R
Robert
You're quite correct and somehow I overlooked your link but I will
check it out.
Yes, I do, and as odd as this may sound I was not aware of the tabbed
browsing feature, but I think I see what your talking about now.
You're quite correct and somehow I overlooked your link but I will
check it out.
Yes, I do, and as odd as this may sound I was not aware of the tabbed
browsing feature, but I think I see what your talking about now.
R
Robert
Hello Daave,
I downloaded and ran SUPERAntispyware and it found the following:
Adware.Tracking Cookie 37
Trojan.Security Toolbar 2
Adware.Jraun/WinEssential 6
I then quaranteened/deleted them and it required the system to restart
to remove them. When it came back up I ran Hikackthis and I checked
the log and it appears that the virus is gone!@! I can't thank you
enough.
I want to also say thanks to Gerry and Ken for all their good help,
advise and suggestions. I couldn't have done all this without you guys
and I appreciate it very much for your taking the time to help me.
If I may, could you please walk me through establishing a Host file?
Again, many
thanks
Robert
R
Robert
I have another question, someone suggested I use Linux instead with
Ubuntu to replace IE7. Would I loose all my bookmarks, Hotmail etc?
What do you think?
How would I go about doing this or should I stay with what I have?
Robert
Ubuntu to replace IE7. Would I loose all my bookmarks, Hotmail etc?
What do you think?
How would I go about doing this or should I stay with what I have?
Robert
D
Daave
Robert said:
You're very welcome and congratulations, Robert. Sounds like you've got
the hang of it!
Do you still have the file in your Documents folder? Is the following
still current:
Have a look at:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/columns/ietopten.mspx
Basically,
Open Windows Explorer (one way is by double-clicking your My Computer
icon).
Tools | Folder Options:
On the View tab, under Hidden files and folders, make sure "Show hidden
files and folders" is checked and "Hide protected operating system
files" is unchecked. Also, if not already done, uncheck "Hide extensions
for known file types." Click "Apply."
*** Important: Files are hidden by Windows for a very good reason. It is
not wise to experiment with these files. Unfortunately, to successfully
complete the following steps we must turn this protection off
temporarily. Please turn the protection back on when you have finished.
***
Use Windows Explorer to go to:
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc
Do you currently have a Hosts file there? If not, you probably have
something like hosts.sam, which is a sample file and nothing to be
concerned with. If you're curious to see what's in it, you may open it
with Notepad.
All you really need to do is move (or copy) the Hosts file which you
have unzipped (make sure it doesn't have an extension) from your My
Documents folder to the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc folder.
One of the main advantages of using a hosts file is that it will prevent
you from visiting dodgy Web sites, which could deposit further malware
on your PC. Also, you'll bypass a lot of obnoxious flashing banner ads
and popups. The irony is that a very large hosts file *could* slow down
your Web browsing! So give it a try. If you like it and it doesn't slow
you down, keep it; if not, just delete it.
D
Daave
Robert said:
You must have misunderstood.
Linux is an open-source operating system. If, for some reason, you no
longer wanted to run the Windows XP operating system, you could
experiment with one of the many flavors of Linux (Ubuntu being one of
them). There's a bit of a learning curve, so you very well may not want
to do it! But in case you're interested in a crash course just to learn,
see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux
Since Internet Explorer is designed for Windows (and I guess for Macs,
too -- it's been a long time since I used a Mac!), you won't find it is
an option for web browsing in systems running Linux (there's actually a
way to do it, but that involves running a Windows emulator). But there
are other browsers (also open-source) available for Linux.
But, if I were you, I'd just stick with Windows.
Now, if you'd like, there are plenty of other browsers you can run under
Windows besides IE. There's Opera, Firefox, K-Meleon, and a whole bunch
of others. See:
http://www.pricelesswarehome.org/2007/PL2007INTERNET.php
(browsers are at the top)
If you have the time to experiment, check 'em out. But IE should suit
your needs just fine; just make sure that ActiveX is configured
properly:
Security Settings:
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download signed ActiveX controls: Disable
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disable
Now some people will make a stricter suggestion and tell you to disable
the first one. That's up to you. For more info, see:
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=623
One reason why many people recommend Firefox and other browsers is
because they don't use ActiveX at all. Your call. As long as you
understand ActiveX and its potential risks and whether or not to allow
its installation (on a case-by-case basis), you should be fine.
