Performing these updates and running this software will keep your computer clean, secure, and fast

*Disclaimer: Although the majority of users do not experience any problems while using this software, CompuTechs+ is not responsible for any problems or issues whatsoever by use, misuse, or any incidental or consequential damages by using this guide or software.

Step 1, Lets begin:

CCleaner (make by Piriform) is a system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removed unused files from your system – Allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up hard disk space (in some cases, a lot of space).  It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. The best part is that it’s fast.

How to use CCleaner

Once you have installed the program, close all internet windows (Please Bookmark CompuTechs+ Website so you can return to this tutorial!) and simply click on the ‘Run Cleaner’ button. This also deletes all files in the Recycle Bin. It will give you a pop-up stating that the program deletes files permanently and that you confirm you want to run the program. Depending on how long it has been since your temporary files, it may take some time to delete all the unnecessary junk on your computer. After a significant amount of data has been freed up, you should notice a small difference right away. Here is a list of what CCleaner cleans:

• Internet Explorer – Temporary files, history, cookies, autocomplete form history, index.dat
• Firefox – Temporary files, history, cookies, download history, form history
• Chrome – Temporary files, history, cookies, download history, form history
• Opera – Temporary files, history, cookies
• Safari – Temporary files, history, cookies, form history
• Windows – Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files and Log files
• Registry cleaner – Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts and more… also comes with a comprehensive backup feature
• Third-party applications – Removes temp files and recent file lists (MRUs) from many apps including Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape, Microsoft Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and many more…
• 100% Spyware FREE – Piriform’s CCleaner does NOT contain any Spyware, Adware or Viruses.

Move on to Step 2: speeding up your computer using Defraggler.

As always, it depends and well, doesn’t depend on a few things. Can you afford a new computer? How old is your current computer? Well, Chicago’s CompuTechs+ will tell you why these questions don’t really matter. Unless your computer is old (lets say, more than 7-8 years old), it should still be worth quite a bit of money.  Regardless if you want a new computer, or simply want to repair the old laptop or computer, a decent used computer or laptop will sell for at least $200 or so if everything is in working order. Apple computers and mac laptops always hold their value longer – And that can affect your buying decisions.

The reason to upgrade is simple: RAM (computer memory) and computer or laptop hard drives are cheap. Typical RAM prices are $20-45 per gigabyte (GB), and hard drive prices are about $0.37/GB (laptop hard drives, or 2.5″ hard drives) to $0.14/GB (desktop hard drives, or 3.5″ hard drives) — Equivalent to $59.99 for a 160GB 2.5″ SATA laptop hard drive and $69.99 for a 500GB 3.5″ SATA computer hard drive. These prices are universal for Apple computers or Apple laptops as well.

What this means for you: For (typically) less than $100 or so, you can upgrade your computer with a larger, faster hard drive (with a 3-5 year warranty, meaning more reliability and security for your computer data), as well as increase the computer RAM (computer memory), which means you will be able to have more programs open at once without slowing the computer down. This not only extends the life of your machine, it also increases it’s value once it’s time to finally purchase a new computer or laptop.

Basically, we recommend upgrading for a few reasons…

• Extends the life of your computer or laptop
• Increases the value of your computer (for resale) – But usually only 50% of the cost of the parts will increase that value
• A newly reinstalled computer OS (Operating System)  =  all of your old data still remains on the original hard drive (providing privacy and security)
• Increase the speed of your computer or laptop on a budget
• Increase the capacity of your computer or laptop on a budget

Our next blog will include instuctions and information on how to securely and properly wipe the data off of a hard drive (if you ever plan on selling your computer or laptop).  Formatting doesn’t erase data (it just flags the data as ‘ok’ to delete, and it remains intact on your hard drive. Our method wipes over your computer data multiple times substituting  random 1′s and 0′s, rendering data recovery almost useless using any method — And it deletes each and every file on the drive, and takes an average of 8 hours to complete on a machine with ‘decent’ computing speed.

Now, before we begin, you must make a decision. If you need more than 2GB of backup space, no worries. Mozy Home Edition as well, and it’s CHEAP. How much? $5 per month. That’s it for Unlimited Data Backups. Please keep in mind that while this service is unlimited, the backup will be limited by your high-speed internet connection’s upload speed. CompuTechs+ would recommend that you backup everything except for downloaded movies (not that you would do a thing like that, now would you?). Click on your preferred Mozy version, free or home:

    

After signing up for your account and installing the software, setup is quite simple. Just select the data that you would like to backup, and then start enjoying your peace of mind, for free.

Now, before we begin, you must make a decision. If you need more than 2GB of backup space, no worries. Mozy Home Edition as well, and it’s CHEAP. How much? $5 per month. That’s it for Unlimited Data Backups. Please keep in mind that while this service is unlimited, the backup will be limited by your high-speed internet connection’s upload speed. CompuTechs+ would recommend that you backup everything except for downloaded movies (not that you would do a thing like that, now would you?). Click on your preferred Mozy version, free or home:

After signing up for your account and installing the software, setup is quite simple. Just select the data that you would like to backup, and then start enjoying your peace of mind, for free.