Question:
Very non computer literate. I have installed B.t. Broadband and now everything is slower than ever! I can go into kitchen , put kettle on and make coffee before anything has connected or page opened. I have free yahoo anti spyware plus Norton anti Virus I used free programme as well which was recommended on STICKY on this site. It said no worms Trojans or viruses detected. Then I ran something on Ad aware because I do get lots of ADS come up which I thought was a bit of a nuisance but part of Bts package until ads for Tiscali etc came up. Anyway this said 40 threats in Registry danderous and 1 severe and 10 non critical cookies. Don't understand what Registry is even. Can download for $30 to repair. Computer keeps crashing if I try to download stuff and apparently it is NVdias fault ! Who's he??? I phoned a computer repair type man who said everyone gets this when they go on broadband and I am crawling with viruses, he would need to spend about 3 hours at my house so would pick it up and take to his workshop and plug me in there to do the job. I am incapable of sorting all this out and will probably only make things worse .. Should I pay for ad ware programme or trust him and what would be a fair price for him to charge? Would be extremely grateful for any advise Thanks for reading this far
Answers:
I phoned a computer repair type man who said everyone gets this when they go on broadband
This statement on its own would lead me to be wary of what the guy is telling you. This is not true! It does sound like you have a very bad virus/spyware problem though. There are many free ways to fix this, but it will require a bit of work and a few downloads.
Then I ran something on Ad aware because I do get lots of ADS come up which I thought was a bit of a nuisance but part of Bts package until ads for Tiscali etc came up. Anyway this said 40 threats in Registry danderous and 1 severe and 10 non critical cookies. Don't understand what Registry is even. Can download for $30 to repair
I don't quite understand this bit. If you ran Adaware and it found a load of problems. It can normally fix them, but Adaware is a free program so I don't understand why you have to pay to fix this.
If you are not confident about sorting this problem yourself (it doesn't sound like it). It would probably be better to get someone to do it for you. I would look around for a few quotes before deciding where to go. You don't only need your computer cleaned, you need proper security in place and I would say that you need someone to show you how to use the security properly. When I install any programs on peoples computers. I always sit them down and show them how the program works and how to update them. You can have the best security going. It will do you no good if you don't know how to use it.
Do you know any friends that could help you out maybe? We could give you a list of all the (free) programs you could use to sort out your problems and give you adequate security (also free). If your friend got stuck over something or other, we could help them out in here.
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Thanks for message Whn I try to download the free sites they always say that a problem has been encountered and they have to close. I use the Norton I paid for once a week FOR A FULL SCAN AND YAHOO SYWARE MORE OFTEN. Just to put you in the picture I do not have mobile phone video or Dvd player and I am 55 year old granny . Do not even begin to understand Mp3 etc I go on net about 1 hour a day to research for hobbies etc and e mail . Yes I need help. Everything fine till I went on Broadband.
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Before you take it to the repair man, you have anti virus and adaware installed, what to do is go to update on both of these programes and make sure you are uptodate then run the scans and delete what its finding ie threats, then if you go to start/programes/accesories/system tools and defragment your hard drive and then reboots see how it is then.
I have to run these every other day and defragment at least once a week or pc slows down.
Answers:
hello 55 yr old granny lady
I got BT broadband last year and had similar problems to you.
I have Adaware too, it IS free so don't pay to upgrade or anything.
I've got the Google toolbar, if you go to Google there's a link to install it for free, this stops 'pop ups' (those annoying adverts that well......pop up!)
I've recently installed Norton Antivirus and find that it's S-L-O-W-E-D my computer down to a snails pace, maybe that's your problem.
I ALSO have AVG antivirus (free version) which is good and even I can use it so it it must be easy.
Do try to fix this problem yourself as I doubt very much that it requires 3 hours of fixing by an 'expert'.
You will get lots of advice on here but from someone who is as untechie as you, with BT Broadband...... I'd say install the google toolbar and AVG, disable Norton and run all your stuff again.
