Do You Know What's On Your Computer?

I visited my brother yesterday just to socialize and keep up with his well-being. Must admit my visits could improve in terms of quantity, but that's another post. While talking about various subjects, it occurred to me to perform a spontaneous virus scan on his Windows 8-based computer. He literally lives on the machine. As a consumer, he is no slouch and very literate. I asked him about his experiences with Windows 8 , now that he is very comfortable with the system and has been using it for more than a year. He expressed his satisfaction with the system and its ease of use (apps-wise). Just then, I noticed that his search process was being conducted by MyWebsearch and that SweetpackIm was prominently displayed in his Internet Explorer browser. When told that he was being hijacked, he responded that Sweetpacks was just a game engine. So I decided to shock his complacency a little bit. He already had Malwarebytes installed on his machine, so I cranked it up and updated the virus signatures and began a scan of his computer. What happened next shocked him. Malwarebytes reported 47 malware infections on his system within less than 2 minutes of scanning, and among the infections was Sweetpacks! He couldn't believe it. His eyes were popping as more and more infections were discovered on his machine. They had all been quietly doing their damaging work behind the scenes as he used his computer to do legitimate business. Some of them he had used in the course of his daily routine, thinking them, like Sweetpacks, to be harmless applications. Which brings me to today's question: do you know what's on your computer? How many malware infections are running on your system right now, as you read this? Are you further endangering your confidential data by unknowingly harboring malware on your system? You must realize that malware is not harmless! These programs are deployed for one purpose only: to make you a target for unscrupulous entities on the internet! Some of them blatantly steal your information and others expose you to exploitation by cyber-criminals. How do they get on your machine? By bundling them with games, pics and other applications that are mainly distributed for free on the internet. Beware the automatic installers that are prevalent on so many freebie websites. When activated, many of these installers try to bundle the application you chose with unwanted malware. This can happen even on sites that claim to distribute virus-free software. Many are paraded and disguised as anti-malware applications that then set up bogus virus-infection attacks on your system unless you purchase the worthless virus cleaners they are marketing. The best defense against malware infection is to acquire a trusted anti-virus from a reputable security company. Almost every anti-virus program has some user reviews online. It pays to research the programs you decide to use on your machine. Take the time to do the research, especially if you are running a Windows-based machine. Some of the programs I would personally recommend, based on experience, are: Malwarebytes, Avast Antivirus, Spybot Search and Destroy, just to name a few. Also, in the event of infection that prevents you from accessing the internet to find cleaners, Windows Restore function can help to reset your system to a time prior to infection, allowing you to then remove the offending program from your computer. Unfortunately, whatever the reason, every Microsoft operating system has its fair share of viruses and malware dedicated to its dysfunction and Windows 8 is no exception. If nothing else, it seems to be attracting the most attention so far, in my experience. I would recommend, therefore, that every Windows 8 consumer fortify their computer system with a few trusted anti-malware and anti-virus programs immediately.

Malware Has Evolved!!

