Browser barely working, takes forever to load a web page

[Larry]

In my Windows 98 Desktop with IE6, over the last few days I've had a problem
I never had before. It takes one to three minutes, sometimes longer just to
load each web page. Everything else is normal. I send and receive e-mail
normally. But it takes forever to load each web page. Also, when saving
new material or changes at my weblog, it takes a long long time for the Save
to occur, so it seems the problem is not just on my local machine, which
makes no sense. Dell Tech support told me last night my download and upload
speed is fine, so that's not the problem.

I just did a Spybot S+D on my system after updating Spybot S&D, and that
hasn't fixed the problem.

I thought of updating my Zone Alarm, which I hadn't updated in a long time,
but at its website, it says:

"Attention: Win 98SE/Me support discontinued"

I have Windows 98 first edition, so I guess Zone Alarm doesn't even work my
system any more? What firewall should I use for Windows 98 since Zone Alarm
doesn't support Windows 98?

I'm trying to update my AVG free anti-virus program, but I can't get it to
go online to get the update, it keeps prompting me to browse in my computer
for the update, which makes no sense. In any case, could a virus explain
the kind of problem I'm having?

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Larry]

Also, the problem definitely seems to be with IE. I just tried Opera (which
I have on my system but almost never use), and it seems to load web pages
normally.

 

[PA Bear]

The fact that other browsers work suggests that the problem may be caused by
hijackware. (Very often, simply scanning with anti-spyware applications
isn't enough.) Run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting
your hijackthis log to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for expert
analysis, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

 

[Daave]

Also, the problem definitely seems to be with IE. I just tried Opera
(which I have on my system but almost never use), and it seems to
load web pages normally.

1. You need to empty your browser cache. Make sure IE is closed. Open
Internet Properties by right-clicking your IE desktop icon or by Start >
Settings > Control Panel > Internet Options. On the General Tab in the
middle (Temporary Internet files) click on Delete Files. In the next
window, make sure Delete All Offline Content is checked, then click OK.
For good measure, I would also Delete Cookies.

2. There's nothing wrong with using an older version of Zone Alarm. Or
you could use an older version of Outpost Firewall (I use
1.0.1817.1645).

3. Do you have the current version of AVG? Mine is 7.5.446. Support for
Version 7.0 ended this past January, I believe.

4. Deleting *all* temp files, followed by a defrag, is also recommended.
Ccleaner is a good temp file cleaning utility.

Let me know if you need any links.

 

[Larry]

1. I have a utility that quickly and completely empties out the Temporary
Internet Files folder (much faster than Windows' own utilities do it) and I
use it regularly so I'm sure that's not the cause of the problem.

2. Since Zone Alarm must be regularly updated (with new lists of invaders
etc.), how can older versions work?

3. I've just downloaded and am about to install AVG 7.5.

 

[Larry]

PA Bear, the only complicated thing here is the long list of links you gave
me to choose from! One or two would be enough, I think ...

Is Hijackware something different from Spyware?

And is Spyware S&D still considered a good program? A few years ago it
worked miracles in getting my browser working again.

 

[Larry]

Oh I see. This is not a self-running program. The user must get expert
advice to know which files it is safe to delete. That _is_ complicated.

 

[Zilbandy]

2. Since Zone Alarm must be regularly updated (with new lists of invaders
etc.), how can older versions work?

Are you using ZoneAlarm Pro or the free version. The free version is
just a firewall application and doesn't have any real antivirus /
spyware checking. I don't think the free version offers any more
functionality with newer versions as opposed to older versions. I
might be wrong, so you might want to wait for more replies.

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

No one program detects all the possible methods for hijacking your system.
That's why the different options. As for HijackThis, the forums where the
HJT logs are analyzed are free. Not really so complicated.

Personally, what I think is most missing from your arsenal is AdAware SE.
But if it's something more serious, HJT and a root kit revealer might be
necessary.

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

If you're concerned about having the best possible free AV, may I suggest
Avast! instead of AVG. Better scores all 'round.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

1. I have a utility that quickly and completely empties out the Temporary
Internet Files folder (much faster than Windows' own utilities do it) and
I
use it regularly so I'm sure that's not the cause of the problem.

2. Since Zone Alarm must be regularly updated (with new lists of invaders
etc.), how can older versions work?

3. I've just downloaded and am about to install AVG 7.5.

 

[Larry]

I have Ad Aware 6 on my system which I haven't run in a couple of years.
Its user interface is the most confusing thing I've ever seen. The various
buttons and messages contradict each other and nothing is what it says it
is. I guess I would need to update it before running it, but I see no
instructions on that.

 

[thanatoid]

1. I have a utility that quickly and completely empties
out the Temporary Internet Files folder (much faster than
Windows' own utilities do it) and I use it regularly so I'm
sure that's not the cause of the problem.

Maybe it does and maybe it doesn't. IE does lots of funny things
to your system, especially when helped by friendly hackers whose
No. 1 target it just happens to be - not that MS didn't do a
pretty good job of designing it to be the main entryway into
your system to begin with. Ask THEM why.

