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View Full Version : how do I get unwanted stuff off my computer?



kielbasa
01-06-2005, 07:35 AM
hello, my wife got a new computer for Christmas, and in the first 5 minutes after getting it hooked up I went on some porn site to check out the graphics quality....needless to say, now no matter what we set default home page to, it goes right to some other search page.....how do I get rid of that??? and is it ever slow now too........help, my wife is furious that I wrecked her computer, and she's making me fix it, what can I do, Thanks!

FMluvswater
01-06-2005, 07:45 AM
http://www.pchell.com
Sounds like you have a homepage hijacker. The PC Hell site has step by step instructions how to remove it and also many other troubleshooting tips that may come up yet. Good luck. :clover: :)

HavaTan
01-06-2005, 07:52 AM
First of all, stay off the porn...All those sites are loaded with spyware...Your home page can be changed back to what you want after.
go to Google and look for "Ad-aware SE" and also "Spybot - Search and Destroy" Download both of these and install them. Do all of the updates and then scan you computer with both. One at a time, of course.
After both are done, try to change your homepage. It should be a lot better. After that just avoid stupid s**t like that. Don't get me wrong...PORN IS KING...just not on the Internet.
Trust me, before I "retired" and opened a tanning salon, I got paid way tooooo much to fix stupid s**t like this all day long.
Good luck.

jimslade
01-06-2005, 08:32 AM
The only way be sure is a complete format and reload windows. use windows xp and use the firewall protection with service pack 2. Dont trust most virus protection software. there are conflicts with xp and most can't keep up with the new virus's. You can first try some of the spyware programs but you could never be certain you have purged the program completely.

JetBoatRich
01-06-2005, 08:44 AM
Since you all seem to help with that one, I have one for you.
My Daughter's computer is running Windows XP. She no longer can access the internet. I checked it out, the wireless card is hitting the router. But the internet said no signal? I looked at the IP and it is wrong and when I try to fix, it said cannot repair. Not sure where this IP came from, but it is locked on.
When I bought the computer it did not come with the XP CD :cry:

coolchange
01-06-2005, 08:51 AM
Start> control panel> internet options> general>reset your home page, delete cookies delete files.
get and down load freeware "SPYBOT" run it you will be amazed!
also get "ZONEALARM" freeware.
Ultimatly your registry has been altered and you're better off with a fresh install
Ya graphics check :hammer2: We've all been there.

HavaTan
01-06-2005, 09:50 AM
JBR: First things first...Shut down the computer for about 1 min and then restart and see if that works...If you've done that, try this...
Start | Run. Under the run line type "cmd". When the command promt comes up type "ipconfig/release" When it's finished type "ipconfig/renew" When it finishes type "exit"
If that doesn't work...Try Start | Setting | Control Panel | Network Connections and double-click on your connection type, Click Properties, under the general tab, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), make sure Obtain Autmatically is selected.
If that doesn't work...I'll have to think about it some more. :hammerhea
As for Kielbasa: There is NO need to reinstall Windows :220v: . It's a brand new computer and all you did was screw up a little. Follow the steps I gave you and you should be in much better shape. As for the Windows Firewall. It's pretty much garbage, it is good enough for general users, but doesn't really protect you from anyone or anything with a little skill. No matter what, EVERYONE should be running antivirus!!! I don't particularly care which one but Norton or McAfee are the only ones I recommend...maybe CA as well.
And of course, thank you all for keeping people like me (or used to be) with perpetual supply of work. :)

HammerDown
01-06-2005, 09:54 AM
The only way be sure is a complete format and reload windows. use windows xp and use the firewall protection with service pack 2.
All due respects...for several weeks I had nothing but problems when I downloaded Win SP2. I actually had to pay someone to show me how to fully remove it!
On another note...I was also told that downloading sp2 on the internet (as I did) is much worse than installing it with a disk. (I ain't taking the chance).
Now using SpyBot and Add Aware... And yes they work.

hoolign
01-06-2005, 10:01 AM
hello, my wife got a new computer for Christmas, and in the first 5 minutes after getting it hooked up I went on some porn site to check out the graphics quality....needless to say, now no matter what we set default home page to, it goes right to some other search page.....how do I get rid of that??? and is it ever slow now too........help, my wife is furious that I wrecked her computer, and she's making me fix it, what can I do, Thanks!
:D :D :D :messedup: Porn has better graphics??
I'm gonna try this route.." I went to the strippers to see how my new shirt looked under the black lights" :idea:

Charley
01-06-2005, 10:04 AM
I'm gonna try this route.." I went to the strippers to see how my new shirt looked under the black lights" :idea:
THATS FUNNY! :D :D

HavaTan
01-06-2005, 10:05 AM
Hoolign: LMAO. Now that's funny.

beer hunter
01-06-2005, 10:12 AM
Now using SpyBot and Add Aware... And yes they work.
I use these two programs and they work great!...Start with that first :D

bear down
01-06-2005, 11:23 AM
Tried 2 of the three and they worked great...never knew I had so much crap on my computer. I think I am going to delete Kazaa lite...thinking that is the root of the problem. Ad ware would not run..a message would pop up saying that the system needs to be shut dowm. Spybot and Spyware did a lot for me. Thanks to you guys!!

