Computer Tuneup

If there is one thing no PC user wants to see it is that their CPU usage is at 100%. When this occurs it signifies that there are major troubles ahead and it is an issue that needs to be addressed right away.

100% CPU Usage Symptoms

If your PC is letting you know that your CPU usage is at 100% you will likely know it. Because this means that all of your available memory is being used, your PC will slow dramatically. In some cases, if not attended to in a timely manner, this problem can lead to far worse consequences such as frequent freezes and/or crashes.

100% CPU Usage Causes

There are many factors that can attribute to your 100% CPU Usage troubles. In some cases it may be that your PC has very little, or even cheap, memory. However, it is more commonly a problem with the PC itself such as malware running in the background without you knowing or a registry that is disorganized and/or corrupted.

Fixing 100% CPU Usage

When you see that you are at 100% CPU Usage the first thing to do is to check your memory. If you find that the memory your PC contains is sufficient then you likely have malware issues that need to be attended to.

Steps:

1. Start your PC in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key during startup.
2. Find the anti-malware software icon located on your tool tray or on your desktop and double-click to open it.
3. Scan the entire PC instead of just doing a quick scan.
4. Delete any and all malware or other adware programs that are found.

Restart your computer for changes to take place.

Service Pack 3 is a quick fix type of support for PC users that have Windows XP as their operating system. However, what is meant to be used as an aid can sometimes turn into a hindrance and when it does a Service Pack 3 Error will occur.

Service Pack 3 Error Symptoms

When a Service Pack 3 Error occurs you are alerted with a message. Most commonly you can expect to see messages such as “Service Pack 3 Error. Access is denied” or even “Service Pack 3 setup error. Service Pack installation did not complete.” No matter what message you get the end result will be the same; Service Pack 3 will not work for your PC.

What Causes Service Pack 3 Error

These types of errors generally occur due to system registry keys disallowing the Service Pack 3 to load. This can happen due to old and outdated drivers and is very common with a computer that has a corrupt registry. It might also be that your computer’s anti-virus software is disallowing the update to take place.

Fixing Service Pack 3 Error Troubles

Many times it is a third party program, like your computer’s anti-virus software, that is causing the fuss with the update. You can attempt to install the Service Pack 3 application after turning off your anti-virus but beware that your computer will be unprotected if you do.

Steps:

1. Close all open programs and restart your POC.
2. Disable your anti-virus software.
3. Attempt to reinstall the Service Pack 3 application.
4. Restart your computer.

Enable your anti-virus software again.

When your computer has a CD-ROM Not Responding problem it means you can’t run programs that require a CD. It might also mean that there is much more going on with your computer than you might realize so you should address the situation right away.

CD-ROM Not Responding Symptoms

Anytime you are having CD-ROM Not Responding problems you will know it as you will not be able to use your computer’s CD-ROM for anything. This means no program running, no CD playing and, if it is a burnable CD-ROM, you will also lose the ability to burn any data to disc.

CD-ROM Not Responding Causes

The range of culprits that can be at the root of your CD-ROM Not Responding problems is wide. It can be anything from a CD that is dirty to a corrupt computer registry. It might also be that your CD-ROM device drivers are out of sorts and in need of updating and/or replacing.

Getting Rid of CD-ROM Not Responding Problems

Again, as there are multiple cause for a CD-ROM Not Responding problem, there are different solutions you can try.

Solution 1: Inspect and Clean the Disc.

Steps:

1. Eject the CD from the CD-ROM.
2. Inspect the disc for any particles of dirt and/or smudges.
3. Use a particle fiber cloth to clean the disc.
4. Attempt to run the disc in the CD-ROM again.

Solution 2:  Check Device Manager

1. Click the Start Button.
2. Click on Control Panel.
3. Double-click on System.
4. Click on the Hardware tab.
5. Click on the Device Manager tab.

If the CD-ROM ha an exclamation point on it, highlight it and press the Delete key and restart your computer to reinstall the CD-ROM drive.

A Low Disk Space Error can occur if you are a PC user trying to access the local hard disk on your computer and there is little space left. While the warning is a necessary one to have, the fact that you will receive this message every few seconds as long as you are online is a fact that is rather annoying.

