The Legend of Computer Zorro

Zorro (Spanish for Fox) is the secret identity of Dave Woolsey, a gringo and master computer swordsman living in the Baja Norte, Southern California region. He defends the people of the land against spyware, malware, trojans and other villains, and is not only much too cunning and fox-like for the bumbling bad guys & hackers, but delights in publicly humiliating those same foes by righting their wrongs, while riding on his trusty horse Exterra.

Finding A Computer Repair Person You Can Trust

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 at 4:39 am  
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 computer_repair_zorro You have a computer repair that needs to get done right away. You are ready to take it anywhere. Question is, where should you take it? Does it really matter where you take it? Of course  it does. Here are some things you may have not considered before.

What kind of turn around time do they have? Some computer repair shops/people will take two to three weeks to return your computer to you. Are you ready to be without your computer for that long? If not, shop around. There are computer repair people/shops that can get your computer back to you in as little as a few hours. Some of these faster companies can charge more but the speed is worth it if you need to have your computer day to day.

What do they charge for their hourly fee? Some companies charge very high fees and take a really long time to get the computer back to you. You want to take your repair to a computer repair shop that will be quick and will do the repair right the first time. Look for a computer repair shop that will do so. Look for a company that can give you a solid quote before they start their work. You should also make sure they will contact you for approval if there is any reason to increase their repair bill before they start the repair.

Trust your gut. If after talking with someone at the shop in person you don't get a good feeling about them, walk away. In any given town there are many people who do computer repairs. Don't be afraid of shopping around.

Your Questions About Conficker Patch

Friday, December 2nd, 2011 at 10:00 am  
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James asks…

I just got this computer does that mean that my computer is already has the patch to prevent the conficker...?

I just got my computer does that mean my computer already has the patch that prevented the conficker virus?
I ran my antivirus scan and it said they didnt find anything. Can that still mean I have it and its not picking it up?

dave answers:

Run your Windows Update and your Anti-Virus program.

Keeping both up to date will usually decrease your chances of getting any virus.

Viruses are common for as long as we use the internet. We just have to TRY to keep our systems secure as much as we can.

Http://keepitsimplehtml.com

Steven asks…

Can't download microsoft Conficker patch directly from site....help!?

i need that patch from somebody or a different site so i dont get infected please help! thank you!

dave answers:

What?

Mark asks…

I need help installing the vista update patch for the conficker worm>?

Watch here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwayBDwMW8k

I don know why it saids the update is not for the system. I have vista service pack 1 and i run it but it saids its not for that kind of system!

watch the video i made it when in was trying to install it.
Oh and sorry for bad quality. I just uploaded and not hd yet

dave answers:

You may already have update # KB958644 already installed.

If you want to check, You can check by clicking Tools > Windows updates > View update history.

Sandra asks…

Conficker worm patch?

KB958644
I have it updated in october so do i need anything else to protect myself?

dave answers:

No, just have virus protection, all the latest updates from Microsoft and you're as protected as you can be. We've been dealing with viruses for over a decade now and I can only suggest don't lose sleep or worry yourself about it.

Conficker is the virus people are worried about. There is really nothing to worry about as long as you have anti-virus installed and the latest windows updates, you don't have to worry. In a rare case of calm-mongering, computer security companies and Microsoft are offering reassurance that the world won't end on April 1. They think Conficker won't do anything else, and if it does, they will be ready for it. The news on this virus has been insane, they just want people to panic and worry. I'm going to bet we're all going to wake up tomorrow and we're going to be just fine, computer wise that is. Don't lose sleep over it, not worth it. That's what these virus makers want, is panic

George asks…

Conficker.C alive and well Vista patch isn't working May 2009?

Hi all. I felt like I was prepared for the Conficker attack. All seemed well until a few days ago when I lost contact with the antivirus sites, microsoft, etc.

Malicious software removal detects Conficker.C. I've always had auto-updates enabled. I tried installing the Vista SP1 microsoft patch which said "The Update does not apply to your system.". I assumed that this meant I already had the patch installed.

No matter how many times I purge the conficker.c with malwarebytes and malicious software removal tool, it keeps coming back within a couple of hours.

Does anybody have any vista-related advice to shut this thing down?
I've used several tools to "clean" the worm. Windows MSRT, Malwarebytes, and others. They all report clean. The computer rescans successfully for a while, but then the worm comes back.

I applied the stupid Microsoft patches that are supposed to prevent me from getting infected, but they are not stopping it. Neither on XP, nor on Vista.

