Slow Computer.

[anotheoldgit]

My computer has been pathetically slow of late, I have carried out a De-Frag but with little improvement.

I also find that when loading Firefox it loads downloadhelper.net as my home page even though I continue to set the Virgin website as my home page.

Also a pop-up window occasionally appears,

Recommended Software

PC Health Boost, cleans PC errors & Boosts Performance.

Microsoft Partner.

Anyone tried this is it safe?

[Lie-in King]

I'd ignore the pop-up completely - it'll find a squillion "errors" then ask you for money for the privilege of removing them.

"Downloadhelper" looks like a Firefox extension - click the orange box at top left, click "Add-ons", then "Extensions" & either "Disable" or "Remove" it.

[tamborine]

Remove power plug from modem for 5mins to reset itself. If still slow try back-dating at System Restore.

Disable downloadhelper at Tools/add on/extensions above

[Lie-in King]

With respect, "System Restore" should only be used as a last resort - IMO, of course.

[tamborine]

my help isn't written in stone....TIOLI

[VHG]

I suggest you run some anti-malware software like Malwarebytes.

You can download a free version though you need to run it manually.

[daffy654]

You have spyware/virus. IGNORE anyone who says to do a system restore, they have NO IDEA what they are talking about. (sorry for caps).

[VHG]

Some people may think System Restore is replacing the whole operating system. It can refer to that.

In this case I think it means go back to an earlier Windows restore point.

[daffy654]

Whichever one tamborine means she is wrong and needs to know that.
A clean install would certainly fix AOG's problem but is a little bit extreme. :)

[VHG]

>>>Whichever one tamborine means she is wrong and needs to know that.

Why is going back to an earlier restore point wrong?

It can fix problems like this in some cases.

[daffy654]

If it is a virus or spyware then it is more likely that it won't fix it, you seem knowledgeable about computers so I assumed you knew that the restore file itself could easily be infected.

[VHG]

>>>the restore file itself could easily be infected.

It could, but by going back to the oldest restore point it MAY not be infected.

If it NOT infected then problem fixed.

If it IS infected then nothing has been lost as it is a fairly quick process.

[anotheoldgit]

Thank you very much for your answers.

I will ignore the pop-up thanks, don't know where it came from.

I will try disabling the add on if that is what it is.

I will unplug and plug back in trick, although I have done this in the past.

I tried to do a systems restore but it would not allow me to even after selecting different restore points.

I do have Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and have recently done a full scan, also Search and destroy, but will try again thank you.

Operating System XP Firefox 14.0.1

[Lie-in King]

The most current version of Firefox is 19.0

If you want to update it, click the orange "Firefox" box, hover the cursor on "Help", click "About Firefox" & then click "Check for updates"

[anotheoldgit]

I don't know what just happened but I only disabled downloadhelper, and when I tried to load Firefox it started reforming everything and created a file icon on my desktop titled my Old Firefox Data, now my computer works fine.

The trouble is it has removed some Firefox extensions, disabled some others and removed some toolbars.

My Ask and Record Toolbar 3.14.1.10001, has gone, along with Wise Convert Community Toolbar 3.18.0.7

AVG Security Toolbar 14.2.0.1 (disabled)

Adblock Plus 2.2.3

Answers 2.3.54

British English Dictionary 1.19.1

Case changer 2.0.0.18

Download Helper 4.9.14

Flash Video Downloader Youtube Downloader 3.8.2

Freecorder Youtube Download Wizard 1.1.10

Have all gone.

Java Console 6.0.35 (disabled)

Java Console 6.0.37 (disabled)

Microsoft.Net Framework Assistant 0.0.0 (disabled)

[Buenchico]

I've no idea how it's happened but you've managed to 'reset' Firefox. (When you actually intend to do that, the route is Help > Troubleshooting Information > Reset Firefox). That effectively reinstalls the program, while retaining things like your bookmarks.

You can delete that folder on your desktop. You can also ignore the fact that Java Console is disabled (you don't need it and it has a nasty habit of messing things up). I'd also not bother about the other things which are disabled. (AVG Security Toolbar is incompatible with Firefox 18 and it's a total pain in the @rse anyway).

You seem to have been using more toolbars than you really need so, unless they're essential to you, I'd forget about them too. That doesn't leave you many things to reinstall (which, unfortunately, is what you'll now need to do), particularly if you settle on just one extension for each purpose. (I'd recommend using Ant Video Downloader, rather than either of the two extensions you've been using, as it can download videos from lots of sites other than just Youtube).

Chris

[anotheoldgit]

Thank you very much Chris you seem to have got it spot on.

May I ask you if I can re-install such things as

My Ask and Record Toolbar 3.14.1.10001,

Adblock Plus 2.2.3

Answers 2.3.54

British English Dictionary 1.19.1

Case changer 2.0.0.18

[Buenchico]

There should be no problems, AOG.