Just a quick note to consumers infected with malware. Today's malware programs have become so sophisticated that you may not realize that your computers are infected until too late. And uninstalling these programs can be a real nightmare. Yesterday (Aug 17th) I had a call from my sister stating that her computer had become unmanageable, her browsers had been hijacked and she could not use her computer to work as she is accustomed to. She has a Windows 7 laptop. Her browsers had all been switched to "My Websearch". Try as she could, she could not return her system to her default homepage. All her web connections had to go through "My websearch", which conveniently kept her away all specific anti-virus websites. When I started my phone consultations with her, I figured on spending about 30 minutes removing the malware and resetting her system. Easy pickings, I thought. I am no stranger to "My websearch". I had removed this cursed piece of malware many times from clients' computers. So I walked her through using Control Panel's Programs and Features to locate and uninstall "My websearh". Surprise; it was not listed. Search could not find any such program or file! She could not get to specific anti-virus sites from Internet Explorer or Firefox. To complicate matters further, she had partially deleted Firefox prior to calling me. She thought that would have eliminated the problem. Instead, it had ground her computer to a halt when accessing other programs. She was too inexperienced to walk her through editing her registry and all her local anti-virus programs had been switched off by the malware. Several hours later, having exhausted all my regular regimen and too far away to go pick up her computer to work on it myself physically, I decided to fool "my websearch" into giving her access to some anti-virus sites. Since we could get online only through Internet Explorer in safe mode, I told her to search for non-specific anti-malware sites by connecting to Yahoo.com and following any story listed there. When she complied and was allowed to follow a story, I asked her to simply type in the search bar the broad term "anti-malware sites". We were able to locate MalwareBytes.org and download one of the most potent anti-malware programs on the internet: MalwareBytes! The download and installation went quite smoothly and, within minutes, we were well on the way to solving her problems. With the deployment of Malwarebytes, she was able to locate and remove 37 pieces of malware already on her system, the result of "My Websearch" turning off her local anti-virus program. I gave her further instructions to reset her system and hung up, exhausted. Then I got to thinking about the new invisibility tricks employed by "My Websearch", Sweetpacks and Snapdo. They are quite similar and fairly recently employed. They all do not list themselves in the installed programs file, hide themselves outside the registry, and make multiple linked copies of themselves so that their programs can function if one link is removed. They also make direct changes to the config files of the infected browsers and disable the reset commands there, ensuring that the browser remains compromised. I am pointing out these features here for 2 reasons. Firstly, consumers should be aware that new weapons must be employed in the fight against malware and, secondly; there is a need for technicians to pool their resources and exchange effective techniques in removing malware. Malware attacks all of us indiscriminately, causing thousands of dollars in lost productivity and aggravation. If you are a technician who routinely deals with malware removal, please link to this blog and tell us about your techniques. Thanks in advance.

Remove Snapdo- and Other Nasty Browser Hijackers

If you use Windows 8, chances are that you have been a victim of a nasty piece of software called Snapdo. This browser hijacker installs itself easily into Bing, Google Chrome and Firefox, changing your homepage to Snapdo and constantly running ads on your machine. Trying to uninstall this piece of malware is in itself a nightmare because it does not show up in Control panel's list of installed programs nor does it respond to a search request of your computer.

I recently opened my Firefox browser to a shocking piece of "information" provided by Snapdo. It presented me with an official-looking warning that my computer was running out of space and I needed to purchase a program to remedy the problem immediately! Then it proceeded to demonstrate its diagnostic ability by performing a visual "diagnosis" of "my computer" showing the seriousness of the problem. That was too much for me since I had seen this age-old trick before and knew its techniques. Heck, I have spent most of my technician life removing this bogus piece of computer blackmail from client's computers. Now here it was on my computer courtesy of Snapdo. I immediately turned on my Malwarebytes software to fully scan my system and remove all traces of malware it found. I was in no mood to fool around with this unwanted piece of malware that had injected itself into all my browsers and anonymously changed their homepages. After restarting my computer, I ran a little-known but highly-effective free program called Adware Cleaner. This program rocks! It removes all the malware it locates and leaves your computer in its previously un-infected state. Depending on the amount of content on your machine, the scan and removal process takes a few minutes. Mine lasted less than five minutes because I have a fairly new machine. As a confirmation process, I also used Avast's Browser Cleanup tool to ensure my browsers were thoroughly clean and my homepages were restored to the originals. This was, of course, overkill but I was so pissed off with the overall situation and, as I said before, I did not want to fool around with this nasty piece of malware. Any one of these programs could have done the job by itself but I was pissed.

I am happy to report that since blasting my computer with these programs, everything is functioning fine. The reason I am writing this piece is to keep my readers informed of effective ways to rid their computers of unwanted malware without spending an arm and a leg. I also intend to inform victims of Snapdo and other browser-hijacking software like Sweetpacks, that these programs are not needed on their computers and only provide entrances for other vampire programs. Windows8 is no different from other Windows versions as far as virus and malware providers are concerned. It is a Microsoft program and, therefore, a target for everyone who has a beef with Microsoft for whatever reason. All I'm saying is: Beef with Microsoft but keep your crap off my computer!

