Keeping your Computer Running Quick

[Josh]

I have seen a lot of people machines slowed way down by spyware lately. they cause a lot of funky behaviors and can even stop internet explorer from working entirely. My favorite spyware removal tool is Spybot. Only reason I am posting this is because I just cleaned out my Parents computer and my Brother in Laws computer and they had around 100 infections each. Both of their machines are running much better. Just trying to optimize your ridgidforum browsing.

Spybot can be downloaded at

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spybot_Search_and_Destroy/1043809773/1

Josh

[HVAC HAWK]

and one other way to speed things up is to defragment and delete your cookies every so often .

it works for me .

[Wild Weasel]

The best way to deal with this sort of thing is to prevent it.

It's generally non-computer-people who have these problems because they just don't realize how they bring them upon themselves.

Once you've cleaned up once of these messes, be very clear about the fact that they should NOT install any software off the Internet and do NOT run ANY attachments that come in emails.

If they're concerned that they might not get the newest stupid screensaver or play the newest stupid email forwarded flash game, ask them whether it's worth ruining their computer. Then make sure that if it happens again, you're too busy to fix it for a couple weeks afterward. :)

[VASandy]

Spybot is definately a good resource. I recommend any computer user get these kinds of tools and USE them regularly!! I use Spyware Doctor, but will still use Spybot from time to time. I find it's a good idea to use products from different vendors just to make sure you don't miss something.

You really have to have a decent anti-virus, too. I believe AVG is still free. There's also NOD32, which is still free as well. Either of these 2 anti-virus products are well-behaved, simple, yet powerful. If you're using Norton or McAfee then don't bother with these. Although, like with spyware catchers, I recommend people use a different manufacturer's product occasionally to make sure nothing slips by. I, personally, run AVG full-time. I'll usually scan with NOD32 on a monthly basis.

If you notice your computer starting to slow down, you should really start scanning for viri and spyware. A lot of times, you've gotten a trojan that is spamming email from your address. This will cause all of your internet activites to seem very slow, as well as put a lot of strain on the computer itself. You do NOT have to be running any email program for the spammer to be active in most cases. It will sometimes show up in the running processes, but I've seen them hide from that as well. ALWAYS keep your anti-virus and spyware programs up to date and USE Them!!!

At some point in the very near future, my business site, bcicomputing.com, will be updated with links to free scanners and information on fighting these nasty things. I've just started my own computer business, but I don't want to start using Ridgid to advertise it!! Once I get something USEFUL up there for y'all, I'll post the links if you'd like, and if Josh says it's ok.

[Newman]

Spybot is good, but one anti-spyware is not enough. I suggest you install Spybot and Ad-Aware. Also a good personal firewall and an anti-virus. An excellent and free Anti-virus is AntiVir. You might want to install and run a program like CCleaner to clean up temporary files and unused junk.

[Wild Weasel]

Also, if you're running Windows then make sure you do regular updates or turn on the automatic updating feature. Plug the holes before they're exploited.

[djb]

For what it's worth, I haven't had a Windoze Update since SP2 came out, I'm still running WinXP SP1. When you get an Update lots of things happen, two which irked me to no end were the Windows Messenger service was reset to start automatically, and IE was set to be the default browser. Windows Messenger is just another hook the outside world has into your operating system, and IE is the most pathetic excuse for a browser I've ever seen. Essentially all the Updates try to do is plug holes in Micro$oft products that access the internet, and I don't use any (see (3) below).

My PC at home is hanging out on the net, I can log onto it from anywhere in the world, and I've never had a single issue with a virus, worm, etc.
Here's what I did (and do):

(1) Stopped the Windows Messenger service and made it a manually started service.
(2) Stopped getting Windoze Updates.
(3) Don't use any Microsoft product that accesses the internet. I've been using the Mozilla Suite for years, but I'm about to switch to SeaMonkey. (I hate the name, SeaMonkey, but I'll get over it. Even though SeaMonkey is a Mozilla product, I've become emotionally attached to the Mozilla lizard, and what kind of icon can you have with a name like SeaMonkey? But the Mozilla Suite is not supported anymore and is falling behind the times.)
(4) Install Spybot.
(5) Install AVG AntiVirus. As long as AVG is around, I'll never use Norton, MacAfee, etc. again. AVG has a free version (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1) for home use, but I opted for the paid version because I like it so much and wanted to support them.

