Servicing my laptop - has anyone used the Geek Squad?

Serendipity1956

Hi there, my laptop needs servicing asap as it's running very slowly. I'm hoping to get it done remotely. Was thinking of using the Geek Squad, or a similar service. Has anyone used the Geek Squad and would you recommend? Or do you have any other suggestions.

BT tell me that my CP Usage is too high and is slowing down my laptop. They've also told me that I have too many temporary files but I've been unable to delete them. Pages take ages to open and I often get a box saying 'page is not responding'. I also sometimes get a box saying that my virtual memory needs to be extended.

Any advice would much appreciated. Thanks.

macman

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849
I suggest that you follow the advice on the sticky above and DIY. Plenty of advice available on here if needed.
As for Geek Squad, don't touch 'em. Use a local independent PC repair shop or service if you can't do it yourself (but you can).
Once you've cleaned up your system you probably need some more RAM installing-again a very easy DIY job.

TakeThis

Download, install and run CCleaner Choose 'Run Cleaner'.


Download, install, update and run a Quick Scan with Malwarebytes' AntiMalware. When complete, choose 'Remove Selected' if there is anything to remove and Reboot your computer.

After restart, open the program again and go to 'Logs'. Double click on the log produced for today and post the contents here.


Next;

Open CCleaner
Then using the same program; Go to Tools > Start up and click on the save to text file button in the bottom right hand corner. Save the text file to your Desktop. Go to Tools > Uninstall and repeat the exercise.
Post both of these in your reply.

John_Gray

Serendipity1956 wrote: »

Hi there, my laptop needs servicing asap as it's running very slowly. I'm hoping to get it done remotely.

If it's running slowly, then getting it sorted out remotely could take all day - at eye-watering cost.

Serendipity1956 wrote: »

Was thinking of using the Geek Squad.

+n for macman's comment!

Serendipity1956 wrote: »

BT tell me that my CP Usage is too high and is slowing down my laptop. They've also told me that I have too many temporary files but I've been unable to delete them. Pages take ages to open and I often get a box saying 'page is not responding'. I also sometimes get a box saying that my virtual memory needs to be extended.

All this could be sorted out by a local repair shop.

Are you running XP, and how much memory does your laptop have? Is there enough free disk space?

usignuolo

where do you live?

Serendipity1956

Yes it's Windows XP. Sorry to sound a bit thick, but what I know about computers/memory etc. you can write on a postage stamp.

I know when the BT guy downloaded Internet Explorer, he clicked on the 32 as opposed to 62. I seem to have a lot of temporary files that I don't need, but we were unable to delete them. I also think I may have some software on here that I don't need. It's a Dell laptop that I've had for about six years.

In answer to the next thread, I'm based in Barnet, Herts.

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

TakeThis

Serendipity1956 wrote: »

Yes it's Windows XP. Sorry to sound a bit thick, but what I know about computers/memory etc. you can write on a postage stamp.

I know when the BT guy downloaded Internet Explorer, he clicked on the 32 as opposed to 62. I seem to have a lot of temporary files that I don't need, but we were unable to delete them. I also think I may have some software on here that I don't need. It's a Dell laptop that I've had for about six years.

In answer to the next thread, I'm based in Barnet, Herts.

Thanks to everyone for your advice.

Get started on post #3. Once we have completed that and ensured there is no obvious malware, we can look at the contents of post #2.
In fact closed may just appear to help you clear it up himself, once you have completed the instructions in post #3.

As to remote fixing, if it came to it, I am sure there are a few trusted members here that would do it without charge. Though it is not a practice encouraged by the forum management.

Serendipity1956

Thanks for your advice. The CC scan seems to have cleared a lot of stuff and my laptop is already running a bit faster which is great.

I was about to download the free version of Malwarebytes but it says "If malware is found using the free one time download, your current anti-virus is not effective." Does this mean if I use Malwarebytes it will wipe my BT McAfee anti-virus?

TakeThis

Serendipity1956 wrote: »

Thanks for your advice. The CC scan seems to have cleared a lot of stuff and my laptop is already running a bit faster which is great.

I was about to download the free version of Malwarebytes but it says "If malware is found using the free one time download, your current anti-virus is not effective." Does this mean if I use Malwarebytes it will wipe my BT McAfee anti-virus?

Are you downloading Malwarebytes from my link? Do so.

It will not affect McAfee.

macman

No, what it means is that McCrappy is a useless AV program-which we already knew.
Ineffective would have been a better way to phrase it.
Whe your system is clean remove it (using the McAfee Removal Tool) and install a decent free AV program such as Avira, Avast or MSE.
The two will be fine together in the meantime, as MBAM only runs on demand.

googler

Serendipity1956 wrote: »

Yes it's Windows XP. Sorry to sound a bit thick, but what I know about computers/memory etc. you can write on a postage stamp.

!!!!!!, don't you want to LEARN ....??? Don't you want to acquire new skills and knowledge? Don't you want to be able to do this yourself so that you don't have to hire people like the Geek Squad?