Need PC advice - don't kill me

[OldManJimbo]

I get such good advice from this forum - here goes:

My daughter has a Dell laptop and it is being overrun with pop-ups - something I never get using Safari.

I have treid everything i can think of to slow down the pop-ups including the Google seach bar, spy-bot removers, etc.

Is there a NO FAIL piece of software i can install to clean out this crap or some other suggestion. She's running XP Home, IE6.X.

Can't wait until I have enough $$ saved up to buy her a Mac and turn the PC into a fancy doorstop or piece of wall-art.

[iostream.h]

I have no idea on the software side for windows, but couldn't you just disable Javascript on the browser? You could also download Firefox and use it's built in ad blocking stuff.

[CubaTBird]

Have you tryed spybot search and destroy or adaware? Heck, just do a clean install of xp and erase that hard drive is probably your best bet. ;)

[gekko513]

Switch to Firefox. It will also protect you/her against some viruses and spyware.

[OldManJimbo]

We run SpyBot Search & Destroy quite often and the machine is still over-run. I am hoping to avoid the digital lobotomy - but that may be my only option at this point.

She downloads all those stupid games - no KaZaa, thanks to iTunes - and I'm sure there hdd is full of junk.

[OldManJimbo]

Switch to Firefox. It will also protect you/her against some viruses and spyware.

Is this browser compatible with most Internet pages?

[Roger1]

Try ad-aware. this gets rid of spyware on your machine. They have a freeware version that's really good. I assume the paid program is the same.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Good luck

[Brother Michael]

Grab Firefox.

Here is the link (http://www.mozilla.org/)

I tried to fix a friends computer that had a similar problem. Firefox is the only real cure for it besides a full reinstall. Do not use IE for anything except for normal system browsing.

Also, why does your Dell have to be a paperweight? If you want to get her a Mac why not format the Dell and sell it online? YOu might get enough to get her an iBook or something of the sort.

Mike

[Kingsnapped]

Firefox is compatible with pretty much everything out there. You should definitely give it a shot, and don't forget to turn on pop up blocking. If that doesn't help, do a clean install of Windows (if there is such a thing) and install Firefox again. Remember to burn Adaware to a CD before you do your format.

[Brother Michael]

Is this browser compatible with most Internet pages?

Lemme put it to you this way, it is as compatible as IE and then some. Some pages give it hiccups but not all. It is for not even being a 1.0 release one of the most stable browser out there.

Mike

[MrSugar]

I get such good advice from this forum - here goes:

My daughter has a Dell laptop and it is being overrun with pop-ups - something I never get using Safari.

I have treid everything i can think of to slow down the pop-ups including the Google seach bar, spy-bot removers, etc.

Is there a NO FAIL piece of software i can install to clean out this crap or some other suggestion. She's running XP Home, IE6.X.

Can't wait until I have enough $$ saved up to buy her a Mac and turn the PC into a fancy doorstop or piece of wall-art.

First and foremost run adware. That I find to work better than any other tool. Then go to the control pannel add remove programs and remove any type of thing that looks suspicious, games, toolbars, etc. etc. After that run MSconfig from the start > run prompt. It will bring up a window select the last tab "startup" from here uncheck all the boxes that aren't essential.. this means things like specific DLL files located in the windows folder, everything else has potential to be junk, things like the AOL startup center task tray icon show up in this menu.

After you have done all this re-boot and run adaware again. If that doesn't fix it things are very very messed up. But that should take care of almost anything.

[broken_keyboard]

I believe the new Windows XP Service Pack 2 adds a popup blocker to IE. I don't know if it is available for download yet, but should be soon
http://www.windowsupdate.com

[jsw]

Barring - maybe - SP2 support (above), I heartily endorse FireFox as well, and Ad-Aware. An excellent (and free) combination - although I'd pay for Ad-Aware Pro or Plus if my company didn't so do already for me.

[OldManJimbo]

On your combined advice I have installed FoxFire - very nice. There is already a marked mprovement. She was getting 10-20 pop-ups a minute.
I'll do the scrubbing recommended with.

Question - is there a way to disable the IE? It keeps popping on for no apparent reason.

[Mechcozmo]

I believe the new Windows XP Service Pack 2 adds a popup blocker to IE. I don't know if it is available for download yet, but should be soon


Yea, trust a browser shot full of security holes. On my Windows box, I use Mozilla (This was when FireFox was more beta than anything) and it stops all kinds of junk from coming in. But when I use IE for things, I need to run a full virus/adware/spyware scan on my computer. I find stuff without fail.

And I don't understand how hard it is for Windows Update to run...on my Mac I just go to the Apple Menu and choose Software Update. On my PC I have to use Internet Explorer (why not anything else? 'Cause then Microsoft wouldn't have a monopoly) and go to the 'Windows Update' page. Then I need to scroll down and choose all these weird things, including a half-dozen Security Updates. Then it downloads a lot of junk, installs it, and I'm done. If it dosn't crash...