- djb

[VASandy]

Also, if you're running Windows then make sure you do regular updates or turn on the automatic updating feature. Plug the holes before they're exploited.

This is good advice in general. I don't use auto-update as I will go out and get the updates as they're available. I get emails telling me such-and-such update is available for yadda-yadda and so on. If it's one I need, I get it. I do this because I like to keep on top of what's happening. Plus, I kinda know what I need. That's not going to fit everyone, though. I generally tell people if you don't want auto-updates, use manual but DO IT EVERY WEEK. For Linux machines, there's typically a manual updater available. Always run this at least once a month.

There are so-called "Zero-day exploits." These are new, as-yet-unknown exploits that become rampant typically within a few days. In these cases, there are no updates, and all you can do is hope your firewall is up to the task. I always recommend hardware firewall. Software firewalls are ok, but for the most part...it's running on your Windows machine!!! I mean....that's just not the best platform for a firewall!!

[Newman]

Yeah I forgot to mention Firefox...

Don't use Internet Explorer unless you want to get a virus or spyware...

[drtyhands]

Gentlemen,

Maybe you can point me in the right dirction.I purchased this one,my first computer, from toshiba.It has windows xp.

But i think my construction mentality has hurt it.I've restored to a date 2 months ago,would like to pull my not working mckafee,get media player working again, basically clean out the system of all my beginner mistakes.

Do you all know of a web site that I could work with to lean more about this strange tool I have here in front of me.

How about those Geek Squad people,or are they like our beloved flat rate tradesmen.

For cleaning purposes do I just download Josh's spybot and follow there steps.

[Josh]

spybot is pretty much install and follow instructions. Make sure you do step number 3 when it asks you if you want to back up your registry. then click the next after it becomes available. Scan for problems. then click fix detected problems.

You may want to get a buddy that knows computers well to format your hard drive and reinstall everything. I do that about every year.

Josh

[hellcatt200]

I have a great pc techfriend . He told me if i ever have problems come see him. I did. He found over 7000 problems on my pc. He took a screenshot for memory and bragging rites. He has never seen anything that bad and he has been in computers over 14 years.I now have up to date updates lol. I thought something was going bad on the pc and turns out that the spyware i had got infected so it said nothing found all the time i was useing it. That's bad when your spyware gets infected let me tell ya. In short i have 3 spyware programs and a router and firewall now :).All i had before was 1 spyware program. And i have an anti-virus scanner. Get all you can cause like the saying goes...." 4 eyes are better than 2 " really works. I have not found anything in last 8 months of this new setup. good luck to yall.

[Woussko]

http://www.webroot.com/consumer/products/spysweeper/?id=HOME-HHO-boxshot&WRSID=f10c77226d2567a45c0349991ee0cb19

I highly recommend this spyware program. It's not free, but unlike some if not most of the free programs, this one runs in the background or you can run a full manual scan too. I would use this and also Add-Aware and SpyBot.

[jbergstrom]

Hi Folks

I agree with the recommendations for Spybot and Adaware, great programs:)

Also agree with VASandy, Newman and Wild Weasel about updates, AVG and CCleaner.

Crap Cleaner has a useful tool on it's option tab that lets you keep your "good" cookies. The ones that auto log you on to your favorite sites etc.

The other thing I would suggest is some kind of a firewall like Zone Alarm that will stop unauthorized programs from unwanted communications (incoming or outgoing)

Also be sure to change the default names and passwords on your routers for both wired and wireless connections as they are easy targets to exploit.

[franklin pug]

One of the best ways to keep a computer runnig fast is to partition your hard drive correctly. That way your operating software does not need to search through your music or photo collection to find files it requires. Have a few drives geared towards your particular needs (example - a 150 gig drive divided into 3 parts: one part for OS, one for Programs, and one for general storage).