Windows 8 Pissed Me Off Again

As I previously stated, I hate constantly griping over anything. However, Windows 8 just keeps on piling on the stupidity. Every consumer I know buys a computer for their use and convenience. Over the years, computer users have become addicted,(yes, addicted)to using their computers to handle routine tasks. From writing letters, answering their mail to balancing their checkbooks, computer users have allowed their computers to handle such matters. That is one of the reasons that laptop computers have become so widespread. They allow people to keep in touch and to speedily execute routine or business tasks. So, imagine my surprise when I could not use my brand new laptop to help a friend. Microsoft locked me out of my computer. I could not sign in to my desktop. Mind you, I am a computer tech. I bought this laptop to facilitate my work, personal as well as business. I am always doing research, writing and solving computer problems presented to me,(sometimes, unexpectedly). I also bought a Windows 8 system specifically because it is Microsoft's latest operating system and I wanted to be fully prepared to assist my customers. But damn! Microsoft's designers and engineers have hit rock bottom on the glaring stupidities of this system's design. Everyone knows that a laptop's main attraction for the consumer is its portability. You can work on the go, almost anywhere. You don't need an internet connection unless you want to do some internet work. Well, not until now. Windows 8 forces you to stay connected to the internet if you want to access your computer! Heaven help you if you have major work pending and you do not have access to a random wifi connection where you are. If you believe (as I did) that a password protected your computer from unauthorized access by others, think again. Windows 8's sign-in account protects your computer from access by you unless you can connect to the internet. Can you tell why I'm pissed off?

I have already written about the inconvenience of Windows 8's indiscriminate automatic updates and the practice of locking you out of your machine in the midst of whatever you are doing at the time. Other consumers have complained to me about other inconveniences they have suffered, and I know that Microsoft has received a lot of criticisms from other consumers and techs around the world. As usual, Microsoft continues to release unfinished programs on the world because it can and to hell with consumers. This practice is not new and, apparently, Microsoft has no intention of changing this behavior any time soon. Although I am not an elite program designer, I do know that designing a computer program should begin with a flowchart outlining the problems to overcome and steps to take to do so. The flowchart should take into consideration the needs of the consumer for whom it is being prepared. To design an operating system that will be used on mobile equipment without considering ease of access is unforgivably inconsiderate. At least inform potential consumers that they will be unable to access their computers if they sign in only with a Microsoft account. That option is not presented to consumers on setup, so many consumers are currently oblivious that they are being held hostage by Microsoft. And many city-dwellers will never become aware of this fact because of the abundance of wifi hotspots in heavily populated areas. My advice to everyone who has only set up a Microsoft sign-in account on their systems is to also set up a local sign in account. This is in the event of having to use your computer in areas without wifi connectivity. Hopefully, you won't find yourself in my shoes; wasted time and effort and unable to complete routine tasks. My advice to Microsoft is to carefully consider the inconveniences they are causing their customers around the world and remedy them as soon as possible. Remember, you are never too big to need your customers.

Sweetpacks Virus vs Avastfree Browser Cleanup Tool

You may have recently encountered a persistent and annoying search program called Sweetpacks on your system. It mysteriously appears as part of your browser and, try as you can, you can’t get it uninstalled, even when you remove it using control panel. Of course, the first reaction is to try various virus removers to root out this sucker. When it still returns, even after doing some registry-cleaning, you throw up your hands and become absolutely frustrated. After all, what program continues to run even after removing its registry keys? Sweetpacks does.

I recently had a bout with Sweetpacks. It sent me reeling against the ropes. It was that tough. I used all the available tools and techniques at my disposal but still could not conquer this beast. It burrowed so deeply into Google Chrome that even Malwarebytes could not find it. Even Avast’s Browser Cleanup Tool could not remove it from my Chrome browser (easy pickings for Mozilla Firefox). I was stumped.

All my internet research was almost of no avail. Step by step instructions from “Malware Tips” could not be easily followed on the latest versions of Chrome, so those did not help. (I did not try Hitman Pro). I rifled through my internet options, changing my connection settings and related items but that did not help. I ran “regedit.exe” to remove all references to Sweetpacks from H_key_Current User (Software) and H_Key_Current Machine (Software), but when I rebooted my machine, there it was again! Other people afflicted with this curse had removed it from their systems, why couldn’t I? I put my thinking cap back on. (Had to take it off my smoking brains for a minute to allow my head to cool down. Lol)

Satisfied that I had done everything possible, I again turned to my antivirus software to see if I had overlooked any features. Malwarebytes said no, but lo and behold, Avastfree Browser Cleanup Tool asked me if I wanted to return my browser to its default setting? I highlighted Chrome and clicked “yes”. Shortly thereafter, I received a message that my browser had been returned to normal. Curious to see if this was so, I restarted my computer (to ensure a clean boot) and checked my offending browser. It was working perfectly now! How do you spell R-e-l-i-e-f?

