zippyjuan

Something is slowing down my computer but I can't find it. Like I said in the post below, I run Spybot, it finds nothing. Norton Antivirus- nothing. I was getting data miner cookies (but nothing else) when I run AdAware, but now that I have my computer prompt me for cookies everytime it tries to install one, they have so far not shown up there. (I was amazed at how many times you get cookies!! Even this site has a cookie for Reseller Ratings pop up). During web surfing my computer will slow down significantly to the point where I cannot close the toolbar. Things that normaly take seconds slow down literally to minutes. Whatever it is, I think it is in Internet Explorer- something left over from VX2 Spyware. I tried using a save point from before the infection, but that did not help. Anything else I can try? The "New Programs Installed" bubble is back., but that I can ignore.

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LPMiller

Internet explorer might be corrupt. One thing to try is Firefox browser, and see if you get the same problem. There is a way to reinstall IE and have it repair itself, but right now I"m zonked out and can't even begin to remember how it's done.

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zippyjuan

Based on your thought that IE could be corrupted, I remembered that in the middle of dealing with the spyware I got a notice of an update from my internet service provider. I think it did not go correctly since I noticed a few things missing- like my PopUp blocker and my favorites list. I was worried that my homepage had been hijacked and replaced (the update notice showed up the very day I tried deleting the VX2). Today I tried to reinstall the update and see if that will help. For one thing, all my favorites are back! It may be a few days for me know for sure if this helps. Thank you for your help too, LPMiller! So far I like the idea of controlling all of my cookies as well.
PopUp BLocker is working fine now too!

zippyjuan

After just a couple of days since reinstalling my internet service, I think things are OK- although I thought that before. The cookies are still there, but I am going to ignore them for now- they are not for anything that contains information I would be worried about. The "New Program" bubble is there too, but I can ignore that. I have not noticed slowing during websurfing lately. Thanks again for the help!

mcs328

I either read it here or in a magazine that to reinstall IE you have to change a registry setting and fool IE that it's an older version. Then go to windows updated and it will (re)install IE again.

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zippyjuan

I am still having problems with system slowing so I just downloaded the full Internet Explorer with Service Pack 1 from Microsoft's website. Perhaps something got corrupted either by the VX2 or my efforts to remove it. I'll see how this goes.

zippyjuan

Narrowing it down. It happens after I check mail- perhaps when I send mail. I am now trying to not have my antivirus scan all outgoing messages. I tried several things suggested by my internet provider and they did not seem to help this problem (did help me free up some resources to help speed things up though). They were quick to respond to my questions. So far tried updating Internet Explorer and latest Outlook Express updates. Changed a couple settings in Outlook as well as my start list (msconfig). Early indications are encouraging.

So far, disabling Norton scan of outgoing mail seems to have stopped the slowdown of my comuter!