Stupid Computer / Stupid User

Problem Description: We are running Window ME. Our
internet provider is AOL. We have recently switched over
to DSL service.

The issues with the computer are many. The computer is
used by several family members. Someone sometime has
obvioulsy downloaded something that should not have been.
Right now the computer is almost useless do to all the pop-
ups, strange programs that keep loading, crashes, etc.
etc. etc.

Please advise how to handle the following:

1) Programs that open at start up. When you start the
computer -- all sorts of strange programs open up and are
listed in the "CLOSE PROGRAM" dialog box. Everything
from "yourhoroscopetoday" to strange junk that I have no
idea what it is. When I try to located these programs in
the "add/delete program" screen they are NOT listed. Seems
that the list of junk programs just keeps growning and
growing. How do I eliminate all the garbage when I can not
even see the garbage?

2) Pop ups and screens keep opening. When the computer is
idol -- NOT signed on the AOL or signed on to any other
program -- multiple online screens will open
automatically. Sometimes so many that the computer
eventually will freeze up. Most are ads, obviously, or IQ
tests, or other junk crap. Again -- this happens when AOL
is NOT log in and NO other programs are running.

3) SCAN disk and OPTIMIZE disk are not working. Scan disk
only opens up to 3 or 4 bars on the screen then freezes.
OPTIMIZE disk keeps restarting and restarting even when no
one is using the computer. I have tried to scan and
optimize the hard drive with Norton Works but get messages
concerning "Illegal Long File Name" pops up.

4) Hard drive space. Because I cannot locate and eliminate
all the junk programs, and because SCAN disk and OPTIMIZE
disk are not functioning -- I am running low on hard drive
space which creates it own set of problems. I need to
clean off all the old junk programs and related files, AND
be able to optimize the hard drive.

Please advise a clear step by step solution. THis is very
frustrating -- I need to figure out how to stop all the
automatic loading, opening and running of programs and
clear all the junk out.

You may have a virus/spyware hijack

download the Stinger from here and run it to make sure that A-V-disabling
viruses are not present on your PC
http://download.nai.com/products/mca...rt/stinger.exe

- update your virus scanner and run a full system scan of all files.

Reboot to Safe Mode and run CWShredder - to remove variants of the
CoolWebSearch hijacker.
http://www.merijn.org/cwschronicles.html

Use CWShredder, the removal tool:
http://www.merijn.org/files/cwshredder.zip
http://www.merijn.org/files/CWShredder.exe
http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads...CWShredder.exe
http://www.zerosrealm.com/downloads/CWShredder.zip

download AdAware from www.lavasoftusa.com, install, update, and run it to
remove spyware, adware,
and other such nasties from your system.


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Stupid Computer / Stupid Users" wrote in message
...
Problem Description: We are running Window ME. Our
internet provider is AOL. We have recently switched over
to DSL service.

The issues with the computer are many. The computer is
used by several family members. Someone sometime has
obvioulsy downloaded something that should not have been.
Right now the computer is almost useless do to all the pop-
ups, strange programs that keep loading, crashes, etc.
etc. etc.

Please advise how to handle the following:

1) Programs that open at start up. When you start the
computer -- all sorts of strange programs open up and are
listed in the "CLOSE PROGRAM" dialog box. Everything
from "yourhoroscopetoday" to strange junk that I have no
idea what it is. When I try to located these programs in
the "add/delete program" screen they are NOT listed. Seems
that the list of junk programs just keeps growning and
growing. How do I eliminate all the garbage when I can not
even see the garbage?

2) Pop ups and screens keep opening. When the computer is
idol -- NOT signed on the AOL or signed on to any other
program -- multiple online screens will open
automatically. Sometimes so many that the computer
eventually will freeze up. Most are ads, obviously, or IQ
tests, or other junk crap. Again -- this happens when AOL
is NOT log in and NO other programs are running.

3) SCAN disk and OPTIMIZE disk are not working. Scan disk
only opens up to 3 or 4 bars on the screen then freezes.
OPTIMIZE disk keeps restarting and restarting even when no
one is using the computer. I have tried to scan and
optimize the hard drive with Norton Works but get messages
concerning "Illegal Long File Name" pops up.

4) Hard drive space. Because I cannot locate and eliminate
all the junk programs, and because SCAN disk and OPTIMIZE
disk are not functioning -- I am running low on hard drive
space which creates it own set of problems. I need to
clean off all the old junk programs and related files, AND
be able to optimize the hard drive.

