Now it's my turn to ask for computer help!

Sally'sConcerns | 12/05/04 | Sally'sConcerns

[Sally'sConcerns]

Before anyone asks I have AVG, Spybot, Ad-Aware, SpySweeper (paid for) and TrojanHunter. SpySweeper runs nightly as does AVG. I run Spybot every couple of weeks as back-up for SpySweeper. I'm on cable modem and the only protection I don't have is a firewall. I plan on securing that when my computer whiz son visits at Christmas. (I'm an almost computer idiot)

So my computer's been acting hinky and I don't know why. I decide to go to http://www.pcpitstop.com to check my computer. For some strange reason I click on the free scan from Stop-Sign. Stop-Sign finds stuff and the only way I can get them to "correct/fix" it is to purchase their program. Is it worth the money to buy their program? They did find several things such as the remains of IWon and AllAdvantage which none of the other programs found.

[KJC1]

I'm pretty computer-clueless myself, but thought I'd mention that Ad-Aware now has Ad-Adware SE, and they've discontinued updates on the previous version.
I didn't know this until a few weeks ago, so I thought I'd pass that along in the event it might be useful to you or anyone else.

[dennisw]

I just installed a new DVD-rom drive and it will not play sound when I pop in a movie. The new drive replaces an old drive that was not working. Any suggestions?

Look in you DVD ROM box. There's a cable that connects from the DVD ROM to the mother board for sound. In newer motherboards the sound is carried through the IDE (ATA) cable and you don't need this little bitty cable.

I think that's your problem. Do you hear sounds otherwise on your computer?

[Wingy]

I read a thread just the other day that in a test, a non fire walled protected computer was compromised in under four minutes when attached to cable or DSL. Fire walls are simple to load and use. I like Zone Alarm but your mileage may vary.

I've heard good things about AVG, but I'm a believer in getting what you pay for. MacAfee or Norton will automatically update on an as needed basis to protect you from newly written bad things. And either are cheap, at least compared with a format and rebuild of your hard drive.

Last, ME (or Mistaken Edition) is no where near as secure as XP with SP2. I know you say that you're a novice with computers, but none of this is hard and if it IS over your head, find ANY 14 year old in your neighborhood to help.

Good luck...

[Truth Table]

...Oh, and I forgot to mention, most importantly: GET A FIRE WALL. Zone Alarm is free. I use Norton internet security.

[Malsua]

I have some information on my homepage that may be helpful.

-Mal

[bkwells]

Get ZoneAlarm from ZoneLabs - http://www.zonelabs.com . The Free version is plenty good enough. I've used it for several years have never had a problem. I'm not sure about AVG - I use Norton (Symantec) for my antivirus. Plus, I know others have mentioned it, but make sure you routinely update all of your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs to catch the latest malware that's out there.

[silent_jonny]

I have Windows ME, too, and whenever I have problems (usually a spyware infestation on my hard drive), I re-install Windows.

It's a drastic move and I don't suggest you do it unless you are absolutely sure you have Windows' "System Restore" disks and that you have saved everything that you wanted to save because this process will completely erase your hard drive. But don't worry--if you have all of your disks, the process will only take about an hour or two, depending on how many programs you want to re-install.

But what works for me, might not work for you. Consult your son first.

[lancer]

Sometimes when SpyBot or SpySweeper removes spyware, they don't get those programs that are designed to stay in your registry and re-install themselves after they are "removed" by your spyware programs.

I assume AVG is an anti-virus program. If not, you should get Norton or McAffee (I use Norton).

I'm no expert either, but it sounds more like a virus than spyware.

[Sally'sConcerns]

One minor problem, I don't have the original CD. Somewhere during my many transfers all of the information about my computer was misplaced. In looking back at those moves, I'm lucky all of the computer parts made it here in one piece.

To everyone else, I forgot to mention I also use the Google toolbar in order to stop pop-ups.

I do have a router somewhere because at one time I networked another computer where it could have cable-modem connection.

I promise to ask for a hardware firewall from my son as my Christmas present. Normally he buys me Godiva Chocolates. (Yeah, I know! But this was a tradition started long before the war.)

[konaice]

Silent_Jonny...

End the suffering. Beg borrow or buy a copy of SuSE Linux 9.2 and install it once. It will only take an hour, and you need never worry about that process again. It has everything you need, browsers, email, Word Processing, Spread sheets everything for about $35. Its EASIER to use than windows.

You seem to have abused-wife syndrom - you keep going back
for more abuse. ;-) (Not flameing you, just co-miserating).

[lancer]

She has SpySweeper.

[silent_jonny]

Google toolbar? It sounds like you're downloading too much junk. A lot of these free programs have all kinds of spyware attached to them, waiting to invade your hard drive.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Thank you for responding. There is a cable, consisting, I believe, of three small wires, going from the motherboard to the DVD player.

CD's in my CD/RW play without any problem.

I have been thinking that my problem is in some settings within the software. Yesterday, I replaced both the CD/RW and DVD drives and after some tinkering, the CD/RW works fine.

[LouD]

While I echo all the other advice about firewalls, etc - I think your problem might be your operating system. Windows ME is a notoriously buggy OS. I had similar problems with my last PC until I upgraded to Windows XP.

[silent_jonny]

Thanks for the tip. I don't have to re-install Windows that often, but when I do, it's no big deal. Just follow the on-screen instructions and in an hour or so, I'm done.

[4CJ]

DON'T buy it. Ask the same question at Computercops.biz. They'll explain why NOT to buy any such programs, and help solve your problem. You might need to run Hijack this! to isolate the problem but they explain everything.

[konaice]

A lot of these free programs have all kinds of spyware attached

-----

Google tool bar is a known good and effective program free
of spyware. You can OPT to send statistics to google about
the pop-ups it blocks but you don't have to, and the default
is to NOT send them.

But if you JUST get rid of MISE 98% of your problems are solved.

The US Department of Homland Security recommends NO ONE should use MSIE.

[ChefKeith]

Here is what I use:

Computer repair links

Spybot Search & Destroy: Just click on the "download now" box in the upper left side of page.
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10289035.html

Spywareblaster: This one should start the download upon opening the link below.
http://majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=2859&file=11&evp=61b0e8ad41924a03c37615f4682b4cef

AVG Anit Virus: This one should start the download upon opening the link below.
http://free.grisoft.com/softw/70free/setup/avg70free_289a392.exe

AdWare SE: This one should start the download upon opening the link below.
http://www.download.com/3001-8022_4-10319876.html

WinPatrol: This one should start the download upon opening the link below.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=3380&file=11&evp=505b059f22b7f735a26cd7ce6b23688f


Download all the files to the C:\ directory on your computer then get offline, close all programs before installing any of these.

To install them go to "START", "RUN" and then type in the name of each one or "BROWSE" the C:\ to find them.

When done with all the installs get back online and open each one up and do the updates for them, them run them one at a time.

I also have found that in Mozilla You can turn off cookies and since I have done that I have yet to find ANY problems on My machine.

[since1868]

booked for later

[silent_jonny]

I don't know about the Google toolbar, but I downloaded the Yahoo toolbar and it made my computer run slower than molasses. I excorsied it from my hard drive and haven't had a problem since.

Does MSIE mean MicroSoft Internet Explorer?