Help Appreciated

[evilqueenfan]

I was wondering if there is anyone with computer knowledge that may be able to help me...

For a few days now my computer is VERY slow and most of the time it won't let me open anything. When it does open a website, I can't click on any links and if I do the computer freezes. I also keep getting a pop up box that says "SWITCH or RETRY". I contacted my DSL provider and they said they were having trouble with the local switchbox but other than people reporting slow internet there are not any other problems, so they feel the problem is not on their end.
My hotmail email account seems to have disappeared but anyone else that opens their hotmail on my computer is fine. When I try to send any messages via IM, it won't let me type anything. I checked my Windows XP updates and I currently have all the updates. Since the problems have started I downloaded the Zone Alarm Firewall but it hasn't helped anything. I also ran a virus scan, which came up empty. I defragmented but also had no luck with anything. Anyone have any ideas what the problem may be or what I can do to fix this? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[piratesmate]

Have you checked for Spyware? I use Popup Stopper & Spybot. I believe there is a thread stuck at the top of the Tech Support board with links & other help.

 

[piratesmate]

Here's a link to the thread: Tech Board Thread

 

[evilqueenfan]

Thank you for the link. I have run Spybot three times and it didn't find anything. I tried to run it again and now it just freezes on me.
Thanks again for your help. Maybe it's time to either throw it out the window or call the computer repairman.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

WOWIE! Thanks.

I ran SPYBOT (ok I know my computer was full of spyware, like 219). It had finally reached maximum level because my computer started crashing when I tried to close windows.
It hasn't rid it of all, it says it can't. I'll have to figure out why.

So far so good.

 

[piratesmate]

It's been a while since I read a thread about this & I didn't read through all of the one linked above....but, I seem to remember something about some of the newer spyware actually turning off Spybot, AdAware & the like. Maybe that's when you install & run CWShredder? I haven't gotten to that point around here so far (knock on wood) so I'm not entirely sure.

Also, "the wise Dan Murphy" (among others) recommended using both Spybot and AdAware, as they find different things. You might try that as well.

Have you run the immunization on Spybot? (I missed it when I first installed it.)

When you get straightened out, you might want to consider installing a PopUp Stopper if you don't already have one. DH refused to put one on his system, saying "they don't bother me." He changed his mind when he was getting hit with viruses & spyware problems that DD & I were missing - even though all our computers were networked together.

 

[piratesmate]

TMM - Sometimes Spybot finds things that it can't get rid of until the computer is re-booted. If it asks if you want to let it run automatically when it re-starts, let it.

I've had that happen a number of times on DD's system & it usually finds & cleans up the stuff after the re-boot.

 

[Patch'sD]

What I have found that works well is that prior to installing Adaware and Spybot, I would restore your system to a date that was before the trouble started happening. This will allow you to remove the files before they attached to the registry and start-ups. I feel it is cleaner.