If we are doing a specific hunt for trouble or even a simple checkover and report we look in a few places to see what we would expect in the way of performance.
If a machine is slow and it should be fast then we look for malware. Malware is the generic name for anything that is in your system that shouldn’t be there, in a harmful sort of way. If you haven’t seen our youtube video then have a look at this first, which was an interview between Elene Marsden and Glyn Cheeseman and Glyn Cheeseman of CMX Business Computing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLwhPyfDXQw
Here is the list we use at CMX. There are more items but this is a good start. Some of these are best run in safe mode and if you don’t know hopw to get there then call us and we will tell you as we would like to know that you are doing the right thing rather than the wrong thing.
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We look at the system to see if it should be fast. Obviousy you cant do this as you usually only know about your machine, whereas we have used hundreds.
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We run task manager and look at the programs that are running and how much memory is in use and available,
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We run the system restore (Start>programs>accessories>system tools>system restore) to see if there are restore points. This is usually a good sign if its available and a bad sign if it isn’t !
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If a system really seems a problem we run Stinger which is available at http://www.mcafee.com/uk/downloads/free-tools/stinger.aspx and Trend http://www.trendmicro.com/threatdetector
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We then run an online virus scanner such as Eset or trend housecall. These downloads are a one off virus scanner, its up to date and remote so it cant be fooled. These can be downloaded from our help page at http://www.cmx.co.uk/Support/Downloads
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After that we go looking for the lower threat spyware, the stuff that might not steal your data but it slows the machine down. There are two we use and both are good, we run these each at least once. Malware bytes and Spybot S&D. Again these can be found on http://www.cmx.co.uk/Support/Downloads.
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We also have a nice product which is buit techie called hijackthis. It looks at all your startup files and then produces a report which we analyse. If you know what you are doing its great. Cut and paste the report at http://www.hijackthis.de and you get an analysis. WE have sometimes found things here that other sites miss.
We also install a free trial of an anti virus package for you to try for 30 days.
If it’s still a problem then contact us as there are many other things that can be done and it usually takes atrained person to get to the bottom of the problem – and don’t try and fix it yourself weith all the other tools that are available on the internet. Some are safe but dangerous and others are just more problems.
If the idea is about as appealing as a DIY appendectomy so you don’t want to do it yourself, then call us, it will cost £35 for an examination.