Computer diagnostics offer possible solutions for a number of potential problems, easily eliminating some options as root causes for some troubles while highlighting others as scenarios to check out. Not only can they make it easier to diagnose problems with my computer, but also, they can make it less stressful. In a perfect world, I would not have a need for computer diagnostics, but let’s face it, not much is perfect. Even through no fault of my own, problems can occur with my computer. Plus, for those of us who have to share a computer, not everyone who uses a computer knows what they are doing.

Other reasons exist for using computer diagnostics as well, especially for someone who is constantly using a computer whether for working, gaming, or socializing. Utilizing computer diagnostics to guarantee that my computer’s performance is not being hindered by anything will help ensure that it is running at an optimal level, providing me with the best case scenario.

Using computer diagnostics to prevent problems before they occur is one of the best computer friendly tasks that I can engage in on any given occasion. Identifying and solving problems with computers including their operating systems, hardware, and software involves the same troubleshooting techniques no matter how expensive or inexpensive the machine is. From top-of-the-line models to low end ones, computer diagnostics are essential for solving any number of inconsistencies or problems.

The benefits far exceed the cost in time or money to use them. Computer diagnostics can be used to increase the uptime for individuals, students, and employees. They can also reduce costly repairs and visits from outside technicians.

Computer diagnostic software is designed to help computer users enable their machines to run in an efficient manner. They provide useful tips on problem solving and performance issues that occur either consistently or intermittently. Think of them as system-health tools. Just as the doctor, nurse, or dentist help people to live healthy lives, these tools help computers to run efficiently as well as to perform well.

Computer diagnostics can be used to correctly identify, solve, and repair problems, returning a computer back to a high level of functioning in relatively short time. It’s important to note that computer diagnostics can be broken down into several categories. These categories include hardware diagnostics, software diagnostics, boot up diagnostics, memory diagnostics, embedded diagnostics, custom diagnostics, and more. A computer’s hardware includes such things as the motherboard, hard drives, RAM (Random Access Memory), and more.

Pinging is basically checking to see if another party (Web site) is online or not. The ping utility sends a packet to the designated address and waits for a response - much like sonar. The term ping is both a nod to submarine sonar terminology (you know how those radars make a “pinging” sound when echoing?) and an acronym for “Packet Internet Gopher.”

Want to see ping in action? It’s kind of fun in a techno-geeky sort of way. Plus, by learning how to ping, you’ll hopefully be better prepared with a snappy comeback than I was the next time a tech support guy asks you if you have pinged or not.

You can either use the domain name or the IP address if you know it. To do so, you must first go to a MS-DOS prompt. Do this by going to the Start button, All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt. You’ll see a black screen with text - the old command prompt screen.

When typing in a domain name, use the basic “www.domainname.com” convention. For example, if pinging Microsoft, you’ll enter “www.microsoft.com.”  At the command prompt, type in the word “ping” followed by the web address. For example:

C:\>ping www.microsoft.com

The ping utility will send 32 bytes of data and wait for a response before reporting the results back to you. Statistics such as Packets Sent, Packets Received, and Packets Lost as well as roundtrip in milliseconds will be displayed.

This information is helpful in ruling out connectivity issues during troubleshooting. If you have a computer problem and must contact technical support, you may be asked to ping the related website.

The term “ping” is also used in the blogosphere with a similar meaning though the process is reversed. Rather than pinging a Web site to get a response, bloggers use pinging to send an alert about the updated status of a blog or website’s content. For example, many sites, such as Technorati and Feedburner, have a “ping us” feature where you can enter your URL whenever you’ve updated your content. You can also set up your blog software to “ping” the site automatically whenever you’ve updated your content.

Even with the best intentions at hand, I sometimes encounter small dilemmas with my computer. In fact, sometimes when I venture to uninstall a particular software application, I end up with leftover files, folders, and more. Why is this?

Some software programs are like pests, no matter how hard I try, they keep showing up. This simply means that I need to take a new strategy and exercise a bit of determination. I have learned that one of the first steps to take is to realize that this is not a problem. In fact, it is a common occurrence that happens all the time to all kinds of people including me.

Sometimes attempting to uninstall a program while the computer is in safe mode will resolve any issues that I have had with uninstalling software. Understanding what happens when a program is installed onto your computer will better enable you to understand what needs to happen in order for it to become completely uninstalled.

When you install a program onto your computer, several things usually happen. The software receives a destination on your hard drive for its location, where many of its files will be stored. Plus, shared data might also be installed into various spots on the computer’s hard drive.

Additionally, some software programs require background processes to run in order for them to work. Therefore, files might be placed into your computer’s start up folder so that these background processes will launch when you boot up your computer. Finally, changes are often made to the computer’s registry. All of this needs to be modified when you decide to uninstall the software.

