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LoveTractor · 03-08-08, 01:04 PM

I said I was gonna do this, so here it is. A work in progress. Welcome to TUCHT!

This thread is a place to pool common computer tips and fixes as well as a place where anyone can post up and get help from 'Mud's computer dorks. You know who you are, fellas.

By all means, hop in and answer questions. This thread ain't just for me.

I. PC Clean-Up:
I do this at least once a month. This can bring a slow computer back to life.

1)Run anti-virus and spyware scans.
"These scans tend to work much faster and are more successful at getting rid of stuff if you run them in Safe Mode."-KLF
To enter Safe Mode, reboot your PC and hold down F8 and choose "Safe Mode."

2)Delete files IN Prefetch folder(Not folder itself!)
Start>All Programs>Accessories>Windows Explorer>My Computer>C:>Windows>Prefetch>Edit(XP)/Organize(Vista)>Select All>Delete

3)Delete files IN Temp folder(Not folder itself!)
Start>All Programs>Accessories>Windows Explorer>My Computer>C:>Windows>Temp>>Edit(XP)/Organize(Vista)>Select All>Delete

4)Add/Remove unused Programs(A lean computer runs faster.)
Start>Control Panel>Add or Remove Programs(XP)/Uninstall a Program(Vista)

5)Disk Clean-Up(Old Restore Points too except for Vista)
Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Clean-Up>More Options tab>System Restore>Clean-Up>"Yes"(see note)>Disk Clean-up tab>check boxes(see note)>OK
Note: Do not check the box "Office Set Up Files" or it will mess up Microsoft Office!
Note: This option is not available in Vista

6)Hard drive Error-checking.
Start>My Computer>right-click C:>Properties>Tools Tab>Error-Checking>Check Now>check both boxes>Start(will likely ask you to reboot)

7)Defrag the hard drive. My analogy to clients of a Windows hard drive: the hard drive is like a filing cabinet which gets terribly out of order over time. The CPU will take longer finding files and programs and not open them as fast. A defrag is a "secretary" that organizes the "filing cabinet" so files and programs can be found easier and faster.
Start>My Computer>right-click C:>Properties>Tools Tab>Defragmentation
In Vista, Defrag is automatic and you have the option to enable/disable auto defrag.

II. Back-Up Your Data Regularly and Before Reformatting
Get into a schedule. You never think you need to until it's too late. I back-up at least once a month if not more often. Back up these files to an external hard drive, USB thumbdrive, or blank CD/DVD.
XP: Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Back-Up>Advanced Mode>Back-Up Wizard...
Vista: Start>All Programs>Maintenance>Backup and Restore Center>Back up Files

If you know of other files that were not included in the above method, back those up too using drag and drop or right-click.
And don't forget to backup your emails from your email client too!(Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.)
And if you're gonna reformat, don't forget to deauthorize your iTunes library or the next reformat might need to use an additional authorization of iTunes. You can only authorize one library on 5 computers.

III. Back-Up Data from a corrupted or FUBARed System:
Sometimes a computer will get corrupted or infected with malware to the point where you can't bootup properly or you can't save your data properly. If you can't backup your data using the method from section II, there is another way.
Enter Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu . Ubuntu is one of the more popular and user friendly distributions of Linux and the entire Ubuntu operating system can be used from a Live CD that runs from your CD/DVD drive without installing or affecting your computer. You can access the files from within your corrupted Windows system and save them through the Ubuntu Live CD.
Directions: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...dows-computer/

1)Use a working computer to download the Ubuntu Live CD from Download Ubuntu | Ubuntu
2)Burn the downloaded .ISO to a CD using a burner program of your preference. (See https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto but you can use whatever program you want.)
3)Insert the Ubuntu Live CD into your corrupted computer and reboot while holding/tapping the "C" button which will boot the Ubuntu Live CD from CD/DVD drive.
3)When you get to the first Ubuntu menu, choose "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" and Ubuntu will load up.
4)Follow directions from link above.

