Need help cleaning out my PC

Yoter · 02-08-2005, 12:43 AM

I am so stupid when it comes to computers it makes me wonder how I am here typing to you. In the past I have tried to defrag my pc but I dont think it helped. Tonight I did what I thought was deleting the temp cookie files. I am lost though. My computer tells me it is low on memory and its slow enough I believe it now. I want a faster PC. How do I clean it out properly and make it work properly?

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jimbo74 · 02-08-2005, 12:48 AM

run defrag and disk cleanup... both should help out

Cebby · 02-08-2005, 05:38 AM

Delete all the p0rn and cached p0rn sites.

Actually, from being on the web, you have probably gotten junk installing without you knowing it. There are system cleanupp tools. Maybe someone can chime in with which ones are good...

DrBeau · 02-08-2005, 10:26 AM

Here's AdAware. You should download that, update it, and run a full system scan. It should clean off a bunch of stuff. Also, keep 20% of you harddrive free, otherwise NTFS starts to clog up your computer (this is only if your running Windows 2000 or XP).

It would help if you told us something about your computer. PC or MAC (I'm assuming PC)? Win 98, 2000, XP? Stuff like that.

humanoid · 02-08-2005, 10:50 AM

Yeah, you probably have a lot of spyware on your computer. Adaware is a good one along with Spybot. You can go to download.com and do a search for the 2 and download them from there. Make sure you do an update on the programs before you use them to get the latest definitions. Run a virus scan as well just to be safe.

Ken · 02-08-2005, 11:28 AM

Also try the anti-spyware beta from Microsoft. It may find things that other programs do not.

Defrag should help as well, as others have mentioned.

Yoter · 02-08-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbeau

Here's AdAware. You should download that, update it, and run a full system scan. It should clean off a bunch of stuff. Also, keep 20% of you harddrive free, otherwise NTFS starts to clog up your computer (this is only if your running Windows 2000 or XP).

It would help if you told us something about your computer. PC or MAC (I'm assuming PC)? Win 98, 2000, XP? Stuff like that.

oh sorry. its windows 98 and a gateway pc.

DrBeau · 02-08-2005, 02:39 PM

I see the problem. Burn your computer. Or at least get Win2k or XP.

:- D

TacomaTRD · 02-08-2005, 02:45 PM

try running scandisk, with thorough and fix all errors checked on. If you get a message saying that scandisk has restarted 10 times do you want to continue to receive this message say "no" and let it run.

Does it take for ever to boot up? This is a sign that you need to do the above.

I agree with drbeau, you should get rid of 98/98se/ME, it still has the underlying 16bit code in it causing file location issues. JMO

krasher · 02-08-2005, 03:08 PM

chances are if it is running 98, I probably won't handle XP, MAYBE 2000.
What are the specs?

You can always go with a distribution of Linux, but if you are as computer UNsaavy as you say you are, that could be more trouble than it is worth. There is always reinstallation. GDISK (data version of napalm) the hard drvie and start from scratch. This usually buys folks a few more years before upgrading.

This of course, is just my opinion.

Oh yeah, and do youself a favor. Stop using the IE crap. Go to a real browser.
FIREFOX! www.firefox.com
Much better than IE and hightly tweakable!

Good luck!

Yoter · 02-16-2005, 04:18 PM

Ok, got firefox all installed and seems to be working fine. How do I ditch IE now? I went to uninstall it but it will not give me that option. Oh and how do I clean out my cookies?

DrBeau · 02-16-2005, 04:31 PM

Don't worry about IE. Just don't run it. You'll need it if you run into an IE only page (also known as ad HTML).

redfox435cat · 02-16-2005, 04:35 PM

get either McAfree fix-it-utilties or NORTON system works, update them and run them. Windows defrag and disk cleanup just doesn't do a good enough job. Lavasofts' Adaware I've found to be the only free ware that acually works well for anti-spyware software, the rest is marginal I'm sure I'll be flamed for that but whatever
Adding ram never hurts and is pretty cheap and supper simple to install.
The hardest part is taking the case off.
Of course you do have the get the exact same memory that you have unless its the old sdram 100-133 memory in which case it doesn't matter

Also get a can of air(Dust remover) and spray off everything inside the computer, or an aircompresor set below 25 PSI will work nicley, canned air is safer though

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoter

I am so stupid when it comes to computers it makes me wonder how I am here typing to you. In the past I have tried to defrag my pc but I dont think it helped. Tonight I did what I thought was deleting the temp cookie files. I am lost though. My computer tells me it is low on memory and its slow enough I believe it now. I want a faster PC. How do I clean it out properly and make it work properly?

humanoid · 02-16-2005, 05:03 PM

Ben, Microsoft won't let you delete it. It's that Bill Gates character at it again. I don't think you'd want to either because IE is the only way to get updates for your OS. Gotta live with it.

Yoter · 02-16-2005, 05:43 PM

K well I made FF my main browser. Looks like I am having loading issues being icons dont fully load and I cant use the scroll wheel to drop down a page. Thanks for the help.

