Money Saving Tips: PC Tune Up Software

 

People often do not realize that Windows-based computers require maintenance to keep they running at optimal speeds. Much like a vehicle needs oil changes to run properly a car needs to be flushed and cleaned out to ensure longevity. A software I have personally use is called “Tune Up Utilities” This software is very simple for even the non-technical of users and works on 3 computers for the very low price of $29.99. A Tune Up in a local retailer will cost you about $70 each where as this software will keep your computer running smoother daily for as long as you own it.

Tune Up utilities will ask you basic questions in a practical way about how you use your computer then configure itself accordingly to make the most of your hardware so that it runs as best as possible. A great software that doesn’t require a subscription and will save you at least $70 a year while keeping your Desktop or Notebook PC running at top speeds.

 

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Money Saving PC Virus Removal Tips

 

Typical Virus Removal Cost $199(per computer), my charge $75(per computer), this Solution, $39.99(for up to 3 computers with 1 year subscription including Anti-virus and 24x7 Tech Support), Interested?

I'm sure you've had one before, matter of fact if you are using a free anti-virus program right now I'm sure you probably have some malware on there right now. Don't feel like paying north of $170 to fix the problem or Having to Restore your entire computer losing all your data and Programs? Well, you're welcome.

 

 

 

Step 1) Anti-Virus

AVG has been making names for itself in the Tech World for some time now with its limited version of Anti-Virus called AVGfree available on Download.com but the paid version gives you so much more features that's its pretty much nonsense not to use it to clean Viruses off your computer. With this $39.99 software, available of AVG.com or locally at Office Depot, you can actually install on up to 3 computers to protect for 1 year. So grab it even if you only have 1 because you can share or sell the other 2 licenses with friends/family to split the cost. Its as simple as Installing, following on screen prompts(being sure to be connected to high speed internet), and then running a full system scan. Be advised this 1st step alone will take hours to complete, I recommend letting it run overnight or during a time frame you do not need your PC at all.

 

 

Step 2) Malware Removal

Now normally this would be a first step since the free version of MalwareBytes is not an Anti-Virus per say, but more of a removal tool. Sounds confusing but the idea is that typical Anti-Virus programs prevent infection, not cure it. This software is actually free and, believe it or not, used by your local retailers in those $200 services, insane right? Install, update and run a full system scan with this software after AVG has completed. Again this can take a while so let it run as long as needed without interruption.

There is a paid version called Malwarebytes Pro that acts as both a remover and anti-virus if you wish to do that instead of AVG, but it does run $24.95 for 1 PC (multi-licensing discounts available) for Download only, having a disc will run an additional $9.95.

 

 

Step 3) Correct Registry Errors

This may sound funny, but it actually stands for "Crap Cleaner". Now I don't entirely understand why Microsoft does it this way, but there's a Slew of trash on your computer that you don't, have never, and will never use. But it's there, causing performance issues on your computer from within hidden folders you didn't even know existed. Now in all fairness you yourself have probably caused some of these issues downloading free programs and not uninstalling them properly, or the developer themselves didn't know how to write it all the way accurately and sometimes even windows updates themselves can cause issues. Mainly because people blindly install whatever's there without reading. All updates for windows are not all updates you need. Learning which ones you need is a time consuming process that most don't want to do learn, so just pay someone else to handle it at least once a year, its called an "Optimization" or "PC Tune-Up" at most locations. With Ccleaner (another free program) it will actually clear out a ton of junk files, temp files, internet histories and even fixes Registry Errors(main cause of crashes and performance issues).

Download CCleaner free here

 

 

Well, there you have it. If you simply do not have the $200 to spend getting your computer fixed correctly this is a Band-Aid that you can put on it to better the problem. Keep in mind though that this solution is make shift, there is still a large degree of computer expertise needed to fix the problem. Viruses are not all the same and this solution will only ensure most of the software issue is mended. This solution does not take into account that your virus issue could've damaged your hardware as well. Also variables will more than likely come up because these programs scan what could be viruses and will catch normal files necessary to run your programs that utilize the same format. By now you may be thinking... that $200 ain't so bad. You're right, you aren't paying for a product when you get a virus removed, you are paying for the expertise of getting the job done right.

But just in case though we offer remote and mail in service internationally if you need it done correctly for an affordable price (include city/state/country and Problem experiencing).

 

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Android Battery Life Extender Tips by @ChicagoKing

Droids are 1/3 of the leading smart phones next to the Blackberry & the iPhone. The problem most people have with Droids are the battery life. Here i will give you a few tips on making your battery life last MUCH longer

 

1) Download a Task Killer

 

Android phones run "background apps". Applications that will run even after you think you have closed them. The best Task Killer is "Advanced Task Killer”. Make sure you download the one with the BLUE CROSS on the Android logo. Once you download it, the logo will remain on screen. When you pull your screen down it'll say "Ongoing Apps".

 

Now open the app > hit the menu button > go to settings > scroll to auto kill & set it to "Aggressive" > Click on Auto Kill Frequency and set it to your preference. "Every Half hour" would be your best bet.

Another good option would be to set the Advanced Task Killer as a widget on your phone screen. This way every time you tap on the widget it kills all the background apps instantly.

 

2) Mobile Data

To get on the web or use apps that require the internet (Facebook, twitter, dictionary) you have to have access to the internet. Whether it be the phones mobile network or Wi-Fi. Now the phones mobile internet consumes A LOT of battery life. A simple fix to this is to turn the mobile network off when you're not using an app that needs Internet, or when your phone is locked etc.

