Performing these updates and running this software will keep your computer clean, secure, and fast

*Disclaimer: Although the majority of users do not experience any problems while using this software, CompuTechs+ is not responsible for any problems or issues whatsoever by use, misuse, or any incidental or consequential damages by using this guide or software.

Step 1, Lets begin:

CCleaner (make by Piriform) is a system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removed unused files from your system – Allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up hard disk space (in some cases, a lot of space).  It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. The best part is that it’s fast.

How to use CCleaner

Once you have installed the program, close all internet windows (Please Bookmark CompuTechs+ Website so you can return to this tutorial!) and simply click on the ‘Run Cleaner’ button. This also deletes all files in the Recycle Bin. It will give you a pop-up stating that the program deletes files permanently and that you confirm you want to run the program. Depending on how long it has been since your temporary files, it may take some time to delete all the unnecessary junk on your computer. After a significant amount of data has been freed up, you should notice a small difference right away. Here is a list of what CCleaner cleans:

• Internet Explorer – Temporary files, history, cookies, autocomplete form history, index.dat
• Firefox – Temporary files, history, cookies, download history, form history
• Chrome – Temporary files, history, cookies, download history, form history
• Opera – Temporary files, history, cookies
• Safari – Temporary files, history, cookies, form history
• Windows – Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files and Log files
• Registry cleaner – Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts and more… also comes with a comprehensive backup feature
• Third-party applications – Removes temp files and recent file lists (MRUs) from many apps including Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape, Microsoft Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and many more…
• 100% Spyware FREE – Piriform’s CCleaner does NOT contain any Spyware, Adware or Viruses.

Move on to Step 2: speeding up your computer using Defraggler.

Step 2: Defragmenting your computer’s hard drive using Defraggler.

You’ve heard of defragging your hard drive, but this tool is different. It allows you to quickly and simply defragment the important files – Something Windows built-in defragmentation tool doesn’t have.  Also, this tool is made by Piriform, the same authors of CCleaner, so you know the software is easy to use, contains no spyware, and best of all: free.

How to use Defraggler

This step is quite simple. After installing Defraggler, run the program and select your primary hard disk drive (typically, the ‘C:’ drive is selected by default). If you don’t know which drive it is, more than likely the drive you are looking for is the ‘C:’ drive. Alternatively, you could defrag all of the hard drives listed; It won’t hurt anything, and will help in optimizing your computer. Next, its as easy as clicking on the ‘Defrag’ button, and waiting for the drive to finish the defragmentation.

Defragmentation can take a long time, as in hours (depending on your drives current fragmented state). CompuTechs+ recommends performing this action before going to bed, unless you regularly defragment the hard disk drive. Vista Users: No need to use Defraggler, as Vista already has a built-in defragment function.

After defragmentation, you may want to schedule Defraggler to run automatically every week or so. Do this by going to Settings → Options → Schedule, select the ‘C:’ drive and check the ‘Schedule defragmentation for chosen volume’, and set the period to ‘Weekly’ (or your own personal choice. ATTENTION: there is no need to schedule more than once per week). Hit the ‘OK’ button, and lets move onto the next step.

Move on to Step 3: speed up your pc using Spybot Search & Destroy.

Step 4: Updating your Operating System with Windows Update.

Microsoft Windows Update is a service provided by Microsoft that provides updates for the Microsoft Windows operating system and its installed components. An optional feature provides updates for other Microsoft Windows software, such as Microsoft Office, Windows Live applications, and Microsoft Expression. Microsoft uses this tool to update driver components, patch security holes & exploits, and hardware/software optimizations. Basically put: You would be a fool not to use the update service.

How to use Windows Update

It is quite simply to use Windows Update, simply open Microsoft Internet Explorer, click on Tools → Windows Update. If you don’t see it listed there, it may be listed under the Safety tab. Alternatively, you could go directly to the Windows Update Website (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/). Finally, for Microsoft Vista users, you can get your updates by going to Start → All Programs → Windows Update.

But can’t I update Windows automatically? Yes. Lets see how to enable automatic updates on your computer.

To turn on Automatic Updates in Windows XP (SP2)

1. Click Start → Control Panel
2. Click Automatic Updates
3. Choose Automatic (recommended) Then click OK

To change Automatic Update settings in Vista

1. Open Windows Update (click the Start button → All Programs → Windows Update)
2. Select the Change Settings and choose Install updates automatically (recommended)

If you turn your computer off at night, you may want to select a time during the day to install the updates. Otherwise, select a time in which your computer will be idle; Windows Updates uses system resources to install, leaving you with a slower computer during update installation.

