OT: Computer Help

[jttheclockman]

Ok people or should I say computer geeks I need help with 3 problems.

Problem #1-- All of a sudden I am being bombarded with pop-ups. I did an ADAWARE scan, Spyware scan, Norton virus scan, and still pop-ups like someone open the flood gates. My pop-up blocker on Norton is on and the one on AOL is on.

Problem #2-- Memory is very low I keep adding but it keeps going lower. I have 640MB memory. I have done a cleanout where I clean the cookies and temp files. Someone suggested to go to files and folders and type *tmp and a list of files come up and I should delete all of them. They all do not have TMP file next to them. I noticed some of them have my pictures on them. If I delete them are they stopred on the hard drive or am I going to loose them??
How do I get some memory back??

Problem #3-- My Norton anti-virus contract is up in 4 days should I renew this or is there a better system out there??

Now you can answer here or email me. Thanks in advance for the help.

[CanadianScroller]

Problem #1. I wont even ask my sons to help with this. They both work at a computer call center, but if I mention AOL they will shoot me.

I use Google tool bar with pop up blocker. The bonus is the spellchecker for posting in the forum.
You should run task manager and find out how many processes are running right now.
You will be able to see which processes are gobbling up memory.
Even wih my scanner program, extra video drivers, email, firefox and task manager running I am only at 24 processes. It will also show you how much memory you are using.

Problem #2 There are two types of memory on your pc. One stores data and one is used to manipulate the data in its operations.
Windows will use part of your hard disk as a virtual memory but if you are having error messages about running low on memory I would suspect something is using it as an operation.
You can also find that out in the task manager. Look for a process whose memory size is increasing.

Number 3
There is nothing wrong with Norton and if you wish to renew it go ahead. I am cheap cheap cheap and use the free programs that are out there. Pandasoftware or AVAST, there are lots.
It may not hurt to go to the Panda site and run an online virus scan. Maybe something is being missed with your other software.
I had an issue which nothing picked up. There was a file called MSMSGR.exe that was running constantly. I would close it down and it would start up.
It was not MS Messenger but it used the same name. nothing detected it.
I went to my prefetch directory in windows.
I deleted all the prefetch files and never had the problem since.

I know this is all superficial stuff but it is hard to diagnose over here,
Give the tips a try, you wont hurt anything.

Ok people or should I say computer geeks I need help with 3 problems.

Problem #1-- All of a sudden I am being bombarded with pop-ups. I did an ADAWARE scan, Spyware scan, Norton virus scan, and still pop-ups like someone open the flood gates. My pop-up blocker on Norton is on and the one on AOL is on.

Problem #2-- Memory is very low I keep adding but it keeps going lower. I have 640MB memory. I have done a cleanout where I clean the cookies and temp files. Someone suggested to go to files and folders and type *tmp and a list of files come up and I should delete all of them. They all do not have TMP file next to them. I noticed some of them have my pictures on them. If I delete them are they stopred on the hard drive or am I going to loose them??
How do I get some memory back??

Problem #3-- My Norton anti-virus contract is up in 4 days should I renew this or is there a better system out there??

Now you can answer here or email me. Thanks in advance for the help.

[oaklysawyer]

As for AOL, my condolances.

Top rated FREE antivirus is AVG by Grissoft. Download it here.
http://netscape.com.com/AVG-Anti-Vir...l?tag=pop.feed

I have used it for years after Norton was taking over my computer and causing loads of problems.
Go to Start > > > Search > > > All folders and files > > and delete everything that comes up related to Norton and there will be lots of them . Delete them all and just hope that some more are not hidden in your registry.
Good luck.
Fred

[Neal Moore]

Norton Antivirus

JT..Norton is an excellent virus protection. I've used it since way before the internet was open to the public, still use it, and will renew before the 24TH of this month (that's when my current subscription runs out). Carl gave you some good advice but you also need to make sure "auto protect" is up and running in your Norton program. If your machine has been running slow when retrieving files you might need to de-fragment your hard disk. It's simple to do but takes a little time. I'll talk to my daughter tonight and see if I can find out more for ya. She's a Microsoft engineer and knows a ton more than I about these things.

