Computers and Technology

Computers can catch virus, just like we do. When the computer gets sick, it needs anti virus software as a medicine. When it is strong and fit, it needs antivirus software as an added defense against any virus attack.
Computer virus can spread around just like human virus. It spreads around through email to your friend with virus infected files, or copy to your friends in a virus infected file.
When the computer catches a virus, it can have one or more of the following syndromes.

- Computer does not start properly. Error massages came out during startup.

- Application does not work properly.

- Disk or USB drives cannot be read.

- Printer does not print.

- Pulldown menus are not the same as before.

- Disk drive runs suddenly for no reason.

- Unusual error messages appears.

- Computer slows down or freezes.

- Computer crashes.

- Files LOST !

- Files CORRUPTED and cannot be read.

In the your computer files, you observed :

- File size changes for no reason.

- Date Modified does not match with date of last use.

- An increase in number of files when nothing has been added.
To prevent any of these catastrophic events happen to your computer. It is absolutely necessary to protect your computer.

An anti virus software maybe your answer to most of these problems.
Why do I say anti virus software maybe the answer to most of these questions?
Because, some of the problems listed above may not be the cause of a virus.

Some of it may be caused by :

- Software loaded into your computer without your knowledge. The purpose of these software is to monitor your computer activities or even to get some information from your computer without you knowing it! These kind of software are commonly known as spyware. (You can get anti spyware software from here.)

- Computer hard disk is running out of space. This will cause the computer to slow down.

- Too many programs are running in the computer. Background programs that loads to your computer every time you starts your computer. If the computer do not have enough memory to process all these programs, it will cause the computer to slow down.

- The computer may be running a schedule program that you may not have notice. Some time such programs are loaded to the computer when it is installed. The manufacturer thinks that it is absolutely necessary that the computer runs the program periodically. Example of these software are: Windows Updater, Anti Virus software (It is important to keep you anti virus software up-to-date.), Backup program etc.

- Too many programs are running in the computer at the same time.

Nevertheless, it is still very important to have an anti virus software loaded, updated and running in your computer.
However, no antivirus software can help you to remove or clean up all viruses completely. Therefore, it is important to prevent virus from attacking your computer. So an anti virus software should be the first software program to be loaded and running in your computer. You have to update the anti virus software right after you have successfully loaded into your computer.

It is very very important to update your anti virus software regularly. New viruses are discovered frequently, not updating your anti virus software will make these new virus to attack your computer easily.

What if you are already using your computer with all your important information loaded and you have no anti virus software in your computer?
Then, you cannot delay and must get an antivirus software loaded, updated and scanned immediately.
After the anti virus software is updated, restart your computer. Start scanning your computer before you run any program. If there are no virus detected, you are a lucky one. If there are, choose a solution that the anti virus software recommend.

What if, after your computer is scanned and virus is found. And you have chosen the solution that the anti virus software recommend but the software says that it cannot be cleaned. You can either delete or quarantine. Then, you may have a problem. If you are absolutely sure that you and the computer does not need the file, than delete it or quarantine it. If the file is critical to your computer, then you have to find a same file that is not virus infected to replace the infected file, if you can find. If it is your file, you might have to do the same.

You also need to restart the computer and runs the anti virus software again to confirm that the computer is free from virus. If it is infected with too many viruses or too many viruses cannot be cleaned, a total software rebuild of your computer is needed. If you have backup your computer periodically, then you can restore your last backup. Provided the last backup is virus free. That means you have to do anti virus scan for your computer again after you have restore your computer from the backup files.

You do not need to have two antivirus software. However, it is good to keep at least two antivirus software in your computer. One will constantly monitor your computer for virus activities and the other will scan your computer for virus only when you want to.
However, you should have at least one anti virus software installed if your computer slows down significantly after two anti virus software are installed.

It is most important.
You must update your antivirus software regularly and scans it regularly. It is good to follow the antivirus software company recommendation.

Discover the best solution that will help optimize your computer. Optimizing a computer will help your computer run smoother faster and error free. To have your computer optimized, it will be in your best interest to optimize your computer's registry. If this sounds a little confusing, i have set up this article in a question and answer format. Hopefully this will help to optimize your computer.

Why would I want to optimize my computer?

