HELP, my computer is running sloooow

[member979979]

Ive been using Firefox since this happened and I love it

 

[extremeb]

I'm having trouble at the moment and woulds like to try the above advice, but first I have a few questions. (p.s I run Windows XP).

1. How do I know if a file is temp or saved? If I run "cleanup" will all my pics, vids, music etc in "My Documents" be safe?

Yes, Cleanup only removes temp files, cookies, etc. not your data files.

2. I already have AVG Free, Windows Defender and Spybot (awesome tool :thumbsup; will the new programs conflict with these?

It's generally not recommended to have more than one real-time protection apps running together. ie 2 anti-virus programs, 2 anti-spyware programs. Although I usually recomend running 2 or even 3 different programs when scanning for malware/spyware. One can find something the other missed.

3. Windows Defender seems to do nothing since I got AVG, should I get rid of it as it is taking up a lot of space?

Yes, get rid of it, IMO Defender sucks

4. I also have PC Guard from Virgin.net waiting to be installed, will it be any use?

I'm not really familiar with PC Guard, so I can't comment, maybe someone else has tried it and can comment. I generally recommend Ad Aware and Spybot

Something I'd like to mention here is that all of the "FREE" utilities available usually are time limited, or slightly crippled unless you purchase the full blown version. After 30 days they stop real time protection, or auto updating.

Also, most people become complacent and forget to scan regularly once their PC is clean and up and running normally again. Due diligence is the key to keeping your PC clean. Scan and update regularly!

 

[HeyFellas]

Just an update: I downloaded Ad Aware from the link above, but it made my system run slow and always crashed two minutes into a scan. However, I'm running Stinger and that seems to be helping. Not totaly spyware free yet though....... :wave2:

 

[ChefChiTown]

HELP, my computer is running sloooow

Then you shouldn't have a problem catching it! :rofl:

Oh my God, I am a HOOT!!!

 

[PinkPanther21]

There's some nasty new crap going around. The other day, one of my staff at work got an e-mail that she had an e-greetings card from someone whose e-mail address she recognized. As soon as she opened the e-mail (she says she didn't click on the link), her immediately was massively infected with some virus called XP AntiVirus telling her she had 3200 infected files and needed to give her credit card info. I immediately had our IT folks come over. She isn't the first person in our building to be infected similarly - apparently it gets in your registries, whatever that means - lots of work for our IT people to get her computer usable again, I know that.

 

[number18]

If you are having Antivirus XP 2008 issues this will help...

From the microsoft technet forums...

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3693841&SiteID=17

In particular...

Here's how I removed this stupid program:

Start your PC in Safe Mode
Find location of the file
Right click on the file and delete
Open Control Panel and then Add/Remove Software
Click Remove for the program (This will only work in Safe Mode)
Perform a search by clicking Start, Search and run a search on all files and folders for your hard drive
Delete all associated files with the name (Antivirus XP 2008) and associated files
Run whatever antivirus program you have while in Safe Mode. This is just a good general practice as it actually sped my computer up.



Restart your computer as you normally do and it should be gone.

 

[HeyFellas]

bury that thing and do a scan with Stinger

All I can say is.......Stinger rules! I downloaded it, ran a scan, rebooted and woo-hoo! All spyware gone, all links working correctly, even programs seem to be running faster. Awesome tool and so simple, I fully recommend it. :thumbsup: :wave2:

 

[hiimrudd]

If you are having Antivirus XP 2008 issues this will help...

From the microsoft technet forums...

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3693841&SiteID=17

In particular...

I've seen it hiding in common files under program files as well, I've also had to clean out registry. Type Antivirus XP 2008 in the find menu.:crash:

 

[ticketshtick]

Ive been using Firefox since this happened and I love it

I would not get rid of IE, but I would avoid using it. There are some websites that will not work/display properly if you don't use IE unfortunately, and I keep it loaded just in case I need it.

 

[hiimrudd]

I would not get rid of IE, but I would avoid using it. There are some websites that will not work/display properly if you don't use IE unfortunately, and I keep it loaded just in case I need it.

Like for Windows Updates

 

[squallumz]

ok ok, ill do it:

how slow is it?

and for the record, avg fucking sucks! why do people use it?