Keeping Your Computer Clean

Why You Need to Keep Your Computer Clean

When something goes wrong with your computer it can be a real headache. Many computer problems are a result of not cleaning your computer properly and looking after it. Here are some things that you can do to ensure that it’s cleaned properly.

Upgrades

One way to keep your computer clean is to make sure your software is up to date. Often computer problems are caused by software that’s incompatible with each other. You will get errors and other problems that crop up unexpectedly.  ComputerFix SLC can help you solve problems with your software and make sure everything is running smoothly. Make sure you also upgrade your operating system when it prompts you as this can also cause problems with your system if you don’t upgrade.

Anti-Virus

To keep your computer clean you also need ant-virus software. There are far too many malicious programs out here to run the risk of not having protection on your computer system. You should also have Internet security, malware, and spyware protection as well. Most anti-virus manufacturers have these programs as a package for your system, such as Norton or the AVG program. Make sure your anti-virus program is kept up to date for the best protection for your system.

Run System Cleaners

Another way to keep your hard disk and other parts of your computer running well is to use the system cleaners that come with your computer or you can buy individual programs. These will vary for Mac and PC systems but they all do about the same thing. These programs ensure that your system is running at peak performance levels.

Backup

If you run into problems with your computer you need a good backup solution. An external drive allows you to backup all your files in case your system crashes. You can also use this to keep your main disk free of files you only need so often and instead store the on the external drive. Always ensure your system is backed up on a periodic basis.

Dust

Your computer can accumulate dust and this can cause heat problems, errors and parts can even fail. Having your compute cleaned periodically will remove this dust. ComputerFix SLC can help you clean your computer of this dust and ensure that your whole system is running well. Dust is a leading contributor to compute problems such as slowdowns and crashes.

Have Your System Serviced

Keeping your computer clean can be a large task and it’s difficult for some people to do this properly. ComputerFix SLC can help solve your PC problems and ensure that your system is cleaned and free of errors and other problems. If you’re having issues with your system then you probably need some servicing by computer experts to pinpoint the problem and fix your issues.  ComputerFix SLC is here to provide computer repairs and cleaning. We will ensure that your system is free of errors, dust, and other problems.

Computer Viruses

Computer Viruses What are They? What to do if Your Computer Is Infected...

Aside from mechanical or hardware breakdown, one possible threat which can negatively affect the performance or functioning of a computer is when the system eventually gets infected by a computer virus.

What are computer viruses and how do they attack

A computer virus is a small program or software which can linger and spread inside the entire computer system and has a general effect of corrupting or affecting the proper performance of existing computer software or program. And as computers advance, these viruses evolve as well. Majority of these viruses are now more powerful, destructive, and harder to eliminate or confine. Some of the viruses target the destruction, corruption, or even deletion of your computer’s most important files. And because they easily replicate, they can infect a large portion of computer data and system in a very short period of time.

If computer viruses are traditionally confined to specific types of destructive programs, today, several kinds of computer infections are now tagged and classified as a virus. The terms malwares and viruses are now often used interchangeably, there are also the worms, computer bugs, and the dreaded Trojan horses. Malwares are types of computer infections that have more devastating effects. Malwares can be programmed to perform the destructive capabilities of known viruses and at the same time perform a malicious or illegal act. Malwares can be programmed to destroy and at the same time steal computer or personal data. They can also be used by perpetrators to monitor or spy on the computer activities of an individual, etc.

All of these computer viruses are usually spread through several means. The primary culprits include the internet, through e-mails, download sites, infected external drives or flash drives, infected servers or computer networks, etc. Among the symptoms of a possible virus infection are; computer program malfunctions or errors, unexplained or sudden slowing of computer performance, frequent crashes or breakdown, data loss, or the simple alert or triggering of the antivirus program itself.

How to deal with it if your computer is infected

-           Run the antivirus program. Antivirus or antimalware software or programs are primarily installed to prevent viruses and other kinds of malwares from attacking or infecting your computer. These programs also have the capability of isolating and solving out the virus problem if a virus has eventually slipped through the computer security or firewall. Dependent on the type of virus that has infected your computer, an up-to-date antivirus program should be able to delete and resolve it.

