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?

jimbo74

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

Cebby

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

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

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

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

oh sorry. its windows 98 and a gateway pc.

DrBeau

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

:- D

TacomaTRD

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

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

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

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

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

humanoid

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

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.