Computer Problems...

[JT]

Ahh...I've only had this computer for seven months and problems are arising already.

I'm getting constant (and I mean CONSTANT) pop-ups, though I have pop-up blockers turned on.

But I won't go into all of the problems. I think I have the solution. I believe that many programs have been added to my computer automatically somehow, without me knowing. I went to the ALT+DEL+CTRL window and I clicked on the Processes tab and I have a question. Are all the things that have "SYSTEM" listed under User Name things that were automatically downloaded to my computer and can be harmful to the system? And if they are, is it alright if I delete everything that has "SYSTEM" next to it?

[Chelsea]

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button

Download, Install, and run the program (You might also want to go to http://www.lavasoftusa.com and download the updated reference file after install (Or try to use the in-program updater, and hope it works)

See, you have Adware/Spyware/Malware on your computer. That's bad. Keeps track of what sites your visiting, and the worse varieties, well, let's just leave it at this: It's worse.

[JT]

I have Ad-aware, so I should just run that?

[AnaheimPMWitch]

I was just gonna say most likely You have Spyware I recently had that problem Good luck in getting rid of it I never could III Had to reload windows to get rid of it (not even the program that gets rid of it would get rid of it in my case)

[ConservativeBalla]

Okay, update! I've sort of made this a little more readable, added the recommendations, and added some more hints. One thing I want to tell you when reading this thing; YOU CANNOT SKIM THROUGH IT! You must read thoroughly to get everything clearly.

BE SURE THAT WHEN YOU GET THESE PROGRAMS TO TELL THEM TO CHECK FOR UPDATES WHEN YOU FIRST GET THEM, AS WELL AS PERIODICALLY ATER YOU GET THEM!!! Make sure you have, AND KEEP FREQUENTLY UPDATED these things:

A Virus Scanner - I recommend McAfee Viruscan. Don't forget to check for updates EVERY day! (BTW, how does everyone pronounce "McAfee"? I say "MA("A" as in "Apple")-kuh-fee", but I've heard people say, "Muh-KAF-ee".)

A Firewall - I recommend McAfee Firewall. Update it, but it doesn't update near as much as the Virus Scanner.

Program that finds/deletes "Spyware/Adware" (Which is baaaad stuff) - I recommend "Spybot, Search and Destroy", "Ad-Aware", and "SpySubtract". Go to " http://www.download.com " to get "SpyBot" and "Ad-Aware", and these two are free forever. SpySubtract you can get at www.adsubtract.com , and it's a 30-Day Free Trial. ("AdSubtract" is a cool program too; it stops pop-ups and banners on websites; it works very well.)

Other tips after you get these:

1. Don't use "KaZaA" or any other file-sharing program to download full versions of Virus Scanners/Firewalls, just go spend the 40 - 50 bucks and do it right. Like with the registering and everything. The Spyware/Adware removal programs are free, so I guess you can get them from KaZaA. I wouldn't, though. I'd still go to their websites and get them.

2. Be sure to run the Spyware/Adware scanner, and the Virus Scanner to scan your computer at least once a week. I'd do the Spyware/Adware Removal program scanner at least once a day, especially before and after using the Internet.

3. Make sure your Virus Scanner and Firewall are always running, ESPECIALLY if you are on the Internet. MORE ESPECIALLY if you have any sort of an "Always on" Internet connection such as Cable, DSL, Satellite, etc. And MOST ESPECIALLY have them both on if you're using any File-sharing network such as "KaZaA".

4. Use your "Scandisk" and "Disk Defragmenter" at least once a week.

5. If you don't need your Cookies, go to all your "Temporary Internet Files" folders, and delete EVERYTHING there. Some cookies are used to remember User Names/Passwords for you on Message Boards and other sites, so if you need some cookies, see if you can find which ones you need and which you don't, and delete the ones you don't need.

6. If you have ANY programs or files on your computer that you do not want, or do not use, get rid of it! The process you should use to get rid of them/it is this:

A. See of they have an "Uninstall", and use IT.

B. Whether it DOES or does NOT have an "Uninstall", go to your Start Menu, then "Settings", then "Control Panel", and go into "Add/Remove Programs". Check stuff you want to get rid of there and tell it to get rid of them.

C. After you do both/either of these (Or if neither displays the program you're trying to get rid of) go to "Start", "Find all Files and Folders", and type in the name of the program. Make sure you set it to search "My Computer" so it checks everywhere. When it finds it, delete it, then delete it out of your Recycle Bin, if you have one.

D. THIS NEXT PART DEALS WITH THE BACKBONE OF YOUR SYSTEM, SO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHILE USING THIS METHOD, AND I TAKE NO REPONSIBILITY FOR SYSTEM DAMAGE! Okay, now, go to "Start", "Run", and type in " regedit " and press "OK". It brings up a little window with a few folders. These folders contain files that are on your computer, and even ones you might've deleted! And fragments of different programs, as well. Double-click on "My Computer" so it searches everything, click "Edit", then "Find". Type in what you want to search for and press "Find Next". When it finds something matching what you typed in, MAKE SURE IT'S THE EXACT PROGRAM/FILE YOU WANTED TO DELETE, AND THAT IT'S NOT SOMETHING ELSE BEFORE DELETING IT!

E. This particular thing ought to be completely off your system now.

Good luck with your comp., and stay tuned in case I think of any more tips/hints!