Direct MP3 Download: Podnutz Episode 16: Driver Tips and Malware Removal Methods w/Simon Zerafa

• Simon Zerafa from PC-Technical.co.uk gives us a great rundown on tips and techniques he uses in his own computer repair biz
• Driver installation tricks
• Spyware/Virus/Malware removal
• Simon’s software recommendations

Show Notes:

– Introduction of Simon Zerafa. His site is www.pc-technical.co.uk and he is a guest on the radio show Mousepad on BBC radio

– Advertising tips – Yellow pages (large version of the business card)

– UK vs USA mobile phone plans.

– Advertising in trade section in major weekly newspapers is profitable for Bryce’s business

– Driverpacks.net – slipstreamable driver packs. Integrate them right into your Windows installation. Stores thousands of drivers right on your Windows disk.

– ZDNet Definition for Slipstream: To fix a bug or add enhancements to software without identifying such inclusions by creating a new version number.

– RyanVMPack – Official program for integrating Update Packs into the Windows XP install source.

– Ultimate Boot CD for Windows – a bootable recovery CD that contains software used for repairing, restoring, or diagnosing almost any computer problem. Allows virus and malware removal plug-ins that are runnable from the live CD so you are not restricted from scanning system files from the OS you re trying to repair.

– Neat tool – CF Card to ID adapter cable. Allows you to boot from CF card.

– Check for root kit with Sysinternals Root Kit Revealer

– Super Anti-Spyware – great malware removal tool. Not free but worth it.

– Kaspersky Anti-Virus – Simon recommends.

– Norton Removal Tool – removes every Norton product on a PC

– MS Key Viewer Plus – A program created to view program installation keys, service pack levels, and product IDs along with detecting many other non-licensed program versions.

– NOD32 – another good Anti-Virus alternative, but not too user-friendly

– MWAV – Antivirus that uses Kaspersky Virus engine. Just download and run. No installation of this software required. But is a bit pricey.

– Microcenter – great computer superstore if you are lucky enough to have one near you.

– With price of gas these days, it really cuts into profit for on-site repairs.

– Simon is not a fan of CHKDSK /R because it is dangerous. He prefers Spinrite.

– Program to resets permissions of OS back to defaults – URL will be posted soon.

– Ccleaner – good tool for general cleanup and registry cleaning

– PCDecrapifier – takes crapware off of new machines

– PSI Personal Software Inspector – Lists all software that is out of date with download links for latest versions.

– AVP Tool – Version of KAspersky that is free but not updatable.

– Autoruns – Basically MSCONFIG on steroids. Lists much more than msconfig.

– Autopatcher – How many times did you have to leave your computer, after a format, to download the updates you had before it?