So, I suppose my question more so is to ask how to stop the infection from coming back if the Microsoft patches don't work.

dave answers:

Joe Stewart has created a very simple test that's available at the Conficker Working Group's site. If it says you're infected you can find a bunch of removals tools on the same site, including F-Secure's. You can also use a free cleaning tool in the their link below.

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Your Questions About Computer Repair Facts

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 at 10:00 pm  
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Mary asks…

Is computer repair technician a good field to pursue?

I am aware of the fact that they do not make a lot of money. I just want a job that i am going to like doing. Is this career field really in demand? I live in Michigan and wanted to know are there any jobs here for this field. Although this is a field that i am interested in pursuing, i do not want to go into this field if there are not many jobs for it.

dave answers:

Yes, I have a friend who owns his own computer repair business. He has been in business for about 15 years and has a little shop. Computer repair will always be in demand because even when the economy is bad (like now) people need their computers repaired, and especially when the economy is bad (like now) people are more willing to fix an old computer than to buy a new one.

Charles asks…

Will the computer repair store find my private stuff?

My Acer PC has to go in for repair (no kidding, right?). Anyway, I am wondering is there any way to password protect, or do something, so ALL of my private things, in fact anything personal at all on the hard drive, aren't visible to them, without password protecting each file and folder separately?
It feels scary to think that the repair man can have access to my whole life and work information?
Please help and has anyone else ever wondered this?

dave answers:

They absolutely will snoop through everything that they can. If they like your pictures they will copy them. If they like your music they will steal it.

Daniel asks…

computer repair business please need tips?

hello i need some adivse.im currently studying for network engineering,i work at a hotel front desk and im sick of it here working for 2 years.i wanna start my own business work my own hours.my question is if any one can give me tips on how to start on my own making my own money and how to make clients?im real knowledgeble on my repair stuff...if some one can help me with your facts and opinions i would appreciate that i live in miami...
thank you...

dave answers:

Well
open your shop making some nice impression surrounding to that area
and take help of your friends to spread that you are very good in repairing
make your customers feel really good for your work
and get repairing and new stuff for your shop at premium
as you are just going to start a new business you should be very keen in reserving money
so better follow premium store
my source gives the places where you can get low priced tools

Mark asks…

Helpful Computer Repair Companies; the type that list tools tips and tricks?

I am going to start writing a wiki-book about this subject. the article I wrote before, Computer Repair Technician on wikipedia I guess crossed into a how-to.

I know some sites will say use this($$) or best results this ($$$$$$). I will accept any help with this, and sift though them later.

Also, anyone know a reliable source that says the un-official software suites I see alot of places use, are in fact truly official??

Ad-aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, Etc.

Thanks in advance. :)

dave answers:

Http://forums.techguy.org/

It's not really a company, but they are very helpful.

George asks…

Has my computer repair guy duped me...?

So he actually came in to repair my laptop & then messed it up even more to the point where it needed to be formatted... so after formatting it, he puts in quick heal AV and leaves...

later i got an email (on my home computer in which this same guy had put quick heal for me like a week ago) saying it looks like your serial number has been pirated or sumthin like that...

btw, the QH he put on my laptop he didnt charge me for (as if to make up for the the fact that it was his mistake that required me to format my laptop in the first place) but has he put a pirated version of my home computer's quick heal... and if so, then is my laptop protected?

also, everytime i try to update my quick heal on my laptop i get all these dozens of pop ups which show me detection of trojans & 'suspicious files' on my C drive in documents & settings.....

i keep getting a red pop up (even as im typing right now, saying 'DNA scan Warning - 'suspicious file' and also an option - 'restore from quarantine, Do not prompt next time for this file' - do i check this box and say ok??

whats going on!! help!

Adrian

ps i also ran my own purchased software of advanced disc cleaner 5.0 & it showed me a lotta junk files namd quick heal!
crazyGuy - thank u! but still does a pirated version like the one he has given me still WORK? cud it be that coz of the pirated version iv now got a virus/malware?
also, do i take the option of 'restore from quarantine,Do not promt me agin about this file next time' option?
crazyGuy - sorry also forgot to mention the email that warned me of a pirated version beng used by someone also mentioned that i need not worry coz quick heal will make sure that version is stopped from working...

dave answers:

O mate !!! Got stuck in real problem !!!!
First of all, do not panic !! There are many Ways to get out of it !! The most simple method is, Just Uninstall ur Quick Heal antivirus, and then install a new antivirus program (not QuickHeal again, i would recomment AVIRA , d best antivirus program, free to download, and d best protection ). After installing the antivirus, first of all update it , and then scan ur system !!!!!! All of the old viruses of malwares will be removed and u get ur system working good for you !!!'

Good Luck !!!

Donna asks…

How to transfer songs and videos from ipod to windows vista computer?

