O/T computer help needed

So I would like to wax and reboot like I have done with older windows before. (Win98) The problem is this computer has Win XP and it is set up for system restore and will only go back so far and this is not far enough. I would rather just wax it and start over but it does not come with a reboot CD. So now I do not know what to do.
Any advise or help. Direct me to a computer discussion board where I can ask this question. ect.....
I would ask my son but he is still in Kosovo.
Thanks for the help.

• system restore

Be sure you use a good anti-virus software like McAfee or Norton to keep the bad stuff away, but it won't keep out the spyware. If your kids download a lot of junk, run these spyware programs regularly to keep the machine clean. I do this all day long at work, the 2 spyware programs are what we use and the personal versions are both free but they do a great job. Be sure you tell them to check for updates before you run them. The anti-virus software isn't free but it's a very good investment both to keep your machine clean and to keep your machine from infecting other people's computers. Running anti-virus software is just being a "good neighbor" on the Internet. If you can't or don't want to spend the $30.00 or so for anti-virus software, you can find a freebie at www.grisoft.com, I think. Contrary to one poster's opinion, these free programs I mentioned are as good or better than commercial versions. Some free operating systems (like Linux) are better in some aspects than commercial versions like Windows and are much less vulnerable to infections like you're experiencing now.

Something that is more XP-specific, if you know where to find the Administrative Tools you can go to Services and turn off Windows Messenger Service. This is not the same thing as MSN Messenger, it won't hurt anything unless you're getting pop-up messages from a printer or something like that. It WILL keep you from getting those awful uninvited porn and ad pop-up messages.

Something else that can help is a personal firewall. XP has a little bit of a built-in firewall but it's a little hard to use if you want to really set it up right. You can download another free (for home use) program called Zone Alarm, it will be a firewall you can put on your own machine and set to block or allow whatever traffic you like.

Good luck, the 2 spyware programs should make it a much easier job to get your computer cleaned up. Putting on a good a/v program and Zone Alarm should help you keep it clean. Using a different browser like Netscape, Mozilla, Opera or Firefox can help too, and they also have pop-up blockers. IE has a lot of security problems but if you tighten up the security settings sometimes that can help a little.

Good luck!

When mine got to that point I bought the program SpySweeper by Webroot. I highly recommend it and at around $30 it is well worth the money. I had downloaded some off of the web abd this one found almost 200 that those didn't catch.

Also get a good virus protection ( I use Norton or would recommend Mcaffee as well). Install it and update then scan your system. If they are downloading alot then se up the schedule to scan it regularly (mine scans 4 times a week) usually after midnight when no one is on it. The Spysweeper will do the same thing and also use a popup blocker. I have Yahoo's but I think that Google and MSN have one as well and they work good.

Spybot S&D is good also although I watched them use it on the systems at work and they still get spyware and things sometimes. However it seems to do a good job for most of the people that i know who use it.

Just make sure that when they are on the Net that the program are running and setup to catch everything.

Link
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This programme prevents most spyware becoming installed on your computer,the odd survivor can be mopped up with ad-aware!

Someone is blowing smoke somewhere; just how much, what kind, and where.

Not if you are deluged with commercials while trying to use the stuff my question is answered.

Otherwise are they selling (to a 3rd party) your "bugged" computer to which they have access?

Mark

They are written by good caring people who want to help others, along the lines of Linux software. Each also accepts dontaions & offer for-sale versions that have a few extra features.

But do not knock these specific programs, they are the real deal & will clean up most problems.

Another suggestion: update the current Windows XP with all the bug fixes. MicroSoft offers several ways:

You can get a CD of major pach configurations. You still need to do a little bit of minor patching over the internet.

You can download a really large patch file - basically what you would get on the CD above.

you can do interactive patching while on-line on the Microsoft web site. It will examine your Windows & offer multiple patches that are needed. You can select one, several, all, and have it update while online.

At 56k phone connections, this can take a while.....

However, these patches fix a vast number of problems caused by ad-ware, and blocks some of the ways it enters your computer. Certainly worthwhile getting your machine patched up to the latest version of XP.

--->Paul

1) Google search for Spybot S&D. This is a very good application that will detect over 1200 different spyware applications. Download and run it. Click on the Search & Destroy tab and follow the instructions. It will show you a list of spyware it has detected. It cleans in a few seconds once you tell it to. Once cleaned, click on the Immunize tab and follow the instructions. You'll be protected after that. Click on the Update tab weekly and see if there are any updates for the software. Install any updates and run this program weekly just to be safe.

2) Google search for a program called Ad-aware. Another free download that cleans up all the pop-up advertisement crap stored on the PC. Run this weekly too.

Do these two things and you should be off and running again. Reinstalling XP will simply give you a headache and will not stop the problem from occurring again. Your kids are not to blame. They are just victims of the rotten spyware makers out there.

Good luck - hope this helps.

I also use the Spybot and it works well. Great program.

I've kept up using XP restore and boy does that slove all problems. Funny tho it must have a 6mth timer on the function as a month ago I could restore back to Jan 04, now only to Apr 04.

I never installed XP so can't give any help to tricks. If it's any thing like past Window products, it'll be a PITA.

T_Bone