Unwanted Programs Freezing PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter Connie
  • Start date Start date
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Connie

Two days ago I hit a website that put all kinds of junk
of my PC ( i.e., IE Search Toolbar, My Buddy, Precision
Time, My Clipart, Date Manager). I removed all of these
through Add/Remove and then did a search to remove all
associated files. My PC is running slow and freezing up.
I restored it to an earlier date but nothing helps. When
I sign on, I get a message asking if I want to install IE
Search Toolbar. I select no and then my PC freezes. It
re-installs many of these programs anyway. I can't even
get CRTL/ALT/DEL to bring up the control panel now. Help!
Suggestions???? Thanks!
 
Connie said:
Two days ago I hit a website that put all kinds of junk
of my PC ( i.e., IE Search Toolbar, My Buddy, Precision
Time, My Clipart, Date Manager). I removed all of these
through Add/Remove and then did a search to remove all
associated files. My PC is running slow and freezing up.
I restored it to an earlier date but nothing helps. When
I sign on, I get a message asking if I want to install IE
Search Toolbar. I select no and then my PC freezes. It
re-installs many of these programs anyway. I can't even
get CRTL/ALT/DEL to bring up the control panel now. Help!
Suggestions???? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Connie,

The first thing I'd try would be to scan with a decent anti-adware tool.
Never trust the add/remove functions of these garbage programs.. they
installed themselves uninvited onto your PC, what makes you think they'll
bother to make the uninstall function work?

I personally use Spybot Search&Destroy, which can be downloaded free of
charge from
http://security.kolla.de
Make sure you download the latest update files for it too, then scan your
system.
Spybot seems able to deal with most spyware/adware. Once your system is
cleaned,

1) update to all the latest security patches from Microsoft, via Windows
Update.
2) If you don't already have one, install a good firewall, and preferably a
popup/advert blocker too. I use the ZoneAlarm Pro product (www.zonelabs.com)
which combines both capabilities, although they do offer a firewall-only
product for free download.

A couple of useful sites for info about spyware/adware are:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/
http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm

Hope this helps.
 
David, that info is a big help. I know the Add/Remove
function never gets all of any program. That's why I
always to a search but this time that failed to eliminate
all the junk files. I'll try everything you suggested.
Thank you so much!
Connie
-----Original Message-----


Connie,

The first thing I'd try would be to scan with a decent anti-adware tool.
Never trust the add/remove functions of these garbage programs.. they
installed themselves uninvited onto your PC, what makes you think they'll
bother to make the uninstall function work?

I personally use Spybot Search&Destroy, which can be downloaded free of
charge from
http://security.kolla.de
Make sure you download the latest update files for it too, then scan your
system.
Spybot seems able to deal with most spyware/adware. Once your system is
cleaned,

1) update to all the latest security patches from Microsoft, via Windows
Update.
2) If you don't already have one, install a good firewall, and preferably a
popup/advert blocker too. I use the ZoneAlarm Pro
Click to expand...
product (www.zonelabs.com)
 
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