[caseylou5]

My computer runs very slow and has 31,000 errors or events that need fixing (according to PC scan). Can anyone recommend someone that comes to the home to work on it? It is a Dell desktop about 6 years old.

Thanks for any information.

[tpop1]

Originally Posted by caseylou5

My computer runs very slow and has 31,000 errors or events that need fixing (according to PC scan). Can anyone recommend someone that comes to the home to work on it? It is a Dell desktop about 6 years old.

Thanks for any information.

Hi...

There are many good tech in TV and I'm sure you'll get some reposnes here.
That is one option!

Just a caution though, with a 6 YO PC, you have to ask yourself if you should be throwing good money after bad. With the prices of new desktop PCs, another option may be to go new.

That being said, it sounds like you have Spyware on your PC.

The best tool I have found over my years of experience with PC's is Spybot, a free tool for cleaning up spyware.

You can download it from a very respected web site, CNET , install and run it...let it run to completion. This may clean up most of your issues.

Here is the link...

Spybot - Search & Destroy - CNET Download.com

Hope this helps!

[jblum315]

Call Mark at 753-0545. His business is called Village Computer Center and he lives in The Villages.

[JoelJohnson]

The Geek Squad at Best Buy is your best bet. If a private computer guy messes up your PC, your SOL, but if Best Buy messes up, they make it right!

[Virtual Geezer]

Originally Posted by caseylou5

My computer runs very slow and has 31,000 errors or events that need fixing (according to PC scan). Can anyone recommend someone that comes to the home to work on it? It is a Dell desktop about 6 years old.

Thanks for any information.

What program was used to report the 31,000 errors? If it was from an internet site trying to sell you some software it is a scam and is known as malware.

Boot your computer in the Safe Mode by hitting the F8 key when the computer is first powered on and booting. Just keep hitting the key and it should come up with a black screen with white letters informing you of a number of options to boot the computer. Select boot with network connection. This will load Windows with only the necessary programs to run the operating system with connection to the network.

Next bring up your browser and go to Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware download and download and install Malwarebytes. Run this program while still booted in the safe mode and it will remove any malware that is on your computer.

Now go to Microsoft.com and download Microsoft Security Essentials. Load and run Security Essentials.

That should do it. Now power down the system and reboot in the normal mode and see you should see everything back to the speeds you were accustom to.

VG

[GordyM]

May I ask what operating system you are using? (XP, Vista, Windows 7)

If it were me I would save my data to a backup drive, wipe the drive, and reload the operating system.

If you would like help in doing this.... let me know. I have been doing IT work for the past 35 years.

Take care,
Gordy

[Villageshooter]

Originally Posted by JoelJohnson

The Geek Squad at Best Buy is your best bet. If a private computer guy messes up your PC, your SOL, but if Best Buy messes up, they make it right!

Go the villages computer club they will be able to help you,,, or rec commend an honest person who will be able to cure your problems with honesty an concern for your machine,,, if all u do is email an surf the web ur machine is good enough,,, don't be fooled into by convinced folks u have to have cutting edge!! Get yourself a good virus protection program and u will be fine ,,, I use nod32 ,,just get to the club meeting lots of nice people there.

[rde3036]

There is no reason to consider buying a new PC based on the information you have provided. Most of the PC scan type of software attempt to scare people into buying a program to clean their PC that really isn't necessary.

The suggestions in the previous emails contain good advice regarding how to clean your PC. IF you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself check with your friends to find a reliable individual to help you. Cleaning the PC shouldn't take more than 45 minutes.

I disagree using a high priced service like Greek Squad when there are so many individuals in the villages that do this type of thing as a hobby or for minimal charge.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by rde3036

There is no reason to consider buying a new PC based on the information you have provided. Most of the PC scan type of software attempt to scare people into buying a program to clean their PC that really isn't necessary.

The suggestions in the previous emails contain good advice regarding how to clean your PC. IF you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself check with your friends to find a reliable individual to help you. Cleaning the PC shouldn't take more than 45 minutes.

I disagree using a high priced service like Greek Squad when there are so many individuals in the villages that do this type of thing as a hobby or for minimal charge.

Someone mentioned that you'd be better off buying a new computer because yours is 6 years old. We have 2 computers, a newer laptop and an 8 year old regular computer with a tower. It was an expensive computer when I bought it and had extra power and memory when I purchased it. I keep it clean of malware, run an on-line anti-virus program, keep it adjusted with System Mechanic. The thing runs just as fast as my new computer and sometimes even better. I think if you take care of it, it will take care of you.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by GordyM

May I ask what operating system you are using? (XP, Vista, Windows 7)

If it were me I would save my data to a backup drive, wipe the drive, and reload the operating system.

If you would like help in doing this.... let me know. I have been doing IT work for the past 35 years.

Take care,
Gordy

Hi Gordy:
I have seen you offer your services for free several times on here and think you are a great person who loves what he does. I so appreciate the advise you give on this board to help us. I just wanted to say thank you from all of us.

[Geewiz]

FYI - if you order a new computer from Dell go to the federal employee portal...you'll get a substantial discount and no documentation is required. The prices for Windows based laptops is incredibly Olow. Plus there are many free alternatives to expensive software - Open Office (instead of Microsoft Office), Microsoft Security Essentials (instead of McAfee or Norton) so you don't need to pay for those extras. Go to CNET downloads. Be sure to uncheck the "bonus" add-on's (such as Yahoo tool bar) when you load the shareware. Also - with windows - create 2 users - it is the easiest way to fix viruses that prevent your primary account to download solutions (many viruses prevent the user from downloading a software solution - a second account gets around this).

[caseylou5]

Thank you for all the information that you have provided. I will give it a try and hope that it works. I love using the computer but it is so frustrating at times.
Thanks again.

[GordyM]

@jnieman

Thank you for the nice compliment.

Gordy

[ohhappyday]

Sorry to jump on the OP's thread...where does the computer club meet? I have a scareware/malware that is locking my computer. Its the FBI thing that has been causing some issues. I've tried everything I can think of at this point and would like to get with someone who might be able to do a fix. I'd take it in but am extremely cash shy at the moment

[Computer Corner]

Originally Posted by Geewiz

FYI - if you order a new computer from Dell go to the federal employee portal...you'll get a substantial discount and no documentation is required. The prices for Windows based laptops is incredibly Olow. Plus there are many free alternatives to expensive software - Open Office (instead of Microsoft Office), Microsoft Security Essentials (instead of McAfee or Norton) so you don't need to pay for those extras. Go to CNET downloads. Be sure to uncheck the "bonus" add-on's (such as Yahoo tool bar) when you load the shareware. Also - with windows - create 2 users - it is the easiest way to fix viruses that prevent your primary account to download solutions (many viruses prevent the user from downloading a software solution - a second account gets around this).

Great insight into the Federal Employee Portal.. learn something new everyday!