Have you ever owned a Windows-based computer that didn’t act like it was possessed sometimes?

Didn’t think so.  Computer problems are a way of life.

Crashes, freeze ups, slow performance — it’s almost normal when it comes to the daily use of a computer.    But where there is a problem – there is a solution.   Here are our top picks for tools and websites that will fix the most common problems with your computer.

Problem Number One — Programs Keep Crashing

Programs crash for a variety of reasons — just like your car can have a variety of problems.    Assuming the program you are running is a properly coded program from a reputable company and not a student project from Riverview Junior High — the program most likely is crashing because of conflicts in what is called the dynamic link libary, or “DLL” for short.  The DLL library is the part of your computer that lets several programs share files and run simultaneously.   Back in the old days — well, the 90′s anyway — computers used to have singular resources.  In other words, if a program needed a specific Windows file in order to run — it required exclusive use of that file.  If another program needed the same file for its operation — it either had to wait, or it had to find another copy of it.   So the smarter nerds at Microsoft came up with the idea of a shared library idea — where several programs could access the same files at the same time.

The problem, though, is that sometimes programs don’t share well — or they can’t find the .dll file they need to operate.  The result is that the program can’t execute its code, and it crashes.

The Solution…

The best method of figuring out which programs are guilty of crashing the most is to run a free diagnostic check with a program called Reimage System Repair.   (www.reimagesystemrepair.com).  This advanced program will scan your computer and tell you which programs are crashing most often — including any behind the scenes programs that may be causing other programs to shut down.   This is a free tool to use for scanning.   If you want the program to fix the problem though, you’ll have to anti up and buy the full version.

Problem Number Two – This Thing is a Piece of Cr@p

Ok, maybe your computer has so many things wrong with it that you have developed a complete hatred of it.  It crashes, it runs slow, it talks back and you’re pretty sure it was sent by the devil to make your life more difficult.    The good news is that there is a site for that, too.   It’s called Windows Trouble Shooter (www.windowstroubleshooter.com) and uses a series of easy-to-understand questions for the truly tech-illeterate to solve what’s wrong on your computer.   It will show you how to make sure your computer is properly updated, how to make sure you don’t have a virus or malware that is causing the problems, how to defrag your hard drive even if you got an F in computer class in Junior College, and how to free up system resources so things quit running so slow.    The best part is that the site is free to use and the tools it suggests to use are also free.

 Problem Number Three — Where is a Nerd When You Need One?

Enter AskNerd (www.asknerd.net).  This well-known website has been around for several years – and prides itself on providing easy-to-understand answers to technical questions.    This site allows you to ask your question — such as ” what is a run.dll error?” – and it will explain in simple terms what it is, and how to fix it.

 Problem Number Four — My Kid’s Downloads Have Wrecked my Computer

If your kids are like most — all those flashing banners and promises of free stuff is too much for them to resist.  Programs like Limewire – now called Frostwire — are the biggest offenders for distributing malware and spyware, not to mention the occasional virus.     If you are experiencing the aftermath of a spyware infection — you need to call in the experts and fix the issue.   The best program out there for this also happens to be free — and is called malwarebytes. (www.malwarebytes.com)

This powerful all-in-one spyware and virus killer will scan your entire system and completely remove any traces of a spyware infection quickly and safely.  This program won’t slow down your system or eat up your resources like Norton does and also won’t cost you the $70 bucks they charge to use it either.

Problem Number Five – My Internet Speed Sucks…

The truth is most problems with your Internet are computer-based and not the fault of your provider.  As long as your computer says you are connected, chances are you are good to go from that end.   If you want to check your Internet connection you can go to a site called “Bandwidth Place.”   If your speed test comes out fine — then the next step is to have a trouble shooting program give your computer an look over.

A miracle cure for slow browsers is a program called Registry Patrol (www.registrypatrol.com).  This program is excellent at fixing page load speeds despite the fact it’s actually a registry repair program.    It’s a small download and will take about 5 minutes to scan your computer.

If none of these methods work, there is one, final solution, of course.

That’s to throw the #$(#$(*#&#!! thing out…