My old desktop, runs pretty slow, i do clean out history/cookies often, and defrag almost weekly

But every now and again it just hangs in the middle of brousing, and it needs a restart to get it going again

also, on some searches in say yahoo/google, it takes us to the completly the wrong sites

I do run AVG home, and it does find problems, but does not seem to do anything with them

HELP !!!

Doesn't sound massively healthy.

Close all your internet browser windows, any IM's etc. and check whether your network connection is sending any info.

If it is, I'd say you've got bits of spyware/adware installed that are bogging you down.

Try running the free version of MalwareBytes and see what it picks up...


http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Malwarebytes-AntiMalware/1186760019/1

Will do,

also, AVG is finding stuff, but in locked files, not locked by me

how do i unlock them ??

AVG may need to run a scan in safe mode. The files "locked" are in use by Windows so need removing in safe mode - a mode of Windows that loads just the bare minimum and hopefully not the added suspicious files!

After you switch the pc on and it's finished counting the memory - press F8 on the keyboard. This should bring up a menu from which you can select Safe Mode.

Be aware that the desktop may look different when starting in safe mode - it only runs enough to get the system up and going.

AVG isnt the best, so please try this Linky

You may want to close down avg as soon as the eset online scanner starts.
Cheers

Rich

[Edited on 4/8/10 by RichardK]

[Edited on 4/8/10 by RichardK]

Sounds like a search hijacker. Download & install Malwarebytes and Hijackthis. Turn off system restore and restart Windows in safe mode without networking as user Administrator and run Malwarebytes.

Repeat for all the user names on you PC.

With the system l in safe mode without networking run Hijackthis and look for anything that dosen't look right particularly changes to the hosts file that divert searches on the well known search engines (ie Google, Yahoo, Altavista, Ask, Hotbot.......) to a specific ip address.

You can manually edit your hosts file usually on home PC it will only contain the following entry


127.0.0.1 localhost

The usual malwarebytes/superantispyware stuff wont deal with embedded nasties...


register on bleepingcomputer and search for your problems first, see if your problem has been dealt with before (it will have)

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/

Then make sure you follow the tutorial first whatever it recomends...


Then if prompted by the forum admin, use a program called hijackthis.

You install it, and it creates a logfile of all your running processes, you then cut and paste this to the thread you started.

The admin will appoint a helper, who will then spot your issues and offer advice on what to do.


I have beeen hijacked several times and used this excellent site to resolve deep hidden hijack software.


Then start using mozilla instead of an MS based browser (im guessing your on ms)


Here is another similar site Ive used for the same thing, again without a problem.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/

Just make sure you follow the instructions exactly...



It will take a few days to resolve, but you will be pleased with the result, compared to how it is now.



Good luck

[Edited on 4/8/10 by T66]

Thanks Guys

I did run safe mode, and run AVG plus malware, and it seemed to nothing, and !!

i can now only run in safe mode, and i can not revert back to an earlier date, when starting up normally, all i get is my screen saver with no icons or toolbar,
so i do believe my problems have got worse !!

regards

Steve

If there's not much of importance on your old desktop I'd be tempted at this point to format it and have a nice fresh windows install

quote:

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Originally posted by flibble
If there's not much of importance on your old desktop I'd be tempted at this point to format it and have a nice fresh windows install

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Bad case of WINDOWS - Will Install Needless Data On Whole System.

Liberate you PC and come to brightside - Linux

LiveCD of Ubuntu will let you try the system and compatability. If all OK, then just double-click the install icon.

Good luck