PC Tune Up and Clean Up

Tech Tuesdays PC Tune Up and Clean Up Class

Steps for Tuning Up your PC.

1.     In Programs and Features (Windows 7) or Add Remove Programs (Windows XP). Uninstall any programs that you no longer use. If you are in doubt about a program you can search for the program on the Internet. If you are still in doubt, leave it alone.

           

2.     Install and run CCleaner. Clean your system using the default settings. If you want to get a more in-depth cleaning, you can change some of the options.

3.     Next, Run the Registry cleaner from within CCleaner and remove clean all entries it finds.

4.     You may now want to go into Tools/startup on CCleaner. In here, only disable DO NOT DELETE any entries. If you make a mistake and remove something you need, you can go back later and enable it.

5.     Now open and run Disk Cleanup. This program comes with every Windows system. Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools in Windows XP and Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools and then select the options you wish to clean, and remember to clean the ‘system restore’ files under the ‘More Options’ tab if you feel you no longer need them. Click ‘OK’ to clean the files and remember when it is finished, there is the ‘Poof’ factor, meaning it won’t tell you when it is done, it will just disappear from your screen.

6.     If you’ve made it this far, it is time to run Disk Defragmenter. You can find Disk Defragmenter in the same location as Disk Clean up above. Highlight the drives you want to Defragment and click ‘Defragment Disk’. When it is done, it won’t disappear from your screen, but it won’t say ‘I’m finished’. Microsoft assumes a lot.

In Conclusion, if you your computer is running slow and you remove unwanted Programs and Files, and then Defragment your drive you should see a performance increase.

If you still do not see improvement, you may have malware/virus infection, or it may be hardware related, meaning you need a RAM or Hard drive upgrade. A full hard drive performs slowly.

Physical Cleaning or your computer

1.     With a Desktop Computer, use a can of compressed air outside on a clear day. Open the case side door, and remember you may have to take off the front cover. Blow out as much dust as you can. Blow out the power supply, processor fan, and any other fans and vents you find.

2.     With a Laptop Computer, use a can of compressed air on the bottom of the laptop and keyboard only. Do not spray on or at the display. You can cause dust particles to actually get behind the screen.

3.     For LCD screens, laptop screens and tablet screens I recommend a micro fiber cloth. You can get them at Staples, Wal-Mart or almost any store. Micro-fiber cloth will protect your screen against scratches. If your screen is extremely dirty, micro-fiber clothe with a little screen cleaner will work wonders.

4.     For CRT Screens and the outside of desktop computers I recommend Windex. Windex can be harsh on newer screens, but if you have an old CRT (big and fat) monitor, Windex will work on that and on the outside of most desktop cases.

     

Remember you can get files like CCleaner and Defraggler at the following URL

      http://www.filehippo.com/

     Below is the Audio and PowerPoints from the Class.

Tech Tuesdays Computer Security

The 'Handouts' referenced in this video are in this posting below. The first page of the handouts were the links below, and the second page are the tips on staying safe on the Internet.


Free Security Software

Microsoft Security Essentials
http://windows.microsoft.com/mse

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2012
http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-free-all-product

Avast
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

Avira Free Antivirus
http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free Edition
http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Ad-aware
http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

Windows Defender
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=17

Windows Firewall (More than you want to know)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/network/bb545423


Safe Software Sites – for utilities for your computer
http://download.cnet.com/windows/

http://www.filehippo.com/

Online Virus Scannershttp://housecall.trendmicro.com/

http://www.bitdefender.com/scanner/online/free.html


Being safe on the Internet

1. Do not give out personal information on the Internet such as Full name, address, where you work etc.
2. Never give out social security numbers or bank account numbers. EVER!
3. Do not open e-mail attachments from strangers.
4. Look out for ‘spoof’ e-mails. E-mails from Youtube, Ebay, USBank, PayPal, that don’t look legitimate. Don’t click on links from these e-mails. Type the URL in by hand.
5. Never meet someone in a private place you have only met online.
6. Make sure your computer is up-to-date
7. Make sure your anti-virus and other programs are installed and up-to-date
8. Change your passwords at a set time every year. For instance change them the time changes twice a year when you change your fire alarm batteries.
9. Watch what your kids are doing online.
10. Don’t just click ‘Next’. Read the page, and see what’s happening.
11. Read the agreements when installing software or signing up for a service.

Removal of Malware for Microsoft Windows XP thru 7

(If using a laptop make sure it is plugged in to an outlet. All of this can take a while)

You need a USB flash drive. A small flash drive of 256MB will probably do.

