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Geek Culture / [LOCKED] Google Redirect Virus *screams*

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Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 02:07
What a PAIN this thing has been. I have the classic symptoms. I google something, try and click on a result but 8 times out of 10 I am redirected to some shopica or other site.

I have done everything I know how to do. Spybot, AdAware, Panda scan, Malwarebytes, Vundofix, ect, and yet this thing still exists.

Has anyone come across this before and what did you do to get rid of it??

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
TheComet
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Location: I`m under ur bridge eating ur goatz.
Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 02:10 Edited at: 23rd Jul 2009 02:11
http://www.killdisk.com/

Try looking up all processes running in Task Manager, and kill any that are not vital to run windows, so you track down the program.

Also google "SuperAntiSpyware"

TheComet


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Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 02:26
Er, no, don't want to do that

I don't see anything suspicious in my processes.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
zeroSlave
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 02:30 Edited at: 23rd Jul 2009 02:33
Also, http://noscript.net/ is an awesome plugin for firefox. It might be for IE also, not sure.

I had the same problem with google, and installed noscript. Problem fixed. It rocks!

I got the google infection and had to use http://ask.com to search for a solution. What sucks, is I got the infection directly after a format and a reinstall of XP.

Hope this helps!
Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 02:37
After I installed noscript is actually when I started experiencing the problem. I installed it, let my favorite sites through (like this here forum), and then was annoyed by it so I turned it off. Right after I turned it off I started getting this symptoms.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Neuro Fuzzy
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 05:39
My family desktop computer had that problem... it redirected my mom to a porn site

I managed to find it somehow... I kept deleting certain processes. Try doing a google search with your task manager up, and the list ordered by cpu usage. The program that is the virus will probably increase in cpu usage temporarily. I think thats how i found the virus... im not quite sure though. Good luck.
GameDaddy
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 05:54
Have you tried Spyware Doctor with Antivirus from PC Tools?
JoelJ
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 06:41
Quote: "I don't see anything suspicious in my processes. "

That doesn't mean a thing. Usually they name their processes to sound like it's an important process (or another process), so you don't try killing it.

Your mother has been erased by a mod because it's larger than 600x120
Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 08:30
Quote: "That doesn't mean a thing. Usually they name their processes to sound like it's an important process (or another process), so you don't try killing it."


Joel, I'm not an amateur when it comes to computers, I know. I've looked up my processes in the past and have working knowledge, both from experience and formal education, on what processes are doing what.

I'll give Spyware Doctor a try. Although I must admit, I'm getting sick of downloading all these programs.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Maindric
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 08:44
Restart your comp? That is what I did to my mom's laptop when that happened, but it needed it anyways...

Neuro Fuzzy
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 08:51
"Hey, i have a virus"

"Here, why don't you just download killdisk, or maybe noscript, look it on ask.com, maybe delete vital system processes, or spyware doctor, or one of these other 20 online anti virus software systems that no one knows anything about! That will definitely help your PC out!"
Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 09:13
I know, I asked on the wrong forum. That's the problem. I'm going to go ask somewhere else.

#1 annoyance when getting pc help is when people direct you to software that are demo's only. Not only that, but nowhere on such software does it state it's a demo until you go to fix it.

Quality firewall's, anti-virus and spyware/virus/adware removal can all be had for free.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Monk
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 10:57
I had something like this a long time ago, all i did was try the link, if it was redirected, double click back to the google search page and then try the link again. Worked 2nd time for me.

I like work. It fascinates me. I sit and look at it for hours

The Start of my FPS
Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 19:02
Lol? You just lived with the malware? Not my style. This thing must go. I can't even hit the back button and try again because it keeps redirecting me. I have to refresh the search page 10+ times before I can get the link to work. Coping and pasting the link works. I just can't do it for longer links. I can't even right click on the link and copy link location. The malware injects it's redirect into that, I can see the URL attachment it's tacking on. Little )%@*&#$.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Monk
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 20:05
For a while yeah i just ignored it. Saying that, try changing browsers, Anti virus scan and then try a defrag. I cant remember what I did but it was probably something like that....

I like work. It fascinates me. I sit and look at it for hours

The Start of my FPS
Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 20:35 Edited at: 24th Jul 2009 16:56
A defrag organizes your hard drive.

[CANNED LAUGHTER]Is this seriously geek culture?[/CANNED LAUGHTER] (as heard on the lucy show)

Ugh, thanks for your suggestions though. I've already asked on tech support site, just waiting on a response. I'm just frustrated with this. I really want to go kill something now. Time to play TF2.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Grog Grueslayer
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 22:00
Quote: "Is this seriously geek culture?"


