Bearshare makes my internet unusable, even when I close bearshare, the speed remains very slow?

Question

Everytime I open bearshare and either search or start downloading something it makes my internet so slow its unusable. Even if i set the little bar to 0% my internet speed does not return, even when I close bearshare my internet speed does not return. File transfers are insanely slow, and any downloads I do take hours. I am using windows xp proffessional with service pack 3, my computer is networked and when this occurs the other computer looses internet as well. Even restarting my computer doesn't help, I often have to reset the router. I have tried reinstalling, and even tried using shareaza instead, but the same problem. please help

Appologies on the SP3, hit the wrong #. SP2
Its not the program, as I mentioned I have tried using other programs which caused the same problem. I doubt the problem is anything to do with spyware, viruses etc for several reasons.
1) I have multiple virus scanners, adaware, spybot etc.
2) This problem only occured after I formated my computer. It happend the first time I used bearshare before my first new download even finished. (this was at the same time that the router was first connected)
3) My laptop, did not have bearshare on it untill a few days ago when I decided to install it to see if it did the same thing when bearshare was opened. I did not download anything to it, but it did cause my internet to crash. It does not have downloads, viruses, etc on it becaue it was never used for that type of thing.

Oh, and thank you all for telling me not to use programs to download. I don't remember asking if I should or shouldn't use it. If you cant be of help, why reply at all?

Answer 1

Bearshare, kazaa, limewire, bittorrent, and any Peer 2 Peer networking programs are FULL of viruses. "Free" is rarely a mutually exclusive term. The so-called "hackers" that put these game cracks, keygens, ect out there really aren't part of some world-wide consortium of generous "Robin Hoods". Better think and ask what they have to gain by putting those things out there. It's NOT because they LOVE YOU. P2P is a "double edged sword". It can and WILL cut you. Best bet would be to actually learn a bit about computers, windows, and internet security BEFORE you go using tools that have enormous potential to screw up your machine. Or even better, don't use them at all.

I find it humorous that when an answer isn't exactly what we were looking for or hoped for we take offense. I wouldn't expect you to follow good advice, nobody ever does, as everyone thinks they know better than EVERYBODY else. One would wonder then why such a knowledgeable person is even here asking questions.
But what do I know, I've only been doing this for 20 years. :)
Have a nice day.

Answer 2

You've gotten infected with Spyware, Adware adn Viruses. That is what you get for trying to download copyrighted music/movies and software,
It's ILLEGAL.

And there is no service pack 3 for WINDOWS XP...

Answer 3

Then delete Bearshare and try another application, perhaps Frostwire may be better, there are many similar applications available, don't saddle yourself with a *****