I NEED COMPUTER HELP!!!

Published on October 18, 2005 By lemonlime In Misc

My computer recently went on the fritz! I turned it on one day, and after attempting to start for 15 minutes, all my icons and task bar dissapeared! So, I took my computer to the "Geek Squad" at Best Buy (where I bought my comp), and he said that LimeWire had uploaded a bunch of trash on my computer and it now uses over 60% of its memory just to turn on. Now, according to them, the only way to fix this is to take everything off my computer and get it back down to manufacture, and then put everything back on. (which is gonna cost me a lovely $200+)
So, heres where I need help. The guy said that I need to buy Norton to put on my computer to keep this from happening again. The only problem is I hate Norton because it keeps me out of programs that I want/need to get into. So, does anyone know of any kind of program that is just as good, or even better than Norton?

Comments

lemonlime

on Oct 18, 2005

anyone?

shadesofgrey

on Oct 18, 2005

If you repost this in the Internet section--all the wincustomize (I think that is what it is called) will be able to see it and they are computer brains--they've helped me a couple of times.

Good luck.

Manopeace

on Oct 18, 2005

I had problems with Norton as well till I bought Norton AntiVirus 2004 Professional
It's a good programme and does not restrict you from using others.

lemonlime

on Oct 18, 2005

If you repost this in the Internet section--all the wincustomize (I think that is what it is called) will be able to see it and they are computer brains--they've helped me a couple of times.

thanks, I'll do that.

I had problems with Norton as well till I bought Norton AntiVirus 2004 ProfessionalIt's a good programme and does not restrict you from using others

thanks, I'll look into it.

Dr Guy

on Oct 18, 2005

I gather they are talking fire wall and not AV. ZoneAlarm. It is much better than Nortons and best of all, it is free.

lemonlime

on Oct 18, 2005

HAHAHA @ them charging you $200 just to do a simple reformat.I'll do it for $100.And I'd tell you how to do it for free, but I don't like you

That's ok. I wouldnt trust you to tell me the right way to do it, and I dont like you either.

lemonlime

on Oct 18, 2005

I gather they are talking fire wall and not AV. ZoneAlarm. It is much better than Nortons and best of all, it is free

I've never heard of ZoneAlarm, but I'll check it out. thanks.

citahellion

on Oct 18, 2005

ZoneAlarm is good firewall protection; SpyBot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware are good spyware detection/prevention packages.

HC1240

on Oct 18, 2005

LOL@lemonlime and LW.

I have Norton's and love it. I wonder if half your problem isn't just spyware. I use Spybot Search & Destroy to eliminate that and have no problems.

Zoomba

on Oct 18, 2005

Depending on how swamped with spyware and adware you are, you may need to wipe the computer completely and start from scratch.

That said, you want to get the following for your machine as soon as it's rebuilt:
-Ad-Aware/SpyBot. These are spyware detecting and removing tools. Run this tool weekly to clear out any crap that gets onto your computer.

-Firefox. This is an alternative web browser to IE and right now is less open to webpage based spyware.

-Norton AntiVirus/McAfee. Get a good AV program (note I'm not saying Norton Utilities... just AV) and run it at least once a week.

Other important things to do is make sure Windows always has the latest security patches, and more importantly don't download and install crap off the internet, especially file sharing apps like LimeWire. Unless you know what you're doing (which I'm guessing you don't judging by the pickle you're in right now), only install software you bought or has been given to you by someone you trust. Too many "free" programs come loaded down with garbage like LimeWire.

Chaos Manager

on Oct 18, 2005

). For a good firewall, ZoneAlarm is a good one. Best of all, Spybot, Ad-Aware and ZA are all free. You can even pick up free antiviruses that are good.

Dr Guy

on Oct 18, 2005

Spybot S & D is good for spyware, Ad-Aware SE is good for adware (some cross-over between the too categories, but between the two of them, they catch 99% of it).

Dont forget Microsoft Anti Spyware. Free (so far) and it runs in the back ground (where as Spybot and Ad Aware you have to remember to run them). It does actually catch things the other 2 do not.

lemonlime

on Oct 18, 2005

Depending on how swamped with spyware and adware you are, you may need to wipe the computer completely and start from scratch.

well according to the geek guy, the only way to save my computer is to start all over

That said, you want to get the following for your machine as soon as it's rebuilt:-Ad-Aware/SpyBot. These are spyware detecting and removing tools. Run this tool weekly to clear out any crap that gets onto your computer.-Firefox. This is an alternative web browser to IE and right now is less open to webpage based spyware

I already have firefox, and I've never heard of the Ad-Aware/SpyBot thing. But if it'll work I'll get it.

lemonlime

on Oct 18, 2005

Spybot S & D is good for spyware, Ad-Aware SE is good for adware (some cross-over between the too categories, but between the two of them, they catch 99% of it). A good Anti-virus is always a necessity (Norton is good, but is kinda picky. McAfee used to be the benchmark ... now it spends more time under the bench w/ the liquid refreshment... ). For a good firewall, ZoneAlarm is a good one. Best of all, Spybot, Ad-Aware and ZA are all free. You can even pick up free antiviruses that are good.

Dont forget Microsoft Anti Spyware. Free (so far) and it runs in the back ground (where as Spybot and Ad Aware you have to remember to run them). It does actually catch things the other 2 do not.

AAHHH all this stuff!!! lol

ShadowWar

on Oct 18, 2005

Make it easy on yourself. Go here and follow the directions to get your machine up and running right. And best of all, all the software used here is FREE!!! Thats the best price.

http://members.cox.net/cwci/comp.htm

Hope this helps.

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