Hahaha

The only thing I can suggest that hasn't been mentioned before is download AVG. It's a totally free virus scanner that often finds things that Norton and McAfee don't find.

http://free.avg.com/

If you use Internet Explorer you can go to Tools, Internet Options, click on the Advanced tab, and hit the button at the bottom of the window called Reset. What that does it resets IE to the default settings which eliminates any redirects that are loaded in IE. Unfortunately Firefox doesn't have a quick reset button like IE. :-(

Green Gandalf
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 22:24 Edited at: 23rd Jul 2009 22:25
Quote: "If you use Internet Explorer you can go to Tools, Internet Options, click on the Advanced tab, and hit the button at the bottom of the window called Reset."


Even IE thinks that is a bad idea:

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Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 22:53
IE thinks everything is a bad idea. I changed IE's settings to allow javascript automatically because, unlike firefox, it can't tell when to allow it through or not. IE now insists on putting a nice big red shield in my system tray and now render's each web page complete with another annoying bar saying my system is unsecure. -100 for MS.

Come to think of it... I wonder if that's how I got this in the first place? I never use IE though, I always use FF... Hm.

Thanks Grog, I'll give AVG a try.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
zeroSlave
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 22:55
Quote: "Right after I turned it off I started getting this symptoms.
"


...noscript...
Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 23:08 Edited at: 23rd Jul 2009 23:08
What internet security are you using? Whilst the freebies can be quite good but I still got problems and had to use multiple apps and didn't always get piece of mind. It might actually be worth spending £25-50 on a decent piece of internet security, you only have to pay for it once a year, and for the price of a computer game and you get piece of mind. I've had Kaspersky for the last year and renewed it a couple of weeks ago (and paid half price in WHSmiths) and ever since using it I've not had to worry about my security - its stopped me from visiting dangerous pages and killed trojans instantly, and scans and updates regularly. It's rated very high and is very good.

Given the 30 day trial ago and see if it kills your problem and decide whether or not it's worth your money.

Grog Grueslayer
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 23:14
Quoting Green Gandalf:
Quote: "Even IE thinks that is a bad idea:"


Considering it's made by Microsoft if they think it's bad we should probably do it. The phrase "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." comes to mind.

Na, it may seem like a bad idea but it does work to stop redirects.


Quoting Sid Sinister:
Quote: "Thanks Grog, I'll give AVG a try."


Np. I hope it finds the annoying problem and kills it with extreme prejudice.

Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 23:27
Oh for pete's sake, AVG can't even connect to the internet yet I can surf the web (with problems of course) and play games just fine.

I use Bsafe. It's a filter, but also a whole security suite. I also have Spyboy S&D (it's TeaTimer more specifically). That combo's been working fine for years.

In retrospect, here's a combination of what I think happened:

I installed no script. I'm not exactly sure how this caused anything, but I know my problems started happening immediately after I turned it off.

Java didn't update, and that's apparently how this virus get's in, through a Java security hole.

I used IE ONE TIME because FF was cranky one morning.

What did I learn? Not exactly sure... still confused.

/rant over. Sorry, I think I'm just thinking out loud now

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
GameDaddy
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 23:49
The demo version of Spyware Doctor is free, and you do have to pay for it to clean viruses off the system, however, the demo version will identify what particular Smagma has infested your machine.
Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Jul 2009 23:50 Edited at: 23rd Jul 2009 23:51
You know what *gives up*, I think I'm just going to reformat. I think it's fricking ridiculous that it's come to this, but I'm not entirely mad about it. I usually reformat once a year anyway, just because Window's decay's over time and it needs a fresh new start. It's just a really bad time to do a format for me. I'm in the middle of two web dev jobs.

On a side note, do any of you find it fascinating that some people don't have anything better to do with their time than to write malicious code? I mean, imagine how much of your time that takes. You have to spend hours upon hours trying to analyze a moving target of dozens of software configurations and then ping every one of those in order to find a weakness. And then once you find it, you have to exploit it and worse yet, there's difficulty in distributing it. All for what? Bragging rights? How *@#$*% retarded is that? They don't even get to brag really, because if they do, they'd probably be thrown in jail, or killed by angry computer users.

I think the Steve Jobs is behind all these virus's. I think he's like @$*% these PC people. %*@#$ Gates and his monopoly. Do NOT pass go, do NOT collect $200. I bet you he has a room full of Mac user's writing code to trip up Windows.

Joking... of course. Just trying to entertain myself so I don't break something fragile

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 00:12
I ran a 30-day trial of the paid version of AVG and I didn't like it, it seemed to be a pain with the internet.

