It’s almost Halloween! In the spirit of the holiday, specifically zombies, in this post we cover some of the most recurring (back from the dead) questions we’ve run into so far this year!

Q:  I see a lot of these online “PC Optimizers” advertised on tv.  Do they really work?

A:  Well… like anything advertised on tv, there are good ones, and there are bad ones.  Unfortunately in this case, even the “good” ones barely do anything beneficial for your computer.  You’d be better off taking your computer to an actual local computer professional, where you’ll get the service & support you need.  On the flip side, the “bad” ones are REALLY bad. They can load your computer with malware, give someone access to your computer, and upload personal information!  Not to mention, that by then they also have your credit card information! Not a good situation at all. Geek Easy Computers recommendation is to PASS on online “PC Optimizers”.

Q:  I keep getting weird emails with links/attachments.  Should I click/open them?

A:  No! Never open an attachment or click on a link in an email unless you are 1000% sure you know and trust the source of the email.  Doing so otherwise could potentially expose your computer to anything from viruses to identity theft to hijacking of your machine! Never open or click on them.  Ever.

Q: My computer is running super slow. How do I speed it up?

A: There are a lot of factors that could cause your computer to slow down. But usually, most computers performance can be noticeably improved by one or both of the following solutions: 

The simplest and usually the one that gets the most visible results is a RAM upgrade. RAM doesn’t actually “speed up” your computer. What it does is let your computer do more things at once, so things get done faster. The other most common solution is getting your computer a tune-up.

Q. How much will it cost to fix a broken laptop screen?

A. That depends on several factors. Notably the brand and model of the laptop, pricing and availability of parts, and how much labor is required for the repair. Computers that look similar but are different brands could have totally different repair costs. Even different models within the same brand! Also affecting the price is whether it’s just the LCD or if it’s part of a “sandwich” construction where everything is glued together forming the top of the laptop. This is why we try not to give “estimates” regarding screen repair over the phone. We need to see exactly what we are working with, and get current part pricing. If it’s a model we’ve repaired a lot, we can usually give a rough estimate range before seeing the laptop.

Q. When I get infected by a virus or malware, can’t I just download antivirus/antimalware software to remove it?

A. Short answer – no. Not effectively. Antivirus and antimalware software are designed to prevent infection from occurring. As such, they are not as effective in working after the fact to remove the malicious invaders. If you install the software after you’re already infected, the files that the software looks at have already been altered, so the software may not recognize that. Some malware can even prevent the antimalware software from working or even installing! Light infections or annoying advertising programs can often be removed this way, but a real infection will probably stick around.

Q. Do you fix phones\tablets?

A. No. We do not repair or service phones, tablets, or any other mobile devices. Although today’s smartphones & tablets are much more powerful than before, and can do many of the tasks that a computer does, they are not computers. The service & repair of those devices takes a different skill set that we’ve chosen to leave to those who specialize in it.

The crew at Geek Easy Computers is always available to answer your computer questions and help you with any technology issues.  We want to make your technology easy!

Adonis Pointer is a photographer, a collector of vintage razors, and a certified technology geek! Adonis has been involved in computer technology since well, a LONG time! He has been involved in nearly every aspect of the industry from sales to repair to training to consulting. As the Social Media Manager he writes the majority of the posts on the Geek Easy Computers blog.