Had I carefully scrutinized the Avastfree program, I could have restored my browser in a mere fraction of the time I had used working up a lather of frustration. In a previous posting, I have properly commended the produces of “freeware”, and extolled their praises. Once again, I wish to reiterate that some of the most effective programs on the internet are free of charge, including Avastfree Anti-virus. Kudos to Grisoft for making this tool freely available to consumers. I am, hereby recommending Avastfree Browser Cleanup Tool to all and sundry, especially those affected by the Sweetpacks virus.

Don't Box Me In

Hate to keep on  griping about stuff, but Microsoft's Windows 8 is a travesty foisted upon millions of people just because it could be done. The poor design and thoughtlessness of this program outranks all  of the other stupidities suffered by Microsoft consumers through the years. I understand the fact that most of the world's computers run on the Windows operating system. Microsoft should, therefore, be mindful that any changes they introduce into the computing environment would quite practically affect the lives of millions of people all over the world.

So many people depend upon their computers to organize their lives and businesses, that the inability to use their computers as they choose (as opposed to how Microsoft dictates) is truly frustrating. Windows 8 makes performing routine tasks, such as downloading and installing .apk apps utterly impossible unless they are provided by the Windows store. To me, that is a travesty that should not be allowed anywhere, regardless of how huge the company that does it. In my opinion it is akin to shooting fish in a barrel. It gives Microsoft a virtual monopoly over users of Windows 8 unless they are techies and hackers.

Another disrespectful feature of Windows 8 is the upgrade process. Previous versions of Windows notified users of the presence of new upgrades to their programs and allowed them to activate them at their own leisure. Microsoft has taken away that autonomy from Windows 8 users.Without warning and with no regard for what you may be doing, Microsoft will seize your computer to perform its upgrades. Microsoft assumes total control of your machine and there is nothing you can do about it! It's like you bought Windows 8 but it owns you. I, for one, hate other people controlling my personal computer. And so do my friends and customers.

As a computer professional, I know that I am offended when Windows 8 brings up its cynical dialogue to ask me what program should it use to install or open an app. How much more offensive can it be to an occasional user to face this same query from his/her trusty machine? For many years, consumers have trusted their machines to work for them and spare them the gritty details of installing and using the programs they want to use. Why burden them with that now? Is Microsoft suggesting that every computer user suddenly become technicians in order to use a computer? Isn't that a throwback to the earliest days of personal computing when one had to learn DOS (at least) to use a computer? Shame on you Microsoft.

Like I said, I hate to keep griping about stuff but Microsoft has to understand that, in this age of freedom, it cannot foist intellectual narrow-mindedness on the world. Year after year I have dealt with Microsoft's mistakes and problems associated with them in my capacity as a computer tech, but Windows 8 is intolerable. What is Microsoft's hidden agenda? To restrict computing to only the technically savvy? To monopolize the .apk market or censor what .apk programs should be available to the world? C'mon Microsoft, we have come too far to allow a technological tyrant to take over the world. Don't try to box me in! Allow Windows 8 to process any .apk app that consumers want to use on their computers without censorship.

Windows 8..Can' t play a dvd?

Windows 8 continues to frustrate me and my friend. People who personally know me will tell you that I am a very patient man. I have to be. I've been repairing computers for quite a few years. And I've been teaching people to use computers for a very long time.

Most people are happy to be able to use their computers to play a few games and to operate their favorite programs. They will not truly understand my frustrations with Windows 8. Others are content to have the latest operating system on their machines. They don't really care how long it takes them to perform their regular maneuvers. When they become frustrated, they walk away and blame themselves. I don't want to be in either group. I work on "ill" computers and I can't walk away when I become frustrated. Time is money. Work is a joy unless it becomes frustrating. This brings me to the latest incident.

My friend wanted to watch a movie on the new laptop. She popped it in, the drive whirred a few times, then...nothing happened. The screen showed its usual tiles, but where was the movie?? Of course, she brought it to me to solve the mystery of the invisible movie. I popped the drive and reinserted the movie. Again, nothing but whirring. No indication of a player or anything. I checked the tiles for one of the players shown there. Nothing. My friend is now looking at me as if to say "what the hell? Where is my movie?" Understand that she is used to just popping in a dvd and the movie begins playing. Windows 8 now makes you have to work for it. I admit, I am perplexed. I switch to the desktop, no movie, no drive, no notifications of what is required. My friend walks out of the room. I wanted to get back to what I was doing originally, but I couldn't let her down. This is what I did.