[jttheclockman]

I do defrag everytime I run the other spyware programs to clean up the files. I have heard so much negative about Norton that I am not sure. I do know it works and do not know all these free ones are any good. As far as the pop-ups I have done nothing different than all other times before . I have not diengaged any blockers or anything like that. It is an all of a sudden thing and it is like the floodgates opened. Every 2 minutes another one pops up. As far as deleting things I get worried because I am afraid of losing something that was important. I am just not good with these things. Give me some wood.

[BobD (Archive)]

JT if you're getting a lot of Popups...you my have a "trojan" which is a virus that opens the door for other programs to get in (It has some other purpose bu that is what it is most used for). Try Microsoft's Antispyware--it picks up some things the others don't.

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

It's in Beta stage, so it's free. I've got mine set to run a scan at 2 am every day.

Bob

[GrayBeard Phil]

JT:

1st the bad news:

There are several really bad trojan horses out there today. The line between spyware and viruses is now very gray. The worst two spyware programs today (December '05) is MyWebSearch and SpyAxe. Both of these open doors on your computer for all kinds of pop-ups and problems. Then, to top this off, there are newsgroups that are to help out users like you, but now, today, you post your spyware problem and someone responds with a link to a "anti-spyware" shareware program. That link and that shareware program are even worse than the original problem, and the poster is the author of the bogus program.

This is the problem, once a program has been "installed" on your computer, like the trojan horse MyWebSearch, all anti-spyware programs consider it a legit program that you want. They may ask you about do you want to keep it, but mostly it is considered legit. Very hard for the writters of anti-spyware programs to in-advance know to delete.

At my day job, we have been hit by a spyware program that overwrote a real program that is used by the maker of a video dirver. The bad software overwrote the video driver's program, and everytime the computer reboots, the spyware gets re-installed regardless of how many times anti-spyware programs tried to remove it.

And don't get my started on Yahoo! tool bar, Napster, and even EBay is bad lately.

I want to post this, and check some facts on the restoring you PC and will try to post the Good News part later tonight.

Phil

[jttheclockman]

Phil

Good to hear from you. You have been a big help in the past and hope you can help again. I noticed you mention Yahoo. This happens to be my Home page for the World Wide Web setting on my browser. I have noticed the pop-ups have stopped. Do not ask me what I did because as far as I know it I did not do anything. I checked my pop-up blockers and all were on and have been. It was just strange for 4 days I was getting bombarded with pop-ups. I couldn't do anything without clearing the pop-up. Now it is back to nothing. I appreciate the help for sure.

[GrayBeard Phil]

Help from Symantec

John mentioned he had Norton Anti-Virus.

Anti-Virus programs have two parts, the database engine and the database of Virus signatures. Anti-Sypware programs are the same way. Before renewing a subscription for updates to the database of Virus signatures, you must be sure the database engine is also up to date. There are times it is better to purchase an upgrade version (with free one year subscription) than just renew subscription service.

You should upgrade to latest version at least every 18 to 24 months. If you can afford the extra, Symantec also sells a package deal that includes Mal-Ware protection.

With AOL, you should be upgradeing your AOL software to latest version (I think version 10 is out) as it becomes available.

Mal-ware is a broader (and more correct) term for the current batch of spyware. See this link:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/glo...articleContent
At the top of the page is a column of types of Mal-Ware. As you click on each of the Spyware, Adware, Dialers, Hack Tools, etc. you can see just how many types of things that are out there. By the way if you have the time, that link above is good reading, but many will find it too "geek-speak" to read fully.

Yes, there are inexpensive anti-virus and anti-Malware programs out there. Many of them could be good. However, they are only as good as the engine is in it's ablility to being able to detect and repair any damage, and the database is current enough to recongnize a piece of Mal-Ware.

That is where a major player like Symantec, McAfee, Microsoft, and Lavasoft come into play. All the Big Names are large enough to have the knowledgeable employees, equipment, and customer base resource to be able to detect and repair a Mal-ware attack. (A large customer base submits attacks so solutions can be developed. Without submissions the notice of a new attack is somewhat limited.)

The justification for paying for a large company like Symatec (Norton) breaks down to: Constant upgrades to database engine to match the potential threats can be detected and dealt with, and 2) updates easy to install to the database of virus detections.

