I have been getting a lot of emails lately asking me if it is SAFE to use Free AntiVirus Software.

Now my first reaction is “of course it is”, the as I read all of these emails, there was some real concern there. So I decided that I would speak about it via the blog.  But first, a story…

I was at Best Buy last week just looking around at stuff.  I always love walking around Best Buy because I like to touch and feel new products (because I am a gadget geek), and I also love it because Best Buy does a great job of training their staff about the products (well they do in my area anyway).

Now I never buy software at any brick and mortar store, never.  I can read and compare the info online, and I make a decision based upon all the software, not just the one’s “at the store”.

So I am at Best Buy, and I see this guy staring intently at the antivirus software boxes lined up neatly on the shelf.  He had this puzzled look on his face, and he almost looks like he was in pain.  Now I know I shouldn’t do this, but I walked over, introduced myself and told him what I did for a living, and asked him if he had any questions.  He just said “…I have no idea what to do here.”.  So we talked for a while and he said that his Norton AV software had stopped working (again) and that he felt he needed something to replace it, but he had no idea what he needed.

So I talked to him a little about what kind of computer he needed it for, and what he used it for just to gauge what his needs were.  As we were talking, the Best Buy Blue Shirt showed up and asked if we had any questions.  I asked him what software he though my new friend should buy, and the blue shirt picked up a copy of Norton and said “This is our Best Seller”, and then was called away.  Well that didn’t help much at all, so I suggested to my friend that he wasn’t sure what to do that he might want to just get a FREE AntiVirus Software program for the time being until he knew what he needed.

He was amazed that there was FREE SOFTWARE available!  He got a little excited as I talked to him.  I explained that many VERY REPUTABLE AntiVirus Software companies GIVE AWAY a bare bones version of their software.

This is good for you for THREE REASONS:

1. You can get some AntiVirus Protection on your PC while you weigh the options for your needs without RUSHING into a Bad and/or Costly situation.
   • I HATE when I am forced to make snap decisions!  I always regret my decision, ALWAYS.
2. You can make sure that the software works on your computer without any conflicts.
   • I explained to my friend that every computer has basically the same Hardware (components, etc) but the software applicaiton are completely different.
   • These differences can cause your computer to not work well with other programs, and AntiVirus programs are notorious for “not playing well with others!”.
   • So it is always a good idea to *TEST* AntiVirus software on your computer before you Commit to it.  This is one reason why AntiVirus Software has one of the HIGHEST RATES of RETURN at the store!!!
   • A testing period of 4-6 weeks should give you a good idea if it will work for you.
3. It’s Absolutely Free and in most cases there is NO TIME LIMIT on FREE!
   • Some PAID versions of software may give you a 30 FREE TRIAL, but I explained to him that this software was absolutely FREE.
   • I have been running FREE software on my pcs/laptop for YEARS!

So is Free AntiVirus Safe?  Yes (and No!)

Any AntiVirus software is ONLY AS GOOD AS THE LATEST UPDATE.  What does that mean?  Well AntiVirus software uses what is called a “Definition File” which is basically a list of Known Viruses and instructions for the software on how to Cure the Virus.

New PC Viruses come out EVERY DAY!  So these software companies must react to these threats every day, and they create new versions of the “Definition File” every day – and in most cases they make new ones every few hours!

Now with that in mind, how effective your AntiVirus software is going to be is directly related to the version of the “Definition file” that you have.  If your file is 2 months old, your software is not going to be very safe.  Make sense.

Make sure you have the latest update!

I Don’t Know How – or – What is my First Step?

No worries, I have created step-by-step directions in VIDEO that you can easily follow.  If you have any problems, please contact me and I will see what I can do to help.

Click this Link to see the Video!

So what happened to the guy that you met at Best Buy?

Well he went home, followed the steps I just explained, and his computer is running just fine!

If you have any questions or concerns, you can leave a comment below – or you can Email me directly.

I used to love those old Best Buy Geek Squad commercials.  But I never really liked Geek Squad!

I always here this from people when it comes to their pc:  ”…I am not really a computer person” or “I am not into computers”.  As if this is an excuse or something.  Comedian Greg Behrendt once said “saying that I’m not into computers these days is like saying, Yeah…I’m really not into the phone!”.  Everyone these days has or uses one, so no more excuses!

Many people that I run into believe that if they have a problem with their laptop/pc, their only choice is to take it to Geek Squad.  That is a myth that needs to be dispelled!