Please advise a clear step by step solution. THis is very
frustrating -- I need to figure out how to stop all the
automatic loading, opening and running of programs and
clear all the junk out.

Pop Up Stopper www.panicware.com

Spy Sweeper www.webroot.com

Ad Aware www.lavaosftusa.com

CWShredder http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Download and run the first one to stop pop-ups.
Download and run the other three to try to remove all the junk you've
accumulated.

"Stupid Computer / Stupid Users" wrote in message
...
Problem Description: We are running Window ME. Our
internet provider is AOL. We have recently switched over
to DSL service.

The issues with the computer are many. The computer is
used by several family members. Someone sometime has
obvioulsy downloaded something that should not have been.
Right now the computer is almost useless do to all the pop-
ups, strange programs that keep loading, crashes, etc.
etc. etc.

Please advise how to handle the following:

1) Programs that open at start up. When you start the
computer -- all sorts of strange programs open up and are
listed in the "CLOSE PROGRAM" dialog box. Everything
from "yourhoroscopetoday" to strange junk that I have no
idea what it is. When I try to located these programs in
the "add/delete program" screen they are NOT listed. Seems
that the list of junk programs just keeps growning and
growing. How do I eliminate all the garbage when I can not
even see the garbage?

2) Pop ups and screens keep opening. When the computer is
idol -- NOT signed on the AOL or signed on to any other
program -- multiple online screens will open
automatically. Sometimes so many that the computer
eventually will freeze up. Most are ads, obviously, or IQ
tests, or other junk crap. Again -- this happens when AOL
is NOT log in and NO other programs are running.

3) SCAN disk and OPTIMIZE disk are not working. Scan disk
only opens up to 3 or 4 bars on the screen then freezes.
OPTIMIZE disk keeps restarting and restarting even when no
one is using the computer. I have tried to scan and
optimize the hard drive with Norton Works but get messages
concerning "Illegal Long File Name" pops up.

4) Hard drive space. Because I cannot locate and eliminate
all the junk programs, and because SCAN disk and OPTIMIZE
disk are not functioning -- I am running low on hard drive
space which creates it own set of problems. I need to
clean off all the old junk programs and related files, AND
be able to optimize the hard drive.

Please advise a clear step by step solution. THis is very
frustrating -- I need to figure out how to stop all the
automatic loading, opening and running of programs and
clear all the junk out.

Your problem is to many users with no security or
restrictions for your browser.
Item #1 click on the "start" button, then click "run"
type "msconfig" and click "OK", Now this is your system
configuation utilitie. On the general tab unclick normal
startup and click on selective startup, all boxes below
should also be clicked on if now do so. now go to the
startup tab. in startup this is all the programs that
start when you boot. most are normal programs that come
with your system, others are those that where down loaded
by you or the other users. You must watch out about
downloading so called free and somtimes programs you buy.
Because a lot of these programs are loaded with adware
which are popups and spyware which watch your surfing
habits and steal information. Now back to the startup tab.
unclick all programs in the window but donot
unclick "statemger" "shedulingagent" "loadprofile" there
may be two of
this "systemtray" "pchealth" "taskmonitor" "scanregistry".
You can come back to msconfig later after you do the other
things that will hopefully clean up you computer. Now
click "OK". you will be asked to restart your computer, DO
So. After restarting go your computer icon and right click
it and click on "properties",click on the "performance"
tab, on the bottom of this tab click "file system" then
click "troubleshooting" on this tab click "disable system
retore" this is what may be causeing scandisk to freeze
because it is always writing to the disk.click OK,Ok and
when asked restart your computer. After restarting it is
now time to cleanup. go on line and in the adress box at
the top type google seach and pess enter on the keyboared.
type in ad-aware then download this program it will look
for any program this will popup ads "BEWARNED" most
programs that use popup may or May not work anymore. I
found that its best not to have these programs because
they cause system resources to dwindel. Plus there are
many other programs that are free that do not. After
running ad-aware and removing all that it finds. Restart
your computer. Go back to google and type in Spybot Seach
and Destory. And run this program Again "BEWARE". After
running this program your will find and remove alot of
spys that are draining your system. Now back to google and
type in "sygate", download its free firewall, with always
on internet you will a lot of people out there looking to
mess you up and steal or kill your operating sytem. Also
download "avg anti virus" and "trogan hunter" Make sure
when you download all these programs you read all the help
items to config them, don't be afraid they are easy to
do.Do all this tonight and post back here and in the
subject line put: to tekkielee all done whats next?
And i will take to the next level. Also let me know any
other problems you have (and you will) because it will
take some cleaning to get your system right. also let me
know how much ram And Rom your have.