Download these following utilities and copy them to the USB flash drive

RKill

Malware Bytes

Ccleaner

1. Start the computer.

2. As soon as the BIOS screen disappears (that is the screen at the beginning of the boot up process that says things like press DEL or F2 to enter BIOS)

As soon as the BIOS screen disappears, start tapping the F8 key at the top of your keyboard. Tap it about as fast as you can count slowly.

If you start hitting the key too early, or too many times you will hear a frantic beeping sound. You may have to start over from the beginning at this point, but there is nothing wrong with your computer, you just filled up the ‘keyboard buffer’.

3. You may get a screen that asks you to select an operating system. Press F8 one more time to get to the Windows Advanced Options Menu.

4. You are given many options here. Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking are your only viable options. The other options are beyond the scope of this walk-thru.

If you think you will need network access, then choice Safe Mode with Networking. I personally choose this so I can update Malware Bytes when I install it.

Some malware that infects your computer displays more control over you system if you use Safe Mode with Networking. There are pros and cons to both options. If Safe Mode with Networking doesn’t work, then try regular Safe Mode the next time.

5. Highlight and choose Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking and press Enter

6. If asked to choose an Operating System choose the top choice and press Enter

7. If you have never done this before you are going to see things you’ve never seen. The operating system will boot by scrolling files across your screen. This is normal.

8. A pop-up box may appear telling you that you are now running in safe mode. Click YES.

9. Insert flash drive.

10. Copy the contents of the flash drive to the Desktop.

11. Double Click and run RKill from your desktop.

12 RKill will take some time. It will tell you when it is done. Don’t try to run anything else while RKill is running or it will shut it down.

13. When RKill is finished it will put up a text message stating the process it killed. If it is blank, this is a good thing.

14. Double Click and install Malware Bytes. Take all the default settings. Click Finish when done. If you are in Safe Mode with networking, it will update Malware bytes. This will give you the latest definitions to combat the malware. Click OK when database is updated. Decline the Trial.

15. Select ‘Perform full scan’ and click scan.

16. Select (by putting a checkmark in the boxes) the drives you want scanned. Most likely you will only need to choose the ‘C’ drive. Click Scan

17. This scan can take a long time. Hours even. Be patient.

18. When the scan is completed it will open a text file of the scan log. Close the file. If no items were found, then click ok and close malware bytes. If something was found follow the prompts to clean the computer. Very often Malware bytes will need to reboot. This is normal, but follow the steps above to re-enter safe mode again.

19. After the reboot (if applies) double click the ccsetup.exe file to install Ccleaner.

20. Follow the prompts. When it comes to the option of installing Google Chrome I recommend not installing it if you already have another browser besides Internet Explorer. If you don’t have a secondary Internet browser, install Google Chrome. It is not a bad browser.

21. After installing and opening Ccleaner. Select all the options you want on the main screen. If you choose to wipe Free Space, then know that this can take a very long time. Click ‘Run Cleaner’

22. When it is finished it will tell you how much space it freed up by removing temporary files. Click ‘Registry’ on the left. Click Scan for Issues.

23. When it is finished click Fix selected issues. When it asks to ‘back up’ the registry, that is up to you. In the years I have used ccleaner I have never backed up the registry and I have never had issues because of it. Your mileage may vary.

24. Click ‘Fix All Selected Issues’, then click close.

25. On the left click Tools. If you see any ‘known’ malware or tool bars in the add remove section, remove them. This will not only limit browsing issues, it will speed up your browser. If any ask you to reboot, say no. You can always reboot later.

26. Close Ccleaner.

27. Last but no least, open Internet Explorer.

28. From the file menu (Press your alt key if you don’t see the menu) select ‘Tools’ then ‘Internet Options’.

29. Click the Advanced tab at the far left of the pop up box.

30. Click Restore advanced settings. Click Apply.

31. Click the Reset button. You will get a warning that you are going to reset all Internet Explorer Settings. You may have to change some things back like your home page after this is over, but if Internet Explorer was working properly, you wouldn’t be reading this anyway, so by all means, Click ‘Reset’ again. This may take a few seconds. Click ‘Close’ when finished. Click ‘OK’ to the prompt telling you it will take effect the next time you open Internet Explorer.

32. Click ‘OK’ to close the dialog box and restart Internet Explorer.

If you still are having the same issues after following this guide, take your computer to a professional and let them fix it.