It's always worth trying trial software of top Internet Security, at least you can remove the crappy stuff for free.

Grog Grueslayer
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 00:15
Well even though reformatting is a huge hassle you'll be better off. I have to reformat every once in a while too. The most annoying one was when I installed Tomb Raider... for some unknown reason after I installed it my computer ran 50% slower even after uninstalling it.

Right now I'm tempted to reformat my own computer since searches in Yahoo/Google slow down my computer to the point I think it's froze. I have no viruses, no trojans, no spyware, and no adware... yet all searches are painfully slow on DSL.

Sid Sinister
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 01:02
Grog, take a look at your router statistics. You might have a lot of uncorrected blocks or lost packets. You might even have a lot of corrected blocks. I was having a similar problem as you recently, and I noticed we have over 4.6 BILLION corrected blocks. Corrected is good, but when you see that many a red flag is raised. So we called AT&T out to the house and they said there was definitely a problem on the line. Something about grounding and wires being crossed at the box. Anyway, worth a shot to look.

I'm in the process of saving everything right now. It's always nerve wrecking... it's like, did I get everything? It's not like you can turn the car around and go back... if you forget to save something, it's lost.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
puppyofkosh
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 01:19
I had this, also had to reformat.
Grog Grueslayer
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 01:20
Thanks I'll check it out.

I know how you feel... it takes a full day for me to make sure I've backed up everything I want to save before a reformat. Check, double check, triple check, quadruple check... and so on.

Jeku
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 06:38
Quote: "A defrag organizes your hard drive.

Is this seriously geek culture? "


Nothing worse than someone complaining about the FREE HELP people are trying to give. I'd recommend not asking here for computer help again if you have that attitude.

And no offense, but most people who take proper care with their Windows and have the latest virus definitions and anti-spyware updates do not ever get these kinds of issues.

Sid Sinister
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 08:07
I don't have an attitude at all, and I'm not complaining. I wasn't belittling him, just informing him that a disk defrag organizes your hard drive and that I am still battling the virus (hence the Ugh). My jab at it being geek culture was because I was expecting a little more tech savvy people to step in here, you know, since it's a game developers forum and all?

I'm sorry, I'm not complaining about the quality of comments, I'm just frustrated with this bug. My computer isn't full of 80's arcade games and pr0n. My life's work is on here you know? I take excellent care of my computer Jeku, and you don't have any room to judge. I was surprised you made such a off centered remark.

Is it me, or are you in a particularly bad mood tonight, forum wide?

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Jeku
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 08:25 Edited at: 24th Jul 2009 08:26
Quote: "I take excellent care of my computer Jeku, and you don't have any room to judge. I was surprised you made such a off centered remark."


Since when is the truth off-centred? If you take good care of your computer you won't get a virus. Period. I haven't received a virus since 1999.

Quote: "Is it me, or are you in a particularly bad mood tonight, forum wide?"


It's you, because I'm in a great mood today! I had a 3-hour technical interview today and this is my relax mood! It's just that I've been away from the forums for a few days and I'm catching up on the threads, so it may seem like I'm clamping down. Your tone in this thread is very "help me but don't suggest anything unless it will fix my problem!" sounding.

Sid Sinister
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 09:30
Quote: "Your tone in this thread is very "help me but don't suggest anything unless it will fix my problem!" sounding."


Uh, isn't that the point? If I had a toothache wouldn't you suggest a something dental related and not foot related? I'm sorry I didn't want to do a disk defrag to fix my problems. I really can't believe your arguing with me about this. It's out of character for you, that's why I asked if you were having a bad night. Also note that I did accept advice to try AVG and Spyware Doctor.

Quote: "Since when is the truth off-centred? If you take good care of your computer you won't get a virus. Period. I haven't received a virus since 1999."


Want a sticker? So I guess the hundreds of thousands of users who post daily in tech support forums all failed to take good care of their computer. It was all their fault. From the regular joe all the way down to the IT professional, it was their fault that a virus made it's way into their system. If you take such good care of your computer, then you can go ahead and e-mail your anti-virus provider to stop giving you updates for your anti-virus software. Did it ever click for you that maybe these companies have to release new updates because there are constantly new ways to inject malicious code into computers? Pardon me for getting infected.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Green Gandalf
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 12:24 Edited at: 24th Jul 2009 12:32
Sid Sinister

Quote: " My jab at it being geek culture was because I was expecting a little more tech savvy people to step in here, you know, since it's a game developers forum and all?"


