Qui-Bong Jinn

So ya, I'm to lazy to look it up. My computer is running terribly as of late and I'd like to know how to clear all the junk from it, without spending $50 on some stupid program I'll use once. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Being

I go for a different route

First, you need to reformat your computer (i'm not sure how computer illiterate you are, so ill pretend you are completely retarded lol) which essentially means deleting everything from it and starting over brand new. The reason I suggest this, is even with ANY software, you may (and probably do) have a couple things the anti-virus won't catch. Reformatting is safe and will remind you how your computer really is supposed to run.

Second, I do not use and anti-virus. This takes a little more vigilance and intelligence (more common sense really) but is 100% more effective. You need to know what you are doing on the internet. You need to realize - if you are connected to the internet you can catch a virus anytime. So you need to learn what to avoid. Don't open spam emails, don't download ANYTHING unless you are 100% sure it is legit. If you don't know - ask. There are a lot of people online who will scan files for you before you download them to check them.

The second part of that is ctrl+alt+del and google. If you notice anything acting weird, open up the task manager and search google for all files that are running. Google will tell you everything. And like Roach said, turn off services you don't need.

One thing a lot of people don't realize - you need to go into your startup options and turn things off. When a program is on the startup list - you don't get all of that ram capacity back even if you shut the program off. Your startup should only consist of necessary to system things. (To modify this, Start -> Run and type 'msconfig')

I'll probably think of more things that will help later, I'll add them as I think of them.


























oh yeah... and just get a mac. problem solved

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adventure

All very good advice. I also do not use any anti virus. I do run a scan once a month or so.
and stick to one or two porn sites that you know are legit... well as legit as porn gets.

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Waves

That doesnt work in this day and age.

There are hacker bots that are setup on remote computers who are set to automatically search out unprotected systems

No offense to being of course but i would definitly get an antivirus program.

I thought the same exact thing that being did until i got hacked to shit. WHILE having an antivirus program. By some dude in china.

The rest of the advice here is great

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Waves

also make sure you do all these things:

How to make your computer run faster: 6 tips to increase PC speed

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myxomatosis

Pretty terrible advice to tell a guy who willingly admits he knows nothing about computers not to use antivirus.

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Waves

thats true, but if you DO get scripted, you WILL want an anti-virus from then on.

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Slayed

I dont know about anti-virus programs but i use ccleaner it takes a lot of junk off your puter and its free:}

kitch

yeah just format it, it's the best way to go. also malwarebytes and avg in combination will catch like 99.9% of viruses. malwarebytes def picks up a lot of shit avg misses.

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Waves

You can also spend about 40 dollars and double your machines RAM, RAM prices are at an all time low

that 40 dollars will give you a ton of bang for your speed-increase buck. especially if you are already running low on RAM like if you only have 1GB or even 2 nowadays.

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Kompressor

Ok first off, access what you want to salvage from your computer. Documents, Pictures, Videos, Downloads, Music, etc. Depending on how much memory it takes up, get a flash and/or external hard drive and store it. Always back up your critical shit afterwards as well.

Reformatting is the best way to wipe the slate clean, so to speak. Make sure you have your proper operating system discs and license keys. Hell, you may want to upgrade or downgrade your operating system depending on your hardware.

Download and burn Hiren's Boot CD.

Put the CD in your computer and reboot. Run the Boot and Nuke Program, this will thoroughly wipe your hard drive. It could take some time.

Once completed, remove CD and place your OS cd's in. Reboot and begin reinstalling your operating system.

Once your machine is up and running with internet access, go to ninite.com click on all the freeware [Firefox, chrome, avg, java/adobe/flash, etc]. This will bundle whichever programs you choose into one installer without the need to register/sign up for toolbars, etc. I'd recommend picking up Revo Uninstaller from this site in your bundle.

Run Revo Uninstaller to remove any bloatware that may have come with your Operating System Discs.

Return your Documents, Pics, etc back into their rightful spots.

Reinstall any licensed software/games you previously had.

And boom, good to go.

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Waves

^true playas know this by heart cuz true playas do this shit once a month

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Kompressor

lol once a month, i get paid to do this stuff for O'Hare.

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kitch

what are you doing with your comp that makes it nescessary, or even desirable, to format once a month? that's cray.

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Suliman

Reinstall the OS, or you could opt for a new one......

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Being

ubuntu ftw

I disagree.
if you know what you are doing, you don't need anti-virus, period. That doesn't mean don't protect your system, that just means not purchasing/downloading anti-virus programs that could easily (knowingly or unknowingly) GIVE you a virus itself.

granted, he did say he didn't know much so maybe he needs to pay for someone or a program to actually safeguard his computer, but anyone who considers themselves somewhat smart on a computer shouldn't ever need anti-virus.




and like i said before - just get a mac and you will never have to worry

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Galt

So that's why I spent an hour circling Chicago?

Komp, you ever slipstream your OS. Picked it up off of an MS Pro site. Haven't needed it with 7 or Ubuntu as yet, but saved huge time on my old XP re-installs.

Somebody mentioned memory/RAM leakage I think. This is from leaving your computer on and running for extended periods. Each time you open and close a program, a tiny bit of memory is left tied up. Eventually this runs you out'a available shit gets sketchy. Having lots of crap start up on boot up and run in the back ground is a huge drag too, but the actual reference to memory leak is about the former.

If the OP is not savvy, maybe 'splain runnin' msconfig to access that Start UP Menu and suggest programs and services to disable.

Also, I've had good success with Avast freeware and their pay-to-play S/W and malware run manually every week or so.

Lastly, I log off of Google/Gmail as soon as I'm done readin' mail 'cuz they track everythin',... and that shit creeps me out.

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Roach

I own 2 copies of xp sp3.
Last os I actually purchased.


I have,

ubantu 10.0 (have other linux also)
winblows 7 activated

but still running a small xp version...optomized.

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Galt

Yeah I still run XP Pro, sp3 on my shop computer and an old laptop that I use for programing CNC, but the last couple of workstations that I built were all dual boots w/ 7 and Ubu. Eventually MS seems to get their buggy ass shit right, it just takes 'em 3-4 years from the original release date.

I build a lot of systems, so I'm not real big on pirated OS's. Leaves me tossin' and turnin' at night that the software police are gonna come kick my door down and cart off my shit.

__________________
"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
- Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)
_________________

"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)