Where can I find PC Check?

[Cindy1]

Friends of mine tell me their computers are running slow and that it shuts it's self off every once in a while. I first checked the power supply then hard drive took ran adware. The antivirus this person had was avast. I felt it was a virus I also felt avast was not user friendly and gave him a false sence of security. Someone told me to get PC check and that will clean the drive and make it go faster but I can't find it?
Cindy

 

[acewarlock]

Ever heard of Google.com , just type in PC Check and see what you get.


This is a Signature and not part of the answer, it appears on every reply.

This is an Analogy so don't take it personally as some have.

Why change the engine if all you need is to change the spark plugs.

 

[linney]

This seems a bit pricey? Perhaps it is not what you are seeking?

PC Check PC Diagnostic Software / PC Diagnostics
Computer Diagnostic Software

http://www.trainingplanet.com/html/novell_cne_training.htm

This lot is for free, except for the time taken to read and try it.


Will it Start and run correctly in Safe Mode. Can you check out how it runs if you login as any other user in Normal Mode?

If it is a profile problem then this may help.
811151 - How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

To get further information about the error look in your Event viewer.

Look in the System or Application folder. You can get to the Event Viewer via right click My Computer icon and select Manage.

Any errors logged in the Event Viewer can be expanded by double clicking on the error line.

Take any event error I.D. Number and Source and search for it on this site

http://www.eventid.net/events.asp

Also check any "Information" line that mentions "savedump" and you should find reference to "recovered from a bug check". This is the Stop Error that caused your problem.

You can also turn off "automatically restart after an error" so it will just halt at the fault and display the full Stop Error and blue screen.

Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties .
On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery .
Click to clear the Automatically restart check box under System failure , and then click OK . The error message on a blue screen should remain on the screen so you can record the error information.



If the error occurred after installing a device driver or application, try using Safe Mode and removing the driver or program.

To check your RAM.

http://www.memtest86.com/

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp

To check your Hard Drive.

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.

The drive manufacturer will have free diagnostic software to check your drive for problems.

You can also load the Recovery Console and run ChkDsk /r to check for problems.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

To check your drivers.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

To check conflicting software.

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Will check your computer for spyware and adware.



See if you have any services that are flagging as "Starting" but not actually running.


Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Windows.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows itself by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[SirBlack]

First problem is you're not giving much detail as to OS, maintenance run, new hard/software added, etc. nor any error messages. Run Belarc Advisor & post basic details of the PC to this thread (if necessary). It's a free download at:

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

I would also advise downloading & running Crap Cleaner, another free download from:

http://filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

This will clean out a lot of junk files that clutter & slow down a PC.

If they're running Windows, be sure they've downloaded & installed all updates.

Next, download & run the AV, AS & Anti-Rootkit apps from:

http://free.grisoft.com/

These are also free downloads. Be sure to check & install any updates available for these and any other apps before running them (symptoms you describe could be from some virus).

You may also want to try:

http://www.kaspersky.com/scanforvirus

If you do find viruses, you're best bet is to shut down System Restore before deleting/quarantying them. This will erase all previous restore points & prevent you from re-introducing those nasty bugs to your system in the future. You can set a restore point after debugging the PC.

Another excellent (& free download) is Process Explorer:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/processexplorer.mspx

It's much better than Windows Task Manager & helps in locating any malware hogging up resources.

Finally, after removing all malware,viruses & deleted items in the recycle bin, download & run (again better than the M$ version):

http://www.auslogics.com/disk-defrag/

Hope this helps!

Bob B-)