Do it Your Self PC Recovery Tips. Virus Removal / Password Re-Set / HD Reformatting and Much More.
Free Registry Cleaner, You Can Trust
CCleaner
Optimization and Cleaning
What Is a Registry Cleaner?
If you own a Windows PC, you'll be used to performing some basic maintenance tasks to keep it running smoothly and prevent problems with applications or files. Most of us regularly update our virus definitions, empty the Recycle Bin and so on.When it comes to PC maintenance, a Registry Cleaner should also be part of your toolkit. Its purpose is to keep your Windows Registry tidy, efficient and help applications to run without a hitch.
But What's the Registry?
Think of the Registry as a database. On every Windows PC, the Registry stores preferences and settings for applications and the Windows operating system itself.Windows does a good job of keeping the registry up-to-date, but doesn't tidy up after itself very well. Over time, as you install and uninstall applications, the registry can become littered with old entries. These can cause error messages and slow the computer down. If you want ensure that your PC functions correctly, and remains fast, you'll need to clean it up.
Malware
Malicious applications (malware) can also cause Registry problems. Even when the software has been removed, the remnants of that application may remain - causing error messages and slow downs. Cleaning the Registry can help to remove all this left over data.Identity Theft
Many applications save data in the Registry, this may include personal information, such as your email address or passwords. After removing the application, some of this data may remain - creating a security risk! Cleaning the Registry will remove this left over personal data and help prevent data theft should someone get access to your computer.Can I edit the Registry myself?
Technically, you can edit the Windows Registry 'by hand'. But there are two key reasons not to:- It's really easy to change the wrong setting
- If you make a mistake, the consequences might be quite severe. (For example, your PC might refuse to start)
Benefits of Registry Cleaner Software
Once your Registry has been cleaned up, you will likely notice a performance boost and any error messages you saw whilst using your computer previously will be gone.The Registry Cleaner will remove entries for non-existent applications, and it'll also fix invalid or corrupted entries. You'll probably find your computer starts much more quickly too!
CCleaner as a Registry Cleaner
The great news is that CCleaner contains one of the most used and respected Registry Cleaners on the market today. We encourage you to download and try it out, we know you'll like the results!Want to clean and optimize your PC? You've probably heard of CCleaner, arguably the world's most popular tool for doing the job. It clears out temporary files, cleans the Windows Registry, erases browser histories, and so on. The big news in CCleaner 3.0 is a native 64-bit version for use with like editions of Windows.
CCleaner 3.0 also sports new icons, various interface improvements, better support for Google Chrome and Internet Explorer 9, and newly added support for programs such as AVG AntiVirus 10.0, Audacity, LogMeIn Hamachi, BitTorrent, and Windows Game Explorer.
I particularly like the way CCleaner intelligently scans for cookies you'd want to keep, like those for Google and Yahoo.
In short, CCleaner is the ultimate system-cleaning tool just got better. It's still free, thankfully, though you can purchase a priority-support license for $25. Developer Piriform is also known for Defraggler and Recuva.
As with any tool of this kind, I strongly recommend making a full system backup and creating a new system-restore point before using it. Better safe than sorry!
Note: CCleaner includes the option to install Google Chrome and make it your default browser. You will have to uncheck two checkboxes if you don't want this to happen. This program is donationware. It is free to try, but the author accepts and encourages donations towards further development.
Remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A (Virus Removal Guide)
PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A is a specific detection used by Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and other antivirus products to indicate and detect a Potentially Unwanted Program.
A potentially unwanted application is a program that contains adware, installs toolbars or has other unclear objectives.
PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A it’s technically not a virus, but it does exhibit plenty of malicious traits, such as rootkit capabilities to hook deep into the operating system, browser hijacking, and in general just interfering with the user experience. The industry generally refers to it as a “PUP,” or potentially unwanted program.
The PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A infection is used to boost advertising revenue, as in the use of blackhat SEO, to inflate a site’s page ranking in search results.
PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A got on your computer after you have installed a freeware software (video recording/streaming, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation this browser hijacker. This Potentially Unwanted Propgram is also bundled within the custom installer on many download sites (examples: CNET, Brothersoft or Softonic), so if you have downloaded a software from these websites, chances are that PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A was installed during the software setup process.
PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A is an ad-supported (users may see additional banner, search, pop-up, pop-under, interstitial and in-text link advertisements) cross web browser plugin for Internet Explorer (BHO) and Firefox/Chrome (plugin) and distributed through various monetization platforms during installation. The browser extension includes various features that will modify the default or custom settings of the browser including the home page, search settings and in some cases will modify Internet Explorer’s load time threshold, place a lock file within Firefox to prevent competing software from changing its settings as well as disable the browser’s Content Security Policy in order to allow for cross site scripting of the plugin.
You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A browser hijacker. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.
STEP 1: Remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A adware with AdwCleaner
STEP 2: Remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A browser hijacker with Junkware Removal Tool
STEP 3: Remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free
STEP 4: Double-check for the PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A infection with HitmanPro
A potentially unwanted application is a program that contains adware, installs toolbars or has other unclear objectives.
PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A it’s technically not a virus, but it does exhibit plenty of malicious traits, such as rootkit capabilities to hook deep into the operating system, browser hijacking, and in general just interfering with the user experience. The industry generally refers to it as a “PUP,” or potentially unwanted program.
The PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A infection is used to boost advertising revenue, as in the use of blackhat SEO, to inflate a site’s page ranking in search results.
PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A got on your computer after you have installed a freeware software (video recording/streaming, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation this browser hijacker. This Potentially Unwanted Propgram is also bundled within the custom installer on many download sites (examples: CNET, Brothersoft or Softonic), so if you have downloaded a software from these websites, chances are that PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A was installed during the software setup process.
PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A is an ad-supported (users may see additional banner, search, pop-up, pop-under, interstitial and in-text link advertisements) cross web browser plugin for Internet Explorer (BHO) and Firefox/Chrome (plugin) and distributed through various monetization platforms during installation. The browser extension includes various features that will modify the default or custom settings of the browser including the home page, search settings and in some cases will modify Internet Explorer’s load time threshold, place a lock file within Firefox to prevent competing software from changing its settings as well as disable the browser’s Content Security Policy in order to allow for cross site scripting of the plugin.
You should always pay attention when installing software because often, a software installer includes optional installs, such as this PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A browser hijacker. Be very careful what you agree to install.
Always opt for the custom installation and deselect anything that is not familiar, especially optional software that you never wanted to download and install in the first place. It goes without saying that you should not install software that you don’t trust.
How to remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A (Virus Removal Guide)
This page is a comprehensive guide, which will remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A from Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome.Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.
STEP 1: Remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A adware with AdwCleaner
STEP 2: Remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A browser hijacker with Junkware Removal Tool
STEP 3: Remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free
STEP 4: Double-check for the PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A infection with HitmanPro
STEP 1: Remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A adware with AdwCleaner
The AdwCleaner utility will scan your computer for PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A malicious files and registry keys, that may have been installed on your computer without your knowledge.- You can download AdwCleaner utility from the below link.
ADWCLEANER DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download AdwCleaner on your computer) - Before starting AdwCleaner, close all open programs and internet browsers, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.
If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run. - When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the Scan button as shown below.
AdwCleaner will now start to search for PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A malicious files that may be installed on your computer. - To remove the PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A malicious files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the Clean button.
AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the OK button.
STEP 2: Remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A browser hijack with Junkware Removal Tool
Junkware Removal Tool is a powerful utility, which will remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A virus from Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome.- You can download the Junkware Removal Tool utility from the below link:
JUNKWARE REMOVAL TOOL DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will automatically download the Junkware Removal Tool utility on your computer) - Once Junkware Removal Tool has finished downloading, please double-click on the JRT.exe icon as seen below.
If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run Junkware Removal Tool, please allow it to run. - Junkware Removal Tool will now start, and at the Command Prompt, you’ll need to press any key to perform a scan for the PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A.
Please be patient as this can take a while to complete (up to 10 minutes) depending on your system’s specifications. - When the scan Junkware Removal Tool will be completed, this utility
will display a log with the malicious files and registry keys that were
removed from your computer.
STEP 3: Remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A virus with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free utilizes Malwarebytes powerful technology to detect and remove all traces of malware including worms, trojans, rootkits, rogues, dialers, spyware and more.- You can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free from the below link, then double-click on the icon named mbam-setup.exe to install this program.
MALWAREBYTES ANTI-MALWARE DOWNLOAD LINK(This link will open a download page in a new window from where you can download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free) - When the installation begins, keep following the prompts in order to continue with the setup process, then at the last screen click on the Finish button.
- On the Scanner tab, select Perform quick scan, and then click on the Scan button to start searching for the PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A malicious files.
- Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware will now start scanning your computer for PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A as shown below.
- When the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware scan has finished, click on the Show Results button.
- You will now be presented with a screen showing you the computer
infections that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware has detected. Make sure that
everything is Checked (ticked), then click on the Remove Selected button.
STEP 4: Double-check for the PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A infection with HitmanPro
HitmanPro is a second opinion scanner, designed to rescue your computer from malware (viruses, trojans, rootkits, etc.) that have infected your computer despite all the security measures you have taken (such as anti virus software, firewalls, etc.).- You can download HitmanPro from the below link:
HITMANPRO DOWNLOAD LINK (This link will open a web page from where you can download HitmanPro) - Double-click on the file named HitmanPro.exe (for 32-bit versions of Windows) or HitmanPro_x64.exe (for 64-bit versions of Windows). When the program starts you will be presented with the start screen as shown below.
Click on the Next button, to install HitmanPro on your computer.
- HitmanPro will now begin to scan your computer for PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A malicious files.
- When it has finished it will display a list of all the malware that the program found as shown in the image below. Click on the Next button, to remove PUP.Optional.HomeTab.A adware.
- Click on the Activate free license button to begin the free 30 days trial, and remove all the malicious files from your computer.
HomeTab Adware Virus Removal
What is HomeTab?
