Windows Updates due Thursday Aug 11th

By PC Bits on August 5, 2022 6:44 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Aug 9th is Windows Update Tuesday!   Thursday the 11th is the day to check Windows updates.

NOTE:  Microsoft is "aggressively pushing" Windows 11.  First they want to check your computer for compatibility.  MOST computers will not be compatible!

DO NOT install Windows 11.  Every new version of Windows has had major problems for no less than two years!  Customers continue to come in with bad problems with Windows 11.  Microsoft "encrypts" the hard drive without your knowledge or permission.  You will need a "key" to read your files if Windows locks up, but you don't know what it is!


NOTE 2:  Microsoft is promising the Feature Version 22H2 for Windows 10 "soon".  You may see it offered in the Windows Update screen. If you see it, Click the Download and install link and install it.

It may take a long time to install.  DO NOT turn it off because it is taking longer than you think it should!

Note: Microsoft is still planning on removing Internet Explorer (the oldest browser) soon.  It will happen automatically.  You should stop using it if you still do!

Dean

CCleaner Update 6.02 July 21st, 2022

By PC Bits on July 21, 2022 9:40 AM
New CCleaner Update!  AGAIN.
Cleaner version 6.02 has appeared. 

You can force this to happen by clicking on the "Check for Updates" link on the bottom right corner of the main CCleaner screen.

DECLINE,  Turn Down,  say NO, 
"No Thanks",  "Maybe later"  to any offers of AVAST or the CCleaner Browser,  CCleaner Pro Edition,  AVG, Free VPN or anything else!

It closes 6.01, downloads, installs, then opens the new 6.02  Very quick and easy.  

Dean Hancy
PC Bits

Avira Icon Broken. 29 June 2022

By PC Bits on June 29, 2022 12:13 PM
People are reporting that the "Scan for Viruses" icon changes to a blank and they get an error message when they click on it.

Avira is rolling out a major update and it breaks my icon.

I cannot fix it.  Delete it if this has happened to you.

Open the Start Button.
In the Apps list:  Drop down the Avira Folder.
RIGHT Click on the Avira Red Umbrella Icon
Click on More   >
Click on 
Open file location

In the screen that opens:  Right Click on the Red Umbrella Avira Icon
In the Menu that opens:  click on Send to
In the 2nd menu that opens click on  Desktop (create shortcut)

Avira Inst. for Icon.jpg

Go back to the Desktop.
Drag the New Avira icon over to the empty spot where the old Icon was.

Download the new "Things you must do" document below and erase your old one.
The Avira instructions will tell you how to use the new Icon to run a Full Scan.

PC Bits Things you must do Windows June 2022.pdf

PC Bits New Hours

By PC Bits on June 2, 2022 9:54 AM
I have been working 6-days a week for the last 16-years!  I am tired of this.

My New Hours are:

Sunday        Closed
Monday        Closed
Tuesday       8AM  -  6PM
Wednesday  8AM  -  6PM
Thursday      8AM  -  6PM
Friday           8AM  -  6PM
Saturday       8AM  -  4PM

Dean

The best way to contact me is email.   service@pcbitsweb.com

SPYBOT WARNING 23 May 2022

By PC Bits on May 24, 2022 4:18 PM
Warning, Spybot is automatically updating to the new Spybot 2.9.  Then the Immunize doesn't work, it gives you an error message.

I have avoided updating Spybot to the new versions because of the TON of advertising that never seems to stop.  2.7 still worked fine and it didn't have all the advertising.

You will see Spybot downloading and installing SDUpgrade22.exe. After updating, close Spybot.  Then restart your PC.

Now when you open Spybot you should see that 2.9 is installed.  See all the ads!  Ignore them and run Spybot like you always have.  PS.  It will just start a Scan with out clicking a the 2nd "Start a Scan" button.


IF, it doesn't install 2.9 (some don't),  you can stop by and I will install it for free.

Dean

Things You Must Do! Windows 10

By PC Bits on October 9, 2021 12:49 PM
9 October 2021
Here is a new updated version of my "PC Bits Things You Must Do" document.  Just for Windows 10 Users. 

It contains several updates that reflect current versions and experience.

Google Chrome opens a "Preview"  of the document.  You can print or download it from the preview.


All ideas for improvements to this document are welcomed.  

Email me at service@pcbitsnews.com

Dean

Scams!

By PC Bits on December 2, 2016 9:18 AM
I am constantly getting phone calls from frightened customers claiming that someone called them or a web page popped up claiming that their computer is infected.  The latest scam claims to be from Comcast.

They even claim to be ME! Gary just called me and said a guy with a foreign accent called him and claimed to be "PC Bits Support."  When he began to question him, he hung up.

This is a scam folks.  NO legitimate company or government agency EVER calls people claiming to know their computer is infected.  Neither do web pages "know" that your computer is infected.

People have brought me iPhone's, Chromebooks, Macs, Androids and Windows computers, all with webpages claiming their computer is infected. These scammers just lock up the browser so you can't close the page.  They have a loud voice yelling at you or a loud beeping sound.

Please take some time to read these two web sites.  Educate yourself and your friends and family about these scammers.


If you receive a phone call from anyone claiming to know your computer is infected, do not listen to anything they say!!!  State clearly that you know this call is a scam and that you are reporting this call to the FBI.  Then HANG UP!

If a web page pops up claiming to know your computer is infected, DO NOT call any phone numbers!  Shut off the computer with the real power button.  Just hold it down until the computer goes off!  Reboot and run all your scans.  Do not "Restore" the web page when you open your browser again. Restoring would bring you back to the infected web page!

You can report the scam here: http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx 

Dean Hancy  PC Bits Inc.

Help, I have a Virus!

By PC Bits on January 16, 2012 9:19 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

What should you do if you suspect you have a virus?

First you must know your PC.  What is "Normal" behavior?  What is your web browser's "Home Page"?  What does normal Internet traffic look/sound/feel like?  How fast is the Internet?  How fast do you get/send emails?

One of the first symptoms of a virus is a "change"!   The Internet is "Slow".  The PC is acting "funny"!  There seems to be lots of activity going on over the Internet wires but "you" aren't doing anything.  Your "Home Page" changes to some other web site, either porn or a site that tries to sell you something.  You can no longer get or send emails.  Google searches that don't show you the right "results" is a frequent complaint.

The obvious symptoms are "pop-ups".  These can happen anywhere and at random times.  They pop-up inside web pages, they pop-up in the system tray (down by the time/clock), they just pop-up on top of everything and they won't go away!  These fraudulent pop-ups can be "official" looking warnings, or advertisements claiming that you are "infected".  They FALSELY claim that they have "scanned" for viruses and found a "Trojan" or some such thing.  Another type of virus pop-up claims that your hard drive and/or RAM is failing.  To prove it the virus begins to erase your icons!

You have Avira AntiVir Guard.  Just who is claiming to have found something?  You should only respond if the warning pop-up is from Avira! (Look for the Red Umbrella and the Remove button.)

If you suspect a virus Immediately shut down the PC using the Power Button then call me immediately at 763-360-2163.

Dean

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