > 'Add/Remove Programs'. This will open a new window that will display any and all programs installed. To delete a program, select it, and click the 'Remove' or 'Remove/Change' button. Click Close, then OK, Yes, and OK to remove the program. Now, select the 'More Options' tab. This will display all Windows components installed. If you do not use some of these components, such as Address Book, or Desktop Themes, you can safely remove them to regain disk space. Click the Check Box next to the component you want to remove. A Shaddowed box mens some components are installed. Click Details and Clear the Check Box next to the subcomponent you want to remove. Click OK. Click Next, Finish, OK, Yes, and OK to finish the removal of all the components you want to remove. You can also regain valuable disk space by removing Restore Points that System Restore creates when you backup your system. To remove these Points, click 'Start' > 'Control Panel' > 'Add/Remove Programs'. On the More Options tab, under the System Restore section, click Disk Cleanup. Select Yes Remove all but Most Recent Restore Point. Click OK, Yes, and OK.

Step 4: Scan Disk (for errors): Windows has a built in component to check and correct any linking/shortcut/program errors. By scanning your disk for errors once every two weeks and guarantee less 'blue screen errors' or 'illegal operation errors'. If Scan Disk is not located in the System Tools folder, or you are using the NTFS file system, you will need to run Scan Disk upon start up of Windows XP. To do this, open My Computer, and right mouse click the drive you want to scan. Select Properties. Now select the 'Tools' tab. In the Error Checking box, click 'Check Now'. Now select both checkboxes in the new window and click start. If you get a message saying the volume cannot be checked, would you like to check when Windows XP starts up, click YES. Now, when you shutdown or restart, Scan Disk will automatically check files and folders, and free space for errors. Please keep in mind while Scan Disk is running, you cannot use your computer. Scan Disk may take 30 minutes to 2 hours. It is best to run Scan Disk at night.

Step 5: Disk Defragmenter (improve speed, regain disk space): You should run Disk Defragmenter after you have scanned your disk. Disk Defragmenter is a built in Windows utility that relocates the data on your hard drive to one side. While it does this, it collects all program fragments and data and bunches them together, thus improving the speed of your programs and increasing the amount of free space on your hard drive. To run Disk Defragmenter click 'Start' > 'All Programs' > 'Accessories' > 'System Tools' > 'Disk Defragmenter'. Select the volume (drive) and then click 'Defragment'. Please keep in mind while Disk Defragmenter is running, you cannot use your computer. Disk Defragmenter may take 30 minutes to 2 hours. It is best to run Scan Disk at night.

Step 6: Windows Update: Keeping Windows up to date is the most critical factor in keeping a computer healthy. By running windows update, Microsoft can determine what updates your version of Windows needs. Also, having the latest packages of updates installed allows your computer to be more compatible with software and hardware. In Windows XP, click 'Start' > 'Windows Update'.

Tell me about your computer: Click here and fill out the form to tell me about your computer system. It will help me diagnose problems for you in the future.

Slow System: Click here and follow the instructions to do some basic maintenance to speed your computer up

System Down: call me (after 10am est)

Upgrade Help: Click here and describe what type of upgrade you are wanting to do. From what to what?

Virus Infection: You found -or- suspect a VIRUS may be on your system.

Software Installation: