Computer Help Needed-Vanity

me ^ | 6/10/05 | texasflower

[texasflower]

I sure could use some help for a couple of problems I'm running into. My dad died a few months ago and I'm trying to make sure my mother's computer stays updated.

What I am finding is that everything new programs install very slowly. Last night she bought a new HP all in one scanner, printer etc.

Last night, I tried to install it and in 12 hours now it has only 31 percent installed. It is still trying to install, but it is just so slow.

I would take it out and start over, but the install screen has no cancel or X button. I've tried to shut down the computer but it won't shut down while this is in progress.

Other minor things seem to install, like virus updates etc., but they also run slowly. Not this slowly of course.

What can I do about this?

I have run all of the virus scan and spyware scans I have available.

Spybot Search and Destroy

Ad-Adware

Norton Anti-virus

AVG anti-virus.

Spyware Doctor

Zonealarm is the firewall.

I'm thinking this must be an installer driver or something like that but I don't know anything substantial about computers.

Also I would love to get rid of a dead program on here called pc-cillin, but the add and remove program thing won't let me do it. Any ideas?

So, if you have an answer or suggestion, you probably should baby talk me through it.

The computer is a SonyViao running Windows XP.

Oops. One more thing, for some reason there is an external zip drive attached to this computer. Shouldn't the computer be able to unzip regular files?

[texasflower]

I'm glad my thread was timely for you. Hope you got your answers.

There sure is a lot of great help here on FR!

[texasflower]

Thanks for the advice. I have the computer in the oven now.

[Spirited]

Thanks!

Second the motion.

[mabelkitty]

I had never heard of this.
So I tried it, and I found a blank program running in the HotKeys someone was talking about earlier.
I also turned off things I don't use (or need) on a daily basis.
I can't believe it, but my system is soooo quiet!
Thank you!

[texasflower]

Thank you so much for your help tophat. I did most of the things you suggested. The install is FINALLY done!

[texasflower]

Thank you so much for the help and the advice on AVG. This Norton thing also seems very slow.

[texasflower]

the computer belonged to a recently deceased dad, and the son probably would just as soon keep everything his dad put on it.

You are absolutely right. Except I'm a she. But yes, I do want to keep my dad's computer pretty close to the way he left it, just better.

Fortunately, he wasn't in the habit of downloading much junk!

[trussell]

I like your profile page very much...but I think I like mine better!! LOL

[texasflower]

What does CPU actually stand for?

[texasflower]

Hey just for grins and giggles when you get the problem solved, give the credit to the oven guy. Maybe even write up a little story about it ;-)

I just might do that. It would be kinda fun to write!

Actually I finally did get the problem solved and lots of others. All the advice has been great. This computer is now running faster and I learned alot.

The final thing I needed to do in the end was turn off my anti-virus for a few minutes. I learned that on this thread also.

Thanks for jumping in to help!

Tammy

[Wiz]

Also I would love to get rid of a dead program on here called pc-cillin, but the add and remove program thing won't let me do it. Any ideas?

Look into the directory to see if there is any uninstaller program. If it is already installed, load the program and search for uninstaller capabilities that may load from there. If that is not the solution availible, look into download.com for uninstallers. The last resort would be just to delete the folder.

[texasflower]

Thank you so much for all your help with this install. You guys gave me lots of help. My dad's computer is now cleaner and much faster. My mom will be very pleased.

I have learned an awful lot from all the help on this thread. I will bookmark it and keep it for reference for sure.

What finally worked to get the printer to install was shutting down the anti virus and firewall for a few minutes and then it loaded up just fine.

That was of course cleaning it up and following the other advice I was given.

Much thanks to all. You've been very helpful, patient and very kind. :-)

Tammy

[texasflower]

Thanks for the advice. I've tried everything to get rid of this horrendous thing. The add/remove thing won't get rid of it. I'll try downloaders.com then, to get an uninstaller.

[texasflower]

I would also recommend finding a reliable teenager or friend to look at it.

Hey, that's what YOU guys are for....

[texasflower]

Thank you very much valk. I appreciate you stepping in!

[tophat9000]

What does CPU actually stand for?

Central Processing Unit ...the CPU execute the program instruction... in older computer it could be a set of cards

But in PC the CPU is all on one microprocessor "chip" (in your case the Intel Pentium chip most likely)... the chip is on the motherboard ...motherboard in the case

The CPU will have a clock rating of how fast the CPU can clock in and execute the instructions ....

some people sometime will call the whole computer tower the "CPU"...(technically incorrect but commonly understood

Sorry to go on been a computer tech from 80 on... and you got me in full on FE (Field Engineer) mode :>

[Recall]

Anti-virus programs like to set up to run whenever you start windows. If you are removing it (but it's not going anywhere) it may just be a line in your msconfig that you need to uncheck.

Click Start
Run
Type in msconfig

look for the anti-virus program and uncheck it -then use the removal tool

[Recall]

I meant to add that pc-cillian you mentioned is an anti-virus name. I'm thinking it may also be listed as trend-pc-cillian but I'm not sure.

Good Luck to you (now just remember what all you did! LOL)