Tips To Diagnose And Fix A Slow Running Computer (Part 1)

Working as a system support, I come across many peoples who always complain that their computer turns very slow comparing to the time when they just bought it and I realized that 8 out of 10 who brought their PC or laptop to me face some common problems.

Today, I would like to share with you the common problems that cause their computer to slow down and provide some DIY solutions so that you can fix it yourself at your convenience if you too face the same problems.

1. Computer infected with Virus, Spyware or Malware
In Singapore, most of the people here use their computers for internet surfing, online chatting, emails and so on and all these internet activities easily cause computer to get infected by Virus, Spyware or Malware.

Due to many users here refuse to pay the yearly Subscription for the Antivirus, Antispyware or Antimalware update, they left the computer unprotected and not knowing that once their PC get infected, it will not only cause the computer to slow down, it may also corrupt or delete data in the computer and worse, spread the virus to other computers through e-mail or even delete certain files on the hard disk that cause the computer to malfuction.

Here, I would like to recommend some DIY tips that you can clean and protect your computer without paying a single cent.

Step 1
Set your internet explorer to automatically delete or empty the browser temporary files, history, cookies, saved passwords, web form information and Temporary Internet File Folder when you exit your browser.

Open up your Internet Explorer,
Select Tools from the Menu Bar, Select Internet Options,
Click on the General Tap, Under the Browsing History Category,
place a tick beside the "Delete Browsing History On Exit",
Click on the "Delete" button and make sure that there is a tick beside all items.
(Note: If you do not want the browser to delete the stored Password, please remove the tick beside "Passwords") and Click on the "Delete" Button.

Finished ? Now Click on the Advanced Tap, Scroll down to Security Category, and place a Tick beside the "Empty Temporary Internet File Folder When Browser is Closed", click the OK button and it's done.

Step 2
Download Microsoft Safety Scanner from
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx.
A free downloadable security tool that provides on-demand scanning and helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software by Microsoft.
No installation needed, just download and run it.

Note:
The Microsoft Safety Scanner expires 10 days after being downloaded. To rerun a scan with the latest anti-malware definitions, download and run the Microsoft Safety Scanner again.

Step 3
Download Microsoft Security Essentials from
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security_essentials/default.aspx
(Click on the "Download it free* today" icon on the top right to start the download).
This is a free real-time protection software that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It is free from Microsoft and is simple to install, easy to use, and is automatically updated to protect your PC with the latest technology.

Note:
If you have any expired Antivirus, Antispyware or Antimalware, I suggest that you removed it first, restart you computer before you install the Microsoft Security Essential.

Step 4
Download Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool from
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad724ae0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356.
This tool checks your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove the infection if it is found.
Just download and run it, no installation require.

Note:
Microsoft will release an updated version of this tool on the second Tuesday of each month. If you have enable your Windows Update to Automatic Updates it will download by itself.

Step 5
Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from CNET Downloads
http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=rb_content;main.
This s a free effective speedy malware remover tool, that take about 8 minutes to scan even with other high-resource programs running when quick scan mode selected.
Go ahead install it, update and run it.

With all these steps done, your computer should run alot faster and most important, safer. If you think this is not enough, feel free to check out my next post
"Easy Troubleshooting Tips If Computer Running Slow (Part 2)",
There, I will cover some basic maintenance steps you can do to make your computer run more faster and smoother.

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Thanks.