Vista Nightmare

[thierrybh6]

computer is about 4 months old. the screen always freezes, it's really, really slow, internet explorer keeps turning off, live mail doesn't work or real player, ishould mention the computer was re-built and sold as such. I am now it SAFE MODE and it's soo soooooo fast. what do I do? PLEASE HELP

[iGeek]

Download an anti-virus program (such as Avira) and scan.

[shortguy014]

I'm no expert at these things but I'll give it a try.

• 1. Download Avast! Antivirus from http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html or if you don't like downloading do a free scan at http://onlinescan.avast.com/. Not the same protection though.
• 2. Download ZoneAlarm free Firewall from http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/home.jsp
  It is a great software, don't think to uninstall after.
• 3. Press Windows Key + R to bring up the Run command. Type in msconfig and click OK. Say okay to the Administrator pop up.
• 4. Click the Start up tab. Click Disable all, then slowly go through the list checking the things you absolutely need. Make sure you tick Avast and ZoneAlarm, your virus protectors. Click OK.
• 5. Reboot your system when prompted. Your computer will boot quicker because of less programs starting up. I would also advise removing any programs that you do not need.

Hope I was of help,

Shortguy014

[Miz]

If you already have an antivirus program installed...AVG, McAfee, Norton or one of the many others...don't install a second one. Two antivirus programs, even if one is not active, can cause major problems. The same is true of having two firewalls.

If you do already have an antivirus program, or an "Internet safety" suite of programs (with antispyware, a firewall, maybe antispam) installed, please post back with which one you have and whether you've kept it updated and scanned with it recently.

Has the computer had the problem ever since you've had it or did it start recently? If recent, do you remember if you installed any software right before it started slowing down?