what is slowing down my computer and broadband?

pinkemsy

I absolutely couldn't believe what I've just read. I've just reloaded the internet on my old computer to try and log in to ask for help urgently. My new Dell laptop had been fine til I loaded the internet yesterday. It started running really slow. I use Avast.

I am also on Tiscali, spent 20 mins queueing for technical help but gave up in the end. Also emailed my Customer Support person at Dell. On my new laptop it's runnning slow, I can email but no google use. It isn't recognising my browser.

I have no idea what's happened and can't logically explain the problem. I'm so glad I'm not alone. It's also happening on this old laptop now, how I got on here I don't know, I just got lucky. Can I have really picked up a virus? HELP!!!

pinkemsy

albertross wrote: »

suggest doing a system restore to a point before it went slow.

rstrui.exe

I'm going to try this now. THANK YOU. Would that remove viruses etc?

wageslave

NOOOOOOOOOOO, dont system restore. It wont remove viruses etc.
Try reading the sticky on viruses.

pinkemsy

OK I won't system restore, I am confused where I got this from in the few hours it's been operating??? What sticky on viruses though? I don't know what I've got!

pinkemsy

oh sorry, i' know what you mean now

wageslave

You are more likely to have spyware/malware than a virus but the results tend to be the same

caroline1973lefty

wierd - i'll look at that thread too, thanks

wageslave

Nothing weird about it. Being on broadband without being armed to the teeth against viruses etc is like being a 17 yr old who has unprotected sex twice a day and then thinks its strange she is pregnant.

albertross_2

Slowness = virus is a big assumption. The OP has a resident virus scanner, so assuming it's upto date, shouldn't be infected. If it isn't upto date, then it should only be a few months out of date, which covers the majority of stuff out there.

I don't see any harm in doing a system restore.

wageslave

Given that her macfee wont update and she wants to disable it and install AVG I think we can be fairly certain her protection isnt working properly, probably because her free trial ran out, though that is an assumption.

System restore wont do any harm but if its spyware or similar it wont do a lick of good