Having Problems & I'm Stupid When It Comes To This Stuff. My Computer

[ChiciB1]

isn't new, about 3 years or more old, but recently I was having trouble with my AVG Anti-Virus. It would run by automatic set up and then it wouldn't run for several days. I would automatically run it again and it said everything was fine. Then I would get a pop up notice from Microsoft Security saying that my PC might be at risk.

So I checked my control Panel to see what was going on with AVG and when I clicked on it I was surprised to see that it said I "rarely" used it. The last time it showed it was used was in May. BUT, as I said I ran it manually and it showed my updates etc., were fine. Well, apparently they weren't and I was told by the place that usually fixes my PC to uninstall AVG and reinstall it, so I did. I also re-installed my malwarebytes because I couldn't get updates to load.

Now, my PC runs as slow as molasses and it's driving me crazy. Checked a thread yesterday where someone was having the same problem and suggestions were given about what to do. One suggestion was to run CCleaner BEFORE I ran my AVG scan. Also a suggestions to see if Windows Firewall was running, but I don't think I have Vista, so it was for the Vista program. I used Windows XP 2000, or at least that's what the downloaded on this PC.

There were more suggestions about different things to do, but does anyone know a very SAFE way to check this out because I'm so very afraid to do anything that might screw this PC up anymore. I don't want to spend more money on it if I don't have to and I can't buy a new one. I don't use it for anything but email, banking and blogging which of course includes links that may or may not be safe. I don't know which one are safe or not, but seems most are safe. Why I get asked the question if I feel a site is safe means nothing to me because I have no idea. I'm no "techie" just want this thing to run like it used to.

I'm not finding that I can't log on or use it as I did before, but I have had notices that the program isn't running and asks me to send error to Microsoft. Then it runs again, but now is just way too slow and it's driving me crazy.

I know long question, but this PC is all I have and my finances won't allow me to spend extra money if I don't have to.

Thanks.

[ChiciB1]

1. Sorry, Running Windows XP Home 2002. Just checked My Disk That

was loaded from the computer store.

[woo me with science]

2. Well, I would start by

downloading, updating, and running Superantispyware.

Then download, update, and run Malwarebytes Anti-malware.

It sounds like something got through AVG. I switched from AVG because of experiences like that. Also, it's not clear to me from your post if you have a firewall running or not.

If Superantispyware and Malwarebytes don't work, there are other things you can try. Even if they do work, I would clean the disk, check your startup programs, maybe run a couple of other cleaners just to be sure.

Then get a new antivirus.

[ChiciB1]

3. Avast Maybe?? There Was A Suggestions About Checking The Firewall...

but it was for Vista and I don't think I'm using Vista. You're the 4th person who has told me they've had trouble with AVG, one of the all time favorites from what I've heard.

There was also a suggestion to use http://download.cnet/cleaner/ so I was wondering if I need to remove AVG again and use the cleaner. Plus a suggestion to used http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-SystemCare-Free/3000. So you can see why I'm confused and don't really know which program I should use. I'm now getting messages about my virtual memory being low. I haven't downloaded anything to lose memory, but the AVG download took a REALLY, REALLY long time.

Thanks for your reply, guess I'll check to see if they have a program to see if my firewall is working from MS alone. I had asked about Vista before and the repair guy said not to use it, but that was last year and I wouldn't put anything on without him telling me to. I would call him again but he's going to tell me to bring it in again and I KNOW it will cost at least $100.00 or more.

Thanks again.

[woo me with science]

4. Did you run Superantispyware or Malwarebytes yet?

Did they find anything?

I am not sure what the "Cleaner" you linked to on CNET was. It was a dead link for me. If you are talking about CCleaner, that is a general program to clean out your files and fix registry errors. It will not identify or clean malware or spyware.

You need to be doing 2 things: #1, a general cleaning and system check to rule out errors that could be causing the slowdown, AND #2, checking for malware that could be responsible. CCleaner and Advanced System Care are both primarily the former, although Advanced System Care does remove some spyware. I prefer CCleaner plus the other malware removers I mentioned above.


Most times I have had problems, these steps have fixed them:

Run Superantispyware to remove spyware
Run Malwarebytes to remove malware.
Run CCleaner disk cleaner to clean up files
Run CCleaner registry fix to fix registry errors


I would start with that, and then see how the computer works. If those don't work, there are other things to try.

I don't know if you are running XP or Windows 7. I am guessing that either one should have a start button and then Control Panel. In the control panel, there should be an entry for Security Center or something like that. That will tell you if you have Windows firewall running or not.

AVAST is a really good antivirus. I have also heard good things from techies (even ones who hate Microsoft) about Microsoft Security Essentials.

[ChiciB1]

5. Okay, I DID Run Malwarebytes Before I Uninstalled AVG & Re-Installed It.

But, I don't think that means something didn't get through when I downloaded AVG after it. I'm using XP 2002, and I can go to control panel and I see a Security Program. Since I've been trying to get this under control since Sunday, I'm NOW thinking that my problem DID occur AFTER I uninstalled AVG when I thought it was out of date.

