Tech Tip of the Day: How to download and use Malwarebytes

Malware is shorthand for "malicious software" and is used to describe an entire group of programs that includes advertising, tracking, key-logging, ID or credit theft or that cause other bad or undesirable activity. Malwarebytes specializes in fighting malware.

(including Free, Trial, or Retail versions)

1. Go to www.malwarebytes.org. Follow the download link to download.cnet.com and click on "Download Now" icon (not the "Start Download" buttons - which link to other stuff.) Alternatively, purchase a full version of Malwarebytes in the software aisle or Service Department at Micro Center. The full version includes a LIFETIME subscription and active background monitoring.
   

2. Run Malwarebytes Installer. If installer does not work, there may be a virus present which is interfering. In that case, complete the following, but after restarting the system in "Safe Mode with Networking"
   To start windows in Safe Mode, do the following.
   1. Tell windows to Shut Down (not sleep or hibernate).
   2. Press power button
   3. Continually tap F8 until the Windows Start Menu appears (black screen with white text).
   4. Use Up/Down arrow keys to select "Safe Mode with Networking", press enter
3. Make sure there is an active internet connection.
4. Start Malwarebytes by double clicking the icon on the desktop or from the Start, Programs list.
5. Click on Update tab. Click on "Check for Updates" button. Malwarebytes will search for updates, download and install them.

If you have a network connection during the installation, Malwarebytes should update automatically, otherwise, check for updates before starting a scan.

6. Click on the "Scanner" tab. Select "Perform full scan" (this takes the most time, but is recommended for the first time scan on an infected system), or "Perform quick scan". Click on the "Scan" button to start.

A Full Scan can take anywhere from 10 min. to 2 hrs. Malwarebytes will highlight in red details of infected files found.

7. When scan finishes, click "Show Results" button. A list of viruses, security issues, or any malware found will appear.
8. If the items are not selected, do so, and then click "Remove Selected" button. The malicious files or registry issues will be removed.
9. Restart the computer in normal windows mode. If Malwarebytes detected and removed threats in Safe Mode, it is recommended to repeat the scan process in normal mode to look for additional threats.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip of the Day: How to restore an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch to Factory Settings

Description: If an iOS device begins to function improperly, restoring the factory settings will usually resolve the issue.

1. Connect the device to the computer with a USB cable, then open iTunes. (Note: This tutorial was done on a Mac computer, though the Windows version is entirely the same process)
   
   


2. Locate the device along the left column. This will open the main hub for all current actions that can be performed on the device.
   
   


3. Click "Restore" then continue through the prompts that follow. To back up all the information on the device, choose "Back Up" when the message appears
   
   
   
   


4. Once the backup has completed, it will begin to download the firmware to restore the device. It can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the internet connection.
   
   


5. When the download has completed, it will begin to restore the device. This process takes about ten minutes.
   
   


6. The device may reboot several times. This is normal.
7. Once the restore has successfully completed, iTunes will prompt to give the device a name and to choose how to sync new media.
   
   


8. Now, turn on the device and follow through the initial setup. If there is information to be restored from a previous backup, iTunes will automatically restore this when it syncs. The device is now ready for use.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

Tech Tip of the Day: How to configure Windows 7 to log on automatically

Description: This article outlines the process of configuring Windows 7 to automatically log on to a user account on startup.

1. Left click on the Start Button.
2. Type "netplwiz" (without the quotes) into the Search programs and files Field.
   
   


3. Press the Enter Button on your keyboard.
4. Left click on the Check Box to the left of "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer".
5. Left click on the OK Button.
   
   


6. Enter the information associated with the account to which you would like Windows to automatically log on into the "Automatically Log On" Window that appears.
7. Left click on the OK Button to complete the process.
   
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

PC-101: How to use Windows DVD maker

Description: Introduction to Windows DVD maker.

1. To Open Windows DVD Maker go to:
   • Start
   • All programs
     
     
   
   
   • Windows DVD Maker
     
     
   
   
   • Windows DVD maker
   • Click on the "Add Items" button in the top left of the screen
     
     
   
   
   • This will give you a box to add videos and photos to the DVD
     
     
   
   
   • Click on the folder to the left and then the file name you want to add to your DVD project
   • You can add photos as well and they will form a slide show
   • Both your videos and photos will appear in the center with a length of time they will play
     
     
   
   
   • Now you will want to make sure that you have not exceeded the number of minutes for the DVD on the lower left and that you have given your project the name you want
     
     
   
   
   • Click the next button
   • Here you can choose a theme for your opening menu. Click the preview button to see the results of your choice.
   • Once you have finished the opening menu selection you are ready to burn the DVD
   • Click on the Burn button
     
     
   
   
   • The next screen will show the DVD being created.
     
     
   
   
   • When finished with this you can save your project and give it a name. Your DVD movie is now ready to be watched.
   
   

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to manually reset the Winsock catalog in Windows 7

When a computer is having difficulty connecting to a network and getting internet access, it is sometimes necessary to reset the Winsock Catalog. This guide will walk through how to manually reset the Winsock catalog in Windows 7.

1. Click Start
2. Type CMD in the Search Programs and Files field
   
   


3. Right click on the program titled CMD and select Run As Administrator
   
   


4. Within the command prompt window type netsh winsock reset
   
   


5. Press Enter to reset the Winsock
   
   


6. Close the command prompt
7. Restart the computer

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to uninstall and reinstall Internet Explorer in Windows 7

Description: This is a how-to article for reinstalling Internet Explorer in Windows 7. This would be most useful if there are issues with Internet Explorer or there are other reasons to reinstall it.

Note: Administrator privileges are required to complete these steps.

