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[avaserfi]

Hummm, I had Norton 360 but it expired....mmmmm....about the time my computer starting getting slow...

I bet your computer would speed up ten fold if you uninstalled Norton and got a good anti-virus. In my experience Norton is a system hog that does not do a very good job.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It's not loaded on there now.

I bet your computer would speed up ten fold if you uninstalled Norton and got a good anti-virus. In my experience Norton is a system hog that does not do a very good job.

 

[avaserfi]

It's not loaded on there now.

Expired and uninstalled are two different things. When Norton expires it still runs, it just does not update anymore - at least that is how it worked the last time I used a computer with Norton on it.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I took it off when I uninstalled and reinstalled everything.

Expired and uninstalled are two different things. When Norton expires it still runs, it just does not update anymore - at least that is how it worked the last time I used a computer with Norton on it.

 

[Warpdrv]

Yeah but after that Norton CR@P expired, then your computer went to $hit....

Save / Backup all your files and reload the OS, after that get Firefox for a browser and never use Internet Explorer ever ever again.... IE is the worst and so venerable to virus's and spyware is sickening.. Firefox is a good browser and has lots of addons that make it even better. Like AdBlock which stops all popups and spam and on page ads... great addon, one of thousands and thousands out for firefox...

After that go purchase and install NOD32 and start fresh... Never run without a good antivirus...

Its not worth messing around with a computer that is full of crap and trying to clean it.... backup stuff needed and just do a reload and be done with it... If you have the original OS that came with the computer.. If not, then go buy a copy of windows 7 and start fresh.... it'll be like a whole new computer...

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Thanks brother but I just don't really want to dump money into this. The rub is, I need the protection software, I need the Office software and I find it difficult to take the desktop out to the pool. If I can fix this for free than I will just do that. If not, then I'd rather just buy a new one.

Yeah but after that Norton CR@P expired, then your computer went to $hit....

Save / Backup all your files and reload the OS, after that get Firefox for a browser and never use Internet Explorer ever ever again.... IE is the worst and so venerable to virus's and spyware is sickening.. Firefox is a good browser and has lots of addons that make it even better. Like AdBlock which stops all popups and spam and on page ads... great addon, one of thousands and thousands out for firefox...

After that go purchase and install NOD32 and start fresh... Never run without a good antivirus...

Its not worth messing around with a computer that is full of crap and trying to clean it.... backup stuff needed and just do a reload and be done with it... If you have the original OS that came with the computer.. If not, then go buy a copy of windows 7 and start fresh.... it'll be like a whole new computer...

 

[Warpdrv]

Thanks brother but I just don't really want to dump money into this. The rub is, I need the protection software, I need the Office software and I find it difficult to take the desktop out to the pool. If I can fix this for free than I will just do that. If not, then I'd rather just buy a new one.

There is no reason you can't fix it for free.... just reload the OS and get those programs I told you to get... firefox is FREE... but you need to buy the ANTIVIRUS.... NOD32 - no way around that unless you get pirate software... better to be safe in the long run with a purchased product... $40. for 1 year $60 for 2 years... I assume you have the office software already...

 

[njedpx3]

Some ideas before you buy

Thanks brother but I just don't really want to dump money into this. The rub is, I need the protection software, I need the Office software and I find it difficult to take the desktop out to the pool. If I can fix this for free than I will just do that. If not, then I'd rather just buy a new one.

Okay people don't like Norton, the professional version SymantecEnd point Protection is better. There are also Trend Micro and McAfee


Actually , try running "Housecall" http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ a free virus scan/clean from Trend Micro. Run this before you do anything else ---you might have a virus and/or other malware.

You might want to consider purchasing and running a Registry repair program.
However, be careful of many of the free ones; some just hawk products.
Here is a review of the top ten: http://registry-repair-software-review.toptenreviews.com/ Refgistry mechanic used tro be one of the better ones. In the future, it is good practice to make a registry backup before you make any major changes to your PC, especially OS updates/chnages.


Contray to what some others have said, there are at least a couple of good spyware, adware removal products. The original Spybot Search & Destroy ( there are a lot of crappy knock-offs that aren't as good and want to charge you) and the free Lavasodt Ad-aware

spybot : http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html
lavasoft: http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

These will clean a lot of crap ( i.e. spyware, grayware,)that builds up after a period of time.

Good luck and here's to a faster system.

Forest Man

P.S. - Someday I will tell you what I did before I retired but it had to do with ISO 27002, CFATS and encryption

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I don't have office on my desktop, just on the laptop. My laptop belongs to work so I can't load stuff on there like I would like to.

There is no reason you can't fix it for free.... just reload the OS and get those programs I told you to get... firefox is FREE... but you need to buy the ANTIVIRUS.... NOD32 - no way around that unless you get pirate software... better to be safe in the long run with a purchased product... $40. for 1 year $60 for 2 years... I assume you have the office software already...

 

[Warpdrv]

I won't argue with you Forest man.... but I will say, there is no need for products like spybot or adaware when you have a comprehensive all inclusive antivirus program running... I have tried them all, for many many years.

Trend Micro is good too...

My point was that if you have a computer that is all bogged down already, just back up what you can and just blow everything away, some things are just not worth trying to fix... especially a completely infested computer...

Starting fresh is so much better and easier in the long run, then learning how keep things from getting out of hand... using the right preventative programs is KEY...

 

[Warpdrv]

Ya know, another method would be to look into a nice small Netbook

Asus 1201n is coming out soon... small lightweight portable and is looking great for January - $500

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Ok, can someone give me the details on how to dump everything and start over?

 

[sawzalot]

Ok, can someone give me the details on how to dump everything and start over?

Are you going to re-install windows xp from the original authentic disc that came with the computer ?
Sorry if this was already answered but I just noticed what you are up to.

 

[sawzalot]

If you are it is as simple as inserting the disc (disc one) mine came with two discs, then the screen will prompt you the rest of the way.
If its not the original disc I think you can shut down the laptop start it back up tapping the F11 key as it starts up and that will bring up a restore windows screen also, it might ask if you want to do a system restore or a complete install and you do the complete at which point the screen will prompt you to install disc one which will pop open the tray when finished and then it asks for disc two insert that as well and let it go.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yes, I have the original VISTA disc.

 

[sawzalot]

Yes, I have the original VISTA disc.

I am 99% sure that you can simply pace the disc in the tray and you will get the prompts to guide you through a re-install heres a link to your set-up:http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-Vista

 

[Warpdrv]

Wait.... backup everything you need to save to an external source...

Pics, data - ya know.... if there is anything you don't want to lose before you erace the entire hard drive of data....

Then you go about that put in the disc and reboot to install Vista new... which will erase the hard drive which you should do...

 

[Adam]

My laptop belongs to work so I can't load stuff on there like I would like to.

Wait, what?! This is your work computer? Why not have them fix it?

 

[avaserfi]

Wait, what?! This is your work computer? Why not have them fix it?

Because his personal desktop is the issue, not the work laptop.

If we never hear back from PDawg it is because he got fed up with the process and decided the PC was more useful as a ornament for the bottom of the pool.

 

[Adam]

Because his personal desktop is the issue, not the work laptop.

Sorry, I must have missed something. I just assumed that he was replacing a laptop with another laptop.

Thanks.