Viruses - Usually come in your e-mail from someone you know - the programs spreads undetected by the person whose computer sent it to you.

SOLUTION: GOOD anti-virus software with UP TO DATE virus signatures. Antivirus software without current updates will not help you very much. Also, if you do have a virus and you attempt to install Antivirus software, the program will often not install properly. We always ensure that the PC is clean before attempting Antivirus installation.

Spyware - usually caused by downloading 'free' screensaver programs, music download programs such as Kazaa, or installing 'special toolbars' or 'cool cursors'. These programs track where you go on the Internet and send advertisements to you based on that. This can be why you are getting so much spam and so many pop-up ads.

SOLUTION: The best thing you can do at this point is to uninstall the Spyware on your system. However, this won't help the problem you already have - it will just prevent it from getting worse. Ad-aware by Lavasoft AND Spybot - Search and Destroy can help you with this - check out our links page for information about this free download. BEWARE!!! Many so-called anti-Spyware programs cause MORE HARM THAN GOOD. Stick with the recommendations we offer to be safe.

Many times, a small Spyware problem can become overwhelming that is possibly over your head. We have a lot of experience dealing with these issues and stand ready to help.

Spam - unwanted and unwelcome e-mail advertising - this can come from a variety of sources; Spyware, Internet 'contests' that are designed to gather information about you, or by being active on newsgroups.

SOLUTION: One approach is to change your e-mail address, and use anti-spam techniques such as never downloading Spyware (however, often you don't know you are getting Spyware!) and by writing your email address in such a way that it can not be 'harvested by programs that scan the Internet to develop 'mailing lists - instead of using, for example, yourname@provider.com, you can put yournameNOSPAM@provider.com or yourname-at-provider(dot)com... a user will know what to do but a program designed to gather email addresses will not catch this.

Another approach is to use anti-spam software. This will not totally eliminate all spam but it will cut it down a great deal. You can also configure your Internet browser to sort your mail by keywords, this can help a lot but it is not the total solution. Spam is a war where there is not a clear winner yet.

Pop-up ads - You know what they are!

SOLUTION: There is software designed to stop pop-up advertisements and it seems to work quite well. However, some pop-ups are desirable and you may need to turn off the software at times to do what you want to on the Internet, for example, with some Internet baking and other sites you need pop-ups... so you need to control them without totally eliminating them. You could consider switching from Internet Explorer to Firefox, and if you need help with that, let us know!

Operating system problems - There are certain problems that are known issues with older versions of Windows, especially, Windows 95 and Windows ME but also with Windows 98. Windows 2000 and Windows XP have a different software infrastructure that is not as limited as the '9x' group.

SOLUTION: Make sure all software fixes and upgrades have been installed correctly. If so, consider upgrading your operating system.

3 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DOING
AN OS (OPERATING SYSTEM) UPGRADE

Why am I doing this? (If it WORKS, why 'fix it'?)

Will my computer run the new operating system? (Will I need to upgrade my memory, or processor? Is my hard drive large enough?)

Is my other software compatible? (Check with your software vendors and be sure!)

Installing a new operating system can be simple, but sometimes there are major problems. TechDoc can help you with your upgrades and give you the expert help you need.

No back up procedures - critical data being lost - To paraphrase a Neil Sedaka song, 'backing up is hard to do'... it just never seems like a priority and it's hard to remember to do it when it never seems like you need to. Think of it in the same way as buckling up your seat belt. The only time you really need your seatbelt on is when you are in an accident (or when you pass a police officer who is checking with compliance to the seat belt law). The problem is, do you know when the accident will occur? If you DID, it wouldn't be an accident! This is an undeniable truth - somehow, sometime, somewhere, you will have a hard drive failure. When, not if, you do, are you prepared? Are you STAYING prepared?

SOLUTION: Find a backup routine that works, and DO IT! There are new solutions available today that we can help you with that are cost effective and 'forget- proof'.

Component parts wearing out or 'dying' - things happen, you just need to get your PC fixed when they do.

SOLUTION: This is easy... give the TechDoc a call. Sometimes what appears to be component failures are really caused by one component or possibly a virus. We will get to the root of the problem and get your PC running right.

When you buy cheap, you get cheap! - the super super low price computer that you purchased a few years back may be having more trouble than you think it should. These computers are often harder to obtain parts for and the parts are usually a bit more expensive.

SOLUTION: When it is time to replace that computer, call us for recommendations.

Electrical problems due to lightning and bad power - this is a major problem in the Houston area.

SOLUTION: A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is recommended, or, at least, a high quality surge protector can help. Also, remember that electrical spikes can travel through your phone line as well so you'll need to protect your modem lines as well.

SOFTWARE PROBLEMS

Virus damage - Caused by damaging virus infestation.

SOLUTION: Usually requires reinstallation of system software, and occasionally, reinstallation of the operating system. Sometimes it is less expensive, due to the excessive time required to track down the damage to reformat the hard drive and reinstall everything from scratch.

'Tinkering' - Some people like to go through their computers and 'clean out' files that 'seem unnecessary'.

SOLUTION: Please resist the urge - go dust off the knick-knacks instead. There are ways to 'clean' your hard drive but unless you really know what you are doing, you can cause problems that are hard to fix.

Old or poorly written software - Be very careful when you install software. Older software can overwrite shared system files with older versions that will not work with your newer programs.

SOLUTION: Do not install game software on your mission critical PC - gaming software has a higher than average likelihood to cause problems. Also, make sure that you are not attempting to install software that is not written specifically for your operating system. If this has already occurred, a Tech-Doctor can attempt to replace the older system files with newer ones.