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You won't find links to free software here. Just trusted and proven software that does what it says. All the malware removal, registry cleaner and antivirus software links are hand picked for their superior performance. Are you looking for useful quick computer tips? Need help from a Professional? Tired of the same old issues like Viruses and Malware causing your computer to run slow?

Are you wanting to do something but not sure how to do it? 

Maybe you need advise on what software works best I will review computer software and give you honest feedback.

Hello,  I am an Experienced computer technician and network analyst. I have more than 20 yrs in the industry and have decided to share my computer related knowledge for free. I will try and address computer and network related issues.

I will provide tips, help, how to's and links to some great software. Please check out links page there are many good computer software products that can help you. So register and join me. Together we will keep your system running great. Continue reading....

Ask a Question (Got a problem? I can help.)

Read my Computer stories and add your own (Some of my experiences fixing systems, system rebuilds and malware/virus removals what I used and how i did it.)

Quit Stressing, Relax and play a game for a few (Take a breath sometimes it takes a fresh look to see the problem.)

Quick Computer Tips (tips for everyday use.)

Looking for software to fix and protect your computer (All software hand picked for best quality.)

What's new on the How To's

Disable Startup programs to increase system speed

How to remove most Malware

How to delete a file or folder that is in use 

How to backup Registry

How To Connect to home computer from Another Location

How to setup a Wireless Network

How to format your hard drive and reinstall Windows XP

Windows Shortcut Keys

Speed up your system—Disable Index service

How to use System Restore

Current Computer Information Articles

What is Malware? How do I remove Malware?

Defragment: Do I need to do it?

Typical reasons computers are slow.

Windows Registry - What is it and why do I care?

Windows 7:  “Is It Time To Upgrade?” 

System Restore: What it is and How to use it

Printers, Cameras, Ipods and other devices: How they effect your system

Everyday ways of getting a virus, and how to avoid them.

To start with it is important that you understand the generic terms that you hear and read about. There are many forms of malware and Malware removal software to choose from so you should know what they are and how they work.

Adware - A program that generates popups on your computer or displays advertisements. It is important to note that not all adware programs are necessarily considered malware. There are many legitimate programs that display ads in their programs in order to generate revenue. As long as this information is provided up front then they are generally not considered malware.

Backdoor - A program that allows a remote user to execute commands and tasks on your computer without your permission. These types of programs are typically used to launch attacks on other computers.

Dialer - A program that typically dials a premium rate number that has per minute charges over and above the typical call charge. These calls are with the intent of gaining access to pornographic material.

Hijackers - A program that attempts to hijack certain Internet functions like redirecting your start page to the hijacker's own start page, redirecting search queries to a undesired search engine, or replace search results from popular search engines with their own information.

Spyware - A program that monitors your activity or information on your computer and sends that information to a remote computer without your knowledge.

Trojan - A program that has been designed to appear innocent but has been intentionally designed to cause some malicious activity or to provide a backdoor to your system.

Virus - A program that when run, has the ability to self-replicate by infecting other programs and files on your computer. These programs can have many effects ranging from wiping your hard drive, displaying a joke in a small box, or doing nothing at all except to replicate itself. These types of infections tend to be localized to your computer and not have the ability to spread to another computer on their own. The word virus has incorrectly become a general term that encompasses trojans, worms, and viruses.

Worm - A program that when run, has the ability to spread to other computers on its own using either mass-mailing techniques to email addresses found on your computer or by using the Internet to infect a remote computer using known security holes.

Like all computer programs, in order for the program to work, it must be started. Malware programs are no different in this respect. Programs must be started in some way in order to function. These infections run by creating a configuration entry in the Windows Registry to make them start or run when your computer starts.

Steps to remove Malware

Follow these steps to remove most malware programs:

Clean all temp files on system. Be sure to include temporary internet files and cookies. There are two methods automatic and manual. It is best to do manual from windows safe mode but not completely necessary.

Automatic method-- Select Start—Programs or All Programs--accessories—system tools—disk cleanup

Manual method—Start—Search—Select all files and folders—select More advanced options—Select search system folders, hidden folders, and subfolders—select all or part of file name—Type *.tmp and press search button. I suggest creating a folder on desktop and copy all temp files and folders to new folder before removing. This way if there is a problem after you delete them you can replace the files. Keep folder for several days if you have no problems then delete it. Remove temp internet files and cookies from internet options—from internet explorer—select tools—internet options—General—delete browsing history.

After temp files are removed install and run a good Malware removal software. I suggest SpyBot Search and Destroy. It works for most Malware programs. It is easy to use and will even run at startup to clean any files it can’t while windows is running. There are many other great software for this out there so do your research. Or trust my experience either way the only sure way to remove malware is to invest in the software to remove and protect against these threats.

