My parent's computer is slow. They have Adelphia internet and it's slow. I know something is wrong because just clicking on the start menu takes forever. The hourglass actually comes up. They unplugged the external router I hooked up for them when they got cable on the advice from Adelphia. They said they were having to reboot the computer everytime they wanted to use it and when they called Adelphia, they told they didn't need it...unplug it.

I'm certain that they have a virus or something worse. They have never downloaded or used AOL messenger but the Adelphia firewall keeps asking permission to communicate with it. I ran the Adelphia virus protection and the Spybot Search and Destroy, but no virus is detected by them.

I checked add/remove programs list and there is a TON of unfamiliar stuff I've never seen on any of my computers. There are four "Windows XP HotFix" entries. One "Windows XP Installer 3.1." Four "Update for Windows XP." 24 "Security Update for WIndows." Beside each of these entries are the letters KB and then a string of numbers. Is this supposed to be on there?

Anybody know what I can do or what's going on with this thing? I keep telling them that they if they are going to use a computer and have cable internet access, they need to take some computer classes and learn AT LEAST some basic stuff because I can't foolproof their computer and walk away. I can't be here everytime the firewall asks permission to download stuff. Advice?

All of those you listed at normal XP updates. I recommend downloading CCleaner and running it once a week.

There are 2 fuctions in CCleaner, one cleans Windows the other cleans applications and registry. Run them both and I am sure you will notice a difference.

What AV do they use/ Try AVG Free.

I do this for a living where work.

Those are all valid windows updates. Many start with KB and then a number.
If you want to really fix this I recommend saving important data and files to a cd or disk then re-installing windows after a hard format of the hard drive. This is a drastic approach but a guaranteed one. After re-installing windows make sure you have at a minimum done the following;

Installed a good anti-virus package on your machine. Shop around as Norton is not the best choice unless you have the corporate version

Install good firewall software. I good start is zone alarm. The basic version is free and pretty good but I bought the pro version which is better. Black Ice is also a good firewall program. Don’t rely on the windows firewall as it is not easy to use or robust enough.

If you buy zone alarm pro then you get an ant-spyware plug-in. If you choose the free version then download spybotdestroyer from cnet.com.

This is a minimum you need these days when hooking up to a broadband connection. Because the PC is always on and connected it gives hackers more opportunities to take control of a PC.

Also, do not install peer to peer sharing programs as they are notorious security risks as well as AOL messenger.

Do not click on email from an unknown source.

Hackers have taken the joy out the internet.

I had them hooked up with a netgear router which says it provides double firewall protection, anti-spyware and virus protection, but Adelphia told them to unhook it. So, they've been running off of Adelphia's crap.

I've tried connecting the Netgear router again, but something isn't right. I've been sitting here for hours trying to get it up and running again, no luck. In between AOL messenger keeps reminding me that it's there and then I try to uninstall it, but it's not on the add/remove programs list.



Nbdynbdy:


I already re-installed their whole system once, last year sometime when it was screwed up then. I don't really want to do that again because it took me a whole day and lots of time on the phone with help desks to get it all going again. I mean, I'd like to do it, I just don't have the patience and time.

It just makes me so angry. I have no problems with my set up at home and I even download from Limewire and access risky websites sometimes.

They have nothing but problems with this damn thing and I'm always the dummy that ends up fixing it somehow. I'd like to ground them from using the internet! No, you always mess it up - you're not allowed to use it.

Grrr.

Thanks for your help guys. I need to go let out of string of profanity now.

This is a long shot but have you checked out the event viewer? It is under settings/control panel/admintools.
See if you have a hardware problem. If there is disk or memory issues it should show up in the systems or application logs. If this is the case check the warranty!





By the way the Netgear router was not enough. You need that stuff on the PC as well.

There's a firewall supposedly built in Windows XP. The Netgear boasted that it was a double firewall, plus spyware and anti-virus. The Adelphia built in crap has a firewall, spyware and anti-virus. I separatly downloaded Spybot Search and Destroy.

You're saying all this is still not enough?

Did Adelphia give you a modem/router or just a modem? Can you hook up more then one computer to it?


If it is cable they usually lock the connect to a network card MAC address. Comcast you need to turn the modem off a few minutes to allow the connection to reset and allow a new MAC to be accepted. Mostly all routers allow you to pull that info from your main machine and fool the modem on cable internet into thinking it is talking to that machine. Only connect the main machine and do this then hook the modem back up.

