My Computer's Gone Berserk!

[ronjhall]

Re: My Computer\'s Gone Berserk!

Bird
My pop-up problems started when I typed a URL into the IE 6 address improperly. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif The site that came up created all kinds of pop-ups. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
I don’t know how to stop a mistyped URL form going to a bad site. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif But I am much more careful what I type into the address bar. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[pruntyc]

Re: My Computer\'s Gone Berserk!

Bird, I have the systemWorks 2003, and I don't see anything on it about popups either. But I put the Panic Ware on a few days ago, and it seems to be doing the job for me. Maybe the telmarketers are using popups now, I don't know what is causeing it.

 

[RonL]

Re: My Computer\'s Gone Berserk!

Bird

You may also want to disable Javascript when you're cruising the web. Turn it back on when you go to sights that need it and you trust.

RonL

 

[Dozernut]

Re: My Computer\'s Gone Berserk!

Bird I have the Norton Internet Security 2003 program. When you go to the menu, it has a specific setting line for popups along with a firewall and other utilities. You evidently don't have this version. You can look at their offerings on their web site. It would be worth considering when you renew your subscription.

 

[bky]

Re: My Computer\'s Gone Berserk!

bird wouldnt it be easer just to format and reinstall windows?

 

[Bird]

Re: My Computer\'s Gone Berserk!

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( wouldnt it be easer just to format and reinstall windows )</font>

Believe me, I've thought about it. I did that a couple of times years ago when I had Windows 3.1 and it was pretty simple; just took some time. However, I'm scared to try it with this contraption. This computer came from Dell with Windows ME, along with a certificate to upgrade to XP when it became available for $20. So, when XP was available from Dell, I got the "upgrade" CD, carefully followed their instructions and it didn't work. I don't remember how many phone calls I made to Dell, followed all their instructions each time, and it still didn't work. They finally decided there was no way they could help me. Thank goodness, I had decided to take advantage of the financing they had at that time instead of just paying cash for the computer. So when they gave up on getting it to work, I asked where they wanted it shipped, since I wasn't going to pay for it. They promptly and miraculously found someone who walked me through a "clean install"; much more complicated than formatting the hard drive and installing the software, but it worked. Of course my hard drive became drive E: instead of C: and neither I nor Dell support have any idea why.

And then when I installed my other software from the CDs, in some cases I had to go to the software manufacturers for updated versions to work with XP (Olympus camera software, HP printer drivers, and I know at least one other), so that's why I don't want to try to start over. I suspect I could buy a new computer as cheap as I could buy all new software, but don't know that for sure.

At least this computer is working so far. The Panic Ware stops lots of pop-ups, but not all. Some way or other it managed to download and install at least one program this morning (Lycos side search?), apparently at the same time it was downloading another "critical update" from Microsoft Windows. The unbelievable number of "critical updates" to XP that I've downloaded is another reason I'm afraid to try formatting the hard drive and re-installing everything.

 

[pruntyc]

Re: My Computer\'s Gone Berserk!

I agree with you Bird. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, then you are probably better off, not. I've done it so many times, my computer would think I was sick, if I didn't do it fairly often. lol I generally have done it 2 to 4 times a year. Now this time, everything has worked so well I haven't did it for probably almost a year. This XP if its running good, its good.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Re: My Computer\'s Gone Berserk!

Bird,

If you are running XP as your operating system, then your problem really is relatively easy to fix.

XP creates "restore" points often, frequently every day. These restore points when executed will restore your registry to it's condition at that point in time. There's nothing to risk, the change can be undone if desired. I'm a bit of a maverick with my home made PC and have used this function many times when a change did not bring about the desired results.

The proceedure:

Start button

Programs

Accessories

System Tools

System Restore

Scroll through the calendar and pick a date prior to the affliction and restore to that point. You will probably have about 30 such points spanning 90 days or more. Any files saved such as .doc. .jpg, .xls etc. files will still be there, just resets the windows registry to what it was at the time.

If you don't like the results, hit the undo button and you're right back where you are now.

 

[Inspector507]

Re: My Computer\'s Gone Berserk!

Win Me has the restore function as well. Unless you shut it off at some point, then all the previous restore points are wiped out. Win Me is very vunerable to attacks and becomes very unstable. Thats why, right now, I'm upstairs on Win XP. The Me machine has gone beserk and I'll have to reload everything.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Re: My Computer\'s Gone Berserk!

ME was really a poor attempt by his Billness. Had to have something to generate revenue while working on XP I guess.

98SE is probably the most bulletproof OS by Bill, however I do like the funtionallity of XP.