Programs sutable for Spring Computer Cleaning?

GenMarshall · Dec 30, 2007

I am curious if there are any good quality freeware or open source programs that would do a decent job of cleaning my laptop of malware, spyware, adwares, and junk that's slowing my computer.

Thanks,
CivGeneral

Genocidicbunny · Dec 30, 2007

Its the same old same old for these types of programs:

Avast Antivirus
AVG Antivirus ( it used to be better)
Spybot S&D
Adaware
Hijackthis

Im sure other people can throw in some other free programs, but you should probably start with these.

GenMarshall · Dec 30, 2007

I ran Hijackthis and have gotten a log

Spoiler :

Not sure how I can decyper these

Strider · Dec 30, 2007

CCleaner is another one I'd add to that list.

Genocidicbunny · Dec 30, 2007

Jesus CG, thats a long log. I usually only get ~30 lines, not 200

Post your log Here
They will be able to help you more.

Lazonby · Dec 30, 2007

C:\format

In all seriousness, it is the best way to get rid of it all and restores performance to your machine. It's not always the case that x-ware is the culprit of a slow computer. I keep a back-up hard drive or two to store stuff, and use my bootable drive to run programs that I actually use consistently. Installing & removing programs all the time only slows your computer down. That way, if my bootable drive gets slow, format, re-install Windows, and I'm good to go. The key is doing it quickly, so knowing how to back things up (favorite web links, saved games, etc.,; essentially copying those files to a back-up drive) and having your own organizational system to make this quick and easy helps tremendously.

Running multiple processes/tasks in the background is far worse than those nasty little tracking cookies. Click the start menu, run, then type msconfig. Go to the 'startup' tab and disable all the stuff you don't want to automatically start when Windows starts. That will help some. And don't forget to defragment!

Genocidicbunny · Dec 30, 2007

I would like to note that format C: would not work on a running machne as you cannot format an active HD ( Meaning, you would have to do it while booted from a secondary)

Imrahil91 · Jan 1, 2008

After doing registry clean-up on CCleaner, my fonts doesn't work anymore, all text just become squares...

So I use TuneUp Utilities 2007 and System Mechanics to clean up. They're not freeware, but I think they have a trial of 30 days or something.

Strider · Jan 1, 2008

Imrahil91 said:
After doing registry clean-up on CCleaner, my fonts doesn't work anymore, all text just become squares...

So I use TuneUp Utilities 2007 and System Mechanics to clean up. They're not freeware, but I think they have a trial of 30 days or something.

I never use the registry clean-up option. The windows registry is horrid and even when you "remove" a registry key it remains on the hard drive. You have to reformat. At best it makes it easier for the CPU to read. Although registry keys are so small that is usually not a problem.

Programs sutable for Spring Computer Cleaning?

GenMarshall

High Elven ISB Capt & Ghost Agent

Genocidicbunny

Bug squasher

GenMarshall

High Elven ISB Capt & Ghost Agent

Strider

In Retrospect

Genocidicbunny

Bug squasher

Lazonby

Chieftain

Genocidicbunny

Bug squasher

Imrahil91

Prince

Strider

In Retrospect

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