EEEEEEEK! Computer Cleaning!

[MariaM]

I am really trying to clean this computer up. What are some things I can do? I just want to know ...anything...that will help this thing.

I know about Disk Cleanup and I do that. I'm running ScanDisk right now and thats alright...

I TRIED to do Disk Defragmenter but it sais that my C Drive is locked by a utility...HELP!

I downloaded a free version of Ad-Aware. My mom uses it upstairs on her computer and it works awesome for her. However, it won't work on mine...it scans....finds the bad folders/files...but it won't quarantine/delete them.

Does anyone know where I can get a free trial/version of Norton Anti-Virus or another good virus scanner?

I really need help, this computer drives me INSANE

[Kfamr]

Ack.. I wish I could help!

I'm pretty sure you could illegally download some sort of program to help you. Not sure what to recommend but maybe someone else could.

Why do computer programs have to be so darn expensive!?

[slleipnir]

Are you just trying to make room on your comp or make it run better???

You could look through things you odn't need/old programs and delete them.

You could try to delete temp files/temp internet files.


Hmm..I duno what the defrag thing means either, sorry. Did you try to reboot and try it again?? you could try a google search to see how to fix it?

[slleipnir]

I asked my dad about the defrag..he said you need to close down certain utilities that are running..he didn't tell me how to do that though

[MariaM]

Gosh...what do you know? Just minutes after I post this, this darn thing basically crashes. I didn't even think it was that bad! I just thought it needed a little help.

Audrey, I''ve been in the process of burning pictures and things and then deleting them all...really, I'm trying to delete everything I don't need. But I really want to fix this darn thing. I want to make it run a lot better

Oh, not that it really matters, but the ScanDisk thing actually didn't work either...it said it restarted 10 times or something but wouldn't go through...

Anyway, what happened? Well...this thing froze...nothing out of the ordinary, I thought. So I restarted it and left but then my dad came down and said something weird. Right now is the first I've been able to get on the internet since then. I've restarted it multiple times. It is so aggravating! Right now is the FIRST time I could get it to go ANYWHERE without it being in "Safe Mode" (which I absolutely despise)

Right now, it seems like I'm in Safe Mode, only I can use the internet...so I don't think I am. It looks like it though and definately seems like it...argh...how I hate this thing...

I honestly didn't think it was this bad...I don't know what prompted it...maybe the fact I was running Ad-Aware and looking at these bad files...

Well...I'll report again later...if I can...

[slleipnir]

Maybe consider reformating it?? Hope you get it fixed soon

[smokey the elder]

If you have programs you don't want, run uninstall; this will properly delete all the fiddly bits that are often hidden. Don't just delete them; the fiddly bits may cause conflicts.

There is something called "repair install" which will restore your system to an earlier version.

You can run in "safe" mode (F8 as you're booting up) and try some stuff there.

Good luck!

[MariaM]

Well, its still has a lot of problems. It's not in safe mode anymore...but everything is HUGE. I'm scared to go to the settings and make it smaller...I'm afraid I'll get pushed back to point 1 I'm glad I can see colors clearly now though Lol.

I'm actually afraid to do anything...but there's cool news that I wanted to post.

Any anti-virus program suggestions?

Thank you.

[slleipnir]

AVG is a good free virus checker..

We have Norton other then that.

[cloverfdx]

Well, its still has a lot of problems. It's not in safe mode anymore...but everything is HUGE. I'm scared to go to the settings and make it smaller...I'm afraid I'll get pushed back to point 1 I'm glad I can see colors clearly now though Lol.

Thats what mine is like at the moment, all of the text is HUGE. Does anyone know what has happened?

[Doggirl]

To make everything small press the Control key then spin you're mouse wheel towards you're moniter(sp?) that should work, I'm not sure if you can do it if you don't have a mouse wheel.

[Katiesmom]

Have you tried setting your screen resolution? Sometimes that helps

[dukedogsmom]

Download this: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
You can run it from it's location. Then do a scan. I keep that and Adware. Use instructions on this screen. Sounds like you might have a virus, too. This might help
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_remtext.php?id=bagbugnet
Also, there's a free anti virus program you can download there
Hope these help you

[MariaM]

Thanks.

I'm at school right now..

I've managed to get the screen at home looking normal again. I did the whole Right Click, Properties, Settings and changed it back to my 1024x768. Only the computer still has problems. It is workable, but annoying, and I am afraid it will still crash really bad one of these days.. I just haven't had the time to do anything on it.


The scroll thing won't work, that's only for text. I believe Rhiannon and I are talking about the whole screen..
Rhiannon (I hope I'm spelling your name right) try the thing I mentioned above...

[RedHedd]

When you run defrag make sure ALL other programs are closed including any screen savers or other stuff that you normally have running in the background (right click on any icons running in your Systray (the little box down in the lower right corner) and close out of as many as you can. Do not attempt to do anything on your computer while defrag or disk clean-up are running.

There are free virus scanners - check out ZDnet.com download section for their suggestions. No one should ever connect to the internet without at least virus protection; a firewall is also recommended. I've heard Zone Alarm is a good free one. PC's are just too darned expensive to surf without protection.

It's also a good idea to install and run at least once a week AdAware and something like Spybot Search & Destroy - both are free and available at ZDnet's download section. HTH