Answers:
Norton can be known to hog resources on a computer, but in this case it doesn't sound like this is causing the problem (Norton can slow your computer, it doesn't slow up your internet connection). Did you have Norton before you had broadband? If so, did it work OK for you?
It really does look like you have a big virus/spyware problem. Google toolbar wont rid you of this. It would be far better to actually rid yourself of the cr@p that's causing this problem rather than just blocking any popups.
Quite a few viruses and spyware will actually try to stop you downloading security software, or stop you updating your security programs you already have. This could be happening here.
Do you have a firewall? I'm presuming you don't (you haven't mentioned one).
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Does your Norton come with a FIREWALL? That is essential to guard against things even getting to your computer. An antivirus will only remove things that have already got there. If you haven't got a firewall you need to urgently put one on. Try , it's free.
Then try .
As Rex says I'm also puzzled by AdAware. Did you download AdAware from "lavasoft" website?
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Does your Norton come with a FIERWALL?
If you have Norton Internet Security it includes a firewall. Norton Antivirus doesn't (it's just an antivirus)
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Just re-read your post and you have problem downloading things. What I suggest is this:
Turn off your computer.
Restart it and as it's starting up keep pressing the F8 button at the top of your keyboard. This should cause all the moving numbers etc. to stop. You now have to use the arrows on the keyboard to do anything. You should see a page which has one of the options as SAFE MODE. (This is what you're aiming to get to.) Use the arrows to highlight safe mode then press the enter (return) key. When the computer has loaded in safe mode (the desktop will look different to normal), run your Norton antivirus again. Also run any other security software you have such as AdAware. Then restart your computer again and try to download a firewall and Ewido (follow the links in my previous post).
Good luck!
Answers:
Hi PPF,as well as the above good advice you could try downloading the free firewall from zonelabs called zone alarm,you might have to search a bit for the free one but is out there.
Another good download,especially if you are getting lots of pop ups is mozilla firefox.This is a whole new browser and is supposed to be much safer than Internet Exlplorer.
Answers:
A lot of problems people have is due to conflicts with the amount of different anti-virus software, firewalls, spy ware killers, etc.
Basically, all you need is an anti-virus program and firewall. use something like "spybot search and destroy" on a regualr basis just to check for any problems.
If your version of Nortons is the internet security then as already mentioned it has a firewall built in and you don't need any other firewall product.
I would recomend removing any additional software you have loaded (anti-virus/spy ware) and just use Nortons. If it is just the anti-virus then use a free firewall program. If you are using Windows XP with service pack 2 it has a form of firewall built in (to check what your operating system version is hold down the windows key on the keyboard and the "pause/break" key at the same time, this will bring up the system properties box which will tell you the version on the first tab).
There is always a problem of picking up virus's, trojans, etc but most people get these through emails sent to them or from visting the more unsavoury websites. Basically I run Nortons internet security and nothing else and then run spybot just to clear crap on a whenever basis.
One thing I would suggest is that you disconnect the broadband modem, uninstal the software that it came with, then restart your computer and then re-instal your modem software and then plug the modem in. Then enter your user name/password and see if it works any better.
Answers:
Thanks everyone for so much help. I relly do appreciate it. I do have a firewall I think it came installed with computer windows 2000 or maybe it was norton internet security which I pay about £30 a year for I think. Anway I know it is def there as I HAD TO SWITCH IT OFF TO INSTALL BT BROADBAND AND THEN BACK ON Windows updates are automatic and I have checked them again today. I have tried over last couple of days to install some of the free stuff mentioned on these sites and they mostly do not download I looked again and it was the adaware gold that I did hence the charge but I did click on some links that were on this board and said were free e.g just Did one that was spyware slayer it said there were 17 extreme risk items then to repair I had to register then it asked for money .I would gladly pay £30 do you think this is something your average 18 year old student could fix for £30 ? tHIS IS A FANTASTIC SITE I HAVE BECOME AWARE OF A LOT OF THINGS e.g like firefox and opera but again I cannot download these because of problems Thanks a million everyone.
