So an internet-illiterate friend wants you to "fix" his/her computer...

[TechHead87]

Let's say that they say to you the following: "My computer runs SO slow and I get all these pop-ups and stuff"

Now we all know what the problem is, but you software do you bring to try and fix it?

 

[BlueWeasel]

Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows

 

[Kevin1211]

just start from scratch. Make sure he has the original OS cd, so u can reformat it. Use Darik's boot and nuke to clear HDD:
http://dban.sourceforge.net/

 

[ninjazed]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows

Wow, thanks Blue Weasel. This is very cool. Lot's of great tools (many of which I already use) in one nice neat package. :thumbsup:

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: ninjazed

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows

Wow, thanks Blue Weasel. This is very cool. Lot's of great tools (many of which I already use) in one nice neat package. :thumbsup:

Gladly.

UBCD4Win is an excellent toolbox disk, and relatively unknown.

 

[Jeff7]

Spybot (Already on UBCD)
Ad-Aware (Also on UBCD, though it'll want to download new definition updates)
CWShredder (v2.19, newer than UBCD4's)
LSPFix - sometimes spyware replaces important files or registry entries, and removing the spyware can disable all TCP/IP networking on the PC. This utility should be able to fix that.

 

[DPmaster]

Windows boot disk

1. fdisk
2. format c:
3. reinstall Windows

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Originally posted by: DPmaster
Windows boot disk

1. fdisk
2. format c:
3. reinstall Windows

I also bring a small old hard drive for easy backups. Pop in the hard drive, save the important stuff quickly, format and reinstall. Systems that are really messed up are usually not worth the time or effort to fix them.

 

[apinomus]

Originally posted by: DPmaster
Windows boot disk

1. fdisk
2. format c:
3. reinstall Windows

This really isn't an option for many people. Most either bought pre-assembled and don't have an original Windows disc or lost their restore disks. What you can do is use an application that retrieves the Windows serial number from the machine (I forget the name of the app I use for this... I have it at home...) then use a copy of the OS you already have downloaded or copied from a master, then installing it with their serial.

The sad truth is most people have things on their computer they would like to keep so a format isn't usually an option unless you partition the drive, copy all they want to keep to it, then wipe it. This is an easier solution, but most times you can clean up a PC with the ultimate boot disk and an online virus scanner like BitDefender

 

[Atheus]

- XP SP2_redist (in case of dialup)
- giant antispyware/MS antispyware (same thing)
- spyware doctor
- adaware
- firefox, thunderbird
- O&O defrag free trial
- AVG
- crap cleaner

 

[Schadenfroh]

I tell them to take it into a computer shop. I dont fix PCs anymore, not even if they pay me well.

 

[abaez]

Make sure you uninstall IE so they have no icons to click on to open it. (They can still reach it through windows explorer if needed.)

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: ninjazed

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows

Wow, thanks Blue Weasel. This is very cool. Lot's of great tools (many of which I already use) in one nice neat package. :thumbsup:

Gladly.

UBCD4Win is an excellent toolbox disk, and relatively unknown.

I persoanlly prefer the DOS version over the Win version, mainly for compatibility reasons. I have some systems here at work (A Dell model and a Compaq model) what blue screen when trying to boot to it.

Also, some other great things to install on their computer for maintenance and upkeep:
- AVG free edition if they dont have any Anti-Viri software installed.
- Ccleaner
- Spywareblaster
- Spybot S&D
- MS Anti-spyware client
- Adaware
- Firefox (instructer the user on tabbed browsing and such so he/she can utilitze its features

....and you should get a nice pat on the back.