Paging all computer genuises..Newbie needs help...

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I am a computer moron ,so please keep any answers simple

I use an HP with WindowsXP...sometimes I have Dial-up)at work) at home we have comcast cable.
Just about the only thing I do on it is research info and respond to Wrong Planet Forums....

Here is what is happening....There will be a topic I am following on the forums and I get sent an email
I click on link and "something" is wrong with WP server?and I get a blank page...so I try and close it,and my computer "FREAKS OUT"....It starts loading window after window faster then I can close them.It is like it is Aspie stemming.....lalallalllalalla...when I try and go to START...to log off it disappears before I can hit LOG OFF...unless,I have closed windows fast enough that there are only about 10 rapid opening...if I can hit the log off fast enough it will shut down the windows and I can log back on after its logged off....Does this make sense?It is so frustrating...its like playing a video game trying to get the arrow on the close window fast enough to get to the log off.....I have scanned for viruses with Norton and unloaded alot of unneeded files but it hasnt helped

Has this happened to anyone else...anything I can do?Suggestions?(thanks in advance...I have full faith that someone will "clue" me in.

They sound like pop up windows to me, but I'm a newbie myself. Try a pop up window blocker, I've got one on the Google toolbar. But it could be something else altogether..

Thanks...I do have pop up blocker...I think its just for adds....this is like the same or other windows popping up...one on top of another...I think they are wrong planet windows...as if I had told my computer to open every WP forum I have ever looked at...it is really weird...thanks for trying to help anyway..us newbies gotta stick together....lol

Hi krex. This sounds very much like your computer either has some really nasty spyware and/or viruses on it.

A pop-up blocker may help, but won't fix the underlying problem.

If Norton is outdated (the virus definitions), get rid of it and install a good free anti-virus program, keep it updated. I would advocate getting rid of Norton either way and using something else, but I know a lot of people don't want to hear that especially if they recently paid for a new subscription.

Download, install, update and then run Ad-aware and Spybot Search & Destroy to scan for and remove spyware. Note that a lot of viruses or spyware must be removed manually or with special "removal" tools or techniques. There are forums that deal with this specific problem and the experts there can give you detailed instructions on how to clean up your system if you are willing to take the time.

I've had this happen with a keyboard or mouse going bad. You might switch them out if you have a spare, just as a test, one at a time.

It could also be Windows goofing out if it's been a while since your last re-start. Obviously you need to run a spyware free machine. I use AdAware, Webroot, and Norton to keep stuff out.

I'll expand a little bit on what overflow just said.


Anti-virus-
AVG Free


And (if your using it), stop using Internet Explorer. Switch over to Mozilla Firefox, it's WAAAAAY better.


And be aware of what you're clicking on whenever you visit a web page. Just don't download everything that pops up, thinking that you need it. !ONLY! Download from web sites that you trust, and scan with AVG, Spybot, and Ad-Aware often.

Sounds like you have Spyware on your computer. Popup blockers block popup advertising when you are online. Has nothing to do with stop malicious programs that load programs by themselves on your computer.

Here's steps for you to take:

From you startup menu bring up Search then Files & Folders, then search for the word BackWeb and Back Web under All Files. If you find anything called Back Web that is one of the more common pain in the butt spywares, so delete it.

You can also go to www.symantec.com and they have a program that will look for viruses & trojan horses on you computer. If you have a slow internet connection it takes over a hour to run but does work.

My guess is you have spyware on your system and not a virus. I can help you stop the spyware but it takes some hand holding to walk you through the steps but its not that hard to eliminate them. If you were here in town it would take me 2 minutes on your computer to do it myself. PM me if you want me to walk you through the steps. I will send you my email if you PM me so we can talk that way. I'm having a lot of trouble with WP servers going down while I am online so I don't want to waste typing instructions that never end up appearing on WP like some of my posts last night.

Also think about getting an Internet Security program installed. You need a firewall that can block and detect trojan horses and worms. Most will also include an anti-virus program as a "just in case". Most people don't realize that hackers have progressed past simple viruses and anti-virus programs are not enough to protect their computer. If you have cable internet service you are a sitting duck for trojans who will be going after you constantly since the cable modems are always online unless you physically unplug them.

Not that I disagree with getting rid of Backweb, but that may not be the best method to do so. My suggestion would be to use the normal Add/Remove programs to uninstall it rather than just blindly deleting files, some of which probably won't be deleted anyway if the program is running.

I'd also say that Backweb is one of the more "legitimate" programs (yet might still be considered spyware) as it comes with many OEM systems and is supposed to be used for user support of some kind. I'm not aware that Backweb causes uncontrollable popup windows either so I think krex has other issues to worry about before dealing with it.

Backweb may be called a legitimate program because it comes piggybacked on a lot of software; however it will bog down a lot of people's computers. Backweb reports a lot more private info than what it is said to. They like to make you think it only allows for updating your computer's software, but it also reports every website you have visited recently. Some people might not care to share that info with just anyone. Generally Backweb cannot be removed in the Add/Delete Programs as it is often hidden and does not show up as a program. At least that is how it appeared on my both my computers.

I chose to tell how to remove Backweb as it is the easiest spyware to remove. The other spywares which are causing the pop up screens have to be removed different and takes more explanation. However I don't see anyone else on here willing or able to actually tell HOW to remove spyware. The spyware remover software never did remove everything on my computer so I learned from a pro how to stop them.

Thanks everyone for the advice...If I ever stop reading and replying to this forum(obsessed)I will try some of the recommendations...Ticker....I am Uber shy and very imberessed about my "slow" learning style...I have driven people to tearing their hair out in frustration...I dont want to put you through that so I will probably not PM you ,but I REALLY appriciate your offer to help.....thanks you.

What is Uber shy?

Whatever you want to do, but I think I can handle any frustrations as I have taught my dad how to use the computer via the phone and occasional in person demonstrations so if I can survive that I think I have the patience for you.

I don't disagree with everything else you said, but I have always seen it listed in Add/Remove. It has been a while though since I've dealt with removing it from a system, so it's possible this is new behavior to me.


That's because spyware removal procedures are so detailed and varied (depending on exactly what it is) that it probably goes beyond the scope of this forum and is best directed to sites that deal specifically with removal.

And I agree that no software will remove 100% of all spyware. Sometimes the scanners are enough, sometimes you need special programs or even manual removal.

It used to happen to me. I'm not sure, maybe it's spyware?