Genealogy Chat

My PC is grinding to a halt. I've cleared out cookies & temp internet files. I tried to run Adaware and it seems that the version I've got is out of date. I can't find Crista's thread on Maintenance so am not sure what to do next. I'm using Windows ME. Does anyone have any bright ideas, please? Jill

Download the brilliant free Ccleaner and run it through. It speeded up my pc no end. Remember to use the option to keep "good cookies" like GR and other pages you use with a password. Also recently typed urls if you want to keep them. I think its just www(.)Ccleaner(.)com

Heather, Does this do the job that Adaware used to do? Jill

Jill - it's Judy in the States who owns the PC Maintainence thread - if I can find it I will nudge it for you :O) Anne in Kent

Hi, it clears all old bits of progs and cookies that you cant delete manually. Ive got ad-aware on too that I just run through now and then.

Heather, Which version of adaware are you using? mine is adaware 6 - I think I've missed something somewhere along the line. Maybe I need to uninstall it and download a different one. Did you have to do anything like that? Jill

You should download Adaware SE latest version, run that first. CCleaner will clean things that would take a long time to do manually. It also does this safely. For example deleting all tmp files can sometimes cause problems if they are in use. This only deletes old ones. One of the most recommended programs amongst computer geeks. Bob

I dont think you would have to uninstall it, just download the newer one over it.

CC Cleaner is a must have. I have tried a few others over the past couple of years, but this is better than them all. Do heed Heather's warning about keeping you wanted cookies though, I missed this and spent an hour trying to get back in to all my favourite sites. You do this by selecting Option then Cookies BEFORE you try to run it and saving those you want to the 'white list' I also use Adaware SE and also have something called Spyware Blaster which works by trying to stop adware gremlins before they hit you. Adaware doesn't and onlt removes the baddies after the event so you could be in trouble without knowing it, if you haven't run it for a while Its free from http://www.javacoolsoftware(.)com/ Finally, do have anti virus software running as well. Most now work fine with SP2. Peter

Thank you all very much indeed for your advice and for nudging Judy's thread. Time for a big clean up! Best wishes, Jill

Another thing that can slow your machine is programs installed to run at seartup without your permission. You can see these when you type Ctrl +alt+del. These are update checkers etc and are useless. They do use system memory. Have a look here http://www.mlin.net/ Startup moniter This excellent little program will let warn you and allow you to block them. It also can block trojans and other unwanted's. Startup control panel also lets you manage start up programs. Have a look highly recommended like CCleaner Bob

Oh Bob, wish I was as clever as you. I keep getting a freeze and when I control alt delete its down to something called SMC not responding?

Are you using Sygate firewall? Dont worry, task manager (Ctrl +alt+del) not much use just shows whats running. Bob

Yes Bob, Ive got the free sygate download. I know you once recommended the Zonealarm but once I downloaded that one I couldnt get into my Outlook Express! Does sygate cause a prob then?

Nothing to bother with, it's a good firewall. They all are when they work! Bob

Hi - I'm back again! I still don't know what was actually causing the problem but after I'd downloaded the new Adaware (and run it) everything went back to normal. It found 14 items which I've quarantined. Since then we've done a back-up and de-fragged and - touch wood - think we're OK. Thank you all again for your help - very much appreciated. Jill