advice / help needed

seven

i have firewalls, i have the latest norton security stuff, i have ran scans clearded disks and used spyware programs and i still can't get rid of ad ware & pop ups while on the internet not to mention that this wonderful machine feels the need to report an error every time its switched on then it shuts down and starts up again... has anyone got any advice other than counting the seconds it takes for a computer to drop 3 floors. thanks

snappieT

Firstly, suggesting that you reinstall Windows from scratch.

Next, what are the exact error messages? What spyware programs do you use? What firewall (please tell me it's not the Windows 'firewall')?

Also grab a copy of Microsoft Antispyware Beta, and suggesting you scrap Norton for AVG free, which you can get from www.download.com

Dizzyblabla

yep, I uninstalled the Norton too, it drove me nuts, AVG seems to be doing the job and updates regularly too, wich is good!! much prefer it... I think you can download it from grisoft.com

aaf

You need to post up more info like firewall and anti spyware programs used. If you're using Microsoft Internet Explorer, might I suggest you switch to the safer Mozilla Firefox web browser. Alot of spyware and adware uses Internet Explorer to wing it's way onto your pc.

Chalk

firstly, download the latest versions of your programs if possible
and dowload the latest definitions for your adware and virus scanners

go offline.

assuming its xp,
go to start > run > msconfig.
click on the startup tab and disable anything that you dont use.
click on services > hide all microsft services and disbale anything thats leftover that you dont use.

youll then be prompted to reboot.
reboot
go to add/remove programs.
uninstall anything you dont use.
check msconfig again
reboot

reinstall, update and run ms antispy scan / adaware scan / virus scan

reinstall your firewall.
go back online.
run windows update.

see if problem persists

zoro

snappieT wrote:

Firstly, suggesting that you reinstall Windows from scratch.

This is really the only surefire way of ensuring a clean system.
A bit of research and some time spent installing the protective software, as well as a bit of common sense when browsing, and you shouldn't have this problem again.

It's a real cow to get rid of otherwise, as there are always things left that you didnt even know about

Zounds

seven wrote:

i still can't get rid of ad ware & pop ups while on the internet

this may seem like a stupid question but:
Are you sure that these pop-ups and such like are coming from within your system and not from the sites you're viewing?

Either way I'd recommend switching Norton for AVG

seven

yes it's a microsoft fire wall (i'll take it that's not necessarily a good thing), and the pop up ad's will sometimes happen if i go into e mail and work off line thanks for the advice, let the uninstalling commence