Congratulations! You have just performed a quick 4-Step optimization, tune-up, and security update on your computer. It is the first step to preventative computer maintenance.  Did you like this post? Feel free to Bookmark CompuTechs+ Website, and view our next computer repair and computer maintenance blogs.

When you are finished with Step 4, your computer will need to be restarted. Return to Windows Update to see if there are any other updates available (you may have to do this a few times). Once the computer has been restarted (and there are no recommended updates listed), follow up the optimization with another defragmentation with Defraggler.

Spybot S&D detects and removes spyware, cleans useage tracks, and protects from known-spyware threats. It is a great tool (just remember to update the software regularly). Even if you don’t see the symptoms, computers may still be infected, and spyware is getting more and more elusive with each day. It’s free, so there’s no harm in giving it a try.

How to use Spybot Search and Destroy

Install Spybot S&D – You may want to consider omitting the TeaTimer function. This protects your current system settings, and is an effective security feature. However, some users find the function annoying, so pick and choose as you please.

After installing Spybot S&D, download the definition updates. UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE is what we always tell our customers. After you have updated, click on the immunization button, the program will see how many unprotected threats remain. After this check, close all open web browsers and click on the green plus sign towards the top of the interface labeled ‘Immunize’. Once finished, move forward to the next step.

Now that we are immunized, click on the ‘Search & Destroy’ button on the left, and finally click on ‘Check for problems’. Spybot will check for any spyware, malware, or other nasty things that are installed in your computer. When the scan is finished, select ‘Remove threats’, and you are done. Running CCleaner another time won’t hurt either.

Finally, move on to Step 4: speed up your pc using Windows Update.

So, what does onyx do for your computer or laptop? Onyx is pretty simple yet versatile. It has automated tasks built into the computer software, but you can also add custom tasks if you later decide. For this exercise, we will be limiting our tutorial to only one function of Onyx, the rest you use at your own risk.

How to use Onyx for Mac

1. Download Onyx for Apple Computers
2. Install Onyx
3. Open the Disk Utility (Go → Utilities → Disk Utility), and repair permissions
4. After repairing the permissions,Run Onyx (You may be asked for your password)
5. Next, you will get the S.M.A.R.T status check, this is normal – As well is the Startup Volume Verification.
6. Click the Cleaning button on the Onyx dashboard, and next click Execute
7. Finally, repair your permissions again, and reboot the computer
   

After rebooting with Onyx, do yourself a favor and run the Disk Utility again & repair the permissions again. Then run the Apple Software Update (Apple → Software Update → Select Your Updates, I recommend updating everything). Reboot again, and once again, repair permissions. Then again, check for more updates. Then run the disk util……you get the picture: Repair Permissions →  Software Update → Repair Permissions…..

Well there you have it, a faster mac with more security, and better functionality.

So, your computer monitor is really dark or faint, and changing the brightness (using the ‘Fn’ key, for example) isn’t working. Now what to do? Simple. If you have a multimeter with a KHz option, use that to test the inverter. A cheap multimeter will register the KHz differently; if your multimeter KHz option only goes up to 20KHz, you may get a ’1′ as the result. This means the reading was ‘off the charts’…too high for the cheap multimeter to register the proper KHz. If you are looking for a good multimeter, consider the Fluke 110 true RMS meter, as its KHz rating goes up to 50KHz. The reason we want to test the inverter first is because the cost of inverters is low, so we can rule the inverter defective or not before moving on to the pricey LCD or backlight repair.

Take your multimeter, and set it to the KHz notch on the dial. Now, with the computer on, put the multimeter tips close to where the inverter would be (usually towards the bottom of the LCD housing), about a half-inch apart.

Many people avoid common maintenance of their computers, which slows down performance and decreases security.

1. Data Backup
2. Defragmentation (unecessary if you are using Vista or an SSD, or Solid State Drive)
3. CCleaner
4. Spybot Search & Destroy
5. AVG AntiVirus
6. Windows Update
7. Defragment Again! (after installing Windows Updates – Defragmentation isn’t necessary, once every two months should do fine)
8. Physical Appearance & Dust
9. RAM Upgrades

All of these are important to your computer or laptop’s health, but most of all: your sanity. Many people avoid common maintenance of their computers, which slows down performance and decreases security. All the computer software packages that we have listed are free, but we always recommend purchasing the full-license if you decide that you like the software (namely AVG & Spybot). It not only helps support the computer software developers provide you with better updates in the future, but the paid versions protect you better.