computer problems

redskinz4ever · Post by **redskinz4ever** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:31 am

here's the deal a while back my computer crashed and a had it fixed by a computer store and it seemed like everything with in order.
then i logged on to thehogs.net and posted a few post and could not use my smiley's.
thats just the beginning ....i can check my email but can't delete it. my search engine does not work and i'm on a few other sites and can't use smiley's on there either.

CAN ANYONE HELP ME ????

yes i was going to call the computer store but thought i would ask on here first.

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:30 am

what browser are you using? version number?

redskinz4ever · Post by **redskinz4ever** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:00 am

BringThePain! wrote:what browser are you using? version number?

sorry have no clue ...i'm not a computer wiz ....sorry !!

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:10 am

Are you using Internet Explorer?

To get the version number, just go to Help on the menu bar, and from help, select About. That should bring up a box that tells you what version you are running, as well as the name of the browser if you aren't sure.

Since you don't know, I would assume it is Internet Explorer.

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:24 am

Sounds like it could be spyware, which can do strange things to the browsing experience.

Try running a spyware sweeper like AdAware or Spybot S&D (or both!).

Gibbs' Hog · Post by **Gibbs' Hog** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:28 am

Have you tried a Restore?

Sometimes my computer has whacked out, and I just perform a restore to a couple days prior. You don't lose any of your files, but if your computer secretly downloaded some program off the internet or something, it will go away usually.

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:02 pm

JansenFan wrote:Are you using Internet Explorer?

To get the version number, just go to Help on the menu bar, and from help, select About. That should bring up a box that tells you what version you are running, as well as the name of the browser if you aren't sure.

Since you don't know, I would assume it is Internet Explorer.

Not to mention if he's never updated his browser that could be part of the problem.... this could be why "his" search engine/bar isn't working images not showing up...

Your computer is like a car, you need to update it, check the oil from time to time... learn about it, and maintain it, or it will turn into a lemon... and you'll be buying a new one every other year.... you don't need to be a computer wiz to keep your computer at top performance... as fast as technology is moving, if you don't try to keep up with it... you're going to have these problems for as long as you own a computer... My 2 cents

Tip #1 - if you are using IE... switch to Firefox

redskinz4ever · Post by **redskinz4ever** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:06 pm

JansenFan wrote:Are you using Internet Explorer?

To get the version number, just go to Help on the menu bar, and from help, select About. That should bring up a box that tells you what version you are running, as well as the name of the browser if you aren't sure.

Since you don't know, I would assume it is Internet Explorer.

ok i did that and an internet explorer box came up and all that was there version,cipher strenght,product id with nothing after each one.

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:14 pm

BringThePain! wrote:Tip #1 - if you are using IE... switch to Firefox

It's easy, painless and fast . . . and it kicks the crap out of IE.

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 2:19 pm

NC43Hog wrote:
BringThePain! wrote:Tip #1 - if you are using IE... switch to Firefox

It's easy, painless and fast . . . and it kicks the crap out of IE.

Definitely.

Gibbs' Hog · Post by **Gibbs' Hog** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 4:41 pm

Yeah, until they came out with a notice a month or so ago about how Firefox had some serious security issues.

I think they've fixed them now. I tend to use a mix of IE and Mozilla - both do things that the other doesn't.

But beware, one of the reasons Firefox is so nice right now is because it is wayyyy behind IE in terms of usage - but it has been gaining ground; and we all know the hackers like to go after the popular programs...

welch · Post by **welch** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 6:28 pm

redskinz4ever, I suggest:

(a) go to the microsoft downloads site, at

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/sear ... laylang=en

Find IE6 Service Pack 2 and download it. It's pretty odd if you don't see a long version number (mine is 6.0.2.etc) and a service pack number.

Look for any other security updates. Are you running Windows 2000 or XP? Update the OS. If you have Outlook, get all the security patches they offer. Outlook is a big, fat, slow-moving target for bad guys.

(b) Then go to http://www.mozilla.org/ and get either Mozilla or Firefox. You might like Thunderbird as an email replacement to Outlook Expresss, if that's what you use.

I suggest that you keep an up-to-date copy of both the Microsoft and the Mozilla browsers. They're all free.

(c) You have either Norton or McAfee anti-virus protection, right? If not, Google them (Norton now belongs to Symantec) and buy a copy now. Online. Don't wait. I like Norton Internet Security, which comes with a personal firewall as well as Norton's old reliable anti-virus program.

