Adware is software that often comes attached or bundled with freeware or shareware. The author of the freeware or shareware generates a revenue stream from the bundled adware. The adware may track user web activity or provide context based advertising in the form of pop-up windows. Adware will not normally delete or corrupt files on your computer but as it runs in the background, it will slow your computer down.

A full adware scan on your computer will take more than half an hour, depending on the number of files on your PC and the speed of the computer. Once the adware has been detected and identified, it must be removed by using specialist anti-adware software tools, sometimes running the PC in safe mode and disconnected from the internet. Removal of adware by simply deleting the adware program files may disable your internet connection.

For continued protection from adware you must be very cautious when clicking on unknown links and you should regularly scan for adware using reputable adware detection applications such as SpyBot Search and Destroy and Lavasoft AdAware. Be aware that a large number of other programs that claim to be adware removal tools are spyware themselves. The Spyware Warrior website has a wealth of information about these programs.

Before you call us, let's see if something simple has gone wrong.

Symptom: Totally dead computer. Check the power switch on the back of the PC is turned on. Check that the computer lead is pushed fully home. Check that the monitor (screen) lead is pushed fully home. Check that power is getting to the PC by using another mains powered device in the wall socket and see if it works. Try using another IEC mains lead - perhaps the fuse in the lead's plug has blown.

Symptom: More than one beep when the PC starts up. Check that the mouse and keyboard connectors are pushed in fully. Check that internal cards and memory chips are pushed in fully.

Symptom: Error "non system disk". Take out floppy disks and CDs from their drives. Restart the PC.

Most computer viruses are caught by opening e-mail attachments or by downloading corrupted software from the internet. If you suspect that your PC has been infected by a virus then look out for the following symptoms:

Slow running PC. Many extra processes are found running in the background. (With Win XP type ctrl-alt-delete and check the processes tab. Can you associate each process with a known software application or with the operating system?)

People that you know complain that they are receiving infected e-mail from you. (Many viruses send e-mail automatically to people in your address books).

Your modem appears to be trying to connect to the internet by itself. (Some viruses attempt to make modem connections via international telephone numbers, giving you substantial telephone bills.)

Your internet connection is dropped unexpectedly or your PC restarts by itself. (The recent virus "Blaster" caused this symptom)

You cannot access popular anti-virus software suppliers like Norton(Symantec), McAfee, Panda or Sophos. (Some viruses block access to websites that can help you remove computer viruses).

Desktop hijacker malware alters and then locks the appearance of your computer desktop. Smitfraud Desktop hijacker aka Antivirus Gold is a recent program that has this behavior. This malware will change the Windows desktop wallpaper to a fake error message.

The image shows a blue screen and the following text: Security warning: A fatal error in IE has occurred at 0028:C0011E36 in VXD VMM(01) + 00010E36. Error was caused by Trojan-Spy.HTML.Smitfraud.c

System can not function in normal mode. Please check you security settings. Scan your PC with any available antivirus / spyware remover program to fix the problem.

We can detect and remove desktop hijackers.

A computer dialer is a computer program which makes a connection to the Internet or another computer network over an analogue telephone network. A malicious dialer virus may change your dialup connection from a pay-per-minute 0845 number or an unlimited 0800 number to a premium rate 09xx number silently and without your consent. This may result in massive telephone bills.

We can detect and remove malicious dialer software

Many computer users have been fooled by fake anti-virus alerts that pop up on screen. These alerts will often show a message stating that viruses have been detected on your PC and then request a payment to scan and remove these viruses. In fact, the alert is the virus itself! If you have already paid an amount by credit card then contact your bank immediately to cancel the transaction. It may also be wise to obtain a new credit card because your card details may have been recorded for future fraudulent use by the fake anti-virus scammers.

We can identify and remove fake anti-virus products

We can setup or troubleshoot your internet and e-mail access. You need to have a username and password to access a broadband or dial-up account. These details will have been sent to you when you first ordered the account from the Internet Service Provider. The access telephone number for telephone modem access will also be needed.

If you are connected to the internet then the most common reasons for e-mail failure are: I

• incorrect username or password settings in your e-mail program
• Incorrect mail server names eg mail.serviceprovider.com
• Incorrect settings in your firewall or other security programs

A keylogger is a computer program that captures the keystrokes of a computer user and stores them, possibly for future transmission to a remote location by e-mail. Some keyloggers can store additional personal information, such as images from the user’s screen.

A full keylogger scan on your computer will take about one hour, depending on the number of files on your PC and the speed of the computer. Once a keylogger is detected, it must be removed by using specialist anti-keylogger software tools, sometimes running the PC in safe mode and disconnected from the internet. Often it is necessary to manually undo changes made by the keylogger to the registry.

For continued protection from computer keyloggeres you must keep up to date with the recommended Microsoft Windows critical updates and install reputable anti-keylogger software.

We can detect and remove computer keyloggers

We specialise in IBM compatible laptop repair and maintenance. If your laptop fails to start up there may be a fault in the power supply - check if the LED is lit. If the power supply seems to be working but the laptop has been dropped then the laptop power connector may have been damaged.