HomeTab virus is a term used to describe a browser hijacker, which modifies computer users' Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage, new tab, and default search engine settings to search.hometab.com (or search.newhometab.com). This browser hijacker is distributed using free software downloads, and at time of research, the HomeTab browser add-on was 'bundled' with VLC, PDF Creator, Zapp!, and 1Zip downloads. Note that developers of these free programs have no connection with HomeTab. The browser plugin is distributed via customized 'download clients', which offer installation of the HomeTab add-on together with the bundled programs. The best way to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications is to download free software directly from the developers' websites.Internet users who use free software download websites are at risk of installing adware, since, today, most freeware download sites use 'download clients' (such as vitalia download manager, Somoto BetterInstaller, etc.) to promote dubious free browser plugins. Commonly, these promoted browser extensions lead to unwanted ads or browser redirect issues. Technically, HomeTab is not a virus or malware, however, it is categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP). After successful installation, it causes browser redirects, unwanted ads, and may lead to serious privacy issues. For these reasons, you are advised to eliminate it from your Internet browser/s (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox).
The HomeTab browser add-on is similar to other adware distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling', including for example, Fast Address Bar, Smart Address Bar, Smart Suggestor amongst many others. These programs modify users' Internet browser settings and cause unwanted ads, and furthermore, install without the user's consent. To avoid installation of such adware, Internet users should express caution when downloading free software, particularly when using free software download websites. If your download is managed by a download client, opt-out out of installation of any promoted browser add-ons by clicking the 'decline' button. If your browser homepage has been changed to search.hometab.com or search.newhometab.com, use the removal instructions provided to eliminate the HomeTab adware from your computer.
Deceptive free software installers used in HomeTab adware distribution:
HomeTab adware installer:
Quick menu:
- What is HomeTab?
- STEP 1. Uninstall HomeTab application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove search.hometab.com redirect from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove search.hometab.com browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove search.hometab.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
HomeTab browser hijacker removal:
Windows 7 users:
Click "Start" ("Windows Logo" in the
bottom left corner of your desktop), choose "Control Panel". Locate
"Programs and Features."
Windows XP users:Click "Start", choose "Settings" and click "Control Panel". Locate and click "Add or Remove Programs".
WIndows 8 users:
Right-click in the screen’s bottom-left corner, select Control Panel. In the opened window choose "Uninstall a Program".
In the uninstall programs window: look for "HomeTab", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling potentially unwanted programs (which cause browser redirects to the search.hometab.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software. Remove all entries that this program detects to ensure your PC is clean from any possible spyware and malware infections.
If you need assistance removing HomeTab Adware, give us a call 24/7:
1-800-681-6438
1-800-681-6438
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
All the products we recommend were carefully tested and approved by our
technicians as being one of the most effective solutions for removing
this threat.
HP RAM Test
Testing The Memory Using The BIOS Memory Test
The Memory Test, built into the BIOS for HP notebook computers, tests
the condition and integrity of the installed memory. Run the test to
identify potential issues if the computer does not start or operate
properly.
Perform a Memory test
To use the Memory Test in the BIOS, follow the steps below.
- Turn off the computer and connect the AC adapter.
- Press the Power button to start the computer and repeatedly press the f10 key to enter the BIOS setup window.
- Use the Left Arrow and Right Arrow keys to select Diagnostics .
- Use the Down Arrow and Up Arrow keys to select the Memory Test , and then press the enter key to begin the test.
- Allow the memory test to run and make note of any reported errors. If there is an error, you can contact HP for support, and to purchase replacement parts.
The message, Memory test pass [OK]
is displayed when the Memory Test is complete. Press the f10 key to exit the BIOS Setup window.
Finding information about your computer's memory
You
can view information about the computer's memory and other hardware
components by following these steps. The information is organized by
operating system and can be accessed using built-in Windows tools, and
special tools provided by HP or Compaq.
Use Windows System Information tool
For XP, Vista, and Windows 7
- Click Start , All Programs , Accessories , System Tools , and System Information .
- Right-column : General information, including the Model Name , Processor , Operating System , BIOS version , and Memory .
- Left column : Detailed information on the installed components including the hard disc drive. To view the hard drive information, select Components , Storage and Drives .
Use My Computer Properties tool
For Vista and Windows 7
- Click Start , Right-click Computer , and then select Properties .
The System windows display general information, including the Model Name
, Processor
, Operating System
, and Memory
, is displayed in the right panel. Computer
, and then select Properties.
For Windows XP
- Click Start , Right-click My Computer , and then select Properties .The System Properties windows display general information, including the Operating System , Processor , and Memory .
Use HP Help & Support Tools
Click the link to
Download the latest HP Help and Support tools
.
For Vista and Windows 7
- Click Start , type assistant and select HP Support Assistant from the list.
- In the HP Support Assistant, click LearnThe Specifications panel, on the right-hand side, displays general information, including the Processor , Hard drive , and Memory .
- Click More Information for Product Name, Product Number, and Serial Number information.This information is also displayed at the bottom of the window.
For Windows XP
Click Start
, Help & Support
, and then click My HP Computer
.
The Memory Test, built into the BIOS for HP notebook computers, tests
the condition and integrity of the installed memory. Run the test to
identify potential issues if the computer does not start or operate
properly.
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