Question for you computer savvy people

[Fantasies_only]

I use IE. And I have Ad-aware, I think. I'm not on that computer now. It seems to be a hardware issue though; if I move the computer (it's a laptop) I get the bluescreen and it tells me to check my hardware, etc....

The Bluescreen is a software or drivers issue.
You have a stack overflow.
Check the Windows Help in your start menu on the taskbar.

For eveything else, I use Spybot, Ad-aware, SpywareBlaster, MRU-Blaster (not updated), NoAds from Southbay Software (popup closer), and the best all purpose program, EMS Free Surfer Companion (use strict mode at start of session).

 

[Fantasies_only]

Ahhh It sounds like the harddrive is dying or something inside of it is loose and needs to be replaced.

Go into IE and just erase all your history and your cache. Then empty out your recycle bin. That should take care of all your web problems ^^ Got everything you need backed up?

That doesn't take care of a thing.
First, take off the walpaper and screen saver.
She needs to delete all cached items (including downloads and forms) in Firefox.
In IE, she has to go to properties, and clear the Website history on the toolbar.
She also needs to open the History by clicking the sun dial icon on the browser.
Clean out cache, cookies, and Temporary Internet (MRU-Blaster also does this), she doesn't need to and shouldn't clean out everything in the recycling bin, but she does need to clean out the Documents (Recent) folder on the start menu.
Then check the drive for errors, defrag, shut off the PC, wait for 20 - 30 seconds, turn on the machine, and if installing a program, take of the walpaper and screen saver.

This is called a "Clean Start", and is very useful in installing new programs, such as a new expansion pack for The Sims.

 

[Fantasies_only]

Thanks again for the suggestions. I really don't want to do all that complicated stuff, so I think just cleaning up what I can and trusting he'll be respectful is all I can do.

Thanks!

You actually don't have to unless you have a virus or security problem.
I just thought you wanted a clean start.
Check your Windows help for "stack overflow".
You might also be getting an error in modual #****.
This is normal.
You do not have to take it in.
Micosoft also has patches that will help you.
Go to Windows Update on the start menu.

 

[jason_jenn]

The Bluescreen is a software or drivers issue.
You have a stack overflow.
Check the Windows Help in your start menu on the taskbar.

For eveything else, I use Spybot, Ad-aware, SpywareBlaster, MRU-Blaster (not updated), NoAds from Southbay Software (popup closer), and the best all purpose program, EMS Free Surfer Companion (use strict mode at start of session).

Moving a computer shold not cause a software issue (unless you hit it considerably hard... If there is a loose connection, I agree that a failing driver from an intermittant peripheral MAY cause the issue, but doubtful in XP (Was known to be a problen in 9x systems). It definitley sounds like a physical issue from your description, though.

 

[tinmann]

New Question

Ok, heres one for the experts. I am running Windows XP Pro. Over the last year or so about 2 gigs of my hard drive has gotten used up. I have not saved that much by no means, but still the hard drive just keeps getting smaller and smaller. I suspect there is a hidden file someplace that is keeping track of every little thing I do and every place I explore, every picture I open, etc etc. I have erased all the cache, history and temp. files but I still don't gain any space. Where can I look to erase some unwanted files or whatever it is thats using up my space. Down to less than a gig on the hard drive and it won't be long before its all gone.
Hope someone can help me out............

 

[ShyGuy68]

Ok, heres one for the experts. I am running Windows XP Pro. Over the last year or so about 2 gigs of my hard drive has gotten used up. I have not saved that much by no means, but still the hard drive just keeps getting smaller and smaller. I suspect there is a hidden file someplace that is keeping track of every little thing I do and every place I explore, every picture I open, etc etc. I have erased all the cache, history and temp. files but I still don't gain any space. Where can I look to erase some unwanted files or whatever it is thats using up my space. Down to less than a gig on the hard drive and it won't be long before its all gone.
Hope someone can help me out............

I suggest you head over to the how to forum, and ask there. I know there are a few very smart computer people who post there.

 

[tinmann]

I suggest you head over to the how to forum, and ask there. I know there are a few very smart computer people who post there.

I do that, and thanks for the response...................

 

[Horny_Husband]

I had my private files invisible, so unless the computer guy really searched, he probably wouldn't see anything, but i asked him to respect our priavacy and he said he would. I didn't look him in the eye when he came back, though, just in case. lol.

