F.A.Q.
ABMS Has The Answer to Some of Your Most Common Computer Questions
Q. My computer's running slow, does that mean that it's time for a new computer?
A. Maybe. But there are problems with hardware and software, which can be resolved to restore the original performance. A limping hard drive, (which may be in the process of failing or "crashing") can cause all functions of your computer to be
slow. If your hard drive is failing you may also get "Illegal Operation" messages. A virus, Trojan or worm can also slow your system. Spyware is a major problem, and can make your Broadband seem like you are on a dial-up connection, (slow.)
By removing viruses, adware and spyware, you can improve your performance substantially. Adding more RAM memory will also boost the system's performance. If you have tried these approaches and your system is still too slow, you should seek professional help before you decide to replace the system. We can evaluate the problem for you and suggest a solution. In many cases we can bring the system's performance to an acceptable level, saving hundreds of dollars over replacement. But, in some cases a new system is the only way to resolve the problem.
Q. Several people have told me that it's fine to leave my computer on all the time, is this true?
A. No, unless you have 24-hour tasks running, such as Faxing, scheduled backups, and the like. Leaving your computer on usually means you are connected to Internet all the time, and that leaves you open to hackers. You can be subject to becoming a Zombie, which is exploited by spammers. Your system's cooling fans will be drawing in air, which has dust. This dust will build up on internal components which reduce your system's ability to cool vital parts. Many problems are caused by overheating, and could lead to premature damage to expensive components. You will also be using more electricity unnecessarily, and causing your environment to be warmer, which means higher air conditioning costs. All the components in your system will be wearing out sooner, such as the hard drive, which will be constantly working. If you must have the system on 24/7, setup the Power Management in Windows to Hibernate or Sleep when not in active use. Most programs will "wake up" the system when needed.
Q. Is there anything I can do about the dropped connections on my wireless network?
A. If this network is for your business, I strongly recommend avoiding wireless. A wired network is faster, more secure, and never drops connections. If wiring is not an option, there are new wireless Routers which are more advanced and provide more broadcast range. There are Range Extenders which can relay your wireless signal further, and/or overcome signal loss through walls. There are larger, more powerful antennas available for transmitting a stronger signal. Spyware, viruses & Trojans can interfere with your connection, and cause long delays in response and/or dropped connections. If you have not secured your wireless Router with a WEP code, others may be using your network, causing slow bandwidth and/or dropped connections. A program which is scheduled to update itself periodically, such as virus protection, may be malfunctioning, and cause a dropped connection. Some viruses are designed to interrupt Internet and/or LAN communications at timed intervals. Be sure to update your virus software, and scan your hard disk for any sign of viruses.
Q. If I suspect that there's a virus on my computer, what should I do?
A. It is vital to keep your virus software up-to-date at all times, and periodically scan your hard disk for viruses. Even the best virus software will not be able to help you if the virus database is not up-to-date. If your virus software is not functioning or is too far out of date, there are web sites which will allow you to download and run their software to clean an infected system. One such site is Trend Micro, and the direct link to their House Call feature is here. There are instructions on how to operate this program, and much good information. There are some viruses, which can actually attack and disable virus software. The virus software will appear to be working, but is unable to detect or remove viruses. Even if you are updating the virus database regularly, the virus software is not functioning, and will not detect the presence of the viruses. If you suspect this situation, you should use the on-line services available.
Q. How do I get rid of these pop-up ads?
A. Spyware or Adware usually causes pop-ups, and there are many programs available to remove these. Products like Ad-Aware, Spy Sweeper, Spybot, and the like are quite effective in removing these infestations. There are viruses, which are designed to attract these pop-ups, and can be removed by most virus software. Other programs called pop-up blockers can also be helpful in curing this condition. Most Internet Service Providers offer automatic pop-up blocking which can be easily installed and activated.
Q. I can't change my start page, what gives?
A. This is usually the result of a "Hijacker" virus. Some of these viruses are among the hardest to remove. If your virus software does not resolve the problem, try using an on-line virus removal procedure. This class of virus has become very sophisticated, and in some cases can only be resolved by a professional repair company.
Q. How do I back-up my files?
A. Most new computer systems come with CD-ROM Burners (recorders.) The software that is used to record to CD-R or CD-RW disks is usually pre-installed by the system builder or manufacturer. It is similar to Windows Explorer in appearance, and usually has a "source" and "destination" layout, which allows you to click and drag what you want backed up, from the soured window to the destination window. This is the most efficient way to backup large amounts of documents and files. If you have a diskette drive (floppy drive) you can backup current, important documents below 1.4 MB (that's 0.00014 GB) in size using Windows Explorer. Another method is with an Iomega Zip drive, or similar removable media drive. These can be installed internally or can be external. A third method is a removable, internal hard drive, or an external hard drive. Windows Explorer can be used to drag-and-drop important files to the destination drive. There are many brands of backup software, such as Backup MyPC, by Stomp Software, which can be used to perform the backup operation automatically. It is always important to have backups of current work, such as spreadsheets, databases, word processing files, etc.