Mo Bradley consumer advocate blogs on how to save money and side step rip offs.

If you have a good money saving tip you wish to share, send it to:mobradley@yahoo.com

There is nothing more frustrating than when your trusty computer starts doing things it is not supposed to. When error messages pop up from nowhere and Microsoft files that came with the computer just disappear. There are a few reasons that can cause this and one of the main reason is a virus of larger or lesser degree. Power spikes can cause problems in your operating system and even regular Windows updates can cause issues you never had before. Now you can fix it yourself and it is free.

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS: Firstly, It is important to know the difference between a SYSTEM RESTORE or SYSTEM RECOVERY . Restoring your system to a previous date when the computer worked fine may do the trick and to do this click start, click help and support and under Pick a Task, click Undo changes to your computer with System Restore, Follow the instructions on the wizard.

A more radical remedy may be required when your hard drive will not boot up, or when you can't get the computer to navigate through the windows you need for a restore point reset. This radical resetting of the computer is called a system recovery (not a system restore) This will put your computer back to factory settings but you will lose any files you had like pictures, music and word documents.

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS : Each computer manufacturer has a special key you have to hit WHEN YOU POWER ON the computer Here are some of the keys,

HP and Compaq desktops/towers use F10,

E Machines and Gateway PC use F11,

Toshiba laptop F12,

Sony PC F10 .

IBM and Lenovo F11

Here is the trick- power the computer off, and then power it back on and start tapping the appropriate key eg F10 until a screen pops up saying "DO YOU WANT TO DO A SYSTEM RESTORE" Once this system restore window opens, stop tapping and just follow the instructions. Some of the older computers may ask you for the restore discs so have those ready. Most newer computers do not need restore discs. The whole system restore could take 2 or 3 hours. When done, reboot your computer and it should be all new and speedy again.

Now here is something else many people do not know. Everyone has a printer, and everyone needs replacement printer ink cartridges from time to time. Getting Original Manufacture branded cartridges can run you quite a lot. What people do not realize is that compatible ink cartridges made by off brand companies work just as well. One particular company I always recommend is INKTANK PRINTER INK http://www.usainktank.com/ because they have an actual branded product whereas virtually all other off brand companies will send you whatever is their flavor of the month. Cartridge World http://www.cartridgeworld.com/ also offer a single brand called "PREMIUM BRAND" and I have found those to be very good but a bit pricey.

Mo Bradley consumer advocate blogs on how to save money and side step rip offs.

If you have a good money saving tip you wish to share, send it to:mobradley@yahoo.com