Hardly. Many people, including me, visit this board out of general interest and sometimes for help. You'd be quite wrong to assume that everyone is either "tech savvy" or has the same area of expertise. I can write shaders and other stuff but have barely a clue about hardware, the Windows environment, etc. As a result I often merely succeed in showing my ignorance.

Grog Grueslayer

Quote: "Quoting Green Gandalf:

Quote: "Even IE thinks that is a bad idea:"

Considering it's made by Microsoft if they think it's bad we should probably do it. The phrase "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." comes to mind."


Out of sheer curiousity I decided to try that in case it helped with the problem I'm having. It had no significant effect that I can see - except I'm now having to restore toolbars, etc.

Quote: "The phrase "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." comes to mind."


Untrue of course. Tell that to the blackbird that was caught by a sparrowhawk that in turn was being chased by one of our cats last summer.
Roxas
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 13:32
Uninstall Windows.

Sid Sinister
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 16:52
This thread is officially closed now. No need for more posting. The problem will go away with the reformat. You guys have seriously taken my comment too far. What was meant to be a jest apparently wasn't for Jeku, someone who had no part in the discussion up until he decided to pick a fight. The person I said it to didn't care, no one else cared, Grog laughed... whatever. I've wasted enough of my life explaining this.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Monk
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 17:05 Edited at: 24th Jul 2009 17:08
Its alright mate =)
it just worked for me thats all, organisational or not

I used AVG and it seems to work everynow and again...

I try not to reformat that often, Ive spent too much time of my life reformatting my pc cos I bust it. I prefer just to let my pc run for as long a time as it can before its serious screwed.

I like work. It fascinates me. I sit and look at it for hours

The Start of my FPS
Green Gandalf
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 17:12
Quote: "I try not to reformat that often"


I've never reformatted. Should I worry?
Roxas
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 17:18
Quote: "I've never reformatted. Should I worry?"


If you computer had no issues then no. Reformatting = Deleting everything on hard drive and installing OS again. When i last time used windows it ended into serious problem that nothing worked anymore. Then i thought i format and install Windows again. But it dint accept my serial anymore. Good thing because thats when i found out how great Unix world is.

tha_rami
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 17:36
Just one more try then, did you check your hosts file (windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts) for any redirections? If they wildcard stuff in there, it might redirect all your traffic - plus its a frequently used method. Also check if the code hasn't redirected your DNS requests in some way (IP settings), it might be a long shot and extremely uncommon, but it might just be it.

That's all I'd know. Otherwise, formatting time...


A mod has been erased by your signature because it was larger than 600x120
Sid Sinister
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 17:40 Edited at: 24th Jul 2009 17:46
Eh, when it comes to reformatting, I do it every summer even if I'm not having any problems. I don't know how sensitive you are to your computer, but I notice a decay over time with Window's. There's a difference in speed from when you first install everything to a year later. I think it's just because of residue left behind by daily use.

Maybe it's just me, and maybe if I "took good care of my computer" (lol, too soon?), I wouldn't have that problem, but I see a noticeable difference when I do so. It's just something I like to do so I make sure I'm getting the most performance out of my computer that I can.

It does take a little time doing it, but I don't think it's wasting part of your life. There are many upsides to it. In my case I can have everything backed up, reformatted and ready to keep rollin' in about three hours. I don't have to sit around while it copies files or installs, I can go do other things around the house.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Crazy Ninja
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 17:49
Quote: "Maybe it's just me, and maybe if I "took good care of my computer" (lol, too soon?)..."


Maybe a little. Seriously though, you two just have to drop it. I hate to barge in on your guy's argument, but seeing you two get on each other's nerves over a misinterpreted joke is well, kind of lame. Just let it slide man.

Sucks you gotta reformat though, even if you do periodically. I hate surprises when it comes to computer stuff as it can lead to long and serious head aches.

Green Gandalf
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 17:57
Quote: "I don't know how sensitive you are to your computer, but I notice a decay over time with Window's. There's a difference in speed from when you first install everything to a year later. I think it's just because of residue left behind by daily use. "


My old PC is certainly very slow. I'd put it down to the AV software and the fact that the PC was struggling with the increasingly bloated software that was being downloaded on to it. I've been using TuneUp on it regularly which helps to reduce the amount of rubbish kept on the hard drive. Hadn't occurred to me that a reformat would help.

It would certainly be interesting to reformat it now (well as soon as I've finished backing up everything) and see whether there is a change in performance.