How to protect yourself

In order to protect yourself from becoming infected again it is important that you take precautions when using your computer. Make sure you have updated antivirus and malware removal software running, your operating system is up to date, and a firewall. I recommend having two one hardware firewall(router)and one software firewall(zonealarm) to protect your computer from the outside world. Practice “Safe Surfing” see article “Everyday ways of getting a virus and what you can do to avoid them” for more information

Conclusion

Now that you know how to remove malware from your computer, it should help you stay relatively clean from infection. Unfortunately there are a lot of malware programs that make it very difficult to remove every one but these steps should help you with most infections. In situations where you need extra help, Please contact us for further assistance.

There is much to say whether Windows Disk Defragmenter is really necessary. Some will say that with drives today being so large, “it takes to long and does not accomplish much”. They say that it is old and outdated like most Dos utilities.  The fact is window defrag is even more useful now than ever.  With the size of hard drives and the amount of software, pictures, and videos that are added and removed on a regular basis it is extremely necessary. Every time a file or software is removed from your system it creates a fragmented space on the hard-drive. Fragmented space is simply blank blocks of memory space between data on the drive.  Over time these fragments can increase and the more fragmented your drive is the longer it takes for the drive to find the data. The drive must go through every memory block to look for data even empty ones so the idea is that defragmenting your drive will remove the empty blocks between data and move it to the end of the drive. This makes data retrieval more efficient and so this speeds up your computer. Before running defrag be sure to turn off all power settings and screen savers otherwise these settings could interrupt the defrag process. Make sure the power settings are set to never on all options, you do not want you drive to shut down to save power during this process. Also a screensaver will cause the defrag process to restart as this causes a change in the drive so turn it off completely. To start the defrag process click start. Then select Programs or All Programs, Accessories, System tools then disk defragmenter. This should pop up the defragmenter dialog box. Select analyze or defragment now. Analyze will tell you if you need to defragment but beware the defragment software will view the whole drive which if large will display a message stating your drive is only 1% fragmented you do not need to defrag at this time. This may be true as a whole but for the small portion you are actually using it is incorrect you still need to defrag your drive. Defragmenting your drive can definitely improve the overall performance of your computer. The best time to run defrag is overnight when your system is not in use or needed. I recommend you defrag your hard drive at least once a month. Always run disk clean up from the same location “system Tools” prior to defragmenting it will clean out any unnecessary files first. This is one of many steps you should take to ensure the good operation of your computer.

Nov. 13, 2009  Michael Steeber

The most common reasons computers are slow can be a convoluted subject. Most will tell you it is from viruses and malware. Others will say it is OS (operating system) or hardware related.  So which is it? 

I can tell you this I have not had a problem with viruses or malware for almost 8 years now and I don’t use any antivirus or malware software. That’s right none, nada, zero, zilch. 

How is this possible you ask?

Well I am lucky to be honest.  The only real thing I do diligently is to clear temporary Internet files and cookies EVERY time I finish surfing the Internet. Sounds simple Right? Well it is if you are the only one using the computer.  However, This is usually not the case.  Also I have a couple of Firewalls in place one hardware (router) and one software (zonealarm) to protect my system from the outside world.  I also follow my tips for “Safe Surfing” (see Article below) to keep away from possible infection.  Problem is most people don’t seem to be as lucky as I am that is why it is extremely important to have a good antivirus and malware software just in case.

            A slow computer can also be caused by everyday use. Even without the help from viruses and malware your system can slow down.  Every time you access a file, install software or surf the net, basically turn on your computer there are processes happening in the background you never see.  Whether it is creating a temp file or updating the registry all these things add up and can eventually affect your computers performance. That is why it is also important to have a good file and registry cleaner as well.  This software does the things that are just to time consuming to do manually. Continue reading....

Oct. 20, 2009 Michael Steeber

Windows Registry, a scary word to many, it is known pretty much by all but understood by very few. It is the reason your computer can do all the things it does (well at least in windows) and it is also a main reason your system stops doing these things efficiently. First the basics, the registry is the location windows stores information about every single application on your computer in order for it to know where and how to use it. Sounds simple enough Right? Well it really is for the most part. The problem however is the cryptic way in which windows actually writes this information. If you could just go in and look for something like lets say Norton to remove any left over entries after uninstalling the software (yes, There are always left over entries) it would be great. However, that is not how easy it is. Unfortunately not all entries are that straightforward they are long cryptic confusing and intimidating strings of letters and numbers. So as time moves forward and you install and uninstall software and features to your computer the registry grows, and grows, and grows, you get the idea. Now think about your computer it has to look through every one of those entries every time you turn it on or use your programs. This is the downer, the slow downer, next thing you know your computer is slower than dirt. I would love to tell you that I can teach you here how to fix this but unfortunately that is just not possible but I can tell you that there is alot of great software that can help and are worth every cent you pay for them. The only other sure way to fix registry issues is to rebuild (reinstall OS) on your computer, which if you don't know means to erase all data completely.