• I opened the desktop
• Clicked desktop assist
• Clicked computer
• Right-clicked drive to show options
• Pinned the drive to the start tiles
• Exited to start screen
• Clicked the drive tile and chose a program to play dvd
• Played the movie.

I was pissed as hell! All that work to play a doggone dvd. Who is the genius who thought of that? How many computer users want to go through that sequence to play a simple dvd?  What happened to ease of use? Microsoft spent a lot of time and money to train people to accept and use its Windows operating systems. Why, after all these years, would it deviate from everything its consumers have learned to introduce a rather complex learning curve with this totally alien system? I must admit that I am totally perplexed.

I am not saying that I am not impressed by some of the features of Windows 8. The ability to use both android and "regular" programs is pure genius. But "ease of use" is more important to me than any other feature. Windows 8 (and Microsoft) is sadly lacking this feature. Having to switch between apps to get to and continue a job is a serious time-waster.  I hate to be a naysayer, but I feel at this point that Windows 8 was not properly planned and executed and I believe that I am not alone in this feeling.

My Birthday Ain't So Happy With Windows 8.

Well I finally broke down and bought myself a Toshiba laptop with Windows 8 operating system. I decided to give myself this premature birthday present because I am going to take blogging seriously. That's right...I said "seriously". I've got so much to write about that I have to get serious about blogging. And my birthday is coming next month. So, kill 2 birds with one stone! My close friends know that I am not one to rush after new-fangled technology until I have given the inventors enough time to straighten out the kinks. Over the years, I have seen so many technological faux pas that I have become rather cynical about new computer technology. And my personal encounters with Windows 8 have not changed my mind. Don't misunderstand me, I'm impressed with the capabilities of the system, but I am completely befuddled as to why Microsoft would go to such extreme lengths to make using a computer unnecessarily difficult for its customers. Being technically inclined, I approach all computers from a technician's standpoint. However, many of my friends are computer illiterates, and those who aren't have somewhat limited computing knowledge. Many of them work with computers and are skilled in using particular programs, but when their personal computers start giving problems, they have no clue as to how to proceed. I remember one customer whose system became infected with a virus. I was unavailable to help at the time so he was talked into purchasing an entirely new system by an incompetent technician at another establishment! (I removed the virus from his old system within 30 minutes.) Back to my new laptop. I must admit that I had a bit of trouble exploring it when I got home. Booting up was no problem. Switching apps was no problem. However, to close apps and customize my startup screen was a nightmare! That's when I really began to critically examine the Windows 8 experience. I had to conduct in-depth research to locate the on/off button on the doggone machine! Kudos to the video makers on You Tube. Apparently I am not alone in trying to decipher Windows 8 operation. Does Microsoft really believe that consumers would read boring volumes of instructions before playing with their computers? Especially instructions written in computer-speak? After many years of suffering through Microsoft Windows systems, I had finally become tolerant of the niceties of system operations. Even Windows Millenium was partially tolerable. But apparently some genius at Microsoft believes that making the use of a computer simpler for consumers as time passes is not a good idea. Instead of simply clicking the little "x" at the top-right of the screen to close an application, (as in all previous Windows versions), now a user has to become a computer tech or risk destroying their machines by improperly shutting them down. What happens when an app crashes for the first time? My hair stands on end as I write. I have repaired several Windows 8 based computers over the years, but I never had to experience the frustrations of the owners in depth. I could not understand what they were going through. I have removed viruses from systems and replaced power supplies, etc. But these were elementary tasks. Even setting up in-home networks were not complicated as it has now become. I can now understand the frustrations that my telephone customers are experiencing when I try to talk them through a "simple" computer problem. Previously, I was able to coach a thorough "newbie" over the phone how to use a computer in a couple hours. Now I don't think so. Even personally trying to teach a close friend how to use my "gift" has led to total frustration. It has taken me a very long time to convince this person to become computer literate. Windows 8 has destroyed all my arguments in minutes. This experience reminds me of the old song "The Hat I Got For Christmas". Although I am glad I gave myself the gift before my birthday, I am now singing "My birthday ain't too happy with my gift"! All thanks to the morons at Microsoft R&D who were so ecstatic with their technology that they forgot to cater to the needs of their consumers. Another Microsoft moment.

