Some easy to use and useful sotware to maintain your PC FREE

[Chrissie]

Some really useful info & links have been posted here, so I'm going to pin this thread

[zedsdead]

to rid yourself of malware try combofix from bleeping computers.
its the only one i use on desktop pc's and its is of course free.

combofix

[GunJack]

Sept 22, 2014 20:10:36 GMT zedsdead said:

to rid yourself of malware try combofix from bleeping computers.
its the only one i use on desktop pc's and its is of course free.

combofix

take care if using cf, it's a very powerful tool and in the wrong hands can cause havoc with a pc...

[Phoenix .]

I had lots of problems with my old laptop(almost sorted now).

However, I now have a lovely brand new laptop and do not want to mess it up, my daughter has said ,'you don't use your laptop out and about so you should take the battery out and just run it from the mains.?
I will not do this unless I have confirmation from you techy peeps on here.

[Phoenix .]

Sept 22, 2014 20:54:22 GMT GunJack said:

Sept 22, 2014 20:10:36 GMT zedsdead said:

to rid yourself of malware try combofix from bleeping computers.
its the only one i use on desktop pc's and its is of course free.

combofix

take care if using cf, it's a very powerful tool and in the wrong hands can cause havoc with a pc...

Thats not for me then gunjack.

[Phoenix .]

Just trying to download Ccleaner, I am a bit concerned that it says it will delete some of my files permanently...is this something I should not proceed with, what files does it delete?

[VapingBad]

Sept 26, 2014 9:12:28 GMT Phoenix . said:

I had lots of problems with my old laptop(almost sorted now).

However, I now have a lovely brand new laptop and do not want to mess it up, my daughter has said ,'you don't use your laptop out and about so you should take the battery out and just run it from the mains.?
I will not do this unless I have confirmation from you techy peeps on here.

That is what I always do and it is best to let it drain to 37 - 40 % charge (all lithium rechargeable) if the battery is sitting about for any period of time, you battery will last much longer.  If you never use the battery it is probably a god idea to put it in every few months and top the charge up to 40 %.

[Bluefish]

Sept 26, 2014 16:37:19 GMT Phoenix . said:

Just trying to download Ccleaner, I am a bit concerned that it says it will delete some of my files permanently...is this something I should not proceed with, what files does it delete?

It deletes all the crap and add ons and all the files that get left when you delete stuff on purpose, it's quite safe.

[Phoenix .]

Sept 26, 2014 17:16:03 GMT Bluefish said:

Sept 26, 2014 16:37:19 GMT Phoenix . said:

Just trying to download Ccleaner, I am a bit concerned that it says it will delete some of my files permanently...is this something I should not proceed with, what files does it delete?

It deletes all the crap and add ons and all the files that get left when you delete stuff on purpose, it's quite safe.

thanks for that bluefish, will carry on with it then,

[calnorth]

As regards PC or Laptops that suddenly won't boot properly or is a big problem when running/limping. Here's a different windows type replacement for nearly free. Needs a little preparation and is a test for yourself. Read fully first.

1. Hardware requirement:
A spare hard drive for either PC or Laptop and one that is used for a laptop will be useful for both. Laptop size is 2.5 inch. PC desktop type is usually 3.5 inch and only fits the PC.
CD or USB stick

2. Software requirement:
Linux for Windows and which is free and works well. I use Ubuntu Linux when Microsoft windows fails. It can run from a CD or USB stick directly. Run directly is for test/familiarisation really because nothing you attempt to save will be saved. Download:

www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop (either 32bit or 64bit version and depends on your computer hardware). If in doubt use 32bit.

Ubuntu Linux software can be loaded to either a CDROM or USB stick. Do this with a PC that still works of course. Be prepared. Or just boot the CD/USB stick directly to just have a look? May need a computer BIOS Boot order change.

Ubuntu is a very light windows type application that works well with Open Source Apps (Open Office/Firefox and email)

3. Some small tools to change a hard drive (with the power off). It is very simple and goes as far as a philips screwdriver usually.


4. Procedure: (keeping fingers off of electronic parts and edge connectors)
Switch off and disconnect power to computer
Remove suspect drive
Insert spare drive
Switch on
Insert CD or USB stick to load Unix to the spare hard drive which will ask you for a username and password (to remember) at setup end.

When this sets up it will connect to your Web Router asking for ISP logon details - you should have?

Firefox browser is automatically loaded on this installation, Google therefore available

Email requires you to download an app called Thunderbird. Thats a little tricky to setup and works.


Once the above is setup the hard drive can be used on any PC/Laptop at anytime. There are no viruses attached to Linux that I know of. The thieves are not really interested in Linux users.

This arrangement is useful to determine whether you have a computer hardware or windows fault. Usually its software, but you may like to be sure? If Linux works then your hardware is good. You could use just the CD/USB stick for the hardware check.

This maybe useless to some folk, but I hope its complete and may help?

[nanotm]

that's sounds almost exactly the same as the old ub4cd, except it probably doesn't include the unscramble software features and wont run on any UEFI machine (win8.1 and later) where the original hdd is still fitted making it rather pointless/

[Darth Vaper]

Any suggestions for Macbook software?

[calnorth]

nanotm:

In practice, most UEFI systems have legacy support for BIOS functions. I have only just upgraded to Win10 so not tested it out above Win7 with my new Asus MB and older Lenovo machine. However, when Microsoft shifts on anything... Linux won't be far behind. Unix authors are global Microsoft haters.

Whats scrambled? I've used Ubuntu for about 8 years so don't understand that.


Darth Vaper:
Apple...never a chance of anything as this.

[phatfil]

Sept 26, 2014 9:12:28 GMT Phoenix . said:

I had lots of problems with my old laptop(almost sorted now).

However, I now have a lovely brand new laptop and do not want to mess it up, my daughter has said ,'you don't use your laptop out and about so you should take the battery out and just run it from the mains.?
I will not do this unless I have confirmation from you techy peeps on here.

Yes sound advice. that way your battery will retain a good charge when needed, with a lappy thats plugged in the battery is charged constantly and when eventually used will have bugger all longevity.

i did knock up a lil usb/relay to maximise my lappy battery by turning off the mains power until the battery fell below 20% and cutting off again when it hit 100% but at the end of the day its easier to simply pull the battery

[Deleted]

i would tell people if you just have a machine to browse web and do basic tasks install linux
ubuntu is a great start and you know your system is secure grand parents use linux and

I have built many linux machine with office pc's getting thrown out for to be used at job clubs and youth halls over fife

windows just eats up memory and the spyware and male ware you get with winblows is unreal

i will look out some scripts i made to help clean windows 7 and onwards why install a program when you can click something daily to clean pc and free up them resources