Oct. 22, 2009 Michael Steeber

Operating systems what a nightmare.  As I sit here and think back 20 years about all the “upgrades” it makes my head spin.  I remember all the oldies like Dos and Window 3.1. “Ha” Oldies to me anyway…and all the ones after.  We have seen many changes, some improvements and more problems than anyone should have to endure.  I have become very passive now to all the hype and hoopla when it begins.  I have seen the commercials, read all the ads, with all the promises of “it will be better this time” from all the companies.  Its funny you always here about Microsoft, but the reality is that Macs are up to Version 10 or 11 with its OS, as well. They just have cooler names like Leopard and Tiger.  So why do it? Why do we constantly put ourselves though all the hassle, backing up software, copying data, reinstalling broken drivers, and my personal favorite downloading all the updates soon after?  Seems we are stuck in the endless cycle of upgrades and updates. 

            Convenience,  “Let’s make it easier” is that it? Do we do it so we can have two less mouse clicks to accomplish the same task? Do we do it for the enhancements of entertainment software such as windows media player and Itunes? With so many capabilities possible with computers; the improvements are unlimited and thus so are the software upgrades. Anyway, it doesn’t matter why we do it; we all have our own reasons.  

             So that brings us to today. We are faced with yet another upgrade Windows 7. I usually wait at least a year after release just to see how it works out, is it another Windows ME catastrophe or is it worth checking out. If The OS does last and looks promising, then I will do my research. First off what are the differences between it and what we are using now.  A few things truly stand out to me personally in Windows 7. The “Peek, Shake and Snap” functions seem kind of cool. They allow you easily to view the desktop thru many windows or resize and compare websites on your screen. So does the “Device Stage” and “Play To” features. They allow you easily to understand and work with your printers, scanners, cameras and music players. These look like they might be worth the upgrade alone. However, there are also some performance enhancements as well such as extending your laptop battery by running less background processes and powering off unused ports. This could prove very useful for many people who are on the go. Of course the question is will these “Cool Features” really prove useful or will they just be another gizmo cluttering up your system later on. My advice on “is it time to upgrade?” is this. If you are thinking about upgrading make sure it is worth your time and effort, or money if paying someone else. Look at the features of both operating systems; the one you use now, and the one you are considering (oh yea don’t forget there are several different versions like starter, home premium and professional), and verify it has the features, or has enhanced the features interesting, and functional for you.  If so it may be worth the hassle (and it will be a hassle). You can’t underestimate the issues you could run into during the upgrade process, nor can you not expect to have growing pains; as I said earlier updates will follow to fix the bugs (in theory). And remember they are making it easier all the time, even to upgrade, over, and over, and over again.

Oct. 26,2009 Michael Steeber

Sometimes even the little guy gets lucky when it comes to OS changes and upgrades.  Microsoft has a way of forgetting that not everyone who uses a computer is an experienced Technician. They seem to forget that not everyone knows what terms like restore, backup or registry actually mean.  It may sound odd in society today that someone couldn’t possibly know what these terms mean but it’s true. So we now have all these wonderful features in windows however, most are hardly used.  Windows has many tools and utilities to help keep your system running and clear of junk.  I recently became aware that not many people know about, let alone use System Restore.  This could be one of the greatest things Microsoft has incorporated into windows. Just think a way to roll back your computer to when it ran good. Not only does it do this automatically every day it is also possible to do manually before making any changes to your system (installing new drivers or software). What a concept you can now protect your computer’s Operating System before you make a change.  So to inform and instruct the masses I have decided to create this document.  It should help you understand what system restore is and how to use it.  My hopes are that everyone who reads this will better understand how to protect your computer with more than antivirus, malware and firewall software.

My first glance at system restore made me realize it is quite simple to use and most people should have no problem understanding the wizard.  The wizard is mostly self-explanatory and assists you all the way through the process.

How does System restore work?

Windows XP periodically takes a snapshot of your computer. These snapshots are called restore points. Windows XP also creates restore points at the time of significant system changes (such as when computer software or drivers are installed). You can also create and name your own restore points at any time. If you’ve installed software that has made your computer poorly, you can open system restore, choose a restore point, and return your computer to its previous state. When you run System Restore, a calendar is displayed to help you locate restore points. If you use your computer often, you might have restore points every day, and some days might have several restore points or none.

You can access System Restore through Help and Support or through your All Programs folder.

Through Help and Support:

Click Start, and then click Help and Support.

Under Pick a Task, click Undo changes to your computer with System Restore.

Follow the instructions on the wizard.

Through the All Programs menu:

Click Start. Select All Programs. Select Accessories. Select System Tools.