-          Minimize the number of programs used. Since viruses and malwares can infect other computer files, data, and program in an instant, it is ideal not to run other unessential program while the virus problem is being solved. The less active the computer is, the less are the programs and data the virus can attack.

-          Start salvaging or saving files. After learning that your computer has been infected by a virus, it is recommended to backup and salvage as much important files as possible. This will prevent data loss if the virus problem eventually gets worse.

-          Consult and seek help from expert. If the computer virus problem is extraordinary to the extent that your basic clean-up efforts and the antivirus program aren’t that effective, it is best to seek the help of computer technicians or IT experts. This could be your last resort especially if you are trying to save very important computer files from being corrupted and destroyed. In Salt Lake City, Utah, the IT and computer experts of Computer Fix could be of great help. To visit our website click here on our name Computer Fix SLC. We look forward to helping you!

How to Improve your Computers Performance

Do you own a computer? Chances are that you probably do. You probably have a desktop computer and laptop. But do they work very well? Do they run quickly and use the applications that you need? If not then you need to upgrade them. If you are having problems with your computer speed then you may need a stronger, faster processor. If you don't have enough space to save all your information then you may need more memory. That means you're going to need a way to improve your computer performance.

Improving your computer performance means that you will be able to do more with it. You will also be able to get some great work done with this better computer. But first, you have to take it somewhere that will improve whatever you need. This means you need a great company that specializes in this type of work. You need someone that knows exactly what they are doing. After all, you can end up with a lot of problems if someone does 'upgrades' to your computer that aren't actually good. So you need someone skilled and reputable.

www.computerfixslc.com has a wide variety of these skills. They can take your computer and make it work faster and better than ever before. In fact, they can speed up your computer by more than 30% just by replacing parts, troubleshooting, fixing network problems and more. They will be able to take care of any of the computer problems that you may have. Located in Salt Lake City this company will make sure that your computer is running great. They can even help you with business computers by coming directly to your site and fixing however many different computers you have.

Computer Fix can also provide remote support. That means that they can help you to fix up your computer without having to come to you or your having to come to them. They will be able to simply take over your computer and see exactly what is happening. This means they can fix many different types of network problems without you having to move the computer. This is great when you have a desktop computer that is more difficult to move. All you have to do is download a simple application and they will be able to fix the problem from a completely different location.

If you have a computer then you know how bad it can be when it gets a virus. This makes you computer run slowly or makes certain programs not work. This can cause a big problem whether you use your computer for personal use or for business use. You need your computer to work properly and if it already works properly then you probably want it to work even better. With the right company, you can make your computer run better than it ever did. That means you won't have to replace it as quickly and you won't have to spend a fortune on a brand new machine.

Computer Security Tips

Basic Computer Security Safety Essentials

When you think computer theft you typically think of it being done in the home physically right?  That couldn’t be further from the truth though!  It happens every day right from the Internet highway without so much as a glimpse of you being aware it’s even happening.  Computer Fix SLC would like to share with you 5 ‘security essentials’ safety tips that can help keep your computer as private as it should be.     

What Can You Do To Keep Computer Theft From Happening?

Let’s face it; your computer holds some pretty serious and very private information sometimes.  Sometimes even the most common step can be overlooked.  We’ve put together a few simple tips that can help keep your information safe as well as your computer.

Security Essential Tip #1:  Always Use Anti-Virus Software

Anti-virus software is no doubt the best way to protect against the worst kinds of computer viruses which are one of the most horrible ways to get a security breach on your computer.  Most viruses will spread through email, and downloads but some sneak in through the network and sometimes even through USB drives.

More important than installing good anti-virus software is remembering to keep it up to date, most will update themselves but you always want to make sure not do disable the updating configuration.  You also don’t want to go too long without internet connection because then your software will not have a chance to update like it should.  Your anti-virus software will only protect your computer from any ‘known’ viruses, hackers write new ones every day believe it or not, so it’s important to continue on with this article and follow the rest of the tips we’ve given you.