1. Click on the Start button in the bottom left corner of the screen.
   
   
   
2. In the Search Programs and Files box, type Programs and Features
   
   


3. Select the Programs and Features icon at the top.
   
   


4. On the new Programs and Features window, click on Turn Windows Features On or Off.
   
   


5. Provide administrative credentials if required, otherwise click Yes or Allow to proceed.
6. Uncheck Internet Explorer 8 or Internet Explorer 9 to remove it.
   
   


7. Click Yes on the Windows Features box that appears.
8. Click OK to finalize the change and wait as it uninstalls.
9. Once complete, restart the computer and proceed through steps #1 through #5.
10. Check the Internet Explorer option to have it marked for reinstall.
11. Click OK to finalize and wait as it reinstalls.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to manually reset the TCP/IP stack in Windows 7

When a computer is having difficulty connecting to a network and getting internet access, it is sometimes necessary to reset the TCP/IP stack. This guide will walk through how to manually reset the TCP/IP stack in Windows 7.

1. Click Start
2. Type CMD in the Search Programs and Files field
   
   


3. Right click on the program titled CMD and select Run As Administrator
   
   


4. Within the command prompt window type netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
   
   


5. Press Enter to reset the TCP/IP stack.
   • Note: you may receive a slightly different message than that which is shown.
   
   


6. Close the command prompt
7. Restart the computer

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to clear the Windows Update Download Cache in Windows 7

Description: This article describes the process of deleting the Windows Update download cache in Windows 7, potentially resolving many instances where Windows will "hang" or "freeze" at the "Installing Updates" screen while shutting down.

1. Left click on the Start Menu.
2. Type "C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download" in the Search programs and files field.
3. Left click on the Download Folder that appears.
   
   
   
   
4. Hold down the Ctrl Key on your keyboard and press the A Key on Your Keyboard to select the contents of the folder.
5. Press the Delete Key on your keyboard.
6. Left click on the Yes Button to delete the items.
7. Left click on the Continue Button if prompted.
   
   
   
   
8. Restart your computer to complete the process.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to use the Snipping Tool in Windows 7 to capture a screen shot

Description: Capturing a screenshot in Windows 7 has never been easier thanks to the Snipping Tool feature.

1. To open Snipping Tool, click Start » All Programs » Accessories » Snipping Tool
   
   


2. Once opened, click the New button in the Snipping Tool window to create a new screenshot. There are many different ways to capture, but the easiest is Rectangular Snip. This allows the selection to be manipulated in a rectangular fashion around the object to be captured.
   
   


3. Once selected, the cursor will form a set of crosshairs, meaning the selection process is ready to begin. Click and hold in top left corner of the object to be captured, and drag the mouse to the bottom right corner. This will turn the object from opaque, to solid, giving a visual confirmation that it was successfully selected.
   
   


4. When the mouse is released, a window containing a preview of the captured image will appear, providing the option to either re-capture the image or save it to the computer.
   
   


5. To save the image, click the Disk icon in the top left corner.

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.

How to install Windows XP mode in Windows 7 Professional

Description: How to install Win XP Mode in Windows 7 Professional - first steps

1. Open Internet Explorer and navigate to this link
   • Choose the operating system and language from the pull down menus
     
     
   
   
   • A screen with the download steps will appear.
     
     
   
   
2. Start with step 2 and download the Windows XP mode
   
   
   
   
   • A series of validation windows will come up that verify your computer is able to run Windows XP Mode.
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
   
3. After validation, download the file:
   • This is a large file - about 500 mb and will take between 20 minutes to an hour to download.
   • People accessing the internet through dialup may want to order the CD from Microsoft.
   • Internet Explorer may give a warning about a file downloading.
     
     
   
   
   • Click the bar to allow the download.
     
     
   
   
   • In the next box select the option to Save.
     
     
   
   
   • In the location box choose the Download Folder.
     
     
   
   
   • The file will now start downloading.
     
     
   
   
4. After the download completes click Start, Computer and choose the Downloads folder.
   • Then double click on WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe
     
     
   
   
   • Give permission to run this file downloaded from the internet.
     
     
   
   
   • Click Next on the setup windows that appears.
     
     
   
   
   • Click Next on the install location window.
     
     
   
   
   • Click Finish on the completion window.
     
     
   
   
5. Next, download Windows Virtual PC at step 3.
   
   
   
   
   • Save the file in the Downloads folder
   • When the download is complete double click the file to run it.
     
     
   
   
   • Confirm the install of the Windows update - (Microsoft distributes this as a update for the computer).
     
     
   
   
   • Accept the license terms for this software.
     
     
   
   
   • The Virtual PC mode will now install,
   • Click on Yes, to allow this program to make changes to the computer.
     
     
   
   
   • When Finished, the installer will ask to restart the computer and will complete the install during startup.
     
     
   
   
6. Once this portion is installed there will be a menu item on the All Programs called "Windows XP Mode". This must be run the first time to setup XP mode for the initial use.
   • Click on Start, All Programs, Windows Virtual PC, Windows XP Mode.
     
     
   
   
   • Accept the license terms for XP Mode.
     
     
   
   
   • Enter a password to be used for the XP mode, a user password and allow Windows to save this password.
     
     
   
   
   • Allow Automatic updates for the XP Mode and click Next
     
     
   
   
   • Allow the XP Mode to use shared drives so your files will be available to both Windows 7 and Windows XP.
     
     
   
   
   • The XP Mode setup will now use these settings to configure the first use of XP Mode. Please read the screens for basic information about how to use XP mode.
     
     
   
   
7. The opening screen of Windows XP! Success!
   
   
   
   
   • Note: you will need to install an Antivirus program on this version of Windows XP as well as on the Windows 7 computer

For more assistance contact Technical Support here.