Computer question

[ketelmeister]

My computer has gotten really slow, locks up constantly and in generally doggy. I have AVG free for a virus protection, but I think it's probably loaded with viruses and spyware. Any ideas or help? I'm clueless on what to do.
Thanks.

 

[CycloneErik]

My computer has gotten really slow, locks up constantly and in generally doggy. I have AVG free for a virus protection, but I think it's probably loaded with viruses and spyware. Any ideas or help? I'm clueless on what to do.
Thanks.

I don't tend to trust free anti-virus stuff. I figure that someone has already found the answers to that software. I could be wrong on that.

We use PC-Cillin, and it's worked great for me.

I've had McAfee before, but it drove me nuts. It slowed down the computer just as much as the spyware/viruses did.

I'd try the PC-Cillin, and see if that works. People might have better ideas, but that's my first one.

 

[ketelmeister]

I don't tend to trust free anti-virus stuff. I figure that someone has already found the answers to that software. I could be wrong on that.

We use PC-Cillin, and it's worked great for me.

I've had McAfee before, but it drove me nuts. It slowed down the computer just as much as the spyware/viruses did.

I'd try the PC-Cillin, and see if that works. People might have better ideas, but that's my first one.

can you put it on and clean up the computer?

 

[Dave19642006]

First clean your cookies, Clean your disc space
Second I would defragment.

If it still runs slow - remove the software that you have for free, and go to a computer store and get the Nortons/ or McGafee and pay for it. I do not like trial or free downloads when it comes to these type of programs. Yes Most likely that is the situation.

If anyone else can give more input thanks

 

[CycloneErik]

can you put it on and clean up the computer?

Yes. That should be no problem.

 

[CycloneErik]

First clean your cookies, Clean your disc space
Second I would defragment.

If it still runs slow - remove the software that you have for free, and go to a computer store and get the Nortons/ or McGafee and pay for it. I do not like trial or free downloads when it comes to these type of programs. Yes Most likely that is the situation.

If anyone else can give more inpuit thanks

Free stuff is free for a reason.:no:

 

[Dave19642006]

if you have any porn that you might be embaressed of, take it in to get it clean LOL

 

[Dave19642006]

Free stuff is free for a reason.:no:

True so true, reason I don't

 

[CycloneErik]

True so true, reason I don't

ketel, don't take this wrong. I'm not criticizing you.

I know a lot of people that will only deal with free stuff, and they keep getting burned by it. We'll spend a little more (OK, anything is more than free), but not have the problem. Then they criticize us for spending the extra money.

Oh, well.

If you install a good program, it will find this stuff right after installation, when you do your first sweep of the system.

 

[jumbopackage]

There are plenty of good, free anti-virus programs out there. Unfortunately there isn't one that's good at everything.

I'd start off with SDFix and combofix and then try spybot s&d and malware bytes anti-malware.

 

[ketelmeister]

What is the best program to purchase? We have a Wal Mart and Target in town.

 

[jumbopackage]

What is the best program to purchase? We have a Wal Mart and Target in town.

I wouldn't buy one, honestly. They generally cause more problems than they fix.

 

[ketelmeister]

I wouldn't buy one, honestly. They generally cause more problems than they fix.

Don't the free ones like sdfix etc come loaded with their own problems?

 

[jumbopackage]

Don't the free ones like sdfix etc come loaded with their own problems?

No, not that I know of.

I've cleaned MANY computers with just free software.

In fact, many times I have to get rid of Norton/McAfee before i can even start work on the computer because it gets so jacked up by the malware, and Norton/McAfee have their fingers so deep in the computer that it screws things up.

 

[CycloneErik]

No, not that I know of.

I've cleaned MANY computers with just free software.

In fact, many times I have to get rid of Norton/McAfee before i can even start work on the computer because it gets so jacked up by the malware, and Norton/McAfee have their fingers so deep in the computer that it screws things up.

Norton/McAfee have been a mess for me, too. The PC-Cillin's been good for us, but I understand looking for less cost, too.

 

[bld1942]

I use AVAST and AD-AWARE on both mine...no problems to date, both free versions

 

[Skyh13]

Honestly, sometimes you get what you pay for, but there are plenty of very good, free applications that are completely legit and can help you do a lot to fix up your computer.

Here's a list of a few programs I would HIGHLY suggest:

CCleaner
- CCleaner is a great tool for generally cleaning up your system, getting rid of temporary files and other such things that are just taking up space on your computer. It can also scour through your registry and find entries that you can safely just get rid of, which can help with performance as well.
CCleaner - Home


Spybot S&D
- Spybot S&D is one of a number of good, free anti-spyware, anti-malware programs. It works well, and should take care of most problems you run into. Granted, if you were to buy software like SpySweeper, you can probably benefit from more resources dedicated to making software which finds and gets rid of more spyware and such, however there's no harm in at least trying this software first, considering it works great and is free.
The home of Spybot-S&D!

Windows Defender
- If you're running windows XP, it's worth your while to download Windows Defender, as it's free, and it's just more anti-spyware, anti-malware protection. Granted, it has scans automatically scheduled for FAR too often, but you can change that pretty easily. Doesn't hurt to have it.
Windows Defender: Home Page


One thing I must say, is that the free anti-virus programs are fine, and you can look up ratings for how each does, performance-wise and protection-wise. The important thing to remember is, though, don't have more than one anti-virus program running active protection at the same time. That can really cause some annoying problems, aside from bringing your computer to it's knees in terms of speed. For anti-spyware, though, it's more worthwhile to have multiple programs installed, as long as you don't have them actively running at the same time, since that'll hurt your computer performance as well. But individually running anti-spyware scans with different programs is very beneficial.

Anyways, sorry for the long post, but there's what I have to say about that!

 

[Skyh13]

Oh, and McAfee and Norton both have positively awful performance, they can really kill speed on your computer.. not that they don't work well, but they're very bloated..

 

[superdorf]

I use AVG, Spybot S&D, Malware Anti-Malware... Ad-Aware.

 

[tamjam]

I doubt it a virus or anything. People always think they have a virus but really they are quite rare. Sounds like now is the perfect time to put a fresh install of your operating system on there. Peace.