Microsoft AntiSpyware- Help!!!!

[Eriin]

I downloaded and installed the microsoft spyware program
onto my home computer 2 days ago because my system was so
slow. The IT guy where I work said to try it.
When I start the scan, it goes through only about 4300
files and finds all kinds of spyware, but never really
completely finishes scanning the whole system, it looks
like it is scanning, but it's not moving on to other
files, them I get a message that there is not enough
memory to complete the task. Is this because I have sooo
much spyware on my system? We do not have any other
programs downloaded on our computer other than the ones
that came on it when we bought it from DELL so I don't
know what is taking up all the memory. It is a Windows XP
Home Edition. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I
am no computer wiz, so please respond in layman's terms.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

You have a couple of issues:

1) you have a fair amount of "stuff" (technical term) to be removed, and 2)
you've got one or more specific items that Microsoft Antispyware isn't
handling properly at the moment--it is looping and leaking memory.

So--to get cleaned up you are going to need more than Microsoft Antispyware.

I'd recommend going through the protocol at this link:

http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

There are lots of steps, and a number of third-party tools involved. When
you get down to the one or two items that are probably going to remain after
the automated tools do what they can do, there's a forum where you can post
a HijackThis log and get help with the really sticky stuff.

The list looks daunting at first, but try it out--Jim gives clear
instructions, and it isn't as complicated as it looks at first glance.

 

[Ron Chamberlin]

Hi Erin,

In addition to Bill's advice for cleanup, please make sure you have a
current, up to date Anti Virus program on the machine, and be sure to run
Windows Update.
May I also suggest going to
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/default.mspx for best practices?


Ron Chamberlin
MS-MVP

 

[MSM1]

Hello Erin,

Adding to the advice chain here, I also might suggest to see just what
programs your computer is loading in the memory at boot-up. When I first got
my new Dell, I had a lot of "services" and programs loading like crazy.

I learned how to shut these services off and stop the launch of all these
"extra" programs and now my machine runs GREAT!

MSM1

 

[CHARLIE]

Have you deleted your temp internet files and cookies and
history files. This might free up space to complete scan.