My computer still is giving me problems.?

Question

I had several good answers recently and tried some of them. I had already used Spyware and Adaware and tried to scan my hard drives and defrag. I am stopped from scanning C because it says something in Windows is running, and it won't defrag either. I downloaded Avast, and that worked great in that it found 2 Trojan Horses and 2 Worms. But I still can't download ErrorDoctor or upgrade Internet Explorer, and now every few minutes a Window box pops up saying the program has performed illegally. It has HPOSM in the top left corner of the box, but when I click OK on it, it doesn't shut me down like the usual illegal message box does. What is causing that, and why can't I download anything else, as the computer is still very, very slow. I also have a web page, and was told by my server that I should be using Internet Explorer 6. Since I haven't upgraded since 2003, I'm sure I don't have it. HELP!!

I am really grateful for all the good info you have sent. I have a few questions, as I am not as computer savvy as most of you. I don't know what the OS is, though it is probably something to do with operating system. If I reinstall Windows, I want to go to 2000 or XP, so I can use the high-speed dialup that AT&T is now making available, but I have to get the program first. I have backed up most of my files but have a few to go. I've also gone to HP tech support and will try their suggestions about the error first. Thanks again, and will one of you tell me what OS is and how to remove it?

I'm a 71-year-old grandmother who got a computer business certificate 15 years ago, but don't know much about repair. I'm trying to start e-commerce with my site:
http://www.keep-safelockbox.com, and I want to make sure my computer doesn't crash once I've got it running well.

Answer 1

I agree with the previous poster. You may want to try to run the scans in Safe Mode. Now since some of my suggestions may require you to access the internet, I suggest you go into Safe Mode with Networking. Then do the following.



A clean computer is key to a faster computer. Run the 3 scans below.

Run a virus scan weekly.

Update and run your Anti-Virus program. Don't have one? You can run a free online scan from CA.
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virus...





Run Spybot and Adaware weekly.


Download, update and run Spybot---http://www.safer-networking.org/... . Don't forget to use the Immunize feature.

Download, update and run Adaware---http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaw...



Now to prevent spyware from being installed in the first place....





Download SpywareBlaster---http://majorgeeks.com/download2859.html

SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.

It's main features include:
- Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests.
- Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.
- Restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.






Now lets clean up your registry.


Run RegScrubXP weekly. Run Cleanup every time you log off.


Download RegScrubXP--http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?d...

Safely cleans junk out of the Windows 2000/XP system registry. All changes made to the registry are fully restorable to it's original condition. You can make an exclusion list of registry entries that RegScrubXP will not display as problems. You can sift through a list of file extensions, company names, run upon startup programs, Internet Explorer history, and uninstall programs to delete what you think is junk.

Download CleanUp---http://www.stevengould.org/software/clea...

Free disk space, make your computer run better/faster and protect your privacy - all in one easy solution. All for free!





Now lets clean up your disk.



Run a Disk Cleanup 2 times a month. Run Disk Defrag. monthly.


Do a Disk Cleanup and Disk Defrag. You can find both of them by following the path below.
Start>all programs>accessories>system tools>Disk Cleanup. Let it do its thing. You can check every box that has something to delete.
Now follow the same path and do a Disk Defrag. Again just let it do its thing.




Now lets tweak your connection.


If your speed is good I would not mess with it by trying to tweak it. If you do tweak once it is done you should not have to do it every again.


There are many programs out there to do this. I will give you 2 of them.
The first one is TCP Optimizer.

Description: The TCP Optimizer is a free, easy Windows program that provides an intuitive interface for tuning and optimizing your Internet connection. There is no installation required, just download and run.

http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php....

You can get support for the best way to set it up right from their forum http://forums.speedguide.net/

The second one is Cablenut.

Windows XP tested and approved

CableNut is a tool for optimizing your Internet Connection. We have provided a way to tweak any option you may want to in the adjuster. You can load "CableNut Custom Setting" files that are included with the program to tweak your Internet connection.

http://www.cablenut.com/

Again support is available right from their forum.http://www.broadbandnuts.com/index.php?p...