IV. Completely and totally wipe a hard drive clean before reformatting or discarding hard drive.
If you either want to do a very thorough reformat in order to reinstall your OS or if you're selling or tossing a hard drive, OregonCruzer has presented this nifty piece of software that "nukes" everything on the hard drive with 1s and 0s. This is a great tool to protect your privacy by wiping out all your personal data before throwing it out into the wild.
Darik's Boot and Nuke (Hard Drive Disk Wipe)
Download the ISO and burn it to a CD. Insert it into your computer and reboot holding the "C" button to boot from the CD/DVD drive. When you get to the DBAN prompt, type "autonuke" to completely wipe the ENTIRE drive. Or press "enter" to choose specific partitions to wipe.

V. New or Factory-recovered Retail Laptop/Desktop Setup and Optimization:
1)Ethernet Internet Connection-faster than wireless for updates
2)Windows installation/set-up wizard
3)Download/Install Windows Updates/Set Automatic Updates(see Item VI)
4)Remove manufacturer-installed bloatware/crapware & unwanted Windows Components(See Item I #4)
5)Anti-Virus (Item XII)
6)Anti-Spyware(Windows Defender if XP and others) (Item XII)
7)FireFox + Add-Ons(if desired)(see Item XIV)
8)Additional program installations(if desired)
9)Install additional hardware(use plug n' play, disregard included CD unless Windows can't find driver)
10)Disk Clean-up(see Item I #6)
11)Defrag(see Item I #7)
12)Additional settings(see Items VI through XI)

VI. Automatic Updates:
I don't set my Automatic Updates to download and install the Updates automatically. I update a couple days after the second Tuesday of every month(called Microsoft Tuesday) when Microsoft uploads the updates. It's good to wait just in case a repair to updates needs to be implemented by Microsoft. Some automatic updates have been known to FUBAR a system hence why I always wait a few days in case Microsoft needs to iron some kinks out. Using the following setting, Windows will notify you in the systray of the task bar(lower right) with the yellow shield and bubbles will remind you that action is required. Just wait a few days and then update.
XP: Start>Control Panel>Security Center>Automatic Update Settings(XP)/Windows Updates(V)>check "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them"
Vista: Start>Control Panel>Security Center>under Windows Updates>"Turn Auto Updating on or off">check "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them"

VII. Network Security
Cordon off your computer from outside attacks through a network; especially on your laptop that you may use on public networks.
XP:Start>Control Panel>Security Center>Windows Firewall Settings>Exceptions tab
Vista:Start>Control Panel>Security Center>under Windows Firewall>"Allow a program through Windows Firewall">Exceptions Tab
Uncheck:
File and Printer Sharing
Remote Assistance
Remote Desktop
Any other settings you don't want others to have access to. Leave Anti-Virus exceptions checked or you won't get updates.

VIII. Consolidate your work under "My Documents"
Make your own folder under My Documents with your name. Makes Back-Ups easier. Make additional folders for additional users.

IX. Limit your use of the Administrator account.
The Admin account is the primary account where most of us do our daily computing. But it also grants a full pass to some stuff that shouldn't be messed with. I'm an IT guy and even I limit my use of the admin account. Make another User account through admin to do your daily stuff. This way, if you accidentally download executable files and try to run them, you'll get a warning that you don't have that privilege. Linux uses the Root account. Vista has already implemented this feature with the pop-up warnings which some find annoying. I actually really like it and it does help.

X. Optimize your Virtual Memory
Virtual Memory is the hard drive equivalent to the RAM in your motherboard. It's good practice to set it to at least 2 times RAM size if you have the room or you can let your OS manage it automatically.
Start>right click My Computer>Properties>Advanced>Performance>Settings> Advanced>Virtual Memory>Change to "System Managed Size" or 2xRAM size

XI. Lengthen Laptop Power
XP:Start>right click My Computer>Manage>Device Manager>double click device>General tab>Device Usage>Enable/Disable
Vista:Start>right click My Computer>Manage>Device Manager>double click device>Driver tab>Disable/Enable
Turn off stuff you're not using like:
IR functions
Firewire
Sound Functions
PCMCIA
Ports you're not gonna use
Etc

XII. My recommendations for spyware and antivirus protection:
You pay for what you get. The best antivirus and spyware protection is subscription-based and will keep your computer completely protected and up to date. The free stuff ain't that great and usually only fixes infections AFTER you've been infected or AFTER you've run a scan. The subscription-based programs actually STOP malware from infecting your computer in the first place by checking everything "at the door," so to speak. Nothing bad gets in.

