Help your relatives fix common computer problems
"My computer is too slow?" "Can you take a look at my computer?" "Internet explorer is not opening up." "I am getting a blue screen when I try to start my computer." "My computer responds very slowly" "My computer has become too slow with all the games installed by my kids."
If you are a web geek or an IT guy I am sure one of these is the dreaded question your clueless family member will ask when you’re home for the holidays. And for some reason your uncle’s and aunt’s think its your moral duty and responsibility to fix there computers since you are off your regular work.
And yes you guessed it right saying "NO" is never an option. Even if that machine sits at your home office desk for days and days. Last week, I had a Apple Macbook, and 2 windows machines sitting at my desk waiting to get fixed and a phone call every other day to give status updates, this is more stressful then your boss calling you at home :)
Let’s review some common computer complaints and the easiest solutions.
"It takes forever to start up."
If your loved one has installed any software on the computer, there’s no doubt unnecessary items have planted themselves into its startup. Follow this to get rid of the stuff they don’t need, and save CPU cycles and time on boot-up.
Go to Start –> Run –> Type in msconfig –> Hit enter (Shortcut - you can press Windows Key + R to bring the RUN box)
This will bring up a Microsoft’s configurations panel, click on start up tab and clear unnecessary stuff. This will not initialize these programs on startup and thus saves a lot of memory and boot time.
"I keep getting a pop-up saying I need to pay for my antivirus software."
The default trialware antivirus software that came pre installed is now bugging your clueless relative to pay for a subscription, uninstall it. There are a lot of free good antivirus softwares available, one of them is AVG. You can use AVG or if you want to buy subscription you can go to vendors web site e.g. Norton and can buy a copy.
"When I get on the internet things look weird" or "I keep getting these annoying popup ads."
Thoroughly check your PC for evidence of malware: like a hijacked web browser that redirects google.com to an Asian porn site, unsolicited pop-up ads, or suspicious programs named things like "Keypress Watcher." If you suspect nefarious software has glommed onto Windows, get to scrubbing. Go straight for a copy of Ad-Aware Free and Spybot Search & Destroy to get started. Or if there is not any important data on C drive or if data is backed up, then you can wipe / format the drive and reinstall windows. Most of today’s computers come with a copy of windows on the hard disk and you just need to follow some instructions to reinstall it. For more info you can contact your PC vendor or call the manufacturer of your computer.
And then you can download and install Firefox, set it as the default browser, and replace all the IE shortcuts labeled "Internet" with the Firefox.
"I can’t find the digital photos I downloaded last month."
Install Picasa 3 and scan your entire hard drive for digital photos to add them to the library.
Relatives who take digital home videos should also get a free copy of VLC installed to insure that they’ll be able to play any clip they’ve got.
"The internet stopped working."
The worst family tech support situation to get in is one that involves no (or a very slow) internet connection. TechRadar compiles a list of fix-it tools you can take with you to the family holiday get-together.
I am always available as a support, in case you have questions just leave me your comment and I will reply back hopefully with a solution, and don’t forget to share your experiences by leaving your comments.
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