[ericarthur]

Ok, well here's the jazz, my friend (not a hypthetical me) has a *shh* Windows XP machine and it's up the creek, frequently crashing and beign a bit crap. Given that he is not going Mac, what can he do? What is the best way to speed this up with software, what can he remove (and how ) and what should he use in terms of spyware/ad removal etc?

thanks

[MCQ]

A combination of antivirus + Ad-aware + Spybot Search & Destroy seems to be a popular combination amongst Windows users.

[turtle]

Originally Posted by MCQ A combination of antivirus + Ad-aware + Spybot Search & Destroy seems to be a popular combination amongst Windows users.

To add to this listing since I am still a current WinXP user (4 XP and 1 OS X) I will say I have been having great success using the new Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta. This will require him to "Authenticate" his Windows, but it is worth it in the end. Ad-Aware has sold out to at least one ad company (WhenU bundled with Bearshare and such) so I don't trust their stuff at all anymore, I even went so far as to remove them from my systems. Spybot has done wonders for me and with the MS Beta it seems to be a great combo. As for Anti-virus I have stuck with Symantec (Norton) and it keeps up with most threats pretty good. I must say that Norton AV also includes an ad/spyware removal and notification.

There are a few other programs that prevent items from being added to you start up registry without you knowing and allowing them. MS Anti-Spyware does this and there is another program I was using called "Start-up Mechanic" that seemed good until I got tired of telling it and MS to allow or disallow a program change on start up. The MS Anti-Spyware was also good to allow you to change the registry by telling you what programs are in it and who they are from. Very handy when most don't have a clue about the system registry. I must say though, make sure he knows not to play there unless he knows what he is going, deleting the wrong thing could allow him the opportunity for a fresh system reload!

[Wickers]

Originally Posted by turtle2472 This will require him to "Authenticate" his Windows...

Currently this is is not required to use the software, but when the full version comes out that just might be the case.

(you still have the option to skip that process)

[turtle]

Originally Posted by \/\/ickes Currently this is is not required to use the software, but when the full version comes out that just might be the case. (you still have the option to skip that process)

Thanks for correcting me, I must have misunderstood. Not that it really makes a difference, but thanks anyway.

[Brad]

1. Use the Add/Remove Software applet to remove anything you don't recognize or don't think you need.
2. Remove more crap using Ad-aware and spybot.
3. Browse the various registry entries and system files for stuff that Ad-aware and spybot might have missed.
   
   In the registry:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Run
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunOnce
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunOnceEx
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunServices
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnceEx
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Explorer\SharedTaskScheduler
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Userinit
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Run
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunOnce
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunServices
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnce
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows\load
   
   In the files:
   
   • c:\autoexec.bat
   • c:\config.sys
   • %windir%\wininit.ini
   • %windir%\winstart.bat
   • %windir%\win.ini
   • %windir%\system.ini
   • %windir%\dosstart.bat
   • %windir%\system\autoexec.nt
   • %windir%\system\config.nt
   • Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
   • Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
     
4. Get rid of IE and OE icons. Replace them with Firefox and Thunderbird.
5. Keep the system software up to date.

This should be an exhaustive list of items to check. Whenever I have to work on "fixing" someone's PC, these are the things I do to get things running rosy again.

[Koodari]

Nice list Brad.

I'd first run hardware diagnostics for hard drive and memory. It's very frustrating to spend a lot of time fixing the software and then have the hard drive die on you.

The I'd format the drive, re-install everything and then stick to good habits. Even if it's possible to clean things by hand, I want to play safe. The chance that any spyware, viruses and trojans survive a rigorous check like Brad's is remote, but there is a chance. An owned box is an owned box, period.

Removing spyware also does nothing to Windows "DLL hell", register decay and other long-term illnesses on a Windows machine, that can also cause crashes. The only way to stay on top of those is only to use good software, avoid installing unnecessary ones, and totally rebuild the system if necessary. A methodically used box will most likely *not* have severe problems stemming from this. Expect trouble if new programs, miscellanous shareware, warez, and games are installed and uninstalled rapidly for a long period of time. If anything is designed work deep with the OS innards, like GUI changers, it's much more likely to develop and surface problems. Again it's a good idea to listen to people's experiences.

Good habits = no IE, always on top of updates, tight firewall, antivirus running, never install software that has bad reputation like Kazaa and co., avoid warez.

I've found that way you don't ever develop a problem to fix. I haven't even ran AdAware more than once in a few years' time. I installed bad software and then realized it had spyware and I need to clean it up. The best thing about spyware-riddled programs is that no one needs to install them. If you are unsure and don't want to take the time to dig up comments about the software, which should be easy anyway, just pick a free Open Source program. They are pretty much guaranteed not to have spyware.

[pgre]

He could always reconsider and change his mind..
Flog his PC on Ebay and by a Mac anyway..

Just a thought...

I only use my PC for Games now.. so I don't install anything on it so the spyware etc problems have gone away.

[ironlung]

try using pandas online virus scanner. I find it a lot more useful than trend micro. Install the free avg anti virus scanner afterwards, along with using spybot etc

[davebarnes]

ericarthur,

I own both Windows 2000 and Mac OS X machines. My experience with Windows is too many years.

For your friend's Windows XP machine.
1. Download and burn to a CD the .exe for ZoneAlarm (firewall program).
2. Make sure that his machine has at least 512 MB of memory. If not, then buy more RAM. Crucial has 512MB PC2700 sticks for $55.
3. Save all his data by burning to one or more CDs.
4. Disconnect the machine from the internet.
5. Reformat the hard drive and do a clean install of Windows XP Pro.
6. Install ZoneAlarm.
7. Connect to internet and surf to www.grisoft.com and buy AVG and install it.
8. Install Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy.
9. Teach your friend how to use and when to use all 4 pieces of software.
10. Wait for his phone call in about 3 months and repeat steps 1 thru 9.

,dave

[Mister Black]

I have a windows xp pc computer and it doesn't give me any problems at all for one reason and one reason alone: I use it to play TRIBES only and use my mac for everything else. Try it, you'll see a huge difference.

[unixguru]

Originally Posted by ericarthur Ok, well here's the jazz, my friend (not a hypthetical me) has a *shh* Windows XP machine and it's up the creek, frequently crashing and beign a bit crap. Given that he is not going Mac, what can he do? What is the best way to speed this up with software, what can he remove (and how ) and what should he use in terms of spyware/ad removal etc? thanks

Download service pack 2, burn to CD. Move all important files off it, format, reinstall. Put SP2 on BEFORE connecting to the internet. Download MORE patches. Should be good to go.