<p>My computer is not what it used to be. The computer just got really weird... Its processing speed has doubled by more than a half, and I have to wait at least 15 minutes after I turn on the computer for it to finish loading everything on the main screen. I also get some automatic pop-ups with vulgar pictures. All of these makes me impatient and frustrated. The internet speed is unaffected though.</p>
<p>I've downloaded some softwares. They all enable you to search for the viruses and spywares on your computer. But then when you try to cure them, the software tells you to buy their softwares. :( Is there a free way to kill all the spywares, viruses, and so on, and make it function like a new computer again?</p>
<p>I would recommend a 3rd party firewall as well. I use Comodo Pro. It's more intrusive than the standard Windows firewall, but it offers more thorough protection.</p>
<p>edit: to fix your startup time, go to run:msconfig:startup and uncheck all the unnecessary programs that load automatically when you turn on your computer. Also, go to your actual startup folder (location varies with OS) and get rid of all the junk there, too. (this is all assuming you run some variant of windows)</p>
<p>
[quote]
You back up all of your information on to an external hard drive, then you format the sucker and stop going to untrusted websites.
[/quote]
How do you do all that? I've never tried such things before.</p>
<p>
[quote]
edit: to fix your startup time, go to run:msconfig:startup and uncheck all the unnecessary programs that load automatically when you turn on your computer. Also, go to your actual startup folder (location varies with OS) and get rid of all the junk there, too. (this is all assuming you run some variant of windows)
[/quote]
I just tried it, but the startup time hasn't changed a bit. :(</p>
<p>Buy an external hard drive if you don't have one, put all of the things you want to keep on it, then get an XP disc (or whatever operating system you use) and reformat the hard drive. it'll take about 2 hours or so, but it'll run like new.</p>
<p>You could also manually remove them.
Some free softwares will tell you which files are affected. Manually find, halt their processes - if they're running, and delete them.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You back up all of your information on to an external hard drive, then you format the sucker and stop going to untrusted websites.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>
[quote]
Buy an external hard drive if you don't have one, put all of the things you want to keep on it, then get an XP disc (or whatever operating system you use) and reformat the hard drive. it'll take about 2 hours or so, but it'll run like new.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Please give me specific steps on how I can go about first storing my info on an external hard drive, and then formatting the thing. I'm a computer illiterate. What things do I need to do all those things? Btw my computer is XP.</p>
<p>external hard drive:
1) plug drive into computer
2) drag all important files to the folder corresponding to the hard drive</p>
<p>formatting:
1) get a disc with windows xp on it, you can probably get one from a friend or order one, or maybe you can burn one off the internet (which is harder).
2) restart your computer with the disc in it
3) go to the boot menu, i think the key for this is F12 but it might be some other key. you have to press it right when the computer's starting up.
4) follow instructions.</p>
<ol>
<li>What is the best place to purchase an external hard drive and XP formatting discs? How much do they typically cost?</li>
<li>Are there different brands of external hard drive and XP disc? If so, please recommend which ones are good.</li>
<li>Once formatting is done, how do you connect the computer to internet? Are there additional installations you need to do? I use Cable btw.</li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>There shouldn't be more than 1 brand of XP disc, but make sure you buy it for the right version of XP. i.e., if you have Windows XP Media Center Edition then buy that</li>
<li>Your LAN network should be plug and play (I'm sort of techie but not really an expert, this is based on my experience).</li>
</ol>
<p>
[quote]
2. There shouldn't be more than 1 brand of XP disc, but make sure you buy it for the right version of XP. i.e., if you have Windows XP Media Center Edition then buy that
[/quote]
How do you know which version your XP is? Sorry for being too illiterate in computer LOL...... </p>
<p>
[quote]
Driver Genius will do it for you though. So look that up.
[/quote]
Will Driver Genius back up all your data for you? So, for an external hard drive, is Driver Genius the only thing you need?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Will Driver Genius back up all your data for you? So, for an external hard drive, is Driver Genius the only thing you need?
[/quote]
No. Driver genius will only back up your drivers. After it does that, you will put those drivers on an external hard drive so they don't get deleted. Then, once you reinstall your OS (operating system), you will plug in your hard drive, with all of the information you saved on it. Then you will *re*install driver genius (remember, it got deleted?), and restore those drivers with driver genius. And put all of your information saved on the hard drive on the computer accordingly.</p>
<p>
[quote]
No. Driver genius will only back up your drivers. After it does that, you will put those drivers on an external hard drive so they don't get deleted. Then, once you reinstall your OS (operating system), you will plug in your hard drive, with all of the information you saved on it. Then you will reinstall driver genius (remember, it got deleted?), and restore those drivers with driver genius. And put all of your information saved on the hard drive on the computer accordingly.</p>
<p>Make sense?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So all you need is: XP disc, Driver genius, and external hard drive. Am I correct?</p>
<p>Remember, though, that all of your files and settings will be gone. It will be as though you bought a new computer, so make sure you have everything you want to keep backed up before you reformat. Let me know if you have any trouble with Driver Genius, and backing up your drivers, or with finding out which operating system to buy.</p>
<p>ysk1, no offense, but you should probably have somebody who knows what they're doing back up your computer - a tech-minded friend or a professional - because given your questions, it looks like you're just going to end up with a blank disk and about fifty boot errors. reformatting ain't no joke, kid.</p>