Fixing PC's, Hardware, OS's ? What do you suggest

[taltos1]

Hello,
Let me start off my saying that I am by no means a PC Repair expert, but I know a thing or two about computers. And more and more family and friends are coming to ask for my help with common pc aliments like: 1. to much spyware, malware etc. 2. computers won't boot into windows 3. internet connections seem come and go 4. the PC is generally slower then it used to be.

And my question is: What hardware/software do you suggest that can help to troubleshoot these problems. I am looking for free and paid tools/software.

Thanks a lot

 

[FoBoT]

1. spyware program, pick one
2. reinstall the OS
3. that is normal
4. buy a new computer with Vista

 

[BigJ]

1. Get very familiar with HiJackThis! Know how to distinguish what is an actuall process and what is bunk. Also use CWS Shredder and have a boot disk that allows you to boot into pure DOS. Ewido is a great general program, but I think they just recently changed their name.
2. Always try to boot into Safe Mode. If it works, you need to be able to diagnose if it's drivers, software, settings, or whatever else is causing things not to boot. If not, you need to be able to figure out what the error message is, what it means, and how to fix it. Learn how to repair Windows installations.
3. Modem diagnostics, any programs that may be interfering (such as firewalls), or possibly even Spy/Malware.
4. Could be any number of things, ranging from too many things loading on startup, to spyware, to CPU throttling.

 

[Aikouka]

The best advice is probably to stop unless you really enjoy it. But if you really want to... I have a standard PC toolkit with lots of goodies in it. I also keep a PE boot OS in it for cleaning things up.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
The best advice is probably to stop unless you really enjoy it. But if you really want to... I have a standard PC toolkit with lots of goodies in it. I also keep a PE boot OS in it for cleaning things up.

I think that last part may be a bit much for him starting out

 

[MisterJackson]

First rule of PC Club......you don't talk about PC Club....second rule of PC Club.....you don't fix PC's for friends and family.....

 

[taltos1]

Cool, thanks for the advice? What about any hardware/tools?