Topic awaiting preservation: I need some help, can anyone help me

First off let me thank you ahead of time. So onto my problem.

I recently switched to Earthlink (which I highly doubt this has anything to do with the problem but just in case) before I was on Compuserve. I had problems while on Compuserve with Internet Explorer popping up with all these ads. Well I went and deleted some used programs such as search toolbars that were raley used. Things that I had no idea where they came from and how I got them. So I switched over to Earthlink just a few days ago. It is using internet explorer. But now when it comes on it says there is an abnormal C++ programing problem. Well not in those exact words but it is along those lines. I can get the explorer to run somewhat most of the time. I had and anit-virus program when this first started. So I dont think it was due to a virus but maybe. I also deleted my Kazaa media thinking that it maybe giving me a virus. But nothing has helped if anything it is getting worse. Is there something I can do to fix this fast and easily?

I also should mention that I did send out a few error reports. But it just ended up telling me to install updates. I did that and it didnt help me. My anti-virus program is Norton if that matters. I really do appreciate this it is really frustrating.

~Floater~

I think it's spyware. I would download adAware ( http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ ) and Spybot: Search and Destroy ( http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html ) and give them a run. They've worked really well for me.

I also suggest using a different web browser, as most spyware comes due to Internet Explorer. Why not give Firefox ( http://www.mozilla.org/ ) a run? It just turned 1.0 today, and is always getting better.

Hope that helps!

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke
"Any sufficiently arcane magic is indistinguishable from technology." -- P. David Lebling

Thanks a lot Iron Wallaby. My Earthlink comes with a spyware program, and I have been running that a lot. It seems to find spyware everytime I am online. So I think I might try something else. Thank you again.

~Floater~

Its not very likely that switching ISPs would cause you these problems - particularly since it sounds like they existed before hand in a more manageable form. As Iron Wallaby said your popups are probably caused by spyware and your best bet is probably Ad-Aware. I don't know too much about Spybot: Search & Destroy, but I know many people use it. A word of caution though with Ad-Aware. Occationally it will find things that it thinks is spyware, when in actuality its necessary to run Internet Explorer. That's happened to me once and it was a real pain in the neck.

After you finish with Ad-Aware though, you might want to check out Microsoft's Security At Home website. If you're using Win XP, I'd recommend updating to Service Pack 2. Theres been some controversy over that but I haven't had any problems with it. Also, make sure your Anti-Virus definitions are up to date and you have a firewall enabled. Switching to Mozilla (or Firebird) is an option but you can download plenty of good popup blockers. The Google toolbar for instance will do this.

Other then that, welcome =)

Thanks Jestah. I dont think it has anything to do with switching isps either. But yet I dont know a whole lot about the computer world, I do know some. And what little knowledge I have in c++ I cant begin to fingure out whats going on. Earthlink gave me some spyware program, which seems to be working ok, and also another anti-virus program. I downloaded the FireFox. And so far there has been really no problems at all. But it is still early. lol I appreciate your help. Thank you both very much.

~Floater~

I run Firefox, scan with Adware, and Spybot regulary and now have few problems with spyware. One of the useful features of spybot is its popup blocker and that it can immunize your PC against certain spyware preventing that spyware from being installed.

Also keep in mind that anti-virus, Adware, spybot, and Windows all need periodic upgrades to keep them running in top form.

__________________________
Eagles may fly high, but beavers don't get sucked into jet engines.
tj333- the semi-Christ

FWIW, I have had SP2 installed and running for 2+ months now and it works fine; no probs at all. Some pop ups that you do want, require you to hold the CTRL key down as the window opens as well as allowing the pop up.

[sense] Organisation is anathema to organisations [/sense]