Do you do Windows?

[DRob]

I'm currently running Windows 7 Pro and either need to get this PC tuned up (malware/adware/etc) or replace it. Looks like all the new ones are Windows 8.1. I hear 8.1 is not all that great but I don't want to spend $300 for a tune up. Got any advice? Thanks.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

I'm currently running Windows 7 Pro and either need to get this PC tuned up (malware/adware/etc) or replace it. Looks like all the new ones are Windows 8.1. I hear 8.1 is not all that great but I don't want to spend $300 for a tune up. Got any advice? Thanks.

Wait until the end of July and update to Windows 10. You can do it as a fresh install, and that alone should offer a big enough performance boost at no cost to you.

It behaves better than Windows 8.1. Will feel a bit more like Windows 7.

Never spend that kind of cash on a "tune-up".

 

[bobbittle]

A "tune up" is easily done yourself. Even better, backup important files and do a reformat/reinstall. Nothing wrong with Windows 7.

 

[mrjarrell]

$300 will get you a new laptop at Fry's.
While I don't use Windoze, both of my kids are using 8.1 on their desktop and laptop and aren't having any issues with the OS. Does a pretty good job for them, but they're not power users by any stretch of the imagination. Some games, videos and internet. The stuff the majority of folks use them for. The OS works just fine.

If you get into the market for a new system, go to Fry's website and sign up for their email deals and they'll send you daily fliers with promo codes for discounts. We used them for my daughters laptop and she got a decent laptop for under $250 (before tax). The Fry's in Fishers is pretty good place to get stuff.

 

[Bill B]

free windows 10 in july
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-upgrade

 

[ArcadiaGP]

If you're set on new hardware like Mr J suggested, keep an eye on Computers.Woot as well.

Computers.Woot: Laptops, tablets, desktops, computer accessories, & more

Every few days they have a decent laptop or desktop on the daily deal. I often see laptops that are a couple generations old for very cheap. Most are probably refurbs, but they've still got plenty of power. i5 CPU and usually 8gb ram.

I've seen Dell E7440 on there (one generation old) and E6520/E6530 (1-2 gen old). Some even have docking stations.

Otherwise, the weekly Fry's ad will usually have a couple options in that range.

 

[Cameramonkey]

If the PC is older than 3-4 years, dont waste money on any kind of significant tune up time from a pro. I do consulting and regularly turn down gigs like that where they effectively "total" the computer by investing 3/4 of its value for me to make it limp another 6-12 months. If its that old, buy a new one. If its only a year or two old, it could be worth some TLC. (which you can possibly do yourself)

8.1 is OK, and 7 is VERY capable. No REAL reason to upgrade IMHO.

ETA how new is the PC? What are its specs?

 

[mrjarrell]

This is Fry's promo ad for Wednesday, (they have new stuff every day and weekly).
Frys.com Email Campaign 07.08.15!

You can also check out their deal via their Facebook page. The promo codes are a great deal on in store products. They've saved me hundreds of bucks.

 

[Maximinus Thrax]

I'm currently running Windows 7 Pro and either need to get this PC tuned up (malware/adware/etc) or replace it. Looks like all the new ones are Windows 8.1. I hear 8.1 is not all that great but I don't want to spend $300 for a tune up. Got any advice? Thanks.

Some Free-ware you should run on your computer: Search for and run them before spending money you don't need to spend. I run these once a week at least to keep me up and running.

Spybot-Search and Destroy
Malwarebytes: Anti-Malware
CCleaner

 

[bwframe]

Some Free-ware you should run on your computer: Search for and run them before spending money you don't need to spend. I run these once a week at least to keep me up and running.

Spybot-Search and Destroy
Malwarebytes: Anti-Malware
CCleaner

I run Spybot S&D and Microsoft Security Essentials. Anything sneaks through the other catches. I pretty much am problem free.

 

[Magneto]

The usefulness of CCleaner cannot be understated.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Yeah, MBAM and CCleaner are both great utilities.

Just be wary when installing these days. They try to include other crapware that you don't need.

CCleaner also tries running itself as a background utility now, so disable that.

 

[WebSnyper]

Wait until the end of July and update to Windows 10. You can do it as a fresh install, and that alone should offer a big enough performance boost at no cost to you.

It behaves better than Windows 8.1. Will feel a bit more like Windows 7.

Never spend that kind of cash on a "tune-up".

Or just download and install the preview now.

$300 will get you a new laptop at Fry's.
While I don't use Windoze, both of my kids are using 8.1 on their desktop and laptop and aren't having any issues with the OS. Does a pretty good job for them, but they're not power users by any stretch of the imagination. Some games, videos and internet. The stuff the majority of folks use them for. The OS works just fine.

If you get into the market for a new system, go to Fry's website and sign up for their email deals and they'll send you daily fliers with promo codes for discounts. We used them for my daughters laptop and she got a decent laptop for under $250 (before tax). The Fry's in Fishers is pretty good place to get stuff.