[wide]

IE keeps popping on because you are always connected to the internet. If you disabled your connection, IE would stop popping up.

If you want to be able to use IE again, you need to download and use Adaware (Ad-aware). I used SpyBot: Search and Destroy for a long time, but recently it became insufficient. Ad(-)aware works. Just be sure to update the scan patterns and definitions when you download it before scanning your system.

[gekko513]

On your combined advice I have installed FoxFire - very nice. There is already a marked mprovement. She was getting 10-20 pop-ups a minute.
I'll do the scrubbing recommended with.

Question - is there a way to disable the IE? It keeps popping on for no apparent reason.
oh dear ... sounds like you have a virus. IE is not supposed to start all by itself.

http://www.clamwin.com/ Open source, free anti-virus.

[dPratt]

I believe the new Windows XP Service Pack 2 adds a popup blocker to IE. I don't know if it is available for download yet, but should be soon
http://www.windowsupdate.com

I downloaded SP2 on our Dell (test machine only) at work and yes there is a popup blocker. But it doesn't work very well at all. You can allow popups for certain sites, and somehow everytime I launch IE three different sites are recreated in this list, popping up casino ads, etc. Very annoying. I'm sure it has something to do with the IE toolbar that refuses to go away (even w/ SpyBot) but I always just make sure the site I'm working on looks right then turn back around to my Mac ;)

[OldManJimbo]

I believe the new Windows XP Service Pack 2 adds a popup blocker to IE. I don't know if it is available for download yet, but should be soon
http://www.windowsupdate.com

OOPS - I tried to open this on my Mac and got a scolding from the M$ server. I'll need to fire up my old gas-powered DELL and check this one out. I've heard that SP2 would make the WIN boxes act a bit more little Apples. They keep getting closer - but I don't think the boys and girls in Cupertino have anything to worry about.

[PeterD42]

I saw this in a magazine or website somewhere and not sure that it either works or is relevant but anyway....


"How to stop Pop-ups without downloading any software :)"


Here is a simple way to stop pop ups without downloading any software. Click on IE's:
Tools/Internet Options
Click on Security
Click on Trusted Sites

click on "Sites", and Copy and paste Any AR's forums (or any sites that will give you Pop-ups) into "add this web site to the zone" box. And then click on "Add", and "Ok". Note:make sure "require server verification" is not checked.

After above step, you then should be in "security" tablet.
Click on "Custom level".
Under Java, click on "disable Java", and under Scripting disable "active scripting", "allow paste operations via script" and "scripting of Java applets".

Then click on "apply" and then "ok". After this, a "Trusted site" logo (with a check mark) will appear on the lower right hand corner of your screen any time you will visit AR meaning Java is disabled for AR site only. No Java means no Pop-ups :)

Note:remember with Java being off, you can not use some of IE's feature such as Drop down menus and web crossing (only when in AR). Other web sites will not be effected :)

[PeterD42]

Also - which spybot removers have you tried?
Ad-Aware always seems to do better than others.

[OldManJimbo]

TONS of great advice - thank you.

Question - I looked at Adaware and it is fantastic. Do they have an Enterprize version that allows for multiple installations at a reduced price? We have four WIN machines and I'd like to use it on all of them.

Also - MOZILLA (FireFox) is terrific. Thanks for that tip. I've replaced IE with Mozilla on two of the WIN units and the pop-up issue is virtually null.

Also - the suggestion that I clean up the WIN laptop and sell it on eBay is one I'm going to think about for a while. Might be a good way to get rid of it.

[jefhatfield]

I get such good advice from this forum - here goes:

My daughter has a Dell laptop and it is being overrun with pop-ups - something I never get using Safari.

I have treid everything i can think of to slow down the pop-ups including the Google seach bar, spy-bot removers, etc.

Is there a NO FAIL piece of software i can install to clean out this crap or some other suggestion. She's running XP Home, IE6.X.

Can't wait until I have enough $$ saved up to buy her a Mac and turn the PC into a fancy doorstop or piece of wall-art.

there is no way to completely get rid of pop ups and spam...some spybot software reduces it to a good degree

researchers are now working on this very issue...my friend and co-computer geek received a $300,000 dollar grant to help get rid of those pesky spammers and popups on our machines...i hope he is able to help us poor folk who have to suffer with all that internet advertising

i wish i could get all my tv programming without commercials ;)

[Nermal]

Question - I looked at Adaware and it is fantastic. Do they have an Enterprize version that allows for multiple installations at a reduced price? We have four WIN machines and I'd like to use it on all of them.

They do offer volume discounts, but you need to buy more than 4 copies to be eligible.

[thedoc1111]

I'm not joking about this - the best thing to do is likely reinstall Windows

If your daughter, intelligent as I'm sure she is, has installed loads of random cr-- stuff from the internet it is likely the registry is bleeped along with most of the major dlls in your system. An SP2 installation may well fail because you system is beyond repair.

But you need a battle plan:
First get the model name of the computer and download all the latest drivers from Dell etc. ON YOUR MAC.
Also go to Kaspersky (google it) and buy/download their latest Antivirus Software Home Edition.
Download the latest version of FireFox too - NEVER use IE again. If you have a problem with FireFox, make sure you have the latest version.
Burn that all to CD.

Get a copy of the Windows SP2 Install CD or if you have a fast enough net connection download it from here

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

Ignore MS's stupid warnings - download it on the Mac and burn.

Back up all important information on her computer onto CD or 512MB Flash Key. If you need a way of moving data buy a Flash Key, they are real inexpensive now. If you look through your data properly you will be AMAZED at the amount of stuff you don't need.

Ditch the games, really. If you want your PC to stay clean for more than 5 minutes then set up a ten meter exclusion zone for ANY demo or magazine CDs anywhere. If you can't convince her to do that then leave the PC as it is.

Next take the PC down from any network connection you have and boot it off the System Restore/Windows CD. If you need to go into the BIOS and change things around. COMPLETELY ERASE the hard drive (you may have to go out of your way to do this). Do not select anything that looks faintly like 'Recover Installation'. Format the HD as NTFS (Quick)

Reinstall Windows and activate it BY PHONE. DO NOT connect to the internet yet or your computer may be compromised AGAIN (20 minutes remember).

Install SP2 from the CD and restart.
Install the latest drivers from your burnt CD.
Install Kaspersky Antivirus.
Install FireFox and set it as the default browser.

ONLY THEN connect up to the net. First go onto Windows Update and install everything critical. Restart.

Your computer will now be clean and a lot faster.
Reinstall Office etc. and make sure it is updated properly.
Get an anti-spyware program and run it regularly too.

Make sure no more apps are installed than absolutely necessary and NO demos. How do you think they make thir money apart from spyware?

Work out how much time you have wasted, how much that time was worth to you and put an equivalent amount in a piggy-bank towards buying her an iBook.

Sorry, but there is probably no other way.

Mike

[FuzzyBallz]

Stop using IE, start using FireFox or Mozilla from Mozilla.org, and install ad-adware + spybot. Done.

[Powerbook G5]

The best thing I can recommend is telling her to stop downloading random things. That is one of the worst things I've noticed you can do. Both of my sisters have ruined their PCs more than once because they keep downloading stupid internet programs, clicking on banners that say "win money!", and clicking on every little thing. You need to tell her what she can do and what she has to stay away from if you want to make sure that a lot of spyware and pop up ads stay off the system.

[cluthz]

If she's computer savvy install linux on this dell.
If she is using it for browsing, writing and +++ this could be a solution.
Running Mandrake linux (or another standard RedHat in KDE environment) is almost as using xp or osx.
Mozilla and OpenOffice is included included with most large builds and then you'll have almost everything you'll need.

-tb

:) 12-inch powerbook shipping on or before 24/08/04

[Mav451]

http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/

Use the host file. If you use this in conjunction with Firefox, I can guarantee you won't need to run Spybot/Ad-aware or whatever choice of spyware removal programs very often.

I recommend Spybot b/c of the "Immunize" button + Host file + Firefox is essentially triple-layer protection (and that's not even counting a firewall). Its what I use, I haven't had spyware/popups since July 2003--which is when I switched (permanently) to Firefox =D

[OldManJimbo]

The best thing I can recommend is telling her to stop downloading random things. That is one of the worst things I've noticed you can do. Both of my sisters have ruined their PCs more than once because they keep downloading stupid internet programs, clicking on banners that say "win money!", and clicking on every little thing. You need to tell her what she can do and what she has to stay away from if you want to make sure that a lot of spyware and pop up ads stay off the system.

This is the biggest problem - all the FREE games. I think she is finally starting to understand they really aren't free. You pay with all the pop-ups and lousy computer perforamce.

[thedoc1111]

Stop using IE, start using FireFox or Mozilla from Mozilla.org, and install ad-adware + spybot. Done.

I don't think you realise that some Spyware makes it impossible to be be uninstalled.

It hooks into major system dlls which means that without replacing them (virtually reinstalling) you can't get rid of them.

Also, Linux is not the solution I think - if you are not computer savvy enough to realise free games are a bad idea I don't think you'd be able to cope too well even with Mandrake (not even addressing the issue of bloat in the 'easy to use' Linux releases)

Reinstall is the best way - you should have a backup of your data anyway and you need to upgrade to SP2 soon and with muchos Spyware on board that will probably fail. Then where will you be?

Edit: Nevertheless, try this out
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

But if it fixes all your issues, I'll be surprised and happy for you!

Edit 2: But even if you get rid of the Spyware without reinstalling you will not improve the performance by much because they will still have mullered your Registry - on Windows that slows things down a lot.