It was AFTER THAT when my PC slowed to a crawl, but I had already run malwarebytes. So, I AM now thinking that you ARE correct that something got through when I reinstalled AVG 2011. I have yet to do anything because as I said I felt I already screwed up. I was unaware that things could "slip" through with AVG.

So, I'm going to take your advice and do the 4 things you suggested and see what happens. I appreciate your time with this and if I screw it up it most certainly isn't anyone's fault but my own. I was just too AFRAID to do anything, but it seems from what others posted at another thread yesterday and what you are now saying, that I need to get things "cleaned" up. I don't think my problem was malware, but I don't think it will hurt to run it again.

My only questions is this. Should I NOW remove AVG again and THEN run the programs you suggest? I AM now almost SURE that the problem occurred with AVG and I don't think I want to use them again, even though I've used them for several years. But there is something that happened that reduced my memory capacity after AVG since I had NEVER seen that message pop up EVER.

Just need to know if I should remove AVG and I'll try not to bother you anymore... I really thank you!!

[woo me with science]

8. I'd just leave it running for now.

It may have let something through, but it's probably still protecting you from other things. You don't want to be fully unprotected while you fix this, since you'll be going on the internet to download programs.

Good luck with the scans.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

6. How to verify that Windows Firewall is enabled in Windows XP

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/winfirewall.mspx

Then I would get a pop up notice from Microsoft Security saying that my PC might be at risk.

Does it look something like this? What is the PRECISE message you receive in the popup?


An authentic MS message like the one above is due to a problem with either your fireweall not being turned on, automatic updates turned off or no AV installed. Check your settings in Security Center: Start>>Control Panel>>Security Center.

[ChiciB1]

9. THAT IS EXACTLY What It Looked Like... So It Says My Firewall Is On.

This was WHY I finally went to the Control Panel to see WHY AVG "seemed" to be running, but when I clicked on it said it was last used in May, even though I was running it manually.

I have downloaded Superantispyware, then used AVG to check for viruses which said the "shell extension" found no viruses or anything. HOWEVER, it too AVG almost 3 hours to update. I DO believe the problem is with AVG, so I think I'm going to run the 15 day "free trial" version of the Superantispyware to see what happens. My next problem will be is WHAT to do if something is found.

I'm so SICK of this thing because it's so slow and even replying takes such a long time to get back to anyone.

Thanks again.

[ChiciB1]

11. Just Checked My Security Settings... Everything Is ON! It Seems It MUST

be the last AVG download! The local computer guy swears by them, but I think they must have done something that isn't working so well at this time. When I went over to their blog site it seems they have been getting this very same question over and over. I saw some of the answers for "fixes" but now don't trust them, sooooooooooo I'm here asking my questions.

MS keeps giving me message that says it's trying to update my virtual memory, but I have no IDEA how that's working out. It's running a "little" faster, but something this is still wrong.

On too the spyware fix I guess.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

12. It seems you're not the only one having problems with AVG:

AVG 2011 Bug Affects Browsing Experience, Could Also Hurt Websites: http://msmvps.com/blogs/donna/archive/2010/10/12/avg-2011-bug-affects-browsing-experience-could-also-hurt-websites.aspx

A serious bug in a component of the new AVG 2011 anti-malware products causes computers to flood websites with unnecessary HTTP requests and in many cases prevents users from properly using their browsers.

At this time the problem is not very well documented, but reports about it, dating back to the end of last month, can be found on various forums and discussion groups around the Web.

It appears that the bug is located in the LinkScanner component, which is found in the entire AVG 2011 product line, including the company's popular free antivirus. <...>


Reports suggest other usability issues as well. For example, users not being able to use certain features on legit websites like YouTube, or the IE7 compatibility mode being broken for IE8 users.

According to a topic on the French AVG support forum, the company is aware of at least some of these problems and is working to resolve them.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/AVG-2011-Bug-Affects-Browsing-Experience-Could-Also-Hurt-Websites-160515.shtml via CoU.

Personally, I would lose the AVG (I stopped using it at version 8.0) and go with any of these, I use Avast on my XP machine & MSE on my Win 7 machine and have used Avira in the past:
Avast: http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
Microsoft Security Essentials: http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/
Avira: http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

If you're going to uninstall AVG, I recommend using the AVG removal tool: http://www.avg.com/us-en/download-tools

[ChiciB1]

13. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I've Spent So Much Time With This Stuff

I'm about to explode and I NOW do think it's AVG. Thanks for the uninstall link too because today I ran Superantispyware and did find some adware infections. But also ran Malwarebytes and NO infections were found. Now, since I've done that the AVG icon has a triangle covering it with a big exclamation mark inside it. I'm going to uninstall AVG and use Avast as some others have suggested.