Subscription-based Antivirus
Antivirus Software: Kaspersky Lab - Protection Against Malware and Cybercrime
Antivirus Software - Eliminate Spyware and Adware with ESET NOD32 Antivirus (not as intuitive as Kaspersky)(AV-Comparatives gave Nod 32 their "Best of 2007" vote)

Subscription-based Spyware Protection(Stops spyware from ever entering your computer. One or the other; not both.)
Spy Sweeper-Award-winning Antivirus and Antispyware Security
Spyware Doctor - Best Spyware Removal. Free Trial Download.

If you're a cheapskate and you don't want good protection for your computer:

Free Antivirus
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html
I've taken AVG out of the line-up. It really has been acting up since they came out with Version 8.

Free Spyware "Protection"/Scanners(In most cases, you have to manually scan to find and remove infections. And use all three...or more.

)
Ad-Aware 2007 Free - Lavasoft
The home of Spybot-Search&Destroy!
Windows Defender - Spyware Protection for Free(Now included with Vista)

I am not a big fan of Norton/Symantec or McAfee. Norton is a hog of a program that sticks its greedy little fingers all over your computer slowing it down. And uninstalling it is near impossible without special programs. McAfee = meh; AVG actually catches more.
To Uninstall Norton
Add/Remove+SymNRT+ccremove.reg
Google "symnrt" and choose product.

For some great comparative reviews of anti-virus programs:
AV-Comparatives

XIII. Malware Removal
If your computer gets infected by spyware or a virus and your malware protection is not getting rid of it:

Before we begin, I'd like to throw this out there. amos715 has brought up a good point: "It takes about 1.5 hours to reload all computer software and updates. Why spend more time than that trying to clean something(malware) that is still not going to run like a fresh load will?" What he's saying is that instead of going through all the trouble of trying to remove stubborn malware(virus/spyware), it might be easier to back-up everything important on the computer and just do a clean install.

To start malware removal, you can try a System Restore which may or may not work. Go back as far as possible without losing any of your own important files that may have been created recently. A System Restore is like a computer's time machine reverting it back to a previous(and hopefully uninfected) state.
Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore

Go into Add/Remove programs and remove/delete any suspicious programs that shouldn't be there. And even delete programs you just don't need. A lean computer runs faster.
Start>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs/Uninstall a Program

1)Identify the infection.
Run your spyware and antivirus scans and find what is infecting your computer. As KLF suggested in Item I #1, "These scans tend to work much faster and are more successful at getting rid of stuff if you run them in Safe Mode."
If your antivirus/spyware programs are not indentifying the infection, you must first disable your current antivirus program(2 antivirus programs running at the same time will cancel each other out) and run some online scans.:
Free Virus Scan - Kaspersky Lab
ESET Online Scanner
Trend Micro HouseCall - Free Online Virus and Spyware Scan - Trend Micro USA
BitDefender Online Scanner - Free Online Virus Scan
Infected or not - Find out if your PC has virus, spyware...

2)Viruses are very specific and have unique names. Hopefully one of the above scans has identified the infection. With the malware identified, now it's time to figure out how to remove it. Go to one of the next sites and find the malware's definition and removal instructions:
Security Response - Symantec Corp.
F-Secure.com > Overview
Google

3)Now it's time to remove the infection.
Important: Disable System Restore before removing a virus!! You don't want to go through this lengthy process only to have your system restore itself back to a time when you had the virus.
Start>Right-Click My Computer>Properties>System Restore tab>Check "Turn off System Restore"
Print out the instructions and follow them to a T checking off items as you go. If it involves going into the registry to delete registry data, I'd recommend you backup your registry before deleting anything in case you mess up. Take notes as you go of everything you do incase you have to backpedal.
To get into Registry Editor
XP: Start>Run>"regedit"
Vista: Start>All Programs>Accessories>Run>"regedit"

Here are some other tools that remove specific malware as well. Look here to see if your specific infection may be removed using these programs:
TrendSecure | TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Overview
SmitFraudFix

Remember to turn System Restore back on after you've removed the malware.