The number two way (IMO) is NOT to download programs that search for music/movies like BearShare or Limewire. They are the largest offenders for spyware, virus, and trojan files. KEEP AWAY. The 5 dollars you'll save by downlaoding that CD you will pay for in computer problems. Of course if you download adult files or movies, you are 100% gauanteed to get unwanted files.

Doing a disk clean-up every day also helps - it clears out temp files, cookies (spam providers), as well as other insignifigant junk.

The last suggestion I have is to defragment your HD every few months. Defragmenting takes little peices of files and "reassembles"them where they belong. Defragmenting helps a lot when you have a lot of files, especially if you love to move them around or edit them (like photos).

[RiR]

Thank You VASandy & Josh! I regard myself as a computer idiot, almost an illiterate. After following your advice, my computer has never worked so fast, and things that never have worked, seem to function now!
Amazing what you get on the Ridgid Forum.

[sprite]

Another great little piece of software to keep u running fast is Cleanup. www.stevengould.org/software/cleanup (http://www.stevengould.org/software/cleanup) It cleans up alot of crap that u can either do manually or just click on this app and does it all for you. You will love the sound it makes when u start this app. After it completes, it will ask u to logoff. Just say no. It will cleanup the rest of the files once u reboot. I recommend running this weekly. The first time u run it will take a long time since alot of people don't clean their system.

[Josh]

Another great little piece of software to keep u running fast is Cleanup. www.stevengould.org/software/cleanup (http://www.stevengould.org/software/cleanup) It cleans up alot of crap that u can either do manually or just click on this app and does it all for you. You will love the sound it makes when u start this app. After it completes, it will ask u to logoff. Just say no. It will cleanup the rest of the files once u reboot. I recommend running this weekly. The first time u run it will take a long time since alot of people don't clean their system.

Havent heard of this one before guys. so proceed with caution. Anyone else ever run this?

Josh

[Woussko]

http://www.webroot.com/

I like Window Washer and Spy Sweeper by them. This is not some new fly-by-night company. They've been around. It's too bad you have to pay for it, but then good software takes work to make and keep updated.

[garager]

Never heard of it, I do have everything Woussko has and more, a registry cleaner is good, but if you don't know what your doing or deleting out, stay away from it, I've litterly crashed my system twice goofing around in the registry. If you don't mind and know how to reinstall everything you lost, then knock yourself out. I like fast computers, so clean, clean, clean your systems. Oh ya if you down load something from the internet do your research on who they are. I like CNET.com as a reference.

[sprite]

I have been using this app for years and every computer I'm asked to fix(get rid of spyware) I install Spybot, AVG, Cleanup and Highjackthis. Also disable alot of apps from starting(MSCONFIG).

[Woussko]

Sprite

You do have a good idea using MSCONFIG on a Windows system and limiting what starts during bootup. Normally far too much ^%$# starts.

[VASandy]

I have a computer in my shop right now...and old(er) Compaq. For some reason....it was configured with the single 150GB drive divided into 3. The boot is drive E which is all of 4GB....well, that's not gonna work with XP is it, Compaq?!?! No wonder they were having so many problems with it!!! Just trying to get Ghost on it to make an image...it's pretty much not an option. I'll have to wipe out, remove all previous partitions and completely reinstall the OS.

I know a lot of people like to subdivide their drives, and there are some very compelling reasons for doing so. I have to warn you that with Windows, it's not a very good idea, however. The operating system grows so huge over time, since every application has to write files to OS specific directories. You'll overwhelm even a 20GB partition in time.

For those of you that want to partition an operating-system only part on the drive...please keep this in mind. You will, eventually, come to regret that decision. Whatever virus and other crud got on the system (viri are small..so apparently there was room for them..yay...), also got into the application and the data partitions. Keeping worms and viri away from your data is no reason to partition your drive.

[Davet]

Sprite, I have been saved a couple of times using the same about the combination. Spybot, AVG, Cleanup and Highjackthis. Also disable alot of apps from starting(MSCONFIG).
I also have Ad-Ware S.E Plus and Ewido.

