[GTechWiz]

This Post will be highly informative, all information is from a trusted Computer Tech with 25 years Experience!

That would be me. Please read this thoroughly as it has a lot information within which will help you solve a lot of different problems, you should read this before you decide to post in the forums, if the sollutions within don't solve your problems, then you should proceed to post.

First & Foremost you should be aware that MOST computer problems are Software Related, rather than hardware, unless your getting a screen (the blue screen of death) or your computer is not starting, you should suspect Software FIRST!

I cannot overstate this enough, the FIRST Step in dianosing computer problems starts with a virus scan! The best scan online scanner is One Care Live @ http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm This scanner is so good I would recommend it to anyone!

You should download and install these program (remove your old virus scanner FIRST!) as they are trusted free programs which are great at what they do! If you run these three once a week then most problems you will encounter will be solved!

AVG Free - http://download.cnet.com/windows/ (Type AVG Free in the search bar)

Spybot Search & Destroy (Anti-Spyware)
http://search-destroy-scan.com/2/ind...t2_us&se=yahoo

Malwarebytes' (Anti-Malware Software)
http://malware.bytes-d0wnload.com/de...lwarebytes-new

If you don't like AVG then Get Avira, it's REALLY GOOD!
http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1...antivirus.html

Another common Problem is the computer is running slow, as always, scan with the above programs first, you can then check to see if your running in Virtual Memory Mode, which is where windows uses your hard drive As RAM, because your out of RAM, this slows your computer down to a crawl! Press the Windows Key (The one that looks like a windows logo) & the Pause/Break Key and a window will pop up showing you how much total RAM you have, next press control + alt + delete key (all at once one time only!), vista must select task manager, when you see the task manager, select the Performance Tab, here you will find out how much RAM you are currently using.

If you are using more RAM than the total available RAM, you are running in virtual memory mode, you will need to find out what kind of RAM you have and go purchase some more, you can download & install CPUZ which allows you to get information on your computer, you can get that here. (it's free) http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

(Make sure you get the proper 32 or 64 Bit version which matches your O.S. Version!) If you don't know if your using 32 or 64 Bit, then use the windows Key + Pause/Break key to find out, it will be listed under System Type.

All 64 Bit operaiting system can utilize 32 Bit Programs, but if a 64 Bit is available use that instead! Not all programs work on Vista, and Vista will notify you of such! If you dont' have the money, Ubuntu is a great Operating system, which by the way is BETTER for laptops than ALL other operating system on the market! You can download, install, and use it for FREE (100%!)! http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

If you follow the above steps, you will be able to solve most common problems with a PC, there are a lot more technical problems out there, and I'm glad that they created this forum, it really does help the community, so let's not forget to thank the hoster of these forums for comming up with such a splendid idea, THANKS!

GTechWiz

[JohnWill]

Did you throw your shoulder out of joint patting yourself on the back?

[GTechWiz]

Haha!

I was just stating the facts.

I noticed your a vetran poster, I take it these forums have been here a long time, or you spam like a mad demon, now which is it?

[Noyb]

John doesn't spam ... With his moderator "license to kill" ... He eliminates spammers.

All those words of wisdom .. And you never mentioned the importance of a Backup Plan

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by Noyb

All those words of wisdom .. And you never mentioned the importance of a Backup Plan

And I mention backup with every post.

[Stoner]

But red hurts my eyes

[JohnWill]

Originally Posted by Stoner

But red hurts my eyes

I can see that.

[midders]

My BLT drive's gone AWOL. Please help me or I'll be forced to commit Hara Kiri

[GTechWiz]

Backup, is without a doubt extremely important, having experienced data loss, your right it should be at the top!

All too often though, I hear people say, what is backup?

Well, let's explain it some, Back Up is simply taking the data (files) on your computer and burning them to a DVD or CD, I say DVD or CD because flash drives can go bad!

Also, it's very important to make 2 copies & VERIFY the data on the disc is ALL good. The reason you backup files is to prevent the horrible experience of losing your files should your hard drive enter a state of mechanical failure (unrevivable). Sure you can send your hard drive off to those data recovery centers, but be ready to shell out some SERIOUS cash to get your data back!

There are many other forms of back up, some like using external hard drives to store their Data, I for one love flash drives (though I realize the data on them can become corrupted or infected with viruses), I use flash drives not only to transport and store data but I have over 250 Applications that run from a flash drive, these programs help me do a wide array of things and they work from ANY computer!

Data loss is something you really don't want to experience, it really is a travesty, having lost 6 months work myself before, I know the importance of back up! Especially backing up your Encryption Keys!

Finally, before the spammers tear this post to shreds, I'll say that, if you are looking for some solid technical advice, there are a lot of Tech Web Sites that offer a slew of data / information / programs that are very helpful for this very thing!

Quote:

"A PC Is only as powerful as the user!"

[LauraMJ]

Finally, before the spammers tear this post to shreds,

What does that mean? Spammers don't last long enough around here to do anything except go *POOF*.

[Noyb]

Originally Posted by GTechWiz

Backup, is without a doubt extremely important, having experienced data loss, your right it should be at the top! ...
Back Up is simply taking the data (files) on your computer and burning them to a DVD or CD, I say DVD or CD because flash drives can go bad!

You didn't mention "Imaging" an OS

[JohnWill]

Or indeed hard disk backup. Writing to DVD or CD is probably one of the least reliable methods of backup, they have their own issues. Regular backup to a FLASH drive is just as reliable as optical media.

My backups go to a pair of D-Link NAS units running RAID-1, and a pair of USB drives as a secondary. I also have some Ximeta NDAS drives that I routinely make yet another copy. Some of these drives (one NAS and the NDAS drives) are located in a cinder block enclosure in the basement for maximum survivability in the case of a fire.

When I go on the road, I have all my development and personal files with me on a laptop with a pair of 500GB drives as added protection.

[valis]

jesus JW, that's some data you want. I just have it mirrored internally on a WD 1 tb, then every monday take my enclosure from work and synch it with my main rig at home. Then take my enclosure back to work.

twice is enough for me, I guess.

[LauraMJ]

I think in case of a nuclear attack, we should all go to JW's house and hide out with the backups!

[paisanol69]

Originally Posted by LauraMJ

I think in case of a nuclear attack, we should all go to JW's house and hide out with the backups!

....I wonder if JW ( or his kitty)likes horses???