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< Esato Forum Index > General discussions > Non mobile discussion > yet another computer question. (well a few of them) Bookmark topic

heyy guys, i have a few computer questions. im just cleaning out my computer, and deleting everything that might be causing all of the pop-ups and makeing it slow, and have a slow start up etc.

1.) How do i make programs etc not start when the computer starts? (besides going to the program and doing it) i was told once, but it didnt work.

2.) Under Program Files, there are a few programs, which i KNOW are adware/spyware and things that may be viruses... but when i try to delete them... i get... "Cannot delete ::folder here:: : Access is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write protected and that the file is not currently in use." and as far as i know... it is not running...and i want to delete them...

3.) What is a program that is good to just delete all of the crap in your computer? I use Spybot S&D but there are some things that it doesnt pick up.

4.) The best pop-up blocker anyone knows of (free please)

5.) Any other suggestions to clean my computer would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks anyone who can help!
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Posted: 2005-02-27 08:32:51
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1) Click Start-> run -> msconfig -> select Startup tab and uncheck progs u dont want to start when windows starts

2) Go into safe mode and delete them and/or use a good antivirus program and/or antispyware s/w

3) what kinda crap ? temporary folders and missing shortcuts/links etc ??

4) if u have windows XP service pack 2 then the built-in pop-up blocker in IE is quite good imo

5) Use Water and Detergent
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Posted: 2005-02-27 08:45:50
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1. If you are running XP click the start button and select "Run" from the menu. Type in "msconfig" and you should get the System Configuration utility. The far right tab should be named Startup. From there you can see which programs are set to startup and uncheck all any program you don't think you need to start up.

2. The programs are probably running. Ctrl+Alt+Del and quit everything that is not essential to running your computer. After that, attempt to uninstall them. In general you should use an uninstaller, but just go and delete the folders if you have to. Make sure you have gone through and disabled all questionable startup items as I outlined in answer 1. If all else fails boot up in safe mode and try to delete them.

3. I use a combination of common sense, AdAware SE, and Symantec Anti-Virus to keep my computer safe. That means that I don't ever allow anything to install itself from the internet. Also, I open my Add/Remove programs Control Panel from time to time and check if there are any installed programs that I don't recognize. I do the same with my programs list in the Start Menu. I also run Ad scans and Virus scans at least once a week and I make sure to update all of my protection files before scanning.

4. I don't use any extra pop-up blocker, Mozilla Firefox is nearly perfect at blocking pop-ups on its own.

5. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and compare your running processes to the list of items in the Startup list in the System Configuration tool. That should tell you if anything launched itself after startup, or if something that you did launched some bad software.
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Posted: 2005-02-27 08:49:55
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1.) there is alot of stuff under the start up tab that i dont knwo what it is, can i uncheck it all anyway? will windows start fine if everything is unchecked??

2.) okay will try that in a minute

3.) Yea, some temporary folders and things like that.

4.) Hmm, i guess i will have to look more into that..

5.) I always thought a little rubbing alcohol worked better than water haha

im going to add 6...
6.) do you know any places that spyware, viruses hide? if they arnt in main folders i mean...


and @knight4led, i do atrl alt del, and quit everything in the task manager, but things are still running. the task manager will be totally empty, and it wont let me delete them still.

[ This Message was edited by: eastcoaststar on 2005-02-27 08:00 ]
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Posted: 2005-02-27 08:57:46
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1) Leave the systems programs checked (usually have path C:windowssystem32... ) Removing them wont do any harm though (i've tried it)

3) Try using System mechanic to remove all that junk.... It also has a built in pop-up blocker although i havent tried it. It also allows you to select which progs u want to start at startup...
http://www.iolo.com/sm/5/download.cfm

6) They are always present in system folders and no where else as far as i know
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Posted: 2005-02-27 09:06:01
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okay thanks guys i will try all these ideas tonight, if i have any more questions ill post here again later.

thanks again!
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Posted: 2005-02-27 09:32:43
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There's a good spyware/adware program called "Bazooka". Google it, and you shall find . I use Ad-Aware now tho...

Nick
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Posted: 2005-02-27 10:34:52
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after Ctrl+Alt+Del, check the processes not just the applications. These are actually more important. You can pretty much kill anything that is run by the user without any side-effects.

6. Find a free registry cleaning tool somewhere and that will remove references to missing programs or harmful registry entries. Registry entires can often cause harm to your computer and they aren't technically virus or adware.
Also, check you localhost file (located C:/Windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts) to see if your computer is redirecting traffic to any websites. For example, if you type in Amazon.com it really takes you to a porn site.
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Posted: 2005-02-27 10:38:50
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