Well, my old computer broke down (it decided not to work anymore) and I just got a new windows vista computer, and its great, but my old computer had all the songs on it, 3000 in fact. I brought my old computer in to a repair shop and they are trying to transfer all of the music, but its taking a long time for that to get done. Is there any (cheap) way to get the songs onto my new computer?

dave answers:

My computer did the exact same thing.

Go to kennettnet.co.uk

There is a software program called music rescue. It takes the songs on your ipod and copies them to your computer. All of your songs will be on your ipod still and also on your computer.

I used it the other day. It took a while and it brings up annoying reminders that you need to register (even though you don't). The reminders are every 50 songs. I had 2,328 songs to go through..

I didn't encounter any problems in using this software. The download is quick and easy and you get all of your songs on your new computer.

Good luck!

Richard asks…

Experienced computer repair folks, I am confused why this is working?

I just answered a question on here a few days ago about using 125 watt processors in motherboards that are not rated that high but my experiment is working right now as I write this. After answering this question I decided to try a backup 4 core 125 watt processor in an inexpensive ASRock N68-S back up motherboard. This motherboard is, of course, rated at 95 watts. I assumed the processor would not even work or fry something on the motherboard just like I answered in the question but to my complete surprise it is running flawlessly. Then I took it a step further and I over clocked the processor and then the RAM. I am doing this knowing and yes expecting the system to come crashing down as I wanted to see on my own how far I could take it before it died. Nothing happened and it has been running overclocked for about 5 or 6 days and it is purring like a baby kitten and it has run for over 10 days all together and has been left on for as many as 4 days stress test without being shut down. In fact the power supply is only a mid grade power supply rated at 500 watts. I am running a high quality Zalman copper cooler that keeps the processor at about 30-35 degrees C. Other than that nothing special is used in this system.

Let me make clear that I am not a Troll and I have many years experience repairing computers and today I run mainframe supper computers for the US government. So I know what I am doing and this does not make any sense as I have seen with my own eyes motherboards that have been fried do to what I am doing right now.

In your opinions what do you think is going on here? Could this model of motherboard been rated higher but due to trouble shooting expenses the board was down graded? Or will the system fail after some time? But that fact that this is even working for this long is what has me confused. Your thoughts please. Thanks.
Exactly kyle f and that is why this system should not be working or something should have fried by now but it is working in fact I am responding to you on it right now. I do know that some computer hardware is made at a higher ratting but some models do not get tested at their higher ratting or something gets rejected to save money and is sold at a lower ratting and price. They do this with processors all the time.

dave answers:

OK, this is simple. You've got a 4-core processor with a TDP of 125 watts. If you do the math, you will see that it maxes out about 31W per core (roughly). You've got a motherboard with power regulator circuits rated at 95W maximum. I doubt if it was built exactly to spec. There might be a little wiggle room in the 95W maximum TDP design of the motherboard, for CPU support. But even if we assume that 95W is the maximum...

If you are running any version of Windows...your first core is probably averaging 50% load, your 2nd core is probably averaging 5% load, your 3rd and 4th cores are idle. And I mean ALWAYS idle.

People don't understand that the software is playing "catch up" to the hardware, for a change. Buying a 4 or 6 or 8-core processor makes ZERO sense unless you are going to be running unix or some other SMP-aware Operating System. If you bought a 4-core processor for a Microsoft operating system, you just bought a very expensive DUAL core processor, actually.

So anyway...back to the power thing.

1st core averaging 50% if it's hammered hard. 2nd core running 5% average. At maximum 31W each core...
Running windows, you're probably maxing out about 31W for the CPU total, and averaging much less than that...for the whole CPU (all 4 cores).

So it makes perfect sense that it would run ultra stable. You are using about maybe 1/3rd of the TDP design off of the voltage regulator circuits on the motherboard.

Depending on how much you overclock, you might be able to push that up to about 40W total from the CPU (all four cores), but I doubt if you will load the voltage regulator circuits of the motherboard much past about 45% of maximum.

The missing puzzle piece is Windows. Windows does not use all four cores. It uses core 1 (about 31W) extensively. It uses core 2 also...but very lightly.

While I haven't tried this experiment myself...if I wanted to try to kill that motherboard, I'd google for some kind of burn-in program based on linux...something designed to give all four cores a good workout. THEN you might get all four cores going enough to make the motherboard VRC cry "uncle". (!)

Maria asks…

My computer has an IE 6 problem. How to repair it?