Until thing "Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled"
This is TEKKIELEE signing off.
-----Original Message-----
Problem Description: We are running Window ME. Our
internet provider is AOL. We have recently switched over
to DSL service.

The issues with the computer are many. The computer is
used by several family members. Someone sometime has
obvioulsy downloaded something that should not have been.
Right now the computer is almost useless do to all the
pop-
ups, strange programs that keep loading, crashes, etc.
etc. etc.

Please advise how to handle the following:

1) Programs that open at start up. When you start the
computer -- all sorts of strange programs open up and are
listed in the "CLOSE PROGRAM" dialog box. Everything
from "yourhoroscopetoday" to strange junk that I have no
idea what it is. When I try to located these programs in
the "add/delete program" screen they are NOT listed.
Seems
that the list of junk programs just keeps growning and
growing. How do I eliminate all the garbage when I can
not
even see the garbage?

2) Pop ups and screens keep opening. When the computer is
idol -- NOT signed on the AOL or signed on to any other
program -- multiple online screens will open
automatically. Sometimes so many that the computer
eventually will freeze up. Most are ads, obviously, or IQ
tests, or other junk crap. Again -- this happens when AOL
is NOT log in and NO other programs are running.

3) SCAN disk and OPTIMIZE disk are not working. Scan disk
only opens up to 3 or 4 bars on the screen then freezes.
OPTIMIZE disk keeps restarting and restarting even when
no
one is using the computer. I have tried to scan and
optimize the hard drive with Norton Works but get
messages
concerning "Illegal Long File Name" pops up.

4) Hard drive space. Because I cannot locate and
eliminate
all the junk programs, and because SCAN disk and OPTIMIZE
disk are not functioning -- I am running low on hard
drive
space which creates it own set of problems. I need to
clean off all the old junk programs and related files,
AND
be able to optimize the hard drive.

Please advise a clear step by step solution. THis is very
frustrating -- I need to figure out how to stop all the
automatic loading, opening and running of programs and
clear all the junk out.

.

Thus spoke Stupid Computer / Stupid Users:

Problem Description: We are running Window ME. Our
internet provider is AOL. We have recently switched over
to DSL service.

The issues with the computer are many. The computer is
used by several family members. Someone sometime has
obvioulsy downloaded something that should not have been.
Right now the computer is almost useless do to all the pop-
ups, strange programs that keep loading, crashes, etc.
etc. etc.

Please advise how to handle the following:

1) Programs that open at start up. When you start the
computer -- all sorts of strange programs open up and are
listed in the "CLOSE PROGRAM" dialog box. Everything
from "yourhoroscopetoday" to strange junk that I have no
idea what it is. When I try to located these programs in
the "add/delete program" screen they are NOT listed. Seems
that the list of junk programs just keeps growning and
growing. How do I eliminate all the garbage when I can not
even see the garbage?

2) Pop ups and screens keep opening. When the computer is
idol -- NOT signed on the AOL or signed on to any other
program -- multiple online screens will open
automatically. Sometimes so many that the computer
eventually will freeze up. Most are ads, obviously, or IQ
tests, or other junk crap. Again -- this happens when AOL
is NOT log in and NO other programs are running.

3) SCAN disk and OPTIMIZE disk are not working. Scan disk
only opens up to 3 or 4 bars on the screen then freezes.
OPTIMIZE disk keeps restarting and restarting even when no
one is using the computer. I have tried to scan and
optimize the hard drive with Norton Works but get messages
concerning "Illegal Long File Name" pops up.

4) Hard drive space. Because I cannot locate and eliminate
all the junk programs, and because SCAN disk and OPTIMIZE
disk are not functioning -- I am running low on hard drive
space which creates it own set of problems. I need to
clean off all the old junk programs and related files, AND
be able to optimize the hard drive.

Please advise a clear step by step solution. THis is very
frustrating -- I need to figure out how to stop all the
automatic loading, opening and running of programs and
clear all the junk out.



windows sucks. aol sucks. ie sucks. switch to linux and a better isp.

helpful linux links:

desktop
http://suse.com/
http://lycoris.com
http://linspire.com

info
http://linux.com
http://linux.net
http://pclinuxonline.com