Computer=Molasses

[Ex-zombie]

My daughter thought it would be "so cool" to install a desktop theme on my computer. Not only did she download three themes into my computer she also downloaded a Trojan dropper that ended up in 12 different files in my computer. I have spent the last four hours getting the trojans out. I have run Ad-aware and Spybot. I downloaded and installed Bit-defender which protects from viruses in real time.

The problem: my computer is still running extremely slow. I have rebooted several times. I even cold started it. Anyone have any suggestions for what I can do next?

[Petra]

I've found avast! to be a good cleaner. Do you have it?

www.avast.com


If you don't have it, you'll have to uninstall your current anti-virus software, install that one, then do a boot scan. The boot scan should find anything that you've missed at boot level.


Then, if things are still running grumpy, it might be a good idea to reinstall all your software. Fun, eh. :D

[Skep]

Do you have Win XP? Try System Restore. :yup:

[Ex-zombie]

if things are still running grumpy, it might be a good idea to reinstall all your software. Fun, eh. :D



:eek: Say it isn't so!


I'm not running XP, Skep but I do have a system restore button on my OS. If the speed doesn't pick up I'll probably have to do that. I would prefer though to do that as a last resort as my OS does not automatically back up files as XP does. There's no telling what all I'll lose if I do a system restore.

[Dingfod]

format c:
yes

[ceptimus]

If you're on Windows, delete and uninstall as much rubbish as you can, empty the waste bin. Check that the hard drive has plenty of free space (say 20% or more) delete more stuff if not. Then defragment the drive. This can take hours. Switch off any screen savers while it's defragmenting.

Sometimes makes a noticeable difference if a drive has not been defragged for a long time.

[Ex-zombie]

Then defragment the drive.


Advice taken. Although it will probably be at least a month before it's done defragging. The analysis says my computer is 62% fragmented. :blush:

[livius drusus]

The analysis says my computer is 62% fragmented.

:rubeyes:

[Seven of Nine]

Then defragment the drive.


Advice taken. Although it will probably be at least a month before it's done defragging. The analysis says my computer is 62% fragmented. :blush:


Does anyone else feel that this alone might explain it?
A friend gave me an old Norton Utilities disk she saw in the trash in the computer classroom at her college. One of the great things it has is a defrag program which defrags really fast. I still can't believe the difference between the two!

[Dingfod]

I can't believe you haven't taken my advice. That would clean it right up. Of course, it would also make the blue screen of death look like a welcome sign.

[Ex-zombie]

format c:
yes


This option is looking better and better. :fuming:

I am mentally exhausted from dealing with my computer the last two days. I have deleted and scanned and re-booted myself sick. The irony here is that I scanned my daughter's computer as well and it's completely free of any viruses. :eek:

[Ex-zombie]

Thanks ceptimus for the terrific advice about defragmenting my computer. Just got done a couple of hours ago and my computer is even faster than before. You are a genius. :bow:

[viscousmemories]

Wow, I don't think I've ever seen defrag actually have a noticeable impact. Then again I've never seen a drive that was 62% fragmented, either. :giggle:

[ceptimus]

Good news Ex-zombie :) I'm glad it worked. As vm said, defragging doesn't seem to make much difference in a lot of cases. There seems to be a critical threshold of fragmentation though (which varies from PC to PC depending on the amount of RAM installed, and what apps they are running) - once you're past that threshold, defragging can result in a huge improvement.