#39 How to Clean up a Computer & Fix Problems for Free

After you have had your computer for a while,you may notice that it is not running as fast and as well as it once was.Maybe you have a specific problem,or perhaps you are just experiencing a general slowing-down of your machine.This article will give you tips on how to clean up your computer and solve your computer problems for free.

STEPS

Step 1:

Update your software. Any time your computer prompts you to update your software, you should do it. This is especially true of any virus protection, disk cleanup, or security updates. You should also update your web browser, as new editions will often come with security upgrades. Updating your software can help you prevent computer problems before they start.

Step 2:

Clean your registry. In Windows, the registry is a large database of program information, settings, and more. Over time, it can become filled with useless information that slows the functioning of your computer. Fortunately, there are a number of free programs that can help you clean your registry, which should improve your computer’s performance.

• A list of free registry cleaner programs, with reviews, can be found here. Make sure that the program you download fits your needs.

• Do not try to manually clean your registry, as you could end up deleting something that it's critical to your computer’s functioning.

• For more information and a step-by-step guide to cleaning your registry, see [Fix your Computer Registry for Free]

Step 3:

Run a free online virus scanner. There are a number of virus protection programs that can be purchased for a fee that help protect your computer. There are also many free online virus scanner programs that can detect viruses on your computer.

• The following links will take you to the websites for a number of different free online virus scanners. You can learn more about the specifics of the different programs by clicking through.

• http://www.bitdefender.com/scanner/online/free.html 

• http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/ 

• http://home.mcafee.com/downloads/free-virus-scan 

• http://www.pandasecurity.com/spain/homeusers/solutions/activescan (Spanish) 

• http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Step 4:

Call for a free diagnostic. Fortunately, a number of companies offer free diagnostics for computer problems. These consultations are usually done over the phone. If you cannot figure out the source of your problems, it may help a great deal to call one of these hotlines and see if they can figure it out for you.

• Note that this does not necessarily mean that it will be free to actually have your problem solved, just that you can get a free diagnosis of your problems.

• Do a Google search for “free computer diagnostics”. This should turn up a number of websites with numbers that you can call, as well as any stores in your area that might offer free diagnostics.

Step 5:

Talk to friends, acquaintances, or co-workers about your computer problems. Talking with people you know can be the best way to get computer advice without having to pay. Maybe you have a friend who is good with computers or an IT employee at your office who would be willing to help you out. It never hurts to ask, so go ahead and ask, but be considerate if it is beyond their abilities to help.

Step 6:

Browse Internet forums for advice with problems. If you have a specific problem with your computer, you should try doing a Google search for it. There are numerous Internet forums where people come together to discuss computer problems, and you may just be able to find your solution.

• Some places to start that might be helpful:

• http://www.computerhelpatoz.com/ 
• http://www.computerhope.com/

• If you do not feel comfortable trying to implement one of the solutions mentioned online, it is best not to. It is better to pay for help with your computer than to permanently damage your computer in an attempt to fix it.

Step 7:

Consult a reliable source before trying any self-fixes. The worst thing you can do is to make your problems worse by trying to implement a fix that you are not comfortable with. This is especially true of removing files from your computer, since the language of the computer is often difficult to understand, and you can end up deleting critical files. So, always make sure to consult an expert before applying any drastic changes. This can be a friend, IT staff at work, online forum, or a free consultation service.

Warnings

• Never remove files if you are not exactly sure of their function. You can cause more damage in the long run by deleting files and programs that are critical to your computer.

• Always cross-reference advice that you find online. Make sure that any advice you receive from a faceless source is referenced in multiple places. This will not only save you time if the advice is bad, but it can also potentially save you from damaging your computer.