IE 6 can not connect with the internet. In fact, the connection of internet is fine. But I can not browse websites by using IE 6. What's wrong with it?

dave answers:

If your internet connection is fine, but your Internet Explorer 6 can not browse any site, it's because your IE 6 has some errors, to fix these IE 6 errors, using an Ie 6 repair tool is the easiest and safest way.

Robert asks…

How to repair a computer which lags due to hard shutdowns?

Hi,my computer is a bit laggy due to the fact that sometimes the monitor does not respond and i need to shut it down with the power button.I asked my dad about the lag and he told me something about FAT-File Allocation Table being damaged by the hard shutdown,and it will cause permanent damage.
Is there any way at all to fix this? When i start up my computer and i click on a program such as my browser or Control panel,it takes about 10 seconds to load it and if i click on it it will show a Not Responding beside the program name and it turns white.
Thanks so much for your feedback guys.
I already run Chkdsk with those privileges,it took about 2 hours but after that it still is slow.
As for the other answer,well it is only slow during startup.After about 10min after startup it seems to work fine.
I have searched using Spybot SnD,AdAware and Malwarebytes antimalware,just cant seem to find a problem with it except that it lags a lot post-startup.
Lol thanks you two for the feedback,i fixed it,it still lags a bit but it doesnt go to Not responding,so i am pretty happy with it.
I found out that Ad-Aware and Spybot SnD do not co-exist with each other,they seem to cause problems with my programs and screw things up,so i deleted Ad aware and now its perfectly fine.

dave answers:

Can you go into more detail about the problem? Is your computer only slow right after it has started up? Or it is always slow? Is everything slow? Did it gradually get slower, was it always slow, or did it suddenly just get slow one day?

I don't think your performance issues have anything to do with hard shutdowns. But it's hard to be sure because you really don't go into much detail.

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Your Questions About Conficker Patch Kb

Friday, November 18th, 2011 at 10:00 pm  
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Nancy asks…

Do I have the conficker worm, or is it a mimic?

The other day the text under my desktop icons lost all transparency and now have a blue bar around the text. So I opened mozilla to find a solution, and norton's notified me of an attempted attack. Weird, I thought.
Details:
An intrusion attempt by put.ghura.pl was blocked. And then some from click.winrar2009.cn, and goasi.cn. All being a HTTP malicious PDF Request.
So i ran a scan, found ten things (there's usually only one low level tracking cookie), it fixed them. Tried to run live update, wouldn't connect after ten minutes. I opened mozilla, then another attempted attack, and the microsoft site wouldn't open. System restore points are still there, but the fail to restore. Turned off the computer, got out my laptop and started investigating. Seems as though I have the same symptoms as conficker. Downloaded all of the 'official' conficker removal tools, including windows malicious software removal tool. None of them found it, not even in safe mode. The malicious software removal got to the end of the scan and then stayed on the one file, and the 'scan time' started to update every 3 seconds.

I followed the guide at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/962007 and downloaded all the recommended patches and stuff. Didn't work.

Running win xp home 32-bit, norton's internet security 2008.

dave answers:

There is a test to determine whether your computer is infected with Conficker or not. The test can be found here: http://www.2-viruses.com/remove-conficker

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Your Questions About Computer Repair Software Toolkit

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011 at 10:00 pm  
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John asks…

Putting together a Network Technician Toolkit?

I'm putting a network/pc repair toolkit together and I am finding that usually I am one if not more tools short for the jobs in question. The work is mainly standard Computer repair on hardware faults, resolution of software related problems on multiple platforms and networking/security support (on site).

Currently the kit I bring with me usually is as follows:

Bag
Netbook (dual boot windows/linux)
2 x wireless dongles (atheros and ralink)
All workstation Windows OS' and others
Software Diagnostic pack
50 piece toolkit including earthing strap etc
Portable SSD (128gb) hard drive
4x USB flash drives (8gb)
4x Video Adapters (vga->dvi etc)
Wireless mouse/soft-keyboard/headset
Usb DVD drive
Various cables (networking/AV)

I doubt ill be doing any 100 node roll-outs anytime soon, but I'm looking for an experience tech who can tell me about the vital items im missing if possible,

Thanks

dave answers:

If possible, try to include a cable tester. Simply hooking up an ethernet cable to the netbook will indeed tell you if the connection is solid, but, if it isn't, then you need a tool that can not only tell you if there's a problem with the cable, but where it is (distance-wise from the tester itself). Otherwise, it looks like you have a pretty good set of tools.

I've found (for network troubleshooting anyway) that BackTrack Linux can do a LOT of penetration testing and network security auditing, especially for wireless networking. Consider using it if you are serious about network security troubleshooting and testing.

Also think about bringing a multimeter with you. You'd be surprised how many computers have issues due to a bad/failing/failed power supply.

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