HavaTan
01-06-2005, 11:52 AM
You're right, Kazaa in all its forms has become a haven for spyware and keyloggers and all that rotten stuff.
Uninstall it as soon as you can, restart your computer and rerun Spybot and Ad-Aware (if it works for you).
If you are still in the market for stealing music...(I mean, "file sharing") :devil: :p Try www.limewire.com. Of course, I didn't tell you. :D

JetBoatRich
01-06-2005, 12:36 PM
JBR: First things first...Shut down the computer for about 1 min and then restart and see if that works...If you've done that, try this...
Start | Run. Under the run line type "cmd". When the command promt comes up type "ipconfig/release" When it's finished type "ipconfig/renew" When it finishes type "exit"
If that doesn't work...Try Start | Setting | Control Panel | Network Connections and double-click on your connection type, Click Properties, under the general tab, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), make sure Obtain Autmatically is selected.
If that doesn't work...I'll have to think about it some more. :hammerhea
And of course, thank you all for keeping people like me (or used to be) with perpetual supply of work. :)
I tried these steps Sunday, no luck :eek: When I get home tomorrow, will check again :hammerhea
Thanks

HCS
01-06-2005, 01:04 PM
The SBC DSL connection on my home computer is way slowed down. Iv'e tried running and cleaning alot of the above programs. Nothing works. :rolleyes:

HCS
01-06-2005, 01:11 PM
JBR: First things first...Shut down the computer for about 1 min and then restart and see if that works...If you've done that, try this...
Start | Run. Under the run line type "cmd". When the command promt comes up type "ipconfig/release" When it's finished type "ipconfig/renew" When it finishes type "exit"
If that doesn't work...Try Start | Setting | Control Panel | Network Connections and double-click on your connection type, Click Properties, under the general tab, click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), make sure Obtain Autmatically is selected.
If that doesn't work...I'll have to think about it some more. :hammerhea
As for Kielbasa: There is NO need to reinstall Windows :220v: . It's a brand new computer and all you did was screw up a little. Follow the steps I gave you and you should be in much better shape. As for the Windows Firewall. It's pretty much garbage, it is good enough for general users, but doesn't really protect you from anyone or anything with a little skill. No matter what, EVERYONE should be running antivirus!!! I don't particularly care which one but Norton or McAfee are the only ones I recommend...maybe CA as well.
And of course, thank you all for keeping people like me (or used to be) with perpetual supply of work. :)
I'll have to give some of these tips a shot.

1stepcloser
01-06-2005, 01:14 PM
If you're running Windows XP you can do a soft restore and return to a date prior to the "mishap".
I'm not at home to get you there, but follow this...Start - all programs - accesories - then I think its tools? or something related, then you see the "restore" button. Click this and a window will open allowing you to choose the last save time you want to restore the machine to.

ROZ
01-06-2005, 01:30 PM
Use Firefox instead of explorer... It eliminates popups, and you can easily delete ALL history....

Rock-A-Bye-Baby
01-06-2005, 03:44 PM
here is the new Microsoft spyware Beta version. works pretty dam good if you ask me.......Spyware (http://nextmill.net/ad-aware/MicrosoftAntiSpywareInstall.exe)

77charger
01-06-2005, 06:07 PM
Use Firefox instead of explorer... It eliminates popups, and you can easily delete ALL history....
yup i did the same.I also used the ad aware,spybot ,stopped looking at internet porn,but never got rid of that start up page,pop ups stopped for a while then all of a suddeni started getting cell phone ads,ringtone ads,aol ads,etc no porn ones though.couldnt rid them so i got the firefox browser and IMO it is pretty similar but NO POP UPS.even with little porn surfing :D

JetBoatRich
01-06-2005, 06:19 PM
If you're running Windows XP you can do a soft restore and return to a date prior to the "mishap".
I'm not at home to get you there, but follow this...Start - all programs - accesories - then I think its tools? or something related, then you see the "restore" button. Click this and a window will open allowing you to choose the last save time you want to restore the machine to.
I just walked her through the steps, but you has no restore points :cry: