CPU/Processor
The “Brain” of your computer –can be replaced but most of the time it isn’t worth the effort.
RAM/Memory.
Where stuff waits before it is processed ‐typically easily replaced or upgraded –4GB max for 32‐bit OS and
4+ GB for 64‐bit OS.
OS/Operating System
The instructions for the CPU –are you running the most current version, service pack and updates.
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Auto‐Starting Programs
Programs that automatically start when you start the computer or log in –Many not needed, hog memory and processor time.
Viruses/Spyware/Malware/etc.
Malicious programs that exploit weaknesses to do many bad things –Steal identity, track you, corrupt files
Fragmented Hard Drive
The files on your hard drive are jumbled and not in the most efficient order –Happens just by creating and
modifying files
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Empty your Recycle Bin/Trash/Deleted Items/Internet Temp files
Doesn’t necessarily speed things up a lot but it is a good practice –can help internet browsing
Dust
Vacuum out/Blow out your computer
Heat
Make sure you have good ventilation so your computer can breath
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MSconfig
Run from the command or run line in both Windows XP and VistaAllows you to see what is being
called at startupCan be a bit complex.
Startup Optimizer
1.6. Nice interface –easier to use than MsconfigSometimes overstates threat level
Registry
For advansed users only.
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Preventing THE VIRUS.
Prevention is the best method
Keep Windows and other Microsoft applications up to date using Microsoft Update
(not Windows Update)
Install Anti‐virus software and keep it up to date▪Check out Antivir, AVG Free or Avast–they’re free
Make sure the windows firewall is on or you have another form of firewallRun Secuniato check for
other updates.
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I think my computer is infected now what?
Did you have anti‐virus running?
▪Yes –you probably have Malware or Spyware
▪Run Anti‐Malware/Anti‐Spyware scannersSuch as Malware Bytes, SuperAntiSpywareand SpybotS&D
▪No –Shame on you
▪Install and run Anti‐virus software
▪Run Anti‐Malware/Anti‐Spyware scanners
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My Anti‐virus software won’t install or it stops running shortly after I enable it
You most likely have a virus that is disabling it or preventing it from being installed
▪Try booting into safe mode F8 and running virus scan ▪Run a virus rescue tool off a flash drive or CD (Sunbelt VipreRescue, McafeeStinger) ▪Worst case backup files and reformat the hard drive and start fresh
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Both Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 have built in defrag programs
Free Defrag utilities usually do a much better job than the built in defrag
Good free defrag programs include:
▪Auslogics–Disk Defrag
▪Piriform–Defraggler
▪My Defrag
▪Ultra Defrag
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Keep IE up to date
Get IE 8 it does a very good job at protecting you as you browse
▪IE 8 Privacy mode –great idea when banking on lineUse FireFox–keep it up to date
Extra safety with NoScriptand Adblock
Use common sense if something doesn’t look right don’t click on it ‐Taskmanger
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Tech Republic ‐http://techrepublic.com.com/
Large amounts of information for all levels
▪Check out 10 Things –great quick way to bring yourself up to speed on a lot of things
▪Tons of e‐mail news letters
▪Utility software reviews and comparisons
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C‐Net ‐http://www.cnet.com/
Good place to go for reviews on consumer electronics and tech gadgetsInformation about tech terms to
help you make better decisions
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OnGuardOnline ‐http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/overview.aspx
Government Site with good information about online safety and avoiding scams
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Tom’s Hardware ‐http://www.tomshardware.com/us/
My Favorite site for in depth hardware comparisonsIt can be pretty technical but normally they do a great job explaining things
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Free Anti‐Virus
AvastAnti‐Virus: http://www.avast.com/
AVG Anti‐Virus : http://free.avg.com/
AviraAntivirAnti‐Virus: http://www.avira.com/en/pages/index.php
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Emergency Removal Tools
VipreRescue by Sunbelt –Something to try when all else fails: http://live.sunbeltsoftware.com/
McafeeStinger: http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger
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Anti Spyware/Malware
Malwarebytes: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Spybot‐Search & Destroy : http://www.safer‐networking.org/en/index.html
SUPERAntiSpyware: http://www.superantispyware.com
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Specific Software Removal Tools
McafeeAntivirus –Sometime you need help uninstalling Mcafee: http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exeNorton/
Symantec Antivirus: http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2007080716174339?Open&docid=2005033108162039&nsf=tsgeninfo.nsf&view=docid
WildTangent: http://www.pchell.com/downloads/WTRemover.exe
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Free Disk Defrag
AuslogicsDisk Defrag: http://www.auslogics.com/disk‐defrag
Defraggler: http://www.defraggler.com/
My Defrag: http://www.mydefrag.com/
UltraDefrag–Download: http://sourceforge.net/projects/ultradefrag/files/
UltraDefrag–Instruction: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window‐on‐windows/?p=1397
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Registry CleanerCCleaner–comes with registry cleanrer
EusingRegistry Cleaner ‐Free: http://www.eusing.com/
RegCure–Free Trial pay to be usable: http://www.regcure.com/lp/revenuewire/11/
Registry Fix–Free Trial pay to be usable: http://www.registryfix.com/?hop=reviewb
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Utilities
CCleaner–Temp cleaner, MRU cleaner, Registry cleaner: http://www.ccleaner.com/
Cropper in C# ‐Free Screen Capture utility: http://blogs.geekdojo.net/brian/articles/Cropper.aspx
Crossloop–Free screen sharing tool: http://www.crossloop.com/ipage.htm?id=predownloadCute
PDF–Free PDF printer: http://www.cutepdf.com
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Utilities
PC Decrapifier–Uninstall junk software on computer: http://www.pcdecrapifier.com/
Process Explorer –An improved task manager: http://technet.microsoft.com/en‐us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx
Secunia–Notifies you of updates: http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/
Space Monger ‐See what is taking up space: http://www.sixty‐five.cc/sm/v1x.php
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Utilities
Startup Optimizer 1.6 –Helps sort through startup programs: http://download.cnet.com/
Startup‐Optimizer/3000‐2086_4‐10526639.html
TCPView–View network connections: http://technet.microsoft.com/en‐us/sysinternals/bb897437.aspx
Windows Installer Cleanup Utility: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
Winsock XP Fix –Works best on XP can be run on Vista: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html
Vista reset networking ‐at command line run netshwinsockreset
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