K
Ken Blake, MVP
OK, in that case, I'm glad I'm particularly glad I mentioned it.
That's the major new feature in IE7.
R
Robert
You're very welcome and congratulations, Robert. Sounds like you've got
the hang of it!
Do you still have the file in your Documents folder? Is the following
still current:
Yes, I still have the Host file. I'm not sure what you mean by "Is the
following
still current"?
Well, I guess this IS the problem, how do I move the Host file(It has
no extension as you said it wouldn't) to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers
\Etc folder?
Is the Host file automatic or do I have to start putting all my
address's in there?
As far as slowing the system down, I plan on getting (2) more sticks
of 256MB of RAM next month and replacing the 128MB's. Overkill,
perhaps, but at this point I want to do everything I can to make this
computer last a bit longer and run a bit faster and it surely can't
hurt. As you say, if it does slow it down appreciably or I find I
don't like it I can always delete it.
Also, when I was adding the RAM I noticed some dust on the motherboard
and a few connections. Would it be alright if I used a soft paintbrush
to gently clean them or should I leave them alone? Or maybe get a can
of compressed air?Since I will be adding more RAM at the end of this
month I thought I would do it then.
Robert
Robert
R
Robert
You must have misunderstood.
Linux is an open-source operating system. If, for some reason, you no
longer wanted to run the Windows XP operating system, you could
experiment with one of the many flavors of Linux (Ubuntu being one of
them). There's a bit of a learning curve, so you very well may not want
to do it! But in case you're interested in a crash course just to learn,
see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux
Since Internet Explorer is designed for Windows (and I guess for Macs,
too -- it's been a long time since I used a Mac!), you won't find it is
an option for web browsing in systems running Linux (there's actually a
way to do it, but that involves running a Windows emulator). But there
are other browsers (also open-source) available for Linux.
But, if I were you, I'd just stick with Windows.
Now, if you'd like, there are plenty of other browsers you can run under
Windows besides IE. There's Opera, Firefox, K-Meleon, and a whole bunch
of others. See:
http://www.pricelesswarehome.org/2007/PL2007INTERNET.php
(browsers are at the top)
If you have the time to experiment, check 'em out. But IE should suit
your needs just fine; just make sure that ActiveX is configured
properly:
Security Settings:
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download signed ActiveX controls: Disable
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disable
Now some people will make a stricter suggestion and tell you to disable
the first one. That's up to you. For more info, see:
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=623
One reason why many people recommend Firefox and other browsers is
because they don't use ActiveX at all. Your call. As long as you
understand ActiveX and its potential risks and whether or not to allow
its installation (on a case-by-case basis), you should be fine.
I guess I don't understand ActiveX or what it does, or the risks.
I think your quite correct that IE7 will suit my needs fine and this
is now what I have on my system:
AVG Anti-virus and Antispyware
SuperAntispyware
Spywareblaster
Spybot
A-Squared
Windows Defender
Hivecleanup
Windows Firewall
Avast! (free trial version)
Kapersky (free trial version)
I probably can get rid of Avast and Kapersky, but it seems the rest
are ok? What do think?
I assume you meant :
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disable
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disable
Those are my settings
I'm now going to do a System Restore now that everything is working
fine.
How often would you recommend doing Disk Cleanup and do you recommend
Ccleaner over it? How often should I Defrag? I guess that depends on
how much I'm online and what I do, but I would say every 2 weeks for
both?
Hmmmmm any other suggestions?
Robert
D
Daave
Robert said:
Whoa!
If everything is working fine, *don't* do a System Restore! Use it
*only* if you made system changes recently that wound up causing you
problems!
Or maybe you meant you are going to clear out your old restore points?
C
Colin Barnhorst
Maybe he is making a new restore point, which would make a lot of sense.