Security Essential Tip #2: Use Your Firewall!

There are differences between bad anti-virus software and good software, but as for your firewall, it is very different.  Your computer comes with a firewall and can fully protect it from an automatic network virus attack.  Always make sure it is turned on, you can check it through your control panel.  If your anti-virus software came with a firewall, we suggest using that one instead because it will more than likely be much easier for you to use.  It will also keep things much more simple.

Security Essential Tip #3: Always Backup Your Computer!

In the event of something horrible happening like a fire, flood, etc., you need to make sure that everything on your computer is properly stored somewhere, easy to recover.  Nothing will keep your data safer than backing it up.  There are many online backup programs available either free or at a very low cost, you can find them by doing a simple Google search.

Security Essential Tip #4:  Keep Admin Access Restricted

At home or even in an office, often times your computer is shared by many people, everyone seems to always be at the mercy of someone else’s computer.  No matter how many steps you take to keep your computer safe, if anyone else has admin access, they have free reign to install a virus-infected program, while unintentionally or intentionally. 

If you are in a multi-user type of environment, you absolutely need to restrict admin access to only those who you know and trust to keep your computer safe.  We advise to only create one admin account per computer and give everyone else their own non-admin account.

The only time you should even use your admin account is when you need to either install a program or change some settings, other than that, leave it alone.  This will help you avoid any accidental situations where you leave your admin account logged in and then someone else sits down and uses it and accidentally downloads a virus somehow.

Security Essential Tip #5:  Always Investigate If You Suspect Anything!

If you notice your internet being more slow than normal, or maybe you are seeing an odd error message over and over, it probably needs to be investigated.  Viruses have no shame in using your computer processing power for the worst intentions, which causes it to run slow.  They will hide among other programs, which cause the error messages.  They can even send a spam email, which will make your ISP raise a red flag.  If you see anything like this, begin an investigation and don’t settle for anything until you know what exactly the problem is.  What happens if you don’t is you risk letting the little viruses install the bigger ones, and the worse ones, which can ruin everything!

At The End Of The Day …

Absolutely no one is immune to computer theft, viruses, or becoming a victim of phishing scams, or a target for spyware.   It just isn’t an option to stay away from all of today’s technology, so to significantly lower your risk of being a victim, follow the tips that Computer Fix SLC has outlined for you in this article and you will be well on your way to a safer computer environment!

Intel VS. AMD

Brain vs. Brain

Can you imagine if you had to pick out a new brain to purchase? What would be the factors to influence your choice – thinking fast, seeing better, dependability, cost? If you had to limit yourself to just a few choices with one model of a brain and a different few choices with another, picking out your new brain would be a complex task. Thus, you can imagine the complexity in picking out your computer’s brain.

So, which brain is better, AMD or Intel? The brain with the racing stripes looks really cool, but what I really need is better graphics. I like the brain with the better graphics, but what I really want is racing stripes. The better processor is which processor suits your needs. That’s it!

But, let us go a bit deeper than that answer some questions like, “Which chip is the best value for common tasks, nothing high performance?” You want to purchase an AMD processor, and here’s why. They come in both single and duel-cores; they can pair with other hardware such as motherboards for improved performance, and most importantly to the value conscious, they are affordable.

That’s great, but you’re not an average user and you want a processor that can handle the hardcore gaming you plan to do. Then, we have to go with the Intel processor. You will generate less heat which means your computer won’t hover off of its base trying to cool itself. It will consume less electricity, which also factors into cooling. The higher-end Intel processors are faster than the AMD equivalents, but you will pay more. There are high end AMD processors, as well. But, they will cost more than Intel and offer nearly the same.

In plain, non tech speak, you have your answer. If you are a normal person that doesn’t plan on playing any graphics intensive games or plan on running any fancy design programs than the basic AMD processors are for you. If you plan on hardcore gaming or you design for a living and need a processor that can handle your workhorse programs, Intel is the more expensive but better option for you.

