Repair Your Computer For Free

I just read an article about a lady whose computer was deluged by adware. It was such a problem that she spent thousands of dollars on computer repair fees to try to clean up her computer. The said thing is that she could have restored her computer by herself in less than a few hours and for free.

Somewhere down the line, there will be problems with your computer (adware, spyware, viruses, good software gone bad, etc,). Obviously, you should use protection software to prevent as much as possible. However, you will most likely eventually find yourself in a mess. Relax! Don't worry.

Don't spend thousands of dollars on a computer guy to fix your computer if it breaks down. The first rule of thumb is, don’t spend more than $300, which would buy you a new computer today. But don't throw away your computer yet -- there is another solution.

If you are unable to access programs like MS Office and Quicken you may have a hardware problem, or your data may be so corrupted that you may have to call in a computer expert to get to it – and he may not be able to access it in a cost effective way. Decide ahead of time how much your data is worth to you and find out how much you will pay the expert.

If you can still access your data, try the following:
First, back up all the saved data from programs like MS Office and Quicken. Make sure you have the original program discs because later you will need to reload these programs, and any backed up data. Then, just reload your Windows XP operating system (or upgrade to Windows XP). Bypass any warnings it gives you about your existing data. It will wipe your computer clean and you can start again. Go online and load the FREE security programs listed below. Then load the programs you wish to re-install and then their backed up data. Your computer will run like brand new (or better!). Warning! You will lose everything on your computer when you install Windows XP, and all the programs have to be re-loaded.

Here is the plan.

1) Starting now if it is not too late, you should be saving your important files and data to a disk or better yet to an online file folder. The online file folder sign-up can be found in the godaddy e-mail area. This way your files and data are safer. I enjoy accessing my files remotely from any computer as well. You should also neatly save and organize your important software so it is easy to reload.
2) Reload or load for the first time Windows XP Home edition or Professional.
3) Now download for FREE Microsoft Defender Anti-Spyware from microsoft.com.
4) Now download for FREE Avast Anti-virus.

These three work great together. You can find great information on in the free stuff forum at dealking.com. They list many of the above solutions.

I even suggest for older computers that are running sluggishly to load Windows XP right now to clean it up your system and make it work faster – before problems occur. Your computer will work like new. CAUTION: You will lose everything when you re-load the Windows XP on you computer, but that is good if you have a bunch of junk. SAVE YOUR IMPORTANT ITEMS FIRST.

I did the above on 2 older Dells. One was plagued by an overload of junk and adware that popped up constantly. The other was just old and slow. I loaded the new Windows XP and started from scratch, and they work even better than the brand new Dells at my office that are loaded with a paid McAfee security package. McAfee seems to try to trick you into paying twice for the subscription, but the above solution is free and does the same thing.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert on any of the above, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night. For hardware problems or to restore data, you may need a computer guy (expert). Also, you may have a computer guy who is very cost effective and efficient (they are around), but there are just as many that spend to much time and money (yours) to fix something their way.

About the Author:

Russ Snapper works in marketing for Dealking.com. You can find free stuff, coupons, deals and a lot of other consumer news and information at Deal King.

Article Tags: computer, data, windows

Article Source: www.iSnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=52896&ca=Computers+and+Technology
Article published on May 18, 2006 at iSnare.com

File Shredding And Wipe Disk - Secure File Deleting

The delete key on the computer is used by almost every computer user almost every day. Whether it's to correct a misplaced key stroke or get rid of a unwanted picture file, the delete key is used regularly. But did you know that when something is deleted it's not really gone from the computer's disc drive?

Of course often times using the delete key, as in the case of a picture or music file, will simply send that file to the Recycle Bin. Savvy users clean out their Recycle Bins and Temp files and Cookies on a regular basis using… wait for it… the delete key. For those who thought that this meant the information disappeared, think again.

There is a significant difference between deleting a file, File Shredding and Disk Wiping. When the delete key is used the file information is not annihilated, it remains on the disk. All the delete key does, in effect, is removes the “address” to that file. In practical terms that means that it frees up that portion of the disc so that other data can be written in the same space. While it's true that, eventually, after the same area of the disc has been written over three or four times the original data will disappear, it is never really completely obliterated simply because the delete key is used.

File Shredding, or “Wipe Disk” on the other hand, is more akin to shredding a piece of paper in a shredder. Yes, there are still letters on the scraps of paper and, theoretically they could be reconstructed, but the task is next to impossible. When it is necessary to completely destroy data and all usable traces of it, it is important to perform a “Wipe Disc.” The only certain way to do that is with File Shredding software. There are a number of good “Wipe Disk” programs available and they are the surest ways to destroy the data on a disk. These programs, and others like them, work by overwriting the space on the disc multiple times with nonsense or garbage. This renders the original data virtually unrecoverable.

Keep in mind, though, that even File Shredding with a good “Wipe Disk” program has some limitations. If the original file has been moved or broken up then even File Shredding might not work. If, for instance, a `Disk Defrag` has been performed since the original file was written then that file will be spread over several locations on the disc. In that case the only way to be sure the data is completely shredded is to Disk Wipe the entire segment or partition of that disc thus destroying all of the files in that segment or partition. Short of actually physically melting the disc, this is the surest way to obliterate data.

About the Author:

If you are interested in wipe disk, check this web-site to learn more about file shreddering.

Article Tags: delete, disc, file

Read more articles by: Sam Miller
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=186276&ca=Computers+and+Technology
Article published on September 23, 2007 at iSnare.com