Reboot:  Often when your computer stops responding or otherwise acts up, just restarting it can correct the problem.  Click on the start menu, then shutdown and select restart.  If the problem does not re-occur then you are good to go, if it comes back call Nerds on Call for professional help.

Malware:  It seems that most of the problems we fix today are related to malware.  Malware is a program that tries to get you to install an antivirus, antispyware or other program by falsely telling you that your computer is infected with a virus or trojan.  Many of these warnings look as though they are windows messages but they are not. Use Malwarebytes Anti-malware to get rid of these infections.  If this program cannot remove it then call Nerds on Call for professional help.

Adware/Spyware:  Adware and spyware are programs that get installed on your computer that either deliver advertising to your desktop(adware) or spy on your surfing activities and report the results back to a marketing company (spyware).  Sometimes these programs are installed with your knowledge (you clicked something and told it to install) and sometimes they come in when you install a free program.  For the most part, they are not dangerous, but they are a nuisance.  Microsoft has a free program, Microsoft Antispyware, that does and excellent job of detecting and removing these programs.  Download ,install and run it before you call Nerds on Call for professional help.

Virus Protection:  We cannot stress enough the importance of active and updated antivirus protection.  New viruses are created an distributed each day, having active and updated virus protection is the first and biggest step in protecting your computer. We  recommend Norton Antivirus or Symantec Antivirus and trust this program to keep our computers safe from viruses.  You may use any program you like, just be sure to keep it updated and actively running so it can do what is supposed to do.  If you get a virus and cannot remove it on your own, then call Nerds on Call for professional help.

System Restore: Windows XP has an very useful feature called System Restore.  If you have installed hardware or software and the computer stops responding, this program will allow you to return the computer to a time before the installation.  You may have to boot into Safe Mode to start the computer.  Shutdown the computer, restart it and press F8 as the system starts, you will be presented with a menu, select safe mode, when the computer is fully started, click on the start menu, then all programs, then accessories, then system tools, then system restore.  Choose "restore my computer to an earlier time" and click next.  Select a date on the calendar before the installation and click next, follow the on screen instructions to complete the process.  If the computer restarts normally then your problem is fixed, if not then call Nerds on Call for professional help.