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Gatlin Dan
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03-20-2005, 02:47 PM
Post subject: Please help me computer/internet gurus.
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#1 (permalink)
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Flush
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Wild Bill's Backyard
Posts: 504
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I recently acquired a new machine from my mother who upgraded hers. I got home and got it all set up only to find out...
this machine has adware up the ass. I'm getting pop-ups for everything everytime my broswer loads a new page. I've ran yahoo anti-spy and hit remove all on everything it came up with and my pop-up blocker is on. I can't get rid of these damn things. Can anyone help me? My FTR viewing experience is in the shitter. Please...
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rob6597
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Straight
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 110
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Usually one anti-spyware program isn't enough. Try running 2 or 3. I had a problem with spyware once, and it took me 3 shots with 3 different programs before I was clean.
I used Ad-Aware, Spyware Doctor, and Spybot - Search and Destroy. I went to download.com to find them... they were all free.
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BoondockSaint
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,844
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Dan what I would do is get a windows XP pro CD from somebody and just format the hard drive and start clean. Its probably got so much crap on it that those programs wont get everything. There is always some obscure retarded crap that keeps comin up. Then just use firefox or something that has good protection against all that crap.
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™
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Straight
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MA
Posts: 144
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Download and run Ad-Aware, and Spybot (both are free).
Then go here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en and download MicroSoft Windows AntiSpyware(Beta) (also free)
Then go to this website http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and use the free online virus scanner.
Finally if your still using Internet Explorer download Mozilla Firefox (different internet browser) and use that.
Hope this helps
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JeffreyGB
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Jenks, OK
Posts: 3,477
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If there's nothing on the hard drive that you need, a reformat/reinstall is going to be easier than cleaning all the crap off of it, honestly.
If that's not an option, start with the above, then after all of that is done, examine the processes running (ctrl-alt-del -> click on task manager button -> click on processes tab). Do a search for each thing listed in google to find out if it's a malicious program or not. Start with the ones that have high CPU usage (the CPU column - represents a % of 100). Usually if it is malicious, one of the first couple listings will have removal instructions. Most likely when your machine is healthy, it will have in the neighborhood of 35-45 processes running when you're not doing a lot of stuff.
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™
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Straight
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MA
Posts: 144
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even if you choose to reformat your computer id suggest downloading the programs ive listed at least as a means for future protection.
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JeffreyGB
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Jenks, OK
Posts: 3,477
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ™
even if you choose to reformat your computer id suggest downloading the programs ive listed at least as a means for future protection.
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Agreed. Especially in reference to firefox as a replacement for internet explorer.
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Gatlin Dan
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Flush
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Wild Bill's Backyard
Posts: 504
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I was hoping to avoid having to reinstal and reformat. I will work on this the next couple of days and see if I can avoid having to reformat the hard drive. I've gotten a lot of stuff cleared out using spyware doctor, but it still hasn't gotten all of it. I will download the free software and see if it works. If not, I'll dump it all and start clean. This cpu currently has windows98. Will those programs work well with this os or should I really look seriously into upgrading to xp?
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JShoreCards
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ...the swamps of Jersey
Posts: 21
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Yes, they should work fine on Win98. They did for me before I upgraded.
One other piece of software I would reccommend is HijackThis. It's great, but a little advanced because it works on the registry. But I've used it when the other software couldn't fix everything.
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There is always hope.
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BradCKY
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 10
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Make sure you boot up into safe mode first before running any spyware programs. They lurk in the background during a normal boot, but safe mode loads only the minimum windows requirements.
To load safe mode, keep hitting F8 until the windows screen, a menu should popup with the option.l
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wobbler
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Straight
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 134
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I used win98 for a while, but I had constant problems with freezes/crashes and some software that wouldn't run properly. Reinstalls and patches didn't help. So I'd recommend upgrading to a newer version now.
Firefox is great, but I'd still use IE when signing up to poker sites via affiliates though.
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Gatlin Dan
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Flush
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Wild Bill's Backyard
Posts: 504
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I've gotten a lot of the crap out using some anti-spy software, but am unable to remove all of it. At least I can get into FTR and start a post without having my taskbar filled completely with adware windows.
On upgrading to XP...
Any recommendations on more affordable ways to upgrade to it without purchasing it retail? I'm not advocating pirating or stealing it, though I'm not totally against it either, I just can't afford to upgrade for the retail price.
