Computer Problem

[magicbeatle]

Updated from a post the other day. My computer keeps coming up with a box that says 'microsoft has encountered a problem and needs to close' and then it shuts down the page. I have run my anti-virus, and it has found nothing. I contacted Dell computers (Where I bought it 3 years ago) and they think it is aggresive spyware. I downloaded zonealarm pro and it found 11 spyware and deleted them all. However, the problem persists. Was Dell computers right? What do I do next? Please help!

[magicbeatle]

I forgot to mention, it is especially bad when I try to access my emails.

[prawncracker]

Some other good free Spyware scanners and removers you could try are.-

Spybot and the other is Adaware. If you do try them don't forget after installing them to update their definitions before running, so they will search for the newest threats.

I also use the new (free) Microsoft Defender, this runs all the time stopping things getting onto your computer.

I believe Defender needs windows XP if you haven't got that you could try another free program that runs all the time called Spyblaster. Download.com and the microsoft are where I downloaded mine from.

I had a situation last year where nothing would find what was on my Laptop making it play up. Sometimes taking 30 min to get on line, finding files one minute then unable to locate the next. This all happened after I downloaded a music video.

I Repaired/re-installed the windows op/sys with no improvement, so in the end I took the plunge and Formatted the HDD (very very very last resort}. I was still thinking it could be hardware as virus checkers/spyware had never found a thing. But thankfully after putting everything back on (benifit of having genuine software and having the disks) everything has been fine since. So it was something malicious on my HDD.

I hope I haven't put you off. Do Dell have a Health check service you could try if you do not find anything?

good luck

PC

[lia*]

thanks for that answer pawncracker, i'm having the same problem like magicbeatle and it's really annoying. i will try your suggestions.

[peanut]

Try this, follow every step very carefully.

1 do a goolgle search for "regedit"

2 download the one about 3 down from worldstart.com

3 click the icon on your desktop ( after its downloaded ) and when it opens you will see that it shows all entries as new

4 close the program and open it back up again

5 you will now see that it shows all as old.

6 click on tools

7 select "registry cleanup" and select "do them all"

8 when its done scanning it will say " these entries are found to be useless and it should be safe to delete them.

9 go to select and select all

10 at the bottom click remove selected

11 select done

12 select exit

this should help make your computer run better all around. some spyware programs put entries in your registry so that they recreate themselves after you delete them so removing these entries may help. even if this does not help you its still good to keep your registry clean. DO NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE WITH THIS PROGRAM OTHER THAN WHAT I JUST TOLD YOU OR YOU MAY CAUSE IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO YOUR REGISTRY.

[peanut]

by the way when i said to download the one 3 down from worldstart im meant that worldstsrt is the third one down and that is the one to download.

[peanut]

while you are at it you can delete all cookies, temporary internet files and offline content. and run any spyware programs again too.

[oldbob]

You should realise that ZoneAlarm is a firewall (and a very good one). Its function is to block nasties (including hackers) from accessing your computer. Bullet Proof Soft, Lavasoft Ad-aware, Spybot search & destry are programs designed to detect and destroy adware, spyware, key loggers and the like. To protect your computer you must have (a) a good firewall (the win XP firewall is considered worse than useless) (b) a good AntiVirus program (the virus definitions must be frequently updated) and a good anti adware program.