Computer Problems

[kaosmark2]

Indeed Ccleaner is ace, but thats for more of finding stuff thats slowing a computer down. (Startup programs and stuff that are legimate when you install something else but get annoying).

Have you tried MalwareBytes? https://www.malwarebytes.org/downloads/, make sure to try the Anti Rootkit tool aswell (https://www.malwarebytes.org/downloads/#tools)

Quite often finds a few things and is able to remove them, even just the free version.

From a quick google, this seems quite a good guide to removing the ads from IE/Chrome/Firefox, seems like it might take over the browser to aswell as the software: http://www.pcrisk.com/removal-guides/8257-desktop-temperature-monitor-ads#a3

Windows Security Essentials/Defender is actually pretty good to, if you don't already have it: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/security-essentials-download

It's got a remove services and startup stuff as well, which is why I recommended it. It's useful for uninstalling and removing things that run and you don't want as well.

Desktop Temperature Monitor is one of these programs you don't really need but often gets bundled with decent programs. I've never had it but I'd be surprised if you'd need to go through malware removers to get rid of it.

[windy_miller]

+1 for Malware Bytes

[LondonTom]

It's got a remove services and startup stuff as well, which is why I recommended it. It's useful for uninstalling and removing things that run and you don't want as well.

Desktop Temperature Monitor is one of these programs you don't really need but often gets bundled with decent programs. I've never had it but I'd be surprised if you'd need to go through malware removers to get rid of it.

Yeah I kind of typed that up before I decided to google it

I think the link to the guide I posted should remove most of it (this one, http://www.pcrisk.co...-monitor-ads#a3), it seems the most common type of infection/adware these days as its not as simple as just uninstalling/finding the .exe and deleting it.

[feral chile]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look through this and try some of the suggestions out.

it's the blind leading the blind with me and the old man though - but at least I know I'm blind

[kaosmark2]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look through this and try some of the suggestions out.

it's the blind leading the blind with me and the old man though - but at least I know I'm blind

In terms of order to try suggestions I'd go with this:

Yeah I kind of typed that up before I decided to google it

I think the link to the guide I posted should remove most of it (this one, http://www.pcrisk.co...-monitor-ads#a3), it seems the most common type of infection/adware these days as its not as simple as just uninstalling/finding the .exe and deleting it.

Then this:

And as I say, ccleaner is pretty good at it. You can get it here:

https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

(the free version does everything you need)

Then this:

Have you tried MalwareBytes? https://www.malwarebytes.org/downloads/, make sure to try the Anti Rootkit tool aswell (https://www.malwarebytes.org/downloads/#tools)

It's adware that'll have been bundled with something else, so the adware/browser plugins link is most likely to help. Because it's sort of legitimate software, malware removal probably isn't the best solution, although it's not a terrible idea anyway.

[feral chile]

Thanks kaosmark, we'll have a go at these tonight and update you tomorrow. Fingers crossed

[feral chile]

We might have done it, fingers crossed. We uninstalled a programme that he downloaded and downloaded it again from the original site, so far so good, no popups, but we think we know what caused it. (A useful programme he was reluctant to remove, which when we went to the original site, it carried warnings about downloading from third party sites)

We'll see

[kaosmark2]

We might have done it, fingers crossed. We uninstalled a programme that he downloaded and downloaded it again from the original site, so far so good, no popups, but we think we know what caused it. (A useful programme he was reluctant to remove, which when we went to the original site, it carried warnings about downloading from third party sites)

We'll see

Sounds like what could have caused it! Good luck.

[5co77ie]

I'm thinking of replacing my (over 10 year old!) Vaio VGN laptop - I'm thinking of getting a Surface Pro (for the half price it was back when I bought it) anyone have any experience of one?

Are they worth purchasing as a long term laptop?

[The Nal]

Are you looking at a Pro 3 or waiting for the Pro 4?

[5co77ie]

when is the Pro 4 due - I'm looking at replacing it sooner rather than later.

Just read up on the 4 if it's July I'll hold out with a laptop sounding like a jet engine taking off every so often until then

Edited May 13, 2015 by 5co77ie

[The Nal]

when is the Pro 4 due - I'm looking at replacing it sooner rather than later.

