Kim Komando: 5 common computer problems you can fix yourself
BY KIM KOMANDO
Sunday, December 30, 2012
12/30/12 at 4:38 AM
With a cool head and a little know-how, it's easy and mostly free to fix the most common computer problems.
1. Speed up a sluggish PC: If your PC is fairly new and it's slow, remove the pre-installed programs that came with it. PC Decrapifier will remove trial programs and other junk in a snap.
To give an older PC a speed boost, break out the CCleaner. This tool looks through Windows, Web browsers and other third-party programs for unwanted clutter and gets rid of it.
Grab Duplicate Cleaner to remove duplicate files that might be clogging up the system. But limit your file hunt to the Documents area of your computer. You don't want to accidentally delete important system files.
In your cleaning process, you might find programs you no longer need. Windows' built-in uninstaller has a tendency to leave fragments scattered around your hard drive. You can remove those fragments efficiently with Revo Uninstaller.
2. The Blue Screen of Death: Thankfully, Windows' dreaded "Blue Screen of Death" is getting to be a rare event, but it still occurs. When it does, it isn't helpful in helping you hunt down the problem.
The problem can often be traced to bad memory modules. Memory is cheap, and buying extra RAM capacity is usually worth it for the performance boost.
It's not difficult to remove and install memory modules. You'll find video tutorials at all the major online memory stores.
3. The zombie spyware plague: A message pops up on your screen repeatedly, telling you to buy a security program. Your gut tells you that this is a rip-off, and your gut is correct. The message is adware that found its way on to your system, probably through an online ad for a "free" security scan you clicked on.
If you do download - and often pay for - the security program, you'll end up with fraudware. No matter how many times you run the program it will always find the same problems and keep trying to get more money out of you. Before you buy any security software, make sure it's real.
Once you have fraudware, running a real antivirus program probably won't help. To stop the pop-ups, you must run an anti-spyware program. I'd start with Ad-Aware.
4. SD card stuck in CD/DVD slot: This is one for the Mac people. If you're distracted or pre-occupied, it's annoyingly easy to shove an SD camera card into an iMac's superdrive. The two slots are right next to each other.
You don't have to take the machine apart or ship it to a service center. Cut an L-shape out of cardboard to use as a fishing hook. Slide it in and pull out the SD card.
5. Network issues: If your wireless network is dead, your router, cable or DSL modem probably crashed. Reboot the gadgets by unplugging them for 30 seconds, then plugging them back in. That usually solves the problem.
If your signal is weak or the connection is slow or drops out, there are a few tricks you can try to improve your home Wi-Fi, such as the beer-can antenna booster. Find a fun video to show you how to make your own at tulsaworld.com/komando
Original Print Headline: 5 Computer Problems You Can Fix
Kim Komando hosts the nation's largest talk radio show about consumer electronics, computers and the Internet. Listen to her show from 1-4 p.m. each Sunday on KRMG am740 or fm102.3. To receive her newsletters, go to tulsaworld.com/komandonewsletters.
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