Trying to restore the computer because there's so much rubbish on it and it's
really slow but the computer won't read the recovery disk, (floppy) or CD. Is
there any other way to restore the system?

Stuart

There is too.. start with ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS.. remove unwanted stuff.. now
go to the system tray and right click icons for programs that you do not
need at startup or to auto start.. select preferences/options/setup and
uncheck the auto start option..

Open IE6, go to TOOLS - INTERNET OPTIONS - the General tab.. delete
temporary internet files and cookies.. defrag the drive..

Ensure that your AV and firewall are updated and running..

Spyware/Adware/Scumware has become a major player in compromising
computers.. not only do they attempt to send out information about you, but
they also slow your computer down..

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..

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

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..

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

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..

HijackThis is a popular and effective tool.. download it from here..

http://www.spychecker.com/download/d...ijackthis.html

CWShredder will eliminate CoolWebSearch and variants.. there is a free
download here..

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html

For other tools in the fight against spyware, visit this website and
bookmark it..

http://www.pchell.com

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



"Stuart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:355938E2-1243-4AC9-B823-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Trying to restore the computer because there's so much rubbish on it and
> it's
> really slow but the computer won't read the recovery disk, (floppy) or CD.
> Is
> there any other way to restore the system?

Hi Stuart,

Probably not, you will need to either find readable media, or get the drives
cleaned (the floppy drive is usually easier to replace, the CD drive might
be done with a lens cleaner disk). You might check for a winnt32.exe file in
the I386 folder, running it from within Windows may allow you to do an "in
place upgrade" which will essentially reinstall the system without
destroying the existing user profiles, settings, and software. Be aware
though that if the system is infected with malware, this will probably not
help much.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"Stuart" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:355938E2-1243-4AC9-B823-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Trying to restore the computer because there's so much rubbish on it and
> it's
> really slow but the computer won't read the recovery disk, (floppy) or CD.
> Is
> there any other way to restore the system?