If Windows Won't Boot at all:
When you can't get into Windows, there are still some things you can do. First, try using the Safe Mode. This is done by pressing the F8 Key when rebooting the computer. Do this after your PC shows the splash screen displaying it's manufacturer. When that screen goes away, it is actually beginning to load Windows and you need to press the button. This will bring up a short menu, and you can use your keyboard arrows to drill down to the "Safe Mode" setting. Typically it takes longer for a PC to boot this way but you will eventually get into your system hopefully. From there, it is possible to find out what is wrong and reboot normally.
If you need to also, you can boot the "Safe Mode with Networking" which will allow you to have Internet Access while in the Safe Mode, and you can scan for viruses as listed below.
If you are getting Random Errors
Random Errors from your Operating System can be caused by a lot of things. Depending upon the age of your computer, there are different things I look for. If the PC is more than 3 years old, I typically check the Hard Disk for errors. If it is a recent computer using a new version of Windows then I would check the RAM first. The best possible advice is this: When you start getting this type of problem with your computer, BACK UP YOUR DATA!
If your computer is in an environment that is particularly dusty, it is quite possible that enough dirt has made its way into the computer to directly affect it's operation. Dirt can clog the fans which keep the CPU cool and also, enough dirt on the Main Board can affect operation. If need be, your PC can literally be cleaned out to cure these problems.
When your PC gets very slow
Spyware is a very common issue these days. Spyware is any technology that aids hackers in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. It is present on most any computer that is used on the Internet believe it or not! Certain brands and types of spyware can cripple a computer, making it so busy doing malicious things in the background, that it seems too busy to perform your commands. Spyware is a serious issue and needs to be dealt with immediately. I typically install two different programs to get rid of it. One of them is called AdAware, which removes spyware that it recognizes. The other is called SpyBot, and it works in the background, preventing the software from being installed in the first place. Neither one will catch al of the spyware out there, but when used in conjunction with each other these two programs will save your data.
What to do if you get a virus
Viruses have been plaguing PC users since the beginning. They have become much more destructive in recent years though, and need immediate attention. When your computer catches a virus, a lot of things may happen. Your data certainly becomes at risk and this may not be the time to think about backing it up. The reason is simple - if you back up now, you will also be including the virus in your backup!!
First, while in Windows, update your Antivirus program. Then boot into the Safe Mode and run a complete virus scan on all the drives in your PC. If you are told by the software that the virus could not be removed, try another brand. There is a lot of it out there, and you don't have to feel locked in to using the one that came with your computer when you purchased it. Contact me if you need any help in this area. I can even steer you toward Online Antivirus programs that can be run without the need for going to the store and purchasing one.
How to back up your Data:
First, remember that it is not your whole Hard Drive that needs to be backed up. It is just the data that you have created with your computer using the programs installed. In other words, your Word Processing program creates text that is probably saved in the "My Documents" folder unless you have changed that default setting. Quickbooks® and many other programs default to saving their data within their own folders.
Know where your data is stored in your PC. When the time comes to back up, my best suggestion is to use a USB Memory Stick. Plug it in to the computer, and transfer your data onto it using the Explorer built within your desktop. Remember to Contact Us if we can be of any help to you.