Now I am fortunate because I don’t have the need for a service like Geek Squad (nor does anyone I know), but there are many people that take their pc to Geek Squad everyday and they don’t have a clue.

Geek Squad is basically like an Auto Mechanic, if they realize that you don’t know what is wrong with your pc, or if they think they can charge you for extra services…THEY WILL.  I should also state that I have some very good friends that work for Best Buy in the technical services and they are good people.  That being said, let’s look at what we can do to prevent the need for Geek Squad.

• Fact:  Most people will take their pc to Geek Squad because of Virus, Spyware and Software issues.
• Fact:  These are the most COSTLY issues to resolve!
• Fact:  You can do almost ALL OF THIS at home with FREE SOFTWARE!!!

HOW?

In most cases, you can resolve what seem like MAJOR ISSUES with your pc just by running one or two cleansing apps.  You just need to know which ones!  That the SECRET!  Follow these steps

1. Back Up your Files! Read this post on Backing up your data! (it opens in a new window!) A good backup is always important!  EVEN IF YOU TAKE YOUR PC TO GEEK SQUAD.  Many times Geek Squad will resolve issues by WIPING THE HARD DRIVE CLEAN and replacing your operating system (XP/VISTA).  You lose your data, and you pay them for the effort!
2. Run your Virus Software.  Click here for options
3. Run AntiTrojan Software Click here for options
4. Run AntiSpyware Software! Click here for options

If this all seems TOO DIFFICULT or COMPLICATED TO UNDERSTAND, Watch My VIDEO!!!  Click Here!  Just sign up for my newsletter (name and email addy!).

Recently, a friend of mine told me that he paid over $550 last year getting his laptops “cleaned” by Geek Squad.  When I showed him how to do it for free, he was first very thankful and surprised – and then he got pretty mad.

I am sure he’s not the only one that will have that same reaction!

I tried all these steps but it doesn’t fix my problem!

Well, if you run through all of these steps and it doesn’t fix your problem, you just saved a lot of money.  When you take your pc in (to Geek Squad?), tell them that you ran these processes on your pc and you were still having a problem. BE SPECIFIC when explaining the problem with your pc.  There is a good chance that they will treat you a bit differently (like you’re not an idiot!), but they may still try to sell you the “Diagnostic Tests” which is basically what you just did.  If you get a good tech, they will walk you through what the problem may be.  Have them EXPLAIN:

• What they intend to do
• Tell you how long it will take
• How much will it cost.

Be certain to tell them to keep you informed of the process, and not to do anything “drastic” without consulting you first.

Hardware Problems?

Sometimes the problem is related to hardware like a dying harddrive, network card going out, or a power supply.  Hundreds of things can go bad.  My suggestion is use Google to search for solutions to your problem.  It is a great first step.  That is how I do it.

Now if you can’t/won’t deal with replacing computer components – I highly recommend finding a teenager, friend, or an associate that is very good at technical stuff that can handle replacing computer components, etc.  Typically people like this love to help, and they won’t typically charge you to fix your issue (but you should pay them anyway!!!)  This will save you loads of time, money, and the pain that comes with computer problems.  Geek Squad is not a bad alternative when it comes to hardware stuff, but you are going to pay through the nose for it.

I don’t want to deal with it…I just want it fixed!

If you just want the problem fixed, there are plenty of resources online that you can utilize to at least identify your problem.  There are also online pc technicians that can log onto your pc and fix the problem for a charge.  In my opinion, it typically is cheaper to use an online pc tech than disconnecting your pc and taking it to Geek Squad.

If you have a question, you can post a comment

Many people have asked me what kind of computer they should buy to replace the one they have.  When I get asked the question, the first questions is ask is, “How old is your computer?”.  Typically the answer is 2 to 3 years old.  If you have a computer that is only 2-3 years old, there is a huge chance that you don’t need a new computer - you just need to speed up the one that you have.

The second question is always “How much RAM memory do you have on your computer?” and invariable I get a blank stare back.  About 1 in 10 people actually know the answer.  RAM (stands for Random Access Memory) are the computer chips that allow your computer to store data that needs to be processed or that has been processed.  The more RAM you have, the faster your computer can be.

Here’s How to Check: (Both XP and Vista)

• Click on START menu, select PROGRAMS, select ACCESSORIES then select SYSTEM TOOLS and click on SYSTEM INFORMATION option (this may take a minute to load).  Look near the bottom of the screen that opens, and find “Available Physical Memory” to see how much RAM you have.

