What software do I need to counter a sluggish computer (suddenly)?

[baby_bear]

It's driving me nuts. Connections are slow, the cursor is difficult to control, and on and on, plus a million pop ups of course. Somewhere alone the line I got the impression that when this happens, it means there is some software (adware or spyware, for example) that has been placed on my computer harddrive remotely, without my consent or knowledge.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions about this? It is SO frustrating. I have Windows 98 and IE 6.0.

Thanks to anyone for ideas! I am ready to switch to two cans and a string.

s_m

[ForrestGump]

1. Mac OS

:D

Otherwise, I've got no clue -- sorry. Have you tried Netscape? Internet Explorer is not the greatest.

[madmom]

2. when my pc got sluggish...

I installed a bigger memory chip. Got it from the neighborhood office max.They can tell you what you need if you know your pc stats.

[Berserker]

4. sierra_moon

First of all do you have any anti_spyware software installed?
go here http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ it's free and it's great also use
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download2471.html and download Spybot search and destroy. You will need both. Also have you cleared temporary files? or cookies? Go to start..programs ...acessories..system tools...disk clean up. Also you may need to run scan disc and disc fragment you will find under system tools also. I also run cookiewall I do not allow cookies on my computer no website except your online banking needs to install cookies on your computer. I hate bastard biscuits.
Cookiewall also free lets you click out of all cookies except the ones you need BUT I have never found ONE I needed YET!
http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/cookie.htm?

[baby_bear]

9. That is a lot of great information, berserker, thanks

Interesting remark about cookies (i.e., that you haven't found any you need). Don't you need to accept cookies even for DU purposes?

I am so computer dumb. Thanks again for your suggestions. I will look into all of them.

s_m

on edit: no, berserker, I don't have any spyware that i know of installed...(and no one else uses my computer, at least not physically from my dining room table).

s_m

[mourningdove92]

3. Spyware, parasites.....oh my!

I fell into the trap of trying different spyware "cleaners"....situation only got worse.

This weekend I finally caved in and crashed my computer and started over. Now, no more slow moving computer, sudden freezes or just plain not being able to get my computer to move at all.

Pretty drastic, but it worked for me.

Personally, I think we ought to be able to sue the perpetrators of all this spyware/parasite stuff. I am really serious about this. Most of this stuff hijacks your computer, zaps your home page then ultimately takes control of your computer. I call that theft!!!

Class action? I'm game.

[Berserker]

5. Try the spyware clearners I talked about above

they are free and I have used them for two years and NEVER a problem. You do not have to pay for a GOOD spyware cleaner!

[Berserker]

6. Also a few great sites to check out

http://www.jdrn.com/nacl/
http://forums.techguy.org/ a GREAT SITE free computer help THE BEST on the net!
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://www.thatcomputerguy.us/
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/index.php
This will teach you alot about spyware!!! and how to deal with it

[Lou_C]

7. What a coincidence

Someone gave me the same websites to go to tonight because my computer was acting sluggish.

Small world isn't it?

[baby_bear]

13. Hey, Lou_C, let me know how you fare, will ya?

It's going to take me awhile to work through all this info and I sure would like to know how you are doing. I am always fearful that I am going to make it worse....

but I don't think it can be worse right now. It's awful.

thanks and please stay in touch.

s_m

[Lou_C]

15. How slow is your computer running?

My computer keeps stalling and it's not even a year old.

It has crashed 4 or 5 times in the past 24 hours and something doesn't seem right with it because it keeps hanging.

What's going on with your computer?

[baby_bear]

17. Mine isn't crashing

The connection to the ISP sort of "grays" out, so that the modem is still active but I can't go to another web page. It just hangs there trying,unable to complete the action. Also, my cursor doesn't respond as normal. It's difficult to move it to an exact location. That sort of stuff. I also can't delete mail from my in-box. I have to shut the whole thing down and re-boot and then it's okay for another half hour or so before it starts again.

I figured it was some software that was sneaked onto my computer.

s_m

[baby_bear]

10. I couldn't agree more, mourningdove92

I feel like a deer in their damn headlights.

Class action, you say? Where do I sign up?

seriously

s_m

[Lou_C]

12. I am getting ready to reinstall everything over again & wipe my hard drive

I had shareware/spyware remover take some files off of my computer a few years back and it brought the computer down.

I don't trust it and I would prefer to reinstall everything over again.

[jpgray]

8. Adaware is great--for browsers, Mozilla Firefox is awesome

Much better than IE.

[baby_bear]

11. Mozilla Firefox is a substitute for IE?

I don't know anything about it. Does it prevent what I am experiencing (basically, usurpation of my hard drive)?

thanks
s_m

[jpgray]

14. What you seem to be talking about doesn't seem like a hard drive problem

If you're running windows, hit control-alt-delete, and hit the 'Performance' tab on the top of the window. What % of CPU usage are you running right now?

[baby_bear]

18. Unfortunately, my control key doesn't work

And this laptop keyboard has only one control key. It hasn't worked since I knocked the computer accidentally off the table. The computer store fixed everything else but couldn't fix that.

That's a big pain, too.

[fknobbit]

16. Three things

1.ad ware is killing you.
2. trash and undigested particles are usurping your registry.
3. fragmentation


for 1 & 2 I use two webroot products spy cleaner and windows washer

for 2 Registry first aid is great.

for three run a defrag program.

When mine slows down I use all three and it is snappy again.

All have thirty day trials and can be downloaded free from www.zdnet.com

[baby_bear]

19. Thanks, fknobbit

I'll give it a shot.

s_m