ILoveChococat

I'm running a perfectly decent computer with windows 98. I have high-speed cable internet. Though, my internet would run faster if my computer was upgraded. Is there anyway I could make my computer faster in the meantime until I get my new computer in the summer? Also, does anyone know any good FREE Spyware removers? Thank you for your help!

Sarkast

Well you say you want to make your PC run faster - does that mean you are willing to spend some money for possible upgrades (maybe more RAM etc) or without actually changing its physical components ?

Programs like Adaware, Spybot Search and Destroy, Spywareblaster and the new MS Antispyware Beta are all free and a must in todays spyware infested online enviroment.

Fox

Are you talking about just the operating system? Windows 98 is just as fast, if not faster (for memory management reasons) than XP, so I can assure you that unless you want to use programs that you can't with 98, you won't see any benefit from upgrading.

ILoveChococat

Thank you. A few months ago my computer was crashing like crazy with spyware. I found a good program, but the trial sadly ended. I will try those that you gave me. :) And well, I'm going to get a new computer in the summer. Everyone is telling me that I'm an idiot because I still use 98. I find it very fast, and I don't get as ticked off with Win98 as I do with WINXP (when I use it at school.)

Sarkast

I dont find Windows 98 bad either (and know a lot of people that still use it) - in my experience it just doesnt offer the stability that i got used to with windows XP. I dont remember the last time i had a "blue screen of death" or even a simple error with XP (well knock on wood). ;-)

ILoveChococat

MS Antispyware Beta didn't let me install the software. I was't using a Win200 version or higher. Curse them..

Sarkast

Sorry my fault - i didnt actually know you cant use it with 98. How stupid of me....

How about the other programs ? Did you download them and ran them ? Find anything malicious ?

ILoveChococat

I've used Spybot, there is an error and it doesnt let me scan- it did before though. I've also used AdAware. I downloaded it again, but it freezes up my computer. And that Spyblaster thing isn't a remover, it's a watcher thing.

Sarkast

I suggested Spyblaster cause i thought it couldnt hurt. I am sorry that i didnt mention its not a remover.

That all these programs dont want to work strikes me as odd and i think it would be a good idea to maybe start a new thread in the HJT forum. I think all security problems (or problems with anti-malware programs) are handled there even if they are solved by other means and not just using HJT.

ILoveChococat

Oh no, don't apologize. =) Thank you so much for helping me. I used Ad-Aware and I had 150 infected files.

Sarkast

Mmmh with the infections being that widespread i am sure there are items that Adaware missed and some malware is very persistent and even when you think you got rid of it it comes back. The problems with installing/ using the other tools mentioned also makes me think there might still be some hidden problems that can only be adressed with HJT or other tools the professionals in the HJT forum use.

ILoveChococat

So what do I do? =/

digit

If you use Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2K, go to My Computer->View->Folder Options->View tab and make sure that 'Show all files' is checked under the 'Hidden Files' section. Also make sure there is no checkmark beside 'Hide file extensions for known file types'.


If you have a fast internet connection, run an online scan at Trend Micro.[/b]
Please select the “complete scan” option. If using a slower connection be sure to run a complete Virus Scan using the current updates.


Please download HijackThis - this program will help us determine if there are any spyware/malware on your computer. Create a folder at C:\HJT and move HijackThis.exe there. Run a scan and save the log file. Get HijackThis Analyzer and save it to the same folder as the hijackthis.log file. Run HijackThis Analyzer and type in y if you agree. Open up the result.txt file created.

Copy the whole result.txt log and post it to the Security Forum in the Hijack This Log Help threads. Be sure to include briefly a list of the programs you’ve run (ie:Spybot, AdAware, etc.) and any troubles you’ve had running them.

Do not fix anything in HijackThis since they may be harmless. Make sure to include the System information at the top of the log as well.

kaoswizz

personaly i think win 98 is better as in faster and more reliable but xp is more advanced and prevent attacks