What's Your Computer Fixing Method?

I was interested to hear what programs you use to fix peoples' computers, now I want to know your routine? Specifically for fixing computers that are slow and may have occasional errors and crashes, since this seems to be what most friends and family ask me to fix.

Usually I:

1. Scan for malware with MBAM and HitmanPro. Usually it just finds some adware and seemingly inert infections.

2. Update Windows fully.

3. Update programs like Adobe Reader, Flash, Java, etc.

3. Use CCleaner to remove junk files, remove obsolete registry keys, and uninstall preinstalled programs and unnecessary programs.

4. Run the sfc /scannow command if they are having errors.

5. Defragment if needed with Defraggler.

Now I will probably run the Windows All-in-one program as well.

What is your routine? Because mine could probably use improving.

 

Identify the problem
Fix the problem

works every time

 

Depends on how bad the problem is, but I have to confess, my usual solution is to wipe the machine clean and reformat, or if one exists, restore an image. I honestly never spend much time trying to fix things. It's often quicker and better to redo from scratch.

 

Jeez, how helpful

 

Yep, that's my approach. In fact, I usually install a clean image every six months on my personal computer just to be safe.

 

LOL.

I tell them: "because I know how to clean/organize and keep my room cleaned/organized doesn't mean that I will clean/organize your room. And the same goes for your computer. If you don't know how to deal with your computer issues, find a computer school near you".

 

I keep no irreplaceable data on my OS drive so unless the fix is easy and I can be assured that no malware remains, I wipe the drive and restore an image.
Add a few applications and I'm back in business.

 

I don't generally fix other peoples' computers, unless outside family member's and even then usually only if it's minor stuff. As for my own family machines, if it's something I can identify and address without something else breaking in the process, then that's the approach, otherwise I restore an image, as they are all imaged.

 

It's hard to say honestly. There are so many programs for different routes. And computers can have so much wrong with them.

If it's a virus I usually just run RKill and MBAM but it depends on the type.

If I can't figure out the problem and I might try MemTest86+ and CHKDSK. At that point if one of those is messed up I tell them to contact the manufacturer.

 

i will gather Logs First using OTL and DDS
then try using automatic Cleaning methods regarding Malware removal
MBAM,HMP,SAS,TDSSkiller

if nothing works i will try manual removal if it seem to complicated i will get help on some sites

then nothing work reformat

 

Rescue CD
On-Demand Scanners
Fix errors, if any
Maintenance if necessary
Google if all else fails
Recommend disk imaging

 

Hmm. I know format and reimage/reinstall works for us on this forum, but what about average users who need their PC fixed? If you asked someone if they had an image of their computer they wouldn't know what you were talking about. It also doesn't help if they had Office or some other program preinstalled that would be lost.

 

Speaking about problems on my personal machines: my setups are so stable that problems only happen when I change something, so the problems' origins are usually very easy to spot - which consequently make them very easy to fix.

Also, I regularly make full images of my systems with the help of a great freeware called EaseUS Todo Backup Free, so if I can't fix a problem, I just restore the latest image. I also employ several other data backup strategies (offline and online/on the "cloud").

 

Which takes longer identifiying or fixing?

 

Some great reading posted right here on the Forum.

 

My best tip for "speeding up" a computer for someone who has filled it with crap and then wonders why it takes two hours to boot is to time the startup of the machine, with them sitting next to you. After working on it for half a day, they will invariably insist it is no quicker than it was before - until you time it booting, show them the decrease in startup time, at which point they will cease moaning and work out how not to give you the money they half-promised you when they asked for help.

 

if it's malware related I use various diagnostic tools to gather logs .....and then use:
Emsisoft emergency kit
Superantispyware
Tdssiller
F-secure easyclean
Bytehero
Norton power eraser
Remotedll

if nothing helps........I restore an image......or for relatives who have not backed up pc I just format and reinstall os........and advise them to use imaging tool from then on........

 

I also like to use OTL. What is DDS?

 

Download DDS

 

Kinda of

 

I've fixed quite a few computers for people, maybe when they have allowed virus or trojans onto their machine or other problems and no two situations have been the same to fix. The main drawback about being seen as the pc "expert" is that you will eventually be despised, not trusted and even hated, whether you fix the pc or not it's almost always a lose-lose situation.
When the people first hear of you, (usually through friends) and are in the middle of a crisis they are desperate for you to come round straight away. They hang on your shoulder all the way through the work and question your every move and turn, to the point that you can't even think straight anymore. If the pc is unfixable there and then, because of a hardware fault (for example), you then are regarded as a failure or a nuisance. Often, even when you do succesfully fix the problem they will say to you at the next fault they get "It wasn't like that until you came round that day to look at my pc" The only way I will help anyone with a pc these days is after telling them directly " I am promising nothing, it probably won't work and it may even make it worse" at the outset because otherwise you will never live up to their expectations whatever you do.

What I advise you to do is read a lot, on the net, go to various forums and look at what other people are doing about their problems. Remember that there are all sorts of operating sytems, hardware and software configurations etc, so as far as fixes go, "One cap does not fit all". No one on a forum is going to tell you how to simply fix a pc, it's asking the impossible but you can glean good information sometimes by keeping your eyes and ears open and doing research even when it's not needed by you at that time.

 

Boot Disk -- it's surprising how many people don't bother making one - they can almost always resuscitate a PC.

Event Viewer -- my first port of call if PC boots. Can find the exact problem with a bit of detective work (thanks to Google)

Sardu - UBCD - Hiren's boot CD - and various other live CD's, anti virus, etc -- If a PC OS seems infected or just seemingly beyond repair ... I use these now. Much safer and offers better chances of saving anything you can't afford to lose. They each have so many useful tools to rescue a PC from what appears to be a disaster situation. Almost any tool that will be mentioned here you can find in these free all-in-one tools.

Regular imaging is ultimately the ideal solution. I use Macrium free and it does everything I want. Imaging at least once every week/ 2 weeks.

 

In many cases it is a waste of valuable time to try to fix a PC, if the problem(s) are caused by Malware.

1. Boot the PC from some sort of Live CD (i.e., Parted Magic) recover any critical data to a USB Flash Drive, USB hard drive, CD's/DVD's.

2. Wipe (zero write to all hard drive sectors) the entire hard drive.

3. Partition the hard drive, format the hard drive, Install the OS, Update the OS and Install the necessary software (including Security software).

4. Image the hard drive so that any future problem(s) that are caused by Malware may be quickly and easily corrected.