setting up my computer again?

Question

ok i had to reset my computer to factory settings so i lost all security stuff etc tht i had set up, i cant remeber what all i had etc. so i need to know a few things
1- what security package should i put on to take care of everything
2-do i have to go thru the whole reinstallin of aol to get it back on, as im using interent explorer riht now and its really slow and pop ups coming up all the time, why is all this?
3- computer seems to be running slow, even though theres hardly anthing taking up the memory

Answer 1

You don't say why it was necessary to go back to the default settings. (This is important to know what caused you to reset).

Would recommend if possible that you go to start, open, accessories, system tools, and perform a system restore with a date that I hope is shown where you can perform a system restore. Try to restore back to the date before it was necessary to reset your PC to the factory settings.

Minddoctor, France

Answer 2

If you installed Windows XP service pack 1, then went online without security, virus and spyware protection, the OS may be hosed again.

If that is the case, you will need to clean it before you can add all the updates. The first one you should add is Service Pack 2. Then run ALL the Windows updates.

Yes, you will have to reinstall AOL to get to the level you were at. AOL provides you with online protection, right? So install the latest version and update it as soon as you get online with a clean PC.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I bet all those pop-ups say "Messenger Service" up on the title bar? Did you go and update your XP after you reformated?

If you are running Windows XP, the very first thing you MUST do is be certain your Windows firewall is turned on. This will vary depending on what version of Windows and which service packthat you have just re-instlled. Failure to do so can infect your computer within minutes.

The you MUST go to Windows Updates and install all critical and security updates. If you are running XP you must get all updates up and to including Service Pack 2 (SP2). And then keep going back to update SP2, They may be up to a hundred or more updates and failure to get them all willl put your computer at a servere security risk.

It may take several hours of going back and forth to Windows Updates to get them all. Up to a couple of days if you are on dial-up.

In Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Windows updates to get them.

When you are fully updated, now you must re-install your security apps (anti-virus, anti-spyware, aftermarket firewall, etc)
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Here's some ideas to "roll ya own" Internet Security Suite for free. Free is always the best.
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1. For your Anti-Virus......(Always use only 1 A-V...You must NEVER use more than one anti-virus, Even an expired anti-virus can cause a major conflict)


For your anti-virus needs, I would suggest Avira AntiVir® PersonalEdition Classic. It has excellent heuristics, a virus detection rate that is better than many of "paid-for" anti-virus programs and is light on using your computer's resources. And did I mention that it's free!

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

Avoid an anti-virus called AVG (free version). It is wildly popular but has poor virus detection rates.



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2. For your Firewall..........(Always use only 1 software firewall)

An excellent free firewall is Comodo Personal Firewall. It can pass firewall "leak tests" that even most of the "paid-for" firewalls cannot pass.

And Comodo has a great support forum. Where the CEO / President of the company might even himself answer your question! Check it out at:
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

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3. For your Anti-Adware and Anti-Spyware needs...............(use 2)

Pick and choose, 2 anti-spywares from the list below and alternate scanning with them on a regular basis. New spywares are created literally hourly, so no single anti-spyware can really detect all malware. Have at least 2 on hand and alternate scanning with each every few days or so. All are free. All can remove as well as detect.

Spybot Search and Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

Ewido (now known as AVG Anti-spyware) Do NOT download AVG Anti-virus.:
http://ewido.com

AdAware 2007
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

A-Squared:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

SUPERAntiSpyware:
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Windows Defender:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Unfortunately, many "paid for" anti-spyware products are in fact either of limited usefulness or downright scams. When in doubt, look at the list of rogue anti-spyware solutions listed here:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

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4. And to help protect your computer from ever getting infected with malware in the first place............ (use them both)

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

SiteAdvisor:
http://www.siteadvisor.com/
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Everything here is 100% free!!!!!!

Now that your computer is secure and you can worry about re-installing your AOL software.
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I hope you were not under the impression that doing a correct reformat and reinstall of Windows was a quick and easy chore. It is not!

Good luck.