Re: Should we reinstall

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

Thanks to you and all others for suggestions. It's obvious that Norton AV is
not very popular which is a pity as we've bought a subscription! I also
think it is possible that part of the problem might be a few freeware
programs which were downloaded by my son and perhaps not completely
uninstalled from the computer as no uninstall program existed - all within
the troublesome two days. But I will certainly try yr suggestions first
before resorting to reinstalling XP.

"Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM" wrote:

"tess" <tess@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:7104C1F9-1A6E-4D8C-96E9-C1736CEBAE28@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
We've only had our new computer for a month but in last two days it has
gone
from booting up really quickly to taking forever and our Canon camera
software now won't work. Have tried uninstalling and reinstalling camera
software twice with no improvement and System Restore won't restore to any
date selected. In fact previous restore dates have now disappeared! Have
done Norton 2007 virus scan, it's clean. Am wondering if there's a
registry
problem and if we need to reinstall, how do we go about it? Or is there a
better way? Thanks for any help!

Download Avast from www.avast.com, but don't install.
Download this utility:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
but don't run it yet.
Disconnect from the Internet.
Uninstall Norton.
Run the utility from Symantec.
Install Avast.
Connect to the Internet and update Avast.

If it's still slow, do a thorough check for malware, following all of the
steps at one of these Web pages.
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing Messenger Plus, whose ads for
malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince you that you
owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
Do not send mail.

.

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