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Topic: Computer diagnostic Software |
Larry R
From:
Navasota, Tx.
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Posted 19 Jul 2010 6:45 pm |
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What 3rd party pc troubleshooting diagnostic software are you using? I have Ccleaner, Malwarebytes, Spybot. Any others I should have?
Larry R |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 19 Jul 2010 9:00 pm
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You didn't list an anti virus program. Do you use one? If so, which brand and version?
If you have no anti-virus installed, get Microsoft Security Essentials. It does a reasonable job, according to my observations. It gets updated every day and is light on computer resources.
You also failed to mention if you have registered MBAM. If not, it acts in manual scanner mode only. You are responsible for opening the program, checking for updates, then scanning for malware. Malwarebytes releases multiple updates every day. Malware authors modify and repackage their threats up to 70,000 times every day. The average piece of malcode has a fingerprint lifespan of a mere 24 hours, before it is abandoned and replaced.
If you want to register MBAM, you can purchase a license through my site, here. My MBAM page explains the registration process. Read it before registering.
Spybot S&D is another manual scanner, with manual updating. There isn't any reason to rush to get updates, as they are only posted once a week, on Wednesdays! By the time you get the latest definitions, the threats they detect are gone from general circulation. You may find malware with it, or it may miss brand new threats that they haven't released definitions for yet.
If you want realtime protection you will need something more powerful and more frequently updated than any of those solutions. I recommend trying Trend Micro Internet Security, free for 30 days, full featured. It requires a paid annual license to keep using it, but scores very well on real world virus and spyware tests. Also, one fee covers 3 PCs, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.
I also use Ccleaner and like it a lot.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Larry R
From:
Navasota, Tx.
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Posted 20 Jul 2010 9:17 am
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I have Ccleaner, Malwarebytes, Spybot, and am running BitDefender Internet Security 2010 which includes AV, Anti-spam, Anti-Phishing and a bunch of other stuff in the package.
I'm looking for tools to diagnose hard drive problems, memory problems, file problems, etc.
I downloaded Memtest86 ISO but it needed a file association that was not in my setup. I downloaded winzip to unzip it but it wanted a registration code for the free download version so I shelved that. |
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Bo Borland
From:
South Jersey -
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Posted 20 Jul 2010 10:29 am
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Wiz,
what about advertised places like "doublemyspeed.com"
they claim to analyse your PC online and for a price clean and speed up your processing.. ?
Is there are shareware place for this type of operation? |
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Larry R
From:
Navasota, Tx.
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Posted 20 Jul 2010 12:45 pm
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I'm getting this message from MS Outlook when trying to open any link from any email:
"This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator".
I am the system administrator. I checked all of my settings in BitDefender. Don't know what could be disallowing me to access the links.
What should I be looking for? |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2010 9:36 pm
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| Bo Borland wrote: |
Wiz,
what about advertised places like "doublemyspeed.com"
they claim to analyse your PC online and for a price clean and speed up your processing.. ?
Is there are shareware place for this type of operation? |
Don't go there!
You can get the same results by following these guidelines.
- Use CCleaner to get rid of all temp files, browser caches, read documents, and the like, except items you want to keep (cookies, history)
- Uninstall unused/unwanted programs and reboot
- Defragment the C drive
- Disable unnecessary startup processes, using CCleaner's Startup Tools. If this causes problems, re-enable those items. Reboot after making startup changes.
- Open CCleaner again and run a Registry scan for problems
- Save a backup of the Registry, then Fix all Problems
- Open your HOSTS file in Notepad, or HostsFileReader and remove all entries put there by either malware, or Spybot S&D. Leave only the instructions and two sample entries. Save the changes and make sure the file name stays "HOSTS", with no extension, then reboot.
- Make sure you only have one anti-virus program running with real time protection.
- Change your Computer Performance setting to "Adjust for best performance," instead of Let Windows choose what's best for my computer." Go to My Computer and right click on it. Choose Properties > Advanced > Performance > Settings
- Buy more RAM that matches your system, using the Crucial Memory Adviser, or Crucial System Scanner. Buying matched pairs is best practice (that's what I do).
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Mitch Drumm
From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
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Posted 21 Jul 2010 5:29 am
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| Larry R wrote: |
I have Ccleaner, Malwarebytes, Spybot, and am running BitDefender Internet Security 2010 which includes AV, Anti-spam, Anti-Phishing and a bunch of other stuff in the package.
