Windows Updates due Thursday January 16th

By PC Bits on January 6, 2020 6:44 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

January 14th is Windows Update Tuesday!   Thursday the 16th is the day to install Windows updates.

Windows 7 users.  January of 2020 will be your last updates from Microsoft.  Contrary to the SCAM pop-ups and SCAM phone calls, your PC will NOT quit and you will NOT lose your files.

You will be getting pop-ups from Microsoft telling you about this, they include them in your updates!

We can do a Windows 10 upgrade here for you.  It costs $50.00 and includes a "tune-up".  You DO NOT need to buy Windows 10!  You will have to leave the PC with us.  


Windows 10 Users.  Microsoft is rolling out the 1909 update. If you see it labeled as optional, please install it!  It is a helpful easy update.

Everyone else. (Windows 7 & 8.1)  Only install all Important updates.

 
No Optional.

Dean

Install Spywareblaster 5.6 Dec. 25, 2019

By PC Bits on December 25, 2019 10:10 AM

Merry Christmas everyone, here are the instructions for installing the new version of Spywareblaster. Version 5.6. All instructions assume you are using Google Chrome.


There are two files to download. One is the instructions themselves, a PDF file called Spywareblaster 5.6 Instructions.pdf. The 2nd is the "Install" (.exe) program. Install Spywareblaster 5.6.exe.


Click on each link below. Chrome will automatically start a download. Google Chrome pops up Microsoft's Save As window. Make sure you know where it is going (the folder name) before you save.



Download both this way. I suggest printing the instructions before beginning the install.


Install Spywareblaster 56.exe

CCleaner Update 5.63 October 16th

By PC Bits on October 16, 2019 9:40 AM
New CCleaner Update!  AGAIN
Cleaner version 5.63 has appeared.  

Click on the link below.  Chrome will automatically start a download.

Google Chrome pops up Microsoft's Save As window.  Make sure you know where it is going (the folder name) before you save.

Watch quickly the small pop-up that opens in the bottom left corner of my blog web page. Run the downloaded file by clicking on its name in the bottom left corner.  

As always, watch each screen closely as you install.  Don't let them install anything else!  Uncheck any Avast check-boxes.

Delete the downloaded file after you are done.


Dean Hancy
PC Bits

JAVA Update

By PC Bits on August 7, 2019 8:19 AM
NEW Information on JAVA

You no longer need to have it installed.

New changes in Windows and JAVA mean you no longer need it installed.

Open "Control Panel".
Click On "Programs and Features"
Scroll down to the JAVA entry.
You can highlight it then click on Uninstall at the top of the list OR  I "right" mouse on it then Left mouse on Uninstall.

Dean

Things You Must Do! - Is New Again!

By PC Bits on February 4, 2017 12:49 PM
PC Bits Things you must do.pdf

4 February 2017
Here is a new updated version of my "PC Bits Things You Must Do" document.
It contains several updates that reflect current versions and experience.
After many requests I put the steps in order.

All ideas for improvements to this document are welcomed.  Email me at service@pcbitsnews.com

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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