D
Daave
Robert said:
That's a good lineup. I noticed you no longer have Comodo. Comodo may be
a better firewall choice for you since it provides both incoming and
outgoing protection (whereas the Windows firewall provides only incoming
protection). If you uninstalled Comodo because of memory concerns, you
may want to think of putting in back in and disabling the Windows
firewall. I believe Comodo is pretty light on resources anyway. It can
come in handy if your PC gets more malware down the line and becomes a
bot, sending out spam nonstop; Comodo will prevent this from happening
and alert you. Some people think that in incoming firewall is all you
need. There have been many debates on this. Feel free to research this
to draw your own conclusion. For starters:
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...&q=firewall+router+stateful+incoming+outgoing
Your choice. Kaspersky is arguably better than AVG, but the free trial
version will eventually run out. If you don't mind paying for an
antivirus app, Kaspersky is highly regarded. AVG and Avast are decent
free antivirus apps.
SEE MY OTHER POST!
About once a week. I like Ccleaner because it can do more, but it's
certainly not necessary. And if you do use it, stay away from the
"Issues" (registry "cleaning") feature.
I would defrag every few months or so. Again, your call.
Required reading
:http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=279
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
D
Daave
I hope so!
D
Daave
You move it the same way you move any file!
One way is to open both folders and drag the file from one window to the
other. Or you could open the My Documents folder, right-click on the
file and select Cut (or Copy, if you prefer), close that folder, open
the destination folder (C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc), place the
cursor in the white area, right-click and select Paste.
All the work has already been done for you. All you need to do is
replace it with a newer file periodically. I like to use the one from:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
The date on this one is Jan. 3.
If you currently have 768 MB RAM, there is a very strong chance you
don't need any more. Using Page File Monitor for Windows XP (I believe
Ken had mentioned using it) will give you the information you need.
Definitely use compressed air.
G
Gerry
Robert
Are you going to tell Bleeping Computer you know longer need their
help.? I am not sure why you oriignally went there but clearly they
cannot cope with the traffic they have generated.
What is the Commit Charge now. Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task
Manager and click the Performance Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the
Total, the Limit and the Peak?
--
Hope this helps.
Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are you going to tell Bleeping Computer you know longer need their
help.? I am not sure why you oriignally went there but clearly they
cannot cope with the traffic they have generated.
What is the Commit Charge now. Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task
Manager and click the Performance Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the
Total, the Limit and the Peak?
--
Hope this helps.
Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
G
Gerry
Robert
Turn System System Restore OFF and then back ON.
--
Hope this helps.
Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Turn System System Restore OFF and then back ON.
--
Hope this helps.
Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
R
Robert
Whoops,.. I meant make a new System Restore point,... sorry for for
mistake....
Robert
R
Robert
I decided that I would prefer Comodo and reinstalled it. I tried to
istalled the 64bit version(I really don't know what the difference
would be other than size, but it kept giving me errors) so I installed
the 35bit version and disabled Windows firewall.
I actually don't mind paying for Kapersky if I had the money,but as I
stated, I'm on a VERY limited set income and I'm trying to keep costs
down. This is why I I'm trying to get the most out of this computer
because I just don't have the $$ to invest in another.
I've bookedmarked your 'required reading' *L* and all the other links
you've given me.
Robert
R
Robert
Yes, I will post a message to BleepingComputer that the problem has
been resolved.
Under Commit Charge is the following:
Total 511552 (keeps changing)
Limit 2790152
Peak 583444
Robert
R
Robert
Ok I did it, but Comodo gave me a warning while it. Said it was
typical of virus's.
Robert
R
Robert
I went to the site and replaced the original Host file. One thing, you
mentioned that it might possible slow down my computer but on the Host
site it says it should speed it up in many cases. ??? How often should
I look to this site for Host upgrades?
This is now what I have on my computer:
AVG Anti-virus and Antispyware
SuperAntispyware
Spywareblaster
Spybot
A-Squared
Windows Defender
Hivecleanup
Comodo Firewall
I've made a System Restore Point
and I've created a Host file.
Robert