I'm looking for tools to diagnose hard drive problems, memory problems, file problems, etc.
I downloaded Memtest86 ISO but it needed a file association that was not in my setup. I downloaded winzip to unzip it but it wanted a registration code for the free download version so I shelved that. |
7-Zip file unpacker/unzipper:
http://www.7-zip.org/
Hard disk tools:
HD Tach tests performance;
http://www.brothersoft.com/hd-tach-download-265477.html
For HD testing for defects and reliability, use the tools available from your hard disk manufacturer's web site or use CHKDSK in Windows.
File problems:
You can run sfc /scannow from a command prompt to check the integrity of your system files.
CHKDSK will also pick up file problems.
Memory testing:
Memtest 86; I think you have to put this on a bootable CD:
http://www.memtest.org/
CPU temperature monitoring:
http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/
System Reporting and Diagnostics:
SiSoft Sandra Lite version (free):
http://www.sisoftware.net/?d=dload&f=sware_dl_all&l=en&a=
Belarc Advisor:
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
CPU-Z for detailed information on your CPU and memory (not a tester):
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html |
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Larry R
From:
Navasota, Tx.
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Posted 21 Jul 2010 5:41 am
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Problem solved in regards to my post above concerning this error message:
"This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator".
I had inadvertently installed Google Chrome. Once the download started I didn't want to cancel it so after it completed downloading, I removed it through the Control Panel. During the removal process a registry file was apparently corrupted. I Googled the error and found that this was a common problem when Google Chrome is removed. I downloaded a fix from a tech website. During the night my computer downloaded some windows updates and restarted. I'm now able to click on links and get the proper results. |
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Larry R
From:
Navasota, Tx.
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Posted 21 Jul 2010 6:46 am
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| Thanks guys, that should get me started. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2010 12:07 pm
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| Larry R wrote: |
Problem solved in regards to my post above concerning this error message:
"This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator".
I had inadvertently installed Google Chrome. Once the download started I didn't want to cancel it so after it completed downloading, I removed it through the Control Panel. During the removal process a registry file was apparently corrupted. I Googled the error and found that this was a common problem when Google Chrome is removed. I downloaded a fix from a tech website. During the night my computer downloaded some windows updates and restarted. I'm now able to click on links and get the proper results. |
That is a most disturbing revelation! I guess that until Google fixes the problem, best practice would be to close all programs, set a system Restore point, install Chrome, test it and if not happy, uninstall it within one day. If the problems with the registry occur, restore the system to the moment before you installed faulty software.
Please post a link to the tech site where you downloaded the fix.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2010 5:02 pm
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| Wiz Feinberg wrote: |
| Change your Computer Performance setting to "Adjust for best performance," instead of Let Windows choose what's best for my computer." |
Wiz, what's the difference and how does it effect performance? |
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Larry R
From:
Navasota, Tx.
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2010 10:17 pm
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| Andy Sandoval wrote: |
| Wiz Feinberg wrote: |
| Change your Computer Performance setting to "Adjust for best performance," instead of Let Windows choose what's best for my computer." |
Wiz, what's the difference and how does it effect performance? |
Changing to the best performance setting removes all of the fancy curves from the edge of windows and causes windows to pop open and closed instantly. The theme background will disappear and be replaced with a plain colored background, and start menu selections will pop open without any delay as you move your mouse past them.
If you had an Aero desktop it will revert to a non-Aero display. Semi transparent windows will become opaque. Walls will crumble and fall and Nero will play his fiddle as Rome burns.
I hope this explains the differences adequately.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Jeff Hyman
From:
West Virginia, USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2010 11:58 pm
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Wiz,
I see no mention of McAfee Suite. Any comments on this popular product? |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 22 Jul 2010 8:12 am
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| Jeff Hyman wrote: |
Wiz,
I see no mention of McAfee Suite. Any comments on this popular product? |
Probably because none of us liked it and uninstalled it from our computers. Even Comcast withdrew it from their free offerings to secure Comcast customers' PCs.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Storm Rosson
From:
Silver City, NM. USA
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Posted 23 Jul 2010 7:11 am
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 Jeff for future ref...McAfee and Norton are the 2 most hated av apps by most every pc tech I know ....incl me....they both suck and one should stay as far away from them as possible imo...Stormy... |
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