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Dr Pepper

United States
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January 8, 2003
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Aug 16, 2004, 7:58 pm

As I sit here, my CPU usage meter is running at 100%. Today it drops to about 43-50%, but then jumps back up to 100%, in perfect little upside-down mountains. Yesterday, it would go from 1-3%, then zoom up to 100% every 15-20 seconds ... a perfect little picket fence!
It takes a minute forty to two minutes to open a web page (DSL). However, don't let this confuse you. If I re-boot the computer, opening nothing but task manager, I STILL have the picket fence. If I look at processes, I can see, for example, that my anti-virus is using most of the CPU, but if I end that process, System or System Idle will use all of the CPU %.
I've dowloaded the latest and greatest of everthing I can think of: AdawareSE, SpyBot, ZoneAlarm. I've even tried to run PC Booster (no problems with the "run 8 checks" or "run 24 checks", but the computer hoses before it will run the "run 48 checks").
Do I have some malware? Is it related to the porno pop-ups I've been getting? (The more you close, the more they open! Sometimes I have to right-click and 'close group' several times to get rid of them! Sometimes I get a porno pop-up on launching Explorer with cnn.com as home page that takes up the entire screen and I can only get rid of it by ctrl-alt-del then 'end process'!) Am I over-clocking (& how do I stop it)?
HOW DO I STOP THIS CRAZY THING!! I would really appreciate your help. (I won't be monitoring this TOO closely since it takes so long to go from one page to the next!)
Todd

50

Chief Bottle Washer

New Jersey
United States
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May 31, 2000
27,936 Posts
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Aug 16, 2004, 8:05 pm

I can almost guarantee it's Zone Alarm. That's one of the reasons I dumped it and went to Norton Internet Security, which I like a lot better. It seems the longer it is installed, the more often it spikes your CPUs utilization. Quite annoying.
The combination of Norton Internet Security plus AdAware will give you great protection, and Norton tools are perfectly integrated. If you want to go a step further, you can add Norton SystemWorks.
After you install those, you can dump everything else.
My 2 cents!

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konane

USA
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March 13, 2003
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Aug 16, 2004, 8:08 pm

Go to http://pestpatrol.com/ and do a free scan to find out what may have downloaded in the form of ad ware, spy ware. That's what it sounds like to me.
Also go to Trend Micro Housecall for a free virus scan. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
Both are highly reputable companies. Good luck!
Agree with Todd the newest Zone Alarm has had some glitches. Am running an older version with only an infrequent hiccup.
However, do go to Pest Patrol for a scan because they take care of stuff the other two do not.

Have fun and the best of luck to everyone!
rabbitfoot

United States
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August 25, 2002
205 Posts
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Aug 16, 2004, 8:25 pm

My computer recently slowed to a snail's pace and doing all kinds of crazy things. The best I could determine was that I had a virus in my registry file which I couldn't remove. I ended up making backups of everything I could and did a complete system restore.
For protection, I,m now using Norton & Spybot. Since then, I haven't had even a single pop=-up.
Good Luck

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Dr Pepper

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January 8, 2003
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Aug 16, 2004, 10:29 pm

Well, I uninstalled ZoneAlarm, but it doesn't help. I (finally!) downloaded the TrendMicro virus scan (it wouldn't scan from the website ... had to download a 30-day free trial); however, before it will install, it wants to remove Norton anti-virus which I paid good money for, and is valid for MORE than 30 days. What do you suggest??
konane

USA
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Aug 16, 2004, 10:39 pm

Uninstall the Trend Micro PC-Cillin because it will be in conflict with Norton. It should have an uninstall function and should uninstall clean.
After that, go to Pest Patrol and get a pest scan from them to see what might be lurking there. Your option as to whether to purchase the software, however, I have it and it is regularly updated so will find stuff others can't find.
Have you updated your Norton virus software? If not you should do that and scan. I run Trend Micro PC-Cillin and have had about 4 updates already today so there are several new things found.

Have fun and the best of luck to everyone!
Todd

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Chief Bottle Washer

New Jersey
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May 31, 2000
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Aug 16, 2004, 10:51 pm

Make sure you have rebooted as well.
Also, the Windows XP Task Manager has a Performance tabe, which will show you the exact process that is utilizing the CPU. What is it?

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FloridaGirl

Ft lauderdale , florida
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May 7, 2004
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Aug 17, 2004, 1:45 am

My puter is a real turtle
and i know why .......i have dial up .......its very cheap and also very slow
Fwup

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February 9, 2004
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Aug 17, 2004, 2:02 am

Take a little time and learn about how your computer works, and then you won't have to run any of that stuff. Programs like Zone Alarm and Norton virus software aren't necessary, and just bog down system resources.
Colin F

Australia
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December 22, 2003
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Aug 17, 2004, 5:15 am

The best costs about the same or only an ice cream or two more.
www.nod32.com
Thirty day free trial; I guarantee you will want to buy it.
Psst! It's what the professional virus eradicator people use. So many pluses that it makes the opposition look amateurish.
Don't forget to put up a firewall and check your outgoing in relation to your incoming when you bring up the status for your internet connection.
Colin
Todd

50

Chief Bottle Washer

New Jersey
United States
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May 31, 2000
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Aug 17, 2004, 7:50 am

Quote: O

Check the State Lottery Report Card
What grade did your lottery earn?

Sign the Petition for True Lottery Drawings
Help eliminate computerized drawings!
konane

USA
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March 13, 2003
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Aug 17, 2004, 10:01 am

Quote: O

Have fun and the best of luck to everyone!
konane

USA
United States
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March 13, 2003
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Aug 17, 2004, 10:35 am

Good site for good computer advice, especially concerning ad ware pests, keystroke loggers, viruses, all things having to do with your computer. Loads of links and reviews of both freeware and shareware.
Kim Komando has a syndicated radio program, also on CNN with the latest stuff about how to make your computer run correctly. Also free newsletters.
http://www.komando.com/

Have fun and the best of luck to everyone!
LANTERN

Tx
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May 4, 2004
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Aug 17, 2004, 10:53 am

And after you get everything fixed stay away from porno sites, people who go there pick up all kinds of things, that might be avery good reason as to why you are gettings so many porno pop ups all of the time, when you leave the porno sites you take the pop ups with you for good.
Hackers love internet explorer and now also they are beginning to also love Netscape, the security of those browsers and specially Internet explorer is a joke.
Your best security is to stay away from bad sites.
And yes do get Spybot and AdAware and a firewall.
Good Luck.

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Fwup

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February 9, 2004
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Aug 17, 2004, 3:13 pm

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