Slowwww performance

Question

Good evening.  My Dell Dimension desktop is experiencing extremely SLOWWWWW performance.  All components are responding several seconds, if not minutes after I initiate.  For example, if I click or type something, the computer takes a while before responding.  The internet is also responding in this manner.   My question is that if I purchase a spyware, will that fix the problem.  What about a virus protection program? I have plenty of space on my harddrive (GB) so I believe I probably downloaded a virus from the internet.  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks in advance.  Leslie

zbestwun2001 · Answer

Leslie,
There are some free spyware applications that you can download and scan your system and see what's happening and then fix it.
One of them is Ad-Aware ( www.lavasoftusa.com) and the other is Spybot Search and Destroy, (http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html)
You can try and scan your system and delete the spyware and malware and see if it preforms anybetter.

As far as the VIRUS PROTECTOR, that is a MUST!
Norton and McAfee are the learders in that field. You have to be running a virus protector or you could encounter some really serious problems. There is a free virus protector at www.grisoft.com. This is a MUST!

Try the spyware remover and see if your system perfoms any better?

Message

Message Edited by zbestwun2001 on 11-27-2004 07:24 PM

north450 · Answer

hi Lioness
Slow performance can be caused a by lots of things.
Whats operating in your background etc.
in the run box type msconfig
you will get a list of running applications.
also certain antiviruses take up lots of resources.
If you dont want spyware get opera browser or firefox.
i tried the new avg free 7.
Did not like it
read the posts in the forum
http://forum.grisoft.cz/freeforum/read.php?7,155
I think antivir is good and its free also.
See you tiger

Nelson Gonzalez · Answer

Hello Nattylioness,   1.  Click tools......Internet options......In temporary Internet files click..(delete files)....Wait until finished.  Leave cookies alone for now.   Then, in history, click clear history...wait until finished then close...reboot and take yourself a break.   After several minutes of resting, try again and see the difference.   2.  Go to   www.majorgeeks.com   In the web site, to the left...click on Spytools...Look for (Spybot Search and Destroy..hot) download etc etc.   3.   When done download Spybot search and destroy 1.3.1 update to the one before....when finished, do update from the program on your desktop.   4.   In the same web site, look for Ad Aware SE and download/install etc etc...When finished update from your desktop.   Every week these two have updates.  The Internet has a lot of good and a lot of bad...stay on your toes.   END....Try Spybot and Ad aware, one at a time.  BOTH ARE FREEWARE.   Good Luck,   Nelson

Midnight Star · Answer

Hey Natty,

Virus protection and 'Spyware' protection are two seperate requirements. Some of the larger commercial companies like Norton's try and include some 'spyware' recognition in their products, but i'd stick with those products that target those problems specifically - especially when they're provided for free!

Me, I keep my system upto date on everything (critical updates, virus signatures, etc.,.) across the board and rarely 'contract' anything (I also use other techniques too like making sure my browser settings are set properly).

I use AdAware (free) and Spybot (free) for periodic scanning, Norton's as my antivirus (almost free after each upgrade!) and Zonealarm (free) as my firewall.

Mike.

Nelson Gonzalez · Answer

Hello zbestwun2001,   As I understand this, Spybot and AdAware SE are two different programs.  One takes care of spyware and the other one takes care of additional commercial spypain...   Together, they work excellent.  About the comments above, our friends and members have experience with other programs such as firefox, opera etc etc...These worked excellent for them and they're sharing their experiences which is great for all of us...   I thank everyone for their help and I'm sharing, to help as well...Good Luck.   Nelson

zbestwun2001 · Answer

Just a passing note re: AdAwareSE and SpyBot Search and Destroy.
I just downloaded AdAwareSE and ran them both.
SpyBot found nothing where as AdAwareSE found over 100 corrections that their free version didn't find.

That SE version does ROCK!

zbestwun2001 · Answer

Nelson
Yep, I enjoy these forums and they are quite educational.
Firefox is great. Very smooth in it's operation.
I have used Opera and liked the mouse gesture feature and wish that Firefox would incorporate that into their software, but you can't always get what you want.

Steve

Nelson Gonzalez · Answer

Dear friend zbestwun2001,   I have used Opera and liked the mouse gesture feature and wish that Firefox would incorporate that into their software, but you can't always get what you want.   Sometimes you can get what you want...   Try and contact them.  You never know, you might have a monetary idea.  If you think something has better performance, deal with them and maybe begin a venture.  Having an Idea is the begining, who knows???   Nelson

jwatt · Answer

Regarding mouse gestures and Firefox...One of the better features of Firefox is that it's extensible by design. Here is the list of 'mouse gestures' extensions that are available for Firefox. Jim

zbestwun2001 · Answer

Thanks Jim!

pijai · Answer

zbestwun2001 wrote:
Just a passing note re: AdAwareSE and SpyBot Search and Destroy.
I just downloaded AdAwareSE and ran them both.
SpyBot found nothing where as AdAwareSE found over 100 corrections that their free version didn't find.
That SE version does ROCK!

zbestwun2001 . . .
mighta' been possible that the settings between the free version 'n the paid version were different . . . 'n that the "additional 100 files" caught by the paid version were just data-miners (cookies). the free version can be configured to sniff out these cookies also.

the remainder of my comments are to benefit Nattylioness as well as others . . .
always have one and only one up-to-date anti-virus program workin' at all times . . .
always have one and only one firewall workin' at all times . . .
keep ad_aware and spy_bot and spyware_blaster in your toolbox, and update reference files religiously . . . [tea_timer (spybot) is an excellent sentry, if used properly].
hijack_this should also be in your toolbox . . . there are issues that hijack_this can handle that no other program can match.
also, keep an eye on your mie security settings (s/b default)
also, maintain windows security updates.

Message Edited by pijai on 11-29-2004 08:12 AM

Nattylioness · Answer

Thanks to all.  You've been a huge help.  I actually purchased Norton Internet Security and all my problems have disappeared.  Yeah, I'm $75 poorer, but it was worth it.  Leslie

Nelson Gonzalez · Answer

@Nattylioness wrote:
Thanks to all. You've been a huge help. I actually purchased Norton Internet Security and all my problems have disappeared. Yeah, I'm $75 poorer, but it was worth it. Leslie

Hello again,

$75 poorer? Don't feel so bad. You'll see in the long run and hear other stories from PC users and hundreds of dollars spent on fixing their PCs.

I renewed my Norton Security/Anti-virus and it cost me $39.95. It's been worth every penny. On many occasions, it has saved my PC from Intrusions and other nasty things.

Don't forget Spybot...AdAware etc...(Freeware). Norton works for the real serious things but doesn't do it all, as for spies and ads...Having many tools available, is having an army of teamwork softwares.

Nelson

Make it a habit...Daily, Weekly, or Monthly...You decide. Update everything concerning your PC Security, Anti-Virus, Windows and any software you have in your PC...Better Safe than Sorry.

Nelson Gonzalez · Answer

Hi jimw,

Nice to hear from you. As always, there is something to learn from your expertise. I checked the mouse gestures and interesting however, what are the Pros and Cons from this?

We need some basic idea on why is it useful?

Thanks,

Nelson

zbestwun2001 · Answer

Jim I downloaded the mouse gestures and I see no CONS concerning them IT'S ALL GOOD JIM!!!!! THANKS

Virus & Spyware

Slowwww performance

Was this post helpful?