Mysterious Case of the Cigarette-Smoking Computer

I vividly remember a situation when a client brought a computer to me for repairs. It seemed that the computer was wheezing and scraping every time it was powered on. The owner thought that the machine was about to die. I did, too, when I heard the distressed machine for the first time. I sounded like it was tumbling rocks around in the power supply and on the mainboard. It also smelled like it was smoking a stale cigarette I immediately turned it off without going through a thorough diagnosis.

I was shocked! I had never smelled a smoking computer before. I thought the poor machine was about to ignite and disappear in a puff of cigarette smoke. I seriously believed that somehow a cigarette had become lodged in the internal machinery and ignited. This was not hard to conceive because the owner was a chain smoker. Within the first 15 minutes of arriving, she had consumed approximately 3 cigarettes and half-choked me to death. I had to ask her politely to refrain from smoking in my workshop.

Having heard (and smelled) some of the problem, I decided to peek inside the machine, hoping to discover the source of the sounds and the cigarette smoke. I took the case covers off, exposing the bare insides of the distressed machine. I was mortified by what I observed! Apart from dust coating most of the components on the mainboard and peeking out of every nook and cranny, there was a gummy substance that smelled distinctly of nicotine. It seemed to be oozing out of the power supply. It also coated the processor cooling fan and the extra exhaust fan in the machine.

This gummy substance also had developed oily dust plumes everywhere it could in the machine. No wonder the machine smelled like it was smoking when powered on! The owner looked totally befuddled as we surveyed the electronic wasteland that was her computer. How would I be able to repair it? Being the gifted electronic genius (pleez!) that I am, I concocted the following action plan.

• I grabbed  (yes, grabbed) a nearby bottle of denatured alcohol and a fluffy, light brush and applied a coating of alcohol over the entire motherboard and its attachments. (This action destroyed the gummy residue without moisturizing the dust).
• Then I cranked up my trusty vacuum cleaner (regular type) and carefully (and gently) extracted the dust plumes and fluff from the entire machine (elementary, my dear Watson).
• I gave the case covers the same treatment.
• After all traces of the alcohol had evaporated, I powered-up the open machine to verify that everything was working fine; no smoking nor "rock tumbling".  (Remember: always disconnect all power sources before repairing electronics.)
• Once satisfied, I replaced the case covers and handed the machine to its relieved and eternally-grateful owner, along with some care tips for the beleaguered machine. (Don't smoke around your computer. The supply fan will "inhale" the smoke and distribute it to the rest of the machine.)

Thus ended the mysterious case of the cigarette-smoking computer. In this instance, great tragedy was averted because the owner sought help in the nick of time. Without correcting the hazardous conditions building up inside the computer, an electical fire could have been generated by the hot elements inside the machine. The nicotine-soaked dust plumes were dense enough to sustain a strong flame resulting in disastrous consequences.  Had the fire occurred while the owner was away from home, who knows?
The morale of this story is: regularly clean dust out of your computer and its attachments ( a household vacuum cleaner applied to the case vents will do) and don't smoke regularly around your computer!

How To Change a Dead Power Supply in a Desktop Computer

I'm not wishing this on you but as a computer user, it will happen to you someday. About a month ago, I turned on my  trusty system and...nothing happened. (=o(. I was flabbergasted! Just the night before, it had whizzed along at 90miles/hr all over the internet with no sign of impending doom. I thought it was tired after working from 7am - 2.30am redesigning my website,www.prettygoodoffers.com, so I decided to let it sleep another hour. But, 1 hr later, it still would not awaken.

After futilely trying to awaken it several times, I accepted the fact that my trusted buddy might have kicked the bucket. What was I to do? Almost my entire life was encapsulated in that machine. Of course I had parts on hand to build a new machine. But that felt like I was abandoning my old bud in its time of need. We had traveled so many places together and it had always been there for me when I needed it. It had been my mainstay when I helped other computers in their times of need. Now it needed me and I could not let it down.

 To verify my suspicions,  I performed this diagnostic.

•  First I checked all power cables connecting the computer to the power outlet to ensure that electricity was flowing to the machine. (Check.)
• Next I checked the video cable from the computer to the monitor to ensure that it was connected properly. Unplugged and reinserted it. (Check).
• Disconnected all attachments to computer except monitor. (Check. No response.)
• Disconnected monitor from computer. Monitor worked. Computer still asleep.

