So a few weeks ago my computer started acting a little strange... I could rarely access my blog and I had difficulty getting onto Internet Explorer; my connections came and went. AOL was fine, which is strange, because I understand it runs off of Internet Explorer. Then AOL couldn't connect all of the sudden. Luckily my cousin had been pushing Firefox a while back and I had installed it but never used it. So I started using it. Worked GREAT! For about a week...
I decided that since my blog was most important, (sad but true,) I'd work on getting that going. I deleted the maps, which rarely loaded well anyway, and then got rid of my countdown gadgets. Hey, I could finally access my blog! At least when I could get an Internet connection...
Last night, after attempting to get an Internet connection from THREE different servers for over TWENTY minutes, I made a decision. I was going to find out what the heck was wrong with my computer if it took all week. Apparently, it's going to take all week. What I found out so far:
1) I ran a defragment every couple of months, and this summer my free space was wide open in my memory. When I ran it today, I found I only had 32% of memory space left on my C drive. This is bad. I ran the defragmenter and still, the same amount of memory space remained.
2) Next I decided to manually remove programs from my computer. That was fun. Over and over I deleted anything I deemed 'safe' to remove, only to have it remain on my computer. WHAATT???
3) Then I decided to perform a system 'clean-up.' (Right about now, you might be going, "What is all of this stuff Colleen is doing?" I was asking myself the same thing, most all of it is new to me...) The clean-up program found plenty of things I could do without, so I gave my computer permission to delete more junk. Guess what? It's still there!
4) Finally I decided that I must have a virus or some crazy spyware on my computer and did some Internet research (after battling my computer for another 20 minutes trying to obtain an Internet connection, of course.) I found and ran a free spyware detector/remover called Malwarebytes' that came highly recommended on numerous sites. According to Malwarebytes', a service I found while browsing this site, I have 120 instances of spyware on my computer. Supposedly a free download (hmm... is it a safe download or just MORE spyware...) would remove all of that crap and free up my computer. I couldn't wait, the solution was right here and my troubles would soon be over. Well, let's just say this: NOTHING is allowing me to remove this stuff from my computer, not even the program designed to do this.
5) My 'gal Heather is having similar problems getting an Internet connection and she thinks it's a problem with Charter, our local Internet provider. Her husband, who is more computer savvy than little old me, wiped out her computer and re-booted everything, and her only remaining problem is in trying to get that dang Internet to connect. Since neither of us have any obvious problems with our computers outside of the failed Internet connections, she may be on to something with her idea. But what do I make of all of this junk I'm finding all over my C Drive and the sudden lack of computer memory? UPDATE: Just called Charter, there is a known issue that they are working on, but they don't really know if it's relevant to my situation, and they don't seem to know what exactly the known issue is. Niiiice...
Okay, I realize most of you are equally or even MORE computer illiterate than I am, but I think there might be a few of you out there that might have a suggestion or two? Besides calling in a professional, which will be my next step. (Argh, but there goes a decent portion of my Christmas spending...) If you don't hear from me every 3-4 days in the future, it means my computer was completely hijacked or is in the hands of a computer nerd, trying to be salvaged. In the meantime, ideas anyone?
12 comments:
Hate to say this, but I refuse to troubleshoot Windows. I get a migraine thinking about it.
What a mess! That reminds me it is time for my routine cleanup. Fortunately I have a computer friend who helps me out when I have trouble.
Donata
Hopefully Heathers husband will come wipe out my computer once I get all my files sorted out...
Another gal is having similar (if not worse) problems and she thinks it originated from Facebook.
Olley Olley Zoop
There, that ought to do it.
Papa
Wow, Charter better get on the ball... Sounds like you have 2 problems, your provider, and your junked up computer. Not related to each other at all.
Colleen,
Sorry for the delay. Been a heck of a week for me.
1. Run Adaware it is a free download and software if you get the home version here [url]http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2008/3000-8022_4-10045910.html[/url] It will get a lot of the junk out.
2. You are right on one account that some of the free tools have junk in them, that get you in a worse place than you were before. Always look at Download.com for stuff first since they check it for spy ware.
3. Avoid any of the "Browser Toolbars" from Yahoo, Google etc.. They load more junk than you will ever need and other undesirable stuff.
4. As for your connectivity problems...it could be browser hijacks. With cable modem service you should not have to have it find another server as you described. Another browser besides Firefox to try is Google Chrome. The only problem that I have had with it, is I have to log into the forum twice to get on. It is way fast and no one is writing malicious code for it yet.....
5. A question for you now. What Anti-Virus, Internet Security, Firewall software are you using.
Georgia_Steve
PS At least there are way more tools and applications available for "Windows" than "Apple". Plus a huge number of people that know how to trouble shoot, and support Windows.
I don't want to bruise our "Apple" believing cousin to bad but...I do have to say "Apple" makes some fast computer hardware and you can install "Windows" on and it SCREAMS! To bad "Apple" can't get anyone but Microsoft and Adobe to write more main stream applications for them.
Georgia_Steve
Thanks, Steve!
I'm going to look into it, but I've got a Norton package that I think just emphasizes anti-virus stuff, and Charter provides a supposedly adequate firewall through my modem. I'm (sadly) not even sure I have anything that combats spyware other than the Malwarebytes program I just instituted.
Can I get a spell check somewhere other than on a google toolbar- I can certainly do without the rest of the junk it comes with...
I will run the Adaware tonight and see how it goes! Thank you!
You rock, and I thank you immensely for your time!
Well, did it work? Keep us posted.
-Kellie
I don't know much about computers either - but I don't think you can delete a program from it - I think you had to use the add/remove feature for it - that is what my brother once told me.
2. you don't need spellcheck from google - it is already in your email and in your blog and in word - why else would you need it?
besides, you knew how to spell last I checked.
my Norton combats spyware too. so you may not need anything extra.
hope my 3 cents helps ya.
GA Steve,
To be honest, I didn't skip a beat on this end with the exception of Yahoo where I can't get voice. I'd rather play games on a console, so I'm not worried about that and anything else I used on the Windows end I've found a compliment on the Mac. But, you're right about running Windows nativly on the Mac; the speed tests have shown it runs faster on a Mac than it does a computer with the same specs made for Windows. It's great to have the option there, but I've never really had the need to use it.
June,
I need my spell check because I also run the school website and post at a few forums that don't have spell check.
It looks pretty bad when you misspell things on a school website- especially simple words that the average 3rd grader can handle!
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