Instead, look at this simple guide to understanding what is wrong with your computer.
Most problems come from spyware, viruses, and other software, NOT HARDWARE--and are thus much cheaper to solve.
Before anything else, make sure you're secure from other problems!
Make sure your security is good enough!
Many people download some free antivirus program and assume they'll never have to worry about the issue again. Unfortunately, free antivirus comes with a lot of problems. Viruses constantly evolve as hackers get better and better, meaning antivirus needs to evolve fast too. Free programs don't have the resources backing them to keep up!
In addition to antivirus, you should take other steps to protect yourself from further problems before you start cleaning up:
Here are the steps to take:
1. You should change your browser from Internet Explorer to Firefox if you haven't already. This is very simple, and Firefox is free. Firefox will automatically import all of your bookmarks and other settings from Internet Explorer. Just click here and download it. This will help reduce the viruses that can get into your computer, and make later steps we'll take to speed up and repair your computer much easier.
2. You should download AdBlock Plus for free to reduce the number of ads you see across the internet. This will also block out lot of dangerous ads run by hackers and other unsavory types! You can get AdBlock Plus here once you've got Firebox installed--that's part of why we installed it in the first place!
3. Install reliable antivirus software. We recommend Anti-Virus Professional. It's a bit pricy, but well worth the expense. Good antivirus protection is more important than anything else, after all!
Avoid high-risk websites!
Sometimes, no amount of security can protect a user. One common way this happens is through dangerous websites. A site doesn't have to be run by a hacker to be high-risk! If it runs ads that get past AdBlock, enterprising malware and virus authors can slip in dangerous code that bypasses all your security.We're putting together a list of example 'dangerous' sites and 'safe' alternatives, but in the meantime use this rule of thumb: If it runs big, flashy ads that make sound, have games built in, or otherwise allows access to your computer, WATCH OUT! That kind of ad has too much access to your computer and can let all sorts of nasty stuff in.
You can greatly reduce the danger of all these things by installing Flashblock here, but it can be overzealous and block lots of legitimate things too. You'll have to manually allow anything based on Flash once you've installed it--easy, but annoying. You can also use a paid program for excellent security; again, we recommend Easy Ad Blocker, available here if you want to go that route; it's cheap, easy to use, and effective.
Now, clean up the messes you've already got!
We use a combination of free and paid solutions here. You can just do the free stuff, but we recommend doing it all.1. Start off with with the free version of MalwareBytes here. Run it, let it do it's thing. It'll get certain sneaky stuff that other programs don't--it focuses on that sort of thing.
2. Download and run HijackThis from here. This next part can be tricky, but it's actually easy. HijackThis will make a text log of registry stuff for you. Copy and paste it into the form at HijackThis.de. Look down the list for things flagged as dangerous, then look back at HijackThis. Check the boxes next to the dangerous stuff, then click Fix This and you're done.
3. Get Smart PC Fix here. Let it do it's thing, it'll fix LOTS of problems in your registry and optimize other things.
Now, use your computer and see if you still have trouble. If you do, it's time to look at hardware.
Spyware, viruses, and adware can cause any problem you can imagine. But hardware usually causes specific problems that we can puzzle out. If you're feeling up to personally fixing your computer, continue on to our hardware repair guide. Otherwise, it might be time to call in help--either from a professional, or from someone you know who CAN follow our guide.If you go with a professional, take a friend who understands computers at least a little, the way you'd take a friend who knows cars when you visit a dealership or mechanic. They'll help you avoid getting ripped off.
We hope you've enjoyed our guide and that it's helped you. Even if your problem lays in hardware, everything else we've done will help you out moving forward--after all, sometimes hardware problems are CAUSED by spyware and other stuff messing up your hard drive or other parts.
If you need personal assistance, post a comment and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!