There are 2 ways to do this. You can hit you menu button > settings > wireless & networks > and look for the Mobile network box Uncheck the box to turn off your mobile internet. Another way is to add the mobile network widget on your screen somewhere. Hold down on your screen > add widget > settings > mobile network

Now all you have to do is click the mobile network widget & BAM mobile network is off. Also turning off your mobile network will not interfere with you getting calls or receiving texts, so don’t worry. Now if you are at home or somewhere with access to Wi-Fi CONNECT IT AND TURN OFF YOUR MOBILE NETWORK. This is extremely helpful, especially if you don’t have unlimited data. Using your own Wi-Fi does not contribute to data used on your phone plans data consumption.

 

Follow these instructions & your battery life will last you just fine. And as a side note , it doesn’t hurt to get a second battery with an external charger. Ebay is your friend

*Some versions of Android will require slightly different steps to the menu option available above*

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Must Have Apps: Memory Booster Pro

 

You know when you got an older phone and after a while of downloading new and more demanding, higher level functioning Apps designed for newer devices, using Wi-Fi more often, turning your phone off less and you start noticing your phone may slow down for a minute or two then be back to its normal self? Well that's because you've used up all your RAM memory and it has to reallocate it. This stand alone app is a great supplement Quick Pull so that you get the most out of your device all day. Memory Booster Pro is the best I've used out of the many I've tried because it has a scheduling feature where you can auto-clean it every few hours, and since its simply running the built in Memory cleaning that comes supplied within All Blackberry OS's, the file size for the program is extremely small and non intrusive on Phone performance. I use Quick Pull for my reset every morning before I start my day and auto-schedule for the evening when I'm getting off work so my phone is always running at peak efficiency whenever I need it.

Download Memory Booster Pro from the App Store
http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/39879

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Must Have Apps: SuperBox 10-in-1

 

New Phone, New Operating System, New Menu Settings, New Layout... It can all get pretty annoying getting accommodated to a new device once you’ve been accustomed to something for so long. Especially if it’s not logically where you’d think it should be. So why hasn’t anyone made a simple way to put all the most important features of your device in one place to ease that learning curve? Well, someone has.

This Free Application has saved so much frustration for me switching to the Android Operating system and definitely the single most important program on my Phone (besides Words With Friends of course). Super Box is actually a 10 App Utility jam packed with diagnostic information, task killers, install/uninstall programs, security and media scanning software.

 

 

INFORMATION 

The Information section will give you diagnostic information about your device along with your battery life, detailed usage life remaining and even Battery Temp/Health Status. This helps in knowing why your phone may be running slow, also how and when your battery dies. Watch out for High Battery temps (> 90˚) because it will lead to draining of the battery and can also slow the performance of the Phones processor. (Normal Room Temp is between 59˚ & 77˚ F)

 

 

APPS

For all your Application needs this will Install and Uninstall files (even if not downloaded from the Android Market), analyze, determine & move capable Applications to the Memory card that can be ran for additional storage and a Cache clearer of Applications storing information you may not even be using.

 

 

 BATTERY SAVER

TaskKiller is not as violent as it sounds, it simply is made for non jail broken (or rooted) phones so that you can close applications and services running in the background that are not all necessary. Be careful when using this app, its easiest to use the "Kill All" which will do the job, but will also stop things you may need like alarm clocks, daily reminders, widgets etc. Read before acting.

The Settings menu isn't anything but a custom menu that allows you to get to the most commonly used menu options of the phone. To me it is better situated than the regular menu so I tend to use it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHERS 

File Manager is another function already included in the Android OS but this brings it to all one area and also adds the tweak of auto scanning your entire phone, including memory card, to separate installable program files, Music, Movies and Photos into one easy to read alpha numerical list without having to remember exactly what folder your file is in.

Safe Guard isn't an app isn't as necessary as it would've been before the existence of unlimited everything plans but with an open source software as Google's Android program it's definitely something you'd want to check out if you want a secure device for business purposes. This will scan all the apps in your phone to show you High, Middle and Low level security risks to your data. It will show you apps that have the ability to scan your data, send messages, call others, send historical data on usage to a third party, read contacts, Access your location, see your SD card and even use the internet on your phone to operate without your approval.

 

 

 

All in All the App simplifies many functions on your Android Device, gives you tools that non techie people can utilize to improve the performance of your device and helps you locate files quickly and easily. It doesn't run in the background either so you don't have to worry about it doing more harm than good. Enjoy

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Must Have Apps: Quick Pull

 

Did you know that Smartphones (yes, ALL Smartphones) are recommended to be fully powered down at least once every day? Similar to computers, phones now have high end processors and ram (application memory) that get used with every website visited, song heard, video watched, game played, phone call, picture message, email and, believe it or not, even the touch screen itself. Fully power cycling your device daily will keep it running optimally for longer period of time. With this App from Steelhorn, they go a step further and simulate Pulling out the battery which is the only true way to reset all aspects of the computing device. They even go a step further to allowing you to set a timer that does it once a day for you automatically, at a preset time of your choosing (even if security locked if you so choose) so that it becomes a self sustaining worry free process. At only 314KB (0.3 MB) its smaller than a picture message and uses ZERO application memory until it activates which is when its resetting your device to clear All memory. Its the closest thing to 100% efficient you can get in an app. I'm hoping they start making similar software for all other Smartphone Manufactures because this is definitely a Necessary App.

 

 

 

And for you Twitter Addicted folk, you can even integrate with your page to let all your followers know when you are resetting automatically since it does take up to 15minutes to reboot if you have an old Trackball Blackberry. Your OG BB Users know of the old struggle

 

 

App World Link: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/1300

Developer Website: http://getquickpull.com/

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