02-08-2005, 05:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cebby Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 11,246	Delete all the p0rn and cached p0rn sites. Actually, from being on the web, you have probably gotten junk installing without you knowing it. There are system cleanupp tools. Maybe someone can chime in with which ones are good... __________________ UZswap.com A site dedicated to sharing info for swapping the Toyota/ Lexus UZ (V8) engines into Toyota Trucks and 4Runners. My 4Runner 1993 4Runner, 1UZ (V8) auto dual ultimate crawler, double locked, 35's on beadlocked SR5 alloys, low lift, hacked fenders, tubbed firewall, custom armor TOOLandFAB.com A discussion forum dedicated to tools, fabrication & workshops. See my JD2 Bender Hydro Conversion BUY THIS 2008 CALENDAR

02-08-2005, 10:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
DrBeau Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North County, San Diego, CA Posts: 1,249	Here's AdAware. You should download that, update it, and run a full system scan. It should clean off a bunch of stuff. Also, keep 20% of you harddrive free, otherwise NTFS starts to clog up your computer (this is only if your running Windows 2000 or XP). It would help if you told us something about your computer. PC or MAC (I'm assuming PC)? Win 98, 2000, XP? Stuff like that. __________________ -Beau No, I am not actually a doctor...yet. ----------- 1998 4Runner SR5- 4x4, V6, AT, Factory E-Locker- Mods: Satoshi Grill, Alpine HU, E-Locker Mod -otherwise Stock (for now) To come: Music!, Rear Storage/Audio box/Sleep area, York OBA

02-08-2005, 10:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
humanoid Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sunny SoCal Posts: 1,192	Yeah, you probably have a lot of spyware on your computer. Adaware is a good one along with Spybot. You can go to download.com and do a search for the 2 and download them from there. Make sure you do an update on the programs before you use them to get the latest definitions. Run a virus scan as well just to be safe. __________________ '99 Taco PreRunner V6 3.4L

02-08-2005, 02:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
DrBeau Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North County, San Diego, CA Posts: 1,249	I see the problem. Burn your computer. Or at least get Win2k or XP. :- D __________________ -Beau No, I am not actually a doctor...yet. ----------- 1998 4Runner SR5- 4x4, V6, AT, Factory E-Locker- Mods: Satoshi Grill, Alpine HU, E-Locker Mod -otherwise Stock (for now) To come: Music!, Rear Storage/Audio box/Sleep area, York OBA

02-08-2005, 02:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
TacomaTRD Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NH Posts: 221	try running scandisk, with thorough and fix all errors checked on. If you get a message saying that scandisk has restarted 10 times do you want to continue to receive this message say "no" and let it run. Does it take for ever to boot up? This is a sign that you need to do the above. I agree with drbeau, you should get rid of 98/98se/ME, it still has the underlying 16bit code in it causing file location issues. JMO __________________ 98 Taco TRD, 98 Taco 2.7ltr

02-08-2005, 12:48 AM	#2 (permalink)
jimbo74 Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nor*Cal Posts: 6,582	run defrag and disk cleanup... both should help out

02-08-2005, 11:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ken Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Kirkland-ish, WA Posts: 163	Also try the anti-spyware beta from Microsoft. It may find things that other programs do not. Defrag should help as well, as others have mentioned.

02-08-2005, 03:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
krasher Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Mankato, MN Posts: 156	chances are if it is running 98, I probably won't handle XP, MAYBE 2000. What are the specs? You can always go with a distribution of Linux, but if you are as computer UNsaavy as you say you are, that could be more trouble than it is worth. There is always reinstallation. GDISK (data version of napalm) the hard drvie and start from scratch. This usually buys folks a few more years before upgrading. This of course, is just my opinion. Oh yeah, and do youself a favor. Stop using the IE crap. Go to a real browser. FIREFOX! www.firefox.com Much better than IE and hightly tweakable! Good luck! __________________ -keir '99 Taco TRD '02 Jetta TDI (JEDI) '98 Shadow Aero A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any other invention in human history, with the possible exception of handguns and tequila. - Mitch Ratcliffe

02-16-2005, 04:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
Yoter Guest Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 5,048	Ok, got firefox all installed and seems to be working fine. How do I ditch IE now? I went to uninstall it but it will not give me that option. Oh and how do I clean out my cookies?

02-16-2005, 04:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
DrBeau Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North County, San Diego, CA Posts: 1,249	Don't worry about IE. Just don't run it. You'll need it if you run into an IE only page (also known as ad HTML). __________________ -Beau No, I am not actually a doctor...yet. ----------- 1998 4Runner SR5- 4x4, V6, AT, Factory E-Locker- Mods: Satoshi Grill, Alpine HU, E-Locker Mod -otherwise Stock (for now) To come: Music!, Rear Storage/Audio box/Sleep area, York OBA

02-16-2005, 05:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
humanoid Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sunny SoCal Posts: 1,192	Ben, Microsoft won't let you delete it. It's that Bill Gates character at it again. I don't think you'd want to either because IE is the only way to get updates for your OS. Gotta live with it. __________________ '99 Taco PreRunner V6 3.4L

02-16-2005, 05:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
Yoter Guest Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 5,048	K well I made FF my main browser. Looks like I am having loading issues being icons dont fully load and I cant use the scroll wheel to drop down a page. Thanks for the help.

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