pc is very slow

[bhome83]

i know that is a very broad problem explanation but have no idea how to explain it otherwise. it started about a week ago and not sure why at all. right now im in safe mode because when im in regular mode places on the internet like hotmail do not open up at all. it freezes my computer and i have to press ctrl + alt + delete to close window. works fine in safe mode so i know it isn't my connection. i have ran a virus check on my computer, defragged my hdd. what else do i do to figure out this problem? my computer is running at the same temp. as it has been ever since i built it (40-45 celcius). is there anything else i can do? my programs to, in normal mode don't load up that quick and sometimes freeze. there are many other places on the internet as well that just freeze up. i can get into hotmail but once i click on inbox it freezes. please help a frusturated person. i have winxp professional. thanks al ot.

[Force Flow]

Try running spyware scans; both Adaware and Spybot.

[imbest123]

Spyware or adware is most likely chewing up your resources. Follow force's advice.

[compusport]

Have you installed any new programs since the problem started? And is it any program causing lock-up or only internet related?

[bhome83]

no, haven't installed any new programs. when i run adaware it says "45 new objects found. do i just delete all of these? i ran this a week or so ago and deleted all of them, so why would 45 new objects be found if im not using p2p? also, i will try spybot is it free though to download? thans.

[imbest123]

Spybot is free and erase allt hose files foudn.

[Force Flow]

Originally posted by bhome83 i ran this a week or so ago and deleted all of them, so why would 45 new objects be found if im not using p2p?

Do you have a firewall?

If not, I'd suggest getting sygate personal firewall.

Yes, all these programs are free.

[edit]: Also, if you have not run a virus scan, it would be a good idea to do so. AVG is free in case you don't have AV software.

[bhome83]

alright i ran spybot and adaware, deleted all the files they found and internet is working for the time being. but this happened last time as well when i ran adaware. after a while some sites started freezing again. i have zone alarm pro but don't like it very much. i guess i will try that syngate firewall and see if that is better. if anyone has any other suggestions for firewalls, i will consider. not sure how to choose which one to use. thanks for helping.

[bhome83]

what programs should i have running when the computer starts? when i look at 'system configuration' it shows several programs that are running but have no idea what they mean. which ones do i need running for xp to start? here is a jpeg. of what programs i have running. if anyone knows which programs the checked ones are i like to know. thanks.

[morriswindgate]

I got rid of Zone Alarm years ago as it had the tendecy to all of a sudden block the internet or crash. Since then I have been using SygatePE (Free) and have never had a problem. Mush better program and less false alarms than ZA.

[raftero]

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Taskl...s/tasklist.htm
this is a pretty good place to look at task programs.for start up type msconfig in the start-run,all i have at startup is av.

[glc]

Just looking at that partial startup list, you have malware. You need to run a VIRUS SCAN, I suggest http://housecall.trendmicro.com for a free online scan - and you may need some more spyware checkers in addition to Ad-Aware and Spybot.

Did you update Ad-Aware and Spybot before running them?

[bhome83]

what is malware and how did you know i had it? also, i didn't update both spybot and adaware before running them, but just did update them now and ran them and adaware found some of this malware. i deleted all the files it found including malware and did the same with spybot. i will see if that will help the problem out. not gonna be able to tell for a little while though because last time i ran those programs my internet was working fine but after like 30min many pages started freezing up. will see what happens. thanks alot glc for that help.

[glc]

Have you done the virus scan yet?

Malware is anything that's not supposed to be there and has side effects - viruses, spyware, hijackers, trojans, keyloggers, etc. I knew because I have a fairly good idea what processes do what and should be in a normal Windows startup, and you have some stuff there I've never seen before.

[bhome83]

i ran that virus scan online at the site and it didn't find any viruses. this was after i ran adaware and spybot. my computer has been working fine ever since but will see how long that will last. How could ive gotten malware? haven't installed anything in a long time. all i have running now in the startup is my sygate firewall. i don't have a personal virus scanner so i guess i will just use the one from that website. should i use a better virus scan, or stay with the website one? how often should i run adaware and spybot? thanks alot for help glc.

[glc]

I would advise you to install an antivirus ASAP. You can get a good free one (AVG) at www.grisoft.com .

Use the "Immunize" function in Spybot, and also the bad download blocker and lock the IE hosts file and start page. Those should help keep you out of trouble.

You may not have intended to install anything, but a lot of websites will shove things in your face, and if you say yes, you are screwed unless you KNOW for sure what they are offering is safe. Cute toolbars (except for the Google toolbar, that actually has a good popup stopper, just do NOT enable advanced features) and search assistants are a BIG NO-NO. So is Precision Time, Date Manager, Weatherbug, and crap like that.

I'd put the computer on a weekly cleanup schedule if you use it heavily.

[bhome83]

do i need to uninstall norton systemworks 2003 before installing a new antivirus like the one you said was free from that site? my antivirus is out of date for norton and don't want to pay $$$ to update it again. will just use a free one.

alright i ran the immunize function and said it blocked 504 bad products. what does this do? i don't understand their definition of what this is supposed to do. what does 'block bad downloads' mean? how does it classify which ones is bad? also, where do I lock the IE hosts file and start page? thanks alot for the help glc.

[glc]

Yes, you must completely uninstall Norton before installing AVG.

You lock the hosts file and start page right under the immunize - keep scrolling down.

From the help file:

Beginning from version 1.2, Spybot-S&D allows you to immunize your computer against some spyware. It currently offers three different immunities:

Permanent Internet Explorer immunity

Similar to JavaCools SpywareBlaster, this allows you to tweak some internal Internet Explorer settings to block the installation of known spyware (and similar threats) installers. Spybot-S&D is able to set all entries for those that are in its database to be blocked. If you want to distinguish, you should install SpywareBlaster.

Permanently running bad download blocker for Internet Explorer

This is a second layer of protection for IE. While the Permanent Immunity blocks installers by their ActiveX ID, this one blocks anything that should come through by different aspects.
You can view a log of blocked installers in the Tools / Resident section.

Recommended miscellaneous protections

These are very small changes recommended to make your system a bit safer and more secure. Locking the hosts file will prevent most hosts hijackers (even unknown) from doing harm; locking the IE settings will prevent other users of your computer to change your preferences.

[Karnevil9]

I use Kerio personal firewall, which is free, and I like it very much.