The Digital Surgery (computer questions/problems here)

[buksida]

It is Microsoft's built in malware scanner, you don't need it if you're using Malwarebytes (which is a better product anyway).

[richard]

Thanks Buksi but how do I switch it off? Can't locate it in my list of programs

I use Avast and Malwarebytes all the time and worry about any possible conflicts

[buksida]

Just ignore it like you would IE if you use Firefox, it does no harm. If it is constantly running you can disable it in control panel.

[Mara167]

Big Boy writes:

I hope there's a Plan B.

Hi!

Have you allready format your hard drive?

If not I would propose you to try some free tools like rescue disks. For example there is "Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10" which you can download free from their web site. It is a .ISO file and you just neet to burn cd from it and boot your computer with it.

Or if you can take hard drive off the labtop and then try to clean it with an other computer. You would neet to have proper cable or external hard drive case.

You would get better results when disk is of the machine.

Mara

[Big Boy]

Or if you can take hard drive off the labtop and then try to clean it with an other computer. You would neet to have proper cable or external hard drive case.

You would get better results when disk is of the machine.

Mara

Thanks Mara167. There's a chap who live a couple of doors up from me who is already doing just that.

[Mara167]

Or if you can take hard drive off the labtop and then try to clean it with an other computer. You would neet to have proper cable or external hard drive case.

You would get better results when disk is of the machine.

Mara

Thanks Mara167. There's a chap who live a couple of doors up from me who is already doing just that.

If I understand you right he is trying to save it. If he has good tools and knowledge he propably will manage to get it clean. Hope so.

But sometimes you just need to give up and format the disk. It is not worth the effort.

If I remember right you have done some backup from your data, so there is'nt going to be big damages.

Mara

[buksida]

But sometimes you just need to give up and format the disk. It is not worth the effort.

I disagree, Windows computers get very clogged up after a few months and (especially when infected and three different AV products have messed with the registry) start to boot and run a lot slower. As good computing practise a format and fresh install should ideally be done once a year anyway to keep the machine running as new again - it only takes a couple of hours with someone that knows what they're doing.

[Mara167]

But sometimes you just need to give up and format the disk. It is not worth the effort.

I disagree, Windows computers get very clogged up after a few months and (especially when infected and three different AV products have messed with the registry) start to boot and run a lot slower. As good computing practise a format and fresh install should ideally be done once a year anyway to keep the machine running as new again - it only takes a couple of hours with someone that knows what they're doing.

Hi Buksida!

When I was writing about giving up and format the disk I ment about trying to get rid of virus's and other "bugs".

I do agree with you that it is good thing to make fresh install some times when we are talking about Windows machines. But who have time to do that?

At least in small companies there is mayby only one people working with computers. At least I don't have time to do that where I'm working.


Mara

P.S. I was trying to use IE 9 yesterday but I couldn't put attachments to my post. I think to mention about that if anyone haven't allready.

[Terry]

I'm using Microsoft Outlook with Windows 7 Ultimate and every time I click on an email I get two pop up pages listing all my previous emails in the folder. This is very annoying and has been happening for about 3 weeks now.
Below is a typical ref for a typical pop up................

file:///C:/Users/User/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/%7BBEDAB6B1-BE41-49DD-A5AF-E8B8604B1215%7D/%7B146390F6-24F6-4E73-99EA-D09BB06BC32D%7D.html

Can anyone help me remove this irritating fault - I've tried searching the web for answers and the local IT gurus here in Hanoi cannot help either

Cheers
T

[buksida]

Try navigating to that folder and deleting the contents, they're temp files from IE and should be cleared out every now and then. Outlook maybe trying to reference something on the web from a previous email.

[Terry]

Hi Buksi

This is why I'm confused - I don't use IE - only use Firefox

[hhfarang]

Wondered if anyone has one of these and how well they work...

[Big Boy]

I'm looking to upgrade to a new laptop before the big move to Thailand. I'd appreciate any views on this spec. I will only use the machine for general surfing, downloading of music and videos, connecting to TV. I definitely will not be using it for gaming.

Does it look adequate for the task, and more importantly, can anybody see anything vital that is missing?

Specification:

CPU and Memory:

Intel Pentium dual core B940 processor.
2GHz processor speed.
4GB DDR3 RAM memory.
750GB SATA hard drive.

Display features:

15.6 inch display.
High definition display.
Resolution 1366 x 768 pixels.

DVD optical drives:

DVD+RW/DVD-RW(read/write).
Dual layer.

Graphics:

Intel GMA 4500M graphics card.

Interfaces and connectivity:

Secure Digital (SD), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick Pro (MS-Pro), Multi-Media Card (MMC) compatible.
3 USB ports.
1 Ethernet port.
1 HDMI port.
Wi-Fi enabled.

Multi-media features:

0.3MP built-in webcam.
Built-in mic.
Built-in sound system.

Operating system and software:

Microsoft Windows 7 Premium.

Software included:

Microsoft Home Office and Student (trial Version).
Anti-virus and security (trial version).
Adobe Reader.

General features:

Up to 4.5 hours battery life.
Size H3.63, W37.4, D24.5cm.
Weight 2.55kg.
EAN/MPN/UPC/ISBN: 886111840472.

I would remove the Office and Anti-virus immediately.

[hhfarang]

I would be worried about that processor BB depending on what you want to do and how long you want it to be useful. I think you need one of the dual core processors these days if you want some longevity, but I'm no expert.

here's a list of the best 79 and I didn't see it even on it...

http://gamingweapons.com/processor-rankings/

[buksida]

CPU and Memory:

Intel Pentium dual core B940 processor.
2GHz processor speed.

It has a dual core CPU.

Spec looks fine for a non-gaming machine, the only things you forgot to tell us was the make and price!