Hope someone can help - been having problems with computer being slow, not connecting to sites, generally just sluggish. If I do connect with a site sometimes it will just hang there - mouse won't work - have to reboot. Do you think I need to upgrade the processor? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Do some basic house keeping first. Disable system restore and do an online virus scan. Download and run Delindex. If you need a full ME startup disk, get one here. Then downlaod and run fully updated versions of Ad-Aware 6 and Spybot S&D 1.3. Now re-enable system restore. Then go through. How to run Windows ME well, v5. See the IDIOT walk See the idiot TALK WaLk IdIoT WaLk

Yeah, general clean out and running anti-spyware is the way to go at first. All I would add is run them in Safe Mode. If updated AV, Spybot abnd Adaware runs clean in Safe Mode, then it is generally accepted that you are bug-free. General clean out: reboot, back into safe mode: Tools > Intenet Options> General Tab > Delte files > check the box to delete off line content > click ok > delete cookies > click ok. %TEMP% files: Dble click My Computer icon on desk top > type %TEMP in the address bar > click enter > delete all you can delete. Empty recycle bin. Go to start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Run disk clean up, then scan disk, if scan disk tells you there are programs running in the background--ctrl+alt+delete and end-task on everything except sytray and explorer, the run scan disk > then defragmenter. If you do not have a firewall or want a great free service, I use: Free Sygate firewall: http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm Here are some free diagnostic tools to check your browser integrity: Jason’s Browser Security Test: http://www.jasonstoolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/ Gibson tests: http://www.grc.com/default.htm I use LeakTest, DCOMbobulator, ShieldsUp, and UnplugNpray Thresher

Where does it say that either Adaware or Spybot would be better off run from safe mode ?? I can think of two specific instances (general at that) where it would be beneficial and maybe catch new malware out. They both run "clean" from normal Windows - that's what they were programmed to do. ...and they do well. It's bad enough persuading people to run spyware removal apps full stop, nevermind keeping them updated. ....And your asking for them to be run in safe mode ? .... Where's your logic and reasoning to back that up ? You could argue everything could be run in safe mode, but not only is that not practical, but it's unjustifiable ...and mainly on the grounds of time and inconvenience. Unless there are legitimate reasons why you would choose to run an app in safe mode (there are a few). And Delindex not only clears Index.dat's but ...  DELINDEX DELETES THESE FOLDERS (* = recreated by Windows): C:\Windows\Cookies*, History*, Recent*; C:\Windows\Update Setup Files; C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files* (& alt TIF: ...\Locals~1\Tempor~1*)  DELINDEX DELETES THESE FOLDER CONTENTS: C:\Program\OfficeUpdate (except log file); C:\Temp; and, in C:\Windows\: Applog; Temp; PCHealth\Helpctr\Datacoll; Downloaded Program Files (except Google Toolbar); Applic~1\Micros~1\Intern~1\UserData\; Applic~1\Micros~1\-Office\Recent\  DELINDEX DELETES THESE FILES: C:\Windows\ShellIconCache; C:\*.tmp; C:\Windows\*.tmp; C:\Windows\*.bad; C:\Windows\sysbckup\rbbad.cab; C:\Windows\Help\*.cnt; Windows system log files; C:\WUTemp; C:\My Pictures\thumbs.db and C:\My Documents\My Pictures\thumbs.db; JUNK files in SunJava, AVG, AT&T, Adobe Reader, System Mechanic, Corel Print Office, Ad-Aware, Belarc Advisor, RegSupreme, Spybot S&D; some Trojans & Hijackers See the iDiOt walk See the idiot TaLk WaLk IdIoT WaLk

Joni--run you UPDATED Adaware, AV, and Spybot in safe mode. If they run clean, it is generally accepted that you are clean, but there is so much sneaky malicious adware out there, it's possible something could still be there. Rest asured there is no danger in it, and it is a relatively simple procedure to perform. Some of us consider it essential, and that is based on our experience, and the experience of those from whom we learned. I actually do that once a month or so even if I have no symptoms. Please remember that we are dealing with your possessions (your pc set-up) and that in the beginning and the end it is up to you to decide what to do with my (or others) advice. Also, that some of us have your (everyone's) best interest at heart just because that's the kind of people we are, and that sometimes that involves saying nothing. If yu would like to check around there is also very good free reliable advice at: http://forums.spywareinfo.com/ and here: http://www.pcguide.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=34 Thresher

Ummmm OK. Let's recap for the benefit of "n00bs" and clueless psuedo wannabes and the people who can't think for themselves but live on "tech" forums and post pre prepared speeches. 1a) Actively touting other forums for the express purpose of trying to "steal customers" while sat in the home of another, is vile, rude and obnoxious in the extreme. This should be obvious even to the thickest skinned talking head. Then again ... b) Computing.net has it's very own security forum, it's called the ... COMPUTING.NET SECURITY AND VIRUS FORUM (I suspect you know this, I've seen you post there). You will get the same advice there as you do at any other general security related forum. Knowledge levels will vary from forum to forum depending on who's around at any one time, but that's true for almost every forum. With the possible exception of a HijackThis log file, you will get, more or less, the same advice wherever you go. And even then, those log files will be dealt with if you've followed the posting proceedure and then post a legitimate problem that requires HijackThis to be run, you will more than likely be asked to run it and to post a log file. 2a) Safe mode, lovely safe mode. Tell you what, here's a decent 101 safe mode tutorial: In Windows, what is 'Safe Mode' used for and why ? and a few spin offs ... Safe Mode, and How To Access It Play Detective In Safe Mode b) Like I said, you most certainly do not have to run either your AV software, Adaware or Spybot to make any of the applications work "properly" in the first place, or get truely "clean results". They were all very deliberatly programmed by professional programmers to perform running in normal windows. Unless you were having specifc problems or had specific doubts regarding a piece of malware then you would run them on a daily basis that way. Running in safe mode is an exception rather than a rule, and it's something you'd do to troubleshoot. An example would be the inability to run scandisk in normal windows because it keeps starting over and over. What would you do ? Either boot to DOS or safe mode and run it from their, where there is no background interference from anything else. Now you could use that same analogy for the spyware apps and AV software but the point is, you don't NEED to unless you have cause to. The truth is Thresher, you wanted to slightly embelish a perfectly good answer with a bit of old "I know what I'm talking about, technobabble" (It's not the first time you've done it) -- Impresses the girls and "makes me feel like a man" psychology. Boosts low self esteem I spose, and utterly worthless in real terms and utterly transparent to those who read messages on tech message boards on a daily basis due to the nature of their work (ie, they work with and on the damn things). Either disappear back into "loserdom" to the forums you tout so highly and take your proxy experiences with you, or get your crap together and stop being a maggot. Remember -- you stand on the shoulders of giants everyday of your life. The smart kids in the corner already know this and just get on with it directly. You on the other hand .... See the iDiOt walk See the idiot TaLk WaLk IdIoT WaLk