{Tech Support] Keeping a PC running smooth

Since I see a dozen or more computers a week infected with, well, a whole host of bad stuff acquired from the internet. Spyware, Malware, Trojans, Viruses...what ever you want to call them, they really do a number on a computer. Here are is the process i go through to remove these threats and get the computers back up and running.

Assuming that you can get a computer to boot successfully into Windows Safe Mode (hit the f8 key while the computer is starting to get the Windows boot options and select Windows Safe Mode) then you have a pretty good chance to save your computer or at least get it going enough to backup your data and in a lot of cases completely fix the machine.

You will most likely need another computer to download the programs and a flash drive or blank cd to get the software to the infected machine. Maybe you can even use Safe Mode with Networking and you may even be able to download the software, but usually the Internet Browser is the first to get infected so don't bet on this option.

Finally, the list. These are the programs I would use to clean a PC and the links to the sites to get them.

• Spybot: Search & Destroy - http://www.spybot.com
• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - http://www.malwarebytes.com
• SuperAntiSpyware - http://www.superantispyware.com

These are all free programs (I believe there are paid versions of 2 of these, but the free ones do what i need them to, so you can select those for now)

I also use these programs, but they require a little more advanced knowledge of what you are looking for.

• Windows System Configuration aka msconfig - type "msconfig" in the run/search box on the Windows "Start Menu"
• HijackThis - http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/
• Microsoft Security Essentials - http://www.microsoft.com/securityessentials

If you are in need of a free Antivirus program, Microsoft actually has a pretty descent one, or so that is my current opinion. It even removes some of the other junk traditional antivirus programs over look. Check out Microsoft Security Essentials if you are tired of paying subscription fees and renewals. It also runs pretty good in the background without slowing the computer down noticeably.

Those should get you off to a pretty good start. To go even further, the very best tool is the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows. This is an operating system you run from a CD or a USB drive that contains most of the above mentioned tools. This allows me to fix computers that are so infected, booting to Windows just isn't an option.

All you need is a Windows CD (i believe it will have to be Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later) and you can use the. Do you have an old Windows XP disc? There are instructions on how to make a new Windows XP SP2 or SP3 disc called Slipstreaming. Check out their website (below) and aside from some copy of Windows, you will have all the tools you need to get one of these UBCD's created.

• UBCD4Win - http://www.ubcd4win.com/

[Rant] Emailing Tech Support

I work for an organization doing mostly telephone and/or remote technical support. And as tech support, you are often left wondering why in the world would someone send an email to their tech support staff with some vague comments like "I can't print"? Seriously? SERIOUSLY?!! The people in the organization know how that I will have to call them to get the required info before we can do anything about it. It's called protocol people, and unless it's your first day, week, perhaps month on the job why waste your time? When we get an email like this, we are going to have to hunt you down, which who knows how long that will take and then and only then after we get the information required, we can dispatch a field technician to remedy the situation. Don't email your Tech's!!  Quit being lazy and follow the protocol. They WILL have to speak with you at very minimum. Ok rant over, thank you for your time and have a nice day!