virus & spyware.

[davidspalding]

I use TightVNC, and I suspect that the vnchooks.dll is a acceleration file for the video in the latest release candidate ... yep there it is, in my TightVNC program folder. Right click yours and check the version info; mine is 1.3.7 (release candidate, 2005).

Thinkpad R, you really need more RAM. I was reading over Microcruft's BOOTVIS documentation yesterday, they found conclusively that even with the bootup enhancements that ended up in XP, more RAM has a bigger impact on boot speed than, say, hard drive speed. Bump up to at least 768 mb, but I'd suggest you just bite the bullet, get a good name brand 1 gb stick and watch your system start flying. Also, let Windows manage virtual memory size.

Based on all the oddball info here, you might do well to just back up your data, ensure you have all your program install discs, and do the "back to factory image" restore as others have suggested. Then YOU KNOW your system will be "clean."

[ThinkPad R]

thanks. I purchased another 256MB -I'm too poor.

I don't think I really need a system that will skyrocket. 512MB seems enough for me.

Let system do the page file?

That's "System managed size". Right?

I wonder if it's worth all the time & resources to factory install my computer. -I mean, it is but here are few questions before I do so.

My version of M Office 2003 is a Student & Teacher edition.

It said in the cover that it will install only 3 times. Is that true? That means that after I factory-install, I won't have my office anymore.


Of my 34GB hard drive, I have 7GB of free space. This means that I would have to store 17GB (assuming that 10GB is system & program files) of stuffs into my CD's.

Hmm. I'm pretty sure that that's going to take about 30CDs -I don't think I have that many.

If I get to reinstall my laptop, it would probably be today. Seriously, I don't think I would have time anytime during school days.

Thanks for your suggestions!

[davidspalding]

512 mb is sufficient. Barely, in my exp.

Yes, system managed size.

You're not backing up the whole thing, JUST YOUR DATA. Your documents, etc. Download and use teh System Migration Tool, I think you'll find that your sheot will fit on 1-2 CDs. (If you've got a lot of digital music, and video files, then perhaps a DVD burner or external drive is the solution.)

I believe the Office 2003 student edition contains 3 licenses, that is you can install it on 3 PCs in the home. Search on Microsoft if you're not sure, but I think it will reinstall just fine.

Don't do this on a school night. Give yourself ample time.

[GomJabbar]

I always run virus scans and spyware scans in Safe Mode. You are more apt to find and be able to get rid of the bad guys in Safe Mode. Not always a piece of cake though. My family desktop PC became infected with spyware call CoolWebSearch (courtesy of Smiley Central). I could not remove it and have everything work right. I finally did a clean install of Windows.

Someone else (I believe it was Kyocera) recently pointed out to me Hijack This. I helps a lot to find out what is running on your system. It does take a little computer savvy and some time to make heads or tails of it though. Look for it at http://www.majorgeeks.com/ . It's under Spyware Tools.