Did you also install either Avast or AVG anti-virus?.. if not, do it now..

You might also want to run Ewido online scan..

You may also have a problem with a browser hijacker.. if you find that your
searches are redirected, go to http://www.pchell.com .. bookmark the page
anyway..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User


"neil" <neil@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BD48A3F7-B0E7-490F-9484-66DD2AD4E954@microsoft.com...
> As an update, I have unistalled Norton Internet Securuty, installed
> Zonalarm,
> installed and run Stinger, installed and run Spywareblaster, CWShredder,
> Spybot S&D and Superadblocker. Whilst there was some odd viruses or
> errors
> there was nothing significant. So the PC is running just as slow as
> before.
>
> Any more help would be much appreciated.
>
> thanks
> --
> neil
>
>
> "Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote:
>
>> Neil
>>
>> Use Add/Remove Programs to uninstall Norton AV.. if that doesn't
>> eliminate
>> all of Norton, go to the Norton website for more on how to remove it
>> completely..
>>
>> OK.. thats one problem out of the way..
>>
>> Now install AVG or Avast anti-virus.. both are free.. links further down
>> to
>> their respective websites..
>>
>> Spyware/Adware/Scumware has become a major player in compromising
>> computers.. they introduce viruses, trojans and worms.. they attempt to
>> send
>> out information about you, and they also slow your computer down..
>>
>> The worst of it is that you probably downloaded the spyware, albeit
>> inadvertently..
>>
>> Some basic steps to removing Spyware/Adware..
>>
>> First step is to run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that McAfee
>> Stinger works for people.. download and run it..
>>
>> http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
>>
>> You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and
>> Adaware
>> are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them..
>> don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..
>>
>> Adaware SE - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
>>
>> SpyBot S&D - http://www.safer-networking.org/
>>
>> Spybot has the ability to immunize a system, but there is better for this
>> function, so download and run Spyware Blaster too.. again, check for
>> updates..
>>
>> SpywareBlaster - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
>>
>> If you have had your Internet browser hijacked, that is to say, you get
>> redirected through a search engine NOT of your choosing, you will need
>> different tools..
>>
>> Two more excellent programs..
>>
>> Ewido Suite - http://www.ewido.net/en/ ..
>>
>> A trial working version is available, and they also allow for an online
>> scan..
>>
>> You might also want to try this from Nick Skreptos.. Again, a trial
>> version
>> is available..
>>
>> http://www.superadblocker.com/
>>
>> ...and he maintains that it will remove Winfixer 2005.. That can't be a
>> bad
>> thing..
>>
>>
>> CWShredder will eliminate CoolWebSearch and variants.. there is a free
>> download here..
>>
>> CWShredder..
>> http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract..._download.html
>>
>> For other tools in the fight against spyware, visit this website and
>> bookmark it..
>>
>> http://www.pchell.com
>>
>> You must also run a firewall and anti-virus program.. here are some links
>> for you..
>>
>> http://www.zonealarm.com .. http://www.avast.com ..
>> http://www.grisoft.com..
>>
>>
>> Special notes on SPYAXE (courtesy of bleepingcomputer.com)
>>
>> Tools Needed for this fix: smitRem.exe
>>
>> Note: These instructions are a paired down version of the Smitfraud
>> Removal
>> Instructions. If you feel that you only have the SpyAxe infection, then
>> you
>> should proceed with these steps. Otherwise, you may want to use the
>> longer
>> complete Smitfraud Removal Instructions, which will remove SpyAxe as well
>> as
>> other infections at the same time.
>>
>> Removal Instructions:
>>
>> Print out these instructions as we will need to shutdown every window
>> that
>> is open later in the fix.
>>
>> Download smitRem.exe and save the file to your desktop. Double click on
>> smitRem.exe and then click on Start. When it is done, click on the OK
>> button. You should now have a folder called smitRem on your desktop.
>> Next, please reboot your computer in SafeMode by doing the following:
>>
>> Restart your computer
>>
>> After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the
>> Windows
>> icon appears, press F8.
>> Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear. Select the
>> first
>> option, to run Windows in Safe Mode. When your computer has started in
>> safe
>> mode and you see the desktop, close all open Windows.
>> Open the smitRem folder on your desktop and double click the RunThis.bat
>> file to start the tool.
>>
>> Follow the prompts on screen and wait for the tool to complete and disk
>> cleanup to finish.
>> When the tool is finished, it will will create a log named smitfiles.txt
>> in
>> the root of your drive, eg; Local Disk C: or the partition where your
>> operating system is installed. Examining that log should show that the
>> infection was cleaned.
>>
>> Reboot your computer back to normal mode.
>>
>> Pasted from <http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic36868.html>
>>
>>
>> Please return to this thread and provide feedback.. it is the only way
>> that
>> helpers here can determine how effective the advice given has been..
>>
>> Good luck..
>>
>> --
>> Mike Hall
>> MVP - Windows Shell/User
>>
>>
>> "neil" <neil@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:1CEFABB1-7B4E-43A5-9002-DEB7ADC30427@microsoft.com...
>> > Thanks for the information. But I have run Norton Anti Virus and that
>> > gives
>> > it a clean bill of health, I believe that Norton picks up spyware as
>> > well.
>> > So that leaves options to and three. One other piece of info that may
>> > be
>> > useful is that on occasions the system will not read a cd in the cd
>> > rom,
>> > could there be a hardware problem there that is causing difficulties
>> > elsewhere?
>> >
>> > Any further advice would be appreciated.
>> >
>> > thanks
>> > --
>> > neil
>> >
>> >
>> > "Ted Zieglar" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Top three reasons for Windows loading slowly:
>> >>
>> >> 1. Viruses and spyware
>> >> 2. Too many programs start with Windows.
>> >> 3. Software or hardware misconfiguration.
>> >>
>> >> IMHO that accounts for 95% of all instances of slow loading.
>> >> --
>> >> Ted Zieglar
>> >> "You can do it if you try."
>> >>
>> >> "neil" <neil@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:8ACF61CA-1CA1-4CAA-988B-7784261748D0@microsoft.com...
>> >> > I have a PC in my home with a pentium 2.8 processor with 512mb ram.
>> >> > Over
>> >> a
>> >> > period of a few weeks the time it take to get to the windows user
>> >> > logon
>> >> > screen seems to get longer and longer. When you do log into
>> >> > windows
>> >> > the
>> >> > start up music is distorted. I have run all the usual utilities
>> >> including
>> >> > defrag and chkdsk and installed new virus scanning software all to
>> >> > no
>> >> avail.
>> >> >
>> >> > Has anyone any ideas?
>> >> >
>> >> > Many thanks
>> >> > --
>> >> > neil
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>