Some of the most common items left behind after a partial install are various files, folders, or shortcuts. Typically, these items can be sent to the recycle bin and deleted once they have been identified. In some cases, you will even note that the folders are empty.

Shared files are usually more trouble if they are removed when they are actually needed rather than if they are allowed to remain when they are no longer needed. I always opt to allow them to remain and rely on a third-party uninstaller to take care of any leftovers.

I have also heard that reinstalling the program and then uninstalling it for a second time can be helpful. At any rate, lots of programs exist that can help you to remove any unnecessary data leftover from an uninstalled program.

Unfortunately, computers can be quite contrary at times. Therefore, removing or uninstalling programs from our computers can pose minor and even major problems for us. In fact, sometimes it is necessary to take further action in order to uninstall an obstinate program that simply refuses to go away. When that happens to any of us, the need to purchase an application to uninstall the program forcibly from our computer often occurs.

It might take a leap of faith to put all the cards in the hands of a computer program so to speak. After all, most people like to be independent and self-sufficient. Plus, we’ve all heard the mantra that computers and computer software are only as good as the individuals who created them. What if I purchase a program that isn’t quite up to the task and it wrecks my machine? If I force my computer to allow me to uninstall a program, will I hurt my computer’s performance? Plus, the worry always exists that perhaps I am going to cause more harm than good.

This is where common sense comes into play. Perhaps the most important task to perform when purchasing a software application to do the dirty work for you is to do your homework. Purchasing a reputable application is the best way to ensure that you are not going to hurt your computer’s performance if and when you force it to uninstall a specific program using such software.

Next, think about the type of program that you are uninstalling from your computer no matter how many times it has resisted you in the past. If this program happens to be some type of malware, allowing it to remain on your computer will do it more harm than good. The only harm that should come to your computer’s performance when you force an uninstall of a program is when you remove a program that is necessary to your computer’s functioning.

Why is it so tough to uninstall AntiVirus software?

In many cases, AV software is difficult to uninstall. In fact, for some of us, uninstalling any software can be a bit of a challenge. However, in the case of AV software, it’s quite normal to experience some difficulty in uninstalling the software completely. This might not make the process any easier for us, but it does do away with some of the stress that comes along with the process.

For one thing, AV software usually involves several different components, each of which must be uninstalled individually. Typically, this process can involve the need to reboot your machine in order to uninstall every aspect of the AV software. Once you realize this, it makes the whole process a lot simpler to complete.

For someone who isn’t aware of this aspect, it can prove to be downright frustrating to attempt to uninstall AV software. After all, some computer programs are easily uninstalled with a simple click of the uninstall button.  Who knew that other programs actually involve the need to uninstall them one component at a time with a reboot of the machine in between each individual uninstall? I know that it should be easier than this, but it isn’t.

Therefore, with most AV software, the need arises to uninstall its components one at a time. If this is not done properly, the AV software will not be completely uninstalled. This shortcoming can lead to problems. When this happens, sometimes newer versions of AV software cannot be installed since errors will arise due to the remnants that remain from the earlier installed version.
In some cases, the add/remove feature does not remove an AV software program cleanly from your machine. If this is the strategy that you have taken to remove yours, try to locate the uninstall instructions for the software. The first place to look for this information is from the manufacturer of the software. Uninstalling AV software with the method that the manufacturer intended is the best way to guarantee its complete removal.

If you are thinking about uninstalling a program or two from your computer and you don’t know where to begin, I can totally understand. After all, I wasn’t born with this knowledge either. Plus, it seems as though so many people don’t actually want to tell you how to do it on your own, because they would rather you pay them to uninstall your programs for you. I have learned though, that I can uninstall some programs quite easily, while others take a bit more time and work.

Fortunately for me, Windows based operating systems provide an easy way to uninstall many unwanted programs from my computer. I can begin by accessing the Start Menu. Next, I can select either Settings and the Control Panel or just the Control Panel, depending on which of my computers I am currently using. Once I follow that step, I click the Add or Remove Programs icon. Next, I scroll through the list of programs to select the one that I wish to get rid of and click remove. If the question ever pops up asking me to remove a shared file, I usually resist the urge to do so. I know that sometimes some other program that I am keeping might still need a shared file.

In other cases, I have individual software applications that feature the option to uninstall the program. This is usually a straightforward process since the uninstall procedure is usually located in the program’s folder. Usually this simple process often does the trick quite nicely.

Unfortunately, certain types of programs are not so easily removed from my computer and I find that I need to obtain a program to help me with this. Uninstalling malware and viruses is not something that I recommend you do on your own. I don’t like messing with the computer’s registry and so I would rather obtain a program that automatically detects and removes such programs form my machine without my help. Therefore, I always opt for assistance whenever I need to remove malware, spyware, or adware.
There are times when I uninstall a program and find that not everything has been deleted. However, some programs are available that will clean my computer from all of the remnants of programs that I have uninstalled.