Keep in mind these simple rules when making your purchase. As you move up in price, Intel will generally outperform AMD processors for less money. As you move down in price, AMD will generally perform the same tasks as Intel for less money.

Prolong the Life of Your Computer

We have Dr.’s reminding us always that “prevention is the best medicine”.  The same is for our computers.  If we want to get a long life out of our computers, we need to prevent. There are three basic things Computer Fix SLC recommends you do to maintain your computer keeping it in its best condition:  First, we want to keep our software updated.  Second, keep our computer clean. Third, back up your data. These three things will prolong the life of our computer.

Keeping software updated is an important part of keeping our computer healthy.  It is no longer an optional part of computer ownership, it is mandatory.  There all kinds of elements out there that can harm our computers.  Junk mail, hardware incompatibilities, software conflicts, worms and of course we’ve all heard about computer viruses. Updating our computer with the latest patches, fixes, and device drivers can help these immunize our computer and keep these annoyances at bay.  Updates are freely available on the internet for just about every antivirus program, email client, operating system, and piece of hardware you could possibly own. 

Keeping our computers clean.  We all know that things run a little better when they are clean.  When removing the lint from our dryer, it runs more efficiently.  When we take care of our cars, changing the oil etc., it runs better.  And water runs easier when our plumbing is clean.  Our computers are not any different.  Keeping our files and folders tidy in our virtual worlds and clearing the dust and grime that builds up inside and outside our computers, all play a part in keeping it running smooth all the time.

Lastly, Backing up our data on our computers is the most important thing a computer owner can do.  Consistently and reliably backing up the data stored on the hard drive will really helps our computers.  Hardware used to be the most valuable part of a computer but those bits and bytes are now the real investment.  Most people spend a lot of money on software, digital music, videos, and countless hours authorizing documents and organizing digital files.  If we don’t regularly backup this information, a serious computer problem could leave us with nothing but a huge feeling of regret. 

We want to get the most out of our computers and all we invest in it.  Yes, “prevention is the best medicine”.  It will be well worth it if we pay a little more attention to our computers.  Keeping the software updated, keeping it clean, and backing up data are three things we need to be doing to prolong our lives of our computers.  Let us know if Computer Fix SLC can help you in maintaining your computer.

7 Tips to Speed Up Your Computer

Seven Tips For A Faster Computer

A slow computer takes quite the toll on your time. Not being able to complete tasks on your computer in a timely and efficient manner is annoying! Here are seven tips you can utilize to help maximize the speed of your machine.

1.      Uninstall unwanted programs and/or programs that you do not use. Many programs run in the background even if they are not being used. This takes up memory and disk space.  You can do this by clicking start, then control panel, and selecting add/remove programs or uninstall programs.  Make sure you don’t uninstall important ones though! =)

2.      Use your Disk Cleanup tool to free up disk space by cleaning up your hard drive. You can access this by clicking Start, then click my computer or computer.  Then right click on the drive you would like to clean up, click properties, then click the tools tab at the top.  Disk Cleanup should be there!

3.      Check for and remove spyware and viruses. You can use programs like Malwarebytes (www.malwarebytes.org) or AVG antivirus (www.avg.com) to scan for those.  Both have a free version to use!

4.      Use the Disk Defragmenter tool to rearrange fragmented data on your hard drive to increase efficiency and performance. 

5.      Regularly check your computer’s performance by doing a performance test. You do this by clicking the start button, then typing in “performance”, then clicking “Performance Information and Tools” that should appear at or near the top of the search results. The meaning of the numbers derived after the performance test is explained when you click on, “What do these numbers mean?”

6.      Set up automatic updates so that you always have updated definitions from Microsoft.  In control panel you can access windows updates and make sure they are set to automatic.

7.      Close programs that are not currently being used. Do this by accessing the Task Manager. From the list of running programs, close the ones not being used.  Access the Task Manager by holding ctrl+alt+del and click Task Manager.

We hope you've found these useful!  Visit us at www.computerfixslc.com or give us a call if you need any computer help! 801-415-9595