Diagnosis: Dead power supply in computer. Remedy: replace power supply.


Luckily for me, I had a working, used power supply in a computer shell I acquired from my brother several weeks before. I had intended to repair that computer but somehow I procrastinated too long. I removed the power supply from this machine and decided to give my buddy a heart transplant :o)! So this is what I did:

I disconnected everything attached to the dead computer.

Removed the case cover to expose the dead power supply.

Removed the four screws attaching the power supply to the case.

Carefully disconnected the power supply wires from the mainboard. (Be careful to not bend or break the connectors on the mainboard. Be firm but gentle. Pay attention to what goes where.)

Remove the power supply. (p.s. DO NOT OPEN! Curiosity can kill you.)

Having already removed the working power supply from the donor machine, I carefully attached its corresponding wires to the connectors on my mainboard. When completed, I used the screws from the old power supply to attach the new one on the case and voila!...my buddy had a new lease on life.

P.S. Just a few words of advice for you.

• Always disconnect all attachments (including power cables)  before performing any repairs to your computer.
• Dress appropriately when performing electrical repairs ( ;0) medical gowns not needed.)
• If working in a carpeted area, please wear rubber-soled shoes to prevent static electricity damage to electronic components.
• Wear an anti-static strap or touch bare metal before handling your mainboard or electronic components. (You can destroy them with static electricity from your own body.) 

• Ensure the new power supply is of the same wattage output or greater than the old one. (Check the labels.)

I am happy to say that since its heart transplant, my buddy is again whizzing along the trails of the internet. It has helped me to enhance my newly redesigned site, www.prettygoodoffers.com where you can now find incredible discount deals on electronics and other merchandise everyday. So if you find yourself in a similar situation, these steps should work for you.

My Apologies

Just a quick note apologizing for my extended absence from posting on the blog. Believe it or not, I have been traveling around seeking a more convenient place to reside permanently. I finally decided to return to the Northeast and try to settle down once and for all. Despite the fact that the South has its qualifying factors, the limited income opportunities of non-managerial employment is a turn-off. Loved the climate in the Carolinas, despite the sudden electrical thunderstorms and potential tornadoes. Met some of the nicest people there. Anyway, I am back and this blog should begin humming along again. I am open for questions about computer repair problems and would be happy to hear from you.

Computer Screen blinking on and off? May be time to buy a new screen.

A couple months ago, a close friend of mine called me in a mild panic. She told me that her computer screen (monitor) was on but nothing was showing on it. I had to first calm her down (her life is on the computer) and assure her that the problem was less serious than she thought (right!). She had contacted some high price techs who advised her to buy a new computer. (Quite reassuring).

She, of course, could not think of it since all her documents and particulars were stored on her somewhat ancient machine. Being particularly familiar with the computer myself, I attempted to do a telephone diagnosis. We went through the following routine:

• Check the computer cables connecting to the wall to ensure the machine was properly plugged up. (Check!).
• Check the monitor cable connecting the computer and monitor to verify the connection was firm each way. (Check!)
• Turn off the system for about 5 minutes to promote a fresh reboot because an electrical supply spike can mess up the booting process, preventing the loading of essential driver programs.(Check!).
• Reboot the system to see if everything works fine now.(No success! Same problem.)
• Disconnect attachments from the computer (printer, external disks, etc), leaving on the monitor hooked up. (Looking for conflicting equipment in the system.) (No change.)
•  Disconnect monitor from system. Power on and off to see if monitor working well without system. (No.)

• Conclusion: replace monitor. Monitor (not necessarily the system) is bad. 

Several days later, my new tech trainee, happily calls me with news that she had replaced the monitor and everything was now fine. She had visible access to her life and the old machine was humming along as usual. She did not have to buy an entire new system. (Pat on the back, pleez!)


P.S. Sometimes we get so fascinated by the amazing things our computers can do that we forget they are only simple machines conducting electricity through electronic parts. They are quite prone to the failures facing all electronic equipment. Electric spikes (especially from thunderstorms) can destroy internal parts without frying the entire system.  Sometimes the part is too old to do the work it used to do. Sometimes there are too many attachments competing for power from the single power unit feeding the system. This results in the sudden puzzling behaviors that our computers display from time to time. So next time your computer goes haywire, try the above checklist to determine whether you need to junk the entire system or simply replace a defective part.