Pretty much this. I would never spend $300 for someone to "tune up" a PC. Reload the OS (or if the machine has a restore partition, just copy off any data you want to preserve and do the restore to factory option), or download and install the Windows 10 preview. As stated, depending on what you do with it and what specs you need, low end laptops are cheap, and you'll probably see some machines getting sold on clearance, even though 10 will be a free upgrade.

If the PC is older than 3-4 years, dont waste money on any kind of significant tune up time from a pro. I do consulting and regularly turn down gigs like that where they effectively "total" the computer by investing 3/4 of its value for me to make it limp another 6-12 months. If its that old, buy a new one. If its only a year or two old, it could be worth some TLC. (which you can possibly do yourself)

8.1 is OK, and 7 is VERY capable. No REAL reason to upgrade IMHO.

ETA how new is the PC? What are its specs?

My 8.1 machines (even the low end one) boot faster than my 7 machines. 10 seems to be on par with 7 on similar hardware from what I see on the preview machine I have, but I haven't really done any benchmarking.

 

[williamsburg]

A "tune up" is easily done yourself. Even better, backup important files and do a reformat/reinstall. Nothing wrong with Windows 7.

I just did this last week on mine. Runs like new now.

External hard drive is a great thing to keep around for a backup spot.

 

[Nacelle]

Once you get Windows reinstalled and set up the way you like it, clone the drive. If you ever have any problems in the future, you can just go back to that. And don't keep your data on your C drive. That includes whatever you keep in your documents folder. That way you don't have to worry about loosing it when you use that backup clone.

 

[Cameramonkey]

Once you get Windows reinstalled and set up the way you like it, clone the drive. If you ever have any problems in the future, you can just go back to that. And don't keep your data on your C drive. That includes whatever you keep in your documents folder. That way you don't have to worry about loosing it when you use that backup clone.

THIS!

Acronis is a good product for this. There are other solutions, but this is what I have used and it works well.

The $40 price tag is worth its weight in gold compared to the HOURS of installing driver after driver after driver once windows is loaded. ugh.

 

[BugI02]

Or just throw down for a macbook pro

 

[Nacelle]

Then you still have to pay for a copy of Windows if you want to do anything.

 

[wtburnette]

Or just throw down for a macbook pro

By the same token he could just backup his data, wipe the computer and install whatever distro of linux floats his boat, for free. I'd do that before I overpaid for a Mac. That said, some people are locked into that ecosystem and don't know any better

As was state previously, backup your data and reload. If you can't do that, the utilities the others have mentioned will work fine. I'll also throw SuperAntiSpyware into the mix. It's found malware for me that the others have left behind. I've used it for the last 5 or 6 years, but alongside some form of free AV and MBAM as well. I just loaded the Malwarebytes Anti-exploit kit as well, which provides protection to all of your browsers. Once you clean your system, I would suggest using it.

What no one has mentioned, that I noticed, is that you should install and update the utilities in Safe Mode with Networking. Make sure you've disabled System Restore, as some malware uses that to reload themselves. I would restart into just plain safe mode (without network support) when you want to run the scans. Run MBAM, then restart, run SuperAntiSpyware, reboot, CCleaner, reboot, then scan again. This *should* get everything. I would also go through and uninstall any programs you don't use or recognize. Once you get everything clean, make sure you update your Adobe Flash, Shockwave, Reader and Java, plus make sure you have all the latest Windows updates installed. You can download something like Secunia PSI to search your system for software that needs to be updated to help as well. Lastly, make sure you have AV of some sort installed. If you don't want to pay for it, there are free versions of Avast, Panda or others that should work just fine for you. Good luck!

 

[BugI02]

By the same token he could just backup his data, wipe the computer and install whatever distro of linux floats his boat, for free. I'd do that before I overpaid for a Mac. That said, some people are locked into that ecosystem and don't know any better

As was state previously, backup your data and reload. If you can't do that, the utilities the others have mentioned will work fine. I'll also throw SuperAntiSpyware into the mix. It's found malware for me that the others have left behind. I've used it for the last 5 or 6 years, but alongside some form of free AV and MBAM as well. I just loaded the Malwarebytes Anti-exploit kit as well, which provides protection to all of your browsers. Once you clean your system, I would suggest using it.

What no one has mentioned, that I noticed, is that you should install and update the utilities in Safe Mode with Networking. Make sure you've disabled System Restore, as some malware uses that to reload themselves. I would restart into just plain safe mode (without network support) when you want to run the scans. Run MBAM, then restart, run SuperAntiSpyware, reboot, CCleaner, reboot, then scan again. This *should* get everything. I would also go through and uninstall any programs you don't use or recognize. Once you get everything clean, make sure you update your Adobe Flash, Shockwave, Reader and Java, plus make sure you have all the latest Windows updates installed. You can download something like Secunia PSI to search your system for software that needs to be updated to help as well. Lastly, make sure you have AV of some sort installed. If you don't want to pay for it, there are free versions of Avast, Panda or others that should work just fine for you. Good luck!

Dude, if you had to go through that much song and dance to make a pistol run right, would you stick with the platform?