Great programs to have. I have most of them also stored on a
usb memory stick. I take the stick along to use when when my
friends have problems.

I highly recommend Cleanup and Highjackthis.
What Spybot don't get, Adware gets, what they may miss
Ewido seems to get. Cleanup for some reason helps on some nastys
all of them miss.

[Woussko]

Why not just have more than one hard drive? In my PC, I currently run (2) 80 GB EIDE drives. The second drive is my own stuff and the main drive is the OS and programs. In addition, I burn backup CDs of my work files about once a week or if I'm doing something special, I may burn a CD right after saving files. I'm thinking someday that I might get an external USB2 hard drive. Now if I can just win some $$$.:D

I'm with Sandy that you don't want drive or partition C to become too small or you'll really have your work cut out for you. Anymore the OS alone takes up too much space.

[Newman]

One more thing I forgot to mention - if you really want to rid yourself of spyware, trojans, crashes and all that other crap, buy an Apple!

[Wild Weasel]

VASandy: Keeping a separate partition for the OS and installed programs is generally a good idea.

I don't do this to keep the vermin away from the data. You're right... if they're going looking for data then they're going to find it. The separation makes sense though in the ease of rebuilding the system if it's overcome with things like spyware and the like or if it's simply become a big mess after a few years.

It's often a good idea to rebuild the software on a system every couple years. This just makes it very easy. You can wipe out the whole partition and start fresh rather than worrying about which data you have to back up and what not.


You're right in that 4 gb is too small though. I wouldn't go with anything smaller than 10. Currently, my OS partition is 30 gb. Drives are so big these days that this shouldn't be an issue.

Woussko, it doesn't really matter whether you have multiple drives or multiple patitions on the same drive. The key is to be able to easily wipe out the "drive" with the OS on it and start fresh without worrying about your data.

[Woussko]

WW

Yes and no on the 2 drives. It depends on how you set them up and use them. Long story here but here's a hint. I have a second C drive (not installed but kept in a safe place) setup and ready for that "Just in case" mess. By the way I got them on a special sale so the $$$ factor wasn't that bad. Partitions are a must too.

The real best way is to have more than one of everything and a good tech, but that does cost too much $$$.

[VASandy]

For the purpose of system re-install, a seperate data partition does definately help. You still have to reinstall all the apps, but your data stays safe. In lieu of a good backup routine (and how many of us do that....), a sperate partition is ok. Keep in mind that if the drive itself goes bad, your data is still toast without a backup. Logical partitions are still on the same drive. A dual drive setup is a better idea, in the long run.

Running a mirrored setup is probably the best for data retention. With matched drives in a RAID-0 (mirror) array, you will have the best of both worlds. If one drive fails, you can break the mirror array, and have the good drive as your primary. I've done this before and it really does work. Keep in mind, if you have a virus/worm/trojan it will be on the mirror as well. You still have to get, use, and update your anti-virus and anti-spam software.

I recently started using Symantec Ghost for backup. Right now, I'm investigating their enterprise edition for making images of customer machines. The problem is it won't work over Internet. It'll help me with this one system I have to destroy and rebuild with better partitioning, however.

For single-system use, Symantec Ghost 10.0 and an external HD is a great way to go. It's painless to setup, and painless to keep running. Ghost sits in the background and will fire off a backup job on the schedule you setup. Mine is at 3am on 3 days a week. If you turn off your computer regularly, you may want to find a couple days you can start your computer, start a backup job and head off to work. It'll be done when you get back. I think mine takes about half an hour all told to run a complete system image backup. I can retrieve individual files, or restore the entire system. It has a bootable CD option for whole system recovery. I like easy.... ;)

[Gofor]

Running a mirrored setup is probably the best for data retention. With matched drives in a RAID-0 (mirror) array, you will have the best of both worlds. If one drive fails, you can break the mirror array, and have the good drive as your primary. I've done this before and it really does work. Keep in mind, if you have a virus/worm/trojan it will be on the mirror as well. You still have to get, use, and update your anti-virus and anti-spam software.
I

