Computer Help

[Young Money (K20)]

I was wondering if anyone could help me my computer is recieving a bunch of pop up adds and is really slow i was wondering what i could do any help is appretiated thanks

[Izzy]

Lavasoft Adaware
Mozilla Firefox + NoScript Extension
ZoneAlarm Firewall
AVG Anti-virus

All freeware.

Check to see what kind of shit is running background too. You may have some 3rd party spy/ad programs that have been installed and it's now constantly running. In the case of this, I would just reinstall everything, then install the recommended software.

[Young Money (K20)]

Originally Posted by Izzy

Lavasoft Adaware
Mozilla Firefox + NoScript Extension
ZoneAlarm Firewall
AVG Anti-virus

All freeware.

Check to see what kind of shit is running background too. You may have some 3rd party spy/ad programs that have been installed and it's now constantly running. In the case of this, I would just reinstall everything, then install the recommended software.

how would i reinstall everything

[Sevy316]

control panel/ add remove programs and get rid of the things that don't belong:

» Common Spyware Application Processes - Technibble - A Resource for Computer Repair Technicians & to get PC tech support help. similar things like this should be removed. If something is questionable then google it and you can get a risk assessment.

Spybot is good in addition to ad-aware

[Izzy]

I've always confused myself with Spybot Search & Destroy. Meh, I've cut down a lot of that junk with NoScript on Firefox though.

Originally Posted by Young Money (K20)

how would i reinstall everything

Check your manual, if it's a store-shelf bought PC. They usually come with partitions that reinstalls Windows. Try the programs I've specified first, and if that still doesn't work, reinstall. I'm sure you can get rid of the problem without a complete reinstall, but I do that because I'm not into cleaning registry stuff and I'm afraid I'd break the damn thing.

[Young Money (K20)]

so would removing all programs fix my problem

[Izzy]

It would certainly help to get rid of stuff you're not using or never installed. Just don't delete EVERYTHING, just the stuff you know that doesn't belong on your computer.

[Young Money (K20)]

Originally Posted by Izzy

It would certainly help to get rid of stuff you're not using or never installed. Just don't delete EVERYTHING, just the stuff you know that doesn't belong on your computer.

alright ill try that thanks

[Spud387]

Originally Posted by Young Money (K20)

so would removing all programs fix my problem

Removing all your programs, will most likely not solve your issue as the pop-ups etc are most likely infecting or imitating windows files, not your installed programs.

Is this a Dell, IBM, HP etc? If so, you should have a recovery disk that you can use to wipe your computer clean and reinstall windows. (be warned, you will lose all data you do not have am external backup of)

[Izzy]

I'm sure there are still malware programs that still end up in the ad/remove programs. You're right though, it will not likely completely solve his problem.

[Shark Tek]

Yo really want a solution to your problem with adware?

Just get a copy of any of the flavors of Linux like Ubuntu, OpenSuse, Fedora and Mandriva. Or just get a Mac.

[Izzy]

With Macs becoming more and more mainstream, it's only a matter of time till they start getting the same problems PC users have. Linux would be your best bet.

[shadedream]

Originally Posted by Izzy

Lavasoft Adaware
Mozilla Firefox + NoScript Extension
ZoneAlarm Firewall
AVG Anti-virus

Just backup and reformat. Installing all of that junk creates just as much overhead as all the Malware. Learn to use safe practices browsing the internet. I suppose you could install adaware/AVG and shut their automated services off and just run them manually. Firewalls aren't really as much a big deal if you're using a router and haven't slapped your machine onto the DMZ.

Theoretically Mac OS X and Linux are much less susceptible to viruses and malware than Windows. In reality they end up about the same because most viruses and malware infestations are due to end users being clueless and installing/allowing them. Idiot proof something, and someone will create a better idiot.

[volvo9]

[quote=shadedream;2875709]Just backup and reformat. Installing all of that junk creates just as much overhead as all the Malware.
QUOTE]

I dont use any of that stuff, only had problems once, and it was my own fault.

I'm about to make a Linux Machine for my mom's boyfriend, he has never touched a computer in his life and keeps f*cking up XP. All he needs to do is go on the internet to check email, so he dosen't need much but gets f*cked up by the ads that look like windows and the ones that look like errors.