I realize I’m the “Computer Guy”, the “Nerd”, the “Computer Geek”, or “that guy who knows how to fix computers – talk to him”. What I am not though is your indentured servant. I am usually doing this as a personal favor where I don’t get paid and only expect a small “thanks!” after I’m done fixing your computer issues. When I do have to work on your computer there are some things I absolutely hate. And they are all preventable for the most part! Read on for my 5 Reasons Why I Hate Working on Your Computer.
1. Viruses, Spyware, Malware… Oh My
I love it when I get onto a person’s computer and the ask what is wrong with it. I usually get something like “I dunno, its broke!” The usual issue is you didn’t pay attention to the anti virus warnings (if it was even installed to begin with) telling you that your computer was infected. The popups that now appear every time you turn on the computer. The fact you installed all of those cute cursors, icons, and WEATHER BUG!! caused it to get infected usually. Its OK though – I’m here to help!
So – I go through and am able to clean up the system then typically install a few tools to help prevent it again:
- Avast Free! – I personally like it because it can run in the background. I only have to register for the free version. The cost for the full version for home users is only $14.99 a year. And oh yea, it WORKS!
- Malwarebytes – Although this tool does cost? I think it is 100% worth it. It does one thing and it does it really well. That is to protect you from getting Spyware, Malware etc.
- Glary’s Utilities – OK, this is just to keep your system from getting bogged down and keeps things like your browser history clean. But I think every computer should have this utility like this – I just wish they would run in the background automatically!
To prevent from getting infected again? Read the articles below to help you from getting infected again (PLEASE?)
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- Are Your Passwords Secure Enough?
- How to Protect Your Computer From Getting Infected by a Virus
- My Must Have Free Software for a New Windows Install
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2. Browser Toolbars – Just Say No!
I personally loathe tool bars on a browser. They usually don’t do anything but collect your information, suck up resources, and take up real estate. And they are usually a pain in the ass to remove. When you have me take a look at your computer and I see 20 toolbars installed on your browser window? I usually silently weep in the bathroom for a few minutes then get to work. These can take anywhere from a few minutes to hours depending on the type of toolbar you have installed.
I know we are all busy trying to do what we do in life. But you do need to SLOW DOWN and PAY ATTENTION while working on your computer. Most of the time these are installed after quickly clicking through installation windows, or when you visit a dubious website and they ask if they could install that “helpful” toolbar you need to read what it is saying and just click NO.
3. My Computer is Running Slow – Can You Fix It?
Slow performing computers can be related to just about anything. Not having enough resources, older hardware, not enough disk space, and the aforementioned issues above are usually the culprits.
So the answer is – Yes, I can improve system performance. Then again if you have an older computer? I can only do so much. There are some things that YOU can do though so you don’t even have to ask me to begin with!
Run the System Tools for Windows – The good news that for Windows 7 or newer? These are automatically going to run in the background now! But you can still run the Disk Cleanup utility every now and then.
Clear your Browser History – This is a good idea just for the fact that things like malicious cookies/temp files/browsing history are all taking up space on your computer.
Sometimes unfortunately the best answer is send the old computer out to pasture and purchase a new one.
4. If I Wipe Your Computer – Yes Your DATA is Gone
As a last resort sometimes I have to start all over. There just isn’t any way to get around it to fix your computer. It happens. So, I tell you I have to wipe your computer and re-install the OS and applications. Then when you ecstatically jump in front of the monitor and go looking for your data – please do not get mad at ME due to YOU not backing up your computer! All I did was bring it back to the land of the living and it works. The missing data? That is 100% on you.
Perform Regular Backups!
There are too many options out there today for you to NOT backup your computer. External Hard Drives, Cloud Backup Services like Drop Box, Thumb Drives, DVD Disks, etc.. the list goes on and on. My tip for you – if its something you don’t want to lose on your computer? You really need to back it up NOW. Yes.. right now! GO already and backup your data! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
5. You Assume I Can Just Fix It
Just because I’ve been working on computers for almost 20 years doesn’t mean I can bring your 10 year old computer back from the dead. Odds are it is beyond repair. There are some cases where I actually can’t fix it. Especially if it did things like caught on fire, you accidentally had it fall into the swimming pool, left it out in the rain, had your toddler pee on it, or tried fixing it yourself. (Yes these are all true…)
The best case scenario is that I can get your data off of the hard drive – then tell you to get a replacement computer. Or if you were one of the few to get a warranty to work with the manufacturer, see if there is anything they can do for you.
I’ll let you on a little secret though…
You Didn’t Look on Google
I’ll tell you my special secret on how I fix about 50% of the computer problems I run across. I search on Google for the answer. This is no joke. Even when I worked in a Technical Support call center and I couldn’t figure out something and then even my tech guy couldn’t find the answer. Where did we run to? The Almighty Google. Because odds are out of the BILLIONS of sites that are currently indexed on Google – the answer just might be there.
So see although I tell you “I’m a Genius!” – I’m really saying – I found the answer on Google.
Please don’t take this article too seriously. Even if it tends to hit a little close to home for some of you. I’m sure that a lot of you reading this are already going “I do this already!”. If so kudos to you! The bottom line is you need to take the time to educate yourself on how to protect your computer and get some better computing habits. A few minutes of learning something now will help prevent hours if not days of you not having a working computer.
In the end I really don’t mind working on your computer! It is what I do after all 🙂
