Computer Problem

[Bogey]

Suddenly my computer is running slow.  Here are a few other symptoms:

1. When I click on a link or anything for that matter, I here my click but then I here what soundechos of my click where it clicks 2,3,4, or even 5 more times.
2. Windows pop up now and then that I did not click on.
3. Just seems slower.

Any help appreciated.

[Bogey]

It seems to have a connection to Firefox, which I do not believe I have.  It wants to make it my default.

[Brian]

1. When I click on a link or anything for that matter, I here my click but then I here what soundechos of my click where it clicks 2,3,4, or even 5 more times.

When I use Internet Explorer, this seems to happen all the time and I assume it is normal.

As for the other two problems, I don't know what their causes are, but a possible check you could do is to download an anti-adware program like Ad-Aware (link) and run a scan. Adware and other annoying programs can clog up your computer's net connection by tracking your Internet browsing, automatically loading advertisements to your computer, throwing up pop-up advertisements, and generally running in the background to waste your computer's memory.

Again, though, I don't know what your computer's problem is, and don't know if you already have that software and so on - it is just the first thing that came to mind.

[DavidRoss]

My first suspicion is that you may have gotten a browser hijacker.  Run your adware/malware programs to find and delete whatever crap the evil bastards who pollute the web have poisoned your system with.

[Bogey]

My first suspicion is that you may have gotten a browser hijacker.  Run your adware/malware programs to find and delete whatever crap the evil bastards who pollute the web have poisoned your system with.

My dad told me to go ahead and download Firefox....did it....seems to have cured my above problems....and is lightning compared to explorer.  Does this make sense David and Brian?

[Brian]

My dad told me to go ahead and download Firefox....did it....seems to have cured my above problems....and is lightning compared to explorer.  Does this make sense David and Brian?

Yes, because I've had it for a couple years and absolutely love it.    Great browser, have never have any kind of problems with it at all, except that PDFs take an abominably long time to load. Although I should note that I'm doing an adware scan right now, and so far Ad-Aware has found 423 infections of various unwanted programs and internet parasites.

[DavidRoss]

My dad told me to go ahead and download Firefox....did it....seems to have cured my above problems....and is lightning compared to explorer.  Does this make sense David and Brian?

I like Firefox and am using it now.  If some nasty piece of malware hijacked your browser (MS Internet Explorer, no doubt), then using a different browser would "solve" the problem.  Note that your experience sounds fishy, Bill.  Could some swine have planted a browser hijacker that promotes the use of Firefox?  I doubt the Mozillans would have done this, but wouldn't put it past some of the MS-hating pantywaists who populate the web.

[Bogey]

I like Firefox and am using it now.  If some nasty piece of malware hijacked your browser (MS Internet Explorer, no doubt), then using a different browser would "solve" the problem.  Note that your experience sounds fishy, Bill.  Could some swine have planted a browser hijacker that promotes the use of Firefox?  I doubt the Mozillans would have done this, but wouldn't put it past some of the MS-hating pantywaists who populate the web.

Talking to my Dad as I type David and read your post to him.  He started laughing and agreed with what you said.  In fact, he almost finished part of your last sentence before I finished reading it.

Brian,
My Dad thinks your crap could be leftovers from past use of explorer.  Is this probable?

Thanks guys.  Help was much appreciated!

[DavidRoss]

Is your Dad in IT, Bill?

[Brian]

Brian,
My Dad thinks your crap could be leftovers from past use of explorer.  Is this probable?

Could well be. I used it a couple times lately, on websites which advertised that they didn't work on Mozilla (like microsoft.com!) and a friend used IE on my computer too. Those uses mighta done it.

[Bogey]

Is your Dad in IT, Bill?

He said, "Yes, and that he has been programming for more years than he wishes to admit. (with chuckling)".  He got his computer science degree in '83 after 20 years in the Air Force.  He's a great guy, and even a better dad.

[Holden]

Sounds like you've sorted the problem from a browser perspective but you could still have problems with IE itself. I wasn't thinking browser hijacker (though it's a good idea) but more like one of those annoying little viruses you get that don't do major damage but certainly drive you crazy.

Go back to IE and uninstall it if you can (not always possible).  Personally I avoid IE at all costs and stick with FF.

However, I suspect that this may be a bit more than that. Download and run Spybot S&D in safe mode (after turning off system restore) just to see what it collects on the way. let us know what it finds

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

If you want to clean a cluttered computer you could do worse than download and run the small but nifty CrapCleaner. It's free. When downloading, though, see to it you don't inadvertently download the Yahoo toolbar, too...

http://www.ccleaner.com/download

[Harry]

If you want to clean a cluttered computer you could do worse than download and run the small but nifty CrapCleaner. It's free. When downloading, though, see to it you don't inadvertently download the Yahoo toolbar, too...

http://www.ccleaner.com/download

Well its not possible to download it without the toolbar, for it stopped me, there was no way to prevent that.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Well its not possible to download it without the toolbar, for it stopped me, there was no way to prevent that.

Hm. Try 'Alternative download' on the same page. I clicked it and it worked without any problems. Then, when you install it, don't install the Toolbar with it. (Btw - I first got it onto my hard disk and then installed it.)

[Harry]

Hm. Try 'Alternative download' on the same page. I clicked it and it worked without any problems. Then, when you install it, don't install the Toolbar with it. (Btw - I first got it onto my hard disk and then installed it.)

No, not with me, both times it wants to download the toolbar also!

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

If you're a Firefox sceptic like me, you might want to give Opera a try. I downloaded the latest version recently and I'm very happy with it.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

No, not with me, both times it wants to download the toolbar also!

Very strange! I'll check again.

Later: you're right, Harry! I downloaded this version a few days ago - then the Yahoo Toolbar was optional and you could uncheck it. Now it seems to be obligatory... That's stupid of them. I can't believe it.

(Btw - I use Opera, too)

Harry, if you're still interested, try this:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4191.html

[Harry]

Very strange! I'll check again.

Later: you're right, Harry! I downloaded this version a few days ago - then the Yahoo Toolbar was optional and you could uncheck it. Now it seems to be obligatory... That's stupid of them. I can't believe it.

(Btw - I use Opera, too)

Harry, if you're still interested, try this:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4191.html

This CC cleaner is fool proof, well almost, so others that involve more tweaking is a risk for me, that I rather not take, for I never know what is happening.
And my IT firm that keeps the computers trim, doesn't like those tools anyway, for they remove often what should be left alone.
The decision wether to remove it or not, is giving me headaches.
Better not do that, what?!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

The decision wether to remove it or not, is giving me headaches.
Better not do that, what?!

Harry, I don't want to cause you a headache, never - steer clear of CrapCleaner!