HOW TO AVOID MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT CAN MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO ACCESS YOUR COMPUTER. PART 5

Today we will analyse paragraph 3 of my post of August 2nd:

-"Yesterday my computer was working great but when I started it this morning, a message popped up, saying that the computer had been attacked by a virus.

Now I am not able to open any programs because the starting files have been corrupted. (This even includes opening the control panel and other Windows programs such as accessories and most important Windows System Tools, which incorporates System Restore.

However, the pop up message also tells me that a Virus Program "so and so", (If I click on the button), will scan the computer and find the culprit viruses.

I have done that, then the Virus Program "so and so" advises me that if I buy the program with a credit card, (normally in the$29.00 to $49.00 range), it will remove the viruses and all will be normal again..."

This happens quite frequently and there is nothing you can do to prevent such tricky methods by unscrupulous people and software makers, designed to get your money and information on your credit cards.

This happened to a good friend of mine a few weeks ago. I came over to his house to check his computer, tried many different ways to by-pass the problem, but nothing could be done, except of course let the "fishing" program do the scanning of the computer.FOR OBVIOUS REASONS I WAS NOT GOING TO ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN.

I asked my friend, when was the last time he had used the computer without any problems. "well, last night after dinner I was using the computer and all was OK!"

Here is a situation that in most instances can be taken care of, AGAIN, by using SAFE MODE to the rescue.

I am repeating what I said in a very recent post a couple of weeks ago:

Safe mode is a troubleshooting option for Windows that starts your computer in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started. The words Safe Mode appear in the corners of your monitor to identify which Windows mode you're using.

How do you get on "SAFE MODE"? it is really very easy:

Start the computer by pressing the the start button on your lap top or desk top and then immediately press F8 a few times "click, click, click", (you get the picture...). After a few moments, the monitor will show a lot of letters and file names scrolling down, until a page shows and gives you different choices to start the computer. Select "SAFE MODE".

The computer will then start in safe mode. If an existing problem doesn't reappear at this time, you can eliminate the default settings and basic device drivers or registry errors as possible causes.

If your computer automatically starts in safe mode without prompting, a problem with your computer might be preventing Windows from starting normally. If you think the cause of the problem might be a recently installed program or device, you will now be able to use Windows System Restore in SAFE MODE:

Click "start/programs/accessories/system tools/system restore.

Once in "System Restore" go to a restore date and time prior moment your problem showed up.
In this case I went to a restore point and time available in the previous day, selected it,
clicked "restore" and waited for the computer to restore itself to that date and time selected. That did the trick and my friend was back in business.

Windows System Restore is one of the best components built in the program. Never forget to use it when needed. Also, make sure that you create restore points once a day for your own safety.

George Freire