Computer Problem: Taskbar & Icons Disappear, computer notoriously slow help?

FREEPers who know more than me | 09/17/10 | Recovering_Democrat

[Recovering_Democrat]

I am posting this in general/chat. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it.

I am running Windows XP on my desktop, all service packs okay.

My icons and taskbar will disappear/reappear...usually I can get them back by opening task manager and "bringing to front" a program.

The thing is running notoriously slow. My McAfee is finding some viruses and quarantining them, but it is driving me CRAZY.

Also, for no reason, my web browsers (explorer AND Firefox) will suddenly open these "web sites" for "work at home" opportunities...I've never asked for these sites to open, they just do it on their own...

ugh. I am in need of some computer genius advice. Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[eyedigress]

True, it must be from BleepingComputer, Witches have found other places.

[JerseyHighlander]

Are you stoned?

[Yet_Again]

Part of the computer janitor work that goes along with Windows is keeping your anti-virus and anti-malware up to date. Sounds like you're doing it with your anti-virus, but which anti-mal/spyware program are you using? While you still have a computer system that works, I'd make sure you had the latest McAffee virus library installed. If you've let your updates expire, I'd spend the $ to update your subscription, download the latest library, and rescan. Go to your add/remove programs option and post a list of the programs you have on here as well, in case there's anything that needs to be uninstalled. Sorry you're having problems.

[eyedigress]

Wow! Am I stoned. Hmm, Go ahead and give me your J-tag reference code. :^)

[Sprite518]

Your computer has been hijacked. I have seen that on a friends computer a while back. At any rate here is the fix.

Get CC Cleaner (Free) and Advance System Cleaner (Worth the $18 a year). Cleaner will ask you for a donation, but you do not have to. Advance System Care will fix everything. It’s beautiful and works like a champ.

I have been using both for 3 years now. My computer runs like day 1.

CC Cleaner
http://www.piriform.com/

Advance System Care
http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-SystemCare-Free/3000-2086_4-10407614.html

[McGruff]

As others have said try Malwarebytes first. It catches things your anti-virus software misses.

[smokingfrog]

http://downloadcenter.trendmicro.com/index.php?regs=NABU&clk=result_page&clkval=drop_list&catid=6&prodid=155

root kit buster

When you run your anti-virus software, do it in safe mode and not connected to the internet.

[Grut]

I highly suggest you go about reformatting your hard drive, or for that matter, go out and buy a new physical hard drive and reinstall WinXP onto that new drive.

Better to download the disk utility from your HDD's maker and do a full low-level format. Lots cheaper than a new HDD and wipes everything off the corrupted drive.

[eyedigress]

You did a good thing. Sorry for the late response but ribs are cooking :%)

[taildragger]

Sounds like Vondu...

Nasty program.

You need to download Malware bytes in safety mode. DO NOT EXECUTE right away and DO NOT INSTALL the updates. When you do execute it do not install the updates. Then later install the updates. Run it in safety mode and see if it catches vondu fix.

[OSTATE]

Do a search and download ComboFix. It is the best freeware one I have found.

[TexasRepublic]

I scanned the whole thread and think all the diagnoses and prescriptions would be enough to frighten most people off computers. I got tired of the anarchy found in the Windows environment and two years ago loaded Linux. Life has been placid ever since.

[herewego]

True that. I hate all the time I wasted running security on winderz each week.

[sanjoaquinvalley]

Try system restore first. Last week while using Google I clicked on a site, stepped away for a few minutes and came back to find a totally different browser installed. The tool bar faded away unless the cursor was on it and favorites and various things were changed. It was awful. I went to system restore and reverted to an earlier time.