Last resort is a clean install.

XIV. FireFox Rocks!
Get it. It is more secure than Internet Explorer or Safari and completely customizable and is great to use with the add-ons.
Firefox web browser | Faster, more secure, & customizable
Add-ons I use:
AdBlock Plus Add-On
NoScript Add-On
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2410
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/26
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/636
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5579
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4458
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2286
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5408
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2207

Search engine plug-ins: http://mycroft.mozdev.org

XV. Good and Secure Passwords
A good and secure password is NOT just a single common word. It's not your initials or your birthday or even the name of the street you grew up on. A good password is a random string of upper and lower case letters and numbers all jumbled together. Common words and personal phrases can either be broken by social engineering or dictionary attacks.
Ex:QdZi7s10aKfCEyI8wo5G(not mine...woody's

)
Likewise, you can use an old and UNIQUE nickname or something that only you and maybe your wife knows(in upper and lowercase letters) mixed with a number only YOU know like your old high school locker combo or something.
You should get in the habit of ALWAYS using secure passwords with everything in this day and age.
A good password generator that generates passwords that only you can see using SSL(secure socket layer) and refreshes every time you refresh the page:
https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm

XVI. If your computer is running slow and it doesn't seem to be malware:
Check the processes running on your computer. Bring up the Processes under Task Manager.
CTRL>ALT>DEL>Processes tab>click the CPU column(twice) so the higher percentage is on top.
Look at what processes are hogging CPU cycles. You can pause the processes screen:
View>Update Speed>Pause
Now check what the hogging processes do and whether the process(es) is malware or if it can be Ended.
ProcessLibrary.com - The online resource for process information!!
Google

....continued....

