Computer problems
 

I recently spoke to a helpful man north of Limoges who fixed computers. I didn't take his name or number unfortunately. Could he contact me?

Re: Computer problems
 

Did you contact him through BE or ... :confused:
Anyway, if you need help i'm good with computers, just shoot me a PM :)

Re: Computer problems
 

Whats the issue?

Re: Computer problems
 

I'm sure it's minor - it's slow and I've got a some viruses. I also can't open some messages. It's asks me to choose between a number of formats - and won't work anyway. I therefore have dozens of files I can't access.

Re: Computer problems
 

What anti virus have you got installed? Can't it get rid of the bugs if you do a scan?

Re: Computer problems
 

Have you been keeping your anti-virus up to date? It usually catches stuff like this. You haven't clicked on any banner ads or any email links, have you?

Re: Computer problems
 

download CCleaner for your computer -it cleans out cookies and other stuff that makes your pc slow.

and then microsoft security essentials as your anti-virus. It's very good and there's no need to pay for anti-virus software.

Re: Computer problems
 

Unless you're still on Windows XP in which case ms security essentials no longer supports it. If that's the case, the best free anti-viruses are generally agreed to be AVG, Avast! and Avira.

Re: Computer problems
 

Eset do a pretty good free online scan too.

I use microsoft SE and periodically do the Eset one too

Re: Computer problems
 

CCleaner is good at deleting cookies, history and temp internet files. It's been over a week since I ran it and just now it cleaned 113MB of stuff, so if you have never cleaned your system, this may be a pointer. Also keep heavy stuff off your desktop.

You might also like to take a look at Malwarebytes. There is a free version which I use and it has come up trumps on a number of occasions especially with PUPs.

MS Essentials I also run as a back-up fail-safe, plus Avast, again free. Several of my French friends also use Avast.

And, be aware of e-mails coming in. The real bogus ones are easy to spot, but if you have a friend whose mail has been compromised and the address book copied, it may look genuine. Even opening can be a hazard and any link avoid opening at all cost. If in doubt, delete and send separate mail back to the person to check the mail was genuine.

Re: Computer problems
 

I go along with all the advice given here except that it's not true that you can get a virus by simply opening an email - you would need either to open the attachment in the email (which would most likely be an .exe file) or follow a link to a website where you are asked download and execute a file (again most probably an .exe).

A good precaution, if you're suspicious about an email, is to right-click the sender to see if the email address looks fishy and also to google the subject of the email to see if it's a known threat.

Finally most emails warning of viruses are simply a hoax which you certainly shouldn't forward to your friends and family without first checking the subject line on google.