Why anyone would even use that dangerous piece of shit when one
has the vastly-superior Opera installed and working fine is
beyond me.

2. Since Zone Alarm must be regularly updated (with new
lists of invaders etc.), how can older versions work?

Updates of firewalls are a scam to get you to pay for nothing. I
know ZA is free but many people can't get it to run on their
systems and their support is nonexistent and their rating is not
that high. There are people that will argue firewalls aren't
even of any use, but let's not get into that. I use Agnitum ver.
1 from 1999-2002, no support OR updates available, works like a
charm.

3. I've just downloaded and am about to install AVG 7.5.

There are so many AV programs I won't even start, but if you
DON'T use IE and don't stupid things online, the ONLY time you
need an AV is to scan anything is when you DL stuff, and that
can be done offline later. You don't install programs while
ONLINE, do you????

Personally, once a month or so I do a scan of c:\temp and
c:\windows\all subdirs in DOS with f-prot for DOS (free, same
engine and defs as the very highly rated f-secure) and since I
don't do stupid things online (except post to groups like this)
I can't even remember the last time I found anything suspicious
let alone a virus/trojan. Also, I use NO MS software except the
OS so Word/Excel macros are not a concern.

Just another point of view.

<SNIP>

 

[Zilbandy]

If you're concerned about having the best possible free AV, may I suggest
Avast! instead of AVG. Better scores all 'round.

What reviews of the two programs showed this information? I'm not
arguing with you, just curious. I tried Avast and didn't like it. It
just seemed awkward to me.

 

[Larry]

Since I see no way of upgrading my AdAware 6, I'm just downloading the
AdAware SE 1.06.

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

I don't remember Adaware 6, it's been that long. But I don't remember it
being harder to drive than Spybot. Anyway, get AdAware SE. When you open
it, right above the Start button there's a "Check for updates now" link.
Click that, click "Connect", when it prompts you to download new updates, do
so. When it's done, click Finish, click Start, then choose "Full system
scan" or "Smart system scan". In your case, I'd recommend the "Smart system
scan' first time out.

Get it here:
http://tinyurl.com/5kgsl

 

[Larry]

I downloaded AdAware SE, began to install it, and got this message:

Windows Installer
This installation package cannot be installed by the Windows Installer service. You must install a Windows service pack that contains a newer version of the Windows Installer service.

I've installed dozens of programs, I've never even heard of the Windows installer service. So I googled Windows Installer Service, and it's geared for Windows 2000 and XP, not for 98. Yet the AdAware page said that AdAware would work for Windows 98.

Can't believe it....

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

"Windows Installer 2.0 Redistributable for Windows 95, 98, and Me"
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...d8-c094-4255-b702-de3bb768148f&DisplayLang=en

TinyURL = http://tinyurl.com/3qzi

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com



I downloaded AdAware SE, began to install it, and got this message:

Windows Installer
This installation package cannot be installed by the Windows Installer
service. You must install a Windows service pack that contains a newer
version of the Windows Installer service.

I've installed dozens of programs, I've never even heard of the Windows
installer service. So I googled Windows Installer Service, and it's geared
for Windows 2000 and XP, not for 98. Yet the AdAware page said that AdAware
would work for Windows 98.

Can't believe it....

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

PS -- Is your computer up to date?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com



I downloaded AdAware SE, began to install it, and got this message:

Windows Installer
This installation package cannot be installed by the Windows Installer
service. You must install a Windows service pack that contains a newer
version of the Windows Installer service.

I've installed dozens of programs, I've never even heard of the Windows
installer service. So I googled Windows Installer Service, and it's geared
for Windows 2000 and XP, not for 98. Yet the AdAware page said that AdAware
would work for Windows 98.

Can't believe it....

 

[thanatoid]

I have Ad Aware 6 on my system which I haven't run in a
couple of years. Its user interface is the most confusing
thing I've ever seen. The various buttons and messages
contradict each other and nothing is what it says it is. I
guess I would need to update it before running it, but I
see no instructions on that.


"Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message

<S N I P>

AdAware used to be OK the first few years after it came out.
Then they started ****ing around with the interface (I agree
with your comments above), made it a guessing game where to
download the updates, made the updates in different formats
depending on where you got them from, some installed and some
didn't, etc.

For a while I started thinking there were TWO AdAware products
by different companies and then I just stopped caring. Besides,
the several times I have used it it never found ANYTHING, as it
won't on most people's computers who are capable of basic brain
processes like the one that stops them from using IE/OE or the
one that makes it a habit to scan DL's for viruses.

Spybot will find anything and more than AdAware ever could by
design and it is infinitely simpler, more logical, and thorough.
Its only fault is that it takes a fairly long time to load and
run through its process, but a) I have a 166MHz machine running
95B and b) that's what being thorough is about.

As for AdAware, I have removed it from my machine years ago.
Good riddance.

 

[Larry]

I had just about given up in discouragement. Terhune is the Man.

Thanks.