I've checked the AVG blog site and it's FULL of too many suggestions and alternative "fixes" that I can't follow all of it. Why AVG suddenly took up so much of my space is a question I can't answer. I have never had ANY issues with not having enough space since I don't use my PC for any type of business, graphic or many other types of things that others might use. I'm not that technical, but I do like being connected for blogging and checking information when I wish to.

So, I will give it a try because I think I've done all I can up to this point. I'm not seeing that I have viruses other than the adware thing from today, and yet the PC is still slow. AVG must have taken up a HUNK of space is all I can figure.

Thanks again for the link and thanks to everyone else. I'll be back after more "inspection" and/or installation.

[ChiciB1]

14. UUUHHHH, Just One More Question. I Downloaded AVG 2011 & Am Not

sure which AVG uninstall to use. I don't see the 10.0.1136 numbers that I saw when I went to my control panel and clicked on the AVG program. I'm using Windows XP 2002 so would that be the 32 bit uninstall.

Boy, am I showing my inexperience here!

[Earth Bound Misfit]

16. No problem, I'm glad to help.

How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=827218

I'm pretty sure the AVG remover is a "one size fits all" program, and even if you download and run the wrong one (32 bit vs 64 bit) it'll just produce an error message, something like Wrong platform. Use correct version for 32bit or 64bit systems or something like that.

Good luck, let us know what happens.

[ChiciB1]

17. Thanks Again... I'll Be Back... n/t

[BlueJazz]

7. If you're not far from St. Pete, drop me a line ...I'll fix it for free. (I'm a Professional)

[ChiciB1]

10. Thanks For The WONDERFUL Offer, But I'm In Nokomis... HOWEVER

if this doesn't get corrected by running this Superantispyware, I'm going to HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!

But you're a gem anyway. Locally, where I bought my PC the guy will give me some tips, but after about 2 questions, he just says "bring it in" and I do. Having looked at the AVG site, it looks like AVG also has some suggestion too. Others are having this same problem of slow PC's after installing AVG 2011. They have a blog site, but it's endless and is taking me forever to get feedback because this is so slow.

The warning about the Virtual Memory Minimum being too low MUST be because of the the ENORMOUS AVG download. It took almost 2 hours to download, but I didn't want to stop it because I was afraid I might screw it up even more.

So, I'm going to try the spyware removal. If that doesn't do it.... OH WELL, we'll see.

Again sorry for the late reply, but by the time AVG finished last night it was late and I was fed up and didn't want to wait another several hours for more info.

I do have one question for you, do you think running the superantispyware Pro is a good thing? I'll wait a little longer.

[BlueJazz]

15. I like avast anti-virus...it's small, works great and (of course) it's free.

The BEST thing to do would be to save your files, format your drive and install XP again.

But..for now...download this and run it:
http://www.piriform.com/

[ChiciB1]

18. Thanks For THAT Info, But THAT Scares Me to Death. The Piriform Sounds

okay, but for ME to format my drive and install XP again has me shaking in my skin. I'm not very advanced in ANY of that type of stuff. I didn't load it in the first place! Yes, I AM that dumb!

[ChiciB1]

19. I Agree With The "BEST" Thing You Said, But for Me To Format My Drive

and install XP again is really a scary thing for me to attempt. I didn't put it on in the first place and even though I can transfer my files, I'm afraid I would really screw things up if I went further.

Yes... I AM that DUMB! I would LOVE to have so much "junk" cleaned out that I'm sure if floating around in there, but up until just last week, I had plenty of room to work with, even WITH the junk I can't see. I so wish I was more informed about these things, but I can hardly keep up with all the new gadgets that keep coming out every six months or so.

But, I'm thankful that there are people out there like you who are so well informed and helpful.
:hug:

[BlueJazz]

20. Well...actually ...all you have to do is to save your important files and then..

,,put the install disk in your dvd/cd drive. The disk will format the drive for you.
IF you want to (at some time), we would certainly "Walk" you through it. :)

[ChiciB1]

21. Well, The PC IS Running Faster Now After ALL Installing & Un-installing

of programs I've done, but it's STILL not up to par. My daughter has a friends who works at a computer company and he said he will come check it out for $35.00. Says there must be something working "in the background" that I'm unable to find.

I didn't run the CCleaner, but I'm so tired of looking at this thing I want to throw it out the window. But I do thank everyone so much for helping me out and giving me some very good suggestions AND information. I actually learned a lot too!

Using Avast right now, so we'll see. I called my local PC guy again and he says there is NOTHING going on with AVG!! Well, now I wonder.

But, since I still got the message saying my virtual memory minimum is low in the paging file, I guess I'll give up and spend the $35.00. At least it won't break my bank.

Thanks again to all, you've been great!

[woo me with science]

22. Good luck.

I hope it's up and running faster now. What did the problem turn out to be?