Expert: Ramon Zammit - 12/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello Ramon,
I have a Compaq Presario, SR1403WM. My operating system is Windows XP. I'm living at a motel so I get free internet via Airlink 101 Wireless 300N USB Adapter. The network is Netopia. The graphic at the bottom of the screen tells me I'm connected and the signal strength is "Excellent". I currently have  Spybot - SD Resident. I had AVG 8.5 Free virus protection, but I took it off because it made my computer run extremely, unbearably, hideously slow. Currently I have a couple of problems that I'm guessing are spyware /malaware related. The computer boots up relatively quick up to the start menu, then I click  Internet Explorer and it takes about 3 minutes to open but then I get a message that tells me that my last session ended unexpectedly and I get a choice to go back to my previous session or go to my home page. No matter which I choose, after another lengthy delay, Internet Explorer says " Not Responding " at which point I close the window, click "end now" and reopen Internet Explorer again.
   Once again I get the choice to go back to my previous session or go to my home page. I alternate my selection. This can go on 6, 8, 10 times before finally my Google home page appears.
  Another frequent problem is I loose my signal (connection) frequently Most times it comes back quickly, but sometimes it switches to a weaker network and I have to reboot the computer to get back to Netopia. Other strange things that have occurred.....
   Several times, out  of the blue, the computer just restarts itself.
   Many times the keyboard has just stopped working and I have to restart the computer to get it to work again.
   And I think the weirdest thing is that, a couple of times (that I know of) when the computer is booting up and gets to where you choose your username and at the bottom left of that screen you can also click " Turn off Computer " Well, mine says...........Turn off F--K    Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank - You!!

ANSWER: Hello john

start off by unistalling your present antivirus and antispyware they are clearly leaving something out as far as security is concerned and instead install these two:

SPYBOT SEARCH AND DESTROY
AVIRA ANTIVIR FREE ANTIVIRUS

update both of them and perform a scan

ramon

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I did as you suggested, however, since I already had Spybot SD, I didn't uninstall and reinstall it. Should I have done that? I still seem to have many of the same symptoms.  Thanks!!

ANSWER: hello john

its ok you dont need to uninstall it, just make sure it updates properly and them immunize your computer using it. also note that these steps do not necessarily mean a solution but are the first step to take

ramon

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Ramon,
   I have installed both programs that you recommended and Spybot did update properly and the immunization was successfull as well. I don't think much has changed regarding the operation of my computer.
   Can you recommend a course of action?
         Thanks again,
         J.L.

Answer
hey john

well assuming that your performed the disinfection tasks properly it could well be a problem with your laptop's hardware....RAM and HDD are notorious for causing such frustrating problems.

i would suggest you download this software: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

you have to burn it on a CD...


boot with it, and perform testing on your RAM and HDD...pls report back with the findings

Ramon