| I just read an article about a lady whose computer | | | | Here is the plan. |
| was deluged by adware. It was such a problem that | | | | 1) Starting now if it is not too late, you should be |
| she spent thousands of dollars on computer repair | | | | saving your important files and data to a disk or |
| fees to try to clean up her computer. The said thing | | | | better yet to an online file folder. The online file |
| is that she could have restored her computer by | | | | folder sign-up can be found in the godaddy e-mail |
| herself in less than a few hours and for free. | | | | area. This way your files and data are safer. I enjoy |
| Somewhere down the line, there will be problems | | | | accessing my files remotely from any computer as |
| with your computer (adware, spyware, viruses, good | | | | well. You should also neatly save and organize your |
| software gone bad, etc,). Obviously, you should use | | | | important software so it is easy to reload. |
| protection software to prevent as much as possible. | | | | 2) Reload or load for the first time Windows XP |
| However, you will most likely eventually find yourself | | | | Home edition or Professional. |
| in a mess. Relax! Don't worry. | | | | 3) Now download for FREE Microsoft Defender |
| Don't spend thousands of dollars on a computer guy | | | | Anti-Spyware from |
| to fix your computer if it breaks down. The first rule | | | | 4) Now download for FREE Avast Anti-virus. |
| of thumb is, don't spend more than $300, which | | | | These three work great together. You can find great |
| would buy you a new computer today. But don't | | | | information on in the free stuff forum at They list |
| throw away your computer yet -- there is another | | | | many of the above solutions. |
| solution. | | | | I even suggest for older computers that are running |
| If you are unable to access programs like MS Office | | | | sluggishly to load Windows XP right now to clean it |
| and Quicken you may have a hardware problem, or | | | | up your system and make it work faster - before |
| your data may be so corrupted that you may have | | | | problems occur. Your computer will work like new. |
| to call in a computer expert to get to it - and he | | | | CAUTION: You will lose everything when you re-load |
| may not be able to access it in a cost effective way. | | | | the Windows XP on you computer, but that is good |
| Decide ahead of time how much your data is worth | | | | if you have a bunch of junk. SAVE YOUR |
| to you and find out how much you will pay the | | | | IMPORTANT ITEMS FIRST. |
| expert. | | | | I did the above on 2 older Dells. One was plagued by |
| If you can still access your data, try the following: | | | | an overload of junk and adware that popped up |
| First, back up all the saved data from programs like | | | | constantly. The other was just old and slow. I loaded |
| MS Office and Quicken. Make sure you have the | | | | the new Windows XP and started from scratch, and |
| original program discs because later you will need to | | | | they work even better than the brand new Dells at |
| reload these programs, and any backed up data. | | | | my office that are loaded with a paid McAfee |
| Then, just reload your Windows XP operating | | | | security package. McAfee seems to try to trick you |
| system (or upgrade to Windows XP). Bypass any | | | | into paying twice for the subscription, but the above |
| warnings it gives you about your existing data. It will | | | | solution is free and does the same thing. |
| wipe your computer clean and you can start again. | | | | Disclaimer: I am not an expert on any of the above, |
| Go online and load the FREE security programs listed | | | | but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn last night. For |
| below. Then load the programs you wish to re-install | | | | hardware problems or to restore data, you may |
| and then their backed up data. Your computer will run | | | | need a computer guy (expert). Also, you may have a |
| like brand new (or better!). Warning! You will lose | | | | computer guy who is very cost effective and |
| everything on your computer when you install | | | | efficient (they are around), but there are just as |
| Windows XP, and all the programs have to be | | | | many that spend to much time and money (yours) |
| re-loaded. | | | | to fix something their way. |