Help! (Computer Virus)

[Zoltack]

I'm doing that right now, thanks.

I have Microsoft Office Pro '03

Cool that's what I've got, I think it's a pretty awesome setup.

[tomothy81]

Sounds like a driver to me. Could also be a memory problem or a sign your battery is getting old and needs replaced.

Yeah that could definitely be. My laptop is about 2 years old, do you think replacing the battery will help, also the battery does not last very long once I unplug it from the wall.

If its a driver then what can I do to fix the problem?

Also do you have any idea as to how much I should expect to pay for a new battery? My computer is a Compact Presario 2100.

Thanks for any advice or info that you can give.

[Zoltack]

Yeah those batteries wear out especially if you keep your computer plugged in all the time. That's what my friend tells me anyways. There kinda expensive though so if you keep your computer plugged in most of the time I wouldn't suggest buying one unless you have the money than go nuts.

You may need to "update" your driver rather than fixing it.

[tomothy81]

Yeah those batteries wear out especially if you keep your computer plugged in all the time. That's what my friend tells me anyways. There kinda expensive though so if you keep your computer plugged in most of the time I wouldn't suggest buying one unless you have the money than go nuts.

You may need to "update" your driver rather than fixing it.

Thanks for the info.

Sorry, I'm not exactly computer savvy, how do I "update" my driver?

Is there a lot of work envolved?

[Zoltack]

Well, I think you can down load them, it just depends on what driver you're talking about. For instance, graphics, network, wireless or phone modem, sound and what not. I think Microsoft has all that on there web-site. I don't know my computer usally automatically updates the drivers already. But I'm gonna guess it's your graphics driver.

[PMcOuntry]

Go to this site and click "scan for updates"

It will tell you what you need. DO NOT install SP2 (unless you already did). SP2 is bad, very bad (service pack).

http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v ... x?ln=en-us

I also wasn't talking about the battery you use to plug in to charge you laptop, I was speaking of the battery on the motherboard, however, I'm not familiar w/laptops too much and I'm not even sure your motherboard has the battery on it or if it is seperate.

[tomothy81]

Okay I clicked on the link and apparently my computer is set up for automatic updates, thanks for the link.

Some other things that I forgot to mention about my computer's performance:

Sometimes when it sits idle for a while and the screensaver comes up, I can't get the screensaver to dissapear and the regular screen to come back up. Sometimes it will come back up after I screw with it for a bit, but other times I have to turn my computer off.

Also when I go to print something it pauses for a few seconds in between pages, not a major problem or anything. It just doesn't seem to be performing very well, the printing seems very strange,

I know that I have given you a lot of information and that it could be practically anything, but I really appreciate all of the help. Thanks again

[PMcOuntry]

Did you try everything on that XP Troubleshooting page I sent you. I'm really not sure what's causing it, it could be you need more RAM. You may just need to format the whole darn thing.

Try doing a google search for any/all error messages and see what it comes up with.

If you have auto updates on and it doesn't alert you, then it most likely installed Service Pack 2 which could cause any of the problems you mentioned.

[Disney Villain]

It will tell you what you need. DO NOT install SP2 (unless you already did). SP2 is bad, very bad (service pack).

I do not agree. Service Pack 2 corrected my computer problems, got rid of all my virus, and took away all my pop-ups. I have had no problems, i would reccomecd Service Pack 2 to anyone. When you use it with Microsoft Anti-Spyware nothing will happen to your computer. Also if you just purshaced a new computer within the last 5 months, service pack 2 is automatically installed and used.

[PMcOuntry]

It will tell you what you need. DO NOT install SP2 (unless you already did). SP2 is bad, very bad (service pack).

I do not agree. Service Pack 2 corrected my computer problems, got rid of all my virus, and took away all my pop-ups. I have had no problems, i would reccomecd Service Pack 2 to anyone. When you use it with Microsoft Anti-Spyware nothing will happen to your computer. Also if you just purshaced a new computer within the last 5 months, service pack 2 is automatically installed and used.

You are one of the lucky ones then. It has been my experiance and that of all my computer proffesors, and all the network admins., etc. I have talked w/that service pack 2 has caused many problems and usually does. If your not having any problems though, that's great!

It also sounds like you are running mostly microsoft products (anti virus, etc.). Whereas most ppl run windows and then use norton, etc. for there other products, which could be what causes the problem.

But if it's working for ya, cool!

[Disney Villain]

You are one of the lucky ones then. It has been my experiance and that of all my computer proffesors, and all the network admins., etc. I have talked w/that service pack 2 has caused many problems and usually does. If your not having any problems though, that's great! It also sounds like you are running mostly microsoft products (anti virus, etc.). Whereas most ppl run windows and then use norton, etc. for there other products, which could be what causes the problem. But if it's working for ya, cool!

Oh, well thanks , sorry for your experience

[PMcOuntry]

I didn't even install SP2 after I was warned by many ppl that it caused problems. I have a friend who bought a new computer, it worked great, installed SP2 and it went to crap. I think it has something to do w/the fact that you are running all microsoft products for your antivirus, etc. More compatible.

[RJKD23]

I didn't even install SP2 after I was warned by many ppl that it caused problems. I have a friend who bought a new computer, it worked great, installed SP2 and it went to crap. I think it has something to do w/the fact that you are running all microsoft products for your antivirus, etc. More compatible.

Ryan installed SP2 for me the second time (Because the first time I installed it, my laptop went..crazy. ) So, Mr. Ryan did it for me and my laptop is fine now! I would recommend installing SP2, but it does cause problems for some people.

[PMcOuntry]

They may have "fixed" it somewhat. Not sure. I'm know the consensus is home users really don't benifit from SP2, it was more for networks/servers, or so I was told anywho.

[Zoltack]

Speaking about computer virus's, there is a new worm virus floating around but it's kinda obvious to detect. You see I just got a bunch of "spam-mail" with file attachment. If that doesn't scream virus, I don't know what does. I forgot what it was specifically called but my Norton Anti-virus picked it up and got rid of it right away. Even though it's a give'n not to opening strang e-mail with attachments but Norton will warn you about them before you even check your e-mail, it's great.

I don't know what people think they gain by writting those. Oh you destroied thousands of computers good job.