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Just been reading through your posts, did you manage to run the free ad aware? If so did you let it repair all the problems?
Im sure someone could fix your computer quite easily, its just a matter of knowing what programs do what and more importantly where to get them free!!
But there is no way it should take 3 hrs, unless you do have a major Virus or trojan prob, in which case a clean installation may be needed.
Can I ask how old your computer is? and when did you install your Norton anti virus?
Cheers
Jon
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Do a search for "spybot search and destroy" on google. It is completely free and one of the best spyware removers out there at the moment. if you can get it to download and instal just use that and remove all other spyware/adaware software.
from what you've written it sounds like you can download softwere, but not everytime you try
If possible, could you get someone else (friend/neighbour) to download spybot for you.
Just remeber, spyware/adaware removers are not firewall/virus software so don't remove you norton software unless your going to repace it with another anti-virus/firewall program.
Oh...by the way a clean instal would take about 45 minutes for the operating system and probably another 30-45 mins to instal any additional software depending on processor speed
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Got computer in 2003 absolutely no problems whatsover till last week when I installed Broadband And I only did that because everyone kept telling me i should it was so much faster ( ha ha ) I have just tried tips here and tried again Ad aWARE SE PERSONAL 1.06 BUT AGAIN CLOSED BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM I report problem and get the thing about Nvidia capture driver Head is reeling .I also did the turning off and safe mode thing but no luck .gIVING UP NOW UNTIL THE MORNING I DON'T WANT TO LET IT BEAT ME AND I DONT MIND PAYING A FAIR PRICE TO GET THINGS SORTED . Don't obviously want to get ripped off though almost makes me want to take a degree in computer studies ( but not really Just joking ) lol and to all a good night nice to know there are some genuinly helpful and honest folk out there , Thanks !
Answers:
Nvidia make graphics cards (amongst other things) - presumably some part of your system is made by Nvidia and is trying to download later drivers. If it is a capture driver then I've nexer seen that before
What sort of broadband equipment do you have - is it a USB box?
Is your system slow ion everything or just internet access ?
If the former what happens if you disconnect the broadband box?
I'm a bit wary about the helpful guy - he could be right and it could take 3 hours on site to clean a system but if you've got Norton and adware then that seems unlikely - if they are up to date - do you know if they are?
I echo the comments about spybit it's superb
Answers:
Ok Just to bring everything together could you please answer these questions
1. Are you able to download anything?? and is windows update updating and is your Virus automatically updating
2. When did you do a Virus scan last
3. Who installed your Broadband, if it was yourself have you disconnected the lead from your old modem ie the lead that went from your computer to your phone line
4. Have you got the Broadband filter in your phone line and any other telephone points that you use
5. How far away is your telephone point from your computer and do you use an extension lead to connect
6. If you go to Control Panel> System > Hardware > click on Device Manager are there any yellow triangles with an exclamation mark in?
Ok that should do for now and if we cant get this working for you im sure someone can give you a hand in throwing it out the window
If you only started having these probs after Broadband then I believe this is the main cause, it may be that its not set up correctly. You may of course also have a virus but again why be ok before Broadband but not after it, anyhow if you would be so kind as to answer the above questions it will rule out some of the more common causes.
G'Night for now !!
Jon
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It sounds to me like you do have a problem and yes I would (in this case) recommend professional assistance.
There an association of computer retailers called NASCR, where each member agrees to comply with a code of ethics and code of practice in order for them to be a member. They have a directory of members on their website () which lists contact details for them all. Might be worth looking and contacting your nearest one(s), see if they can help fix your problem without breaking the bank.
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Just for those who made comments about it not taking 3 hours to resolve, trust me it can and does in some cases.
With Windows 98/ME, its not so much of an issue, but with XP and user profiles each one should be treated as an individual computer and that can take time.
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Well for a start i'd remove norton and if you have it on cd then burn it. Download and install Kaspersky anti-virus ( or ) and that should sort you out. You can also try Microsoft antispyware which is free ().