If you run Windows XP, you probably need AT LEAST 1 Gigabyte of RAM.  If you run Windows Vista, you need AT LEAST 2 Gigabytes of RAM.  Newer computers come with 2-3 Gigs of RAM out of the box, but historically computer makers like HP, Dell and Gateway only put about 256 megabytes (meg) to 512 meg in new computers assuming that you would buy their expensive upgrades.  Without enough memory, your computer will run Slow.

I ALWAYS BUY RAM ONLINE!  WHY, because these online stores KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING! I won’t buy RAM at Wal-Mart, Office Depot, or Best Buy,  because it WAY TOO EXPENSIVE  and there typically is not a qualified person there to help you with any questions that you might have.  With an ONLINE RAM Store, I can call or chat with them if I have any questions.  This is the only way I buy memory…PERIOD!

Get a Static Strip too…you’ll see it in the video below.  Sometimes your memory will come with a static strip, if not - they are very inexpensive.

RAM can be pretty inexpensive if you buy the correct one.  Make sure that you use a Memory Configurator like the one at Memory Depot (see below).  RAM comes in a LOT of different flavors, and your computer requires a very specific type of RAM - So we use the Memory Configurator to identify the right kind of memory for our computer.

If you have any questions, call the 800 number they provide…they are always very helpful.

I have the memory….now what?

Watch this YouTube Video where they show you how to replace memory.  NOTE:  The video shows you how to install the memory, just do the opposite to remove the old memory (if you intend to remove it).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWqiv8ag0s4

Upgrading or Adding more memory can be SCARY, but it’s VERY EASY.  YOU CAN DO IT!

Post a comment below if you have any questions.

I was in Best Buy last week and I ran into a friend of mine that I had not seen in a while.  I love Best Buy, it’s one of the only brick and mortar stores that I go to anymore.  Anyway, I was talking with my friend and she was there buying a HUGE pack of CD-R’s (writeable CD media).

I asked her what they were for and she said that she and her husband had gone to Paris for three weeks and she had all of these pictures that she needed to “burn”.  She has one of those cameras with a 40 gig harddrive in it so she had quite a bit of video and images that she needed to backup.

I asked her if she was making copies of the CD’s for family and friends and she said that wasn’t the case, that this was her way of “storing” the images in her library.  I asked her how long she had been doing this and she said “years and years”.

That’s when I told her that CD’s were not the best way to do this because of the fact that they “de-laminate” over time which means that the data becomes useless after a period of 10-15 years or so.  It doesn’t always happen but it had happened to me so I was speaking from experience.

She had never heard of that and I told her that she should go back and look at some of the older cd’s in her collection to see if they work or not.

Two days later she called me in horror stating that some of the oldest cd’s weren’t working at all.  She brought them to me and although they weren’t de-laminated, they were burned with a very old cd-burning unit that was proprietary and had to be viewed with that unit to work.  Well needless to say that cd-rom unit was long gone.  So I spent a few hours helping her find some software that would let her read the disk but it cost her $150 bucks.

It appears that there is big money in OLD TECHNOLOGY!

She lamented that now she had to go and “re-burn” all of the old cd’s into new cd’s which reached in the number of over 300.  That’s a lot of time!

I suggested a different strategy for her.

Her computer has 500 gigabytes of room, and her computer has the ability to add a second hard drive.  I suggested that in her case that she just buy another 500 gigabyte harddrive (just over $150) and let me install it for her.  Then she could just move the data from the CD’s back onto the new harddrive!

But that only solved half of the problem.  How to keep the images SAFE!

You see, her house burned down when she was younger and still living at home, and many of her family’s pictures and portraits were ruined or destroyed.  So she had a real fear of losing her memories.

That’s when I recommended that she try CARBONITE Backup software to create a backup of all her images.  Carbonite keeps your files safe on huge secure and private computers, and the software backs up your files throughout the day via an internet connection so you don’t have to plan anything or schedule a time to backup.

She wasn’t sure about using the internet, and I told her that she could try it FREE for 15 days and told her it was definitely worth a shot.  So she tried it and loves it.

The cost of the service is about the same as a huge pack of CD-R’s or DVD-R’s, you just don’t spend all your time burning disks!!!

I use it and love it.  I back up with it and had to recover using it and it’s effortless.  Very Easy!

If you want to learn more about CARBONITE, Click Here or on the Banner below.

Bruce