Computer Repair and Tuneup Procedure

jereece · Joined: Dec 06, 2002 Posts: 567

Like many, I have had my battles with viruses, spyware, etc. and now have friends bringing me their computers to repair and tune up. Over some time, I have developed a process that has proven to be very effective. Many of the tools used I learned about here in the Problem Solvers forum. Here's a link to my procedure. It's rather long, but you come away with a very clean computer. I guess I am posting this asking for opinions and how to improve it.

Thanks,
Jim

patio · Joined: Feb 03, 2004 Posts: 5598

Excellent and comprehensive procedure jereece ! !

Only 2 things i spotted:

1) For novice users i don't turn tea-timer on instead encourage them to update and run Spybot every other day or so...

2) Under # 11 you suggest un-installing Asquared and Ewido...both products now have free versions available so might as well keep them ...

Nice Work !!

patio. Cool

Curious · Joined: Feb 18, 2003 Posts: 3

If going through that procedure on your machine doesn't clean it up I can't imagine what would. Very thorough.

CB

Rons · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 5667

Nice. Great info!

I'm sure this will help many in the forum. Thanks for posting it.

Werebo

Ditto the above, excellent post Jim

....

brat · Joined: Jun 05, 2003 Posts: 2326

The Franchise · Joined: Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 456 Location: Arkansas

Thank you very much for the procedure.Can't imagine anything slipping through.

Jimmy Very Happy

jereece · Joined: Dec 06, 2002 Posts: 567

Thanks for the confirmation and comments.

Patio - I agree that you can leave A-Squared (Free Version) and Ewido (becomes a limited free version) on the computer. However I have found that after getting the computer cleaned up and using the other programs as described in the Computer Maintenance folder, they really don't need these. So I remove them, but no harm in leaving them.

I personally like the TeaTimer in Spybot. I give everyone a document I wrote that explains how to keep their computer running smooth. It describes the programs used to maintain security in more detail. It also discusses browsing habits and how to avoid problems on the internet and using email.

Anyway, thanks again for the feedback. Hopefully this will assist someone in restoring a computer to good health and performance.

Jim

User: inactive Posts:

you certainly have the door to door sells pitch down pat for rookie shareware anti mal-software... most useless like a2 and duplicating... which means time consuming at my end that I dont like...
your method is sound but off key... you presume that all good front line software fails... this is true if none was purchased.. this should be your unlyeing message here
remember there is a program born everyday.... only the cream rises to the top

Rons · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 5667

carling - welcome to the forum.

I believe that the message that Jim was trying to convey, in that these are the tools he has found usefull is cleaning up unprotected systems that have been brought to him.

Like he, those of us who do this for a living see this quite often. It is amazing how many people are unaware of the dangers that spyware and virus's can cause, and have no idea on how to protect their systems.

Many of the tools that Jim has listed are tools that I use also to clean up infected systems. BUT, I have also found systems that are so badly damaged that even tying to clean them sometimes is fruitless and requires a clean install of the OS.

If someone were to write a program that would not only be 100% effective in protecting a system and also keep it 100% clean, that person would make himself/herself a fortune. Relatity is that no such program exists and we are forced to rely on a variety of different tools to obtain the desired results.

jereece · Joined: Dec 06, 2002 Posts: 567

carling -

I appreciate your reply and agree with some of your points. I believe that IF a computer user purchases a computer and uses a retail antivirus and retail anti-spyware programs on thier machine, uses good habits and cleans their computer of temp files, etc., they could easliy have a good performing safe computer.

However, what I see all too often is that they get a computer with a retail antivurus and anti-spyware that has time limited updates. When it expires, instead of paying for renewal they have a tendency to have a wait and see attitude. So their computer gets infected.

The tools I list are ones that I have not only read about in many articles and publications, but have personally tested and found to be very effective. The removal tools / process works. I have not had it to fail me yet. And in the 4-5 years that I have been using the free prevention software, I have never been infected with a virus and the limited amount of spyware is normally low risk and gets cleaned out pretty quick.

So I agree that top rated retail software can do a good job, but when people are not willing to pay the ongoing price, the high quality free stuff is a solution and has proven to do a good job.

Jim

patio · Joined: Feb 03, 2004 Posts: 5598

carling,

i wouldn't jump the gun calling those tools listed "rookie" programs, in fact some of the better Security sites and Forums on the web recommend quite a few of those same tools that were listed...