03-08-08, 01:04 PM	#1
LoveTractor Havin' A Good Time Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC Posts: 374	The Ultimate Computer Help Thread(TUCHT) I said I was gonna do this, so here it is. A work in progress. Welcome to TUCHT! This thread is a place to pool common computer tips and fixes as well as a place where anyone can post up and get help from 'Mud's computer dorks. You know who you are, fellas. By all means, hop in and answer questions. This thread ain't just for me. I. PC Clean-Up: I do this at least once a month. This can bring a slow computer back to life. 1)Run anti-virus and spyware scans. "These scans tend to work much faster and are more successful at getting rid of stuff if you run them in Safe Mode."-KLF To enter Safe Mode, reboot your PC and hold down F8 and choose "Safe Mode." 2)Delete files IN Prefetch folder(Not folder itself!) Start>All Programs>Accessories>Windows Explorer>My Computer>C:>Windows>Prefetch>Edit(XP)/Organize(Vista)>Select All>Delete 3)Delete files IN Temp folder(Not folder itself!) Start>All Programs>Accessories>Windows Explorer>My Computer>C:>Windows>Temp>>Edit(XP)/Organize(Vista)>Select All>Delete 4)Add/Remove unused Programs(A lean computer runs faster.) Start>Control Panel>Add or Remove Programs(XP)/Uninstall a Program(Vista) 5)Disk Clean-Up(Old Restore Points too except for Vista) Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Clean-Up>More Options tab>System Restore>Clean-Up>"Yes"(see note)>Disk Clean-up tab>check boxes(see note)>OK Note: Do not check the box "Office Set Up Files" or it will mess up Microsoft Office! Note: This option is not available in Vista 6)Hard drive Error-checking. Start>My Computer>right-click C:>Properties>Tools Tab>Error-Checking>Check Now>check both boxes>Start(will likely ask you to reboot) 7)Defrag the hard drive. My analogy to clients of a Windows hard drive: the hard drive is like a filing cabinet which gets terribly out of order over time. The CPU will take longer finding files and programs and not open them as fast. A defrag is a "secretary" that organizes the "filing cabinet" so files and programs can be found easier and faster. Start>My Computer>right-click C:>Properties>Tools Tab>Defragmentation In Vista, Defrag is automatic and you have the option to enable/disable auto defrag. II. Back-Up Your Data Regularly and Before Reformatting Get into a schedule. You never think you need to until it's too late. I back-up at least once a month if not more often. Back up these files to an external hard drive, USB thumbdrive, or blank CD/DVD. XP: Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Back-Up>Advanced Mode>Back-Up Wizard... Vista: Start>All Programs>Maintenance>Backup and Restore Center>Back up Files If you know of other files that were not included in the above method, back those up too using drag and drop or right-click. And don't forget to backup your emails from your email client too!(Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.) And if you're gonna reformat, don't forget to deauthorize your iTunes library or the next reformat might need to use an additional authorization of iTunes. You can only authorize one library on 5 computers. III. Back-Up Data from a corrupted or FUBARed System: Sometimes a computer will get corrupted or infected with malware to the point where you can't bootup properly or you can't save your data properly. If you can't backup your data using the method from section II, there is another way. Enter Ubuntu Home Page \| Ubuntu . Ubuntu is one of the more popular and user friendly distributions of Linux and the entire Ubuntu operating system can be used from a Live CD that runs from your CD/DVD drive without installing or affecting your computer. You can access the files from within your corrupted Windows system and save them through the Ubuntu Live CD. Directions: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windo...dows-computer/ 1)Use a working computer to download the Ubuntu Live CD from Download Ubuntu \| Ubuntu 2)Burn the downloaded .ISO to a CD using a burner program of your preference. (See https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto but you can use whatever program you want.) 3)Insert the Ubuntu Live CD into your corrupted computer and reboot while holding/tapping the "C" button which will boot the Ubuntu Live CD from CD/DVD drive. 3)When you get to the first Ubuntu menu, choose "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" and Ubuntu will load up. 4)Follow directions from link above. IV. Completely and totally wipe a hard drive clean before reformatting or discarding hard drive. If you either want to do a very thorough reformat in order to reinstall your OS or if you're selling or tossing a hard drive, OregonCruzer has presented this nifty piece of software that "nukes" everything on the hard drive with 1s and 0s. This is a great tool to protect your privacy by wiping out all your personal data before throwing it out into the wild. Darik's Boot and Nuke (Hard Drive Disk Wipe) Download the ISO and burn it to a CD. Insert it into your computer and reboot holding the "C" button to boot from the CD/DVD drive. When you get to the DBAN prompt, type "autonuke" to completely wipe the ENTIRE drive. Or press "enter" to choose specific partitions to wipe. V. New or Factory-recovered Retail Laptop/Desktop Setup and Optimization: 1)Ethernet Internet Connection-faster than wireless for updates 2)Windows installation/set-up wizard 3)Download/Install Windows Updates/Set Automatic Updates(see Item VI) 4)Remove manufacturer-installed bloatware/crapware & unwanted