Computer Problems

Hi folks
Having terrible problems with our computers. Does anyone know of a local computer wizzard in the Egletons/Tulle area,or some one willing to travel to carry out repairs.
Simmo in the Correze

I find smacking it sharply with a blunt instrument usually helps but if not then I should try your local déchetterie.

Hi Simmo - what sort of problems?

T_L

Hi Tofu-Lover
I have solved the problem of the computer slowing to almost a standstill by removing a lot of the better halfs old photos which she had in the my pictures file.
The other problems i have is my orange default setting has disappear and a site called QV6 keeps appearing on start up. I have tried all sorts to fix it but to no avail.
My start page as also had the internet logo disappered off it and i'm at a loss as to how to get it back.
Happy days as they say , my lack of computer skills does not help and now with out my company IT support section helping me to run five different sites i'm out of my depth so to speak.
Simmo in the High Correze struggling with his ten year old laptop.

simmo wrote:Hi Tofu-Lover
... a site called QV6 keeps appearing on start up. I have tried all sorts to fix it but to no avail.

Sounds like you've been hijacked. See http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-qvo6-virus/ and/or http://www.2-spyware.com/remove-qvo6.html It might help you to remove it.

Hi Simmo - if Better Half's photos had more or less filled up your hard-drive (perfectly and easily possible on a 10 year old laptop), then it would certainly run slowly. Deleting some of them will buy you time - harsh, but fair!

As Richard says, you need to get rid of the QV06 thingy. Not sure if it's quite accurate to call it a virus, but it's certainly malware - i.e. stuff you don't want. But don't pay for anything to get rid of it - there's no need to shell out good euros.

What anti-virus do you have on your laptop? Is it up to date?

I've not used either of the solutions Richard gives, but I would add a third, and that is to use Microsoft's own anti-malware, anti-virus, anti-everything thing. It's one of the few things that Microsoft have got right. But first try this:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/malicious-software-removal-tool-details.aspx

Download it, run it (or let it run - do what it says...), and see what happens.

Then - if you don't already use it - get this:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download

It is Microsoft's own anti-everything software. Download, install, let it update itself, and do a scan. It really is quite good, and I don't often say that about Microsoft products.

By the way, I assume you are using Microsoft XP, given the age of your laptop?

If the MS malicious software removal tool has limited success try MalwareBytes. Get the free program. Between the two of them they sorted my browser hijack out when my anti virus found nothing.

Bon chance.

Tony H wrote:If the MS malicious software removal tool has limited success try MalwareBytes. Get the free program. Between the two of them they sorted my browser hijack out when my anti virus found nothing.

Yep, I second that. MalwareBytes is very good indeed. It's here:

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Only the free version is needed!

If this is all a bit much, Simmo, please say so - I can wander over to you (snow permitting - I have a phobia about driving in snow and ice!), and sort it out for the princely sum of a can of beer. I was IT technician for 20 years in the Health Service (no - none of it is my fault!), and although I've not really kept up with the very latest, your elderly laptop should not present too many problems.

T_L

When the dust has settled on this problem, for what it's worth the best computer advice I took in 2006 was to buy an Apple Mac - 6 machines, 5 tablets and 4 phones later all are running fine with no virus/malware etc problems. All have terrific resale value and so are the least expensive computers you can buy. Most of my friends and family have changed to Macs with the same experience. I am certain they go wrong but nowhere near as much as other PCs. Am I an expert in Macs? - no I have no idea how they work because I have no need to know.

Bowser_23 wrote: the best computer advice I took in 2006 was to buy an Apple Mac.

Hi Bowser

My brother-in-law, who actually knows a fair bit about computing, is always going on to me about changing to an Apple Mac, but I've always resisted the urge to change because I'm a complete duffer about computers and I'm fearful that it'll be a complicated process. Was it an easy transition or did you have to re-learn most of what you had already learnt. I'm genuinely interested in how you found the whole experience. Many thanks.

Hi Tocyvi

No change is without its challenges but in the main it's pretty straightforward - one of the tricks is to gradually get yourself over to what they call applications in the cloud. Not just for mac users but it means whatever your computer, when you change machine life is soo much easier. Examples of this would be Flickr for photos, iTunes for music and both Apple and Microsoft now have office programmes in the cloud too. Lots and lots are free and very very high quality.

In terms of using a Mac the differences are now quite small, not as big for example as the move from Windows XP or Vista to Windows 8. What you will notice is that everything works together so well (mostly cos they make the hardware and most of the software) Example, you take a pic with your phone and its on your tablet and computer next time they are connected to the internet. You write an email on the machine and it's on the phone without you doing anything. Other systems can do this stuff but its often trickier to set up and not so easy to use.

I don't know anyone who's switched to a mac and changed back (i'm sure there are some) Let me know what you typically use your computer for and i can be a bit more specific

Hi Bowser
Thanks for the reply. I've pm'd you

I would never change from a Mac now. I had the same reservations, but after having three Windows pc's crash & die, I bit the bullet & bought my Mac.
It was a bit different at first, but I just Googled any problems that I had and always found an answer. I'm still using Firefox, G Mail, and Orange, but I also have Safari if I need it.
Go ahead ...
You will never regret it.

Thanks to you both for your advice. I am persuaded - everyone seems to saying the same thing.

To come back to Simmo's original question: I know a guy in Argentat who has helped us with our old computer (on XP) and laptop and he's not expensive. His parents are Dutch, I'm sure he speaks English as well. If you want his name and number, please PM me.

Hi Folks
Thanks to a visit by Tofu-Lover and his better half on a day away from work.They have managed to get me back on the straight and narrow, and the old laptop is again working a treat. So thanks a lot to Tofu lover. Simmo in the high Correze.

Isn't it nice when folk help you out like that.