Click System Restore.

Follow the instructions on the wizard

How to Create a Restore Point:

Open System Restore.

Select Create a restore point, and then click Next.

In the Restore point description box, type a name for your restore point. System Restore automatically adds the date and time that this Restore Point is created.

To finish creating this restore point, click Create.

To view or to return to this restore point, from the Welcome to System Restore screen of the System Restore Wizard select Restore my computer to an earlier time. Then select the date you created the restore point from the calendar in the Select a Restore Point screen. All the restore points you and your computer created on the selected date are listed by name in the list box to the right of the calendar.

So there it is very easy isn’t it. Hard to believe many people don’t use this or even know that it exists. This could definitely save you headaches and\or money at some point. System Restore can help keep your system running good. I would also say this just like all software it does have its flaws so make backups of your system frequently and make sure you have good antivirus, malware and firewall protection.

Oct. 30, 2009 Michael Steeber 

 If you’re like everyone else, chances are you have more electronic devices than you probably need. With all the gadgets currently on the market you can get anything that does everything. We have multifunction printers that can scan, copy, fax and e-mail. Phones that take pictures and record videos and Ipods that play music and play entire movies. All of these devices connect to our computers one way or another. Most devices are USB (universal serial bus) which allows for “hot swap” (adding or removing device without restarting computer) so they can easily be utilized. The problem we run into is computers are designed to function in a way that specific resources are used for specific devices (keyboard, mouse, printer). These resources such as IRQ (interrupt request) and DMA (direct memory access) channels can be tricky and cause some devices to fail or even OS (operating system) boot up problems. Have you ever turned on your computer and received the “Keyboard Error Press F1 to Continue” although nothing had changed on your system? You press “F1” and nothing so you restart just to see it again. Well, certain USB devices attached to your computer can cause this error. Generally most systems have a USB keyboard and mouse so they no longer use the IRQ that was assigned many years ago. Now, they reside on other IRQs and DMA channels that are subject to use by other devices. Disconnecting USB devices first can sometimes save you much trouble. If you connect a USB device and your computer does not recognize the device try removing other devices before reconnecting. Sometimes you may need to remove all USB devices except keyboard and mouse and restart computer to free the resources. I have experienced these scenarios and was fortunate to know this information to resolve the problems with no expense. After hearing stories of people actually throwing away portable media devices (MP3 player, Ipods, Zunes) because they would not work on their computer I decided I should try and supply some information in this area. As complex as computers are today, they still have certain limitations (24 IRQs) and no matter how great your computer is it has to juggle every device connected even built-in devices like cameras and DVD players. So try these tips or try on another computer before you throw that USB device away.

Nov. 6, 2009 Michael Steeber

Change Internet Explorer viewing area

To increase the viewing area in Internet Explorer press function key F11. To restore the screen to normal press F11 again.

Quicker web browsing

If you type in the name of the website you want, for example, type: "computertweak" and then hit the Control key and then the Enter key, your computer will input the www. and the .com for you!

Change zoom settings in Internet Explorer

If you have a scroll wheel on your mouse you can change the zoom setting(zoom in zoom out) in Internet Explorer by holding the control key and scrolling up or down. 

Change pointer appearence

If you want to change your pointer scheme, click Start, and then click Control Panel. In Category View (vs. classic view)click on Printers and Other Hardware, and then click on Mouse. Click the Pointers tab and browse the available themes. Select the one that suits you best, and then click OK.

Recieve text e-mail only(securiy purposes)

If you are really serious about protecting your computer you can change your email settings and receive text emails only. You can also disable the ability to open email attachments. Virus travel in HTML enabled emails and file attachments. They cannot travel in text email messages.

Use scroll on web page

You can tap the Space bar to scroll down on a Web page one full screen. Add the Shift key to scroll back up.

Highlight a word

You can double-click a word to highlight it in any document, e-mail or Web page.

Change how you view files in folders

You can change how your files are shown in a folder by clicking on View then choosing between Thumbnails, Tiles, Icons, List or Details.

Create  shortcuts on Taskbar

Drag a file, folder or shortcut on to the Taskbar for quick access to these items.

Change background on Desktop

Right click on your Desktop and select Properties. Click on the Desktop tab, pick a new Background and click Apply to change your wallpaper.

Save a web page picture

To copy a picture from a web site on to your computer, right-click the image and select Save Image As or Save Picture As.

Take a screenshot

Press “Print Screen” key to take a snapshot of the whole screen or “ALT” and “Print Screen” for just the current window, Open an image editor such as Paint or photoshop and paste(right click on screen)and save it as a picture file.

Move between links on web pages

Use “Tab” (next link) and “Shift” +”Tab” (previous link) keys to move between links on a web page and press “Enter” to follow the selected link

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