Windows Components(See Item I #4) 5)Anti-Virus (Item XII) 6)Anti-Spyware(Windows Defender if XP and others) (Item XII) 7)FireFox + Add-Ons(if desired)(see Item XIV) 8)Additional program installations(if desired) 9)Install additional hardware(use plug n' play, disregard included CD unless Windows can't find driver) 10)Disk Clean-up(see Item I #6) 11)Defrag(see Item I #7) 12)Additional settings(see Items VI through XI) VI. Automatic Updates: I don't set my Automatic Updates to download and install the Updates automatically. I update a couple days after the second Tuesday of every month(called Microsoft Tuesday) when Microsoft uploads the updates. It's good to wait just in case a repair to updates needs to be implemented by Microsoft. Some automatic updates have been known to FUBAR a system hence why I always wait a few days in case Microsoft needs to iron some kinks out. Using the following setting, Windows will notify you in the systray of the task bar(lower right) with the yellow shield and bubbles will remind you that action is required. Just wait a few days and then update. XP: Start>Control Panel>Security Center>Automatic Update Settings(XP)/Windows Updates(V)>check "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them" Vista: Start>Control Panel>Security Center>under Windows Updates>"Turn Auto Updating on or off">check "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them" VII. Network Security Cordon off your computer from outside attacks through a network; especially on your laptop that you may use on public networks. XP:Start>Control Panel>Security Center>Windows Firewall Settings>Exceptions tab Vista:Start>Control Panel>Security Center>under Windows Firewall>"Allow a program through Windows Firewall">Exceptions Tab Uncheck: File and Printer Sharing Remote Assistance Remote Desktop Any other settings you don't want others to have access to. Leave Anti-Virus exceptions checked or you won't get updates. VIII. Consolidate your work under "My Documents" Make your own folder under My Documents with your name. Makes Back-Ups easier. Make additional folders for additional users. IX. Limit your use of the Administrator account. The Admin account is the primary account where most of us do our daily computing. But it also grants a full pass to some stuff that shouldn't be messed with. I'm an IT guy and even I limit my use of the admin account. Make another User account through admin to do your daily stuff. This way, if you accidentally download executable files and try to run them, you'll get a warning that you don't have that privilege. Linux uses the Root account. Vista has already implemented this feature with the pop-up warnings which some find annoying. I actually really like it and it does help. X. Optimize your Virtual Memory Virtual Memory is the hard drive equivalent to the RAM in your motherboard. It's good practice to set it to at least 2 times RAM size if you have the room or you can let your OS manage it automatically. Start>right click My Computer>Properties>Advanced>Performance>Settings> Advanced>Virtual Memory>Change to "System Managed Size" or 2xRAM size XI. Lengthen Laptop Power XP:Start>right click My Computer>Manage>Device Manager>double click device>General tab>Device Usage>Enable/Disable Vista:Start>right click My Computer>Manage>Device Manager>double click device>Driver tab>Disable/Enable Turn off stuff you're not using like: IR functions Firewire Sound Functions PCMCIA Ports you're not gonna use Etc XII. My recommendations for spyware and antivirus protection: You pay for what you get. The best antivirus and spyware protection is subscription-based and will keep your computer completely protected and up to date. The free stuff ain't that great and usually only fixes infections AFTER you've been infected or AFTER you've run a scan. The subscription-based programs actually STOP malware from infecting your computer in the first place by checking everything "at the door," so to speak. Nothing bad gets in. Subscription-based Antivirus Antivirus Software: Kaspersky Lab - Protection Against Malware and Cybercrime Antivirus Software - Eliminate Spyware and Adware with ESET NOD32 Antivirus (not as intuitive as Kaspersky)(AV-Comparatives gave Nod 32 their "Best of 2007" vote) Subscription-based Spyware Protection(Stops spyware from ever entering your computer. One or the other; not both.) Spy Sweeper-Award-winning Antivirus and Antispyware Security Spyware Doctor - Best Spyware Removal. Free Trial Download. If you're a cheapskate and you don't want good protection for your computer: Free Antivirus http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html I've taken AVG out of the line-up. It really has been acting up since they came out with Version 8. Free Spyware "Protection"/Scanners(In most cases, you have to manually scan to find and remove infections. And use all three...or more.) Ad-Aware 2007 Free - Lavasoft The home of Spybot-Search&Destroy! Windows Defender - Spyware Protection for Free(Now included with Vista) I am not a big fan of Norton/Symantec or McAfee. Norton is a hog of a program that sticks its greedy little fingers all over your computer slowing it down. And uninstalling it is near impossible without special programs. McAfee = meh; AVG actually catches more. To Uninstall Norton Add/Remove+SymNRT+ccremove.reg Google "symnrt" and choose product. For some great comparative reviews of anti-virus programs: AV-Comparatives XIII. Malware Removal If your computer gets infected by spyware or a virus and your malware protection is not getting rid of it: Before we begin, I'd like to throw this out there. amos715 has brought up a good point: "It takes about 1.5 hours to reload all computer software and updates. Why spend more time than that trying to clean something(malware) that is still not going to run like a fresh load will?" What he's saying is that instead of going through all the trouble of trying to remove stubborn malware(virus/spyware), it might be easier to back-up everything important on the computer and just do a clean install. To start malware removal, you can try a System Restore which may or may not work. Go back as far as possible without losing any of your own important files that may have been created recently. A System Restore is like a computer's time machine reverting it back to a previous(and hopefully uninfected) state. Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore Go into Add/Remove programs and remove/delete any suspicious programs that shouldn't be there. And even delete programs you just don't need. A lean computer runs faster. Start>Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs/Uninstall a Program 1)Identify the infection. Run your spyware and antivirus scans and find what is infecting your computer. As KLF suggested in Item I #1, "These scans tend to work much faster and are more successful at getting rid of stuff if you run them in Safe Mode." If your antivirus/spyware programs are not indentifying the infection, you must first disable your current antivirus program(2 antivirus programs running at the same time will cancel each other out) and run some online scans.: Free Virus Scan - Kaspersky Lab ESET Online Scanner Trend Micro HouseCall - Free Online Virus and Spyware Scan - Trend Micro USA BitDefender Online Scanner - Free Online Virus Scan Infected or not - Find out if your PC has virus, spyware... 2)Viruses are very specific and have unique names. Hopefully one of the above scans has identified the infection. With the malware identified, now it's time to figure out how to remove it. Go to one of the next sites and find the malware's definition and removal instructions: Security Response - Symantec Corp. F-Secure.com > Overview Google 3)Now it's time to remove the infection. Important: Disable System Restore before removing a virus!! You don't want to go through this lengthy process only to have your system restore itself back to a time when you had the virus. Start>Right-Click My Computer>Properties>System Restore tab>Check "Turn off System Restore" Print out the instructions and follow them to a T checking off items as you go. If it involves going into the registry to delete registry data, I'd recommend you backup your registry before deleting anything in case you mess up. Take notes as you go of everything you do incase you have to backpedal. To get into Registry Editor XP: Start>Run>"regedit" Vista: Start>All Programs>Accessories>Run>"regedit" Here are some other tools that remove specific malware as well. Look here to see if your specific infection may be removed using these programs: TrendSecure \| TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Overview SmitFraudFix Remember to turn System Restore back on after you've removed the malware. Last resort is a clean install. XIV. FireFox Rocks! Get it. It is more secure than Internet Explorer or Safari and completely customizable and is great to use with the add-ons. Firefox web browser \| Faster, more secure, & customizable Add-ons I use: AdBlock Plus Add-On NoScript Add-On https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2410 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/26 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/636 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5579 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/4458 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2286 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5408 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2207 Search engine plug-ins: http://mycroft.mozdev.org XV. Good and Secure Passwords A good and secure password is NOT just a single common word. It's not your initials or your birthday or even the name of the street you grew up on. A good password is a random string of upper and lower case letters and numbers all jumbled together. Common words and personal phrases can either be broken by social engineering or dictionary attacks. Ex:QdZi7s10aKfCEyI8wo5G(not mine...woody's) Likewise, you can use an old and UNIQUE nickname or something that only you and maybe your wife knows(in upper and lowercase letters) mixed with a number only YOU know like your old high school locker combo or something. You should get in the habit of ALWAYS using secure passwords with everything in this day and age. A good password generator that generates passwords that only you can see using SSL(secure socket layer) and refreshes every time you refresh the page: https://www.grc.com/passwords.htm XVI. If your computer is running slow and it doesn't seem to be malware: Check the processes running on your computer. Bring up the Processes under Task Manager. CTRL>ALT>DEL>Processes tab>click the CPU column(twice) so the higher percentage is on top. Look at what processes are hogging CPU cycles. You can pause the processes screen: View>Update Speed>Pause Now check what the hogging processes do and whether the process(es) is malware or if it can be Ended. ProcessLibrary.com - The online resource for process information!! Google ....continued.... __________________ '88 FJ62 140K '96 FZJ80 Locked 174K "There ain't no party like my nana's tea party...Hey..Ho" Last edited by LoveTractor; 10-25-08 at 01:06 PM.