Looking for some guidence on Computer repair

[Amidei]

So, I have a Sony Viao, great machine, had it about 4 years, not ready to sink a bunch of loot into a new machine. . . .

So, my rig has started getting gummed up. Can't launch firefox. I am sure it is loaded with the porn bugs. Having trouble with some updates. Not critical, but I am sure it is heading that way.

Can anyone recommend a reputable place for computer repair, where I can tell them what is wrong, and they will just fix it, without fucking my shit up too much?

Obviously, while not quite computer illiterate, I know about as much about computers as I know about cars. Know how to drive, how to steer, how to fill em up. . . . . some minor maintenance. . . .but once something goes wrong, it's gotta go to the shop.

[Telfer]

Microcenter on Elston.

Also, 4 years is old for a laptop. Good luck.

[Amidei]

It is not a laptop, but it is still old. Thank you.

[Telfer]

Ah, don't know how I inferred that.

I'd re-install Windows on that bad boy. You hold on to your install CD?

[Inkling]

Go to Start > Run > msconfig. Now uncheck everything on the "startup" tab. Do not mess with the other tabs. You've just disabled the unnecessary auto-launch of TSRs (terminate and stay resident programs).

Run adaware (http://www.lavasoft.de/ms/ad_aware_free.php) and sypbot (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html) to clean up malware (your porn problems).

Make sure none of your drives (C drive especially) are more than 80% full.

Defragment your hard drives (right click a drive icon in mycomputer and chose "properties" for the option). Do this last, and maybe overnight.

This is all stuff a computer center would do that you can do yourself.

[sammy]

Also, if you're looking to extend the life of your machine, maybe buying some cheap RAM might help out too.

Best of luck.

[Jeebee]

If you do a re-install of windows make sure you take your hard drive down to zero's and ones. (this means to totally wipe it as a clean drive.) some of the new spyware out there will create its own partition in the hard drive so that no matter how many times you re-install windows the installer can come back.

I would suggest looking at a new drive. I got a 300 gig HD for $99.00 dollars a few months ago and just started over. I also agree with upping system memory. If you just use your computer for everyday tasks (porn) and not high end work (making and editing your own porn for deliver through an affiliate network bagging you $28.95 a sign up) then a new hard drive and some extra memory can make an old system run just like a new one.

Also stay away from LimeWire and Bear Share type sites/programs they are 95% of the root of installers on a system, if you read the term in these sites you actually are agreeing to installing the spyware that is killing your system. If you need porn try some of the YouTube type sites out there. I wont put links here as I do not wish to get booted.. But its out there.

God Bless Web 2.0!!! :p