If you have either anti-virus program, make sure that it is enabled. Make sure than nobody turned it off. Also schedule automatic updates of the virus definition files. I think Norton updates every Tuesday or Wednesday, so set yourself for a day later.

(d) As RiC suggested, find Add-aware and at least get a free copy. The free one runs on-demand, rather than lurks in memory waiting to shoot down advertising sneaks, so take your pick. It costs about $25.

Then call us in the morning.[/quote]

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 7:30 pm

Gibbs' Hog wrote:Yeah, until they came out with a notice a month or so ago about how Firefox had some serious security issues.

I think they've fixed them now. I tend to use a mix of IE and Mozilla - both do things that the other doesn't.

But beware, one of the reasons Firefox is so nice right now is because it is wayyyy behind IE in terms of usage - but it has been gaining ground; and we all know the hackers like to go after the popular programs...

Actually, it's not about popularity. One of the biggest problems with IE is that it is tightly integrated into the OS, which is a security nightmare. Also, ActiveX lets web sites run arbitrary programs on your computer with the default settings of IE.

Additionally, the turn around time on security fixes for Firefox is much shorter, for several reasons.

Tom C · Post by **Tom C** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 8:39 pm

redskinz4ever,

I don’t know what operating system you are using, I’m going to assume its XP or Windows 2000.

I would recommend that you get a friend or use another computer to download a free product called stinger.

Here is one place to get it: http://vil.nai.com/vil/averttools.asp

It should be a free download (Stinger v2.5.6) It is a stand alone virus remover. Copy it to a diskette or CD, and then run it on your machine.

It should rid your computer of most of the common worms, viruses and Trojans. If it finds any problems then do the following steps.

Get the latest patches for your machine using http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Depending on how diligent you have been about patches and your connection speed (broadband vs. dialup) this could take a long time. You have to do it these days. If you have dialup it could take hours. if you have been diligent about patching it might not be that bad. Getting my daughters new laptop up to speed after DELL shipped it to me took several hours (3+) on a dialup line.

Once you are patched and up-to-date on the latest Microsoft patches, you should install a software firewall. The one I’m really impressed with is ZoneAlarm (http://www.zonealarm.com/) . Download the free one. It’s really good.

I know it sounds painful but once all of the above are done, download and run a spyware removal product such as Spybot Search and destroy. (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html)

Gibbs' Hog · Post by **Gibbs' Hog** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:46 am

cvillehog wrote:
Gibbs' Hog wrote:Yeah, until they came out with a notice a month or so ago about how Firefox had some serious security issues.

I think they've fixed them now. I tend to use a mix of IE and Mozilla - both do things that the other doesn't.

But beware, one of the reasons Firefox is so nice right now is because it is wayyyy behind IE in terms of usage - but it has been gaining ground; and we all know the hackers like to go after the popular programs...

Actually, it's not about popularity. One of the biggest problems with IE is that it is tightly integrated into the OS, which is a security nightmare. Also, ActiveX lets web sites run arbitrary programs on your computer with the default settings of IE.

Additionally, the turn around time on security fixes for Firefox is much shorter, for several reasons.

Ok. I just remember this article that came out a little while back that said Firefox had some major security flaws. And then it said that the larger Firefox gets, the more it is going to be prey for hackers - but I guess that's just a given.

I see what you're saying about IE, though. That ActiveX thing gives me nightmares sometimes... :shock:

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:25 am

Gibbs' Hog wrote:
cvillehog wrote:
Gibbs' Hog wrote:Yeah, until they came out with a notice a month or so ago about how Firefox had some serious security issues.

I think they've fixed them now. I tend to use a mix of IE and Mozilla - both do things that the other doesn't.

But beware, one of the reasons Firefox is so nice right now is because it is wayyyy behind IE in terms of usage - but it has been gaining ground; and we all know the hackers like to go after the popular programs...

Actually, it's not about popularity. One of the biggest problems with IE is that it is tightly integrated into the OS, which is a security nightmare. Also, ActiveX lets web sites run arbitrary programs on your computer with the default settings of IE.

Additionally, the turn around time on security fixes for Firefox is much shorter, for several reasons.

Ok. I just remember this article that came out a little while back that said Firefox had some major security flaws. And then it said that the larger Firefox gets, the more it is going to be prey for hackers - but I guess that's just a given.

I see what you're saying about IE, though. That ActiveX thing gives me nightmares sometimes...

In fact, a very serious hole in IE was just announced, related to ActiveX.