There are many reasons why you should optimize your computer, some of these reasons include:

• Results in faster boot ups, log ons, execution of programs
• Fewer errors (DLL, Windows Explorer, system 32, runtime, windows installer, Internet Explorer, active x)
• More stable computer
• Fewer or almost no missing files (no broken links)
• Fewer Crashes
• Assists in virus protection and detection

To be more accurate, the "windows registry" stores all the hardware and software settings made on your computer. These settings are called every time programs are executed or even when any process is run on your computer. An analogy that can be used to exemplify the windows registry is the common road system. Vehicles can represent data which aids in the execution of programs. Roads can represent pathways which data travels to arrive at a specific location. When a computer's registry is not optimized many of these roads (data pathways) are broken, or damaged. A broken road means that vehicles would have to take alternate methods to arrive at a specific location. Therefore the more broken data pathways in your computer, the slower it becomes.

How do I know if my computer needs to be optimized?

This is very common question. To be honest no matter what, your computer is prone to registry problems. No matter how expensive, operating system, or features you have in your computer, every computer is prone to registry problems. Therefore every computer should be optimized to for the computer to be used to its fullest potential.

What do I need to optimize my computer?

You do not need any additional hardware or software, just a program that will optimize your windows registry. Remember a speedy healthy registry equals a speedy healthy computer.

Are these programs reliable?

Yes theses programs are legit and reliable. They offer 24 hour around the clock support. Also these programs are very compatible (Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows me etc.) Also I have used all three of the programs listed in my website below, and they did a splendid job optimizing my computer. Also it saved me a lot of money, because I was going to buy more RAM (random access memory) for my computer. This would have been pointless because, all of the registry optimizing programs found over 500 errors on my computer, and had it fully optimized.

If you have a computer you are not unfamiliar to computer repairs. It is inevitable that your computer will eventually run slow or not at all especially if you are a novice to technology which lets admit most of us are. One of the biggest reasons clients bring their computers in is that they are slower than when they first purchased them. They always want to know who or what is to blame for this. No one wants to hear it but the problem your computer may be running slower than when you purchase it is... YOU!

Maintenance is the key in making sure your computer keeps running at peak performance. Just like your car needs regular oil changes and filter changes your computer needs tune ups to clean up the registry of old programs not in use, updates on spyware and adjustment of settings to insure peak performance. Of course there could be more reasons for the slow down. It is best to take the computer in to a local computer repair firm, as you would your car to a mechanic; to have it thoroughly looked at.

Other reasons that your computer may be having issues running slower than normal could be that your computer has contracted a virus. Trojans, spyware and malware may be the cause of the issue with your computer running slowly. Spyware creates an issue where outsiders have gotten into your computer without you knowing it and start sending out personal data to entities that will take advantage of your system and cause it to run slowly. Even if you have up to date virus protection you can still become infected it just lessens the likelihood. Computer repair in the form of a virus scan and removal are needed and can be done at your local computer repair store. It is also recommended that a tune up be performed on your PC at this time to regain the speed and efficiency of your computer.

You can also inspect your computer and delete files and programs that have been added that are unnecessary. The more files and programs you keep stored on the hard drive of your computer the slower it will run. I recommend having a separate flash drive to store big files such as pictures, word and excel documents. The space adds up quickly. Also, delete any unnecessary short cuts on your desk top they could be causing your computer to run at a snail's pace.

It is important if you have tried all of the similar solutions to look at the computer's hard drive. Run a disk defragmenter which will help optimize how data is stored and then Scandisk to help ensure nothing is actually corrupt within the drive.

Another issue that is common is that the processor is overheating. This is common. You will want to first make sure the cooling system in the computer, the fan, is running. If not it will need to be shut off and taken in for the fan to be replaced. If the fan is running look to make sure a build-up of dust is not causing an issue or that the cabinet the computer is stored in is not blocking the air flow. I have found this happens to me when I am in bed using the laptop and forget about the heat issue. If I set the computer on the blankets the air flow is blocked and the computer will have issues.

Memory, hard drive disk space and conflict in hardware/software are all problems that could also be responsible for the slowing down of your computer. If you have a computer repair check all of the above and there is still issues they will most likely recommend you do an OS reload. Basically this will consist of wiping the computer clean and reloading your operating system. Make sure your data is backed up before doing this. Also, this requires installation of the programs that you run on your computer. This is basically a last resort but it will make your computer like when you first brought it home.