Computer "?"

[365Duke]

About 3 days ago, I started getting a lot of IE pop ups. Sometimes in windows, sometimes online. I use Firefox, have a pop up stopper, a friend of mine cleared my cookies, but still the same. I am going crazy with this, and I cant find anything online to help me. PLEASE HELP!!!:confused:

[Highlander]

Probably some sort of virus. I had a nasty one that even when I cleared it out, it had some sort of embedded code that reloaded all the registry entries on reboot.

I would clean your machine with adaware or spyware search & destroy (both I think are freeware/shareware). If that doesn't clean the problem, google the popups you're getting or go to norton.com and poke around. Chances are the windows popping up will be a giveaway into where the virus came from.

Good luck.

[-jk]

It sounds like spyware.

I'd second Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html), making sure you tell it to update and immunize after you install it.

I'd also try Trend Micro's HouseCall (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/) for a full scan (click "Scan Now. It's Free!"). It always has the latest updates.

And make sure whatever antivirus program you run is updating daily.

-jk

[DevilAlumna]

Yup, sounds like what you've got is a virus. The steps to take:

1) secure your firewall (on by default if you're using XPSP2 or Vista -- http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/firewall/xpsp2.mspx)

2) scan for and remove the virus:

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

(Or update the anti-virus software you should have on your machine, then run the scan.)

3) make sure your Microsoft patches (and QuickTime and Flash and Adobe, etc.) are installed and TURN ON AUTOMATIC UPDATES; you may have to go back and try step 2 again after this;

4) Install, know how to use, and UPDATE both anti-spyware and anti-virus programs. (I second the recommendation for Ad-aware; and personally run McAfee at home for anti-virus.) Schedule a monthly scan for each.

In short, follow the four steps here:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/default.mspx

[ivduke]

I am also running firefox, use Norton, and religiously update/full scan etc. Recently my 8 year old has spent some time on the computer and I now have very minimal sound. The computer/monitor. speakers are at full blast just o barely hear anything audible. Anyone have any suggestions as to what to try?:confused:

[MarineTwinsDad]

I am also running firefox, use Norton, and religiously update/full scan etc. Recently my 8 year old has spent some time on the computer and I now have very minimal sound. The computer/monitor. speakers are at full blast just o barely hear anything audible. Anyone have any suggestions as to what to try?:confused:

Of the four ways to adjust the sound, start with the control panel (Start button, bottom left of screen). After opening Sounds and Audio Devises, make sure that all of the slides are to the right for the Volume tab (esp. clicking the Advanced... button, the slides have to be at the top for each, and Speaker Volume...). Also check on the Audio tab, same process. Check on the Hardware tab to make sure all your devices are functioning properly. If these are all set OK, the volume tab on the desktop should be OK as well.

The other two variables are in the speakers, which you indicate you checked, and in the software (Windows Media Player, Real Player, ITunes). Each of the players do have a slide as well, which might affect the volume of what you are hearing. Where are the speakers hooked up to? Some go through a monitor screen, which may also have a volume control.

It may be that you've checked all the above, and still have a problem. In that case, maybe your 8-yr. old blew out your speakers?

[DevilAlumna]

And, just because, yes, I've seen people not notice this, be sure all the speaker connections are plugged in appropriately.

[ivduke]

:)
Of the four ways to adjust the sound, start with the control panel (Start button, bottom left of screen). After opening Sounds and Audio Devises, make sure that all of the slides are to the right for the Volume tab (esp. clicking the Advanced... button, the slides have to be at the top for each, and Speaker Volume...). Also check on the Audio tab, same process. Check on the Hardware tab to make sure all your devices are functioning properly. If these are all set OK, the volume tab on the desktop should be OK as well.

The other two variables are in the speakers, which you indicate you checked, and in the software (Windows Media Player, Real Player, ITunes). Each of the players do have a slide as well, which might affect the volume of what you are hearing. Where are the speakers hooked up to? Some go through a monitor screen, which may also have a volume control.

It may be that you've checked all the above, and still have a problem. In that case, maybe your 8-yr. old blew out your speakers?

One iof the slides was done at mute and thus nothing was coming out. As soon as I increased it, I of course almost went deaf because at that point everything else was set on max volume. Appreciate the help