Low Disk Space Error Symptoms

When this error occurs you are alerted with a pop up style error message. As mentioned, you will get this message every few seconds which is really doing nothing more than trying to get you to deal with the issue.

Low Disk Space Error Causes

Logically, the most common cause of a Low Disk Space Error is going to be a disk drive that is actually low on space. However, it might also be that your disk drive has space available, but it is loaded with all sorts of fragmented files. Another possibility could be that your PC’s registry is dangerously cluttered.

Low Disk Space Error Solutions

This error message will continue to pop up until you deal with it. The first thing you should do is defragment your disk drive:

Steps:

1. Click the Start Button.
2. Open My Computer.
3. Find the local disk volume that you will defragment and right-click it.
4. Click Properties.
5. Find the tab marked Tools, click where it says Defragment Now.
6. Click Defragment.
7. Restart your computer once finished.

If you still receive the error message after a defrag you will have little choice but to get rid of files and folders you no longer need. Otherwise, the Low Disk Space Error will simply continue to pop up on your machine.

Anytime that you decide to try to load a program or just run one you may come across an error that states there is not enough memory for your computer to execute the task. While it might be the case that your computer is just running out of memory, it might be something else and something that can be addressed.

Not Enough Memory Symptoms

When you computer’s memory is really running low it may take longer to access certain files and/or programs. Additionally, you may not be able to execute certain tasks such as run a .wav file. When this happens you will see an error message that reads something like:

“Not enough memory available to complete this operation. Quit one or more applications to increase available memory, and then try again.”

Not Enough Memory Causes

When your computer is telling you there is not enough memory then there are only two things that can be causing it. Either your commuter really is extremely low on memory or your system is jammed up with too much information, much of which is likely corrupt from a virus and/or malware. This can also happen when a computer’s registry becomes cluttered and corrupt.

Not Enough Memory Fixes

If you first determine that your computer does have plenty of memory then you can follow these steps to attempt to alleviate the problem:

1. Run a scan of your complete system checking for viruses, malware, and adware using your anti-virus software.
2. If anything is found, delete it immediately.
3. Restart your computer when finished in order to allow all changes to take effect.

Additionally, you can check with the Microsoft support page to see if there is a Hotfix for the specific error you are getting. If there is you can execute it by following the instructions and you will not have to restart your computer once the Hotfix is complete.

There is little that is more frustrating for a PC user than having a mouse freeze while being in the middle of work or play. Unfortunately, this is something that happens to the majority of the PC users out there, but that doesn’t mean you necessarily need a new mouse.

Mouse Freeze Symptoms

When your mouse freezes you certainly know it. It’s kind of like trying to drive a car without a steering wheel. When you mouse freezes up there is literally nothing you can do. Whatever program you are in, you are stuck in until your mouse is unfrozen.

Mouse Freeze Causes

When your mouse decides to freeze up it is usually at a very inopportune time and this can happen for several reasons. It may be that the sensors that are a part of your mouse are dirty. This happens a lot with a track-ball style mouse. If your mouse is wireless, it could be that the battery is low or that your USB is not connected properly. However, it could also be that your drivers need updating.

Fixing a Mouse Freeze

Fixing your mouse freeze should include a list of steps that will not only fix the problem, but steps that will also help maintain your mouse going forward:

Steps:

1. Ensure the connection with your mouse to your PC is good.
2. If wireless, ensure a fresh battery is installed.
3. Clean your mouse at any points necessary. You can usually take a mouse apart in order to get to its sensors.
4. Go online and find the latest drivers for your mouse and make sure you are fully up to date. Be cautious and choose a reputable website for this.

Tuning up your computer will help it run the way that it was meant to. Over time, if your computer is not maintained it can go slower due to a number of reasons and if left untreated, you can eventually be left with a computer that runs as slow as molasses. More…

Spyware and adware are two things that can spread total destruction on your computer. If left untreated for too long, your computer may be susceptible to slowdowns or even crashes due to spyware and adware. More…