How to Solve PC Problems
Hundreds of pricey programs are available to help you fix your PC. Some that appear to be helpful programs are actually clever ruses to trick you into downloading harmful malware to your computer. If you aren't technically savvy, figuring out how to fix your computer without downloading something that could make it worse can be a real issue. What many non-tech people don't know is that most problems related to speed and memory can be fixed using the maintenance tools that come standard on your computer.
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Things You'll Need
- Virus, spyware and malware protection software
- Registry Cleaner software
Instructions
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1
Power down and unplug your computer. It sounds simple, but once in a while the computer, modem and router need to be reset. You can accomplish this by turning the computer off and then unplugging the system. Wait for 30 seconds, and plug everything back in sequence, first the modem (if you have one), then the router (if you have one) and then the computer. Wait for each component to power up before plugging in the next, usually about one minute. If you only have a PC, then just unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
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2
Scan and defragment your computer by locating the Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools folder. Run Disk Cleanup, followed by Disk Defragmenter. This should help speed up the computer, especially if it hasn't been done in a while.
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3
Check the memory. Open "My Computer" and right-click on your hard drive (usually drive C). Choose "Properties" to see how much space you have free. If your hard drive is close to capacity, your computer will run slowly. To address this problem, look for large files and move them to an external hard drive or memory stick. The most common memory-issue causes are movies, music and pictures.
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4
Scan for malware, spyware and viruses. Malicious programs are easy to get and can be hard to get rid of. If you have a virus program, make sure it is up to date and start a thorough scan of your computer. If you do not have a virus protection program, download something like Stopzilla, which is low-cost, user-friendly and offers excellent protection without causing intrusive problems.
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5
Clean your registry. Over time, leftover snippets of code from removed programs can accumulate and gum up the registry, causing errors, slowdowns and crashes. Download a program like Advanced Registry Doctor Pro to take care of this problem. Use the registry backup feature before you begin, in case something goes wrong.
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Finally, reboot your computer and run the virus protection again. Once you have completed these steps, if your computer is running more efficiently, open Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore and create a restore point.
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Tips & Warnings
Regular maintenance is the best way to keep your PC humming. Dust can accumulate inside your PC and damage the delicate electronics. As part of your maintenance routine, once every six months or so, unplug, unscrew and remove the PC cover, then dust with a canned air blower. If these steps do not fix your problem, you may need a new hardware component. Take it to a computer shop for diagnosis and repair.
Don't click pop-up ads, including those that inform you that your PC is loaded with viruses.
