A health check will optimise your PC’s performance by correcting errors within Windows and the file structure therefore improving overall Windows efficiency.

We will scan your system for virus's, update Windows security and drivers to the latest patches, check and correct registry errors and lost short cuts, clear out unwanted data and defragment your hard drive to improve application load time thereby reducing the likelihood of file corruption from occurring.

Additionally we will run diagnostic and quality assurance software to check and test your motherboard, processor, memory and hard disks and provide a certificate of health.  We recommend that a health check  is carried out once each year ideally to coincide with your security renewal. Think of it like your cars annual service.

Your data is safe: *All systems are imaged (backed up) to a secure RDCS system prior to work being carried out. *limited to 40Gb.

RDCS workshop only.  We aim to complete the Health Check and optimisation within a 24 hour period.

There is normally a fixed charge for this service, however if we need to remove viruses/*malware/**spyware etc or repair a mechanical problem we will advise you of the additional cost. In some cases Windows becomes conjested beyond fixing and a reload of the Operating System will be advised.

*Malware - "malicious software" - software with clearly malicious, hostile, or harmful functionality or behavior which is used by criminals to compromise and endanger inividual PCs as well as entire networks.

**Spyware - Software designed to monitor a person's computer activity surreptitiously and which transmits that information over the internet, again this can be used for criminal purposes.

Unable to start Windows

If your PC gets to the point of loading Windows then suddenly reboots then the following has occured:

• a recent change in software - causing registry corruption. Note: The registry contains all the information necessary to run Windows and your applications.
• a recent change in a driver.
• virus/trojan

Try to start the system in safe mode - repeatedly press F8 when the system is starting until a menu appears giving options for recovery.

Attempt recovery in the following order (XP, Vista & Windows 7)

• F8 - Last known good configuration - restart system - if system fails to start normally then:
• F8 - (Vista/W7 only) - repair system - follow prompts - restart system - if this fails normally then:
• F8 - Safe mode - if this works then select system restore from Start - Program Files/application data/system tools/system restore - select an earlier restore point (last known good configuration uses the last system restore point so you will need to try further back) - if the fails to start normally then:
• F8 - Diagnostic startup.
  • Vista/W7 (click Start - type 'msconfig' in the search box then enter).
  • XP (Click Start - run - type 'msconfig').
    • Both - Select services - hide all Microsoft services - apply. Select startup - disable all - apply. Reboot system. If this fails:
• F8 - Safe mode but this time carry out a disk check. This can be done two ways.
  1. Safe mode
  2. Using Windows Installation CD.
     
  • F8 - Safe Mode. Open my computer - right click C: drive - left click properties - tools - check disk (tick both boxes) - a message will appear saying that the disk is locked and the check will be performed at the next boot up - accept message then reboot. If the system fails to start normally after the check then
  • Windows Installation CD
    Start the system with the Windows installation CD (the CD drive must be selected as first boot device in the BIOS). Select R (Repair). A black box with white writing will appear asking for the Adminstrator password (only required if configured when Windows originally installed) - follow prompts. At the prompt type chkdsk c: /f

If all this fails then a workshop repair is required.

Quick guide to Healthy Computing

Recovery

Most computers purchased on the High Street don't have any recovery software and put the onus on you to create a set of recovery CD's. In the event of disk corruption or a corrupted Windows installation without recovery software, the repair becomes very time consuming. Ensure you have a full system backup or better still, a system image to avoid a dilemma becoming a tragedy. All RDCS computers have original Genuine software and a recovery partition thereby having two methods of recovery.

Windows Security

Keep Windows in date for critical updates monthly - Do this by logging onto the internet and then selecting Tools - Windows update.  You will be directed to the Windows website - select 'Scan for Update'.  Revue and install all critical patches that are automatically selected.   Windows XP with Service Patch 2 will automatically install updates and prompt you when they are ready to be installed. Vista is currently at Service Patch 1. XP is at Service Patch 3. Windows XP contains its own Firewall.  Service patch 2 contains improved security and switches on the Firewall by default and prompts you if your security settings are incorrect - therefore check that XP is at least SP2 (this information is shown by right clicking my computer, left click properties.)

Anti-virus

Check your Anti-virus has the latest update.  Most AV will automatically check for and install updates when you are connected to the internet.  Better products like Kaspersky check hourly for updates.

Click here for the Latest Virus threats

Firewall

Vista and XP have their own built in firewall which provides some protection. Internet Security products such as Norton Internet Security, Kaspersky Internet Security etc overide the Windows firewall for a more detailed and effective protection. Ensure your firewall and AV start-up each time you start Windows. Therefore you need to know if the your Windows firewall is on or Internet Security is working correctly. Kaspersky makes this easy by warning you if something is not running with a simple button named 'fix me'.

You can check your security (exposure to viruses/hacking) by using the Kaspersky online-scanner - click here 

Free Software – Spy ware / Malware

Avoid free software unless you can be sure of its content.  Be wary of free program downloads on the internet as it may contain spyware/malware which if unchecked can cause more damage to your system than a virus.

Update and run your spy-ware remover program eg Microsoft Defender, Malwarebytes, Ad-aware SE / Spybot Search and Destroy every 2-3 weeks.  Make sure your Anti-virus application is the latest version (older versions do not protect you from spyware.)  Quarantine  or delete all objects detected (if using Windows ME or XP create a restore point before removing spyware.)

Even if you have Internet Security or Anti-virus installed it is still worth checking your system with another anti-spyware/malware product but don't install TWO anti-virus programs as these will clash.

Defragment

Defragment every 2-3 weeks.   Tip.  It is quicker to do this in safe mode (if using Windows 98, ME or XP) (Windows without start-up drivers) do this by selecting F8 when you boot the PC (keep pressing until a menu appears). Select safe mode.  Note:  No graphics driver will be loaded and you will have to reposition your desktop icons when you later reboot back into Windows.

System Restore

Create a system restore point prior to installing any new software or hardware (ME and XP), Vista does this automatically, but it's worth checking that it is working.  If things should go wrong after the installation use the last restore point to repair the system.

Driver Updates

Check for updates for your hardware/software by logging onto the respective manufacturer’s website e.g. HP, Epson etc.  Locate your product (usually under support or downloads). Note: Some downloads may be large therefore don't attempt this if using a dial up connection. We can help.

Don't forget to backup!