"Whilst there was some odd viruses or errors there was nothing significant.
"

Oh no...these are very significant. You must deal with them.

--
Ted Zieglar
"You can do it if you try."

"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
> > >>
> > >>
> >
> >
> >