Wednesday, February 2, 2011

"Oh sure he'll do it."

I'm the family tech support guy in my family. I guess being a pale and pasty neckbeard counts as a qualification. I just finished cleaning out my other drunk uncle's computer, and I figured I'd share some of the tools I usually use to clean them out.

1. CCleaner. Before I do anything else, I make sure to clear out all the temporary files left by applications and web browsing. It cuts the time for antivirus scanning substantially. I usually install it, but I also carry the portable version just in case.

2. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. MalwareBytes has time and time again proven to be a winner. I've seen instances where MalwareBytes were able to detect and remove malware even McAfee or Norton couldn't.

3. Revouninstaller. I use this to uninstall all the crap people install on their PCs. Unlike Add/Remove Programs, RevoUninstaller does a very thorough job. Add/Remove just uses the uninstaller that came with the program, but Revo cleans out any files, folders, or registry entries that might've been left behind. There's also a portable version if you don't feel like installing it.

4. Antivir Personal. I used to install AVG on friends' and family members' PCs, but found that it lagged performance over time. Then I decided to give Antivir a try, and I have to say it's pretty good for a free alternative. It updates in the background, and you hardly notice it running. The only time it'll bother you is when it detects something.

5. NT Boot Disk. Let's just say I have certain associates that might be involved in some shady activity. And from time to time, they'll bring their "personal" laptop that has been locked out because "they forgot their password". I haven't tried it on Windows 7, but I have tried it on Windows 2000, Xp, and Vista. Worked all the times I've tried it.

This not my full list of tools, but these usually fix any sort of software related problem I might come across. If you have any suggestions, I'm always looking for new ways to make life as Family Tech Support Guy easier.

25 comments:

  1. what you should have done;
    install ubuntu.
    get it over with.

    It's extraordinary how little crapware is available for ubuntu.

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  2. @DGUN Yeah, I use Ubuntu personally. But I can't picture myself trying to teach my drunk uncle how to install all the codecs to watch his pornoz. Maybe one day I'll try to convert him.

    @The Epic One: Fuck yeah!!

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  3. I use a few of those programs myself when dealing with peoples computers :)

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  4. i use malwarebytes, it's pretty much all you need if you're at least a bit wary of potentially harmful things that can affect your computer.

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  5. nice post. ive been looking for something that works better then add/remove programs, thanks

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  6. Good info. I've been looking for a reliable alternate of Add/Remove and I think I'd do quite well with Revouninstaller

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  7. @beyondthisall yup no virus too. Just make sure to keep your antivirus updated, practice safe web browsing habits.

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  8. Revoinstaller is great. I pretty much use all these programs myself. I've also been stuck with the computer repairman title in my family...bah.

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  9. Acorrding to fact that I'm studying IT at university, I'm a tech support guy too :C And some of thhese applications I know. I use CCleaner regulary for example :)

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  10. Thanks for the list, gonna get me some antimalware!

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  11. You didn't mention MSE? microsoft security essentials?

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  12. nice list, gonna try some of these

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  13. Yeh man, i know how that goes!
    I'm that guy for my family

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  14. You should get them to pay you! ;)
    Following and supporting!

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  15. Thanks for the list. Will be helpful to a fewllow family computer guy. Have not taken a tech class sin 02' and they still think I can fix their enw problems.

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  16. "You're on that computer 24/7. You should know how to fix it."
    Being the family tech support is so much fun. Especially when you see things like your Grandmothers computer has more toolbars than browser space.

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  17. Excellent advice on covering one's tracks. I'll definitely put this to good use.

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  18. You do realize that all you need is CCleaner and pretty much everything else is trash >.>

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  19. that happens to me all the time finally i just bought a shirt that says "NO i won't fix your computer"

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  20. Man this pic says everything ><!

    How many computer have a fixd for free i lost count !!

    Also check mine!!
    http://geeknewsb.blogspot.com

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  21. I have the benefit of everyone knowing i'm good at computers but also knowing i'm not gonna fix their problems if it takes me longer than an hour to do so

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  22. HAHA My brother does this. This is funny.

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  23. Thanks for this! I'll try some of these out.

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