You may see different computer companies advertising remote clean ups for your computer. You may be asking, what is a remote clean up? Is it safe? Can anyone come into my computer now? Well, I hope to try to clear some of your questions up.

Everyone knows what a slow computer does to your mood. You have a great job you found on Monster but now your resume wont upload. Your web browser is not moving fast between pages. You are bidding on something you have wanted off Ebay but the page wont load. Clicking on Microsoft Word and Outlook express takes forever to open.

If you clean up your computer regularly it will help you with all these frustrations. Taking “cookies” and temporary files and getting rid of them helps. Cleaning up special folders that holds junk and defragmenting helps. Checking your updates from Microsoft and your anti-virus helps. Even cleaning up Malware helps.

But what if you are not comfortable doing this yourself? What if you don’t have a time for a technician to come in and spend and hour or so in your home? What if there was a product that you can install so that someone can go into your computer and do all these things without you being there? Sounds scary to you?

Let me help you relieveyour fears. I can only speak for Friendly Computers but believe most computer companies work in the same manner. We can have you download a small program that will allow a tech to come into your computer. While we are in there, we will clean up your system, check out the specs on the computer (such as RAM speed and Processor speed). We can even download a malware remover program to scan out any you may have picked up.

When it is over, you have the full ability to turn it off (or disable it). Once disabled, your computer will not allow anyone in back in. You would have to turn it on and then give the user on the other end permission to do so. If you feel unsafe even still, you can always remove the program right after being serviced.

If you still don’t like the idea of someone being in your computer remotely, you can always sit and watch what the technician does. One reason is that you can learn what you need to do for computer yourself and two you can actually see them go in and do what it is they are supposed to do.

Hopefully you deal with a computer company that is licesned and insured and recommended by other people in your neighborhood, family or friends. Friendly Computers Charlotte will only do what it is needed and will not take vital information from your machine. We care about your data and will do all to protect it!

Please like always, ask any questions you may have or make any comments you have to make.

Why is my computer running so slowly? When I bought it, it was so fast…but now I can barely get my internet up. Does this sound familiar? Computers sure can help us simplify our lives but when they stop working the way they used to, it can be frustrating. So what are the reasons a computer slows down?

Here are my top 5 reasons that I see on a daily basis:

• 1-Clicking yes on everything – Downloading tool bars – Just because it comes to you for free and promises to help you, doesn’t mean it actually does. Many times I see internet explorer bogged down with a yahoo toolbar, a Google toolbar, and other toolbars that take away resources from the browser. These small programs start up when you start up your internet and take away space and time. They promise you help with searching and finding things quickly, but when you have too many, it has the opposite effect. Also, when cruising on the internet…don’t click on everything that they give you. Yes, it’s free but how many computer clean up tools does a person need. Not only do they conflict with one another, they generally install malware (bad things that get into your system – spyware, adware, viruses, Trojans) that hurt your computer. Just remember…nothing is really for free…you are paying for it in one way or another
• 2- Boy, is this desk a mess - Not Cleaning up your files - Computers are like file cabinets. Eventually you can fill one up, have it overflow and you can’t find anything. Computers gather data that starts off making your life organized. What happens when you start stuffing it full of information? You need to clean your computer just like you would have to clean your file cabinet. All computers have clean up tools already installed in them. We just need to use them. Cookies, temporary files and set up files collect on your hard drive and over time clutter up and are hard to sift through. One should clean up (disk clean up and defragment) at least once a month. This keeps your computer running smoothly and with little issues.
• 3-I wanna play…pick me… Too many things running in background…start up – When you computer starts up, there are many programs that start up with it. The only programs that should run when your computer starts up are your anti-virus program, and any drivers (hardware) that need to make your computer run. That is really all you need. Sometimes I get computers that have multiple programs running such as limewire, quicken, Microsoft office, adobe, etc…and they take so much time to open. Only open programs that you need to use and then when you close them, you’re done. Why have these programs take away from your computer performance. So when download or installing, make sure you do not check the open at start up option.
• 4 –I don’t feel so well- Viruses or operating system issues – Installing freeware, downloading music and clicking on unfamiliar emails can leave your system open for vulnerabilities. Malware can come in many ways and can infect your system and certainly slow it down. You should get a highly rated anti-virus program and make sure it is updated daily. I recommend scanning your system once a week to make sure nothing comes in and if something does, hopefully, it will scan out. Remember no anti-virus can give you 100% protection, but the better ones help out tremendously. Remember what I said about freeware…you get what you pay for, so buy yourself a good one. Malware can start slowly…and eventually take over a system and render it useless. Also, it can cause operating system issues by making necessary files not work. It can corrupt your registry (where your system files, settings and options) and take over your system slowly. You may notice small issues but sooner than later, your computer will start to lock up, freeze and not boot.
• Ouch something is broken! – Hardware issues – RAM can be an issue if your computer is older than 3 years old. Programs are being made daily that need more speed and more space. Adding RAM can help these older computers. RAM helps with the speed on your computer. It helps the processor and hard drive work together. Also, If your hard drive is smaller and you are storing a lot of pictures and music, you may want to consider a large external hard drive to store your information on. Freeing up space on your hard drive makes cleaning up and defragmenting your computer easier. Sometimes these parts just start to go bad, and replacing makes a world of difference.

Follow these guidelines for basic care and maintenance. This will keep your computer running smoothly for years to come.

-Tara Belzer owns Friendly Computers in Charlotte NC. She has her own blog on www.tarabelzerfriendlycomputers and talks about computer issues in an open forum. She enjoys to help people understand computers and make them feel more comfortable with them. Visit Tara’s site at www.friendlycomputers.com/charlotte .

Did you know that Microsoft Windows gives you the functionality to “clean” up your computer? Most clients that we see never use the free tools that come with the computer. This can save you repair costs and keep your PC in great running order for a lot longer.

Simple to follow…start with these steps….

Click on the start button (located bottom left corner of screen)>go to all programs>go to accessories>system tools>disk clean up…click on that(it may ask which drive…generally defaults to the C: which is correct)…it will take a minute or so to sort through files. A new pop up box will appear and place a check next to the items that need to be cleaned up…and click ok…and wait.

Generally speaking, anytime you clean up or update or install…you should reboot…so reboot after it is done.

Also speaking of things to do. Please make sure you are updating your windows for vital updates. This will also protect you from security issues as well as maintaining your system.

Another thing PC users need to do is scan your system for viruses…using your anti-virus software at least once a week. If you are the type to open up all your email, download music, spend a ton of time on you tube…please do this once a week. Besides viruses and trojans, spyware and adware runs amuck on the internet.

Finally defragment you computer. DEFRAGMENT???? What is that? In simple terms, it is a process in which we organize the files on your hard drive. It makes it easier to use our software by this organization. It takes out fragment files and compacts information in its proper place. This also helps in freeing up more room on your hard drive.

You need to follow the same directions stated at the beginning…Start Button>all programs>accessories>system tools> then go to Disk Defragment then hit analyze. My guess is if this is your first time doing this….you will be recommendedto defrag…so hit defrag and let it go. First timers…this could be a long process so, I recommend to do this before you go to sleep and let it run overnight. Please reboot after it is done.

Simple ideas to keep your system running better and for longer. Share thoughts and/or experiences if you like. Like I keep saying, this is not a one-way conversation!

Tara

Friendly Computers Charlotte NC

www.friendlycomputers.com/charlotte