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
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Corey
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Full House
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Posts: 1,349
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I wouldnt upgrade. Sure you get to keep what was on the computer before but honestly do a format then a new operationg system on it.
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Corey
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Spook
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Flush
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 388
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Go to your local computer shop and get the geek behind the counter a date with your sister. He's harmless and you'll get your system hooked up for free.
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wobbler
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Straight
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 134
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When I said upgrade I meant formating hd and installing a new 'upgraded' version of windows. Don't know how you could get one cheaply though.
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linker33
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 54
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Gatlin Dan wrote:
Quote:
On upgrading to XP...
Any recommendations on more affordable ways to upgrade to it without purchasing it retail?
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Check out ebay. I did a search for Windows Xp Software, and it looks like you can get it pretty cheap.
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Gatlin Dan
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Flush
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Wild Bill's Backyard
Posts: 504
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Spook
Go to your local computer shop and get the geek behind the counter a date with your sister. He's harmless and you'll get your system hooked up for free.
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Good idea... now all I need is to get a sister. Maybe I can find one of those on e-bay too.
I'm still messing with it some before reformatting, but it looks like this is going to be the most time-efficient method, even after taking time to back everything up. Glad I haven't had the machine too long or it could end up being a lot more painful.
Damn, you adware. What ever happened to the old days when people actually had to pay to advertise their products? don't get me wrong, I love the net (as I'm sure all FTR members do) but between the spam and the adware it can be be a pain in the ass.
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Grand_MasterB
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Flush
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 466
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Find someone in college....Probably tons on this site... most big schools have deals with Microsoft... i just graduated but when i went there i could get new copy's of XP pro and Office for $10 a piece
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Gatlin Dan
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Flush
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Wild Bill's Backyard
Posts: 504
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Grand_MasterB
Find someone in college....Probably tons on this site... most big schools have deals with Microsoft... i just graduated but when i went there i could get new copy's of XP pro and Office for $10 a piece
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Calling all students...
Anyone got the hook-up on XP cheap through their school?
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Gatlin Dan
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Flush
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Wild Bill's Backyard
Posts: 504
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update--
I reformatted the HD and reinstalled win98. I downloaded all the recommended software and have it installed and ran searches to make sure everything was clean. I then did a registry backup using spybot. finally, I can get back to playing poker.
Thank you guys for all your help and suggestions. You have been most helpful.
If anyone has a student discount on XP, I am still interested.
one more question...
Why would it be recommended to use IE to sign up to new poker sites through an affiliate instead of using Firefos?
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JeffreyGB
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4-of-a-Kind
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Jenks, OK
Posts: 3,477
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No idea. I've used Firefox when signing up for every site I've played at
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wobbler
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Straight
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 134
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IE is the "standard" browser. If you use something else the risk of something going haywire is just going to be greater, that's all. Why take the chance when you are signing up for rakebacks etc?
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™
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Straight
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MA
Posts: 144
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My college has a deal with Mircrosoft. WinXp for $5. Im not sure if they'll give you the actual disk, or just install it, but I can find out sometime if you want.
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Gatlin Dan
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Flush
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Wild Bill's Backyard
Posts: 504
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by wobbler
IE is the "standard" browser. If you use something else the risk of something going haywire is just going to be greater, that's all. Why take the chance when you are signing up for rakebacks etc?
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u Make a good point here.
Speaking of rakebacks (I'm going off topic I know), but at what limit should one be playing before he starts to seriously consider rakebacks as opposed to bonus?
Quote:
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My college has a deal with Mircrosoft. WinXp for $5. Im not sure if they'll give you the actual disk, or just install it, but I can find out sometime if you want.
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Some information on this would be cool when you have a chance. I'm in no big hurry now that everything is running smoothly, but I would still be interested.
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wobbler
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Straight
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 134
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Gatlin Dan
Speaking of rakebacks (I'm going off topic I know), but at what limit should one be playing before he starts to seriously consider rakebacks as opposed to bonus?
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Work it out yourself:
Quote:
Number of hands per hour = A
Average rake = (Average Pot size x 5% (upto a maximum of 3$) = B
Number of players per table = C
Number of hours you play a day = D
Number of days you play a month = E
Number of tables you play at once = F
Total rake you pay a month = (AxBxDxExF) divided by C
Rakeback = rakeback% * total rake
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So if u play 2000 hands a month with an average pot size of $25 u can get about $50 in rakebacks.
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