My computer is running slow. How can I make it faster?

How do I delete unwanted temporary files from my computer?

How do I find out general information about Windows?

I'm getting a blue screen when I'm starting or working in Windows. How do I fix this?

Someone told me that I need Windows Service Pack 2. How do I get this?

My Internet browser doesn't load the web pages I usually visit. What's wrong?

I keep getting an error message that there is not enough disk space on my computer. How do I free up space?

How do I keep My PC maintained?

How do I defragment my hard drive?

How do I run scandisk or chkdsk on my hard drive?

My monitor shows nothing but black. What is the problem?

My printer is not working. Is there an easy solution?

How do I install new programs on my computer?

What do I do if my computer freezes while I'm typing?

I think I have a virus. What do I do?

 A: One solution would be to add more RAM (physical memory). A larger and faster hard drive may also help. If these problems persist, the two most likely reasons are that you are infected with viruses and/or malware, or you have too many programs running in the background.

 Q: How do I delete unwanted temporary files from my computer?

A: Visit http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q142/4/62.asp

Q: How do I clean up my computer to create more room? 

A: Remove any software that you don't need using Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel. If you keep lots of old files on your hard drive, after a while it becomes difficult to sort the junk from the current files. Keep archiving old things, delete temporary or outdated files. A good way to start doing this is to use the Windows disk cleanup utility, which can be found under Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Disk Cleanup.

Q: How do I find out general information about Windows?

A: Go check out the Knowledge Base in Microsoft's site http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

Q: I'm getting a blue screen when I'm starting or working in Windows. How do I fix this?

A:  This can be caused by many different problems. The usual culprits are bad hardware or conflicting/corrupted software. Have you just added any hardware? If so, remove it and see if your problem is resoved. If not, have you installed any software recently? If so, check for program updates, and check to see if it is running a task in the background and try to disable it. If this does not solve your problem please feel free to contact us so we can further service your needs.

Q: Someone told me that I need Windows Service Pack 2. How do I get this?

A: Please visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx to download this. Please keep in mind that this is a large file and depending on your computer's speed it can take an hour or so to install. An alternate method is to perform a Windows Update multiple times until there is nothing left to download.

Q: My Internet browser doesn't load the web pages I usually visit. What's wrong?

A: You computer automatically stores every website you have ever visited onto your hard drive.  This means that it is cached (stored) on your hard drive and rather than going over the network to load the page, and it loadeds the cached copy. You might fix this problem by opening your web browser and clearing the disk cache. Usually located in the "Tools" than "Internet options" window than clicking the "Delete files" button. If not, then it is likely a problem with your internet connection.

Q: I keep getting an error message that there is not enough disk space on my computer. How do I free up some more space.

A: If you receive the error message while trying to save to a floppy disk, this means that you have exceeded the storage limit for the floppy. If you receive this error message while trying to save or install a program to your hard drive (usually C:) this means that your hard drive does not have any available disk space. You will need to perform clean-up maintenance on your PC. If your C: drive falls below 200MB of available space, you could end up with major system problems. A good start to solving this is to use the Windows disk cleanup utility, which can be found under Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Disk Cleanup.

Q: How do I keep My PC maintained?

A: To maintain your PC periodically you need to delete the temporary files on the hard drive, run the disk defragmenter and scandisk utilities on the hard drives, and remove any unused programs from Add/Remove Programs that take up too much disk space. A good start to solving this is to use the Windows disk cleanup utility, which can be found under Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Disk Cleanup.

Q: How do I defragment my hard drive?

A: Close all programs. Click on the "Start" button in the left hand corner of your screen. Click on "Programs" then click on "Accessories" then "System Tools". Then select Disk Defragmenter. Click "Defragment" and let it run. This process may take a minimum of 3 hours to complete, depending on the size of your hard drive. Try do avoid using the computer when it is in the defragment process. Please read the next question.

Q: How do I run Scandisk or chkdsk?

Your computer may report an error stating that you must run Scandisk or chkdsk before running defrag. For 2000/XP, open My Computer, and right-click on the C: drive. Select Properties, and click on the Tools tab at the top. Under Error Correction, click on Check Now, select both options and click Start. Click on OK for the next prompt, and restart your computer. This scan will take a minimum of 30 minutes depending on the size of your computer.

For Windows 98/ME, boot into Safe Mode by restarting the computer, and hit F8 repeatedly (approximately two times asecond) as the computer is starting up. You will get a text menu, and use your arrow keys to select Safe Mode, and hit the Enter key. Once in Safe Mode, Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click ScanDisk. Select all options, and start the scan. This process will liekly take at least 3 hours to complete, depending on the size of your hard drive.

Q: My monitor shows nothing but black. What is the problem?

A: Restart your computer. If it still does not work, check the following: Is it plugged into an outlet? Is the video cable securely connected on each end? Did you turn the monitor on? If yes, then there are three possibilities. 1) Your monitor has burned out. 2) Your video card has failed and needs to be replaced. 3) If you changed the resolution on your monitor, after starting up there will be no image and it needs to be changed back through Safe Mode. Please contact us if you need further assistance in correcting this last option.

Q: My printer is not working. Is there an easy solution?

A: Sometimes the easiest solution is to restart. If it still does not work, check to following: Make sure the printer cable is connected properly into the correct connection on the back of the PC. Is the power cable plugged in? Is the paper in the printer? Is there a paper jam? Is the ink/toner cartridge in the printer empty? If it still does not work, consult the printer's manual or give your technician a call.

Q: How do I install new programs on my computer?

A: Most programs come with an installation disk, either a CD, DVD, or floppy disk (older programs). Simply insert the disc into the proper drive on your computer and wait for the prompting. If the CD does not open automatically, then open My Computer, double-click the CD drive icon, and look for a setup.exe file. If you find one, double-click that file to start the installation.

Q: What do I do if my computer freezes while I'm typing?

A: If your computer freezes while you are typing a document, and in Windows 2000/XP you will have to close the program by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete. A window will appear on your screen and you will have to select the program that froze (it’s usually the one that says "Not Responding" beside it) and select "End Task". Once you’re on the desktop screen again, select the program that you just closed. It will probably load up and ask if you want to save the information from the last document. You should select "Open", if this screen appears, and save the document right away. Sometimes this procedure will not work, and you will be forced to shut the computer down. If you cannot shut it down, hold the power button on the computer for at least 5 seconds until it shuts off. Please keep in mind that this last method may cause data loss on your computer, usually only with what you were working on (but not always), and in very rare circumstances could cause hardware failure.

Q: I think I have a virus. What do I do?

A: A virus is what is called a Malicious code. Other examples of Malicious code are: Worms, Trojan Horses, Attack scripts, and many others. The latest versions of Norton Anivirus or McAfee Anti Virus are excellent choices for taking care of this problem. The websites where you can purchase Norton or McAfee are listed below. There are two other options underneath that for free software (legal only for home users that are not running a business) wich may have less options, but do pretty well in removing viruses. Please keep in mind that removing viruses may in some cases cause a computer system to become unstable or not start at all. Vanco Computing cannot be held liable should any of the software below cause any damage in any form.

For the best results, run the virus scan in normal mode, reboot and run it again in Safe Mode.

http://www.symantec.com for Norton Anti Virus,

http://www.mcafee.com for McAfee Anti Virus.

http://www.free-av.com for AntiVIR Classic (more powerful BUT no automatic updates or scans)

http://www.grisoft.com for AVG Anti-Virus (less powerful but fully automatic)