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The following is a sampling of questions our technicians have received from South Florida computer repair customers. Some of the answers to these frequent problems may help you better use and protect your computer.

Question: What is the best registry cleaner on the market? Are there any free or at least affordable options?

Answer: Ad-Aware and SpyBot Search & Destroy aren't specifically registry cleaners but they perform many of the same tasks and there is no charge. Beware sound-alike programs that try to convince you to download them, but are actually spyware or some form of freeware. Moreover, many reputable sites are turning to Google ads, which often offer misleading key words. Do homework and use caution as you find the right program.

Question: With so many free e-mail providers out there, which offers the best service and why?

Answer: There are plenty of viable options on the market, but most Ft. Lauderdale computer repair experts we have talked to use and laud Google mail, a.k.a. GMail. You get the most space and there are many useful features.

Question: What about instant message programs?

Answer: GAIM and Trillian are powerful and easy to use, combining accounts from major providers such as ICQ, Yahoo messager, AIM and others. Could be a good option if you want them all in one place.

Question: If you have important data - and a lot of it - that you need backed up, what is the best way to back up files on a PC?

Answer: You might try a home network-attached storage device, especially if you have more than one hard drive. This way you can potentially lose the entire contents of one drive and still have all of your data. You can also set up a network so all your PCs are in the same group and can share and back up files together.

A lot of it is also pure legwork. Set up a weekly incremental backup of each PC on a different day of the week. Such backups will copy only files added or changed since the last backup and won't take long. Windows XP users might try Windows Defender to accomplish this task.