Private files are the best to find. However, if one uses good encryption software they would never find it. You could put it in plain view and they would never know it's there.

 

[Horny_Husband]

You can reformat a HDD 20+ times and information can be found. the only surefire way to destroy data entirely (100% satisfaction garranteed) is to mangle it beyond use... ie burn, sledgehammer, explosives.

An easier thing to try which is effective against most prying eyes is to format it with FAT32, fill it completely full of data (Anything will do), format it again in NTFS, fill it with data again, then format once more... This is the best way (within reason) to ensure data has been overwritten as well as the information tables cleared. infornation can be overwritten several times and still be read with the right expertise (Experts in law enforcement have such tools).

Re-read your first paragraph. You were right the first time.

There are several sweeping software which claim to be effective, but costs big bucks.

Once again - not true. Check out http://dban.sourceforge.net/. That is DOD grade drive erasing software - FOR FREE.



Now to finish of my post, I would say a self respecting (and respecting of others) individual would not be so nosy as to rummage around a friend's hard drive.[/QUOTE]

 

[Horny_Husband]

Ok, heres one for the experts. I am running Windows XP Pro. Over the last year or so about 2 gigs of my hard drive has gotten used up. I have not saved that much by no means, but still the hard drive just keeps getting smaller and smaller. I suspect there is a hidden file someplace that is keeping track of every little thing I do and every place I explore, every picture I open, etc etc. I have erased all the cache, history and temp. files but I still don't gain any space. Where can I look to erase some unwanted files or whatever it is thats using up my space. Down to less than a gig on the hard drive and it won't be long before its all gone.
Hope someone can help me out............

I would give Crap Cleaner a shot. http://www.ccleaner.com. It gets rid of all temporary stuff. For example: IE's default cache setting is 10% of your hard disk space.

 

[Michael4567]

I would give Crap Cleaner a shot. http://www.ccleaner.com. It gets rid of all temporary stuff. For example: IE's default cache setting is 10% of your hard disk space.

Remember that XP saves restore points, unless you have that feature turned off. It can eat up a significant portion of your hard drive and could easily explain the used up space. You can delete the restore points if you are confident that you will never need them and reestabilish a new one once they have been cleaned off.

 

[Horny_Husband]

Remember that XP saves restore points, unless you have that feature turned off. It can eat up a significant portion of your hard drive and could easily explain the used up space. You can delete the restore points if you are confident that you will never need them and reestabilish a new one once they have been cleaned off.

Excellent point! I forgot about restore points. Restore points by default use 10% of the disk space by default as well. That is something else I dial down.

 

[buckie10]

SexynSweet

hi blue eyes lovely

 

[Ekserb]

This thread only serves to remind me that using a Mac is the best means of preserving data/being secure/having fun.

If (and that's a pretty big "if") my Mac were having hardware issues and if I hadn't backed up all my files, I could simply restart the computer in Target Disk Mode and connect it to my other Mac (or my brother's, or any Mac at the Apple Store) with a Firewire cable and drag all the files from the dying computer to the good computer, then wipe the hard drive by over-writing the drive with zeros once, seven times, or thirty-five times. The 7 and 35 options "meet the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) 5220-22-M standard for securely erasing magnetic media." I'd say that's pretty clean.

As for backing up the files, I use the Backup app provided with my annual .Mac account ... but next year Apple will introduce with the next version of the Mac OS an app called Time Machine that automatically backs up every single file and folder (excluding disposable files like cache items) to an external hard drive with no interaction from the user. Missing a file from last week? Time Machine will restore it with a few clicks. Lose an entire set of images from your iPhoto library? Time Machine has 'em. Typical Apple ease-of-use and intuitive interface.

Does this sound like an ad for Apple? Maybe it's because I work with broken Windoze computers daily and I wouldn't have one of those pieces of shit in my house if they were free and came with a pair of lips attached. Take that for what it's worth.

 

[LORDG]

pc

hi
buy an external usb hard drive these cost from around £80.
copy all of your files onto this from your pc.
you can cut and drop your folders.
then from the run command in start.
type format c:/ and confirm.
this will wipe your computer.
files can be retreived using professional equipment.
presumably he would not have this so you will be safe?
lordg