Computer not responding well

Advent_2

Any advice please My computer has stopped downloading from the internet & is running v slowly when connected. I have tried (unsuccessfully) to run a microsoft health check, but I am unable to download the ActiveX control it requires? have tried many things & am now stuck has anyone got any ideas please

Cricri

Did you check for viruses and spyware?

As antivirus, I don't know any good free one. You can do an online scan with Panda (http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm) by selecting "free online scan" (although it will need to install an ActiveX).

For spyware, there are free tools. I use:
* Ad-Aware (http://www.lavasoft.com/)
* Spybot S&D (http://safer-networking.org/en/index.html)
* Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx)

I'd also recommend cleaning temporary files: if you never cleaned them, they can reach a high volume that makes you PC slow to respond.
Try Crap Cleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/)

Advent_2

Thanks cricri - but have tried all that. Back to the drawing board

Cricri

You checked for viruses and trojans, and it found nothing?

Oh well, maybe a bit of registry cleaning them?
Try Microsoft RegClean:
http://www.download.com/RegClean/3000-2250_4-10007196.html

Sorry for the non-Microsoft link, but they discontinued it.

It is not the most thorough registry cleaner, but it's very safe. If something gets worse, just double-click the .reg file it created to merge back what it removed. Again, you'd need something which cleans a bit more in depth, like RegSeeker:
http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm

There was another one, can't recall off hand. Oh, by the way, Crap Cleaner (link in my previous post) does a bit of registry cleaning as well if I recall correctly.

Advent_2

Me again - Thanks for that but I have just tried all those links & it just keeps coming up with an error message saying that it cannot find the website - or that the website is not responding! has been responding like this for a couple of days can't understand

Cricri

Did you change anything recently? Like a firewall or something? Or are you using a different browser? Or did you change the Microsoft Security Centre settings?

If you have a router, try restarting it. If you have wifi, I hope you set some security on it (like a WEP key).

Browntoa

for a first step you need to foolow this

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=133269

this may involve getting someone to download the software to CD for you and then installing it before you run it....the download problems may be to a problem with you hosts file from a malware infection

Advent_2

I have not changed anything, but I have a v irritating 14yr old who is click happy! lol:rotfl: Can no longer watch anything on utube or google video either so 14 yr old interest is elsewhere til I sort this out - trouble is she keeps talking to me now - don't think thats normal teenage behaviour so sooner I get this sorted the better!

Browntoa

this may fix the download problem

http://cexx.org/lspfix.htm

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]LSP-Fix is a free Windows utility to repair a loss of Internet access associated with certain types of software. This type of software, known as a Layered Service Provider or LSP, typically handles low-level Internet-related tasks, and data is passed through a chain of these programs on its way to and from the Internet. However, due to bugs in the LSP software or deletion of the software, this chain can get broken, causing the Internet connection to become inaccessible.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]Unfortunately, problematic LSP software, including malware/spyware, is sometimes quietly installed by unrelated products such as file-sharing programs, sneaking onto a system unannounced. In fact, in many cases, the user does not know of its existence until something goes wrong, and he/she can no longer access Web sites. Historically, New.net* (NEWDOTNET) and WebHancer* (often bundled with file-sharing utilities, DVD player software, and other free downloads) have been the worst offenders, but the problem can be caused by any improperly-written Layered Service Provider software, or the deletion of any LSP program's files. LSP-Fix repairs the LSP chain by removing the entries left behind when LSP software is removed by hand (or when errors in the software itself break the LSP chain), and removing any gaps in the chain.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]LSP-Fix is not a malware removal utility and does not target specific products. LSP-Fix does not delete any files.[/SIZE][/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]Downloads: (All downloads will fit easily on a floppy disk.)[/SIZE][/FONT]

• [FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]LSP-Fix (.zip) v1.1 - includes the program, documentation and source code.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]If you are using the program on a machine that cannot open .zip files, or are downloading for a friend whom you're not sure can read .zip files, download the uncompressed files below instead. It will take a bit longer, but this way the program can be used as-is (e.g. from a floppy disk).[/SIZE][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]LSPFix.exe[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Helvetica][SIZE=-1]lspfix.txt[/SIZE][/FONT]