I am not putting down the freeware, shareware, or inexpensive anti-virus programs, I am only addressing why Symantec and McAfee are worth the money.

Phil

[GrayBeard Phil]

Suggestion to help

#1 - Delete cookies and Temp Internet files. On a regular schedule you should go to Tools --> Intenet options and select delete cookies and then delete Files.

#2 - You should block third party cookies. Go to Tools --> Internet options and on the options window select the tab on the top for Privacy. Look for the Advance button. On the next window select the check box for Override Default Cookie Handling. Place a check (use mouse and click) by Accept first Party Cookies, and Always Allow Session Cookies. Under Third Party Cookies, select Block.

Aside: Third Party cookies. When you go to a web site, for example J.C. Penny's and purchase a shirt, you don't mind J.C. Penny placing a cookie on your computer about your purchase, size, color, and style. They may use that information to offer you a sale at some point. But why should you allow the Gap, or Old Navy clothing store to put a cookie on your computer. You don't want third party cookies. Third Party cookies are were 70% of the Mal-ware programs come from.

Aside 2: if you block third party cookies, some web stores will not be able to process your purchase. You can always restore the cookies to default but quickly after you make your purchase, delete all cookies again.

#3 All users of Windows (except those with Windows 2000 professional) should learn about the use of the program MSCONFIG. This is a way to examine the startup programs that load when you boot your progam. When your computer is correctly working, write down the listing under the startup tab. You will need this, if not for yourself, but for the computer geek who tries to fix your computer. (Start button --> run --> type in msconfig depress the enter key.

I hope this helps.

Phil

[jttheclockman]

Phil I have done most of what you have said in fact I do this on a regular basis. I have deleted temp files and cookies. Have defrag after I run all my Adaware and spyware programs. I am down to 27% memory and can not multi task. Someone told me to do the following but I do not know if I am erasing important things so I have not done it. They say click on start, find folders, type *.tmp. a bunch of temp files will show up and yes there is hundreds of them. They say to delete all files. My question is if I deleted temp files when I did the internet tools thing what are these files?? Some have tmp next to them and some have loading file next to them. I clicked on a few and there are pictures that I thought were stored on my hard drive. Is that the files for them and if I delete them are they gone for good?? I am so confused. I hate computers.

[Neal Moore]

Temporary files

JT.....referring to problem #2: If you have copied any of your pictures from your hard drive to a CD, the pictures are copied to, and stored in, a temp. file. Your computer uses that file as sort of a staging area for the photos that are to be burned to disk. They are copies and can be deleted without losing the originals from your hard disk. I don't know if temp. files are also created when you upload pictures to the internet, such as to the user's gallery or as an attachment to a post. If so, I suspect that might be what you're seeing. Maybe Phil Knows??

[GrayBeard Phil]

JT:

Sorry, but I am fighting what the weather lady on TV called 5 to 7 inches of snow. (just don't get me started on how a pretty lady can say with a smile "5 to 7 inches of snow", knowing that everyone is cursing back at her! Well at least everyone who has to shovel that blasted snow.)

Anyway I will continue this thread on Private Messges.

In the meantime, if you are running out of MEMORY, which is also known as RAM, deleting Temp files will have no effect. If you are running out of Hard disk space, most temp files will be small and have almost no effect. Do you have a CD writer on your Computer? You may need to move some *.JPG files off your hard drive.

Double click on the My Computer Icon, then left cllick on the C:\ drive. Write down the information as to Total size, and Free space of your C:\ drive.
Repeat for all other Hard drives (D, E, F etc) if you have them. Do not bother with the CD drive. Close all windows.

Now work your way from the Start button to Settings, click on control panel, and then click on the icon for System. I haven't supported a Windows ME in a long while, but some where there is a button for Virtural memory. Please record the information under Virtual memory.

Phil

[moolcool]

Definite Answer

#1 Get adaware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
-get spybot http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
If you have XP get all windows updates and microsoft anti spyware http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx


#2 Popups i use firefox instead of internet explorer. it is better in every way and it isnt hard to learn at all you can get it at mozilla.org

#3
Norten i find terrable use AVG free edition Panda online scan is good but offers no real time protection