But, I really ought to just throw it away. I do use it though to test my shader demos on a lower spec machine. Just convinced myself - I'll keep it just a bit longer.
Monk
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 18:42
Quote: "Eh, when it comes to reformatting, I do it every summer even if I'm not having any problems. I don't know how sensitive you are to your computer, but I notice a decay over time with Window's. There's a difference in speed from when you first install everything to a year later. I think it's just because of residue left behind by daily use. "


I just blame it on my pcs mood. One day it seems fine, the next its quite slow... It still runs everything though.

GG, reformats can be good, its definitely nice to start fresh once in a while, its just annoying that everytime I have to format its because I managed to completely wipe everything of my pc, even boot stuff...

I like work. It fascinates me. I sit and look at it for hours

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lazerus
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 18:46
I recently had a laptop brought in with this problem, After three days of tearing the systems apart, i wiped it in the end. It was much more severe than yours though, The search functions spawned porn.

Every time the computer was switched on, sorry explorer.exe was started, porn would save to the desktop. The laptop had a start timer before you could do anything. The redirect sent you directly to a beastiality site, this was disturbing at best. I removed the offending process several times but it had rooted itself all over the system files. It practically merged itself with the entire computer to Pi## me off. I found it everywhere My documents was crawling along with win32. It replicated itself into several programs without me even knowing for a while, till i checked why so much power was being pulled.

Oh and after the clean wipe, the stupid insipron drivers wont install, so no sound and the screen has a wierd 'lag effect that only occurs when i install to laptops.

Count yourself lucky anyway lol...

-Cb

When you can't walk, you'll crawl,
When you can't crawl, I'll carry you.
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Sid Sinister
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 18:48 Edited at: 24th Jul 2009 18:53
@GG: Up until last year I used older PC's all time and it's made me a bit of an expert at squeezing everything out of a computer I can.

First, I think it's important to understand there's only so much optimizing you can do before you just can't do anything more for it. My grandpa is stuck on the train of thought that if he takes care of it and cleans it constantly that it will last forever. I think it's because he grew up in the aftermath of the depression and it's just stuck with him. I mean come on, he saves the springs from ballpoint pens and puts them in a jar because he thinks he'll use them (I'm not joking). He just tries to make things last beyond what they are capable of. I guess there's no harm in trying.

Hardware get's old and software get's newer. The reason we buy new hardware is because the demands of the software increase so we need something faster or something than can hold more data. My point is that if your PC really is as old as you say it is (and why we held a fundraiser for you), then no amount of optimization is going to breath new life into it like it had when you first bought it.

Having said that, I'd try the following.

If you have XP or Vista on it, change the appearance back to that of window's 98.

Turn off all folder special effects.

If you have a lot of start up programs that run in the background, only load the ones you absolutely need in at start up. Launch the rest manually and only run them when you need to. If your not using it, don't have it running in the background.

Decrease your resolution.

Defrag your hard drive every week. If you install a large program, transfer large files, or uninstall large programs or delete large files, chances are there's gaps in your hard drive. Defrag will help put all program files together and close the gaps in between them. This speeds up the read/write speed. I recommend Auslogics Disk Defrag. There's nothing like getting an 11% boost on hard drive speed like I did last night

Registry cleaning is optional IMO. I don't think it speeds up your computer as much as it does prevent residue. Careful cleaning it. CCleaner's reg editor has never done me wrong. Be sure to back it up just in case.

Be sure to scan for malware often. You don't want a bunch of unauthorized programs leeching off of you.

Be sure to get a quality anti-virus scanner, but try and find one that is lightweight (meaning it doesn't take up a ton of processing power to run in the background).

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
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lazerus
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 19:01
Just to add to what sid has said,

If you use firefox, go on

tools/ options/
¬ popup` privacy tab - and turn automatically remove tempoary folders.

This will will save alot of space.

When you can't walk, you'll crawl,
When you can't crawl, I'll carry you.
http://lazerus-reborn.deviantart.com/
Green Gandalf
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 19:30
Quote: "First, I think it's important to understand there's only so much optimizing you can do before you just can't do anything more for it. My grandpa is stuck on the train of thought that if he takes care of it and cleans it constantly that it will last forever. I think it's because he grew up in the aftermath of the depression and it's just stuck with him. I mean come on, he saves the springs from ballpoint pens and puts them in a jar because he thinks he'll use them (I'm not joking). He just tries to make things last beyond what they are capable of. I guess there's no harm in trying. "


Sounds worrying familiar - and judging by my contributions to this thread :

GG needs a new brain

What more can I say.
Sid Sinister
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Posted: 24th Jul 2009 20:06
Haha It happens.

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)

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