Computer Problems..

[Dog_ger]

1. What do you do when your computer doesn't do what it used to do...?

2. Do you take it to someone for a tune up...?

3. What do you do when everything else has failed....?

[Psyber]

First step: Clean the rubbish off the C: drive so there is about 25% free space.
Second step: Clean up the Registry with something like Registry Mechanic - I got it free off a PC Magazine DVD.
Third step: Defragment it several times.

If that fails consult a tech.

[firstblood]

I know it's a pain in the butt, but when all else fails i re-format the hard drive and reinstall windows. The only problem is installing all your software and drivers again.

[Dog_ger]

I tried this free clean up crap.....

Lost everything....

Would never do it again.

I have a computer that people would dream about.........

Top end

NASA

A true tech would love it...

It's finding a true tech...!

[Grahaml]

I'm always ultra cautious when anything offers to clean your system out of human kindness. People don't put in the effort for nothing!

Most problems are caused by spyware or viruses. These days spyware is the number one. Very few spyware programs are going to ruin your system, because it simply defeats the purpose of what it's meant to do. However, if you get nough of these bastards on your system it will slow down more and more, and will eventually grind to an almighty halt. A virus is more malicious, but like I said, much rarer now that spyware is around, basically because instead of putting in effort to write a virus just to cause trouble, young nerds with too much time can now make spyware and actually make money from being a nuisance.

Everyone who goes on the net (which is pretty much everyone, especially if you're reading this!)should have both virus and spyware protection. There are plenty of programs around, and many of them have very basic versions set up as demo versions that are free. The better protection comes from paying for a program, but it is a good idea to have a look at a demo version and see what it's like unless you know you're happy to pay. They're all basically the same, so I wouldn't kill myself looking for the "best" one or anything like that.

Just avoid anything Norton or Symantec (same thing). Norton is good in that it's thorough, but I have had many, many instances where it's in fact been worse than the original program. In essence, Norton products are the Robert Mugabe of computer programs. They don't like anything else doing anything remotely similar to them, no matter how good or necessary and will take any action to stop it. One instance is a mate who had Internet security. Running with XP, it wouldn't send any emails. Turns out that Norton was scanning outgoing emails, but so was windows itself. Windows was happy enough, but when Norton detected something else happening, it refused to release the email. Solution? Had to remove Norton.

I never really consider a reformat anything but defeat. I never think it's necessary unless there's something really seriously f**ked with the system or you don't have anything on the system to lose. Sometimes doing what they call installing "over the top" of a previous install is good to try if you think it's a windows problem. You don't lose any files as it basically just redoes the files it would on a normal install, and leaves everything else in tact.

Anyway, in essence first port of call for any problem is always a spyware AND virus scan. If you have 2 different programs for this, then run one at a time, and I'd start with the spyware one. If the scan itself is running unusually slowly, then try to target the documents and settings folder first, and when you get a few hits wipe them. There's no point running a scan for 10 hours on the whole thing if it picks up the problem in the first 10 minutes! If you still have problems we may have something a bit more complicated, so ask again if this all doesn't work.

[Dog_ger]

Everything is as you describe Grahaml

[Grahaml]

Do you mean you've tried it but it hasn't solved the problem?

[Dog_ger]

It was a very good top end computer.

I might have to give the builder a ring......

[Psyber]

I tried this free clean up crap.....

The Registry Cleaner I referred to is not freeware, it was an older versiion donated by the company as an intrduction, intending to entice you to upgrade to the newest version, but since I have stuck with XP Pro I don't need to upgrade. I have used it regularly and it is fine.

However, I agree - it pays to be careful about alleged freebies!

Easy Cleaner is a freebie from a Finn, but although I use it to find and delete temp files etc. I wouldn't risk it on the Registry.

I use the free versions of AVG Antivirus and AVG Antispyware at home.

[Dog_ger]

Had a lot of trouble with my internet security tonite....

This vast american mob never ceases to make me unhappy....

I am on the phone for hours trying to remedy problems with downloads......

I only have a mobile......

What is the best internet protection...?

[Grahaml]

Please tell me you don't mean Norton Internet Security.

There is no clear #1 as far as I'm concerned. I personally use Adaware (the free version 'cos I'm cheap) and AVG (another free version). My dad uses MacAfee (the paid for version) which seems good. I have also been quite surprised with Vet. I thought it was crap, but in the end it was actually pretty good. The best advise I can give you is go with something (other than Norton), make sure it is updateable and it will do the job. You could also call your ISP and see whether they can give you any advise on what is good. Then again, if you want information overload, head onto an IT focussed forum and see what they say.

There's also a place called software supermarket on Franklin st in town if you wanted to pop in and see what they have. I've not been there myself, but from what I gather they seem to be pretty good.

[Punk Rooster]

Dog_ger,
Have you PC problems worsened since your move to Canada???

[Coorong]

Dog_ger,
Have you PC problems worsened since your move to Canada???

Now THATS gold

[Dog_ger]

Bloody freezing here Coorong.....

I am catching the next flight outa here.

Goldcoast for a few weeks.....

Mrs_Dog_ger will stay till Christams......

[Dog_ger]

Took my computer back to the dealer.... Builder.....

He cleaned my hard drive and all internal workings...

$70

Worked great for 3 days then the same problem.....

Returned it again......

He replaced the power pack for free......

Whatever that is....?

My computer is state of the art again......

A job well done.....

[Psyber]

Dog_ger, computers are touchy things and a lot of odd and difficult to trace problems do come down to the power supply in the case not matching other components. For example a component that nominally needs 12 volts to run may do fine on anything from 11.5 to 12.5 for example, where as another sample of the same component may not work with less than 11.8 say. Then if a power supply nominally delivering 12 volts sometimes drops to 11.4 - we have a problem.

I had one like that years ago - it took them about 3 shots at testing it to find the answer, and they guessed it was the Power supply after everything else had been tested, as it was really all that was left.

[Grahaml]

Usually if the system keeps on doing something weird and inconsistent and it's not software then it'll be the power supply. Each power supply is slightly different and so supplies slight differences in the voltage and current. This is why most list ranges of specs for each "rail" as they're called. Sometimes a device won't like something about a particular power supply, and this can even develop over time as power needs and power supplied alters by tiny amounts. Replacing it with even an apparent exact replica of the sam part can do the trick even when both parts are perfectly fine. After a while you can sense the power might be the problem. For the really tough problems, we used to just swap it anyway in case it was the problem.

[Dog_ger]

Gremlins are back......

[Punk Rooster]

Gremlins are back......

Dog_ger, I feel your pain...

I bought a brand new pc 12 months ago, it's now sitting there collecting dust!
It won't load up.
I haven't had time to get it looked at...

[Psyber]

I've got one I bought for my wife in early 2007 - it has been back to the manufacturer twice. First time they could find nothing wrong and reistalled the OS and said they were being generous not charging for it as there was nothing wrong. This time they have had it 2 months now and have sent the motherboard to Taiwan for repair because it is a Foxconn for AMD 64 939 pin board and nobody has them in stock anymore at manufacturer/distributor level, because they were troublesome.

Because I am a partner in a reseller company I suggested they could replace it with another brand of 939 socket mobo thank you then, but no - they're very sorry but they don't have a 939 mobo in any brand! In the meantime my company is not ordering through them until it is back and fixed!

Problem - faulty RAID chip in the motherboard.

Another one that took several goes to fix had a microscopic crack in the motherboard than opened when the temperature was right.

The problem is that margins are tight and wholesalers and manufacturers are cutting costs by carrying minimum stock, and everything has to go back to the source for repair or replacement.