Secrets the Geek Squad Doesn’t Want You to Know.

Keeping that bleeping laptop or desktop running smoothly, isn’t always as easy as having antivirus software installed.  There are programs, apps, and toolbars, waiting to invade your hard drive and wreak havoc on your computer.  So, what do the experts do to keep garbage out of their computers?  It’s simple, really.  I’m going to show you how to get rid of those horrible, evil toolbars, adware, and junk programs.

Now, if you don’t have antivirus program, you have several choices, and they are all absolutely free.  Let’s start with Microsoft Security Essentials.

You can download it from this link.  Microsoft Security Essentials Download

Another good and free antivirus program is AVG Antivirus. 

Now, not all antivirus programs will detect all adware.  These programs install themselves, without your knowledge.  Even when you download legitimate software, you run the risk of downloading and installing potentially unwanted programs (PUP’s)  as seen below.

Malwarebytes is another free program that will help rid you adware, You can download it here.  Malwarebytes

Now that you have downloaded and ran your antivirus, and antimalware software, you might want to really clean up your computer. Download CCleaner

Now one last tip.  Most computers come from the factory with junk programs already installed.  To get rid of these unwanted programs, particularly the ones that you will never use, go to Control Panel in Windows.

Once in Control Panel find Uninstall Programs. 

Then look through your list of installed programs.  If you see anything that has the words, toolbar, coupon, or anything your recognize as a program you do not use, simply select it by clicking on it, and then click UNINSTALL.

Be careful!  Do not uninstall anything you are not 100% sure is a program you can live without!  Many of the programs operate hardware on your computer.  If you aren’t sure, leave it alone!  Now you know enough to protect yourself from slow computing, freeze ups, and adware.  Good luck.

No Pain no Gain

Well, I just returned from my first ever physical therapy session, after injuring my shoulder.  Seems like the older I get the more things hurt, and the longer it takes for them to stop hurting.  While I have always thought I had a high pain tolerance, I am beginning to wonder if I am human after all.

In the past 48 years, I have endured several cuts, bruises, numerous stiches, and a fractured Tibia, for which I never received any medical attention.  I was once ran over by an old tractor, which left me in the hospital for three days with a bruised Kidney. 

None of those compare to the daily grinding and popping of the knee joints, and other various body parts.  Now I went and done it!  My left shoulder feels like someone is sticking a knife in it every time I raise it above me head.  “Does it hurt when you do this?” said the doctor.  “Yes, a lot.” I replied.  He looked at me with a straight face and said, “Well don’t do it then.”  Ah, the joys of getting older.  If I am not hurting, then I begin to worry.  Anyway, we will see if this “PT” actually helps.  Until next time…

Where's my cake?

Only a little while until my birthday, September 25.  I recently got my hands on my baby book.  Stacey was surprised to see pictures of me as a child in the house we live in now.  There is one of me in the yard with my grandmother, and the pine trees were really short back then.  Strange to look back and see things as they were and as they are now.  Amazing what things stay the same.  I only wish I had my yearbooks, and photo albums that got left in Tucson.  So many lost memories.