I need a computer genius....?

Question

I'll be honest I know very little about computers so here goes....My computer is slow... The internet is dial up because we live in the middle of no where, I am not able to enter information on most web sites (such as into the information pages for addresses and such). I am not able to re-open Word documents that I have worked on and saved. Also I think I may have a virus but I have no idea what I am looking for to be sure. And I have heard of a way to get rid of programs that are running in thte backround but I do not know how. If there is a way to clean all without downloading many things that would be great. The system I am running is Windows XP if that makes a difference. Any help would be great! Thank you!!

Answer 1

first of all, feel free to email me with more questions.

first, click on the start menu and type msconfig in the run command. click on the furthest right tab. it's startup programs. go through the list here and decide which programs you don't want loaded when you start xp. this requires a reboot.

second, type control in the run command. click on add and remove programs. uninstall anything you don't want or use.

third, click on performance and maintenance in control panel. run the "free up space" option. it's a disk cleanup util that clears away things like the recycle bin and setup files you no longer need. when the program asks, select all the options except "compress old files" because it takes too long and doesn't help. then run the "rearrange items" util. it's a defrag util that speeds up programs by moving them around.

and then i suggest you spend time finding a good anti virus util. mcafee and norton are the best, and there are low cost alternatives like avg antivirus.

finally, i highly suggest a freeware spyware removal tool. i use spybot search and destroy. during install you can select a resident program to protect against changes to registry and certain internet applications. the links are listed below.

Answer 2

It makes a huge difference that you described your problem and the software that you are running. Keep up the good work.

First, I would check your Anti-virus software. Don't know what that is? You might have Norton Antivirus, McAfee or some other brand. If you can, Run a full scan.

Next, go to www.Download.com and get the free versions of two Anti-Spyware solutions. I recommend Ad-aware as the first. Then get "SpyBot Search & Destroy". Use the search feature to get these; scroll below the SPONSOR ads, then click on the FREE download. Run this to install, then RUN to get UPDATEs and do a full scan.

If things still don't work, check to see what programs that you DO NOT use in the ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS section of the CONTROL PANEL. Use the REMOVE button for these.

You really have to learn everything about basic computer maintenance. You should be using the DISK CLEANUP program that appears in the SYSTEM TOOLS section of ACCESSORIES. Running Defrag is a good idea. Also OPEN your MY COMPUTER icon and RIGHT click on the C Drive. Go to the TOOLS section and use the CHECK NOW button.

Good luck

Answer 3

Yahoo! anti-spy comes with the toolbar and is pretty good. Also, you may have a firewall problem with the forms. Turn your popup blocker off, run disk defragmenter, and get anti-spy, run that delete any P2P programs, free up hard drive space (delete old files)..Also try System Restore. If nothing works and you honestly think you have a virus do a factory reset (usually done using the little buttons on your monitor - careful you will lose your work-all files and programs)

Maybe you need a new computer (new Dell Desktops can be gotten for as little as $250 (if you use your old monitor).

Answer 4

For Windows XP, the most important thing to do is to update it using Service Pack 2 for free from Microsoft.com.

To do that go to Start menu, All programs, Windows Update. And follow the direction. Select only Express update, since you have slow dial up connection.

The next thing to do if you can, download Google Pack.

To do that go to Google.com, select more>>, Select Pack.
Select only Norton AntiVirus 2005, and Ad Aware se.

Follow the direction to download and install these free software.

After that, run the antivirus to scan the whole computer for virus.

Then run the ad aware se to scan for malware.

Answer 5

Not a genius, however am giving you some info that will help you. Covoured all sorts as it sounds like you are fairly new at computers so here goes.

Antiviral. (free)

AVG free. Excellent protection available from: http://www.Grisoft.com

Don't use two antiviral products together as they may be incompatible. If your Antiviral trial has run out, then remove product from your computer and get the AVG installed.

Anti-spyware (all free)

Essential products are: Adaware SE from: http://www.lavasoft.com

Spybot SD http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

Spywareblaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Windows Defender - from Microsoft downloads.

PC starter kit at download.com 20 of the best recommended programes for people new or less advanced in computers. Check all three pages, at bottom see Security/Tools/Fun

http://www.download.com/PC-Starter-Kit/2001-12350_4-0.html?tag=dir

C Cleaner.http://www.ccleaner.com/

This will tell you a lot about what is on your computer, such as running programmes,cookies, History, settings etc. and will help you clean up and remove unwanted items. Be careful how you use it as it is a very powerful programme and you should read the help index before you do anything with it.

Whats on my PC.

This software once downloaded will Identify a lot of information about the components and Manufacturer's of things on your computer.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/gtopala/
System info SIS BY GABRIEL TOPPA

Office Applications

Open Office has an extremely good free to use and distribute product at http://www.openoffice.org

It contains programmes fully functional in Word-processing, Database, Spreadsheets, Drawing and Presentation. It looks and feels like Microsoft Office and can even make PDF's

Photo-manipulations

For ease of use and management of your photo files try Kodak easyshare software http://www.kodak.com

or Picasso. http://www.picasa.google.com/

For advanced and fully functional photographic manipulation gimp2 is very similar to Photoshop and is available from http://www.gimp.org

Graphics/design

http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/?SP=FSSPPSEW

Page Plus SE.
A free software download thats very good.

Browsers and E-mail programmes.

Can recommend Firefox for browsing and has many safety features installed and is self updating and for a general e-mail programme,(non-web based) Thunderbird is very good. Go to:

http://www.mozilla.com/products/

Fun and helpful programmes

Have a look at Calendar Magic, http://www.stokepoges.plus.com/calendar.htm

it has lots of Scientific, Geometry, Factor and Expression calculators as well as Global distances, Sun and Moon Data, a Pregnancy Calculator, Time Data and Alarm clocks as well as an extremely comprehensive range of Calendars in about 27 different formats from Afghanistan to Vietnamese, including Chinese and Hindu.

Have fun and good luck.

P.S. It is necessary to defrag your computer at times so go to start, programes, acessories, defrag.

Answer 6

Go to My Computer icon and open it,right click on the C drive, click properties and do the disc cleanup. After that run Defragment Drive.
Are you running an anti-spyware program?? An anti-virus program??

Answer 7

first of all download AVG antivirus its free and works great
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10543927.html?tag=lst-0-2

Second scan for viruses and delete them or put them in the "virus vault"
Third go to the start menu go to programs select accessories and select system tools and select disk deframenter
by running that overnight when you go to bed it should speed up your computer after its done.
Also if you know when the last time was that your computer was running properly you can do a system restore... go to start menu, programs, accessories, system tools, system restore... it will allow you to select the last date you know your computer was running properly and change the settings to the same settings you had on that date (it won't delete stuff on your computer it will just change the settings)

Answer 8

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Computer Slow

Download and then run startup.exe at:

http://www.mlin.net/startupcpl.shtml......

Can't live without it and windows...

Then disable and/or uninstall whatever u don't need.

Joe...

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Computer Virus/Spyware/Adware/Malware/etc

All free...

Download and then run Avira AntiVir Personal Edition Classic at:

http://www.free-av.com/

Download and then run Spybot - Search & Destroy at:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/

Download and then run Ad-Aware SE Personal at:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Joe...

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