If you are an Apple user then we may be able to offer general advice on networking, modem and popular software packages. For specific Apple computer hardware issues we may be able to direct you towards local Apple computer experts.

We offer a laptop repair and maintenance service in the Sheffield area. After a while your laptop may begin to overheat as the cooling vents become blocked. We can solve most laptop overheating problems by giving your laptop a thorough spring clean.

If you are an Apple user then we may be able to offer general advice on networking, modem and popular software packages. For specific Apple computer hardware issues we may be able to direct you towards local Apple computer experts. 

Malware is a generic term covering a range of program types designed to attack, degrade or prevent the intended use of a computer or network. The term malware can include viruses, worms, Trojans and malicious active content. When there is invasion of privacy for the intention of fraud or identity theft, the term spyware is used.

A single malware scan on your computer will take about one hour, depending on the number of files on your PC and the speed of the computer. Once a malware is detected, it must be removed by using specialist anti-malware software tools, sometimes running the PC in safe mode and disconnected from the internet. Often it is necessary to manually undo changes made by the malware to the registry.

For continued protection from computer malware you must keep up to date with the recommended Microsoft Windows critical updates and install reputable anti-malware software.

We can detect and remove computer malware.

If your computer is vital to your business and you need to keep your PC on your own premises then we can make an onsite repair visit at a time to suit you. The advantage of allowing us to take the computer back to our lab is that we have sophisticated diagnostic equipment there and fast connections to the internet for retrieval of the latest hardware driver updates. When we visit your site it is helpful if you can have your computer's original hardware driver CDs available and telephone or broadband access to the internet. While our engineers are onsite they will be glad to answer any other technical queries as repairs progress.

We can repair your computer onsite

We have many partially sighted PC clients and we can make your computer or laptop more user-friendly to use. Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 all have settings built-in that let you change the screen font size and colour schemes to enhance the contrast. There is also a screen magnifier feature that follows the mouse cursor and magnifies the underlying display area. We can also install a screen reader that will read any text-based to you with an electronic voice.

If you have Windows XP installed with the latest service pack 2 installed, then popups should not be a problem because they are blocked by Internet Explorer itself. If popups still appear then your computer has probably been corrupted by malware of some kind. Please note that almost all of the warning messages that offer to block popup advertisements are malware themselves. It is best to root out and remove the underlying spyware, adware or virus cause of the popups rather than install another level of unnecessary software.

We can identify and remove popup generators

Advertising popup windows have been found to be one of the top irritations for computer users. Popups are usually generated by malware resident on your computer, but may also start from certain web pages.

If you have Windows XP installed with the latest service pack 2 installed, then popups should not be a problem because they are blocked by Internet Explorer itself. If popups still appear then your computer has probably been corrupted by malware of some kind.

Please note that almost all of the warning messages that offer to block popup advertisements are malware themselves. It is best to root out and remove the underlying spyware, adware or virus cause of the popups rather than install another level of unnecessary software.

We can identify and remove popup malware

Spyware is software that collects information about your internet browsing habits and other personal information without your express permission. It is often used for marketing and advertising purposes.

If you have unintentionally downloaded or become infected with spyware you may experience some of the following symptoms:

The start page in your web browser has changed and you cannot restore it to your preferred starting page. There are additional toolbars at the top of your browser window. When you are browsing the internet, new instances of the browser (new windows) appear containing advertisements. When you turn on the PC, the web browser starts automatically and displays an advertisement. New pages appear in your favorites list. Links within software application packages do not work.

We can detect and remove spyware

A full virus scan on your computer will take about one hour, depending on the number of files on your PC and the speed of the computer. Once a virus is detected, it must be removed by using specialist anti-virus software tools, sometimes running the PC in safe mode and disconnected from the internet. Often it is necessary to manually undo changes made by the virus to the registry.

For continued protection from computer viruses you must keep up to date with the recommended Microsoft Windows critical updates and install reputable anti-virus software.

We can detect and remove computer viruses

A wireless router lets you share a broadband connection between networked computers. A wireless router is usually used in combination with an ADSL or cable broadband modem. For convenience, it is best to buy a combined wireless broadband modem router as a single unit if possible, to reduce wiring and setup complexity. It is wise to have several (typically 4) ethernet RJ45 sockets on the router to allow wired connection from computer to the router via standard cables.

Each networked desktop computer or laptop must have either a wired or wireless network card installed to make a connection. PCI cards for a desktop and USB adaptors for laptops or desktops cost about £25 each.

Computers are more vulnerable to viruses when connected permanently to the Internet via broadband. For continued protection from computer viruses you must keep up to date with the recommended Microsoft Windows critical updates and install reputable anti-virus software.

We can install wireless broadband routers

We can setup or troubleshoot your wireless home network.

If you cannot access the internet through your wireless network then the most common reasons for failure are:

• Incorrect security settings eg WEP, WPA
• Incorrect installation of wireless network card or USB device
• Wireless disabled or turned off on your laptop
• Incorrect settings in your firewall or security software

Computers are more vulnerable to viruses when connected permanently to the Internet via broadband. For continued protection from computer viruses you must keep up to date with the recommended Microsoft Windows critical updates and install reputable anti-virus software.

We can install wireless broadband routers