Good tips, but I think you meant to say RAID 1. RAID 0 (Redundant Display of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks) is striped, meaning it writes half the data to each disk, speeding up the process considerably. The computer sees the set of both drives as one big drive, but if one fails, all the data is screwed up. RAID 1 is mirrored, meaning identical data is written to each drive (what you described). The RAID 1 is good for critical data, but is most useful in servers, due to the high mechanical demands on the drives from the constant running. It was designed to guard against mechanical failure of the hard drive, and allows one in a server to be isolated and replaced without having to shut down the server. At one time I would have said RAID 1 was overkill for most home computers, but with the price per byte going down and the quality going down, too, it might be a good idea. As you clearly pointed out, RAID 1 will not prevent a virus or trojan horse damage, as the data is written to both drives the same.

Go

[VASandy]

Yeah...I meant RAID 1. Sometimes I stay up too late... :p

Mainly mirroring is to protect data. Since drives are cheap, and like you said, cheaply made, it's worth it these days for a homeowner. My first experience in RAID 1 was with a server system. That was in the days of Novell 3.x!! Been a while, and there's been some improvement in the interfaces for RAID controllers, so it's easy enough for a home user to implement it. You no longer have to be a computer engineer to do it.

[Newman]

If you have important data on your PC a RAID 1 mirror setup is a good idea. You can pickup a RAID 1 card for cheap, and with the price of hard drives as low as they are it's not an issue.

I used Ghost for years and it worked for me. Then I found Acronis True Image. I find that it's so much better than Ghost - way faster and much higher compression. Plus it works with Linux EXT file system, unlike Ghost which hoses your system!
I just burn my HD image to a DVD disc.

[VASandy]

Thanks for the information about True Image, Newman. Looks very interesting. Since I'm sitting here with a PURCHASED copy of Ghost Enterprise 2.0 that they have YET to send me my licence for, I'm in the market for something that WORKS, as well as a company that can figure out how to sell over the Internet. I'm about done with Symantec.

After all the negativity I've seen about HD customer support, y'all should be glad you don't have to deal with Symantec's. They've outsourced every single piece of their support to India. Their people there, while they speak English, have such a heavy accent I can barely understand them. That and they have NO CLUE what is really going on, and are merely reading off a list of responses. I hate to turn this into a rant against Symantec, but I'm pretty well peeved by now. I've been sitting here waiting for my Ghost License to arrive via email, and yet nothing. It's really starting to hang up my production process. I just can't sit here twiddling my thumbs waiting for someone to send me the license I have purchased. They were able to get me the download link in 2 hours, but can't get me the LICENSE?!?!?! *several expletives deleted* The heck with them!!! I'm going to vote with my feet and dump everything Symantec as soon as possible. I only hope they can get me a refund for this stupid Ghost Ent. edition.

[Wild Weasel]

As always though, none of this is a replacement for a good backup routine. :)

Putting all your data onto a dvd once a week or so is just good practice.

There's always bad things that can happen, from an unexpected power surge, a virus, a controller problem, to someone simply breaking in and stealing your gear that the RAID solutions won't help with.

I've known people who've lost years worth of digital photos because they never backed anything up. :(

[Woussko]

Wild has it right. We really do need to backup all of our WORK files on removable media such as CDs or DVDs so we might use them on another computer at another location. Like it or not floods and fires do happen. A good direct lightning strike on a power line and it's KABOOM for you and your electrical equipment. Only on removable media stored in another location (Think bank safety deposit box maybe) is your valued data safe. It's wise to make more than just one copy. Do this weekly or any time you save a high value file. What's say $2 in media next to many hard hours of work time?

[Newman]

Symantec is horrible. I've had so many headaches with their products. They seem to buy out all the other small software companies and in the process ruin those products too. Just like they did with Ghost.

If you're going to back up your data onto DVD media it's not a bad idea to make duplicates and use different brands of high quality media so just in case one brand fails over time, you might have a second chance with the other.