If you have ever found yourself wondering what types of programs you should be concerned about for your computer, you are in good company. After all, it doesn’t take much to destroy the functioning of a computer, place the personal information stored on the machine at risk, or simply annoy the user by slowing down the computer’s processing. I learned the hard way to take the time to find out what programs are beneficial and which ones are bad for my computer.
A number of different types of viruses are included among the programs that should be avoided or removed if your machine is ever infected with them. Not only are these types of programs annoying, but also, they can destroy your computer. Additionally, most of these usurp the computer’s resources, affecting the computer’s processing in a negative way. Therefore, all computer users should be concerned about any of the following types of programs.

Stealth viruses can change boot records or files. These are sometimes capable of hiding from some antivirus programs. Boot sector viruses are programs that run every time the computer boots up. Macro viruses attach themselves to data files and are quite prevalent today. Polymorphic viruses reproduce copies that are similar to the original one with some variations.

A number of other programs that are not considered true viruses should also be treated in the same manner and removed as quickly as viruses. Worms are programs that replicate themselves, often creating problems with the computer’s processing. Unlike viruses, they do not become attached to files or programs on your computer. Nonetheless, you don’t want to keep them around.

Trojan horses are malicious programs that can create major problems for your computer. Additionally, any type of adware or spyware that infects your computer is a program that you should remove as soon as possible. They serve no valuable purpose for the computer user and they put your personal information at risk.

Anyone who owns a computer eventually begins to install a variety of programs onto it. After all, there are so many cool applications available as well as purely functional ones that appeal to computer users. On top of that, add all of the programs that install onto a computer without your knowledge. This includes programs that are bundled with software that you willingly elect to install as well as those programs that find their way onto computers with a few surreptitious moves.

This often leads to the very common desire to uninstall programs. After all, once I no longer want particular programs on my computer, I simply want to free up some of my computer’s resources. After all, I don’t want to bog down my computer’s resources, do I?

Sometimes, the program that I try to uninstall doesn’t uninstall all of the way and sometimes it does. If I can’t delete all of the files, folders, and registry keys associated with the program, does this mean that the program is bad?

The natural reaction to this circumstance is a whole entourage of questions. Why won’t this program let me uninstall it? Is this a terrible program since I can’t get rid of it? Is this program going to create problems for my computer? Is all of my personal data at risk? Is my machine going to crash if I don’t get rid of this program?

In some cases, the program is definitely going to be part of the undesirable family of malware. In that case, I am going to need to get professional help to remove it before it creates a bigger problem on my computer than I can handle. Then again, a few programs that I have difficulty uninstalling might simply need a different method for uninstalling them as mentioned elsewhere.

One thing to keep in mind though is the fact that whether a program can cause harm to your computer or not, its existence is using up valuable resources on your computer. The best way to deal with it is to obtain a program that will assist with uninstalling them.

Have you ever uninstalled a program and wondered why it is still there? Some programs are very difficult to remove completely from a computer simply because of the manner in which they are set up. For some of us, simply deleting an icon on the desktop meant that we were deleting the program. Fortunately, I know better than that now. Simply deleting icons or folders might not remove specific programs. It just removes the shortcut.

Nonetheless, sometimes even when I try to uninstall programs from my computer, it seems as though they aren’t completely uninstalled. In some cases, this could be simply because the program wasn’t uninstalled properly. In fact, in most instances, it is necessary to go through an uninstall process in order to properly remove a program from my machine.

Initially, I look to see if the program has its own uninstall scenario. If it does, I use it so that I have the best chance of removing the software completely or at least as completely as possible. When some programs are installed on a computer, they make necessary changes to the computer’s registry. These changes need to be altered and entries in the files of your computer’s system need to be deleted.

In many cases, bits and pieces of a program such as registry entries, files, and directories might remain behind after it is uninstalled. This can happen for several reasons. If a program is uninstalled while it has a background file running, it won’t be completely uninstalled. You might find that you need to delete a folder or two once you reboot your machine.

Some computer programs leave more files and data behind than others after they have been uninstalled. This is partly due to the manufacturer and the manner in which they have set up both the install and uninstall of the program. Software is complex in nature, lending itself to a complicated uninstall process. Today’s software is often installed on several different locations on your computer’s hard drive, necessitating its removal from several different locations. It is easy to miss a few of these along the way.

Another reason behind software that simply refuses to be uninstalled is the fact that it happens to be nefarious or harmful in nature. No matter what name this type of software foes by including spyware, adware, malware, or virus, certain types of software are designed by their initiators to remain resident on a computer despite your attempt to get rid of it.

• RegCure of ParetoLogic (TechJocks Pick!)
• Registry Mechanic of PCTools
• Registry Booster of Uniblue

Regcure is a well respected Registry Cleaner that does a whole lot more. Nice writeup of RegCure by Andrew Wee.