Computer Hardware Repair

Virus Spyware Malware Removal: Protect and Clean Your Computer

Have you protected your computer from viruses? Through the internet computer viruses can spread so quickly. You can get it just by opening a website with a virus on it. Some treacherous viruses such as Trojan might corrupt your computer so badly that all your data are erased from the computer memory.

Besides virus there is another threat that we have to be aware of, Spyware. What is spyware? Spyware is not a virus but it is a software spread through the internet that aids in collecting personal information both individual and organization. It is also responsible for performing certain behaviors without your consent such as, advertising and changing your computer configuration. It is very annoying, slowing down and crashing your computer and difficult to be removed.

Unlike spyware, malware is a virus and it acts like spyware. It is a troublesome virus that can hack into your web browser and install spyware without your knowledge. Both spyware and malware can damage your computer and more dangerously gather your personal information. Thus, you should install protective software to avoid these threats. However, if you already catch the virus then look for virus spyware malware removal. It is very important to protect and clean your computer from malicious software and virus.

Computer Repair Tips – Broken Hard Drive? How to Recover Your Data Files

“Technology… is a queer thing. It brings you great gifts with one hand, and it stabs you in the back with the other. ” ~C.P. Snow

It’s an accepted fact that hard drives are the weakest link in computer technology. The hard disk is where the operating system and all software applications are stored. Because of this, a properly working drive is essential in the operation of any computer.

But since these drives are basically just an electro-mechanical devices, and like any other machine they will eventually breakdown and fail.

And then oops, without backups, all your family photos, legal documents and important emails are gone!

There are three levels of data or file recovery for a dying or broken hard drive:

1) Basic Level: The drive is working (your can hear it spin up but it will not boot to Windows)

This usually means that some essential Windows files have been comprised or damaged in some way. With the right software you can view your files and even copy them. You have to choices…

Use a Rescue CD: You can grab a bootable CD with hard drive utility software already installed on it. You can then make repairs or copy your files from your bad drive to a replacement. A good name brand rescue CD for Windows is the “Ultimate Boot CD”

Move the Drive: If you don’t have a way of burning a rescue CD and don’t want to wait for a copy to shipped to you; you can always move your bad drive and place it in another working desktop PC. Once installed you should be able to view all your files on the drive from a secondary slot (normally where the CD or DVD drive live.)

2) Intermediate Level: The drive works but you can’t see the files you want using the methods above.

Okay, things are not going good. You at this point have to get out the big guns. You will have to download and run a data recovery program such as “Active UNDELTE”, “Recover My Files”, etc. Both of these programs are powerful, reliable, and easy to use and won’t cost you an arm or a leg to buy.

With Active UNDELETE you can also make a bootable CD to run on a PC if you can’t move the drive to another computer. Both have technical support options if you need further help.

3) Advanced Level: You have tried everything above but you still can’t find that Last Will from Aunt Sue…

At this point you have probably spent several hours (if not days) without your PC and invested just over a $100 in software if you used all of the above products. Now, is the time for you to decide to either use a professional level recovery application or throw in the towel and take your drive to a recovery specialist.

If you have the time but not a lot of cash (understand that hard drive recovery services can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars) then you can ratchet it up a notch and buy a copy of the home version of EasyRecovery from Ontrack. Ontrack is one of the leading data recovery companies in the world.

But if time is more critical and money is no obstacle then bite the bullet and take your drive to a local computer shop that does recovery work. Or if that is not possible then contact a big service like Ontrack and ship your hard drive to them.

Data recovery can be expensive no matter who does it, so to be on the safe side and make file backups frequently and fully.

Computer Repair Tips – How to Use Windows ScanDisk

I love ScanDisk. Honestly, I do. As a computer support specialist with over 18+ years of experience, I often had to use this great little utility. It’s fairly powerful, works on all versions of Windows and best of all is free since it comes bundled inside Windows.

So what is it?

ScanDisk is disk-checking and diagnostic tool that you can use to test your hard drive. It can also be used repair problems on magnetic media; hard disk and floppy disks.

Why use ScanDisk?

It’s a very easy to use program and even the most non-technical person can learn how to use it. It can quickly fix most common disk errors. And I did mention it’s installed as a part of Windows so it is always available. If you can boot into Windows, then you can use the program.

How to use it in Windows 98/98SE/Me:

1)Close all programs.

2)Click on the “Start” button.

3)Go to “Programs”

4)Scroll to “Accessories”

5)Click on “System Tools”

6)Select “ScanDisk”

7)Now locate and select the drive you want to check (C:).

8)Check the “Standard” radio button.

9)Check the “Automatically Fix Errors”

10)Click “OK” to run.

How to use it in Windows 2000/XP/Vista

1)Close all programs before you begin.

2)Click on the “Start” button then “My Computer”.

3)Right click on drive you wish to scan and then click on “Properties”.

4)Now you click on the “Tools” tab at top of pop-up window.

5)Click on “Check Now” in the “Error Checking” section.

6)Check the “Automatically Fix Errors”

7)Click “OK” to run.

Testing Options in Windows 98/98SE/Me:

Standard: This option basically only checks files and folders for Windows system errors. This is good for routine maintenance checks.

Thorough: This option is not used often due to time constraints. Don’t check “Thorough” unless you can let the machine run uninterrupted for several hours (2+ on larger drives) or overnight. I’m not kidding.

Thorough is used for when you are having severe hard drive issues only. When you have to check your drive for possible physical damage, check “Thorough” and then select, click “System and Data Areas”

Testing Options in Windows 2000/XP/Vista:

The “Standard” function in the older version is now the default. Just with click “Automatically Fix Errors”

To use a thorough scan to check for both system and physical errors, you should also check “Scan For and Attempt Recovery of Bad Sectors.”

To run scandisk in Windows 2000/XP/Vista you have to have programs closed down, or you will keep getting a error message, “Disk check could not be performed because exclusive access to the drive…” If this keeps happening then if possible restart your computer and press “F8″ after PC the logo but before Windows starts. This will let you into Windows “Safe Mode”. You can run ScanDisk now but be warned it will take twice as long but will give you the same results.

ScanDisk Test Results:

After processing you should get a pop-up window with the results of your test. The important to look for is “Bytes in bad sectors”. This shows the number of bytes that have been marked bad or basically unusable for storage. It’s normal to have a small number of bytes in bad sectors (less than 100,000). But more than this or an increased number over time is sign for keeping your file backups up to date and saving for that bigger, better hard drive.