All programs are FREE!




After applying the suggestions above you will have a clean and faster computer. Enjoy.

Answer 2

When things go to Helena, Handbasket I prefer to pull out the original CD and reinstall from scratch. The down side is that you will want to back up any personal data you want to keep like pictures that may only exist on your hard drive. If you did your taxes online last year, find the folder where everything was saved. You may need some of your original driver disks. Especially any that came with your computer. For instance, if your motherboard has lan port built in, you may NEED the cd or floppy that came with the moterboard to get it up and running initially.

The beauty of this is that you'll only reinstall the stuff you really need and you will end up with a computer that boots up faster and probably runs more like it used too.

When I say reinstall windows, I mean boot from the cd, reformat your drive and setup from scratch. Thats the easiest way to insure a clean hard drive. Then make sure you install some virus scanner befor trying to access anything you saved to cd before in order to prevent reinfection.

Answer 3

How to remove HPOSM error

The free file information forum can help you find out if HPOSM.exe is a virus, trojan, spyware, adware which you can remove, or a file belonging to a Windows system or an application you can trust.

HPOSM.exe file information
The process HP Solution Manager Module belongs to the software hp coretech (COmponent REuse TECHnology) by Hewlett-Packard Company (www.hp.com).

Description: File HPOSM.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files". Known file sizes on Windows XP are 212992 bytes (66% of all occurrence), 217088 bytes.
The program has no visible window. The program can be uninstalled in the Control Panel. File HPOSM.exe is not a Windows core file. Therefore the technical security rating is 26% dangerous.


Important: Some malware camouflage themselves as HPOSM.exe, particularly if they are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder. Thus check the HPOSM.exe process on your pc whether it is pest. We recommend Security Task Manager for verifying your computer's security. It is one of the Top Download Picks of 2005 of The Washington Post and PC World.

Answer 4

If it is really that bad of a case, I would probably reboot the system by uninstalling all software including the OS and rebuilding the PC. I have done this before and it really enhances the performance of the computer making it seem brand new. Also, I would do this because I wouldn't want it to turn into a serious case where your computer could be under "attack." However, only do this once you have tried everything else. Good luck!

Answer 5

Try running you anti spyware and virus scanners in safe mode if you have anything nasty they won't be active in safe mode you can also try defrag as well in safe mode.
To get in to safe mode keep pressing the F8 key until the boot menu appears then use the cursor keys to choose safe mode.
As for your web browser you shoud upgrade as soon as possible try Firefox instead of IE it's much better and safer than IE.
Ultimately you may find you'll have to cut your looses and format your hard disk and reinstall windows but save every thing before you do.

Answer 6

Back up your important files..... Insert the OS CD in the ROM drive.... Follow the easy instructions.... Perform a fresh installation of the OS.... Install back the drivers on your computer... THat's it. Your computer would be like brand new again... All viruses, everything will be gone... You remain with a brand new pc again... Have a great day.

Answer 7

I would back all your stuff up to another drive if you have one on your system or to cd and just start over. It sounds like you have a serious problem and the only way to get over it is to just format your drive and start from scratch. I know this does not seem like fun but trust me it will take you less time than trying to download another fix and just maybe it will fix the problem. My thoughts are cut your losses and start from scratch.

Good luck.

Answer 8

Every Trojan win 32 has escape route depite having strong antivirus or spyware or antispyware...once they come ,never go back, and keep destroying pc...i suggest u to restore ur windows to previious date this will surely help u out:
start > programs >accessories >system tools > system restore ..bye

Answer 9

Download Mozilla Firefox, and stop using Internet Explorer. I was having similar problems as you, and read somewhere to do this. My computer works great now.

Answer 10

HPOSM is your HP printer. Try to update the drivers:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/siteHome

Come back and tell us if it does any good.