I only run a hardware firewall and have no problems. The less software I have consuming resources on my computer the happier I am.

As nbdynbdy said you may invest more time trying to fix it and it never be right again vs a clean reinstall.

As do I.

Did you try my suggestion?

I have a firewall on my DSL router and my software firewall still catches attacks. Nothing is ever 100% effective. As for re-installing Windows, that may work but it does not solve the problem or discover it cause. Chances are what ever weakness you had will be exploited again.

Other things to look at are the running processes in task manager (I use a 3rd party one called Process Explorer that gives more info about each process) and also go to RUN>MSCONFIG then look at STARTUP. Look at all the programs in the start up list and Google them to see if you can disable them.

Let me know if you need help.

No, I haven't tried your suggestion yet, CPD. The computer is my parent's. It's at their house and haven't been back there yet. I needed a break from it yesterday. Had to walk away from it.

I sure will let you know if I need help! Thanks!

I had the same problem, i took my p/c back to factory settings, than i installed Kaspersky Anti Virus Personal, and also Ad- Aware SE Personal they run together like a team. I turned my firewall off. I set my Ad-Aware to run every 3 hours, and i run a full scan once a week. On the Kaspersky i run a full scan once a week. I have it set up to find all the updates my p/c requires, when it get's them it let's me know i than update my windows. It's very inportant to keep your windows updated if not this can slow it down also. If you see anything that tells you run this for free, DO NOT do it, it runs into more problems. I love Kaspersky it does everything for me.


Just trying to help

Thank you for the advice everyone, but I did my best and it wasn't good enough.

I reinstalled the NetGear firewall, made sure the WindowsXP firewall wasn't competing, removed AOL messenger, ran every free anti-virus utility I could find on the NetGear software AND on random internet sites, I deleted a bunch o useless crap.

It was up and running fine when I left it Sunday afternoon, today my parents called and asked if I knew anyone else that could fix it. I said no and now they're looking for the "the geek squad."

Usually uninstalling junk software is a battle you will not win. Reinstalling Windows is the only way to guarantee a fix.

I already did that with last year's problem though, Wrangler.

I just can't deal with their computer problems anymore. I'm a novice at this, to say the least, and they know much less than I do.

I see the problem as them not knowing computer 101. I wish there was some *easy* way for me to link my set-up to theirs so that they can just run off of my computer, but I think that the main problem is their not knowing what is a threat and what is not...which would mean that their actions would prove detrimental to my set up as well.

Ugh. Whatever. Done with. Over. Frustrating!

Have you tried one of these?

Oh if only...

Easy buttons r0x0Rz!!!!11one11.

Heather, can you tell me exactly what the problem is? I would be happy to look at it, I am a trained a professional

If it lasted a year thats pretty good. When I was in business for myself. People like your parents were my worst nightmare. I would reinstall windows for folks and give them back a fast bug free computer only to have them call me a week later saying its doing it again so I understand your frustrations well, trust me!!!! My father was the same way when he first got on. Now the only problem is my sister. LOL

Spend some time and educate them or get them in a GOOD class, as you said, to help them learn.

I know the computer people must be salivating to get at this computer, but really, you don't want to. This mess is set up where you have to do crazy yoga positions to get to the back of the tower. Everything is placed "just so" and you have to move this heavy desk to get to the wires and such. I had to untie so many garbage bag twisty ties to let go of wires...most wires aren't long enough, etc.

It's like fixing a computer on an obstacle course. I received many bumps, bruises and cuts trying to worm my way around the desk, the wires...

Let the official geek squad get paid for that nonesense!


I got this new computer desk at home last year....it's almost all glass, but pretty, right? I hooked up my computer and thought, damn these wires are right out there and ugly as hell.

PERFECT SETUP.


THANK YOU!

I have had mini classes with them, and I'm not lying, the first things we went over was how Windows operates with "windows." These windows have three little buttons at the corner. One is minimize, one is maximize and one is close. This means...

ETC!!!!

I'm not fibbin'!

I bought them a "computers for dummies" book, but I understand...it's dry reading.

"You guys need to learn more about computers."

Get some plastic cable wraps like under the hood of your car. Staples might have them but an auto parts store definetly will. I use them all over the Entertainment center and computer stuff even inside.

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