I don't think this is a pay vs. free discussion as both have merits.
I see the intention as helping someone who is infected and needs a way out.

patio. Cool

User: inactive Posts:

ty... points well taken.
but understand that I have many clients too, and they all know I have no patience for failed free ware, when they complain to me. You get what you paid for and the internet is expensive. The free avg's that failed or even the worst frontline of all Norton, leaving people with bills to pay to repair hardrives, leaves me frustrated when I inpart my years of experience and it is ignored. I have used all of Mcafee since its birth and have never had a virus stick. I have even proded and pooked at the virus's to see how they tick years ago with no fear.
I only wish the original message by jereece was posted on the front page of every news paper. This however would probably scare the hell out of the world and or wake up inocent and the programers.
The shear multiple & duplication of search and destroy programs is fuel for people believe it is all make believe.This is the feed back I get and cant honestly refute.
And on that note, I would submit to you that I ran ewido last night (first time) and notices it scanning in my windows directory, a directory that just does not exist.... what would you make of that?

jereece · Joined: Dec 06, 2002 Posts: 567

goretsky · Last edited by goretsky on Thu Aug 03, 2006 1:33 am; edited 1 time in total

Hello,

Just out of curiosity, have you considered using the System Restore (filename: RSTRUI.EXE) application to make a backup of the system's settings before any changes are made and then disabling it later in the repair and tune-up procedure only if malware was found in a Restore Point?

If nothing else, this allows recovery to an earlier in case one of the security programs or steps introduced further instability into the system.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

Rons · Joined: Dec 07, 2002 Posts: 5667

Hopefully this will not turn into a flame war in which a battle start as to what is the better anti-virus product. We all have our favorite program. If it works for you, use it.

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swabby · Joined: Feb 22, 2006 Posts: 83

jereece · Joined: Dec 06, 2002 Posts: 567

goretsky - Yes I have done this especially if it's a fairly new computer and I have a sense that the infection happened in the recent past.

Rons - I full agree with you. There are many good products both retail and free. The difference is do you keep them and maintain them. That's why I set up a "Computer Maintenance" folder on the desktop and in the name I put (Weekly), (Monthly), etc. Anything to get them to do regular maintenance. I suppose I could set these to launch on a schedule, but I have not gone that far yet.

Everyone - before I forget, anyone who wants to save the procedure to their hard drive can feel free to do that. That way you can tweak it to your preference. I keep a copy on my CD that contains the programs, but also like having it online so I can get to the links there as well.

Jim

User: inactive Posts:

swabby,,,,, you're OK!

As a professional technicial who cleans up 'Dirty' computers for a living, I have to concur that you don't want to be holding people up to Buy software to do the job.

The worlds best computer security cleanup and security software is absolutely FREE.

A good tech will go into a job carrying everything he will need, often on a single CD. Don't use DVD's because most older computers don't have DVD readers and won't be able to read them.

I actually need TWO Cd's because of the large amount of software I carry with me. I also carry many test routines on Floppy Disks.

One slight modification to that statement is "Trojan Hunter". It's a retail product, but their FREE 30 day trial is more than long enough to help clean up a Dirty system. Once the system is "Clean", Trojan Hunter can be left in place or de-installed. (whatever)

I use self written batch files to clean up various astects of a PC and to launch the install of all my Security Software, cleanup routines and registry tweaks.

NO operator could ever remember everything I tell them about running all the security software, updating it and staying safe while surfing the internet. SO, I've created a multi-page booklet of instructions to assist them on doing all the "stuff" after I've left.
I have one little ol' gal that calls that her "computer Bible".

There's a lot of forethought and just plain 'work' that goes into being a really good and thorough service tech, that your customers want to have back time after time and that they will recommend to their friends.

For every hour I spend at a customers site, I spend double that at home, downloading the very latest programs and updates and preparing my Utilitiy CD's and making up Customers Booklets, before going out on-site.

No-one should ever get into this business unless they are willing to WORK.
It's definitely not a job for the lazy or faint of heart.

Sorry, that didn't start out to become a 'Rant'.

Cheers!
Shadow Cool

goretsky

Hello,

Yes, it is pronounced "MACK-uh-fee" with the emphasis on the first syllable.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky