I really want to clean up my computer, but I have very little knowledge about what programs are best for going about that. When I say clean up my computer, I mean I want it all. To get rid of viruses, spyware, adware, unnecessary files that are slowing my computer, cleaning my cache, and whatever else could need fixing on a computer. So to all you computer whizzes out there, I just want to ask, what is the best program out there in your opinion for going about this? Price is really not even an issue, I just want to get the most bang for my buck. I just thought it would be wise to get other people's opinions before making any choices. If you can help, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

I really want to clean up my computer, but I have very little knowledge about what programs are best for going about that. When I say clean up my computer, I mean I want it all. To get rid of viruses, spyware, adware, unnecessary files that are slowing my computer, cleaning my cache, and whatever else could need fixing on a computer. So to all you computer whizzes out there, I just want to ask, what is the best program out there in your opinion for going about this? Price is really not even an issue, I just want to get the most bang for my buck. I just thought it would be wise to get other people's opinions before making any choices. If you can help, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!!

Hmmmm, you know Brad, asking me about computer programs is the same as if you'd asked me what the weather is like in Denmark.:lol:
robyrob will know!... cause this is his specialty!
*Mattie sits down on a sofa and checks her watch*... Rob will probably be around tomorrow... I say we just wait til then. ;)

For most of the programs I am going to suggest you are going to really get the best bang for your buck - because they are pretty much all FREE! Most of the paid programs aren't really much better at what they do, although they might have better technical support and hold your hand a bit more.

for antivirus programs, there are several good free ones, but you should pick just one to install because they can interfere with each other - you can also use online antivirus checks with sites like Panda online (http://www.pandasoftware.es/activescan/com/default_new.asp?IdVendor=1&IdLang=2&IdPais=63) or Housecall Online (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/)

any of these free AV programs are good: AVG (http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html), Avast (http://www.asw.cz/), Antivir (http://www.free-av.com/)

for spyware removal: Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html), AdAware (http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Anniversary-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5), Windows Defender (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d), Malwarebytes (http://malwarebytes.org/mbam.php)

I don't really believe in them; its too easy to screw stuff up if you don't know what you are doing, but you can try the Eusing Registry Cleaner (http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm) - just make sure you use the tool to back up the registry BEFORE you do any cleaning.

for cleaning up temp files and cache: CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/download), ATF Cleaner (http://www.atribune.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=25)

BEFORE you do any of this though it is a good idea to stop and back up all of your files - its a good habit to get into.

another thing you can do is go into the Control Panel and go through the Add/Remove Programs and see if there is anything in there you don't want or need that you can uninstall.

make sure you do your Windows Updates - you may have it set to automatically check and download updates, but you should still do it manually every once in awhile just to make sure it is still working.

if you want to run HijackThis (http://download.cnet.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html)and post a log I can go over it and see if there is anything in there that is a problem or anything that can be removed to make things run better.

For most of the programs I am going to suggest you are going to really get the best bang for your buck - because they are pretty much all FREE! Most of the paid programs aren't really much better at what they do, although they might have better technical support and hold your hand a bit more.

for antivirus programs, there are several good free ones, but you should pick just one to install because they can interfere with each other - you can also use online antivirus checks with sites like Panda online (http://www.pandasoftware.es/activescan/com/default_new.asp?IdVendor=1&IdLang=2&IdPais=63) or Housecall Online (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/)

any of these free AV programs are good: AVG (http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html), Avast (http://www.asw.cz/), Antivir (http://www.free-av.com/)

for spyware removal: Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html), AdAware (http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Anniversary-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5), Windows Defender (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d), Malwarebytes (http://malwarebytes.org/mbam.php)

I don't really believe in them; its too easy to screw stuff up if you don't know what you are doing, but you can try the Eusing Registry Cleaner (http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm) - just make sure you use the tool to back up the registry BEFORE you do any cleaning.

for cleaning up temp files and cache: CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/download), ATF Cleaner (http://www.atribune.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=25)

BEFORE you do any of this though it is a good idea to stop and back up all of your files - its a good habit to get into.

another thing you can do is go into the Control Panel and go through the Add/Remove Programs and see if there is anything in there you don't want or need that you can uninstall.

make sure you do your Windows Updates - you may have it set to automatically check and download updates, but you should still do it manually every once in awhile just to make sure it is still working.

if you want to run HijackThis (http://download.cnet.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html)and post a log I can go over it and see if there is anything in there that is a problem or anything that can be removed to make things run better.

Thanks so much robyrob. As always, you're such a huge help!!! :) I have bookmarked all of the programs you mentioned, and I will be downloading everything tonight. It'll be fun knowing that I'm improving my computer. I just want you to know that I truly appreciate the time you put in not just to helping me, but to everyone you help. You don't have to help, but it shows alot about what kind of person you are that you do!! Thanks again my friend, you're such a big help!! :wave:

Someone mentioned AVG. That is actually better than top programs like Norton and McAfee. What I did, was I downloaded AVG, put my computer in safe mode, and ran a scan while in safe mode. That seems to be a much better way of removing viruses and worms.

I highly recommend Malwarebytes for spyware and trojan removal.

Does anyone know of a general clean up program/fix it that works on 98se??

I wanna get my FONTS corrected or whatever is causing this......

http://img12.pixhost.to/images/1486/584770591_1.png

Ya see that box on the upper right of the hoverdesk applet,its supposed to be X

And lower where it says "Play sound when done" thats supposed to be a checkbox....

If I bootup in safe mode all the problems are gone.....

Does anyone here know what might be causing this? I noticed it one day after I played a game.......