Whenever Windows 10 is out. They say September but may be July and it will come with the new Intel processor. The only worry Id have about the Pro 3 long term, the processor. If you do go there, go mid to high end. They've dropped their pants on the price.

Apparently, Micro$oft are announcing the release date, along with specs etc, on May 20th so I'd hold off until then anyway.

Edited May 13, 2015 by The Nal

[LondonTom]

Indeed hold off, as the Pro 3 should get cheaper still as they sell off the stock.

I guess its ok, I've not actually used one though. Depends if you need the tablet functions I guess and you could likely get better spec "traditional" laptop for the same price.

(Plus you will need to have something else/get an external hard drive if you to want to store alot of video/pictures/music etc.)

[5co77ie]

I've got a NAS so not worried about space

[The Nal]

Just added 2GB of RAM to my relatively old PC. Running like lightning!

[Spindles]

Tell you what, if you add an SSD as well it would be like buying a new pc. I couldn't believe the difference it made to a low end, low memory PC recently.

[The Nal]

Tell you what, if you add an SSD as well it would be like buying a new pc. I couldn't believe the difference it made to a low end, low memory PC recently.

Yeah? Must have a shop about.

Can't get over the transformation with 2GB of RAM. I was thinking about buying a new PC!

[eFestivals]

Can't get over the transformation with 2GB of RAM. I was thinking about buying a new PC!

word of warning to anyone with a properly old pc running Windows XP or earlier: extra ram above 2GB won't help you.

[Spindles]

Above 3.2gb, but true enough Anyone with any sense should be using a 64bit OS now though.

I had a media box which was a quad core with 4gb ram, it ran ok on windows 7, but nothing amazing. I salvaged parts to build my son a pc and used his old bits to rebuild it, being left with a dual core and 1gb, it was unusable. Added a 96GB SSD and it was as fast, if not faster than the machine it replaced. You can pick up a cheap second hand 32-64GB drive for pennies and completely revitalise old laptops and desktops.

[eFestivals]

Above 3.2gb, but true enough

apologies. I stopped being a 100% computer nerd about 15 years ago now.

Edited May 27, 2015 by eFestivals

[The Nal]

word of warning to anyone with a properly old pc running Windows XP or earlier: extra ram above 2GB won't help you.

Yeah I'm running Windows 7 64 bit with no problems. It was only recently that 2GB RAM started to become very slow.

Above 3.2gb, but true enough Anyone with any sense should be using a 64bit OS now though.

I had a media box which was a quad core with 4gb ram, it ran ok on windows 7, but nothing amazing. I salvaged parts to build my son a pc and used his old bits to rebuild it, being left with a dual core and 1gb, it was unusable. Added a 96GB SSD and it was as fast, if not faster than the machine it replaced. You can pick up a cheap second hand 32-64GB drive for pennies and completely revitalise old laptops and desktops.

Did something similar. Old Dell chassis with a new proc and 2GB RAM. Has lasted over 4 years at this stage and the RAM upgrade cost me 25 quid so cant complain! Thin I'll pick up an SSD aswell.

My external 3TB drive is playing up though. Windows cant see it (although I do get the device connect sound) and its beeping. Hopefully its just that the platters are caught and its not turning. Its not making the "click of death" noise which is good.

[Spindles]

Rip the drive out of the chassis and stick it inside the PC, it will be fine. I had the same issue with an external and that drive is still going strong inside the PC I'm typing on now 5 years later.

[The Nal]

Issue is I've only one 3.5 inch bay. Might try a new Seagate chassis for the drive?

[Spindles]

Pff...get a drill out, couple of 4mm holes and hang it off the inside of the case. If you saw the horror of the insides of my main PC you'd probably faint. 8 drives, watercooling and a full sized PCI-E card make it look like something off blakes 7.

[eFestivals]

You can pick up a cheap second hand 32-64GB drive for pennies and completely revitalise old laptops and desktops.

or alternatively, just ditch windoze and install an easy flavour of unix (I can certainly recommend linux mint).